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  • Senate versus IGP: A Dissection Of The Law, By Inibehe Effiong

    Senate versus IGP: A Dissection Of The Law, By Inibehe Effiong

    By Inibehe Effiong

    The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria summoned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on three different occasions, namely: April 25, 2018; May 2, 2018 and May 9, 2018. The IGP failed to honour the summons.

    The reasons for the summons as indicated by the Senate are twofold: the first reason was for the Police Chief to address it, and answer questions on the “undignified” manner the Police treated their colleague Senator Dino Melaye. The second reason was for the IGP to answer questions on the killings perpetuated across the country by armed herdsmen and other militias. Recall that the Senate previously debated the unabated killings by herdsmen and other armed groups in Nigeria during it plenaries on January 16 and 17, 2018 and resolved inter alia: that the IG should arrest and prosecute the suspects within Two weeks (14 days).

    The facts as stated above are already in the public domain and verifiable. My intervention in this piece is to dissect the law on the matter.

    As a preliminary point, the power of the Senate to summon any person in Nigeria is derived from Sections 88 and 89(1)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) (subsequently referred to as ‘the Constitution’) as reproduced infra:

    Section 88 (1) “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation to direct or cause to be directed investigation into – (a) any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws, and (b) the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for – (i) executing or administering laws enacted by National Assembly, and (ii) disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.”

    88 (2) The powers conferred on the National Assembly under the provisions of this section are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling it to;

    (a) make laws with respect to any matter within its legislative competence and correct any defects in existing laws; and

    (b) expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it”.

    89 (1) For the purpose of any investigation under Section 88 of this Constitution and subject to the provisions thereof, the Senate or the House of Representatives or a committee appointed in accordance with section 62 of this Constitution shall have power to – (c) summon ANY PERSON in Nigeria to give evidence at any place or produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, and examine him as a witness and require him to produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, subject to all just exceptions.” (Capitalize for emphasis).

    It is beyond contention that the IGP can be summoned by the Senate to give evidence on any of the matters listed in Section 88 (1) for the purposes envisaged under Section 88 (2) of the Constitution. In essence, the real issue in controversy here is not whether the Senate can summon the IGP, but for what purpose?

    Two reasons were adduced by the Senate for summoning the IGP. The first reason was for him to address it and answer questions on the travails of Senator Dino Melaye. The second reason was for the IGP to explain the wanton killing of innocent Nigerians in Benue State and other parts of the country.

    On the issue of mass killings across the country, by the combined effect of Section 214 (1)(b) of the Constitution and Section 4 of the Police Act Cap. P19 LFN 2004, the responsibility for the maintenance of law and order and security of lives and property is vested in the Nigeria Police Force. Therefore, the Senate acted within the scope of its oversight powers under Section 88 of the Constitution by summoning the IGP over the killings in Nigeria since the Police Act that vests the duty of security on the Police is a law made by the National Assembly; of which the Senate is an arm as provided in Section 47 of the Constitution.

    On the issue of Senator Dino Melaye, some of my learned friends have contended that the Senate cannot summon the IGP over the manner the Kogi Senator was treated by the Police. With the greatest respect to them, that argument can be faulted for the reasons canvassed below.

    The powers to search, arrest, detain and or prosecute any person are donated to the Police by an Act of the National Assembly, specifically Part 4 of the Police Act. When the Police exercise its powers of searching, arresting, detaining or prosecuting any person in Nigeria, they are merely executing a law made by the National Assembly. Note that by virtue of Section 88 (1)(b)(i) of the Constitution reproduced supra, the Senate is imbued with the power to carry out investigation into “the conduct of affairs or any person, authority, Ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the responsibility for executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly.”

    If it is conceded that the police was executing a law made by the National Assembly when it arrested Senator Dino Melaye for alleged sundry offences, it follows that the Senate can investigate the conduct of the affairs of the IGP and the Police relating to how it executed its powers in arresting and detaining Dino Melaye, provided that the purpose of such investigation by the Senate is to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution of the powers of the Police under Part 4 of the Police Act.

    I agree that the Senate cannot investigate a matter which is a subject of litigation based on the sub judice rule. Admittedly, this rule is cognizable under Order 53(5) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015, (as amended) which states that ‘’Reference shall not be made to any matter on which a judicial decision is pending in such a way as might in the opinion of the President of the Senate prejudice the interest of parties thereto.’’ Interestingly, IGP Idris relied on this very provision to evade probe by the Senate over the allegations made against him by Senator Misau when he appeared before the Senate ad-hoc committee on the matter.

    In the present case, Dino Melaye was first arraigned on May 2, 2018 in Abuja which coincided with the second summons. As at April 25, 2018 when the IGP was first summoned to appear, there was no pending litigation on the Melaye’s case. If the IGP is now relying on the sub judice rule to ignore the Senate summons, which should be properly raised when he appears before the Senate, which court case is preventing him from honouring the summons to explain the ongoing wanton killings across the country?

    There is nothing unprecedented or unusual in the decision of the Senate to investigate the actions of the Nigeria Police Force. Indeed, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of cases of alleged abuse or misuse of power and human rights violation by the police pending before the Senate and the House of Representatives Committees on Human Rights and Public Petitions. These are cases brought by Nigerians of diverse economic, social and political standing to seek redress against various forms of reckless and unlawful exercise of power by the police and other law enforcement agencies. It will be to the collective disadvantage of the people of Nigeria if the National Assembly was not empowered by the Constitution to investigate the conduct of affairs of the police. The law cannot be changed overnight merely because the Senate has decided to invoke its oversight powers for the benefit of one of its member. The right of Melaye or any other Nigerian to seek redress in court does not operate as a bar to the oversight powers of the National Assembly.

    It is also my considered view that the IGP cannot delegate other officers to represent him when the Senate has expressly indicated that it wants the IGP to appear before it in person. Section 89 (1)(c) of the Constitution empowers the Senate to summon ANY PERSON. It is also unhelpful to posit that the Inspector General of Police is an office and can be represented or that the occupant of the office can delegate his functions. The Police Act, which authorizes the IGP to delegate his functions, is subservient to the Constitution which empowers the Senate to summon ANY PERSON. The IGP cannot rely on his power of delegation under the Police Act to challenge the power of the Senate under the Constitution to summon him to appear in person.

    The Senate is empowered by Section 89 (1)(d) of the Constitution to issue a warrant to compel the attendance of the IGP since the excuses given by the IGP are not satisfactory to the Senate. Unfortunately, it is the same Nigeria Police Force headed by the IGP that has the duty under Section 89 (2) of the Constitution to enforce and execute the warrant. This is why the conduct of the IGP must be deprecated and viewed not just as a flagrant disregard for the rule of law, but a despicable attack on our nascent democracy.

    I further submit that it is not within the powers of the IGP to determine whether the reasons proffered by the Senate for summoning him are within the scope of Section 88 of the Constitution. That is for the courts to determine. Only a court of competent jurisdiction can interpret or limit the constitutional powers of the Senate under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution. If the IGP genuinely believed that the Senate acted ultra vires by summoning him, he ought to have sought redress in court.

    I am conversant with the decisions of the Court of Appeal in the cases of Senate of National Assembly v. Momoh (1983) 4

    NCLR, 269 and Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai v. The House of Representatives, National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & Ors. (2003) 46 WRN 70, where the appellate court pronounced on the limits of the investigative powers of the National Assembly under the Constitution. However, a case is only an authority for what it decides. The facts of those cases are not on all fours with the present case. If the Senate in their letter of invitation (summons) to the IGP had clearly indicated that the summons was for the IGP to explain the killings in the country and the manner Melaye was treated, the Senate is in order as those reasons are within the scope of the Constitution. The IGP is not a private citizen but a public officer.

    Last month, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory presided over by Justice Abba Bello Mohammed, dismissed a suit instituted by this same IGP, Ibrahim Idris, against the Senate when he was summoned over the damning allegations leveled against him by Senator Isa Misau. The Court upheld the powers of the Senate under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution to summon the IGP. The IGP is yet to honour that summons despite losing in court.

    This same IGP has continued to flout the subsisting orders of two different courts of competent jurisdiction for him to unseal the office of the Peace Corps of Nigeria. We are dealing with an IGP who flouted the directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief for him to relocate to Benue State. The contemptuous conduct of the IGP towards the institution of the Senate is intolerable. This unbridled impunity by the Chief Law Enforcement Officer should not be allowed to stand.

    Let it be known that I am neither a fan of Senator Dino Melaye nor do I share in his political idiosyncrasy. I also have strong reservations about the present crop of members of the Senate and its leadership. However, we must never condone the destruction of our institutions. Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye will not be in the Senate forever. We should resist the temptation to play to the gallery by trivializing the offensive, unlawful and arrogant conduct of the IGP, Ibrahim Idris, simply because we disagree with the Senate leadership or membership.

    This is about the survival of our nascent democracy.

    Thank you.

  • IGP urges Nigerians to fight corruption

    IGP urges Nigerians to fight corruption

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris has called on Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption to put the country back on the path of greatness.

     

    Idris made the call at the customary dinner organised for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Detective Superintendent Course (7) 2017/2018 at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

     

    He said the feat achieved by the EFCC with the recovery of looted funds under the leadership of the Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, could not have been possible without the support of Mr. President.

     

    “Without the support and prompting of Mr President, the achievement made by the commission would not have been possible.

     

    “Mr president has zero tolerance for corruption and I urge all Nigerians to support him to carry the fight to its logical conclusion,” Idris added.

     

    The IGP, while congratulating the 314 cadets who successfully completed the 13 months training course, charged them to exercise high sense of professionalism and courage in carrying out the task ahead.

     

    “You have been called upon to join the anti-corruption crusade of the President, Commander -in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; as such, you must be professional, committed and courageous in the fight.

     

    “This is the only way you can guarantee your service in the commission,” he said.

     

    He warned them against temptations in the course of their job, urging them not to pervert the course of justice for monetary and material rewards.

     

    “I advise you to be above board and resist all the temptations.

     

    “You must be contented with your salary and allowances and know that being an officer of the EFCC does not make you immune to arrest and prosecution if found wanting,” Idris said.

     

    He said that the Police would continue to partner with the commission to ensure that all those who looted the treasury and diverted funds that would have been used to develop the economy were arrested and prosecuted.

     

    EFCC selective in fight against corruption, says Magu

  • IGP’s Summons: Senate acting out of order – Carl Umegboro

    By Carl Umegboro

    The Senate’s newest action over the failure of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to appear in person is again reducing the red chamber to disdain. In the first place, it tantamount to undue influence to summon the head of a security agency for arresting and prosecuting a suspect it believed to have committed crimes. As long as the arrest is followed by arraignment in the court of law, the Police have no case to answer.

    Secondly, it is out of order for the Senate to interfere with operations and investigations of the Police for whatever reasons. It is important to equivocally state that oversight functions of the Senate do not transcend to interferences with criminal investigations. Police do not convict suspects but merely investigate, arrest and arraign before the court of law for trial.

    Thirdly, it is absurd that the senate made the Police Act and Regulation that empowers the IGP to be represented by a DIG in any functions, yet rejected a DIG assigned to duty at its chamber in line with the Police Act and Regulation. The act itself is disrespect to the institution and Nigerian constitution.

    Without a doubt, Section 88(1) and 89(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended gives the Senate powers to summon any public officeholders. However, Section 312(1) of Police Act and Regulation specifically provides that “all the functions, duties and responsibilities of the IGP as listed in Section 215 of the Constitution can be carried out by a senior officer of the Force of the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) and Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) who, if permitted by the Inspector General of Police to act on his behalf or represent him in official capacity at any function, event or programme within and outside Nigeria, can do so in consonant with the provisions of the Police Act and Regulation”. Hence, Police Act endorsed DIG to represent IGP at any functions including at the Senate.

    In other words, the Senate turned a blind eye to the provisions of the Police Act and Regulation it enacted which guides Police personnel in their duties. Emphatically, Section 24(a) of 1999 Constitution provides, “It shall be the duty of every citizen to – abide by this Constitution, respect its ideals and its institutions, the National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Pledge, and legitimate authorities”. Thus, if the Police Act permits IGP to be represented by a DIG in any functions, it is unambiguous.

    To sum, senate should not heat up the polity over frivolities. The Police are under no obligations to give reasons to anyone for carrying out its statutory duties. If the Senate requires official information on the Police, certainly, any senior officers assigned in line with the Police Act and Regulation can fittingly represent the Force. However, if the Senate is uncomfortable with the provisions of the Act, the appropriate thing is to amend the Police Act. Incidentally, the nation has numerous challenges that require urgent attentions rather than allocating such times and energy on mere politics.

    Umegboro, a public affairs analyst writes from Abuja. (07057101974-SMS only

  • [BREAKING] IGP ignores Senate’s summon for third consecutive time

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris again on Wednesday failed to appear before the Senate.

    This is the third time in three weeks that the IG is snubbing the lawmakers’ invitation over the arrest of a fellow lawmaker, Dino Melaye, and killings across the country.

    Recall that the police boss was first summoned on April 25 but he failed to appear.

    On the day he was expected, the chairman of Senate committee on police affairs, Abu Ibrahim, informed the lawmakers that the IGP had accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari to Bauchi.

    The Senate re-summoned Idris after it refused to allow the deputy Inspector-General of Operations to represent him.

    The lawmakers summoned Idris to appear on May 2 by 11 a.m. Again, he did not show up.

    Ibrahim said last week he had not been able to reach the IG for a while.

    He said he later found out the police chief had travelled to Kaduna instead of honouring the Senate’s invitation.

    The Senate issued a third summons following a suggestion by the Senate president, Bukola Saraki.

    Idris was asked to attend the senate plenary today, May 9.

    But when it was time for the IGP to be ushered into the Senate chamber, the lawmakers realised IG did not show up.

    Saraki announced his non-appearance after some minutes of wait to allow him into the chamber.

    “I’ve just been informed that the IG or any member of his team are not here,” he said.

    The lawmakers are currently deliberating on next line of action.

  • BREAKING: Senate quizzes IGP behind closed doors over Melaye

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, is now in the Senate’s chamber being grilled by the lawmakers over the alleged maltreatment of Senator Dino Melaye during his arrest and detention by the police.

    Although the Senate’s plenary was closed at 11:07 am, the police boss was later led into the chamber.

    Recall that IGP, who failed to appear during the last invitation, was said to have travelled with President Muhammadu Buhari on a visit to Bauchi State.

    He was, however, re-summoned to appear today at 11am.

    Saraki during the reinvitation of the IGP said that the dignity and Integrity of the Senate must be protected, and that the IGP must appear .

    The obviously angry Saraki said at the time: “Distinguished colleagues, we have taken the contributions and the general consensus is that we give a specific date, Wednesday, May 2, 2018, for the IG of Police to appear.

    ‘’But as we do that, I take a cue from the comments of the leader which I have strong views on. The dignity and integrity of our democratic authority, we must protect it and we must not allow anybody to show any disrespect or desecrate that authority.

    “As I said to you the other day, and I’m sure Senator Abu Ibrahim will confirm, neither Senator Abu Ibrahim nor myself has received any response from the IG of Police in the last 48 hours. “Sending his DIG here today is not respectful enough.

    He should have had the respect of this institution to reach the chairman or myself to explain. “We have all been chief executives. If Mr President is going to Bauchi to commission a project, he is only accompanying the President. If he had said to Mr President, with the killings that are going on it is important that I go to parliament, I am very sure that Mr. President will say, IG that is more important, go to the parliament.

    “This is the point we are making about those who are appointed, who are creating more problems. “Someone said to me, if a former Minster suspended by the President breaks into the council chambers at the Villa and does some kind of mischief, will the IG of Police not feel he need to report to the President on what actions had been taken?” “This cannot be the kind of democratic setting we expect. As you have rightly said, we must ensure that things are done properly.

    We give him until Wednesday, 11am to come here to explain to us what is happening in this country regarding these killings, what do we need to do collectively to bring an end to this killings; what challenges are there; and why are we having these issues? “I don’t think there is anything more important today than these issues. So let us wait till when he comes on Wednesday to address that so that we can find a way forward on this matter.”

  • Why IGP was represented at Senate – Police

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Friday said it was Constitutional for the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris to send a representative after being summoned by the Senate.

    A statement by Police spokesman ACP Jimoh Moshood said the functions, duties and responsibilities of the IGP as listed in Section 215 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can also be carried out as mentioned in section 312 (1) of the Police Act and Regulation by a senior officer of the Force of the Rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police and Assistant Inspector General of Police who if permitted by the Inspector General of Police to act on his behalf or represent him in official capacity at any function, event or programme within and outside Nigeria and can do so in consonant with the provisions of the Police Act and Regulation.

    He said it is on the basis of the above that while the Inspector General of Police is on an official assignment in Bauchi State that he delegated the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations to represent him and honour the invitation of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria in respect of the felonious offenses for which Sen. Dino Melaye was taken into Police custody, investigated and to be arraigned in the Federal High Court, Lokoja without further delay.

    He added that, “Consequently, the general public are hereby implored to note that the Inspector General of Police acted rightly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Police Act and Regulation and other extant laws by delegating the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations to represent him at the Senate, National Assembly on 26th April, 2018 to present the Police report, actions and findings in a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms and other sundry offenses indicting Senator Dino Melaye.”

    Moshood explained that,”The Nigeria Police Force is a law abiding organization and holds the Senate and its leadership in high esteem, however the Force wishes to impress on the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to personalize or trivialize the criminal offenses (Criminal Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms and other sundry offenses) indicting Sen. Dino Melaye from confessions of two suspected kidnappers and Armed Robbers namely: Kabiru Saidu and Nuhu Salisu: but should allow the rule of law and justice to prevail.”

  • Melaye: IGP ignores Senate, accompanies Buhari to Bauchi

    …as Senate reschedules appearance for next week

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Thursday failed to honour the invitation of the Senate to explain the controversial arrest of a senator, Dino Melaye and the gruesome killings by suspected herdsmen across the country.

    Recall that the Senate had, on Wednesday, summoned the IGP to appear in the chamber to address the lawmakers in plenary on Thursday (today).

    The Police boss was, however, said to have accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari on a state visit to Bauchi State.

    Faulting the Police boss for not officially communicating to them on his non-appearance, the lawmakers asked that the appearance be rescheduled to next Wednesday.

    Details later…

  • IGP to face Senate today over Melaye

    The Senate yesterday adjourned plenary and summoned the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris over the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi).

    The resolution followed a point of order by Senator Sam Anyanwu (PDP, Imo) on the arrest of Melaye, who has been having a running battle with the police over allegation of gun running.

    The IGP is to appear before the Senate today by 11.am during plenary. Our correspondent reports that all items listed on the Senate’s order paper were stepped down following the resolution.

    Anyanwu said: “When one person is humiliated, it is all of us. A senator of Federal Republic is being treated like a common criminal. We have lost our glory as a result of what happened yesterday.”

    Also speaking, Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi) described yesterday as a very bad day for the Senate. “An attack on one is an attack on all of us. He was being taken to SARS where common criminals like armed robbers are.”

    Ubali Shittu (APC, Jigawa) said it was a similar scenario that played out in 1984 that led to the end of the government. “This is not change we voted for. We did’nt vote for this government to be maltreated,” he said.

    But Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC, Nasarawa) cautioned his colleagues against what he called, confrontational outpour, saying it won’t help Melaye’s situation.
    Senate President Bukola Saraki described the police action as a threat to democracy.

    “Even me in the last 48 hours, I’ve not been able to reach the IGP. That’s not disrespect to me as an individual but this institution,” he said.
    Senators visit Melaye at National Hospital.

    At about 1.pm yesterday, Saraki led all senators in two buses to the National Hospital, where Melaye was hospitalized. They arrived the hospital at 1.31 and left at about 2.20pm.

    After a brief meeting with the chairman of the board of the Hospital, Patricia Etteh, nine out of the senators were allowed into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
    In an interview with newsmen, Saraki said Melaye was in a stable condition. He said Melaye was not in handcuffs.

  • BREAKING: Senate summons IGP, condenms ill-treatment of Senator Dino Melaye [Video]

    * Shuts down plenary for all Senators to visit Sen. Dino

    Apparently troubled by the ill-treatment of senator representing Kogi-West, Dino Melaye by police operatives in Abuja, the Nigerian senate on Wednesday shuts down plenary session, summons the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to appear at plenary on Thursday to brief lawmakers on Melaye arrest as well as the continuous killings of Nigerians across the country.

    Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, will be leading the Senators to visit Melaye at the National Hospital in Abuja to ascertain his condition.

    The visit comes after the Senator landed the hospital after he reportedly jumped out of a moving police vehicle.

    The lawmaker was rushed to Zankli hospital in Mabushi district of Abuja after jumping off the police vehicle around Area One.

    The police vehicle was conveying him to Lokoja, Kogi State where he is expected to be interrogated by the police in connection with the allegation that he armed some thugs and in relation to other criminal activities.

    Speaking at today’s plenary session Saraki described police handling of Melaye is a threat to every member of the Nigerian Senate.

    He words, “It affects all of us, not only us, but this institution and this democracy and these actions are a threat. The excesses must be contained in the interest of all of us.”

    “We are about to start elections and if these are the kind of excesses of those who are meant to be responsible for providing law and order, this is a great concern in this country. And those who are directly responsible need to take up that responsibility.”

    This is not what we should be spending our energy on. It is important for the IGP to come & brief us. I have tried so many times to find out what the situation is, & this kind of attitude must stop if we truly want to sustain & create an enabling environment.”

    “So, one thing is to ascertain his state of mind concerning the situation and also to find out and also to find a way out quickly, to find a solution to this problem so we can restore sanity.

    “We are not talking about the menace, but there is a procedure and a way to handle these things.

    Other Senators condemned manhandling of Melaye by police

    Here are the views of some of the senators as regards the drama between the Nigerian Police and Senator Dino Melaye.

    Sen Shehu Sani

    Senator states his concern about systematic factors in the country and that all should remember there is no permanence in power. “What happened to Senator is an abuse of power”.

    Sen Remi Tinubu

    “The people look to the Senate for protection. “The average man needs protection just as we do.”- Senator

    Senator states that she is not in support of what happened to Senator . “If Senators and can be taken away by the police, it destroys the sanctity of this chamber.”

    Sen Joshua Lidani

    “Senator is a very vocal person, he is being intimidated and targeted. It is clear that Dino Melaye is subject to inhumane treatment, let us all rise and condemn this act.”- Senator Joshua Lidani

    Sen Ubali Shittu

    We did not vote this Government to abuse democracy. I condemn shameful act totally invite all those involved to speak to us and this case openly to the public.”- Senator Ubali Shitu

    Sen. Isah Misau

    “It was only an allegation against Senator and since the matter is still in court, he should not be forced to go to Kogi.”- Senator

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Just in: IG removes Kogi CP over escape of gun suspects linked to Melaye

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the immediate removal of Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Ali Janga over the escape of two alleged gun suppliers linked to Senator Dino Melaye.

    He also redeployed the Commander, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad in the state, the Divisional Police Officer ‘A’ Division, Lokoja and other police officers implicated in the escape for negligence, dereliction of duty and gross misconduct.

    The IG in a statement by the police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, explained that the policemen are all facing serious disciplinary action.

    Senator Dino Melaye has threatened to sue the Inspector General of Police over the reported escape of two crime suspects who accused him of being their gun supplier.

    Police had on Wednesday said the two suspects had escaped from their custody, declaring them wanted as well as the senator.

    But speaking on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, the lawmaker representing Kogi West cited Order 43 to submit that the police had either released the suspects or killed them.

    He, then, asked the police to produce the suspects dead or alive or he would sue their boss, Ibrahim Idris, for intimidation, abuse of power, harassment and mental assault.

    The police had on 20 March paraded the suspects allegedly working for Melaye.