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Tag: Senate

  • BREAKING: Police IG replies senate says ‘I owe no one apology’

    BREAKING: Police IG replies senate says ‘I owe no one apology’

    Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has issued a statement in response to the resolution passed by the Nigerian senate today, where he was pronounced as an enemy of democracy who is unfit to hold public office in the country.

    The Police IG who replied the senate in a statement released by the Nigerian Police Force accused the senate of condoning criminality why stressing that the attempt made by the legislative body to intimidate him is fruitless.

    Idris who shunned senate’s invitation on three different occasions stressed that he owes no individual or group apology over his act.

    He urged the public to disregard the statement of the senate and promised to continue to discharge his duties in the interest of the general public.

    Full statement from Nigeria Police Force [IGP vs Senate]

    The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to the media reportage of the Senate’s resolution on Senate Order Paper of today, Wednesday, 9th May, 2018 after a closed door session that the “Senate declares the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim k. Idris, NPM, mni, as enemy of democracy and unfit to hold any public office within and outside the country”.

    It is urgently imperative that the Nigeria Police Force respond to this resolution of the Senate which is a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting, unfortunate and mischievous.

    In accordance with the extant laws in Nigeria, the functions, duties and responsibilities of the Inspector General of Police as stated in Section 215(1a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, and the Police Act and Regulations Section 309(1) can also be carried out as mentioned in sections 7(1),312(1), 313(2) of the Police Act and Regulations by a senior officer of the Force of the Rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police or an Assistant Inspector General of Police who if permitted by the Inspector General of Police to act on his behalf or represent him in an official capacity at any official function, event or programme within and outside Nigeria can do so in consonant with the provisions of the Police Act and Regulations.

    It is on the basis of the above that when on the 25th of April, 2018, the Senate invited the Inspector-General of Police to appear before it on the 26thof April 2018, in respect of the felonious offenses for which Sen. Dino Melaye was taken into Police custody, investigated and arraigned in a Court of Competent Jurisdiction in Lokoja, but because the Inspector-General of Police was on official assignment with the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria to Bauchi on same date, he delegated the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Operations, Assistant Inspector-Generals of Police and some Commissioners of Police conversant with the matter to brief the Senate.

    The delegated Officers went with a brief of the Inspector-General of Police on the matter to the Senate to enable the Senate appreciate the issues raised to guide their resolutions on the matter but the Senate refused to listen to the Officers delegated by the Inspector-General of Police in line with his powers recognized by both the Constitution and the Police Act and Regulations.

    The Senate again on the 26th of April 2018 wrote the Inspector-General of Police re-inviting him to appear before the Senate in person on the 2nd of May, 2018 but this time around the IGP was on official assignment to Birnin-Gwari Area of Kaduna State in company of the General Officer Commanding, One Division, Nigerian Army Kaduna, Major General Mohammed Mohammed to attend to some very serious security matters of National Importance, but he promptly delegated the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Research and Planning, Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police to represent him and brief the Senate on the same subject matter but the Senate again refused to accord them audience insisting that the Inspector-General of Police must appear in person.

    On the 8th of May, 2018, the Inspector General of Police sent a letter to the President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria signed by the Commissioner of Police, Legal and Prosecution Department, explaining why he would not be appearing before the Senate on the 9th of May, 2018 due to legal restraint as a result of pending cases before the courts filed: (i) by Senator Dino Melaye against the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in suit No. CV/1610/18 slated for hearing on the 11th day of May, 2018.

    (ii) by the Inspector General of Police against the Senate in the Federal High Court, Abuja in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/457/2018 adjourned to 31st May, 2018 for hearing.

    It is on record that consequent on the confession of criminal offences indicting Senator Dino Melaye by the principal suspect KABIRU SAIDU a.k.a OSAMA “31 YRS”, The Nigeria Police Force, sent a letter of investigation activities/invitation dated 2ndMarch, 2018 addressed to the Senate President, Federal Republic of Nigeria informing and requesting him to release Senator Dino Melaye to report to Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command on the 7th of March, 2018 to answer to criminal offences of Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms levelled against him, this is to enable the Police Investigation Team carryout a discreet and thorough investigation into the case. But Senator Dino Melaye refused to honour the Police invitation.

    It is pertinent that the Nigeria Police Force informs the members of the General Public that the reasons for which the Senate has summoned the Inspector General of Police is official and not personal, and the 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the Police Act and Regulations allowed the IGP to delegate Deputy Inspector General of Police or Assistant Inspector General of Police to represent him.

    Consequently, the action of the Senate in its resolution against the IGP today is a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting with mischievous motives to hand-twist the IGP to pervert the end of justice in a felonious and serious offenses of Criminal Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms for which Senator Dino Melaye who was indicted by two (2) Principal Suspects (Kabiru Seidu A.K.A OSAMA, Nuhu Salisu A.K.A SMALL) arrested for several cases of kidnappings and armed robberies in Kogi State are already standing trial in a court of competent jurisdiction.

    It is important to correct the impression created in the minds of the people from the Senate’s resolution that the IGP is not and will not be an enemy to democracy. It is also of significant note to state that IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni, has served meritoriously for above Ten (10) years in the United Nations Peace Keeping Operations in several countries unblemished. The Nigeria Police Force is the first defender of Democracy and all democratic institutions in Nigeria and will continue to do so.

    It is factual and verifiable that Senator Dino Melaye was discharged and certified fit to stand trial by the National Hospital, Abuja before he was arraigned in Chief Magistrate Courts in Wuse, Abuja and Lokoja.

    The Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force will not be deterred by blackmail from any individual or group no matter how highly placed from the enforcement of Law and Order and ensuring that the Rule of Law prevails.

    No matter whose Ox is gored.

    The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, owes no apology to any individual or groups in its effort to ensure preservation of law and order, supremacy of the law of the land, and make sure that all Nigerians are subject to the same law, no matter what their position is in the society.

    The General Public is hereby implored to disregard and discountenance the resolution of the Senate on the IGP as a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting and mischievously aimed at casting aspersions on the hard earned integrity of the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force.

    The Nigeria Police Force as a law abiding organization will continue to hold the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria in high esteem but wishes to impress on the Senate not to harbour criminal elements among its fold or condone criminality. The Force will not be intimidated by any individual, groups or institution, constituent or otherwise to abdicate from its constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives and property and due enforcement of the rule of law, and law and order across the Country.

  • BREAKING: Senate declares Police IG enemy of democracy, unfit to hold office

    BREAKING: Senate declares Police IG enemy of democracy, unfit to hold office

    The Senate has declared the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, an ‘enemy of democracy’ and that he is unfit to hold a public office.

    Idris had been summoned to address the Senate on the alleged inhuman treatment of Senator Dino Melaye during his arrest and detention by the police over alleged gun-running; and the spate of killings by armed herdsmen and militias across the country.

    While the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Mr. Joshak Habila, had been sent to represent the police boss the previous times, there was no representation on Wednesday (today).

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki during the Wednesday plenary session declared the IGP as an enemy of democracy and not fit to hold any public office within and outside Nigeria.

    Saraki added that the refusal of the IG to appear before an investigative committee as also ruled by a court of competent jurisdiction is a great danger to our democracy.

    Reactions of other senators on IG’s disregard for the senate:

    The Majority Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who said efforts by him to reach out to the IG in two days failed, described the non-appearance as “unusual and unfortunate.”

    Also, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha called for a closed session for the lawmakers to determine the action to be taken by the Senate against the IG.

    “We need to take a very drastic action. We cannot take this embarrassment any longer. This is a national disgrace,” he said.

    Similarly, Senator Isa Misau pointed out that a senator is superior to the IG by the provisions of the Constitution and could be invited by any of the lawmakers.

    He also noted that sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution empowers the legislature to summon the Police boss.

    According to him, the development is embarrassing to the country and also to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Commenting, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said Nigeria’s democracy was dying in bits and that the IG’s non-appearance was an abuse of government power.

  • BREAKING: Senate vows to punish police IG for ignoring third invitation

    BREAKING: Senate vows to punish police IG for ignoring third invitation

    Embarrassed by the continuous disregard for the Nigerian senate, senators have suggested that a drastic decision should be reached on The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who has for the third time, failed to appear before the Senate.

    Idris had been summoned to address the Senate on the alleged inhuman treatment of Senator Dino Melaye during his arrest and detention by the police over alleged gun-running; and the spate of killings by armed herdsmen and militias across the country.

    While the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Mr. Joshak Habila, had been sent to represent the police boss the previous times, there was no representation on Wednesday (today).

    The Majority Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who said efforts by him to reach out to the IG in two days failed, described the non-appearance as “unusual and unfortunate.”

    Also, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha called for a closed session for the lawmakers to determine the action to be taken by the Senate against the IG.

    “We need to take a very drastic action. We cannot take this embarrassment any longer. This is a national disgrace,” he said.

    Similarly, Senator Isa Misau pointed out that a senator is superior to the IG by the provisions of the Constitution and could be invited by any of the lawmakers.

    He also noted that sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution empowers the legislature to summon the Police boss.

    According to him, the development is embarrassing to the country and also to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Commenting, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said Nigeria’s democracy was dying in bits and that the IG’s non-appearance was an abuse of government power.

  • [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.

  • Senate summons service chiefs over arms proliferation

    The Senate on Tuesday summoned all Service Chiefs for explanation over proliferation of firearms in the country.

    The upper chamber also mandated its Committee on Intelligence and National Security to conduct thorough investigation into the development to unravel its remote and immediate causes.

    The resolutions were sequel to a motion on “Proliferation of Dangerous Firearms in Nigeria’’ by Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC-Kaduna) at plenary.

    Hunkuyi said that tribal, communal, religious and other sectarian clashes, including farmers/herdsmen crises were now more devastating.

    “This is due to wrongful and easy acquisition of firearms in violation of due process as laid down by the enabling laws and regulations.

    “This ugly trend has contributed to the colossal loss of lives and wanton destruction of property of Nigerian citizens.”

    He explained that the situation was attributable to inability to control the proliferation of firearms within country.

    “The spate of unrest due to proliferation of firearms has negatively impacted on economic and agricultural activities to the extent that due to fear of attacks, law-abiding citizens fear going to the market and farms.”

    In his contribution, Sen. Shehu Sani (APC-Kaduna) said the rate and frequency at which people were being killed in the country was evident that there were more firearms than there were tractors.

    “The political class are complicit in the proliferation of firearms in Nigeria,” he said, adding that stakeholders must move fast “to rescue the drift”.

    Sani called for a new national political orientation where people should not see politics as a do-or-die affair, but should see it as an opportunity to serve the people.

    On his part, the Leader of the Senate, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, said “the country is bedevilled by so much insecurity.”

    He said that proliferation of illegal firearms was the major reason why there were many killings in the country.

    The leader called on the service chiefs to find lasting solution to the issue.

    In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said that the issue of security in the country was number one concern of all Nigerians.

    He decried the rate of killings and the inadequate and poor response by security agencies to address the menace, and calling for concerted effort to check the trend.

    “People are now going about with weapons as if they are accessories,” Saraki said.

  • Report on Senate invasion, mace theft ready for consideration – Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki on Tuesday announced that the report detailing the circumstances surrounding the incident of April 18 when thugs invaded the Senate chamber and made away with the mace is ready.

    “Distinguished colleagues, you’ll remember that following the incidence of invasion of the senate, one of the decisions that was taken then was that the management must do a report to find out the roles that were played by all the members and what led to the invasion. The report has been ready and submitted. I think that report should go to the committee on ethics for them to review it and make their recommendation to us,” Saraki said.

    The Senate President while commenting on a point of order raised by Tijjani Kaura (Zamfara-APC) made this announcement.

    Kaura had called the attention of the Senate to recent killings and kidnappings in his constituency urging the Senate to look into the matter.

    Saraki said the appearance of the Inspector-General of Police on Wednesday will suffice to address security issues in Zamfara and other parts of Nigeria.

    “Again it is unfortunate of the incident in Zamfara. Which is of a daily basis. It is of great concern to us. We at the National Assembly, we must play our role to see what we can do to tackle this insecurity issue. It is unfortunate as we said last time we expected the IG here, we have given him again till Wednesday to come here so that we can truly engage and address these problems we are facing today in the country.

    “We saw what happened in Kaduna State some days ago and now it is Zamfara. We will do our best despite the level of lack of cooperation but we must play our role and I can assure you that we would do something to bring a change and make this country more secure.”

     

  • Police acted like ‘upgraded barbarians’ over Melaye – Dogara

    Police acted like ‘upgraded barbarians’ over Melaye – Dogara

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said the police behaved like “upgraded barbarians” by taking Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) to Lokoja on a stretcher last week.

    Dogara said this in an interview with State House reporters on Monday after he and Senate President Bukoka Saraki met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Speaker maintained that wheeling people to court does not portray a good image of the nation’s democracy.

    Dogara, who confirmed that they raised Melaye’s issue with Buhari, said: “On the issue of Senator Dino, of course, anything that happens to one of our members or any member of the National Assembly is of concern to us. And there is no way we can have this kind of meeting without raising that.

    “This is a civilian administration, it’s democracy and it’s imperative and very important that all institutions of democracy operate within the ambit of the rule of law.

    “There is no where, I have said it before, that police will behave in a democracy like a clan of tribesmen, like an upgraded barbarians sort of. So, there is need for us to act with civility. We’re not saying that anybody should be protected and defended. Once you’ve committed an offence, our law said you should answer it, but you just have to utilize the provision of the constitution, the rule of law and this administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has over emphased it in order to bring people to book.

    “But a situation where people are wheeled to court, that doesn’t give good image of our democracy. I’ve not seen a democracy where people are wheeled to court, they’re not in the proper frame of mind and they’re forced to undergo trial.

    “Even if Dino is pretending as some have said in some sections of the media, he cannot pretend forever. He is there, he’lll not run away, he is a Senator and he can be tried any time he is in proper frame of mind. As a lawyer, I can tell you, any judge that assesses an accused person not to be in a proper frame of mind, even if the accused person pleads guilty, he is duty bound by law to record a plea of guilty if he is not satisfied as to the soundness of the mind of the accused person.

    “So, the emphasis is there and I believe the president, being a listening president, will definitely take steps and do something about it.”

    Asked if the threat of impeachment over the withdrawal of $496m for fighter jets’ purchase without legislative approval was raised with Buhari, Dogara said: “Well, I don’t think we have the authority to discuss issues of impeachment. Impeachment is a political offense and I don’t think we are there yet.

    On whether the president raised it, the speaker said: “No, never. It wasn’t part of the agenda.”

    Senate President Bukola Saraki said they also raised with Buhari, the non-appearance of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, before the Senate.

    The Senate president said the president must ensure that the IGP obey the National Assembly as a constituted authority.

    He stated: “We also raised the issue of the non-appearance of the IG at the Senate and felt that they must continue to ensure that he continues to apply obedience to the issue of constituted authority.

    “We are of great concern that this is the first time this is happening and that that matter needs to be addressed considering the importance of the powers of the constitution that gives investigative powers, also gives to us and that there is need for police to accept that they too are under constitution and they must obey that. We raised that concern.”

    Saraki described the meeting as peaceful, saying ‘I think it is good that we touch on some of the important issues. As I said, it is a continuous process.”

  • Invitation: Idris is the first IG to disobey Senate orders – Saraki

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has reacted to the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, refusal to appear before the Senate over the arrest and detention of Sen. Dino Melaye and the killings across some parts of the country.

    For the second time, the IG on Wednesday failed to appear before the Senate plenary despite a formal invitation.

    He was invited to answer questions on the arrest of a senator, Dino Melaye, and killings across the country.

    The police boss was first summoned on Wednesday, April 25, but he failed to appear.

    “I don’t want us to labour too much. At the upper chamber, we must show maturity and statesmanship. I don’t think anybody who has been around enough to observe the practice of our democracy knows that this action cannot be right.

    “Under constitutional powers, it requires the IG to come and give a report on the incident involving a colleague and the incessant killings happening in the country. He has felt that he cannot come and wants to delegate it to a junior to come,” he said.

    He noted that no police IG has ever refused to appear before the senate since Nigeria started practising democracy.

    The Senate President advised his colleagues to give the police boss one more week to reflect and make his appearance.

    “No IG has ever refused to appear before the Senate since we started practicing democracy. I don’t think that has happened before. But we must know these actions are danger to our democracy.

    “Again, we cannot say it is just to us because the President told us that he told him to go to Benue and the man refused to go to Benue and he is sitting there and he is doing this. I want to appeal to our colleagues, let us approach this in two ways.

    “One way, we give him another period for him to reflect the enormity of his action because whatever happens today sets a precedence for future and as such it is important that we do not allow issues like this.

    “The leader of the Senate and the Chairman on Police should engage with the executive and send our position. There are powers we can exercise which are not in the interest of us making progress in this country. Since the beginning of the year, over 500 or 600 have been killed and we believe that the man in charge of enforcing this does not think he needs to sit down with Senate to engage with us when there is something wrong somewhere.

    “So let us hold and give them time within a week and come back to us and I am sure that wisdom would prevail.,” Saraki said.

  • [UPDATED] Again, IG snobs Senate, sends DIG to appear

    For the second time running, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris failed to appear before the Senate over the arrest and detention of Senator Dino Melaye last week.

    A police source who does not want to named said the IG was being represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Joshak Habila and is currently waiting to be called into the Senate chamber at the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang.

    The source also said that the IG had arrived at the National Assembly ‎Complex while the Senate had begun a closed-door session.

    The Senate had, last Thursday, rejected taking Habila, while the IG accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari to Bauchi State during his official visit.

    The IG will also brief the lawmakers on what the police and other security agencies are doing to stop the incessant killings across the country.

     

  • May Day: Dogara speaks on minimum wage bill

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday said the House is ready to pass the minimum wage bill as the legislature awaits the executive to forward the bill for upward review.

    Dogara,in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, to mark 2018 Workers’ Day celebration, reiterated the desire of the House to provide a better life for workers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the Speaker said he was not unmindful of the struggles and hardship faced by Nigerian workers in their daily lives.

    According to him, this is why the National Assembly is committed to putting more resources in the hands of workers.

    He expressed optimism that the Federal Government Committee on Minimum Wage currently conducting public hearings across the six geo-political zones in the country, would soon conclude its assignment.

    He said that a new national minimum wage bill would be transmitted to the parliament by the President.

    “On behalf of the entire members of the House of Representatives, I want to use this occasion to, once again, underscore the importance of workers to the growth and prosperity of our dear nation, Nigeria.

    “We see the struggles you go through to survive on wages that can barely last through the first week of the month. “We see your dedication to doing your bit in ensuring that Nigeria continues to run effectively in spite of unfavourable conditions.

    “We commend your courage, your commitment to service and nation building and urge you to continue supporting government policies and agenda.

    “I assure you, on this occasion, that the National Assembly will give expeditious passage to the Minimum Wage Bill whenever it is transmitted by the executive and any other initiative that will promote the welfare of the Nigerian worker.

    “We will support it wholeheartedly,”