IGP’s Probe: Idris appeals to Court to stop Senate’s investigation

-IGP petitions Court to stop Probe till his filed suit is concluded

Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has filed a suit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, seeking a restraining order to stop the Senate from investigating him.

Naija News recalls that Senator Isah Misua, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, had accused Idris of receiving about N10bn monthly from some firms and influencial Nigerians in exchange for giving them security cover.

Misau was a former police officer before being elected to the Senate and is now the Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy.

The IGP, however, denied the allegations, alleging that Misau was of being a deserter.

Idris, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit marked FCT/HC /CV/ 3158 /17, requested that the court declare unconstitutional, null and void, the Senate committee, set up to investigate the allegations.

Recall that Senate President, Bukola Saraki had ordered the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to probe the circumstances surrounding Misau’s disengagement from the Nigeria Police.

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On Saraki’s order, Idris also asked the court to make an order restricting the committee from embarking on the scheduled probe, pending the outcome of his suit.

The IG said in his suit, “The applicant is a law – abiding citizen and has fundamental right to dignity of person under Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 ) (as amended), and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement ) Act.

“The applicant occupies a hallowed office as the Inspector – General of Police in Nigeria and is thus in charge of all police officers in Nigeria.

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“One Senator Isa Misau, a member of the 2 nd respondent (Senate), while raising a matter of urgent national importance, had sometime between September and October 2017 , alleged that the applicant instituted roadblocks across Nigeria with the purpose of extorting money from unsuspecting motorists.

“The said Senator , while commenting on his motion , equally alleged that the applicant collects illegal fees by way of security protection given to corporate organisations , eminent citizens and oil companies running into billions of naira.

“The said Senator equally rained a personal attack on the person of the applicant that the applicant is having unwholesome relationship with the female officers in the force.

“Without the 1 st respondent (Saraki), having regard to the relevant constitutional requirements in respect of the 2 nd respondent ’s role in investigations of allegations, he, in reaction to these frivolous allegations , quickly constituted a committee consisting members of the 2 nd Respondent to look into the matter.”

The IGP contended that “the act of the first respondent (Saraki) in constituting the committee is ultra vires, unconstitutional , null and void.”

“The said committee so constituted is acting ultra vires, unconstitutional , null and void.”

Idris also faulted the constitutionality of the committee set up to probe him, seeking, “A declaration that the committee set up by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to investigate the allegations against Mr. Ibrahim Idris is unconstitutional , null and void.

“A declaration that the sitting and other conduct of such constituted committee to investigate the allegations against Mr . Idris are unconstitutional , null and void.

” An order restraining the Senate Committee howsoever designated from sitting , inviting Mr . Ibrahim Idris , hearing or taking a decision, against the current Inspector-General of Police, pending the determination of this suit.

” An order restraining the President of the Senate and the entire Senate from receiving and discussing any report submitted to it by the committee set up to investigate the allegation against Mr. Ibrahim Idris pending the determination of this suit.”