Saraki Invitation: The Law Is For The VIP Also – Presidency

The Presidency has said it is conscious of the orchestrated campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari each time a Very Important Person is called upon by the Police or other law enforcement agency to carry out their legitimate assignment.

Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, in a statement, noted the president as saying that the law of the land is intended for all, not for the poor or those at the lowest rungs of the social ladder.

The statement says “It is odd, strange and bizarre that while ordinary citizens can be called up to answer questions or be interrogated, the VIP cannot be questioned without the annoying insinuations of partisanship, persecution or outright politicization.

“This country cannot achieve development in peace when important cases are viewed through a political prism and the law is considered as being applicable to some, and not applicable to others.

“The workings of law enforcement agencies are set out in the constitution and the laws of the country. If they worked at the discretion of past presidents, who decided who to question and who to detain, Nigerians should get used to the fact that this President is different. President Buhari does not and will not influence or interfere with cases.

“The constitution clearly directs law enforcement agencies to promptly report and investigate any actual or potential infringement of the law and also initiate proceedings against all those involved.

“This President is not the one who directs them on what to do.

“President Buhari does not stand in the way of law enforcement either. Under our constitution, he has no powers to stop the investigation of anyone or institution. When they are set to investigate anything and anyone, the best friend of the law is the one who lets them do their work.

“The President’s constant refrain is that he will not tolerate any form of illegality including corruption and the law enforcement agencies have been given complete freedom to identify and bring all culprits to justice. His instructions to them are very clear: Anyone with a case to answer or found guilty should not be spared,” it said.

The statement also said thet rather than go to the public to cry out for help, accused persons should approach the courts to plead their innocence.

“The country is better served when the law enforcement agencies are allowed to do their work and we must stop the actors of this dangerous game of politicizing law enforcement,” it stated.