IGP Idris draws line with Senate, says lawmakers being mischievous

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has reacted to Senate response on Wednesday after he turned down the lawmakers’ invitation for three consecutive times.

The Senate had after the IGP’s refusal to honour its summon for the third time declared him an enemy of democracy and unfit to hold public office.

But responding, He told the Senate he had no apologies for his action and insisted that sending a senior police officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) or an Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) to represent him is in consonance with Sections 7(1), 312(1), 313(2) of the Police Act.

In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja through the force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, Idris explained that Senator Dino Melaye, whose case the Senate is supposedly inviting him over, was certified fit to stand trial by doctors at the National Hospital before his arraignment before Chief Magistrate Courts in Wuse, Abuja and Lokoja.

According to the statement, the Senate position on Idris is nothing but “a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting with mischievous motives to hand-twist the IGP to pervert the end of justice” in criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms leveled against Melaye by two principal suspects, Kabiru Seidu aka Osama and Nuhu Salisu aka Small.

“The IG 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.

“The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, owes no apology to any individual or groups in its effort to ensure the 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 statement read in part.

READ ALSO: MACE THEFT: Conspiracy between senators, security personnel responsible- DPO

According to Moshood, the public should disregard the resolution of the Senate on Idris which was mischievously aimed at casting aspersions on the “hard-earned integrity of the IG and the Nigeria Police Force.”

He added, “The Nigeria Police Force as a law-abiding organization will continue to hold the Senate 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.”

 

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