Senate threatens to arrest IGP Idris

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, may be arrested next week, if he fails to appear before the adhoc committee investigating various allegations levelled against the Police and the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Chairman of the adhoc committee, Senator Francis Alimikhena, said the IGP was summoned on the 16th of October, to appear before the panel to respond to allegations made against him by Senator Isah Hamman Misau.

Quoting Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Alimikhena said nobody, including law courts can stop the Senate from carrying out its constitutional duties. He said the separation of powers guaranteed by law, makes it explicit.

The Senate has revealed that it will issue a warrant of arrest on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, if he fails to appear before the adhoc committee investigating various allegations leveled against the Police and the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Chairman of the adhoc committee, Senator Francis Alimikhena, informed Senate Correspondents Wednesday, that the IGP was summoned on the 16th of October in a letter, to appear before the panel, to respond to allegations made against him by Senator Isah Hamman Misau.

Idris did not appear. He did not send a representative either. The chairman said his lawyer, Alex Izinyon, wrote a letter to the committee, informing it that the matter was already in court and will therefore not appear before it.

Alimikhena, said nobody, including courts can stop the Senate from carrying out its constitutional duties.

Quoting Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Alimikhena said Idris will be summoned again and must appear next Tuesday, 7th of November. Failure to appear, Alimikhena said the Senate will invoke relevant sections of the law.

“We invited the IGP to appear before our committee. This morning (yesterday), we got a letter from his lawyer, Alex Izinyon, that he will not appear before this committee. He said the IGP has already gone to court and appearing will be subjudice.

“It is our duty as a parliament to investigate the allegations raised. This committee was set up before they went to court. We cannot be stopped. No court can stop us from carrying out our duties. There is separation of powers. No court can stop us.

“We will invite him again next Tuesday. There are issues about virement in the 2017 budget which Misau also raised. We need him to respond to these allegations. We will invite him again and he will appear before us. If he fails to appear, we will invoke Section 89 of the 1999 constitution, as amended.”

By Ehisuan Odia

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