Call for IGP’s removal self-serving – 6 Reps

.Seek reversal of House resolution due to lack of fair hearing
.Want House to probe allegations against IGP Idris
.Lawmakers: We stand on resolution asking Buhari to remove him

Strong indications emerged on Wednesday night about the decision of six members of the House of Representatives to oppose the resolution of the House, asking President Muhammadu Buhari to remove the Inspector of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, as the six lawmakers are billed to sponsor a counter motion, praying the House to rescind its resolution.

Sponsors of the counter motion led by Hon Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, are seeking an investigation of the allegations made against the IGP by relevant House committees that will thereafter report its findings within four weeks for further legislative action.

According to Agbonayinma, the call for IGP’s removal is self-serving on the grounds of lack of fair hearing as the lawmakers did not hear the side of the IGP before passing the resolution.

He said the prepared counter motion will be presented to the Speaker of the House, Hon Yakubu Dogara, for approval to enable him move the motion under matter of national importance at plenary today.

He said: “When a motion is before the House, we need to look indepth at the matter and do the needful, but unfortunately, my colleagues allowed themselves to be swayed by emotions.

“There should be fair hearing and until proven guilty, the IGP should be considered innocent. The matter should’ve been investigated and the report laid before the House to take a decision.

“The allegations against the IGP are based on rumour and are not proven. Our intention is to rescind the resolution earlier passed because it’s unfair to Nigerians, to the IGP and the rule of law.”

The six lawmakers that sponsors the counter motion are: Hon Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma (E.J), Edo State; Hon Abdullahi Mahmud Gaya, Kano State; Hon Muhammad Sani Abdul, Bauchi State; Hon Ayuba Moh’d Bello, Borno State; Hon Abubakar Chika Adamu, Niger State and Hon Bashir Babale, Kano State.

The motion reads in part, ” The members noted that the resolution on the motion, the need to curb thuggery development in political activities in Kano and Nigeria in general which urged President Muhammadu Buhari to replace the IGP be rescinded by the House and the issues referred for proper investigation to address the issue of fair hearing.

“Further noted that a decision on a critical actor in enforcement of our laws without thorough investigation would be uncomplimentary to the position of this hallowed chamber, known for fairness, equity and good purpose.

” Informed that the critical issues of the death of innocent Nigerians and insecurity problems bedeviling the nation call for all of us to bereft ourselves of emotions and agree to a comprehensive investigation, every person is guaranteed fair hearing in our constitution.”

But the House on Wednesday urged Buhari to remove Idris as the IGP just as the House resolved to investigate the police chief and the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, over their statements in respect of the herdsmen killings in Benue State.

Similarly, the House further directed the IGP to tender an unreserved apology to Governor Samuel Ortom for the derogatory comments by the police spokesman and that the police high command relive him of his current position.

Lastly, the House mandated its committee investigating the recent killings in Benue State and the pervading state of insecurity throughout the country to assess statements credited to Idris and the implications on his ability to superintend the resolution of the killings in Benue and other parts of Nigeria if found to be true.

These resolutions by the House were sequel to the adoption of two separate motions sponsored by Hon Abubakar Danburam from Kano State drawing attention to the need to curb political thuggery in Kano and parts of the nation, as well as that by Hon Mark Gbillah from Benue State condemning the derogatory comments of the police spokesman on Governor Ortom and the unwillingness of the IGP to recognise, and enforce the open grazing prohibition law.

Leading debate on the use of political thugs in Kano, Hon Danburam said that in order to engender political development in Nigeria’s democracy, the sponsorship of thuggery at political rallies and other organised gathering should be outlawed.

He described thuggery as an enemy of democracy because it aids in subverting the will and mandate of the people, apart from its destructive effects of lives and property.

The lawmaker, who is an ally of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, blamed defeatist-politicians for being responsible for sponsoring political thugs, declaring that “in fact, the recent thuggery experience in Kano was championed by a current high ranking member of this hallowed chamber.”

Hon Danburam urged his colleagues to legislate against political thuggery and other forms of political violence to act as a deterrent to their sponsors and those engaged in the barbaric act.

He stated that unfortunately, while the police and other security agencies are present at the scene of thuggery, they deliberately refuse to take appropriate acts against the perpetrators.

Hon Gbillah in his motion, observed that sequel to the gruesome murder of 73 Benue indigenes in Logo and Guma council areas by killer herdsmen on January 1, the president had ordered the police chief to relocate to the state and apprehend the perpetrators of the killings.

He alluded to the IGP’s testimony before a Senate committee, blaming the killings on the enactment of the anti-grazing law by the Benue State House of Assembly and called for the suspension of implementing the law by the state government.

The House member condemned the IGP’s statement and the derogatory comments made by the police spokesman against Gov. Ortom on Channels Television on February 6, describing the governor as a “drowning man.”
Those comments, he added, were not only disparaging of a duly elected governor but a clear indication that the police is acting in a biased manner since the statement by the police chief hasn’t been refuted.