IGP stalls Senate probe, cites lawmakers’ rule, court injunction

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris on Wednesday advised the Senate to put a stop to probe him, stating that the moves by the lawmakers in that regard even contravene the Senate’s standing Rule.

IGP said this when he appeared before the Ad hoc Senate Committee probing the allegations of fraud earlier leveled against him by Senator Isah Misau

The Police boss quoted the Senate’s standing order which states; “It is expected that the Senate and the committee will refrain from making reference to the issue as it would be against order 41 (7) and 53 (5) of the Senate standing order 2015 as amended.”

He said the issue the Senate was probing was already in court and that further comments by him would amount to subjudice.

He told the Senators that he appeared before the Ad Hoc Committee because of the respect he has for the Senate, insisting that he would not make further comments before the lawmakers.

He said, “I’m represented by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria here, that’s Alex Izyon,” Mr. Idris said.

“I will not make any other comment or answer any question in respect to the allegation and various civil and criminal cases pending in the law court. More especially, when the senator has already been arraigned in court in respect of these matters.”

“I decided to appear before this Senate committee on the allegations out of the high respect I have for the Senate and my penchant for the rule of law.”

However, counsel to the Inspector General, Alex Iziyon urged members of the committee to study documents earlier submitted already laid before the Senate.

Iziyon stressed, “I have taken instructions from him (Idris). We’ve gotten the papers filed by the petitioner and we have responded to those allegations to show that we don’t have to hide and I have submitted 15 copies this morning to this honourable committee.

“When you have judicial remedies present and these matters are in court, any reference to it might lead to prejudice. The Senate in their own wisdom have this rule. That is why I am pleading with you to look into your own rule.

Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, Francis Alimikhena, in an attempt to controvert the position by the Inspector General said the issue bothering on his summons was already being treated by his before approached the court.

He said: “This committee was constituted before you went to court. In other words, the court is even interfering with affairs of this committee”.

The senators resolved to study the documents and re-invite the Police boss to appear at another date to be fixed.

Olufemi Samuel, Abuja