Reps issue ultimatum to police chief over 2017 budget documents

The House of Representatives on Wednesday issued a 24 hour ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to return all documents relating to the 2017 budget carted away from the Abuja residence of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje by the police during a raid last week.

The House while condemning the invasion of Senator Goje’s residence by the police last Thursday, said during the raid, the security agents broke doors, ceiling and carted away documents , including reports of the 2017 Appropriation Bill.

The House directed that the documents must be returned not later than today (Thursday) so as not to jeopardise the passage of the 2017 budget billed to be laid before the two chambers of the National Assembly this week.

Also, the House further resolved to summon police inspector general to appear before an ad hoc committee of the House, to be set-up on the issue, to explain the circumstances surrounding the said invasion.

The ad hoc when constituted is expected to submit its report within two weeks for further legislative action.

This resolution is sequel to a motion sponsored by, Rep. Abubakar Yunusa Ahmad (APC/Gombe) on the need to check the excesses of security agents with regard to invasion of residences of law abiding citizens.

House members who spoke on the motion condemned the invasion of the residence of Senator Goje, a former governor of Gombe State by the police, describing it as a breach of his fundamental human rights.

The lawmakers expressed anger over the manner the police and other security agencies have been invading the homes of citizens, without recourse to due process, under the guise of fighting corruption.

Leading debate on the motion, Rep. Ahmad said the invasion of Goje’s residence amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental human right, adding that the manner security agencies in the country are going about the fight against corruption is not the way to go.

Speaking on the motion, Rep. Toby Okechukwu(PDP/Enugu) accused the security agencies of attempting to coerce the legislature.

He said it is the duty of the parliament to call to question, anything it considers untoward in the country and urged the House to rise to the challenge.

“They have cowed the judiciary. Now they have proceeded to the legislature. We cannot allow that. We must call to question anything considered untoward.

“Goje’s house was invaded, we don’t know the reason. This kind of whistle blowing should be driven by intelligence,” he said.

Similarly, Rep. Sergius Ogun (PDP/Edo) said the House must put a stop to the undue harassment of innocent citizens by security agencies in the country.

Rep. Ogun added that “they (police) should not get away with it. If a senator can be so treated. Where is the fate of the ordinary Nigerians. We must put a stop to it.”

However, Rep. Ahmed Musa Soba (APC/Kaduna) in countering the motion urged the House not to take a position on the issue and dismissed the motion as “judgmental”.

He said taking a stand on the police invasion of Goje’s residence, without an investigation will subject the House to public ridicule.

The lawmaker said it is the duty of the executive arm of government to arrest, investigate any perceived crime, noting that asking the police to return seized documents is tantamount to asking them to return their exhibits.

“This motion is not calling for investigation. It is judgemental. We should not be seen to be seated here to enforce anybody’s fundamental right,” Soba stated.

However, middle way into his submission, he heckled by legislators in favour of the motion.