The Inspector General of Police, Mr.
Ibrahim Idris , on Wednesday
appeared before the Senate ad hoc
committee investigating the allegations
levelled against him by lawmaker
representing Bauchi Central Senatorial
District, Senator Isa Misau .
The police boss , was accompanied by
his lawyer, Dr. Alex Iziyon (SAN ); and
the Special Assistant to the President
on National Assembly Matters (Senate),
Senator Ita Enang , as well as chiefs of
the Nigeria Police .
Tempers however rose after Chairman
of the committee , Senator Francis
Alimekhena, read a summary of the
probe and its objectives , and asked the
IG to make comments before an oath
could be administered on him for his
submissions .
Izinyon , however, rose to speak
instead, but he was interrupted by the
lawmakers who pointed out that the
Police boss must be the one to speak .
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria
insisted on speaking on behalf of his
client but the lawmakers insisted that
he was not recognised by the panel .
While the exchange was ongoing,
Enang rushed to where the panelists
were seated and approached
Alimikhena , whispering some
information into his ears.
Agreeing to speak for himself, Idris
told members of the panel that he
would not answer any question from
them as the matter was pending in
court.
He said , “ I will not make any oral
comment or answer any question in
respect of the allegations in view of
the various civil and criminal cases
pending in the law courts ; more
especially when the senator has
already been arraigned in court in
respect of this matter.
“ I decided to appear before this Senate
committee on the allegations out of
high respect I have for the Senate and
my respect for the rule of law .
“ Furthermore , it is expected that the
Senate and the committee will refrain
from making references to the issues
as it will be against Order 41 (7 ) and
53 (5 ) of the Senate Standing Orders 2
(15 ) as amended .”
After the IG ’s submission , Izinyon told
the committee that a court order was
obtained on Wednesday morning
directing the Senate President, Bukola
Saraki, and members of the committee
to appear at the FCT High Court on
November 18 , 2017, “ to show cause
and for hearing of the substantive
application. ”
A copy of the court ruling , which was
sighted by our correspondent after the
meeting, granted an “ interim
injunction restraining the
respondents, their agents, privies ,
assigns and whosoever acting through
them from taking further steps in
connection with the subject matter of
the application or maintaining the
status quo or staying all actions
relating to their investigations of the
application pending the determination
of the original application or in the
alternative granting an order for the
Respondents to show cause why the
order should not be made. ”
Izinyon also cited Order 53 (5 ) of the
“ Senate Standing Rules which states
that reference shall not be made to
any matter on which a judicial
decision is pending in such a way as
might , in the opinion of the President
of the Senate, prejudice the interest of
parties thereto. ”
The lawyer urged the panel to adhere
to the Senate rules , saying that a
document had been submitted to the
committee with detailed response to
each of the allegations against Idris .
Izinyon also pointed out that the case
of alleged virement in the 2016 budget
of the Nigeria Police by the IG without
legislative approval was a criminal
matter.
The IG was accused of diverting
N7 .2 bn appropriated for Armoured
Personnel Carriers and rehabilitation
of 102 barracks across the country to
purchase of personal vehicles , among
others.
A member of the committee , Senator
Hope Uzodinma, however, retorted,
asking Izinyon , “ Do you know the
opinion of the Senate President on this
matter?”
The lawmaker added, “ This place is
not a law court ; this is a parliament ,
and you will be doing us a favour if
you toe the line for a quick resolution
of the contending issues. The IG is in
charge of peace and security .
Assuming a warrant was issued for his
arrest, he has the statutory role of
effecting it by bringing himself here .
“ If the IG has come , he should allow
the committee to do its work. If he is
not inclined to speak because of the
legal implications, he can so submit
and we will get back to him .”
Several members of the committee
who spoke agreed that the
investigative hearing be adjourned to
allow them to study the submissions
made by the IG and his lawyer.
Enang , who made a closing remark,
expressed appreciation for “ the warm
reception” and for the move by the
lawmakers to adjourn the hearing .
“ I hope the adjournment is not just to
study the document but also to pursue
a multi - door option on the matter ,” he
said .
Alimikhena thereafter adjoined the
hearing “ sine die .”
Misau had earlier appeared before the
panel , where he made more
allegations against the Police boss
including how Idris gave two Sports
Utility Vehicles to wife of the
President, Aisha Buhari.
Misau had accused the Nigeria Police
and Idris of collecting N120 bn
annually from high- profile persons
and corporate organisations for
security services among other
corruption allegations .
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