The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has filed a suit
before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, seeking
an order restraining the Senate from investigating him.
Senator Isah Misua, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District,
had alleged that Idris collected about N10bn monthly from some firms and
highly-placed Nigerians for giving them security cover.
Misau was a former police officer before being elected to the Senate and is now the Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy.
Few months back, the Senator accused Idris of extorting money,
ranging from N10m to N15 m, from Commissioners of Police, State Mobile
Commanders and Special Protection Units Commanders, for favourable
posting.
The IG, however, denied the allegations and alleged that Misau was a deserter.
Idris, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit marked FCT/HC /CV/
3158 /17, asked the court to declare both the Senate committee, set up
to probe the allegations and the conduct of the committee as
unconstitutional, null and void.
The police boss also wants the court to make an order stopping the
committee from inviting him, sitting, conducting any hearing on the
allegation , discussing or making any report in respect of the planned
investigation pending the determination of his suit.
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki had mandated the Senate Committee
on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate the
circumstances surrounding Misau’s disengagement from the Nigeria Police.
Through his team of lawyers, led by Charles Ogolu , Idris contended
that the Senate President , without regard to relevant constitutional
requirements in respect of the role of the Senate in investigations of
allegations , set up the committee “ in reaction to “these frivolous
allegations ” by Misau.
The IG said in his suit,
“The applicant is a law – abiding citizen
and has fundamental right to dignity of person under Section 34 of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 ) (as amended),
and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights
(Ratification and Enforcement ) Act.
“The applicant occupies a hallowed office as the Inspector – General
of Police in Nigeria and is thus in charge of all police officers in
Nigeria.
“One Senator Isa Misau, a member of the 2nd respondent (Senate),
while raising a matter of urgent national importance, had sometime
between September and October 2017 , alleged that the applicant
instituted roadblocks across Nigeria with the purpose of extorting money
from unsuspecting motorists.
“The said Senator , while commenting on his motion , equally alleged
that the applicant collects illegal fees by way of security protection
given to corporate organisations , eminent citizens and oil companies
running into billions of naira.
“The said Senator equally rained a personal attack on the person of
the applicant that the applicant is having unwholesome relationship with
the female officers in the force.
“Without the 1st respondent (Saraki), having regard to the relevant
constitutional requirements in respect of the 2nd respondent ’s role in
investigations of allegations, he, in reaction to these frivolous
allegations , quickly constituted a committee consisting members of the 2nd Respondent to look into the matter.”
The IGP contended that “the act of the first respondent (Saraki) in
constituting the committee is ultra vires, unconstitutional , null and
void.”
“The said committee so constituted is acting ultra vires, unconstitutional , null and void.”
Idris also faulted the constitutionality of the committee set up to
probe him, seeking, “A declaration that the committee set up by the
Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to investigate the allegations
against Mr. Ibrahim Idris is unconstitutional , null and void.
“A declaration that the sitting and other conduct of such constituted
committee to investigate the allegations against Mr . Idris are
unconstitutional , null and void.
“ An order restraining the Senate Committee howsoever designated from
sitting , inviting Mr . Ibrahim Idris , hearing or taking a decision,
against the current Inspector-General of Police, pending the
determination of this suit.
“ An order restraining the President of the Senate and the entire
Senate from receiving and discussing any report submitted to it by the
committee set up to investigate the allegation against Mr. Ibrahim Idris
pending the determination of this suit.”