IGP Re-summoned After Shunning Senate

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The Senate has reordered the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to appear before it by 11 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2018.

The resolution was reached during Thursday’s plenary in Abuja after the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawal, briefed the senators on the on the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye and killings across the country.

READ ALSO: Senate Summons IGP Over Melaye, Killings

Senator Melaye, who has been engulfed in a controversy recently, was arrested on Tuesday by men of the IGP’s Monitoring Team and was being conveyed to Kogi State before he reportedly jumped out of the moving police vehicle.

This prompted the Red Chamber to summon the police boss to appear before it. Mr Idris is, however, in Bauchi State with President Buhari who is on a two-day visit to the state.

He also delegated a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) to represent him at the briefing.

Addressing lawmakers at the Upper Chamber, Senator Bala Na’allah faulted the IGP for not informing the lawmakers prior to his trip to Bauchi, noting that the legacy in the Institution goes a long way into the future.

”I see no reason why the IGP cannot be here as this displays a wrong foundation for our democratic system,” he said, just as Senator Mao Ohuabunwa asked the Senate to direct the police boss to appear before it on n Wednesday next week.

Others decried that the arms of government are not being treated as independent as they should in a democracy, stressing that the IGP should brief a joint session of the National Assembly.

Similarly, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Sakari, faulted the police boss for his absence, adding that he has yet to receive any response from Mr Idris in the last 48 hours.

He noted that took a cue from the comments of the Senate Leader, stressing that the dignity and integrity the nation’s democratic authority must be protected.

”Sending his DIG here today is not respectful enough, he (IGP) should have had the respect of this institution to reach the Chairman or myself to explain,” Saraki said.

“Distinguished colleagues, we have taken the contributions and the general consensus is that we give a specific date, Wednesday 2nd May 2018 11 am, for the IG of Police to appear.”