Benue govt petitions PSC over sealing of assembly complex by police

BENUE State Government yesterday petitioned the Police Service Commission over the continuous presence of policemen at the state assembly complex.

In the petition written by the State Attorney General of Justice, Mr Michael Gusa, the state government requested the intervention of the Police Service Commission to end the police siege on the State Assembly.

The letter dated 31st July, a copy made available to our correspondent yesterday called on the commission to direct the IGP, Ibrahim Idris to withdraw the officers from the complex.

“We call on you to intervene and direct the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Benue State, to withdraw the officers and men from the illegal invasion and sealing up of the Assembly Complex.”

The state government requested that the new Speaker, Hon. Titus Uba and the other members are allowed access to the complex to carry out their duties.

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The Attorney General stated that “the change in leadership of the House is a routine legislative affairs to which the Police is not expected to take sides and unleash chaos on the Legislative arm of government of Benue State.

His complaint stated that on 28th July 2018 the Benue State Commissioner of Police, acting on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, deployed officers and men of the Police to unlawfully and forcefully invade the House of Assembly Complex and seal up the premises.

“In order to forestall breakdown of law and order, the affected law makers took out an action in the High Court of Benue State and secured an order of interim injunction restraining the Police from sealing the Complex or interfering with the functions of the new leadership of the House,” the letter stated.

According to the Attorney General, the Police have disobeyed the Court order hence the need to seek the intervention of the Commission.

Several documents including proceedings of the Assembly as well as pictures of Policemen in the Assembly Complex were attached to the letter of complaint.