Probe: IGP appears in Senate

THE Senate Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris is expected to host the IG today.

The Senate committee, headed by the Deputy Senate Whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena, had threatened to issue warrant of arrest against the IG if he continues to shun its invitation.

The committee had originally scheduled the IG to appear before it on Thursday, but had to reschedule the sitting to today because of the 2018 budget presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.

A letter dated November 2, 2017 and signed by Senator Alimikhena had initially indicated that the IGP should appear on Tuesday, November 7 but the date was shifted to Wednesday, November 8, at 2pm.

The letter by Alimikhena stated that the committee was in receipt of a letter from IG’s lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN), indicating that the investigation was sub judice. He, however insisted that the letter could not stop the committee from performing its duties in line with sections 88 (1a) and 89 (1c) of the 1999 Constitution.

The IG is expected to appear to defend himself against allegations of financial impropriety levelled against him by Senator Isah Hamman Misau.

Last week, Senator Alimikhena had reported the failure of the IG to appear before his committee to the Senate plenary, alerting the lawmakers to the possibility of issuance of a warrant against the Inspector General The senator had said: “Senate President, as widely reported in most of the national dailies today, (Thursday), the Inspector General of Police refused to honour invitation sent to him  for appearance before our committee yesterday(Wednesday) on the grounds of being in court but we have written him for compulsory appearance before us on Tuesday since such litigation cannot stop us from performing our legislative functions.

“We are bringing this to the notice of the Senate in view of available constitutional provisions that can later be invoked should the IGP refuse again to appear.”

Senate President Bukola Saraki, while ruling on Alimikhena’s motion said: “As the chief law enforcing officer, one will expect that he should know what the law is and he should know that there have been many judgments stating that such court action cannot stop the Senate from doing its job.

“I think that he is best advised to follow the law and ensure that he has nothing to hide by appearing like anyone else before the committee.”