IGP vs Misua: Idris begs court to stop Senate from investigating him

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 2 nd 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 1 st respondent (Saraki), having regard to the relevant constitutional requirements in respect of the 2 nd respondent ’s role in investigations of allegations, he, in reaction to these frivolous allegations , quickly constituted a committee consisting members of the 2 nd 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.”