Following his refusal to answer to summons by the Nigerian Senate earlier in the year which further frosted the relationship between the Presidency and the Legislature, the Inspector General of Police has lost his case challenging the supremacy of the Nigerian Senate over his office.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, challenging the power of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the entire Senate to summon him over national issues relating to his office.
Delivering his judgement on Monday, Justice John Tsoho held that the suit instigated by the Inspector General constituted an abuse of court process.
The court further reiterated that it agreed with the arguments presented by the Senate President and the Senate that the suit, as filed by the police chief, amounts to subjudice.
According to Justice Tsoho he did not see any harm that would have been caused if the police boss had honoured the invitation of the Senate.
“I hold that the IGP ought to have honoured the invitation of the Senate, instead of running to the court to stop the Senate from investigating him.
The action of the plaintiff amounts to an abuse of court process and, it is hereby struck out.” The justice said.
Justice Tsoho then added that the IGP, Ibrahim Idris should have honoured the second invitation extended to him by the Senate to him, having failed to respond to the first one as he was on an official assignment to Bauchi State with President Muhammadu Buhari.
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Justice Tsoho also returned another suit filed by the Police boss against the Senate and its leadership to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati, for re-assignment to another judge for hearing and adjudication.
“This suit is similar to the one I just delivered judgment on and it will be in the interest of justice if this suit is returned to the chief judge for re-assignment to another judge.
“Consequently, this suit is hereby returned to the chief judge for re-assignment to another judge,” Justice Tsoho said.
The Inspector General had pleaded with the court to restrain the Senate and its President, Bukola Saraki, or their agents or any committee from insisting that he must appear before the upper legislative chambers in person, to the exclusion of any of his subordinate officers