The Chairman of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate the Various Allegations Levelled against the Police, Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission, Senator Francis Alimikhena, has threatened to arrest the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, if he failed to appear before the committee to give his testimony.
The IG of Police failed to appear before the committee on Wednesday notifying them instead through his counsel, Alex Iziyon (SAN), and stating his appearance would be sub judice as there were pending cases in court on the matter.
In his reaction, Alimikhena said, “The Inspector-General of Police failed to appear before the ad hoc committee yesterday (Wednesday), 1st November, 2017. The committee received a letter from Alex Iziyon (SAN) and Co that they were acting on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police to write to the committee to stand down the investigation or, if possible, put it in a permanent abeyance because, according to the letter, the matter is before the FCT High Court.
“The letter from Iziyon cannot stop the committee from performing its constitutional role. The committee therefore resolved accordingly to once again invite the Inspector General of Police to appear before the committee on Tuesday, 7th of November, 2017, unfailingly.”
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, asked Alimikhena to report back to the chamber on whatever happens on the new date, while asking Idris to obey the law and appear before the panel.
He said, “As the chief law enforcement officer, who we expect to know what the law is, should know that there are judgments that clearly state that such cannot stop the Senate from doing its job and I think that he is best advised to follow the law and ensure that he has nothing to hide, and come and appear like anyone else before the committee.
“So, report back to us next Tuesday on the outcome of that.”
Addressing joiurnalists on the developments, Alimikhena said, “I just want to let you know that the Inspector-General of Police will not be appearing this afternoon but we are going to write him again to appear before us on Tuesday next week.
“Otherwise, we will be forced to invoke Section 89 (c) of the Constitution.”