The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, on Thursday, sought an order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to prevent the Senate from probing allegations of corruption against him.
The order is also to prevent the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, from doing the same.
In the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/3158/17, the IGP sought the protection of his fundamental rights by declaring the committee set up by the Senate to probe him, unconstitutional.
The IGP also said the order should prevent the committee from inviting him, sitting, conducting any hearing on the allegation, discussing or making any report in respect of the probe pending the determination of his suit.
The IGP stated 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 2nd 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 1st respondent (Saraki), having regard to the relevant constitutional requirements in respect of the 2nd respondent’s role in investigations of allegations, he, in reaction to these frivolous allegations, quickly constituted a committee consisting members of the 2nd Respondent to look into the matter.”
As a result, the IGP asked the court to grant the prayers which include that “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.”
It would be recalled that Senator Isah Misau representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, and of the All Progressives Congress, had accused the Inspector General of Police of being neck deep in corruption.
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The police force, in return, had described Misau who was a police officer before contesting for political office as a deserter.
Misau took the case a step further by reporting the controversy in the Senate which led the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to directing committees of the Senate to investigate the matter.
It would also be recalled that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has filed suits against Misau.
Misau was alleged to have forged the documents he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to contest election.
He was also accused of telling lies against the IGP.
