IBRAHIM Idris, inspector-general of Police, on Thursday, October 12, filed a suit before the high court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, seeking an order restraining the Senate and Bukola Saraki, Senate president, from going ahead with their plan to investigate allegations of malpractices against him.

The Senate had decided to investigate Idris based on allegations by Isah Misau, a senator from Bauchi State and a member of the All Progressives Congress, to the effect that among others, that the IG collected about N10bn monthly from some firms and highly-placed Nigerians for giving them security cover.

A former police officer himself, Misau also accused Idris of granting fraudulent promotions to undeserving police operatives.

Misau, who is the chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, had, on August 25 accused Idris of extorting money, ranging from N10m to N15m, from commissioners of Police, State Mobile commanders and Special Protection Units Commanders, for favourable postings.

He had argued that the level of corruption being perpetrated by Idris was so alarming and capable of undermining the anti-corruption stance of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The IG had denied all the allegations while the Force Headquarters had accused Misau of leaving the force with forged retirement papers and declared him a deserter.

In his fundamental rights enforcement suit marked FCT/HC/CV/3158/17, the IG 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.

He also wants the court to make an order restraining 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.

Saraki had mandated the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate the circumstances surrounding Misau’s disengagement from the Nigeria Police.

But IG said through his team of lawyers, led by Charles Ogolu, 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.

– Oct 12, 2017 @ 15:02 GMT /