IBRAHIM Idris, the inspector-general of Police, on Wednesday, November 8, finally appeared before a Senate committee probing corruption allegations against him. But he told the Senate that he would not answer any question as the matter is before the court.

Idris, who had initially refused to appear before the committee announced, after a meeting with President Muhamamdu Buhari last week, that he had changed his mind.

The IGP stated this while appearing before a Senate ad-hoc committee investigating various allegations levelled against him by Isah Misau, a senator from Bauchi State.

He said his appearance before the committee was borne out of his respect for the Senate and not to answer questions from the senators investigating various allegations levelled against him.

“I’m represented by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria here, that’s Alex Izyon,” Idris said.

“I will not make any other comment or answer any question in respect to the allegation (by Mr. Misau) and various civil and criminal cases pending in the law court. More especially, when the senator has already been arraigned in court in respect of these matters.”

He said further: “I decided to appear before this Senate committee on the allegations out of the high respect I have for the Senate and my penchant for the rule of law.”

Idris cautioned the Senate against further probe into the matter stating that it contravenes the Senate’s standing order.

“Furthermore, it is expected that the Senate and the committee will refrain from making reference to the issue as it would be against order 41 (7) and 53 (5) of the Senate standing order 2015 as amended.”

Alex Iziyon, SAN, counsel to Idris urged members of the committee to study documents earlier submitted to them by the Police chief and abide by the standing order of the Senate.

“I have taken instructions from him (Idris). We’ve gotten the papers filed by the petitioner and we have responded to those allegations to show that we don’t have to hide and I have submitted 15 copies this morning to this honourable committee.

“When you have judicial remedies present and these matters are in court, any reference to it might lead to prejudice. The Senate in their own wisdom have this rule. That is why I am pleading with you to look into your own rule.

Francis Alimikhena, the chairman of the committee, noted that the matter was already before the committee before the IGP approached the court.

“This committee was constituted before you went to court. In other words, the court is even interfering with affairs of this committee,” he said.

Besides, he said there were other issues being investigated by the committee apart from allegations of corruption which are not before any court of law.

The senators resolved to study the documents and re-invite Idris to appear on another day.

– Nov 8, 2017 @ 18:00 GMT |