Again, IGP shuns Senate summon on Melaye, killings

The IGP had failed to show up on Thursday, April 26, 2018, following his trip to Bauchi on a state visit with President Muhammadu Buhari.

This time, the IGP gave no reason for his absence at the Senate on Wednesday, May 2, 2018.

Speaking at plenary, Katsina lawmaker, Abu Ibrahim said he could not reach the IGP to remind him of his summon.

Senate President Bukola Saraki had raised a similar point on last week.

"I tried yesterday to reach the IG, but unfortunately, I couldn’t reach him," Ibrahim began.

"After the last sitting when it was directed that the IGP should come, the Clerk to the Senate wrote to the IGP. I met the DIG who was sent by the IG at the office of the Presidential Adviser to the National Assembly Matters and we implored the DIG to make sure that the IGP honours the invitation of the Senate today at 11a.

"Personally, I tried to reach him yesterday but couldn’t up to late in the night. Later, I found out that that IGP is in Kaduna where he will be going to Brinin-Gwari where there were killings," he added.

An unusual quiet was noticed on the floor of the Senate.

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Deputy Senate leader, Bala Ibn Na'Allah expressed shock at the failure of the Police to honour the invitation of the Senate for the second time.

While apologising for IGP Idris' "unusual behaviour", the deputy leader urged the Senate to begin moves to "harvest sycophants" from the corridors of power.

"I am confused from the shock because the report that got from Abu Ibrahim is that he is unable to reach him and equally discovered that he is somewhere in Kaduna," Na'Allah said.

"I remember that the last time this matter was brought to the floor, a specific reason was that the summon was to the Inspector General of Police and that is why we insisted that he should personally make himself available.

"From the report of Senator Abu Ibrahim, our message was passed to the IGP. But right now, there is no reason for his non-appearance. I can't understand.

"There was a time this Senate summoned the IGP and in his wisdom, he approached the court to say that we do not have power to invite him. Unfortunately for him, the court said we have the power to invite him.

"Something has to be done. We need a delegation of this Senate, possibly under you (Saraki) to register the displeasure of the Senate on two incidents where he failed to honour our invitation.

"We must give the President the support and ensure that those whose conducts run foul of the good intentions of Mr President and the Senate are being brought in line.

"It is important that as a deliberate policy of this Senate, from today, we must equally do whatever is humanly possibly in pursuance of our avowed and committed resolve to help Mr. President that we harvest away from the corridors of power, sycophants and those lacking in efficiency and respect for democratic tenets," he added.

Saraki speaks

Senate President Bukola Saraki urged the Senate to give the IGP more time to "reflect on the enormity of his action".

"He is doing this but, again, we cannot say that he is doing this just to us because the President said he told him (IGP) to go to Benue and he didn't," Saraki said.

"We will give him few period for him to reflect on the enormity of his action because whatever happens today, let's set a precedent for the future. We will give him time so that he is well guided because his immediate bosses, the Vice President is a SAN who knows the right thing and I am sure he will not condone this, neither the President.

"The Senate leaders and chairman committee on Police should engage with the executive for them to appreciate our position on this. There are powers that we can exercise which is not in the interest of us making progress in this country.

"There are issues as to where, in this year alone, over 500 people were killed. if we believe that such issues and the man who is in charge of enforcing law and order should not sit down and engage with us, then there is something wrong somewhere," he added.

The Senate further mandated Senate leader and the chairman, Senate committee on Police to engage with the executive arm of government and report back in one week.