Dino: Lawmakers fume as police boss snubs summons

Senators today expressed dissatisfaction over the decision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to disregard the Senate invitation to brief it on the arrest, detention, and handling of Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi).

The police chief was today also expected to brief the red chamber on the spate of continued killings across the country but rather sent a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) who was not allowed into the chamber by the Senate.

Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Bala Na’Allah rose and informed the red chamber that the IGP had accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari to Bauchi state, describing the action of Mr. Idris as portraying the President in bad light.

 “Let me say that it is in the best interest of those the President appointed to understand that they will be doing him more good by making themselves available.

“All those who have been given appointment by the President have a responsibility to portray him in the light he was seen while campaigning round this country. I am uncomfortable that the IG who is aware of the seriousness of the invitation of the Senate will be somewhere else,” Na’Allah said.

Also speaking on the action of the IG, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP, Taraba) said the action of the IG was disrespectful but blamed the perception of the Senate “as an appendage of the Executive” instead of an independent arm of government.

He added that the appointees of the president are attracting “anger” to the President by their actions.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in his remarks said that the reason given by the IG is not good enough arguing that the invitation of the Senate is more pressing and crucial.

According to Saraki, “I have strong views that the dignity and the integrity of our democratic authority must be protected and we must not allow anybody to show disrespect to that authority.

“Sending his DIG is not respectful enough. Mr President is going to Bauchi to commission a project that has to do with the Air Force; he is only accompanying the President. If he had said to Mr. President that due to the killings that are going on, it is important I go to parliament, I am sure that the President will say that it is more important, go to Parliament.

“This is the point we are making that those who are appointed (by the President) are creating more problems”

The Senate accordingly resolved that the IG must appear in plenary and on live TV next week Wednesday at 11.00am.