Court to decide IGP’s case against Senate Jan 22

An FCT High Court in Jabi yesterday fixed January 22, 2018 for judgment in the enforcement of fundamental rights brought by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris against Senate President Bukola Saraki, the Senate and eight others.

Idris had approached the court for enforcement of his fundament rights and breach of right to fair hearing by the respondents in the matter on November 8, seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from infringing on his rights, among other reliefs.

Apart from the Senate president and the Senate, other respondents in the matter are Senators Isah Hamma Misau; Francis Alimikhena; Binta Masi Garba, Suleiman Hunkuyi; Duro Faseyi Samuel; Ogba Joseph Obinna; Nelson Effiong and Abdulaziz Nyako.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel for the IGP, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), informed the court that in compliance with its directive of November 16, the applicant published the hearing notice and the originating summons in two national newspapers on November 22.

He noted that the respondents were neither in court nor represented by any counsels despite the court directive carried out through the publications. He thereafter urged the court to allow the applicant to move his application.

The trial judge, Justice Abba Bello Mohammed ruled in his favour and the application was moved.

He said Senator Misau was on a vendetta mission and the only forum he could use is the body he belongs to, the Senate, submitting that he used his relationship with his colleagues to raise the allegations.

He added that this already predisposes that there cannot be a fair hearing as the composition of the ad hoc committee cannot be impartial.

The counsel stated that Misau ought to have written petitions to anti-corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He said the applicant approached the court to enforce his fundamental rights because the Senate ad hoc committee threatened him with a warrant of arrest. He thereafter urged the court to grant the reliefs sought by the applicant.

After listening to the counsel for the applicant, Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter to January 22, 2018 for judgment.