News

Lawyer Drags Saraki, Senate, Others to Court over Comment on IGP

Published

8 years ago

June 10, 2018

Eric

A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Debo Adeleke has dragged the senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, and others to a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, for declaring the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr Ibrahim Idris Kpotum ‘unfit to hold position in and outside Nigeria and an enemy of democracy’.

Joined as Saraki co-respondents in the suit are; the Senate of National Assembly and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the first to third respondents respectively.

The applicant in the suit delineated ABJ/CS/566/2018, is seeking an order of court declaring that the National Assembly, Saraki and Ekeremadu are not being court of law, lack jurisdiction and vires to declare IGP a personal non grata and unfit to hold public office within and outside Nigeria and an enemy of democracy.

The lawyer also seeks a declaration of the court that the power of the Senate of National Assembly to invite a public officer under its power of investigation in Section 88 of 1999 Constitution (as amended), is limited and it is only to enable it to: make laws with respect to any matter within its legislative competence and correct and defect in the existing laws; and expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it.

The applicant also seeks declaration of the court that even though, the Senate of National Assembly lack the requisite vires to summon the IGP as declared above, the IGP was ably represented by Deputy Inspector-General of Police by virtue of Section 312(1) of Police Act and Regulation, law made by National Assembly. And that the invitation of IGP over the arrest and arraignment of Senator Dino Melaye is subjudice and undue interference with police Constitutional power of investigation, arrest and arraignment of suspects.

In his 27 paragraph affidavit to support his originating summon, Adeleke averred that he instituted the suit to defend and uphold the sanctity of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, noting that it is of public interest. Adding that what prompted the suit was the Senate declaration of the IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris Kpotum a ‘persona non grata’, unfit to hold public position within and outside Nigeria, and enemy of democracy due to the IGP’s inability to personally honour Senate invitation to appear before it.

He also stated that the said declaration was made consequent upon IGP’s inability to appear personally before the Senate plenary on three consecutive times to explained the circumstances surrounding the arrest of one of its members, Dino Melaye and killing across the Nigeria.

The applicant also stated that the summons of the IGP by the Senate on three occasions, which the IGP was unable to attend due to being on special assignment with President Buhari, and that non appearance of the IGP on the last summoned date, May 9, 2018, led the Senate to declare him a personal non grata, unfit to hold public position, and enemy of democracy.

He also stated that as a lawyer, that the summoning IGP over the arrest and arraignment of Dino Melaye, is an undue interference with police operation and duties of investigation, arrest and arraignment of suspects. Adding that the Senate interrogation of IGP over the arrest and arraignment of Senator Dino Melaye, a matter subject of litigation is tantamount to usurpation of judicial powers of the judiciary, another independent arm of government.

The lawyer also stated that the IGP out of respect sent DIG Operations to represent him at Senate plenary but was denied representation by Senate, and that he knows that DIG Operations is competent under police act, a law made by the same National Assembly to represent the IGP.

Following the above averment, the applicant asked the court to declare that Senate of National Assembly, Senate Pesident, Bukola Saraki, and Ike Ekeremadu, not being a court, lack the jurisdiction and vires to declare the IGP a persona non grata, and unfit to hold public office within and outside Nigeria and enemy of democracy.

He also wants the court to declare that the invitation of the IGP over the arrest and arraignment of Senator Dino Melaye is subjudice and undue interference with police constitutional power of investigation, arrest, and arraignment of suspects.

News

Two Rivers Lawmakers Step Down from Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Sue for Peace

Published

21 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Eric

Two members of the Rivers House of Assembly, who are loyalists of former Governor Nyesom Wike, have withdrawn from the impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.

The Minority Leader of the assembly, Sylvanus Enyinna Nwankwo, and Peter Abbey, who represents Degema State Constituency, urged their colleagues to exercise restraint and allow for dialogue to maintain stability in the state

In a video widely circulated on Facebook and an excerpt published by Rivers State Television, the lawmakers urged their colleagues to prioritise the overall interest and stability of Rivers above partisan disagreements.

Call for ‘cooling-off period’

The legislators stressed that the prevailing political climate demands calm, dialogue and a “cooling-off period” within the assembly to allow, in their words, “wisdom and truth to prevail” in the legislative chambers.

Although they did not expressly mention the impeachment process during the briefing, their intervention is being interpreted by political observers as a withdrawal from the impeachment push against Mr Fubara, which has heightened tensions in the state.

Background to impeachment moves

The Rivers assembly parted ways with Mr Fubara because of the feud between the governor and Mr Wike, who is the FCT minister.

The current impeachment notice on Mr Fubara is the third attempt in less than three years to remove the governor. The previous efforts had split the legislature into two factions, causing President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in the oil-rich state and suspend the governor, the deputy governor, and the lawmakers.

The lawmakers accused the governor of constitutional breaches and administrative misconduct, allegations his supporters have dismissed as politically motivated.

Source: Premium Times

News

I Won’t Surrender Rivers N700bn IGR to Anyone, Fubara Vows

Published

5 days ago

January 8, 2026

Eric

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has resisted alleged pressure to hand over N700 billion, representing 35% of the State’s internally generated revenue (IGR), to anyone, sparking a heated power struggle with former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister.

The dispute has raised concerns about the welfare of Rivers State residents, with 4.4 million people living in multidimensional poverty.

The feud between Fubara and Wike, who unilaterally chose Fubara as his successor, has escalated into violent confrontations, defections, and legal battles.

Wike has threatened to make Rivers State “ungovernable” if Fubara fails comply, while his supporters have vowed to “deal with” Fubara.

In response, Fubara has warned that he cannot be intimidated, saying: “Rivers State is not a playground” and that he’s prepared to defend the state’s interest.

His supporters have also threatened to mobilise protests against Wike and his allies.

The crisis had paralysed governance, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month emergency rule in the State last year.

The situation remains tense, with both sides maintaining their respective stance.

The outcome will have significant implications for Rivers State and Nigerian politics.

The dispute highlights concerns about godfatherism in Nigerian politics and its impact on governance.

Wike has accused Fubara of ingratitude, while Fubara sees the former’s demands as an attempt to undermine his authority.

News

Rivers Assembly Begins Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara

Published

5 days ago

January 8, 2026

Eric

The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The legislature kicked off the process at plenary on Thursday.

The lawmakers are accusing Fubara and his deputy of gross misconduct.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, is presiding over the session.

The day’s proceedings bear the imprimatur of renewed hostilities between Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

On December 5, 2025, a horde of the Rivers assembly lawmakers led by the speaker, announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Days later, Fubara formalised his own switch from the PDP to the APC.

However, the sabre-rattling and thinly veiled remarks between Wike and Fubara, which culminated in the declaration of emergency rule in the state in March 2025, have persisted.

Most of the Rivers lawmakers have stayed loyal to Wike.

TheCable