News

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

Published

6 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

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

8 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.