…May summon IGP if detainment persists
The House of Representatives on Wednesday issued the Inspector-General of Police IGP Ibrahim Idris a 12 hours ultimatum to release a detained member of the House Hon. Abubakar Lado who was detained by the Police for alleged vandalism of properties of his political opponent during the just concluded primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Lado who represents Gurara/Suleja/Tafa Federal Constituency of Niger State was alleged to have vandalized and destroyed cars and and belongings of his political opponent during the just concluded APC primaries of the ruling party in his home state and was arrested and detained by the Special Anti Robbery Squad SARS of the Nigeria Police in Abuja
But the lawmakers in a motion raised by Hon. Toby Okechukwu (Enugu, PDP) decried the detention of the lawmaker on the order of the Governor of Niger State Abubakar Sani Bello saying that the IGP should release him in less than 12 hours as his detention is unlawful.
Okechukwu while debating the motion noted that the lawmaker participated in the party primary of the APC in his federal constituency and was later arrested and detained on the order of the Niger State Governor for alleged vandalism and other charges
He informed the House that the lawmaker adequately communicated the Police and other security agents in the state of his intention to participate in the party primary adding that he was detained on the orders of the state governor
According to him, if the people of Niger State and his constituency cannot give the lawmaker a second term ticket, they should not detain him unlawfully.
Speaking in support, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje (Abia, PDP) said that she listened with rapt attention as the matter was being raised. She added that the Nigeria Police is an institution that was created by law and regretted that they flout the law with impunity.
She added that if an honourable member of a legislative institution can be treated the way she was treated during the party primaries by the Police, then the question arises whether we ‘ve a republic.
Also in their contributions, Hon Osai N. Osai (Delta, PDP) and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila the House Leader said that the lawmaker’s detention by members of the SARS an outfit of the Nigeria Police in charge of robbery and kidnapping is unlawful.
The duo informed that the House that the APC lawmaker’s fundamental rights are being infringed upon by the Police and added that if steps are not taken, the lawmaker would be in detention up to next week.
Moreover, the Deputy Speaker of the House Hon Suleiman Lasun said that a sitting member of the House cannot be arrested unlawfully by the Police.
Lasun said that legislators are the most endangered species and regretted that the way the lawmaker was arrested was the reason why the nation is not developed.
Consequently, the House presided by the Speaker Hon.Yakubu Dogara unanimously adopted the motion with a voice vote urging the IGP to release the lawmaker within 12 hours
The House also asked its Ethics and Privileges Committee to investigate the matter and determine if the lawmaker by his conducts during the party primaries had brought the House to disrepute.
It equally resolved to file a suit against the IGP and the Police outfit should they fails to abide by the House resolution on the matter.
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