For declaring the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris, unfit to run for public office, a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Debo Adeleke, has filed a suit against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and others before a Federal High Court.
The Senate had declared Idris ‘’unfit to hold position in and outside Nigeria and anenemy of democracy’’ over his failure to appear before it. Joined as co-respondentsin the suit are the Senate of National Assembly and Deputy Senate President, IkeEkweremadu, as the first and third respondents, respectively.
The applicant in the suit is seeking an orderof court declaring that the National Assembly, Saraki and Ekweremadu are not courts of law, hence lack the jurisdiction and vires to declare the Police boss a persona non grata and unfit to hold public office within and outside Nigeria and as an enemy of democracy.
The lawyer is also praying for an order to declare that the power of the Senate of National Assembly to invite a public officerunder 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 to 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.He added that the invitation of Idris over the arrest and arraignment of Senator Dino Melaye was subjudice and undue interference with Police constitutional power of investigation, arrest and arraignment of suspects.
In his 27-paragraph affidavit in support of the originating summon, Adeleke averred that he instituted the suit to defend and uphold the sanctity of the Constitu-tion of Federal Republic of Nigeria, noting that it isof public interest.
