National Assembly Crisis: IGP Snubs Reps Summons, Sends Representatives

IGP Suleiman Abba
IGP Suleiman Abba

The House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs has summoned the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba to explain the reason behind the action of policemen at the National Assembly Complex on Thursday. But he failed to appear and send representatives instead, to the chagrin of the lawmakers.

Policemen had on Thursday taken over the National Assembly, locking out some members of the lower house, in an incident which brought a lot of shame to the country globally.

While the lawmakers met on Friday to hear Abba out, a representative appeared instead, as he wrote the committee that he would be unavoidably absent. A team led by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Sotonye Nwakama, which represented him was however dismissed by the reps, who said the IGP had to appear to explain the actions of his men.

Abba had in a letter with reference CB:3380/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL8/806 and addressed to the Chairman of the committee, Usman Kumo (Gombe –PDP) explained his absence.

“Due to exigency of duty, the Inspector General of Police will not be able to appear before the house.

“Meanwhile, he has directed the deputy inspector general of police, operations to represent him,” the letter signed by Mr Austin Iwar, a Principal Staff Officer and Commissioner of Police, read.

Reacting to the IGP’s absence, Kumo said after due consultations with committee members, Nov. 26 has been picked for Abba to appear.

“The constitution empowers the house, through its committees, to summon anybody to appear before it,” Kumo noted.

“It is in view of this that the committee is fixing this hearing for Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. for the IG to appear for this interactive, question and answer session,” he added.

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