The House of Representatives yesterday threatened to issue a warrant of arrest of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris for failure to appear before its committee on police affairs next Thursday 19 January, 2017 over alleged diversion of N6 billion meant for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 102 police stations across the country.
The IGP is also alleged to have violated the public procurement act in the purchase of 10 Toyota Hiace vehicles.
The resolution to arrest the IGP was consequent upon a motion of complaint by Hon. Onyenwife Gabriel (PDP, Anambra), in which he accused the police boss of contempt for the police affairs committee of the House.
Leading debate on the motion, Onyenwife alleged that the sum N6 billion was appropriated in the 2016 budget for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 102 police stations nationwide but the amount was also diverted for other uses without the approval of the National Assembly;
He said another N1.2 billion was also approved for the purchase of ten armoured personnel carriers by the Nigeria Police Force but the amount was diverted for the purchase of 64 Toyota Hiace Commuter vehicles without the approval of the National Assembly;
Onyenwife informed that “these infractions of the Appropriation Act 2016, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act, 2007 are just two of the several infractions committed by the Nigeria Police Force in the course of implementation of the 2016 budget”
He lamented that the committee on police affairs had invited the IGP on two occasions “to explain or justify these perceived infractions but he failed or refused to honour the invitations or justify his failure or refusal to attend”
According to him, the persistent failure or refusal of the IGP to honour the invitations has stalled the investigation of the diversion of the funds and therefore call on the House to summon the IGP and if he fails to appear should be issued with an arrest warrant.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Pally Iriase (APC, Edo) said the IGP being the chief law enforcement officer should not be seen as violating the laws of land hence he should be made to live by example.
In his contribution, Hon. Serguis Ogun (PDP, Edo) said the IGP should not be invited again since he had on two different occasions neglected summon from House. He advised that Idris be issued with a warrant of arrest and compelled to appear before the committee to defend himself of the allegations against his office.
Hon. Mohammed Abdul (APC, Bauch), in his contribution appealed that the IGP should be given a second chance, failure to comply, the House should thereafter take actions against him. He said the House should be careful so that it is not seen as preempting the actions of the IGP.
But Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) argued that the House had to make a statement with the actions of the IGP in ignoring invitations from its committee. He said “it is an opportunity for us (house) to make a statement for the IGP to know that we have different arms of government. He however suggested that the IGP should not be threatened with a warrant until he refuses to appear again before the police affairs committee
Similarly, Hon. Oluwole Oke (PDP, Osun) suggested that the House committee on public procurement be mandated alongside that of police affairs to investigate the allegations against the IGP.
The motion was unanimously endorsed when Speaker Yakubu Dogara who presided over the plenary put it to question.
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