IGP To Senate: I Owe No One Apologies

The Senate in its resolution on Wednesday had described the IGP as an ‘enemy of democracy’ for failure to appear before the upper chamber despite three invitations sent to him.

He was invited to the National Assembly following the arrest of Kogi senator, Dino Melaye among other security issues.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Force spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, the IGP queried why he must appear before the Senate when a senior police officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector-General or an Assistant Inspector-General could act on his behalf in an official capacity at any function.

The statement described the Senate resolution against the IGP as ‘a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting with mischievous motives to hand-twist the IGP to pervert the end of justice’.

While stressing the gravity of the accusations against the embattled senator,  it explained that Melaye was certified fit to stand trial by doctors at the National Hospital before he was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Courts in Wuse, Abuja and Lokoja.

The statement reads: “The IG and the Nigeria Police Force will not be deterred by blackmail from any individual or group no matter how highly placed from the enforcement of Law and Order and ensuring that the Rule of Law prevails.

“The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, owes no apology to any individual or groups in its effort to ensure the preservation of law and order, supremacy of the law of the land, and make sure that all Nigerians are subject to the same law, no matter what their position is in the society.”

It further maintained that: “The Nigeria Police Force as a law-abiding organization will continue to hold the Senate in high esteem but wishes to impress on the Senate not to harbour criminal elements among its fold or condone criminality.

“The Force will not be intimidated by any individual, groups or institution, constituent or otherwise to abdicate from its constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives and property and due enforcement of the rule of law, and law and order across the country.”