Court Strikes Out IGP’s Suit Seeking To Stop His Invitation By Senate

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the suit filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, challenging the power of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Senate to summon him over national issues relating to his office.

In a judgment delivered on Monday by justice John Tsoho, the court held that the IGP’s suit constituted an abuse of court process.

The court agreed with the arguments canvassed by the Senate President and the Senate that the suit, as filed by the police chief, is subjudice.

Justice Tsoho said he did not see any harm that would have been caused if the police boss had honoured the invitation of the Senate.

“I hold that the IGP ought to have honoured the invitation of the Senate, instead of running to the court to stop the Senate from investigating him.

“The action of the plaintiff amounts to an abuse of court process and, it is hereby struck out”, Justice Tsoho held.

The judge added that he was supposed to honour the second invitation of the Senate to him, having failed to respond the first one as he was on an official assignment to Bauchi State with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Justice Tsoho returned another suit the IGP filed against the Senate and its president to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati, for re-assignment to another judge for hearing and adjudication.

“This suit is similar to the one I just delivered judgment on and it will be in the interest of justice if this suit is returned to the chief judge for re-assignment to another judge.

“Consequently, this suit is hereby returned to the chief judge for re-assignment to another judge,” Justice Tsoho said.

The IGP had, in his suit prayed the court to restrain the Senate and its President, Bukola Saraki, or their agents or any committee from insisting that he must appear before the upper legislative chambers in person, to the exclusion of any of his subordinate officers.