The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has asked the Nigerian Senate not to trivialize or personalize the criminal offences brought against its member, Senator Dino Melaye. The IGP in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Ibrahim also explained the reason why his boss failed to appear before the senate on Thursday following an earlier invitation extended to him.
In the statement, the IGP said he acted in order by sending the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations, Habila Joshak to represent him at the Senate stressing that the Police Act and Regulation permits a senior officer of the force of the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police and Assistant Inspector General of Police to represent the IGP in an official capacity when permitted.
The statement read in part
“It is on the basis of the above that while the Inspector General of Police is on an official assignment in Bauchi state that he delegated the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations to represent him and honour the invitation of the Senate, the Federal Republic of Nigeria in respect of the felonious offenses for which Senator Dino Melaye was taken into police custody, investigated and to be arraigned in the Federal High Court, Lokoja without further delay.
“Consequently, the general public are hereby implored to note that the Inspector General of Police acted rightly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Police Act and Regulation and other extant laws
“The Nigeria Police Force is a law abiding organization and holds the Senate and its leadership in high esteem, however the Force wishes to impress on the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to personalize or trivialize the criminal offenses indicting Senator Dino Melaye.”
