By; IYOKPO J. EGBODO, Abuja
THE House of Representatives has summoned Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris over the invasion of the Abuja residence of house of former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje.
The IGP who is to appear before an Ad Hoc committee to explain what warranted the raid, and laws the law backed the police to carry out raid, was also given an ultimatum to by today, return all documents relating to the 2017 Appropriation Bill carted away from Goje’s residence.
The House also condemned the raid, which it said was carried out “in total disregard of his (Goje’s) constitutionally guaranteed right”.
Security operatives reportedly raided the Abuja residence of the Senator, who is also Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation on 20 April, 2017, and reportedly destroyed doors, bags, ceiling and soakaways searched, and documents carted away, among which were reports of the 2017 Appropriation Bill.
Hon. Yunusa Ahmad in a motion on the matter yesterday, said the excesses of security agencies, especially on the invasion of residences needed to checked, adding that the 2017 budget passage may be delayed further, as the report carted away was initially scheduled to be laid before both chambers of the National Assembly this week.
According to him, “the way and manner security agents, in the course of their duties, invade the privacy of Nigerians citizens with impunity and without regard to law and due process, thus portraying the Federal Government as lawless to discerning observers and commentators, both at home and abroad”.
Several members spoke in support of the motion.
Musa Soba who was the only one that opposed the motion however advised that the House may be judgmental in passing the motion. “We cannot be seen to be enforcing the fundamental rights of any citizen”, adding that the parliament only makes laws.
