IGP Abba Refuses To Recognise Tambuwal As Speaker

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

Ayodele Afolabi, Abuja

The Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba has refused to accord the status of speaker to Aminu Tambuwal, saying he will only do so when the case that is in court is disposed of.

The IGP, who on Wednesday appeared before the House Committee on Police Affairs probing the invasion of the National Assembly last week by the police rebuffed attempt to make him address Mr. Tambuwal as Speaker.

The IGP merely addressed him as Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal.

Abba had ordered the withdrawal of the police aides attached to the speaker following his defection to the opposition All Progressives Congress, (APC)

Tambuwal has filled a suit in an Abuja Federal High Court to challenge the withdrawal of his police aides in court.

When the Chairman of the committee asked Abba if Mr. Tambuwal is the Speaker of the House of Representatives or not, the IGP insisted he would not comment on that because the matter is in court.

Bello Kurmo chairman of the committee asked: “Is Aminu Waziri-Tambuwal the Speaker of the House of Representatives or not”? the IG replied, “Mr. Chairman, you know that matters before the courts are subjudice. Commenting on them is subjudice until they are disposed of.”

Angered by the refusal of the IGP to retract his statement, the committee ended the session abruptly and asked the IGP to leave.

Similar incident occurred last Friday when the committee walked out the IGP representatives team, led by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Sotonye Nwakama.

The committee members then held that it was only the IGP who was qualified to answer their queries.