Tambuwal: I’m Ready For IGP’s Arrest

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Sunday, November 23rd, 2014

Ayo Balogun

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal says he is ready for arrest by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

There have been insinuations that Tambuwal might be arrested by the IGP over the fracas at the National Assembly recently.

Speaker, Nigeria’s House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal

A statement issued by Tambuwal’s Special Assistant on Media, Imam Imam, said the attention of the Speaker has been drawn to publications in the media to the effect that the Inspector General of Police has ordered that he, Speaker, be invited to the Force Headquarters and that he be arrested if he resisted.

“The Speaker wishes to state that he is a law abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has no immunity against arrest and prosecution except privileges as may be provided by the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act.

“Accordingly, the Speaker states for the records that he is available, ready and willing to answer any lawful invitation from any of the security agencies on any matter for which they may require his attention,” it said.

The Speaker expressed dismay at the unprofessional conduct of the Nigerian Police in the attempt to stop him from accessing the House of Representatives chambers on the 20 November, 2014 to preside over the Special Session of the House on the State of Emergency Extension requested by Mr President, for which he had recalled members from their working recess.

He said most disgraceful was the false statement later issued by the Police in which they claimed that in the lawful exercise of their duties, Tambuwal arrived the venue with a motley crowd, who broke the cordon, assaulted the Police and evaded due process.

“This blatant falsehood coming from a law enforcement agency that is expected to be neutral and lawful, is unfortunate, to say the least. For the avoidance of doubt, the Hon Speaker came to National Assembly accompanied by Hon Members as is customary during any sitting of the House. They all came with their official vehicles but were disallowed from driving into the premises.

“Certainly Honourable members, who arrived the precinct of the National Assembly in response to a call to perform an urgent, critical national assignment, cannot be described by any self respecting institution as ‘a motley crowd,” the statement said.