Nigeria Police Deny It Has Summoned Ekweremadu Over House Rules Forgery

 

The Nigeria police authorities has denied the statement by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP that it had invited Ekweremadu for questioning. 

 

The police authorities added that it was still investigating the case instead.

 

The Assistant Force Public Relations Officer (AFPRO) Abayomi Shogunle, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), told reporters on Monday at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, that although there was little information that could be given immediately, the case was being investigated, insisting that police did not invite the Deputy Senate President.

 

“We cannot send out invitation to any individual on a case like this, what we have done is to notify the Clerk of the National Assembly of the said petition, as procedure requires, so as to enable us carry out an unhindered investigation,” he said.

 

Shogunle said the “senator wrote the petition and we are investigating it. There is a petition by the senator that a particular senate document has being unlawfully or illegally substituted and on the basis of that, the police has set up an investigation team at the Force CID, and we wrote a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, but we cannot discuss the process of the investigation”.

 

In furtherance of its probe on the petition, the police yesterday met with the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, and some principal officers over the alleged substitution of the Senate’s standing rules.

 

Shogunle confirmed that the meeting took place in the office of the clerk yesterday, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

 

Shogunle restated that a senator had petitioned the police, alleging that the standing rules of the Senate were substituted without the authorisation of the Senate.

 

He said that the meeting, during which some senators were questioned, was a follow-up to a request by the police to the clerk to facilitate it.

 

He also confirmed that the petitioner had made a statement to the police on the allegation.

 

Asked whether the petition was specifically targeted at the Deputy Senate President, the deputy force spokesman said it was not, clarifying it was “against procedure”.

 

Shogunle maintained that contrary to the alarm raised by the PDP, the Deputy Senate President was not invited by the police and declined further comments, adding that the matter was under investigation.

 

Also commenting on the probe by the police, Ekweremadu monday assured Nigerians and the international community that all democratic steps were being taken to preserve the nation’s democracy and protect the independence of the legislature.

 

Ekeremadu made the statement through his Special Adviser, Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu.

 

The statement, according to Thisday report, said Ekweremadu had received numerous calls and messages from elder statesmen, governors, and lawmakers across party lines over the threat to his freedom.

 

“Nigerians have continued to express utter dismay and concern over the unfolding drama in which his life and liberty are being threatened by desperate politicians,” it stated.

 

The Deputy President of the Senate further assured Nigerians that necessary steps were being taken by the security agencies to beef up security around him.

 

He commended the security agencies for the professional manner they were handling the situation.

 

He also commended youths across the country for volunteering to provide additional security around him.

 

He however noted that “no amount of intimidation or harassment will deter me from carrying out the constitutionally prescribed duties.

 

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