N'Assembly drama: Senate sets up panel to probe IG of Police

The IG of Police Sulaiman Abba was invited by the House yesterday to explain why his men invaded the National Assembly last week Thursday but after the meeting abruptly ended over the IG's refusal to properly address Speaker Tambuwal, the Senate has now set up a committee to probe IGP Abba and other policemen involved in the siege.

A seven-member committee has been set up to probe the action of the police on that day and the committee have been given seven days to have those behind it brought to book.

Members of the panel include Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who will act as chairman, Abubakar Bagudu, Victor Lar, Adegbenga Kaka, Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, Mohammed Jibrilla Bindowo, and Ehigie Uzamere.

"We are appointing members from this House and we are not bringing anybody from outside and nobody is going to interfere in the work of the committee. We want them to be very thorough, we want them to be very sincere and we want them also to bring the report as quickly as possible.” Senate president David Mark said

"That act was unconstitutional, criminal, deliberate and intended to tell us that we are not what we are or what we called ourselves.Where are the privileges of the National Assembly? Can this action be contemplated in South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon or even Mali that is close by? It is impunity of the highest order and we must act and very seriously to do justice to this issue in order to restore the dignity and sanctity of the National Assembly.” - Senate Minority Leader, George Akume said