News

I Don’t Owe Senate Any Apology

Published

6 years ago

May 10, 2018

Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police, says the force he leads does not owe any individual or group any apology in discharging its duties.

He said this while responding to the comments made by senators over his refusal to honour the invitation of the senate.

Idris has refused to appear before the senate on three different occasions.

He had been summoned over the growing insecurity in the country and the case of Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west.

Melaye is currently in custody of the police.

The first time the IGP was invited to appear before the senators, he accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari to Bauchi state but sent representatives who were rejected by the lawmakers.

The second time, the IGP said he went to Birin Gwari, Kaduna state, on a working visit.

When he failed to show up on Wednesday, the senate went into a closed door session after which Senate President Bukola Saraki said Idris had been declared an enemy of democracy.

But responding on Wednesday night, the IGP accused the lawmakers of attempting to witch-hunt him, vowing not to be intimidated.

He asked the public to disregard the statement of the senate and promised to continue to discharge his duties to the best of his ability.

Idris accused the legislators of trying to blackmail him because of the case of Melaye.

Idris spoke in a statement issued on his behalf by Jimoh Moshood, spokesman of the police.

Below is the statement:

The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to the media reportage of the Senate’s resolution on Senate Order Paper of today, Wednesday, 9th May, 2018 after a closed door session that the “Senate declares the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim k. Idris, NPM, mni, as enemy of democracy and unfit to hold any public office within and outside the country”.

It is urgently imperative that the Nigeria Police Force respond to this resolution of the Senate which is a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting, unfortunate and mischievous.

In accordance with the extant laws in Nigeria, the functions, duties and responsibilities of the Inspector General of Police as stated in Section 215(1a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, and the Police Act and Regulations Section 309(1) can also be carried out as mentioned in sections 7(1),312(1), 313(2) of the Police Act and Regulations by a senior officer of the Force of the Rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police or an Assistant Inspector General of Police who if permitted by the Inspector General of Police to act on his behalf or represent him in an official capacity at any official function, event or programme within and outside Nigeria can do so in consonant with the provisions of the Police Act and Regulations.

It is on the basis of the above that when on the 25th of April, 2018, the Senate invited the Inspector-General of Police to appear before it on the 26thof April 2018, in respect of the felonious offenses for which Sen. Dino Melaye was taken into Police custody, investigated and arraigned in a Court of Competent Jurisdiction in Lokoja, but because the Inspector-General of Police was on official assignment with the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria to Bauchi on same date, he delegated the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Operations, Assistant Inspector-Generals of Police and some Commissioners of Police conversant with the matter to brief the Senate.

The delegated Officers went with a brief of the Inspector-General of Police on the matter to the Senate to enable the Senate appreciate the issues raised to guide their resolutions on the matter but the Senate refused to listen to the Officers delegated by the Inspector-General of Police in line with his powers recognized by both the Constitution and the Police Act and Regulations.

The Senate again on the 26th of April 2018 wrote the Inspector-General of Police re-inviting him to appear before the Senate in person on the 2nd of May, 2018 but this

News

AMVCA 2024: Full Winners List

Published

4 days ago

May 13, 2024

lagoslately

Below are the list of winners👇

Best Movie: Breath of Life
Best Lead Actor: Wale Ojo(Breath of Life)
Best Lead Actress: Kehinde Bankole (Adire)
Best Indigenous West Africa. Femi Adebayo Jagun Jagun
Best writing movie: Fumilayo Rans0me Kuti
Best Scripted: Slùm King
Best Costume Design: Jagun Jagun (Lola Awe)
Best Supporting Actress: Genoveva Umeh (Breath of Life
Best Supporting Actor: Ademola Adedoyin (Breath of Life)
Best MultiChoice Talent Factory Movie: Our Dàrk Past
Best Makeup: Mami Wata (Campbell Precious Arebamen
Industry Merit Awards: Iya Rainbow aka Idowu Philips and Richard Mofe Damijo
Best Writing Award: Volume
Best Director: BB Sasore (Breath of Life)

Foreign

Governor Sanwo-Olu Receives Prince Harry & Meghan Markle (Photos)

Published

4 days ago

May 13, 2024

lagoslately

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, received the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, on Sunday.

The British Royal couple was received by Governor Sanwo-Olu; his wife, Dr. Ibijoke, and some members of the State Executive Council during a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Marina.

Prince Harry, accompanied by his wife, Meghan, is on a three-day visit to Nigeria to promote the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014. The couples had a stopover in Lagos on Sunday.

The Invictus Games are aimed at raising funds and supporting serving members of the military as well as veterans to overcome their physical and mental illness or injuries, which would help them to develop a sense of belonging and increased self-esteem.

Speaking to journalists after a closed door meeting with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Governor Sanwo-Olu praised the British Royal couple for the work they are doing with Nigeria’s military men, especially on issues around mental health.

He said: “We are honoured to receive them (Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) at the Lagos House, Marina. We are excited about the ideas and what they are planning to do, especially with the office of the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, and his wife, Mrs. Lilian Musa.

“For Prince Harry, it has been a very interesting and informative trip to the country. He has seen a lot. And part of the things we are hoping he will take away is the diversity and extent of how big our country is, how we continue to ensure that we live together in peace and harmony, and what role Lagos plays in the whole conversation.

“They have been to Kano, Abuja, and now Lagos. I am sure they have their own experience of what Nigeria looks like. We have extended an additional invitation to them that they can always come back when they want to.

“We are indeed happy for what they are doing, especially for our military men, on the conversation around mental health issues and how they can galvanise their various NGOs to ensure that people who require their support, both in the military and private, can seek that support.

“Mental health issues are all around us. Denial and stigmatisation, are some of the things we talked about. And more importantly, at what point in Nigeria can we have the Invictus Games that Prince Harry is known for so that the true Nigerian competitiveness can also be reflected in those games”

Foreign

US Announces African Infrastructure Venture Amid China’s Belt and Road Scrutiny

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

lagoslately

In recent developments, the United States has announced plans to embark on its own infrastructure project in Africa, particularly in Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola. This initiative aims to refurbish and extend the Lobito Corridor, a railway system that will stretch through mineral-rich regions, linking Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to an Atlantic port in Angola.

This move comes at a time when China’s efforts to expand its influence in Africa through infrastructure investments, notably its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), have faced scrutiny. Despite China’s investments, criticisms have emerged regarding the sustainability and completion of projects, prompting a shift in focus towards more manageable and sustainable initiatives.

The U.S, in collaboration with the European Union and African nations, is taking a proactive approach to ensure the success of the Lobito Corridor project. Key aspects include the involvement of private partners like the Africa Finance Corp., plans for long-term operation and maintenance, and capacity development strategies. This signifies a departure from past approaches and a commitment to transparent and sustainable infrastructure development.

Reflecting on China’s BRI, the U.S initiative seeks to learn from past experiences and avoid pitfalls encountered in previous projects. While China denies accusations of creating spheres of influence through its initiatives, concerns persist regarding the social, environmental, and economic impacts of its projects.

As the Lobito Corridor project progresses, attention is drawn to its potential connection with existing Chinese-built railways in the region, such as the Tazara railway linking Zambia and Tanzania. While the specifics are yet to be determined, the focus remains on practical and sustainable solutions that promote economic growth and benefit local communities.