Reps Probe AIG Mbu Over Mass Killing Threat

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Nigeria 2015 Election Tuesday, February 24th, 2015

Ayodele Afolabi, Abuja – The House of Representatives has mandated its Police Affairs Committee to probe the Assistant Inspector-General, Joseph Mbu over his inciting comments that the police would retaliate the killing of any police officer on election duty.

This followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki seeking to condemn the inflammatory threats of Mbu,

In his motion, Hon. Madaki had drawn the attention of the House to the directive by Mbu to police officers under his command to disregard any immunity enjoyed by any governor.

Hon. Madaki said Mbu’s directive was a violation of the constitution, adding that the senior police officer had before now been guilty of discharging his duties in utmost disrespect of the rule of law.

The lawmaker condemned the statement allegedly made by AIG Mbu that if one police officer is killed during the March 2015 elections, between 20 to 100 citizens would be killed in return

Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, while ruling on the motion, observed that it would be unfair for the House to be pass judgment on the matter without giving the assistant inspector-general the opportunity to defend himself.

He suggested that the most appropriate thing is for the allegations made against Mbu to be properly investigated in the spirit of fair hearing, and therefore directed

that the matter be referred to the House Committee on Police Affairs for investigation.

The Deputy Speaker subsequently, advised the sponsor of the motion to withdraw

his prayers, urging the House to condemn the utterances and actions of Mbu, which he described as being at variance with the expected conduct of a senior police officer.

Also, withdrawn is the prayer calling on the police inspector-general to relieve Mbu of any role in over-seeing the 2015 general elections because his utterances and actions are at variance with the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act.