HighlightTrending Story

Nigeria Police behaving like barbarians – Dogara

529

Lashing out at the Nigeria Police for its handling of the Senator Dino Melaye issue, speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara on Monday described the action of the Police as barbaric.

“There is no where,  I have said it before that police will behave in a democracy like a clan of tribesmen, like an upgraded barbarians sort of.

“On the issue of Senator Dino, of course anything that happens to one of our members or any member of the National Assembly is of concern to us. And there is no way we can have this kind of meeting without raising that, he said after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Villa.

” This is a civilian administration, it is democracy and it is imperative and very very important that all institutions of democracy operate within the ambit of the rule of law.

So there is need for us  to act with civility. We are not saying  that anybody should be protected and defended. Once you have committed an offense, our law said you should answer to it but you just have to utilize the provision of our constitution, the rule of law and that this administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has over emphased in order to bring people to book. But a situation where people are wheeled to court, that doesn’t give good image of our democracy. I have not seen a democracy where people are wheeled to court, they are not in the proper frame of mind and they are forced to undergo trial.

“Whatever it is, even if Dino is pretending as some have said it some section of the media, he cannot pretend forever. He is there, he will not run away, he is a senator and he can be tried any time he is in proper frame of mind. As a lawyer, I can tell you, any judge that assesses an accused person not to be in a proper frame of mind, even if the accused person pleas guilty, he is duty bound by law to record a plea of not guilty if he is not satisfied as to the soundness of the mind of the accused person.

“So the emphasis is there and I believe the president being a listening president will definitely take steps and do something about it.”

Senate President  Bukola Saraki  who was also at the meeting disclosed that they talked on the key issues of importance to both arms of government.

Saraki said the President invited them over to discuss with them his recent visit to the United States of America, the passage of the 2018 Budget, and the invasion of the National Assembly by thugs, but they used the opportunity to complain to him their reservations about the non-appearance of the IGP, despite repeated invitations.

They appealed Buhari to make officers of the executive arm of government operate within the ambit of law in their actions.

“Well, we came on the invitation of Mr. President, he wanted to brief us on his trip to the United States and also the issue of the budget. We also talked on the issue of concerns to us, the invasion of the National Assembly, which he showed great concern and said action will be taken to investigate that.”

Asked when they are passing the budget, the Senate President said, “Well, hopefully it should be laid this week. If it can be laid this week then it can be passed early next week but we are hoping it will be laid this week.”

On what was the President’s response on invasion, Saraki said, “Of course, he sees it as an embarrassment to the country and that there will be a proper investigation because is something that is not just about the National Assembly, it is about the country.”

On efforts to improve the strain relationship between the executive and the legislature, the Senate President said, “You see we are here today, it was the initiative of Mr. President to brief us on his visit to America and to engage on discussions and I think that is a good sign. We in the National Assembly have always been ready to give all our support to the executive and we will continue to work along those lines. As I said, the presidential system that we operate, we sometimes have the responsibility to check the excesses of the executive, so there will always be times we will disagree but by and large, we will always work for the interest of Nigerians and always keep on moving on.”

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

MAG Supports FCT Police with State-of-the-Art Containerized Armoury

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has significantly upgraded its arms...

NNPC Ltd. Partners Baker Hughes to Drive Growth in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC Ltd.) is exploring a strategic...

N1.12trn Agric Funds Scandal: House of Reps Launches Investigation

The House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has launched...

Nigeria Still Africa’s Top Oil Producer Despite Output Drop – OPEC

Despite a decline in production, Nigeria has retained its position as Africa’s...

UN Slams Benue Violence: Urges Authorities to Ensure Justice

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the recent bloody attacks...

Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Edges Down to 22.97% – NBS 

Nigeria’s inflation rate saw a slight dip in May 2025, reaching 22.97%...

Nigeria Invites Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali for Abuja Regional Summit Despite ECOWAS Exit

Notwithstanding their departure from the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS), Nigeria...

PENGASSAN Urges Govt to Prioritize Security for Oil and Gas Infrastructure

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) has urged the...

These Killings Must Stop, 2Baba Laments Benue Butchery

More condemnation has trailed the persistent killings and insecurity in Benue State...

Defamation Trial: Court Refuses Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Arrest, Fixes Hearing Date

Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed...

Pastor Adefarasin Speaks Out AgainstBenue Killings: ‘Enough is Enough’

Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Paul Adefarasin, has strongly condemned...

FCCPC Takes Action: Summons Air Peace Over Ticket Refund Complaints

Following numerous complaints from passengers, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission...

NOC Launches Construction of Five-Floor Headquarters in Abuja

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has started building its ambitious permanent secretariat...

UK Court Jails Nigerian Caregiver for Forcibly Kissing His Patient

A Nigerian man living in the UK, Adewale Kudabo, has been handed...

Cocaine in the Gut: NDLEA Intercepts Iran-Bound Traveler with 53 Wraps

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made another significant arrest...

Pope Leo Offers Prayers for Benue Massacre Victims

Pope Leo has offered prayers for the victims of a devastating massacre...

India’s Deadly Skies: 7 Killed in Copter Crash 3 Days After Plane Tragedy

A helicopter carrying seven individuals, including the pilot, has tragically crashed in...

WEAAD 2025: NSCC DG Pledges Continued Support for Older Persons’ Rights

As the world observes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), Mrs. Omobolanle...

Big Move: Ex-PDP Governors Wike, Fayose, Ortom, Ikpeazu “Meet” Tinubu at Aso Rock

President Bola Tinubu met with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,...

Trump Mulls Expanding Travel Ban to 36 Nations, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin on the List

The United States is reportedly considering a significant expansion of its travel...