The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday struck out a suit instituted by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris seeking an order restraining the Nigerian Senate from summoning him to appear before it.

Delivering judgment on the suit, Justice John Tsoho held that the suit was struck out on the grounds of abuse of court processes, maintaining that he did not see any harm that could have been caused to Idris if he personally appeared before the Senate.

The Judge held that the plaintiff’s resolve to come to court rather than answer the summons of the Senate amounted to an abuse of court process.

Justice Tsoho also declined to entertain another suit filed by the IG in which he is challenging the Senate for declaring him unfit to hold public office. He returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment to another judge.

Idris had filed the suit seeking to restrain the Senate, the Senate President and their agents from compelling him to appear before them in person. The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki had in a counter-affidavit, accused the IG of using the court to avoid honouring invitations.

The IGP had however, claimed that on the said date he was supposed to appear before the Senate, he was directed by President Muhammadu Buhari to be among the presidential entourage to Bauchi State.

Idris added that the content of the Senate’s summons was ambiguous and confusing, alleging that the letter clearly showed the Upper Chamber’s readiness to interfere with the criminal investigation of one its members, Senator Dino Melaye.

The IGP therefore urged the court to declare that the letter of invitation relating to pending criminal proceedings against Melaye in court was beyond his powers, hinging his claims on Sections 88 and 6(6) (b) of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Order, 2015.