Nigeria’s Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has called on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to respect the law and honour the Senate’s invitation to clear himself of allegations of financial impropriety levelled against him by Senator Isa Misau.

The Senate at Thursday’s plenary noted that the IGP in his status as the chief law-enforcement officer of the nation, should not have sent a letter to the parliament informing them that he would not honour the invitation of the Senate committee probing the allegations.

The IGP had through a letter issued by his lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN), told the Senate committee that he was already in court over the matter and therefore would not make an appearance before them.

The ad-hoc committee headed by Senator Francis Alimekhena on Wednesday issued a threat of arrest on the IGP should he again fail to honour their invitation next week Tuesday.

Standing on order 43 of the Senate rules, Alimekhena brought the development to the notice of the Senate, saying that the action of IGP Idris was an affront on the upper legislative chamber.

“Mr. President, as widely reported in most national dailies today, the Inspector General of Police refused to honour the invitation sent to him for appearance before our committee yesterday on the grounds of being in court, but we have written him for unfailing appearance before us on Tuesday since such litigation cannot stop us from performing our legislative functions,” Senator Alimekhena said.

He added: “We are bringing it to the notice of the Senate in view of available constitutional provisions that can later be invoked should the IGP refuse again to appear.”

Responding, Senate President, Bukola Saraki said the IGP, as the chief enforcer of the laws in the country must be seen obeying the law not otherwise and therefore urged the Police chief to respect the law and honour the invitation.

“As the chief enforcing officer, one will expect that he should know what the law is, and he should know that there have been many judgments stating that such court actions cannot stop the Senate from doing its job.

“I think he is best advised to follow the law and ensure that he has nothing to hide by appearing like anyone else before the committee,” Saraki said.