Withdrawal Of Security Detail: Tambuwal Heads To Court

The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal this Friday filed a case before the Federal High Court, Abuja against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Inspector-general of Police and five other defendants.

Tambuwal is praying the court to restrain the acting inspector general of police, Suleiman Abba and other defendants from withdrawing the police personnel attached to his office as speaker or taking action likely to affect the smooth functioning of his office.

The withdrawal of the security personnel attached to the office of the speaker Aminu Tambuwal came as a surprise to many Nigerians. The Nigeria Police Force relied on section 68(1g) of the 1999 constitutions as amended as reason for its action. But Tambuwal who feels that the police has abdicated its primary responsibility of enforcing laws has gone to the court to seek proper interpretation of the said law.

Imam Imam, S.A Media to the Speaker said, “The only way he can have his grievances listened to effectively is the court of law. That is why he is here today to depose to an affidavit and also to file his case.”

Samson Osagie, member of the House of Reps said, “The Nigerian Police who have offered itself to be used as a tool in politics to witch-hunt supposedly opposition members.”

The lawmakers who accompanied Tambuwal to the court believe that the withdrawal order by the acting IGP is politically motivated.

Osagie further said, “Mimiko defected and they did not withdraw his security and I think you can see the hypocrisy of the PDP-led administration.

“The police is not supposed to interpret the law, they are supposed to implement the law subject to decisions that are reached by court.”

Zakari Mohammed, a member said, “The problem is selective judgment where it favours a particular political party, the rules are different, when it affects others, the rules are different.”

The battle line has been drawn between Tambuwal and the APC on one hand and the PDP, the House of Representatives, the IGP, INEC and the Attorney General of the federation on the other.