The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has denied reports that it is planning to arrest and detain Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
The allegations were made on Sunday, July 5, 2015, by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the plan.
Ekweremadu is said to have been invited by the police over an alleged forgery of the Senate Rules on the election of principal officers.
Force Assistant Spokesperson, Abayomi Shogunle however said that the investigation is not about an individual adding that the police are investigating a petition filed by a senator on the alleged forgery.
Shogunle said:
“In line with the resolve of the police leadership to gather evidence, the FCID sent a letter to the Senate clerk requesting a meeting with principal officers. The police didn’t send a letter to the deputy senate president, but to the clerk.”
“What we did was to write to the clerk to facilitate a meeting with some of the senators to verify the allegations that were made, the police have respect for democratic values; but the clerk is yet to respond to the letter.”
“No invitation was sent to the deputy senate president. It’s not about an individual, but about those that should be in the know of the senate rules and standing orders. The investigation is being led by the DIG, FCID.”
The NPF also published a statement on its Facebook page. It reads:
“The Nigeria Police Force received a petition from a Senator alleging unauthorized substitution of Senate document, the matter was referred to Force CIID Abuja for investigation.”
“In line with the policy of the Police leadership of gathering evidence before invitation, a letter was sent to the Clerk of National Assembly to FACILITATE A MEETING of some principal Senate members/Clerk with Police investigating team headed by DIG FCIID at THEIR CONVENIENT TIME AND VENUE.”
“No plans to arrest Deputy Senate President as NPF have healthy respect for democratic values.”
The APC has denied all involvement in the matter.
