Nigeria: Police chief declared persona non grata

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria's parliament on Wednesday declared police chief Ibrahim Idris persona non grata and unfit to hold public office after he repeatedly shunned senate summons over killings in the agrarian belt.

Idris has failed to appear before lawmakers thrice -- the latest on Wednesday -- but he was twice represented by his deputies whom the senators turned down on each occasion.

The summons have divided the country, with a section of local commentators alleging that the summons were political and meant to intimidate the cop over his handling of a criminal case against Senator Dino Melaye.

However, senators said Idris was summoned over the unabated killings in central Nigeria where hundreds have been killed this year.

“During the executive session the Senate deliberated on the non-appearance of the inspector general of police (IGP) to the Senate after a series of invitations… (and) noted this as disrespectful to the institution,” Senate President Bukola Saraki said.

“The Senate resolves to declare the IGP as an enemy of democracy and not fit to hold any public office within and outside Nigeria. The leadership of the senate was also mandated to look into the matter for further necessary action,” he added.

The parliament had earlier reported the police chief to President Muhammadu Buhari for shunning summons and detaining Melaye.