Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police, refused to answer any questions when he appeared before the Senate committee investigating allegations against him by Isah Misau, saying that he only honoured the invitation out of respect for the senate.

Idris said since the matter the committee was set up to investigate is already in court, it would be subjudice for him to make any more comment about it.

“I’m represented by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria here, that’s Alex Izyon,” Idris said.

“I will not make any other comment or answer any question in respect to the allegation (by Mr. Misau) and various civil and criminal cases pending in the law court. More especially, when the senator has already been arraigned in court in respect of these matters.”

“I decided to appear before this Senate committee on the allegations out of the high respect I have for the Senate and my penchant for the rule of law.

“Furthermore, it is expected that the Senate and the committee will refrain from making reference to the issue as it would be against order 41 (7) and 53 (5) of the Senate standing order 2015 as amended.”

Also speaking on behalf of his client, Izyon urged the committee to stand down the investigation pending the outcome of the suit that had already been filed in court.

“I have taken instructions from him (Idris). We’ve gotten the papers filed by the petitioner and we have responded to those allegations to show that we don’t have anything to hide and I have submitted 15 copies this morning to this honourable committee,” Izyon said.

“When you have judicial remedies present and these matters are in court, any reference to it might lead to prejudice.

“The Senate in their own wisdom have this rule. That is why I am pleading with you to look into your own rule.”

In his response, Francis Alimikhena, Chairman of the committee, said that the matter was already before the committee before Idris went to court, adding that the issue being investigated includes virement which is not before any court.

He however said the committee will study the documents presented by Idris and his counsel and re-invite them if need be.

Misau, a retired police officer, now serving Senator, had alleged among other things that Idris pockets N10 billion monthly in illegal payments from highly placed individuals and top organizations in order to provide them with police protection.

He also claimed that some senior police officers pay as much as N2.5 million to the Police Service Commission for special promotions.

Following the allegation, Bukola Saraki, Senate President, set up a panel to probe Idris.

But before the panel could sit for its first hearing, Idris took the matter to court seeking an order prohibiting the Senate from investigating him.