The House at its plenary session of Wednesday, 10th October 2018 resolved to call on the Nigerian Police Force to release Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi Lado (Niger: APC) within 12 hours. Hon. Lado was said to have been detained by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for the past three days and described as unconstitutional.
The resolution of the House was sequel to a motion of urgent national importance moved by, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (APC: Enugu) titled “Urgent release of Hon. Abubakar Abdulahi Lado representing Suleja Federal Constituency detained by SARS for the past 3 days”.
Presenting the motion on the floor of the House, Hon. Okechukwu stated that the House was aware of the detention of Hon. Lado by the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS). Speaking further, he stated that is was embarrassing that the intervention of the House leadership was rebuffed by the Nigerian Police as they were notified that only the Governor of Niger State could give the instruction for his release.
Hon. Okechukwu informed the House that Hon. Lado had earlier briefed the Nigeria Police on efforts by his opponents to cause crisis during the state party primaries and the same crisis formed the basis of his detention. He also argued that the invitation of Hon. Lado did not follow due process and breaches the Legislative Powers & Privileges Act “which require notification of a Presiding officer before the member is invited or arrested.” The exact provision of the law was not stated.
The House has also resolved to go to court over the issue as they contended that the collective privilege of the House had been infringed on by denying the House of the services of Hon. Lado.
