How Africa
MEN of the Police Force have in the early hours of this morning besieged the residences of the President of the Senate and his deputy, Senators Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu respectively.
While men of the Nigerian Police took position around the Lake Chad, Maitama, Abuja residence of Saraki, the Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and policemen took position around the official residence of Senator Ekweremadu, in the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.
The operatives took positions from the main gate up to the official residence of Senator Ekweremadu early this morning. No reason has been given for the siege.
The siege is coming on the day that the president of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki is expected to also report at the Guzape Police Station in Abuja.
Men of the Nigerian Police @PoliceNG has blocked the convoy of the @NGRSenate President @bukolasaraki from leaving his house. This is all part of the plans by the @MBuhari administration to install new leadership of the Senate illegally.@UN @10DowningStreet @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/amVOpbSRlu
— ibu thomas🇳🇬 (@Hailfinger1) July 24, 2018
The moves could abort Tuesday’s sitting of the Senate and maybe prevent the planned defection of many senators who are expected to switch parties at the Senate hearing.
Saraki was invited yesterday to answer to allegations against him in connection to the Offa robbery which claimed the lives of scores.
But reacting to the development yesterday night, Saraki described the invitation sent to him by the Police to report to a station in Guzape over the Offa robbery investigation as a mere afterthought which is designed to achieve political purpose.
In a statement yesterday night in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki stated that he has it on good authority that the Police had already decided on the suspects to arraign in court in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mohammed U.E. and that the turn around to invite him was a ploy aimed at scoring cheap political points.
The statement read, “I have been reliably informed that the police invitation was planned by IG as a ploy to stop an alleged plan by some Senators and House of Representatives members from defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC). It was also said that if I was detained between Tuesday and Wednesday, that will abort the so-called defection plan.
However, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has regained freedom and has taken charge at the Senate.
Saraki was earlier this morning barricaded by the police from leaving his house under the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris.
Reports said the Senate President whose convoy was blocked by the police however, came down from his car and walked to the Senate chambers.
He entered the chamber by 10:40 am and is currently presiding over plenary.
Senate President, lead the Principal Officers into the chambers where he led the official prayers and began the day’s proceedings at 10:41am.
