The Inspector General of Police, (IGP), Usman Baba on Tuesday told a Federal High Court Abuja that the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu has no pending criminal matters with the Police anywhere in the country.
The Police boss stated this in a counter affidavit in response to a suit by a civil society group seeking Order of Mandamus to compel him to arrest and prosecute Tinubu for perjury and certificate forgery.
The IGP said the Police have no power to prosecute Tinubu without any known offence committed.
In the affidavit, the IGP also noted that the Police do not need any court order to make arrest and prosecute since the powers are already contained in the Constitution.
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The IGP therefore urged the Federal High Court to dismiss the suit brought against Tinubu and the Nigeria Police Force for want of merit and jurisdiction.
Counsel for the civil group, Eme Ekpu told Justice Inyang Ekwo that the counter affidavit of Police had just been served on him and need time to go through it.
Justice Ekwo in a brief ruling granted the request and fixed January 19, 2023 for hearing of the suit.
The Incorporated Trustees of Center for Reform and Public Advocacy had dragged the IGP before the court over his alleged refusal to prosecute the presidential candidate of the APC over allegations bothering on perjury.
(Editor, Omor Bazuaye)
