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House of Reps member detained in Ghana over Buhari’s statement

Published

5 years ago

October 7, 2021

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ben Igbapka, has claimed that Ghanaian government has placed members of the Nigerian National Assembly on watch list following the statement made by President Muhammadu Buhari in his Independence Day address that one of them was sponsoring secessionist agitation in the country.

Buhari had said in his speech: “The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals. We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the National Assembly.”

Igbapka, at plenary on Tuesday, moved a motion under Order 6 Rule 2 and Section 17 (A) of the Legislative Houses (Powers And Privileges Act 2017, where he said that his privileges had been breached by the President’s address.

The lawmaker said a few days ago he was in Ghana to attend a wedding ceremony, but to his surprise, he was detained for four hours based on the allegation made by Buhari.

He said he was informed by the Ghanaian authority that they wanted to make sure that Nigerian lawmakers who had already been tagged as sponsor of terrorism did not come into the country to cause problem.

Igbapka noted that by identifying and not naming the member of the National Assembly who was allegedly sponsoring secessionist groups in the country has made all the 469 lawmakers suspects.

He stated: “As reported by media houses across the world, President Buhari in his Independence Day speech, told the world that one of us is sponsoring terrorism.

“IPOB by what it is to the face of the law today is a terrorist organisation, even when we have our reservations, because the laws of the land and courts have spoken.

“Mr. Speaker, that means that 469 members of this National Assembly are crime suspects.”

“On that fateful day, I went to Akure to be part of the burial ceremony of our fellow colleague, Hon. Expensive.

“On Saturday, I had to honour an invitation to Ghana for a wedding.

“Mr. Speaker, it will amaze you what I faced in the hands of Ghanian officials.

“They detained me for about four hours, that they are trying to confirm something.

“I stayed at the airport for four hours, missed the wedding I went for.

“At the end of the day, one of them walked up to me saying sorry sir, there’s an announcement in Nigeria that a member of parliament is sponsoring terrorism and we are put on red alert to ensure that no member of parliament comes here to hide or cause trouble.

“I had to come back home dejected.”

Igbakpa pointed out that he had been inundated with calls from all over the world asking him who amongst the lawmakers was sponsoring terrorism.

According to him: “The right thing for a father to do is to name and shame any child that’s bringing about division.

“But Mr. President didn’t shame that person or name them instead he named 469 members.

“Because of the fact that we’ve always cooperated and the fact that Nigeria has a lot to deal with.

“So, I’m appealing, if not, the right thing to do is to invoke Section 88 of the constitution they can tell us who among us is sponsoring terrorism.”

Section 88 reads: “88(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation to direct or cause to be directed investigation into -(a) any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws,…”

Igbapka said going by the President’s allegation, all the lawmakers were suspects.

He, therefore, appealed to the leadership of the House to liaise with their counterparts in the Senate to have an audience with the President so that he can name sponsor of terrorism amongst the lawmakers.

Igbapka reminded the House of our constitutional responsibilities of lawmaking as enshrined in Section 4 of the 1999 constitution as amended and also reminded the House of the principle of separation of power, meaning no arm of government is superior to the other.

The lawmaker said the President should commence the prosecution of the individual and if convicted should have been completely shamed, as it is wrong to throw a blanket accusation on an arm.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said Igbapka’s motion is noted, adding that the House would get back to him on it.

THISDAY

Related Topics:Buhari detained Featured Ghana House of Reps statement

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Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Seeks Stronger Security Collaboration with NSCDC

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April 29, 2026

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Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Seeks Stronger Security Collaboration with NSCDC

The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Al-Imam (Barrister) Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has called for enhanced collaboration between religious leaders and security agencies to strengthen peace and security across Oyo State.

Sheikh Akeugberu made the call on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at its headquarters in Agodi, Ibadan, where he was received by the State Commandant, Augustine Padonu.

Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Seeks Stronger Security Collaboration with NSCDC

The Grand Imam said the engagement was aimed at deepening cooperation between faith-based institutions and security operatives in addressing emerging security challenges and promoting peaceful coexistence in communities.

He stressed the importance of unity among stakeholders in maintaining societal stability, noting that religious leaders have a critical role to play in promoting intelligence sharing, conflict resolution, and community awareness.

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Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Chief Saidu Mohammed Months After Appointment

Published

3 hours ago

April 29, 2026

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Tinubu Removes NMDPRA Chief Saidu Mohammed Months After Appointment

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), just months after his appointment, in a major shake-up within Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory leadership.

The President has also nominated Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the agency, subject to Senate confirmation.

According to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the decision was taken “in the public interest” and in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

The statement explained that the move is aimed at strengthening regulatory efficiency and improving governance in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Pending Senate confirmation of the new nominee, the most senior officer in the NMDPRA will oversee the agency in an acting capacity.

The Presidency also thanked the outgoing Authority Chief Executive, Saidu Mohammed, for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.

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Police Order Dismissal, Prosecution of Officers Over Effurun Killing

Published

3 hours ago

April 29, 2026

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police officer kills handcuffed suspect in Delta

Police Order Dismissal, Prosecution of Officers Over Effurun Killing

The Nigeria Police Force has ordered the dismissal and prosecution of officers involved in the extrajudicial killing of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, describing the incident as “criminal and unprofessional” and inconsistent with police standards of engagement.

Addressing journalists at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said the April 26 incident was unacceptable and reaffirmed that no officer has the authority to take the law into their own hands regardless of the circumstances.

The IGP confirmed that the principal suspect, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman, along with other officers involved in the operation, have been transferred from the Delta State Command to Abuja to face disciplinary proceedings. He added that the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) has already taken up the case.

He further disclosed that three inspectors who were part of the operation have been subjected to an Orderly Room Trial as part of internal disciplinary procedures to determine their individual levels of involvement.

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According to the police leadership, investigations established that ASP Usman violated Force Order 247, which governs the use of firearms, as well as other standard operational procedures regulating police conduct during arrests and engagements with suspects.

The Force has recommended the immediate dismissal of all officers found culpable in the incident. It also directed that they be handed over to appropriate judicial authorities for prosecution over unlawful homicide after their removal from service. The recommendations have been forwarded to the Police Service Commission for final approval.

The Inspector-General distanced the institution from the actions of the officers, stressing that they acted outside official rules and the core mandate of the Nigeria Police Force. He stated firmly that “no uniform is a licence to kill” and reiterated the Force’s zero-tolerance stance on abuse of power and extrajudicial conduct.

He also extended condolences to the family of the deceased and assured Nigerians that justice would be served transparently. The IGP urged residents of Delta State and the general public to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands while investigations and disciplinary actions continue.

The police leadership said the case reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability within the Force and ensure that officers who violate professional standards face appropriate sanctions.