Ahmed Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, has no open cases or criminal investigations with the Police anywhere in the nation, according to Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, who testified before Federal High Court Abuja.
The IGP noted that Tinubu is not a suspect to the Nigerian Police and that the affidavit submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja by attorney Wisdom Madaki explains why the police did not pursue the APC presidential candidate.
The IGP argued that the police lack the authority to prosecute Tinubu in the absence of any known offence in a counter affidavit filed in response to a lawsuit brought by a Civil Group seeking a mandamus ruling compelling the IGP to arrest and charge Tinubu with perjury and certificate forgery.
Incorporated Trustees of Center for Reform and Public Advocacy had submitted two separate petitions to the IGP, asking for Tinubu’s arrest and prosecution for suspected perjury and certificate forgery-related offences. The IGP acknowledged receiving these petitions, nevertheless.
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The IGP clarified that the two petitions were based on claims that the Supreme Court had decided upon in 2002 in a case brought by the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, a leading human rights campaigner.
According to the affidavit, there was no need for the police to restart the case because the Supreme Court had already addressed the allegations of perjury and certificate fabrication.
In addition, the IGP stated that since the police are authorised by the Constitution and laws, they do not require a court order in order to make an arrest or bring a case.
As a result, the IGP is requesting that the Federal High Court dismiss the lawsuit filed against him and the Nigeria Police Force for lack of jurisdiction and lack of substance, adding that the plaintiff will not suffer any harm from the dismissal.
