Sen. Bulkachuwa In Trouble, As Court Rejects Suit Seeking To Stop ICPC, DSS From Probing His Statement On The Senate Floor
Afnews Editor
Sep 19, 2023
Sen. Bulkachuwa In Trouble, As Court Rejects Suit Seeking To Stop ICPC, DSS From Probing His Statement On The Senate Floor
A Federal High Court Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed the suit filed by Sen. Adamu Bulkachuwa, seeking to stop the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission from investigating him over the comment he made during the valedictory session of the 9th National Assembly.
https://youtu.be/5Bynb75srGM
READ ALSO: Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, held that the suit lacked merit and ought to be dismissed.
READ ALSO: RECRUITMENT: How To Check If You Were Shortlisted For Immigration Test | LINK ATTACHED
Justice Ekwo said that Bulkachuwa, being a lawmaker, ought to understand the implication of the statement that he made on the floor of the Senate.
According to him, the legislative immunity which the plaintiff (Bulkachuwa) claims in this case does not avail him.
"It is the duty of every law-abiding citizen to assist and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in their quest to carry out their statutory function.
READ ALSO: I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
"It is only where a law enforcement agency breaches the fundamental right of a citizen in the process of carrying out their statutory function, then a cause of action could be said to have arisen,ÔÇØ the judge said.
https://youtu.be/0ODlt9xq-aY
READ ALSO: Opinion/Politics: Perspectives on Two Years Anniversary in Office of Alex Otti
Bulkachuwa had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation, the NASS clerk, the State Security Service, ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.
READ ALSO: Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
The plaintiff asked the court to declare that he "is covered, privileged and protected by the parliamentary immunity as enshrined in Section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017 and freedom of speech and expression made thereto is privileged.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: BOOK PRESENTATION: VICAR HOPE PRESENTS BOOK ON 2ND OCT.2019
He also prayed the court to declare that without exhausting the internal disciplinary mechanism, recommendations and approval of the 9th House of Senate, no other law enforcement agent of the Federal Government, including the defendants can invite any member of the Senate for questioning/interview.
READ ALSO: IPOB Directs Members To Resume Peaceful Protests On Monday
[caption id="attachment_170148" align="alignnone" width="640"] Sen. Adamu Bulkachuwa[/caption]
Justice Ekwo said the utterance made by Bulkachuwa on the floor of the Debate on June 10 was not covered by Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
ÔÇØThe provision is that every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
According to the judge, the clear words of Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) cannot be interpreted to mean that a person can say anything he likes.
READ ALSO: RECRUITMENT: How To Check If You Were Shortlisted For Immigration Test | LINK ATTACHED
"In a formal setting like that plenary session or committee proceedings of the Senate, it is not expected-a person who is privileged to voice any expression will utter words or express opinion or impart ideas or give information that cannot be defended under the Constitution.
"Upon studying the provision of Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it is my opinion, that the words uttered by the plaintiff on the floor of the Senate on Saturday, June 10, 2023, was a confession of doing an act that is prohibited by law.
"When a person confesses that he influenced a judicial officer to help his friends and colleagues, such a person has gone beyond the limit of freedom of speech that is reasonably covered and protected by the provision of Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
READ ALSO: I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
"A person who has used the opportunity given to him by the constitution to express himself freely and uses the opportunity to expose his actions or conduct which the law of the land criminalises has unwittingly invited law enforcement agencies to question him.
"This is what the plaintiff did in this case.
READ ALSO: Opinion/Politics: Perspectives on Two Years Anniversary in Office of Alex Otti
"I therefore find that that the speech of the plaintiff on the floor of the Senate on June 10, was a confession of illegal act and Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) cannot be invoked to cover such and I so hold,ÔÇØ he declared.
READ ALSO: Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
NAN
READ ALSO: BOOK PRESENTATION: VICAR HOPE PRESENTS BOOK ON 2ND OCT.2019
https://youtu.be/GK1_aLW1Fs0
Related Stories
REVEALED: How All Progressives Congress (APC) Played Into The Opposition Hands Ahead Of 2027 - Sumner Sambo Warns
I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
Tinubu Breaks Silence on Hardship, Inflation, Power Crisis - Vows Nigeria Will Overcome Economic Storm
"Terrorists Have Outgunned Our TroopsÔÇØ - Ndume Raises Alarm Over Boko Haram War, Sends Urgent Message To Tinubu
""
— Afnews Editor