The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into the widely condemned invasion of the residence of former acting Managing Director of the IMC of the NDDC, Dr. Joi Nunieh.
The lawmakers ordered the investigation following the adoption of a motion by the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, at the plenary yesterday.
While moving the motion, she said in pursuant to Section 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 2 of Legislative House (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017; the sudden invasion of Nunieh’s residence by heavily armed men dressed in police uniform, at the early hours of July 16, amounted to excessive use of force in the circumstance.
Onyejeocha said Nunieh as a trained lawyer with over 30 years of experience in active practice and being the Managing Partner of Nunieh & Nunieh, a law firm, by her status knows the implication of a police invitation that was not served before invading her residence.
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The lawmaker expressed worry that the intention of the policemen who invaded Nunieh’s residence should be investigated as they failed to apply international best practices in carrying out their assignment.
Onyejeocha added that the police breached the Police Act, 2018 part 5 Clause 33 on notification of cause of arrest and right of suspect to be informed of the cause or need for arrest through an invitation.
She stated: “It was alleged that the purported arrest was an attempt by the Nigeria Police to sabotage the cause of investigation; this was to prevent her from travelling from Port Harcourt to Abuja to testify before the House of Representatives Committee on the NDDC.
“The House therefore should mandate the House Committee on Police Affairs to investigate the reason for the invasion of Nunieh’s residence.”