A former senator, Adamu Bulkachuwa has turned to the federal high court in Abuja, looking to halt an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into his actions.
On June 10, during the 9th senate valedictory session, Bulkachuwa claimed his wife, Zainab Bulkachuwa, used her influence as a judge to aid his colleagues in the senate.
As the former president of the court of appeal and the first woman to hold this position, Zainab’s involvement drew significant attention.
This led to a public outcry for an investigation into the former senator’s claim.
However, Zainab has since denied these allegations, asserting that she never allowed partisan interests to compromise her judicial duties.
The ICPC reacted to these developments by initiating an investigation and inviting Bulkachuwa for questioning. While the former senator was set to appear at the ICPC office on July 6, he chose to file a lawsuit in an attempt to block the invitation before the scheduled date.
In his Monday lawsuit, Bulkachuwa requested the court to deem the ICPC’s invitation as illegal and a violation of his fundamental human rights, as defined by sections 34, 35, 36, 37, 41 and 46 of the Nigerian constitution.
Additionally, he requested the court to interpret section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017, which he believes grants him immunity from any civil or criminal litigation regarding any statements he made on the floor of the upper chamber.
The suit reads, “A declaration that the applicant is entitled to freedom of speech/expression by Section 39(1) of the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (as amended) and as exercise by his other senators’ colleagues and having not been so afforded by the leadership of the ninth (9th) senate, cannot be held liable for the unintended inference of an inchoate speech/statement/expression.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents jointly and severally, particularly the 4th respondent (ICPC), acting directly or indirectly through their agents, officers, privies, assigns and any other persons by whomsoever or however constituted from inviting, harassing, intimidating and/or compelling the applicant to appear before the respondents pending the hearing and determination of suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/895/2023 at the Federal High Court, Abuja.”
Those joined as respondents in the suit are: attorney-general of the federation, the clerk of the national assembly, Department of State Services (DSS), the ICPC, and Nigeria Police Force.