The Senate on Monday began investigation into the November 20 Police invasion of the National Assembly.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, and some federal lawmakers were locked out of the complex on that day after a futile attempt to stop Tambuwal from entering the National Assembly complex, by firing tear gas canisters at the Speaker and his colleagues.
The Police had said it acted on security reports that the National Assembly would be invaded by thugs on the day when lawmakers were to either ratify or reject President Goodluck Jonathan’s extension of emergency rule in the North-Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.
The Senate leadership, after an extensive debate on the issue on the floor, set up a committee, led by the Chairman of its Finance Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, to probe the circumstances that led to the invasion and report back in two weeks.
However, more than a week behind schedule, Makarfi commenced investigation into the Police invasion on Monday.
Other members of the committee are Senators Abubakar Bagudu; Victor Lar; Gbenga Kaka; Paulinus Igwe, Jubrilla Bindowo and Ehigie Uzamere.
Makarfi initially refused to allow journalists into the venue but was prevailed upon by members of the committee.
The Divisional Police Officer of the National Assembly, Mr. James Idachaba, told the committee that the instructions to close the gates on that day was based on a directive he received from the Federal Capital Territory Command.
The committee subsequently closed deliberations for the day and summoned the FCT Police Commissioner, Wilson Inalegu, to appear before it on Tuesday to explain who gave him the directive to storm the National Assembly with his men.
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