Muhammed Bulkachuwa, a former Senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) from investigating and arresting him based on comments he made during the valedictory session of the ninth Senate.
During the session, Bulkachuwa publicly disclosed that he influenced the decisions of his wife, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, while she served as the President of the Court of Appeal. Justice Bulkachuwa retired in 2020 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/895/2023 names the Attorney General of the Federation, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Department of State Services, the ICPC, and the Nigeria Police Force as respondents.
Bulkachuwa seeks the court’s interpretation of Section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017, which grants him immunity from civil or criminal litigation for utterances made on the floor of the Senate as a serving Senator.
He also requests the court to declare the ICPC’s invitation on the matter as illegal and oppressive.
The relief sought includes a declaration that Bulkachuwa is covered by constitutional privileges and protections, including freedom of speech/expression under Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as well as parliamentary immunity as provided by Section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017.
Bulkachuwa further seeks a perpetual injunction to restrain the respondents, particularly the ICPC, from inviting, harassing, intimidating, or compelling him to appear before them pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
The court will decide on the matter in due course.
