From Fred Itua and Molly Kilete, Abuja
In a bid to mend its fractured relationship with the National Assembly, the Police has returned cash in both local and foreign currencies and other documents seized from the Abuja residence of Danjuma Goje, chairman, senate appropriation committee.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, who made this known in a press statement, yesterday, said the Presidency intervened by reaching out to both parties involved.
The Police, acting on a tip off had last Thursday stormed the residence of Goje in Abuja to execute a search warrant.
Goje claimed the police went away with his laptop and 18 files including the Budget 2017 documents.
Following the development, the two chambers of the National Assembly said the 2017 budget could not be passed without the critical component allegedly taken away by the police.
But Enang said all items taken from the residence of Goje during the course of the raid have been returned to the lawmaker.
Meanwhile, the Police has said it recovered a cash sum of N18 million, USD19,850, 9, 400 Saudi Riyal, 38 files and six envelopes containing documents but denied that its men carted away the 2017 Appropriation Bill documents from the home.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, file on funds spent on security administration and information gathering (a-g – 2009), file on release of funds for special operations (a- f – 2009), file on Gombe State government cash inflow 2005, file on Project 2007 – Executive Briefs on how to fight opposition in Gombe State – strategies and tactics, envelopes containing permit to operate as an oil industry service company (special categories) 2011 among others, were also recovered..
The police spokesman said there was no single document relating to 2017 budget sighted or removed by the Police team that executed the search warrant.
He described report that police carted away budget document as “entirety false, misleading and capable of misinforming Nigerians about the statutory roles and duties of the Nigeria Police Force as provided in Sections 4 & 28 of Police Act and Regulations,” which according to him, includes prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations, and authority to enter any house or premises to execute search warrant.