Court Asked to Order Reps to Arrest NILDS DG Over Failure to Honour Summons

A group of legislative lawyers operating under the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order compelling the House of Representatives to issue a warrant of arrest against the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman.

The legal action follows allegations that Suleiman failed to honour an invitation issued by a House of Representatives committee investigating claims surrounding his alleged participation in the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State while serving as head of the federal institution.

According to court documents, ALDRAP is requesting an order of mandamus directing the House of Representatives to exercise its constitutional powers by issuing a warrant for Suleiman’s arrest over his alleged refusal to appear before lawmakers on June 18, 2026.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Library, Research and Documentation, Yusuf Galambi, were listed as respondents in the suit.

The association argued that the House possesses constitutional authority to compel attendance before its committees and enforce compliance with lawful summons issued in the course of legislative investigations.

ALDRAP further asked the court to declare that Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution empower the House of Representatives to investigate matters of public interest, summon individuals, demand the production of documents, and take necessary steps to enforce compliance.

The lawyers maintained that failure by the House to invoke those powers in the present case could undermine legislative oversight and accountability within institutions under the National Assembly.

The suit stems from allegations that Suleiman contested the APC governorship primary election in Kwara State without first resigning from his position as Director-General of NILDS, a development that reportedly triggered legislative scrutiny.

ALDRAP, whose membership includes staff of the institute, contended that the matter raises important questions regarding compliance with public service regulations and constitutional provisions governing political participation by public office holders.

The group urged the court to compel the lawmakers to act in accordance with their constitutional responsibilities and ensure that individuals summoned by parliamentary committees respond appropriately.

The Federal High Court is expected to determine whether the House can be compelled to issue an arrest warrant in the circumstances outlined by the applicants.