The senator made these allegations during a court proceeding at the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he filed a suit against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Clerk of the National Assembly, among others.
The suit, marked as FHC/ABJ/CS/895/2023 and filed by his lawyer, Donald Ayibiowu, also included the State Security Service (SSS), popularly known as DSS, the ICPC, and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as defendants.
Senator Bulkachuwa, who served as a senator in the 9th National Assembly and is the husband of the immediate-past President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, raised concerns about continuous harassment he has faced since making a valedictory comment on the Senate floor, which has been misrepresented by his political adversaries.
The senator referred to a letter of invitation from the ICPC, dated June 15, which sought to interrogate him regarding his comment on the Senate floor.
According to Bulkachuwa, he was immune to arrest or detention over any of his conduct, action, or speech while serving as a senator.
He emphasised that the National Assembly is an independent arm of government, granting senators, including himself, parliamentary immunity to express themselves freely on the Senate floor without fear of sanctions from the executive arm of the government.
Explaining the context of his comment, Senator Bulkachuwa asserted that he was freely expressing himself when the then Senate President, Ahmad Lawal, interjected, preventing him from fully expressing his thoughts.
Furthermore, he stated that neither the Senate nor any of its sub-committees questioned or disciplined him for his statement.
The ex-lawmaker expressed surprise at the ICPC's invitation, as he believes only the Senate, particularly during sessions of the committee of the whole, has the disciplinary power to summon him for questioning or interviews related to his conduct or utterances on the Senate floor.
He argued that the ICPC and other law enforcement agencies lack the authority to invite or discipline a serving member of the Senate for actions that occurred within the Senate without prior approval from the relevant Senate Committee responsible for investigating a member's actions.
Senator Bulkachuwa urged the court to declare that he was covered and protected by Parliamentary Immunity as enshrined in Section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act of 2017.
Additionally, he sought an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants and other federal government agencies from further inviting or compelling him to appear for interviews or questioning in respect of his inchoate utterances on the floor of the 9th Senate.
During the resumed hearing, Senator Bulkachuwa's lawyer, Donald Ayibiowu, urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought in the suit.
However, the Clerk of the National Assembly, in a counter affidavit, argued that Bulkachuwa enjoys immunity from any form of proceedings in respect of words spoken or written at the plenary session.
Lawyer to the AGF, Oyin Koleoso, countered the plaintiff's argument, claiming that he no longer possessed immunity from arrest and prosecution since he ceased to be a senator. Koleoso urged the court to dismiss the suit.
The case has brought attention to the issue of parliamentary immunity and raises questions about the authority of law enforcement agencies to summon and question serving members of the Senate.
The court has adjourned the matter until October 25 for judgment. Prime 9ja Online will continue to monitor the proceedings and provide updates on the outcome of the case. (NAN)