The Nation Newspaper

Tag: national assembly

  • Reps summon minister for ‘starving National Assembly, judiciary of funds’

    MINISTER of Finance Zainab Ahmed is to appear before the House of Representatives Finance Committee to explain the reasons behind the non-release of 2018 budgetary allocations to the National Assembly and the judiciary.

    The lawmakers, though conceded that the National Assembly workers deserved a good working condition and have a right to protest poor treatment, they, however, took exception to be prevented from carrying out their legislative duties by protesting parliamentary workers on Tuesday.

    The invitation to the minister followed the adoption of a motion by Edward Pwajok (APC, Plateau), who expressed concern that despite being on first line charge, budget releases to the Judiciary and the legislature have been dismal, thereby creating challenges for the management to pay their workers.

    House spokesman  Abdulrazak Namdas (APC, Adamawa) said the workers’ action, which prevented the lawmakers from holding a session, was unlawful according the Legislative Houses and Privileges Act.

    He said: “It is an offence to stop the members from sitting. It is just that we cannot without them. We cannot sit aloof. The action that took place

    on Tuesday is not lawful. If we apply the law, it will not be good.

    “We have summoned the minister to appear before us. The money was captured in 2018 budget and it has not been released. So, we can’t give what they want because we don’t have.

    “We are of the opinion that the management staff of the National Assembly should have good condition of service. For us to function effectively, we need a very functional management staff. The protest is strictly not against the members of the National Assembly.

    “The CNA has also explained why. The Senate President and the Speaker do not have access to these funds.”

    Regretting that it was the non-release of the funds that eventually led to the protests, Pwajok  noted that “Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) protested against the non-release of their benefits, including promotions and other entitlements.

    “It is disturbing that the non-release is as a result of the non-implementation of the 2018 Appropriation Act of the National Assembly despite the fact that the National Assembly and the judiciary are on the first line charge and there ought to be full implementation of the budget of the two arms of government”.

    The committee was given one week to report back to the House for further legislative action after it was unanimously adopted in a voice vote.

  • Ending discrimination against the physically challenged

    Since 1992, following the United Nations’ declaration of the International Day for people living with disabilities, every December 3 is a day for people with disabilities. Its the aim is to increase global awareness of their situation in all spheres of society.

    The day affords us an opportunity to drive conversations targeted at improving their rights and wellbeing.

    In Nigeria, individuals, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have continued to remind President Muhammadu Buhari of his promise and urged him to sign the Nigerian Disability Bill into law.

    This month makes it the 45th month since Buhari made a pledge during a town hall meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to end discrimination and stigmatisation against persons with disabilities in Nigeria. While the National Assembly (NASS) has completed the legislative actions on the bill to end discrimination against persons with disabilities, the president is yet to sign the bill into law. Global statistics projects that approximately 80 per cent of people with disabilities live in developing countries, with one-in-five of the world’s poorest having at least, one disability.

    It is believed that when the bill is signed into law, it would maximally boost human capital development and encourage indigenous and foreign participation of persons with disabilities in the economic, social and political development of the country. This year’s International Day of People with Disabilities with the theme: Empowering persons with disabilities for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development, brings this subject to the table of state actors again, particularly when considered that their rights and wellbeing are also integrated part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other international development frameworks which Nigeria is signatory to.

  • ‘NASS may override Buhari on International Maritime Fund Bill’

    The National Assembly may override President Muhammadu Buhari on the International Maritime Fund Bill in the interest of the nation, the House Committee on the Nigerian Navy (NN) said on Wednesday.

    Chairman of the committee Abdulsamad Dasuki stated this during their visit to the Western Naval Command (WNC) Apapa.

    Dasuki, who led a 20-man delegation to the WNC headquarters, noted the need for the NN to acquire more platforms to perform its constitutional duties.

    He said the president failed to assent to the bill that would have helped the navy acquire the needed platforms to secure the nation’s territorial domain.

    Dasuki said the committee was aware the NN was constrained by paucity of funds, adding that they were working to appropriate more funds to the service.

    He said: “We are working with the International Maritime Fund and to that effect, we have presented a bill which the president did not assent to but we are considering overriding the president on that bill because of national interest.

    “This oversight function started last week at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja where we looked at the books with regards to the 2018 appropriation. We have seen most of the projects. Today (Wednesday), we are here at the Western Naval Command, Lagos, to see on ground what we saw on paper.

    “We have seen a couple of projects- construction at the new stadium at Navy Town and accommodation for officers. We were also on board the new ships acquired by the NN.”

    Continuing, Dasuki said: “I think the releases from the Ministry of Finance have been very poor. From what we have seen, the release from the ministry is not encouraging.

    Read Also: Reps urge Buhari to implement agreement with ASUU

    “Probably, we have to tell our colleagues in the house to make sure that the Armed Forces in particular get more financial support to ensure that they can carry out their responsibilities and complete most of the ongoing projects.

    “We are quite impressed with what we have seen on ground. So far, the NN are working based on the releases made available to them.”

    He commended the navy for being professional, stating that the House received the least petition against the service.

    “In the House of Representatives, the Nigerian Navy has the least petition among the military and paramilitary agencies and I think this is due to professionalism in the service. I want to use this opportunity to commend the ratings and officers for their civil-military relationships.

    “We appreciate that and we want the Chief of the Naval Staff and his men to sustain the high tempo of relationships. We are proud of you in terms of that. Keep it up. I also commend you for the protection of the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and other critical infrastructures like the pipelines.

    “It is because of your professionalism that the militants have been pushed away and you no longer hear of pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta area,” he said.

    Earlier, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), WNC Rear Admiral Obed Ngalabak said there was no doubt that the navy deserved adequate funding to carry out its functions and responsibilities.

    “It is obvious we need more funding considering the standpoint of the Committee Chairman, Hon Abdulsamad Dasuki on the Navy. I am happy he has promised to talk to the relevant people to get more funding for us.”

  • Workers shut down National Assembly over pay

    •Saraki, Dogara direct Clerk, others to resolve issues

    PARLIAMENTARY Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) members yesterday made good their threat to disrupt activities at the National Assembly.

    The workers, in their numbers, shutdown the National Assembly over alleged non-payment of their salary and other allowances.

    The two chambers of the National Assembly were barricaded by the placards’ bearing workers as they stopped senators and House of Representatives members from accessing their offices.

    Principal officers, including Senate President Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and his deputy, Lasun Yusuff, were not left out.

    Some of the protesting workers took over the National Assembly lobby chanting solidarity songs as they displayed their numerous placards with various inscriptions.

    Read also: National Assembly should intervene in Ondo Assembly crisis, says Speaker

    Others mocked senators and House of Representatives members as they staged a fake parliamentary session with one of them bearing the mess.

    The workers had at the weekend threatened to picket the National Assembly over the issues.

    Clerk to the National Assembly Mohammed Sani-Omolori, however, insisted that the protest was uncalled for, especially when the demands of the workers were being treated.

    The workers vowed to continue the protest until Sani Omolori is removed from office.

    They claimed that efforts to explore dialogue with the management failed to yield expected results.

    They also claimed that since Sani-Omolori came on board, 28 per cent increase of Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS), which was captured in 2018 budget has not been paid.

    “The money has been released alongside other releases, and we ask where is our allowance?”

    “We will not rest on CONLESS until we receive alert. Omolori must go,” the workers chanted.

    PASAN issued a statement at the weekend to alert the National Assembly management of its planned protest scheduled for three days beginning from yesterday.

    Some of the placards read: “Pass our condition of service bill”; “CONLESS is not tied to 2018 budget”; “Give us our CONLESS”; “Bank loans are killing”; “No alert no sitting”; “Stop Omolori now before he stops Nigeria democracy”, “Omolori must go”; “We are not slaves”.

    When Saraki succeeded in paving his way to address the protesting workers, he assured them that the National Assembly leadership would meet management to resolve issues at stake.

    Saraki also assured that the two chambers would take steps to fast-track the passage of the Condition of Service for National Assembly bill.

    The Senate President pleaded with the workers to call off their protest as their demands would be met.

    Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan said the protest was not against the leadership of the National Assembly but against the management.

    Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara have directed the National Assembly Management Committee to resolve the issues raised by the protesting members of staff and report back to them by Friday.

    A statement issued in Abuja by  Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said at a meeting attended by the National Assembly’s Management and members of staff under the umbrella of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Saraki and the Speaker stated that it was important for the workers to be well-motivated and their demands properly addressed to create a conducive atmosphere for the legislature to perform its duties.

    The Senate President and Speaker noted that the demands of the workers are part of the responsibilities of the National Assembly’s Management and that the grievances of the workers should not be allowed to linger.

  • Non-payment of salary: Workers shutdown National Assembly

    Members of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Tuesday made good their threat to disrupt activities at the National Assembly.

    The workers in their numbers shutdown the National Assembly over alleged non-payment of salary and other allowances

    The two chambers of the National Assembly were barricaded by the plea cards bearing workers as they stopped Senators and House of Representatives members from accessing their offices.

    Read Also:Buhari approves enhanced salary structure for Police

    Principal Officers, including Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and his deputy Lasun Yusuff, were not left out.

    Some of the protesting workers took over the National Assembly lobby chanting solidarity songs as they displayed their numerous plea cards with various inscriptions.

    Others mocked Senators and House of Representatives members as they staged a fake parliamentary session with one of them bearing the mace.

    The workers had at the weekend threatened to picket the National Assembly over claim of non-payment of salary and allowances.

    The Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, however insisted that the protest was uncalled for especially when the demands of the workers were being treated.

    The workers vowed to continue the protest until Sani Omolori was removed from office.

    They claimed that efforts to explore dialogue with the management failed to yield expected result.

    They also claimed that since Sani-Omolori came on board, 28% increase of Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) which was captured in 2018 budget has not been paid.

    “The money has been released alongside other releases, and we ask where is our allowance?”

    “We will not rest on CONLESS until we receive alert. Omolori must go,” the workers chanted.

    PASAN issued a statement at the weekend to alert the National Assembly management of its planned protest scheduled for three days beginning from Tuesday (today).

    Some of the plea cards read “Pass our condition of service bill; CONLESS is not tied to 2018 budget; give us our CONLESS; bank loans are killing; No alert no sitting; Stop Omolori now before he stops Nigeria democracy, Omolori must go; We are not slaves.”

    When Saraki succeeded in paving his way to address the protesting workers, he assured them that the leadership of the National Assembly would meet management to resolve issues at stake.

    Saraki also assured that the two chambers would take steps to fast track the passage of the Condition of Service for National Assembly bill.

    The Senate President pleaded with the workers to call off their protest as their demands would be met.

    Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, said that the protest was not against the leadership of the National Assembly but against the management.

    Sani-Omolori on his part said: “It is a matter that has been on for some time now and we have tried to explain to them; we approved salary increase for them which was captured in 2018 budget but as it is today, it is a common knowledge that the level of implementation of the 2018 budget, especially the new addition to the National Assembly, which has not been implemented – that is where we had hoped that the addition would be paid.

    “So, to the extent that the money has not been released there is no way we can make the payment.

    “We told them it is wrong and we tried to prevail on them to try to see through things in the correct way. As a matter of fact, I wrote a letter to them and I also had series of formal and informal consultations with their leadership up till yesterday (Monday) to make them back out of what is clearly an act that is not in tune with their own rules.

    Asked if he is worried by the action of the workers, Omolori said: “I am worried that in an institution that you think people should be able to look at things properly and then they are not looking at it that way that is why I am worried.

    “I still insist that they need to be a bit patient with the system. Like I said, in my reply to them; in an unprecedented manner, the presiding officers acceded, without hesitation to their requests for this increment. It was bargained with them and they captured it in the budget.

    “So, how is it in their (lawmakers) powers, if the money is not released? And in any case, the reality on the ground is that it is not only the National Assembly that is suffering from non-release of funds. That is the reality of the Nigerian situation. So, I think we all have to be patient.”

     

  • National Assembly should intervene in Ondo Assembly crisis, says Speaker

    The factional Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly Olamide George has urged the National Assembly to intervene in the crisis rocking the House to prevent the liquidation of the democratic institution.

    He maintained that 18 of 26 lawmakers had impeached the former Speaker, Oloyeloogun, and his deputy, Iroju Ogundeji, over allegation of weak leadership and some inadequacies, stressing that there is no going back on the decision.

    George said: We have written to the National Assembly. We want the National Assembly to rise and save Ondo State House of Assembly members. We are crying for help. They should allow the rule of law to prevail in Ondo State. We want to protect the institution of democracy.”

    Lamenting that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has not visited the three injured lawmakers in the hospital, he complained that other lawmakers are still being threatened by thugs and hoodlums who previously invaded the Assembly.

    George and the Majority Leader of the House, Olugbenga Araoyinbo, spoke with reporters in Lagos on the protracted crisis and the arrest of the Chairman of the Ondo State National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Jacob Adebo Idajo by the police from Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    They feared that the House may nmot be able to discharge its democratic responsibilities in an atmosphere of insecurity.

    According to the legislators, the agents of destruction who invaded the Hous and disrupted its activities did so on behalf of powerful people who instigated them.

    They lamented that Ondo State became a laughing stock when lawmakers were mishandled and threatened by hoodlums acting the scripts of their paymasters.

    George maintained that the National Assembly has a duty to preserve the integrity of the House of Assembly as a vital institution of democracy.

    He said no meaningful deliberation can be done when lives and property are not safe in the state.

    Read also: Ondo Assembly crisis: Seven remanded for attacking Mimiko’s convoy

    Araoyinbo said the lawmakers will need police protection as they prepare to resume their legislative duties this week.

    He alleged that thugs brandishing dangerous weapons were instigated by some political leaders and government staff to invade the House and cause bodily injuries to lawmakers, Assembly staff, reporters and visitors and destroy vehicles worth millions of naira.

    Hailing Idajo’s arrest by the police, the Majority leader said the suspect wielded the power to hold the entire state to ransom due to his nefarious activities.

    Araoyinbo said the suspect and “his gang of hoodlums” should be prosecuted and punished according to the law to free the state from brigandage and ‘terrorism.’

    He added: “Some of our colleagues are still receiving treatment for one injury or another and we continue to pray for their full recovery. We request for police protection for ourselves and family members as we have received death threats after we decisively and collectively changed the leadership of the House, a situation which has been worsened by the arrest of Idajo. We state categorically that his minions are at work again.”

     

  • National Assembly workers begin strike over unpaid salaries, others

    THE National Assembly workers, under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN),at the weekend threatened to shut down operation at Senate and House of Representatives beginning from today over unpaid salaries and allowances.

    Members of PASAN in a statement by their Secretary General, Comrade Suleiman Haruna, said the first phase of the protest will be the disruption of activities at the National Assembly between today and December 8.

    Haruna noted that the import of the protest was to force the National Assembly management to know that they meant business in their demand for the payment of their salaries and promotion arrears.

    He said the picketing of the National Assembly will begin between 8am and 2pm daily within the stipulated days.

    According to the PASAN Secretary General, members of PASAN would ensure that nobody is allowed into the Assembly complex for any business, including legislative business.

    Haruna insisted that the National Assembly management must accede to their demands on the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS).

    He noted that the plan of action of members of the association became imperative due to the refusal of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Omolori, to address their concerns in relation to salary and promotions arrears.

    He noted that the association has already issued a two-week ultimatum to the management to fulfill its demands or face strike action.

    Haruna also said the association resolved to urge the Senate President and the House of Representatives Speaker to take urgent steps to nominate the would-be members of National Assembly Service Commission for appointment.

    The association also asked for pending staff promotions and conversion letters to be released with arrears fully paid on or before December 31.

    Chairman of the association Bature Musa also confirmed the decision of the association to force National Assembly management to listen to them.

    Bature assured that the planned picketing would go on as planned, unless the management address their demands.

    In October, over 80 legislative aides welcomed senators and House of Representatives members back from their annual break with a protest at the National Assembly lobby.

    The legislative aides, who carried placards with various inscriptions, claimed they had not been paid salaries, Duty Tour Allowances (DTA) and other entitlements.

    National Assembly Director, Information and Publications Rawlins Agada said the payment of certain allowances is beyond management of National Assembly.

    Agada said: “The issue of the payment of CONLESS is beyond management at this point. The management is not averse to the payment of the CONLESS because it has been factored into the 2018 budget.

    “The challenge is the release of fund. It’s more like if you have a liability of N300,000,  but all you have is N200,000. What do you do?

    “I know that the management is in talk with the Executive over the issue but between last week and now, I don’t know what has happened, but what is not disputable is that the management is willing to pay.

    “The management believed that what the workers are agitating for on the CONLESS is legitimate. Issues of promotion and others are what can equally be discussed.

    “My appeal is that the union should be patient for the outcome of the Legislature and the Executive meeting over the issue and I believe that as soon as the funds are available, the workers would get their dues.”

  • ‘Buhari can’t be stampeded into signing Electoral Act Amendment bill’

    The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan on Friday said that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot be stampeded into signing the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment bill into law.

    Before the latest version was submitted to the Presidency, the President had withheld his assent to the document about three times due to ‘errors’ in the amended bill.

    With the 2019 general elections fast approaching, it is feared that the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment bill may not meet the stipulated time if not urgently signed into law by the President.

    But speaking with State House correspondents after jumaat prayer at the Presidential Villa on Friday, Lawan advised that the President should take his time to study the document to avoid errors.

    According to him, the amended 2006 Electoral Act can still be used for the 2019 general elections.

    If properly implemented, he said that the 2006 Electoral Act can even deliver a more transparent, free and fair elections in 2019 than what was experienced in 2015.

    According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari has signed more bills than any previous President in Nigeria.

    He said “President Muhammadu Buhari has signed more bills than previous presidents in this country.

    Read Also: We will work for Buhari’s victory in Ondo

    “Secondly, he has read and objected to certain provisions in many bills that were eventually sent back to the National Assembly to look and then return for further legislative actions for him to look at it again.

    “Previous government of President Jonathan didn’t sign much, they kept most of the bills sent by the National Assembly. So I want to give kudos to the President for ensuring that he looks into the bills before signing.

    “Some, he said he won’t sign because of this or that provisions which are either contradictory constitutionally or maybe it will cause more harm than good, so therefore the National Assembly should look into it again.

    “The electoral bill you are talking about has been sent back twice or thrice, that is to tell you that the president is willing to sign he bill provided it meets certain conditions that will make our electoral processes better and more sane.

    “So, the President is studying this bill, its not like you will send it to him and he will immediately sign. This is a sign that he is really interested in what we sent back to him.

    “It is for him and his advisers to read through line by line and see how best the electoral process can be enhanced.

    “So, I don’t think we have ran out of time, in fact I think we should encourage the president and those helping him to complete going through the bill before he signs.

    “We still have the 2006 Electoral Act as amended that we used in 2015 for an election that was adjudged to be free, fair and an improved process.

    “We don’t necessarily put so much pressure and unneeded criticism of the president when he is yet to complete his analysis of what has been sent to him. He needs to take his time.” he said

    The Senate Leader went on “And I will advise, even though I am not one of his advisers, that he goes through what has been sent to him line by line, understand whatever his advisers will tell him and of what we have sent will make the elections in 2019 better, then he signs.

    “But if however he discovers some provisions that will bring contradictions and controversies, he can withhold assent. I’m not advocating that he withholds assent but if he does, that is his right.

    “I want to tell you that the APC caucus in the National Assembly stands with Mr. President on this.” he added

    Asked if the Electoral Act amendment bill can still be used for the 2019 elections if signed into law now, he said “Yes. The 2006 electoral act as amended, was used in the 2015 general elections. Who amongst us will tell me that the 2015 general elections was not free and fair?

    “The processes were free and fair. So if we are not able to get this bill signed, we can still use the 2006 electoral act as amended and in fact we can even achieve better than we did in 2015.

    “We can observed our deficiencies in 2015 elections using the same act and we can improve it with administrative approach to the elections.

    “So, I personally believe the president is doing what is right, nobody should push, pressurize him into signing the bill, he needs to thoroughly read and then take a decision.” he said

    On whether the new version of the bill is in good shape for the president to sign into law, he said that the National Assembly has taken into consideration the issues raised by the President.

    He said “I think we have taken into consideration the observations made by Mr. President and the comment. A society that is human is so dynamic, and an environment that is so politically charged, you cannot be sure of what you will say or judge to be okay.

    “In a minute, it could change. So, for me I believe the National Assembly, we have done what we could to ensure that we work in a way that it will look better. But the President reserves the right to study it and not to be pressurized.

    “I noticed that the PDP in their meeting of yesterday was saying the Presidency must sign the bill, was the bill passed by the PDP or the National Assembly. This kind of thing tells you a lot. I expect for members of the National Assembly to be the ones talking and not PDP national chairman or other presidential candidates.” he said

     

  • PDP urges National Assembly to probe killing of soldiers

    THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the National Assembly to begin investigation into alleged compromises that led to the killing of over 100 Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The PDP also accused the Presidency of condoning extra-judicial killing and demanded an immediate forensic inquiry into the reported killing of a principal witness in the Offa robbery incident, Michael Adikwu, in the custody of the Kwara State Police Command.

    The main opposition party said investigation into the killing of soldiers in Metele, Borno State, has become imperative given reports of compromises and alleged failure of the authorities to promptly act on a reported threat by insurgents to attack the base and other military locations in the area, a few days before the attack.

    Read also: Metele attack: Surviving soldiers accuse military authorities of procuring obsolete weapons

    A statement yesterday by PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan said the probe has become expedient going by a disturbing video circulating in the public domain, showing soldiers, weeks before the attack, giving accounts of their neglect by the authorities, resulting in their vulnerability to insurgents.

    The statement said: “The PDP, therefore, urges the National Assembly to unravel the compromises leading to the killing of our soldiers and those behind them.”

    Similarly, the party also insisted that an inquest into the extra-judicial killing of the principal suspect in the Offa robbery has become essential following conflicting reports by the police over the cause and circumstances surrounding the death in police custody.

    The PDP noted that the police had initially claimed that the witness was killed in the course of arrest, but later claimed that he died in the course of investigation, only to again declare that he was discovered dead just as he was about to be taken to court.

     

     

  • PDP to National Assembly: probe killing of soldiers

    THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the National Assembly to begin investigation into alleged compromises that led to the killing of by Boko Haram insurgents.

    It also accused the Presidency of condoning extra-judicial killing and demanded an immediate forensic inquiry into the reported killing of a principal witness in the Offa robbery incident, Michael Adikwu, in the custody of the Kwara State Police Command.

    The main opposition party said investigation into the killing of soldiers in Metele, Borno State, has become imperative given reports of compromises and alleged failure of the authorities to promptly act on a reported threat by insurgents to attack the base and other military locations in the area, a few days before the attack.

    Read also: PDP to challenge Kwara National Assembly by-election outcome at tribunal

    A statement yesterday by PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan said the probe has become expedient going by a disturbing video circulating in the public domain, showing soldiers, weeks before the attack, giving accounts of their alleged neglect by the authorities, resulting in their vulnerability to insurgents.

    The statement said: “The PDP, therefore, urges the National Assembly to unravel the compromises leading to the killing of our soldiers and those behind them.”

    Similarly, the party also insisted that an inquest into the extra-judicial killing of the principal suspect in the Offa robbery has become essential following conflicting reports by the police over the cause and circumstances surrounding the death in police custody.

    The PDP noted that the police had initially claimed that the witness was killed in the course of arrest, but later claimed that he died in the course of investigation, only to again declare that he was discovered dead just as he was about to be taken to court.