The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senate president

  • Budget padding: Group calls for overhauling of NASS

    Budget padding: Group calls for overhauling of NASS

    Following controversies trailing the budget padding scandal, a civil society group under aegis of the Concerned Nigerian Citizens Tuesday called for total overhauling of the National Assembly (NASS).

    The group during a briefing on state of the nation in Abuja described actions of both leaders of the national assembly as unhonourable.

    CNC National Coordinator, Barr. Olusegun Bamgbose emphasised that corrupt practices of the Senate Leader, Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara was capable of destroying future of young Nigerians, thus unworthy of being in the NASS.

    However, he called for the sack of the leadership of both chambers over the corruption allegations.

    Bamgbose noted that the House has been desecrated and in dire need of urgent sanitation, as it lacks what he called the “TEA principle of good governance, that is, Transparency, Equity and Accountability.‎”

    His words: “The entire leadership should be overhauled for sanity to prevail in the legislature. The national assembly has been polluted and there is need for urgent sanitation of the system. There is need for total overhauling of the polity.

    “As concerned citizens of Nigeria, we have a choice, either to act and rescue our Nation or watch our Nation fall. We will not watch our Nation fall. If we refuse to contain and curtail corruption, corruption will crush us.”

    Speaking on Saraki’s case, the group expressed concerns, stressing that, “As concerned Nigerians citizens we deem it absurd, unethical and unacceptable for Dr. Bukola Saraki to still hold on to his position as Senate President. This is unheard of in any civilized and progressive country.

    “How can we have a Senate President that is standing trial for false declaration of assets and forgery and he still deem it fit to occupy the honourable position of the third citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is absurd. When he is called up in the court, he is referred to as the Accused person and yet presides over our hallowed chambers. This is not acceptable to us.”

    “As a matter of principle, we urge the speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara to step down for proper interrogation,” he added.

    The group utters their concern over the future of the country in the face of corruption and called everyone to join in the fight against corruption.

    “The fight against corruption will amount to be a mockery if these matters are swept under the carpet.

    “The ruling party should not for any reason ‘kill’ these matters in the name of political settlement. We equally urge the Attorney General of the Federation never to withdraw the charges against the Senate President.

    “On our part as concerned citizens of Nigerians we want to tell the leadership of the National Assembly to stop playing politics with the future of Nigerians.” The group warned.

  • ‘Current NASS, worst since 1999’

    ‘Current NASS, worst since 1999’

    • Urges EFCC to investigate budget padding

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Olusegun Osinkolu, has described the 8th National Assembly as the worst in the nation’s history since the return of democratic rule in 1999.

    Speaking with reporters on Monday in Ado Ekiti on the crisis rocking the National Assembly, Osinkolu expressed regrets that the federal lawmakers have disappointed the electorate by their alleged involvement in forgery and budget padding.

    Ahead of the 2019 general elections, Osinkolu urged Nigerians to be more vigilant and careful on the personality of candidates seeking their votes for National Assembly seats advocating for election of people of integrity.

    He expressed fear that winning the anti-corruption war would be very difficult if the National Assembly still parades personalities like Senate President Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Speaker Yakubu Dogara still holding top posts.

    The duo of Saraki and Ekweremadu are currently answering forgery charges in a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged alteration of the standing rules that brought them into office.

    While Dogara and  former Chairman,  House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jubrin  are exchanging verbal abuses over alleged budget padding running into billions of Naira.

    Osinkolu said: “President Muhammadu Buhari alone cannot win the war against graft. He needed good institutions like the Senate and House of Representatives to win the war.

    “We need men of integrity, those with strong characters and incorruptible nature to lead that pivotal arm to help the executive raise the bar of governance beyond this pedestrian level.
    “The silence of the members of both chambers in the midst of these raging controversies lent credence to the fact that they are also complicit. They have not comported themselves in the most honourable way and this portends grave danger to us as a nation.

    “President Buhari was elected by the popular notion that he has integrity and the political will to tackle corruption in any form. He shouldn’t disappoint Nigerians in this regard because sparing these big men might cast a thick doubt on the integrity of the APC-led federal government.

    “Making laws need not be a full time job where Governors finish serving as executives in a state for 8 yrs will run to the Senate to remain relevant  and to seek refuge against prosecution.”

    The APC chieftain called on the federal government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) not to spare anybody indicted of complicity in the official malfeasance going on in both chambers of the national assembly.

    Particularly, Osinkolu appealed to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami not to bow to pressure and harassment coming from the senators on the alleged forgery case, saying his ability to prosecute such  high profile case would send a signal that President Buhari is committed to ridding the country of criminality.

  • Buhari seeks confirmation of Ndome-Egba, 18 others

    Buhari seeks confirmation of Ndome-Egba, 18 others

    ….Nominates Eko, Augie Supreme Court Justices

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded the names of Justices Ejembi Eko and Amina A. Augie for confirmation as Justices of the Supreme Court.

    This is contained in a letter addressed to the Senate president, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

    The President said that the two nominees will represent North-central and North-west‎ respectively.

    The letter said, “In accordance with Section 231 subsection (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, I have the pleasure to forward for your confirmation, the nomination of the two nominees as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

    In another development, President Buhari also forwarded the name of a former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and 18 others as chairman and members of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    President Buhari in the letter asked the Senate to give the request an expeditious consideration and confirmation of the NDDC board of directors’ nominees.

    Apart from Senator Egba who hails from Cross River state, others appointed are Nsima Udo Ekere who is to serve as managing director. He hails from Akwa Ibom state.

    Adjogbe Ajenakevwe is to serve as executive director in charge of projects and hails from Delta state. Mene Ienyie Derek, executive director is to head finance and ‎administration and hails from Rivers state.

    Other board members are Donatus Enyinnah (Abia state), Frank Samuel George (Akwa Ibom state); Brambaifa Nelson (Bayelsa state); Sylvester Effefiom Nsa (Cross River state); Ogaga Ifowodo (Delta state); Uwuilekhue Saturday (Edo state) and Osita Bonaventure Izunaso (Imo state).

    Olatokunbo Ayotunde Ajasin (Ondo state); Harry Iboroma Dabibi (Rivers state); Bernard Banfa (North-central zone); Yahaya Mohammed (North-east zone); Mustapha Dankadai (North-west ‎zone); Igo Weli (Niger Delta region); Mahmoud Isa-Dutse (Federal Ministry of Finance) and Abdul-Kazeem Kasumi Bayero (Federal Ministry of Environment) were also on the list.

    The consideration and subsequent confirmation of the nominees will be done when the Senate resumes from its 6-week break in September, 2016.

    The two letters were read by Senate President yesterday in plenary.

     

  • Economy: Adeosun must appear before Senate-Saraki

    Economy: Adeosun must appear before Senate-Saraki

    Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, was Wednesday asked to appear before the Senate on Thursday to brief the upper chamber about measures the Federal Government is taking to shore up the country’s dwindling economy.

    The directive followed the failure of the minister to brief the Senate on Wednesday as scheduled.

    Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, informed the Senate in plenary that Adeosun sent a message that she was held up at the Federal Executive Council meeting and therefore could not attend the scheduled briefing.

    Ndume said that Senate should give the minister another date to appear for the briefing.

    Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio who seconded the motion observed that it was Adeosun who picked the Wednesday date and wondered why she failed to honour the invitation.

    Akpabio said that the minister should have taken cognizance of the fact the FEC meeting would hold yesterday.

    He added, “We would not take it as a slight and disrespect for the Senate. We will take it as a mistake on her part but it should not repeat itself again because the minister ought to have known about the FEC meeting.”

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki ruled that Adeosun must be here tomorrow (Thursday).

    Saraki noted that the issue of the economy is very important and that Nigerians needed to be informed about what is happening in the economy.

    He said, “She must be here tomorrow of today at the end of council meeting because we are here. These are important to Nigerians to know what is happening.”

    The Central Bnak of Nigeria Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele took his turn to brief the Senate on Tuesday on the same subject matter.

  • Melaye: Women protesters storm National Assembly

    Protest over the unwarranted attack on the person of Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) shifted to Abuja on Wednesday.
    Women numbering over 100 stormed the National Assembly to protest against uncomplimentary and indecent utterances of Senator Dino Melaye against Senator Tinubu (Lagos Central).
    Melaye attacked Senator Tinubu during a closed door session on Tuesday July 12, 2016 using indecent words against the Lagos Central lawmaker.
    The Kogi West senator was said to have threatened to beat up Senator Tinubu during the session.
    The protesters wore T-shirts with inscriptions such as “No to impunity for gender based violence.”
    The protester were heard chanting, “Stop violence against women”
    They also carried placards that reads: “Support gender equality opportunity bill”, “A Senator is a Senator, women are not threat object”, Senate Leadership silence in the face of violence against women is conspiracy”, “Say no to impunity.”
    Leader of the protesters Mrs. Kemi Nelson, in her address noted that “enough is enough.”
    She asked the Senate to immediately take a disciplinary action against Melaye in the interest of justice.
    She said, “This is impunity and it has to be stopped, we must be accorded our right.”
    Senator Tinubu had already petitioned Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun alleging threat to her life.
  • ‘Proposed NASS immunity, pension laws, a Coup against Nigerians’

    ‘Proposed NASS immunity, pension laws, a Coup against Nigerians’

    A lawyer and rights activist, Kabir Akingbolu, has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to stop the National Assembly (NASS) from passing any law that will grant immunity and life pension to principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    Akingbolu said the lawmakers’ move violates constitutional provisions against corrupt practices and abuse of power, and is also ‘a coup against the people.’

    Apart from the NASS, other defendants to the suit are Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

    The plaintiff argued that considering the provision of Section 14 (1) and (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), NASS’ move to propose pension for its leaders is unlawful.

    Alluding to Sections 15(5), 16(1)(b), (2)(a)(b) and 17 (1) of the Constitution, Akingbolu argued that the proposed laws will put resources ‘meant for the common good’ in the hands of a few individual, and also encourage corrupt practices.

    “For decades, no member or officer of the National Assembly has been granted immunity and there was no harassment of the holders of the said offices.

    “The move to immunize the officers of the National Assembly against liability for offences while in office is anti-people and unconstitutional because every citizen of Nigeria is equal before the law.

    “All over the world, there is nowhere the members of the legislature are granted immunity against offences and the granting of same is crude, archaic and an attempt to bring lawmakers above the people and the law,” Akingbolu said.

    No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

  • Nigeria economy still strong, says CBN boss

    Nigeria economy still strong, says CBN boss

    …Adeosun to brief Senate

    Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday declared that the strategic health of the country’s financial system is still strong.

    Emefiele also painted a gloomy picture of the sharp decline in the price of oil and commodity prices to the country’s economy.

    The CBN boss spoke at a closed session with Senators in line with Section 8 of the CBN Act, 2007, which required that the Governor of the Bank provide, to the National Assembly, periodic updates on the activities of the Bank as well as the performance of the economy.

    After the over one hour closed session, Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki noted that the Senate in a closed door session with the CBN Governor deliberated on the new foreign exchange management policy and the determination of foreign exchange market by demand and supply mechanism.

    Saraki added that the session also deliberated on the need to continue to grow the economy with focus on diversification of the economy.

    A statement by the leadership of the Senate said that the CBN Governor presented a comprehensive and lucid account of the performance of the Nigerian economy in the last one year.

    It said that Emefiele’s presentation began with current global economic conditions, which has been characterized by external shocks including the sharp decline in commodity prices, the geopolitical tensions along important global trading routes, and tightening of monetary policy in the United States of America.

    It said that the CBN boss drew linkages of these occurrences with the Nigerian economy, especially with respect to the over 70 percent decline in oil prices from about S116 per barrel in June 2014 to about $30 per barrel earlier in the year.

    It said, “The Governor’s presentation also gave us an insight into the Bank’s decisions in the Foreign Exchange Market, and the rationale underlying the recent re-introduction of a Flexible Exchange Rate Mechanism in Nigeria.

    “He also delved into the health of the financial system and discussed the Bank’s detailed examinations of financial institutions as well as its zero tolerance for insider dealings by Board and Management of deposit money banks.

    “In sum, the Governor declared that the Strategic health of Nigeria’s financial system is still strong at this time.”

    It said that after the presentation, many Senators asked a host of pertinent questions and raised issues concerning the banking system, the slippage in economic growth for the first quarter of 2016, the gradual

    rise in inflation, fall in foreign exchange reserves, and policy coordination between the fiscal and monetary authorities.

    It said that following an exhaustive response by both the Governor and his team, the Senate acknowledged that “these are indeed difficult times all over the world and not just in Nigeria.”

    “The Senate also acknowledged the pains that many people may be facing at this time, especially in light of increases in price of electricity and fuels.

    “But having carefully considered the policies of the CBN, the Senate would like to commend and support these policies because they are mostly geared towards increasing local production, creating jobs here in Nigeria, safeguarding our commonwealth, and expanding economic opportunities and growth in Nigeria,” the statement said.

    The Senate insisted that it is critical that all Nigerians put hands together to seek long term solutions to the country’s underlying problem of non diversification of foreign exchange earning and revenues, rather than pointing fingers or apportioning blames.

    The Senators noted that they “believe strongly in the resilience of the Nigerian economy and the ingenuity of the Nigerian people and as such, we are confident that we will all pull through these difficulties and come out as a much better, equitable, and prosperous nation.”

    A source at the closed door meeting also said that “at a time, the CBN governor told us that we should also work together to pull the economy out of trouble.”

    He noted that “many of us believe that the economy is actually in trouble and something has to be done to rescue it in the interest of the country.”

    Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun will also face the Senate on Wednesday on the same subject matter.

     

  • Senate threatens to arrest AGF

    Senate threatens to arrest AGF

    The Senate Tuesday threatened to invoke necessary legislative powers including arrest warrant to drag the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Ababukar Malami, to appear before it.

    The resolution followed explanation by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator David Umaru, on the circumstances surrounding the failure of Malami to honour the invitation of his committee.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, said that the Senate would be guided by Constitutional provisions to deal with the AGF if he failed once again to honour the invitation of the upper chamber.

    Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution attached to the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, had told the committee that it lacked the power to summon Malami since the AGF was not an appointee of the Senate.

    Obono-Obla who represented the AGF at a sitting of the committee insisted before he was walked out of the meeting that Malami did not commit any offence by dragging Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu to court over alleged forgery of Senate standing rule.

    Umaru who came under personal explanation said: “The resolution of the Senate was for the committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to invite the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to appear before it and explain the reason behind attempts to prefer charges against the principal officers of this hallowed chamber.

    “In line with the directive, we invited the Honourable Attorney General, first on the 23rd of June and on that date he did not appear but a letter was received by our committee to the effect that he needed more time to articulate its position and that he was out of the country.

    “The committee obliged him, we scheduled another meeting for the 30th of June, on that day, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice did not appear before the committee.

    “However, somebody who claimed to be Mr. Oblar appeared to say that he was appearing on behalf of the minister.

    “The committee therefore told him that he was not an invitee and that we will not attend to him and we asked him to leave.

    “I have being informed by Senator Ita Enag (Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters) and I have received lots of attempts to reach me by the Hon. Attorney General. Senator Ita Enag have informed me that the Attorney General regrets his inability to respond to our petition and that he requests time to appear before us.

    “I think it is important for the distinguished colleagues to be informed about this development and for us to request for more time to give him the opportunity to appear since he has indicated his willingness to appear before the committee.”

    Saraki who did not allow debate of the matter said insisted that the AGF must appear before the committee in line with the resolution of the Senate.

    He noted that failure to comply with the resolution of the Senate to appear before the committee necessary constitutional steps would be taken to enforce Senate resolution.

    The Senate President noted that they would have no choice than to follow strictly what he Constitution dictates if the AGF failed to honour the Senate.

    Saraki said, “We all heard the explanation of the chairman Judiciary. What he is trying to get across to us here is to tell us the status of the situation because what we have been reading in the papers was of great concern where the number one judicial officer of the country will be the one that will be flouting the Constitution.

    “Section 89 (c) of the Constitution is very clear. But it appears from what you are saying that the Attorney General is requesting for one more chance to be given to appear before you.

    “The Senate is always in the progress of development; as such we will do that and ensure that he does come this time.

    “Otherwise, we will have no choice than to follow the constitution strictly.

    “So, you will report back to us before the end of the week to let us know the status of that situation.

    “If that does not happen, we will go ahead and go in line with the Constitution very clearly.”

     

     

  • CCT shifts hearing in cases involving Saraki, Orubebe, others

    CCT shifts hearing in cases involving Saraki, Orubebe, others

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal has postponed the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki earlier scheduled to resumed on Wednesday, till after its annual vacation in September this years.

    Also to be affected are cases involving former Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, former Deputy Controller General, Rasheed Taiwo and all other cases earlier scheduled for July and August.

    Saraki, Orube and Taiwo are being triaed for alleged false declaration of assets. The tribunal had scheduled judgment for July 19 in the Orubebe case and ruling in Taiwo’s trial for July 28.

    CCT’s spokesman, Ibrahim Al-hassan said, in a statement, that although members of the tribunal were not immediately proceeding on vacation, the postponement of the tribunal’s sittings was informed by an on-going training involving its members and other stakeholders both from within and outside the country.

    He said: “The Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon Danladi Yakubu Umar on Tuesday adjourned all sittings scheduled for this week and those to come within July and August till after the resumption from recess to be embarked by the tribunal’s Judges soon.

    “The decision was taken due to the ongoing Roundtable Discussion involving the CCT and other critical stakeholders within and outside the country, to develop the Code of Ethics and Practice Directions for the Code of Conduct Tribunal to ensure fair and speedy trials, sponsored by European Union (EU) and implemented by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC) .

    “He however, assured litigants currently with cases before the court, would have their new dates shortly after the vacation in September, 2016, which would be communicated to them, appropriately.

    “The tribunal regrets the pains caused by the sudden change.”

  • Forgery: Court’s annual vacation stalls Saraki, other’s trial

    Forgery: Court’s annual vacation stalls Saraki, other’s trial

    The scheduled commencement of trial in the forgery case against Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others on Monday has been postponed.

    The postponement was informed by the sudden commencement of the annual long vacation of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    Saraki, Ekweremadu, former Clerk of the Senate, Salihu Abubakar Maikasuwa and Deputy Clerk of the Senate, Benedict Efeturi were arraigned on June 27 before Justice Yusuf Haliru, of the High Court of the FCT in Jabi, on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and forgery.

    They were accused among others, of forging the Senate Standing Orders 2015, with which the elections for the offices of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President of the 8th Senate were conducted

    The four defendants, who each, face a maximum of 14 years imprisonment on conviction, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.

    The court had, on the last date (June 27), adjourned to July 11 for the commencement of trial.

    When parties got to court on Monday, they were informed that the court’s annual long vacation has commenced earlier than anticipated.

    Court officials told lawyers representing parties that a circular for the annual vacation became public last Friday, but became effective on Monday.

    Parties have agreed to return on September 28.

    The defendants were all in court. While Abubakar entered the courtroom around 8:20am, Saraki, Ekweremadu and Efeturi arrived the court around8:50am.

    Saraki, Ekweremadu and Efeturi rode into the court premises in a long convoy of cars, accompanied by some members of the Senate and their supporters.