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Tag: Senate

  • Senate to CEOs: ‘honour our invitation or we arrest you’

    The National Assembly (NA) has reiterated its stand to  arrest any Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who fails repeatedly to honour summons by its committee, describing the act as an affront on the National Assembly.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Samuel Anyanwu, reiterated this position in a chat with newsmen on the sideline of the just-concluded retreat of the National Assembly Committees on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in Lagos.

    Senator Anyanwu said:“I advise that each time you are invited, you come, if not the legislators can frustrate you.

    “If you are invited a couple of times and you do not appear, it is an affront on the committee; we will issue a warrant of arrest, it is in our Constitution in Sections 88 and 89. The Senate and the House of Representatives have every power to summon anybody in this country to give evidence in a matter they are handling.

    “For instance, if the CEO of an organisation is being invited, all the members of the Assembly are present. We are not there for nothing. We have sworn an oath to protect all manner of people,”he said.

    Commenting on the incessant invitations, Senator Anyanwu said: “What if it was a court case; would they not have been going to court multiple times before a judge? I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

    Recently, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Assembly (NECA) called on the legislative arm of government to restrain its committees from what it described as “brazen attack on enterprise right” until the Supreme Court determined the case brought before it which sought clarification on the scope and extent of the constitutionality of investigatory authority/powers of the lawmakers in Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.

    In a press conference by NECA in Lagos, its Director-General, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, said there had been an unhealthy increase in the incidence of unwarranted investigations by the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, through countless various committees and ad-hoc committees into any aspect of the private sector’s operation that catches their fancy.

    Oshinowo said NECA has already dragged the House of Representatives to court over frequent summoning of companies’ CEOs.

    According to him, their actions  have undermined business sustainability and growth.

  • Senate queries misuse of $1.35b power sector funds

    Senate queries misuse of $1.35b power sector funds

    The Senate on Thursday resolved to consider alleged misuse of $1.35 billion power sector funds by the Ministry of Power.

    The resolution followed “save power sector” alarm raised by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West).

    Relying on Order 42 “matter of urgent public importance, “Melaye sought permission of the chamber to furnish it with details of how $1billion Euro bond raised in 2013 was allegedly “installmently stolen.”

    The Kogi West senator also asked for approval to detail how another $35 million set aside for “Fast Power project” was allegedly siphoned by the Ministry of Power without appropriation and feasibility study.

    Melaye noted that he was seeking permission to expose mismanagement of funds in line with the anti-graft posture of the Federal Government and the Senate.

    He said: “In line with the anti-corruption posture of this chamber especially now that our cries and observations are yielding evidence as expressly manifested in the case of Babachir Lawal, today I bring to the attention of this Senate, a monumental fraud in the power sector.

    “In July 2013, the FG raised $1 billion from a Euro bond issue. From the proceeds, the sum $350 million was given to IBEX in 2014. This money is installmentally stolen.

    “As I speak to you, Mr. President, sometime last year again, the Ministry of Power came up with the project they termed “Fast Power”.

    “This indigested project is supposed to build new generating plants to add power to our grid.

    “There are few questions I need to ask to bring a substantive motion another legislative day.

    “Up till date, there is no detail to build this new generating plant or feasibility study. There is no appropriation by National Assembly for this project.

    “The Ministry of Power has spent $35 million on the affirmed Fast Power project that has no appropriation or no detailed feasibility study.

    “How and when was this money appropriated? Out of this money, $29 million was purportedly paid to General Electric for turbine while $6 million was paid to others. This amount amongst others is a monumental fraud.

    “We need the Senate to investigate this after moving a substantive motion to continue the anti-corruption fight.”

    When Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki put the question to vote, the affirmation for Melaye to present a motion on the issue at the next legislative date was unanimous.

  • Misau’s allegation: Senate panel threatens to issue arrest warrant on IG

    Misau’s allegation: Senate panel threatens to issue arrest warrant on IG

    THE Senate yesterday threatened to issue arrest warrant on the Inspector-General (IG) Ibrahim Idris, if he fails to appear before its ad-hoc committee investigating allegations of abuse of office against him.

    Chairman of the ad-hoc committee Senator Francis Alimikhena gave the threat after waiting endlessly for the IG for a scheduled investigative hearing in the Senate.

    The Edo North senator told reporters that the IG was summoned on October 16 to appear before the panel to respond to allegations made against him by Senator Isah Hamman Misau.

    The panelists expressed dissatisfaction that the Idris failed to appear before the panel.

    Alimikhena noted that instead of appearing before the panel, the IGP, through his lawyer, Alex Iziyon, wrote to the committee informing it that the matter was already in court.

    He said the letter expressly stated that IGP will not appear before the panel because the matter for which he was invited was before the court.

    Alimikhena, who appeared to have been angered by the letter, said nobody, including court, can stop the Senate from carrying out its constitutional duties.

    The lawmaker, who is also Senate Deputy Chief Whip, noted that the separation of powers guaranteed by law made it explicit that the Senate cannot be prevented in carrying out its constitutional duties by any other arm of government.

    He threatened that if the IG fails to appear on November 7th, 2017, the committee would invoke Section 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to compel him to appear.

    Alimikhena who quoted copiously Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, insisted that the IG “will be summoned again and must appear on Tuesday”.

    Misau,(Bauchi central) had while testifying before the probe panel, claimed that Idris purchased two jeeps for the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari.

  • Abuse of office: Senate threatens to issue arrest warrant on IGP

    Abuse of office: Senate threatens to issue arrest warrant on IGP

    The Senate on Wednesday threatened to issue an arrest warrant against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris if he fails to appear before its ad-hoc committee investigating allegations of abuse of office against him.

    Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Senator Francis Alimikhena, gave the threat after waiting endlessly for the IGP for a scheduled investigative hearing in the Senate.

    The Edo North Senator told reporters that the IGP was summoned on October 16th, 2017 to appear before the panel to respond to allegations made against him by Senator Isah Hamman Misau.

    The panellists expressed dissatisfaction that the IGP failed to appear before the panel.

    Alimikhena noted that instead of appearing before the panel the IGP, through his lawyer, Alex Iziyon, wrote to the committee informing it that the matter was already in court.

    He said that the letter expressly stated that IGP will not appear before the panel because the matter for which he was invited was before the court.

    Alimikhena who appeared to have been angered by the letter, thundered nobody, including court, can stop the Senate from carrying out its constitutional duties.

    The lawmaker who is also Senate Deputy Chief Whip noted that the separation of powers guaranteed by law made it explicit that the Senate cannot be prevented in carrying out its constitutional duties by any other arm of government.

    He threatened that if the IGP fails to appear on November 7th, 2017, the committee would invoke Section 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to compel him to appear.

    Alimikhena who quoted copiously Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, insisted that the IGP “will be summoned again and must appear next Tuesday, 7th of November.

    Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which the committee is relying on to issue a warrant of arrest on the IGP, reads: “For the purposes of any investigation under section 88 of this Constitutional and subject to the provisions thereof, the Senate or the House of Representatives or a committee appointed in accordance with section 62 of this Constitution shall have power to procure all such evidence, written or oral, direct or circumstantial, as it may think necessary or desirable, and examine all persons as witnesses whose evidence may be material or relevant to the subject matter

    “Require such evidence to be given on oath; summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence at any place or produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, and examine him as a witness and require him to produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, subject to all just exceptions.

    “Issue a warrant to compel the attendance of any person who, after having been summoned to attend, fails, refuses or neglects to do so and does not excuse such failure, refusal or neglect to the satisfaction of the House or the committee in question, and order him to pay all costs which may have been occasioned in compelling his attendance or by reason of his failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons, and also to impose such fine as may be prescribed for any such failure, refused or neglect; and any fine so imposed shall be recoverable in the same manner as a fine imposed by a court of law.

    “A summons or warrant issued under this section may be served or executed by any member of the Nigeria Police Force or by any person authorised in that behalf by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may require.”

    Alimikhena said: “We invited the IGP to appear before our committee. This morning (yesterday), we got a letter from his lawyer, Alex Iziyon, that he will not appear before this committee. He said the IGP has already gone to court and appearing will be sub-judiced.

    “It is our duty as a parliament to investigate the allegations raised. This committee was set up before they went to court. We cannot be stopped. No court can stop us from carrying out our duties. There is a separation of powers. No court can stop us.

    “We will invite him again next Tuesday. There are issues about virement in the 2017 budget which Misau also raised. We need him to respond to these allegations. We will invite him again and he will appear before us. If he fails to appear, we will invoke Section 89 of the 1999 constitution, as amended.”

    Misau,(Bauchi central) had while testifying before the probe panel, claimed that the IGP purchased two jeeps for the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari.

    He also alleged that the IGP misused over N120 billion generated by the Force in one year.

    Misau further alleged that the police boss impregnated a serving police officer and hurriedly arranged a marriage ceremony in Kaduna.

    The Police boss, through the Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, dismissed the claims as unfounded and smear campaign against the IGP.

    The police spokesman asked Nigerians to disregard the allegations against the IGP

    In like manner, Mrs. Buhari also denied the purchase of cars for her by the IGP.

  • Senate seeks release of N308.464m to hospitals

    Senate seeks release of N308.464m to hospitals

    The Senate yesterday asked the ministries of Finance and Budget and National Planning to prioritise Ministry of Health in the release of annual budgetary allocations.

    This followed poor maintenance of Federal Government-owned hospitals.

    The upper chamber urged the Federal Government to release the N308, 464,276.782 budgetary allocation to the health sector in the 2017 fiscal year.

    The resolution followed adoption of a motion titled: “Inadequate maintenance of Federal Government-owned hospitals”, sponsored by Senator Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo Central).

    The Senate resolved to urge the Ministry of Health to ensure efficiency in health care services and maintain high standard of health care delivery services through periodic training, hospital inspection, among others.

    It mandated its Committee on Health to investigate or request the audit of Federal Government- owned hospitals and charged Federal Government hospitals to provide quality management through continuous evaluation.

    Senator Sunmonu in her lead debate noted that hospitals were health care institutions designed to provide patients with adequate, timely and specialised medical attention.

    She said: “The provision of timely and adequate medical attention to patients can save the lives of those in need of medical care. It is the first step in ensuring that our health care sector attains the desired standard in boosting the faith of Nigerians in our hospitals.”

    The lawmaker, who decried the pathetic situation in the health sector, said: “Despite Nigeria’s strategic position in Africa, the country is under-served in the health care sphere. The health care sector has suffered downfalls, particularly due to inadequate health facilities (health centres, personnel and medical equipment), as well as strike.

    “At these times, government-owned hospitals are not able to provide basic medicine or drugs (such as paracetamol tablets), while malfunctioning medical equipment, such as x-ray machine, oxygen, syringes and most importantly, lack of adequate electricity in the clinics have become the order of the day.”

    She said renovations or even construction were baseless if hospitals were not equipped with basic facilities required to save lives, adding that the health care system was in need of attention.

     

     

     

  • Lawal sack: Senate vows to expose more corrupt Nigerians

    Lawal sack: Senate vows to expose more corrupt Nigerians

    •’When we started it was all blackmail,’ says Saraki

    The Senate yesterday vowed to expose more corrupt Nigerians following the sack of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director General, Ayo Oke .

    The declaration followed personal explanation by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah.

    Na’Allah who represents Kebbi South drew the attention of the Senate to the termination of the appointments of Lawal and Oke by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He reminded his colleagues that the issues that led to the sack of Lawal emanated from the Senate when the upper chamber, after investigation, returned a verdict of guilt on the former SGF.

    Na’Allah also said that the issues that resulted in the sack of the former Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, started with the investigation of Maina for alleged fraud by the Senate.

    He concluded that the eventual sack of Lawal and the national outcry against the surreptitious reinstatement of Maina is a vindication of the Senate.

    Na’Allah said, ” Mr. President we cannot claim not to know that between yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday) there has been official confirmation of the appointment of a new Secretary to the Government of the Federation and of course, the termination or whatever of the appointment former occupier of that office.

    “I find it necessary to say this because I believe in the statement that if we religiously keep to the oath of office and our engagement with the Nigerian public that those who have tried to bring down the institution of the Senate, God will vindicate us before their eyes.

    “The issues surrounding the termination of the appointment of the former SGF emanated from this Eight Senate.

    “Today, we have been vindicated. The issues surrounding Maina emanated from this Senate. Can we now not have the authority to shout a sign of vindication?

    “Mr. President, you remember that when  we resolved as a Senate to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption, we said it here and we all took a vow here that we will do whatever that is humanly possible to live by the oath of office we have taken, defend the constitution.

    “Section 80 (2)(b) this section, the powers conferred on the National Assembly  on the provisions of the section are exercisable  only for the purpose to (a) make laws in respect to any matter within its legislative competence and to correct any defect within the existing law, (b)to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste……

    “Why it is necessary to make this statement, you will remember when we started this crusade, so many things happened.

    “Let us not be quick to forget that this same people we were fighting for, Nigerians became gullible and were sponsored, toilets were provided for them to close the gate of the National Assembly in the name of occupy NASS.

    “Every conceivable thing has been done to bring down the name of the Senate. Individually and collectively, in the social media we were stoned with everything.

    “What is important and instructive today is for me as deputy leader of this Senate to implore all my colleagues to say that the task before you in the protection of the constitution and the laws of the federation which is the basis of the engagement with the people who elected us is not a small task.

    “That is why you see that the oath of office given to you says you should do that without fear or favour.

    “I am proud of this Senate and I will remain proud of this Senate even in my grave.

    “What I’m going to say is that we have other investigations still pending. It is important that the committees that are charged with the investigations should please expeditiously turn in their report so that at the end of the day, we will have cause to glorify God that the burden placed upon us by those who elected us to office has been discharged to the best of our ability.

    “This is why I am calling on all other committees that have pending investigations to do so.

    “In conclusion, it is important for Nigerians to understand that it does them no good to embark on denigration of institutions that are vested with the responsibilities to discharge these things especially the National Assembly.

    “And those who have core wisdom or lack of it in spending money to spread falsehood all over, in order to demean the institution of the National Assembly should know that they are doing no good to the population of 170 million Nigerians that elected us and gave us the responsibility to represent them in this chamber.

    “Mr. President, I once again congratulate the 8th Senate. I am very proud of you, and I will remain very proud of you. We must keep the flag flying .”

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who summed up what Na’Allah said without allowing debate said:

    “It has been a tough journey to defend the institution. I want to commend the government for doing what is right.

    “When we started it was just blackmail, we will continue in our commitment to fight corruption, non selective.

    “We will not renege on our promise to expose corruption, any case that is brought to us we assure you that we will investigate it and expose it.

    “There are a few investigations going on, committees ensure that your investigations are concluded on time and you submit you reports.

  • Lawal/Oke : Senate vows to expose more corrupt Nigerians

    Lawal/Oke : Senate vows to expose more corrupt Nigerians

    The Senate Tuesday vowed to expose more corrupt Nigerians following the sack of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director General, Ayo Oke.

    The declaration followed personal explanation by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah.

    Na’Allah who represents Kebbi South drew the attention of the Senate to the termination of the appointments of Lawal and Oke by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He reminded his colleagues that the issues that led to the sack of Lawal emanated from the Senate when the upper chamber, after investigation, returned a verdict of guilt on the former SGF.

    Na’Allah also said that the issues that resulted in the sack of the former Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, started with the investigation of Maina for alleged fraud by the Senate.

    He concluded that the eventual sack of Lawal and the national outcry against the surreptitious reinstatement of Maina is a vindication of the Senate.

    Na’Allah said, “ Mr. President we cannot claim not to know that between Monday and Tuesday there has been official confirmation of the appointment of a new Secretary to the Government of the Federation and of course, the termination or whatever of the appointment former occupier of that office.

    “I find it necessary to say this because I believe in the statement that if we religiously keep to the oath of office and our engagement with the Nigerian public that those who have tried to bring down the institution of the Senate, God will vindicate us before their eyes.

    “The issues surrounding the termination of the appointment of the former SGF emanated from this Eight Senate.

    “Today, we have been vindicated. The issues surrounding Maina emanated from this Senate. Can we now not have the authority to shout a sign of vindication?

    “Mr. President, you remember that when  we resolved as a Senate to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption, we said it here and we all took a vow here that we will do whatever that is humanly possible to live by the oath of office we have taken, defend the constitution.

    “Section 80 (2)(b) this section, the powers conferred on the National Assembly  on the provisions of the section are exercisable  only for the purpose to (a) make laws in respect to any matter within its legislative competence and to correct any defect within the existing law, (b)to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste……

    “Why it is necessary to make this statement, you will remember when we started this crusade, so many things happened.

    “Let us not be quick to forget that this same people we were fighting for, Nigerians became gullible and were sponsored, toilets were provided for them to close the gate of the National Assembly in the name of occupy NASS.

    “Every conceivable thing has been done to bring down the name of the Senate. Individually and collectively, in the social media we were stoned with everything.

    “What is important and instructive today is for me as deputy leader of this Senate to implore all my colleagues to say that the task before you in the protection of the constitution and the laws of the federation which is the basis of the engagement with the people who elected us is not a small task.

    “That is why you see that the oath of office given to you says you should do that without fear or favour.

    “I am proud of this Senate and I will remain proud of this Senate even in my grave.

    “What I’m going to say is that we have other investigations still pending. It is important that the committees that are charged with the investigations should please expeditiously turn in their report so that at the end of the day, we will have cause to glorify God that the burden placed upon us by those who elected us to office has been discharged to the best of our ability.

    “This is why I am calling on all other committees that have pending investigations to do so.

    “In conclusion, it is important for Nigerians to understand that it does them no good to embark on denigration of institutions that are vested with the responsibilities to discharge these things especially the National Assembly.

    “And those who have core wisdom or lack of it in spending money to spread falsehood all over, in order to demean the institution of the National Assembly should know that they are doing no good to the population of 170 million Nigerians that elected us and gave us the responsibility to represent them in this chamber.

    “Mr. President, I once again congratulate the 8th Senate. I am very proud of you, and I will remain very proud of you. We must keep the flag flying.”

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who summed up what Na’Allah said without allowing debate said:

    “It has been a tough journey to defend the institution. I want to commend the government for doing what is right.

    “When we started it was just blackmail, we will continue in our commitment to fight corruption, non-selective.

    “We will not renege on our promise to expose corruption, any case that is brought to us we assure you that we will investigate it and expose it.

    “There are a few investigations going on, committees ensure that your investigations are concluded on time and you submit you reports.”

  • Senate celebrate sack of former SGF

    Senate celebrate sack of former SGF

    The Senate says sack of former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, has vindicated its position on investigation carried out by its Ad hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East.

    It urged other committees charged with the responsibility of investigating other alleged corrupt matters in the country to expedite action and report to the Senate for further action.

    This followed a Point of Order by the Deputy Leader of the Senate, Sen. Bala Na’Allah, at plenary on Tuesday.

    Quoting Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rule, 2015 as amended, Na’ Allah said efforts by some disgruntled Nigerians to drag the name of the Senate in the mud had been defeated.

    He said: “As a leader, I am proud of this Senate and I believe in the integrity of every senator in this assembly.

    “We cannot claim not to know that between yesterday and today there has been official confirmation of a new SGF and termination of appointment of the former SGF.

    “If we religiously keep to the oath of office taken, those who try to bring down the image of the Senate will continue to watch God vindicate us.

    “The issue surrounding the termination of the appointment of the former SGF emanated from this 8th Senate and today we have been vindicated.

    Also, the issue of Maina emanated from this Senate. Can we now not have the authority to shout a sound of vindication,’’ he said.

    The leader of the Senate said the resolve of the red chamber of the National Assembly to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption and in defence of the constitution would continue no matter the distraction.

    “Section 80 sub-sections 2b, says the powers conferred on the National Assembly under the provisions of this section are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling it to make laws within its legislative competence.

    “The powers conferred on the National Assembly under the provisions of this section are also exercisable to correct any defects in existing laws and expose corruption or inefficiency.

    “When we started this crusade, the same Nigerians we were fighting for, became gullible and were sponsored to close the gate of the National Assembly in the name of ‘Occupy NASS’.

    “Every conceivable thing was done to bring down the name of this assembly, individually and collectively. In fact, some of us were called names in the social media,’’ he said.

    The lawmaker urged his colleagues to bear in mind that the task before them in the protection of constitution and the laws of the federation was a huge one.

    He expressed his unfettered commitment to the Senate.

    He, however, called for expedited action on other investigations pending before committees of the Senate.

    He urged Nigerians not to fall for any form of manipulation by some unpatriotic Nigerians, adding that “it does them no good to embark on degradation of institutions, especially the national assembly.

    “Those who found wisdom in spending money to spread falsehood to demean the national assembly should know that they are doing no good to the over 170 million Nigerians we represent.

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for heeding to the call of the Senate.

    He said though it was difficult for Nigerians to believe the position of the Senate in the investigation, he was elated that its position was vindicated by the sack of the former SGF.

    “It was a very tough journey ensuring that we continued to defend the integrity of this institution.

    “I want to commend the president for doing what is right.

    “When we started it was more of blackmail but the right thing has been done and we will continue to adhere to our commitment to non-selective fight against corruption.

    “I want to say to Nigerians that as part of our constitutional responsibility to expose corruption, cases and evidences should be brought before us and we assure that we will investigate and expose them.

    “We are not afraid of anyone in doing our job and we have made that clear over time,’’ he said.

    Saraki also called on committees whose investigation in alleged corrupt practices by agencies and individuals were pending to complete investigation and submit their reports.

    Besides, he called on Nigerian youths not to fall gullible to the antics of some corrupt Nigerians, who were bent on using them for their selfish interests.

    The Senate had following investigation by its Ad Hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East, headed by Sen. Shehu Sani, called for the resignation and prosecution of the dismissed SGF.

    This followed his alleged complicity in diversion of North-East humanitarian funds.

    Babachir was alleged to have contravened the provisions of Public Procurement Act and the Federal Government Financial Rules and Regulations pertaining to award of contracts.

    NAN

  • Maina: Senate seeks sack of Malami, Danbazau, others

    Maina: Senate seeks sack of Malami, Danbazau, others

    SENATORS resolved yesterday to probe the controversial return of Abdulrasheed Maina to the civil service.

    The Public Service, Anti-Corruption, Interior and Judiciary  committee is to investigate the recall  of the former Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, who is on the wanted list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged N2 billion pension fraud, among others.

    The committee is to determine how Maina was reinstated and promoted to director.

    The upper chamber said the development became even curious, especially when Maina is wanted for alleged fraud.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance raised by Senator Isa Hamma Misau (Bauchi South).

    Misau said the circumstances of Misau’s return and reinstatement service had become a huge embarrassment to the country.

    Many of the senators who contributed to the debate asked the Senate to resolve to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to sack those linked to the development.

    The lawmakers singled out Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami and Interior Minister Abdulrahman Danbazzau as two public officials that should be hammered by President Buhari for their alleged roles in the Maina matter.

    Misau said: “Right from day before, you will see the story of somebody who has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).  We read how the man who was declared wanted and was said to be abroad came back to Nigeria miraculously.

    “Going by the newspaper publications, somebody wanted by the EFCC left the country for so many years. He was dismissed from the service. He was out for a long time, but smuggled into the service. He left the country as an assistant director. Today, he is a director.

    “We even heard that he goes about with police escort. I wonder how a government that claims to be fighting corruption will be involved in a matter like this. This is a big embarrassment for this country. The people around the President are not helping matters. It appears that the President is the only one talking about corruption. Other people around him are protecting corrupt people.

    “The AGF was mentioned and other people were mentioned. We investigated this case in the 7th Assembly. I am calling on the Senate to investigate this case again.”

    Chief Whip Olusola Adeyeye said: “I remember what happened then. It got to a point when the former President of the Senate, David Mark, told the former President Goodluck Jonathan to choose between Abdulrasheed Maina and loyalty to the country. It got so bad that Maina had over 30 police officers attached to him.

    “It got so bad that he was always on the front row whenever the former President travelled. At some point, we thought that he was being protected. I remember one of us was blackmailed and called names. He was accused of taking billions as bribes. Today, that lawmaker was cleared and he is here.

    “Some principalities in power then ferried Maina to neighbouring countries. There is a procedure when it comes to promotion in the civil service. This is an insult on the part of civil servants who have worked so hard.

    “As a member of APC, it is a sad moment. We cannot say that we want to fight corruption and have this approach. Jesus Christ said it is difficult for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle.

    “This saddens me and I am sure it saddens all of us. I am glad that following the outrage from the public, the President acted swiftly. We read in the papers that the rules of the civil service were bypassed.

    “It appears there are people in this government who want the President to fail. Every patriot and member of APC in this house must stand out and ensure that the President does not fail.

    “Papers have reported that two Ministers were involved. Those Ministers must be brought to justice. The President must ensure that those Ministers are sacked. Corruption is not only about stealing money. Incompetence too is another form of corruption.

    “I hope that this Senate will not forget its past resolutions on Maina. On it, we still stand. He must be made to stand and face the law. He is not above the law. Steven Oronsaye was accused. He did not leave the country. He stayed back and cleared his name. Maina must do same.

    Senator Kabiru Marafa said:

    “I want to appreciate the person who brought this motion by exposing some dubious people in government. No family can boast of having 100 per cent good people. APC is not an exception. We cannot attribute everything to the President. He should be commended for rising to the occasion.

    “Reinstating Maina is a crime against Nigerians. We should approve a full blown investigation into what happened. We must not allow this thing to go unnoticed.

    Senator Atai Idoko said: “We are looking at the symptoms; we are not looking at the cause. Maina is too small to go back to office. Somebody brought him back to the office. Maina is too small. He is not the issue. We should look at those who returned Maina.

    “As we were told, the person who approved this thing is the AGF. The simplest thing the President could do was to terminate the appointment of Maina. That is not the issue. The AGF brought him back. The AGF has a history of doing things like this. The President should tell us what he will do to the AGF.

    Senator Albert Bassey Akpan would like the Senate to “investigate and bring to book any person who wants to bring this country to disrepute”. “We will stand with the Senate to ensure that the right thing is done,” he said.

    Senator Tayo Alasoadura cautioned his colleagues not to call names of people who have not been indicted. “We should not duplicate. If the executive has set up a committee, we should not do the same thing. We must not set up committees every time”, he said.

    Senator Dino Melaye, “the whole unfolding affair is pathetic”. He said: “Should we continue in sin and ask grace to abound? The AGF time after time has abused his office. Maina did not get himself back. We should talk about the integrity of the AGF and his office. If the number one law officer is breaking the law, where is the hope?

    “The AGF started with the forgery case against Saraki and Ekweremadu. Something happened we have not noticed. Two public officers had issues and the AGF chose to support the Inspector-General of Police against Senator Isah Hamman Misau. Today, it is Senator Isah versus the Federal Government.

    “Tomorrow, if I commit any offence against the friend to the AGF, I will be arraigned. We should not encourage the setting up of investigative committees. The President is surrounded by worms who are bent on destroying the country.

    “There are so many committees that have been set up by the President and the resolutions of those reports may not be implemented until after rapture. Enough is enough. We cannot have this forever. This is wrong. The Senate needs to do something.

    “We must recommend to the President that the AGF has erred in discharging the affairs of his office. If we do not check it, the AGF will plunge us into trouble.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki asked the joint committee to do a thorough job.

    Read Also:Maina: Ex-NBA boss lauds Buhari for immediate disengagement

  • Senate to probe Etisalat’s $1.2b debt crisis

    Senate to probe Etisalat’s $1.2b debt crisis

    The Senate yesterday resolved to investigate the management and utilisation of the $1.2 billion loan facility obtained by Etisalat (Nigeria) from 13 local banks.

    The upper chamber mandated its Committees on Banking, Communications, Capital Market and National Security and Intelligence to probe the deal.

    It also asked the joint committee to make recommendations on ways the country’s financial governance structure could be strengthened by legislations to prevent any future similar reoccurrence of such crisis.

    The Senate urged relevant financial intelligence agencies of the Federal Government to investigate the management of Etisalat (Nigeria) and hold the defaulting parties accountable for their actions.

    The resolutions followed the adoption a motion on “the need for Senate’s intervention in the recent Etisalat (Nigeria) $1.2 billion debt crisis” sponsored by Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West)

    Adeola in his lead debate noted that Etisalat Nigeria has in recent times been in the public eye over its $1.2bn loan crisis.