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Tag: Terrorism

  • Capital punishment antidote to terrorism – Mark

    Capital punishment antidote to terrorism – Mark

    Senate President, David Mark, Tuesday insisted that capital punishment is the antidote to the menace of terrorism in the country.

    Mark spoke while addressing the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), who besieged his office to register their protest against the unabating insurgency in the country.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh in a statement in Abuja said Mark also reiterated the resolve of the Federal Government towards ending the insurgency in the country.

    The statement added that Mark described killings in the name of religion as condemnable and totally unacceptable.

    “My faith does not accept capital punishment, but as an individual I believe that if you kill, you should be killed as well,” Mark stated.

    He told the aggrieved women: “We are as pained as you are; I think there is no one who is not feeling the pain. In those days, you can travel anytime, anywhere and any village you want to, you are always welcomed and secured. But today, the reverse is the case. We must rise up and collectively condemn this dastardly act in our society.”

    The Senate President commended the military for their efforts so far but was quick to remind Nigerians of the need to be watchful and support the government in the quest to end the insurgency.

    Senator Mark said there is need to win the heart of all and sundry in curbing all forms of insecurity saying: “Beside insurgency, kidnapping and armed robbery goes on in other parts of the country.”

    He assured his guests of the National Assembly’s continued efforts to bring peace back to the nation saying there is no day in the plenary when issues of peaceful co-existence of the citizens is not given prominence during debate.

    He said: “All of us have roles to play, not only the elected and the Armed Forces, government need our cooperation in order to bring succour back to our dear nation.”

    He thanked FOWMAN for taking the bold step to speak out and condemn the insurgency and insecurity across the nation saying, “truth must be told and the earlier you say it the better.”

    Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Hajia Hadijat Suleiman stated that FOWMAN decided to visit the National Assembly to express her grief and anger before the lawmakers, saying, “we are here to show you  the bleeding hearts of Nigerian women, the agonizing pain and feeling of despair which the woman folks have been made to face in recent times.”

    She added: “FOWMAN mourns with the rest of humanity over the inhuman destruction of creations of Allah and wanton shedding of the blood of innocent citizens in this country.

    “We view with sadness, trepidation and a deep concern the continuous escalation of violent attack on innocent lives and property in multiple locations.

    “We are mothers, wives, we are nurturers of life, nurturers of families, we are builders and sustainers of nations, we are not destroyers, these killing of our children, our men and indeed women must stop.

    “We urged the National Assembly to make a loud and resounding statement and stand up to be counted for the benefit of posterity. Government should explore all avenues to determine the source and sustainers of this phenomenon. It is crime against humanity.”

    Suleiman however pleaded with appropriate government agencies to provide relief materials to all victims of the violence

  • Terror suspects’ bail application stalled

    The absence of Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, stalled ruling in the bail application for three men charged with terrorism.

    The three accused persons – Mohammed Yunus, Musa Umar and Salami Abdullahi, were arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on links with the Boko Haram sect.

    They were alleged to have between May 2013 and October 2013, held various meetings aimed at planning to execute the terrorist agenda of the group before they were arrested.

    At the resumed hearing of the case, a court official said Justice Kolawole had travelled out of Abuja for an official engagement.

    The counsel to the first accused person, Mr. Hassan Liman (SAN) and counsel to the second accused person, James Ocholi (SAN), as well as counsel to the third accused person, Abdulazeez Mohammed, all agreed on March 7 ruling for the bail application.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kolawole had earlier fixed Friday for ruling in the bail application, but was absent in court.

     

  • We cannot afford to lose battle against terrorism, says Jonathan

    President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has renewed the determination of the Federal Government to battle insurgency in the country.
    At the combined passing parade of the combined passing out parade of Cadet Officers, comprising Assistant Superintendent of Police ASPs and Inspectors at the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State said the government cannot afford to lose the  battle against terrorism.
    Jonathan reassured that the Federal Government will continue to support all security agencies in its war against insurgency in the country.
    He charged the combined graduating cadet officers to use the techniques acquired during the 19 months course to reposition the act of fighting crime and terrorism, so as at the close of the day get rid of security challenges, which has been causing the public sleepless nights.
    He however promised that the Federal Government will continue to support the efforts of the various security agencies in tackling the lingering security challenges in the country, pointing out that the government is determined to promote and ensure a combat-ready Police Force.
    Addressing the grandaunts, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar  tasked them to translate into action the lessons acquired, while the course lasted, just he charged to graduands to reposition for effective service delivery.
    ‘’Our mission and vision is to promote a combat ready Police Force that will tackle the daunting security challenges confronting the nation.’’

     

  • Terrorism can’t thrive without funding, says GIABA

    The continued security challenges faced by Nigeria through Boko Haram will continue until the government and other agencies, including international bodies are able to drain funding for terrorist activities, Head, Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa(GIABA) Office, Nigeria, Timothy Melaye, has said.

    The GIABA is a specilised institution mandated to, among others, ensure compliance with International AML/CFT Standards within the region and provide technical assistance to its member states.

    Speaking in an interview with The Nation, Melaye explained that just as fishes need water to stay alive, terrorism thrives on funding.

    Nigeria was last month removed from the list of countries identified as jurisdictions with significant deficiencies in their Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regimes.

    Melaye said GIABA, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are working to ensure that the suspicious transactions policy is implemented. “For instance, if someone in Afghanistan is sending $10 million to support the mosque in Maiduguri, then there is a problem. It is a suspicious transaction. Although it is a noble thing to do, at the same time, it is a suspicious transaction which must be reported and checked,” he said.

    He explained that Nigeria has taken the right steps including the establishment of legal and regulatory framework that will assist it meet its anti-money laundering initiatives.

    He said the implementation of key laws within the borders must ensure that terrorism funds are not easily moved through the borders, airport or even through banks unnoticed.

    He said there must be enough systems in place to prevent such transfer or ensure that they are used for the purpose they were meant for. He said, government should also ensure that people do not easily buy weapons by putting in the right structures in place.

    He said if these structures are not in place, Nigeria can return to the list of non-corporative countries.

    He said GIABA and FATF were collaborating with the government to ensure that terrorist financing is curbed.

    “Even though some of the funds are used by terrorists are stolen, terrorism thrives on funding. Some of them carry AK47. You cannot just get it on the street. It costs a lot of money,” he said.

    He said money laundering is a derivative crime, meaning that it is not a crime one commits directly; rather it a proceed of crime already committed. He said money laundering still exists in the country, adding that the people who are involved in laundering proceeds, more often are very intelligent, have access to resources, and sometimes influential.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    He explained that for a count

     

    ry to be complying with money laundering laws, means such country is meeting the recommendations. That means, the jurisdictions is putting in place structures that will protect it from money laundering.

    “As I am talking to you now, what if someone is buying jewelry with stolen money?

    And he goes to a jewelry shop and buys products worth billions of dollars and put it in his pocket. He has cancelled the source of the money, and that’s what money laundering is all about,” he said.

    GIABA in a report said while the escalation of insurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the apparent breakdown of law and order in certain northeastern states have prompted concerns about Nigeria’s security and regional stability, there are concerns about the country’s emergence as hotspot of terrorism and extremism. It said that even more important is the apparent thriving of terrorist financing.

    “The alleged political involvement in the financing of insurgent activities for self-serving ends could seriously undermine AML/CFT efforts in Nigeria and potentially roll back much of the progress made in recent years,” it said.

     

  • ‘Why terrorism persists‘

    Stakeholders and experts in the maritime sector have explained why terrorism, pirate attacks and kidnapping have continued.

    Speaking at a seminar entitled: “Preventing Terrorism and Insurgency in Nigeria’s Maritime Domain”, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Maritime Affairs, Leke Oyewole, said companies operating in the nation’s waters were guilty of illegal acts which encourage violence in the maritime sector.

    He said oil companies operating in the country often pollute the waters and neglect their host communities, adding that as a result, youths in these communities attack the companies and their infrastructure in the maritime domain.

    President of Crisis Control Foundation, Dr. Kingsley Ezeatakwulu-Osakwe, stressed that negligence in the nation’s security framework and the unwillingness of the people to cooperate with government was responsible for the high level of insecurity in the country and the maritime sector.

    He blamed the current methodology employed by government in tackling the menace, describing it as completely inadequate as certain vital ingredients are still not added to the operational system of the entire security structure.

    The Customs Area Comptroller, Apapa Area 1 Command, Comptroller Charles Edike stated that operatives of the service had recovered several caches of arms and ammunition across the nation’s numerous land borders, sea and airports in the past few months.

  • Terrorism a major threat to global peace

    Terrorism a major threat to global peace

    The following is President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

    On behalf of the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I salute you as you preside over the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. I assure you of the full support and cooperation of the Nigerian delegation.

    I also wish to extend our commendation to the Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and place on record, Nigeria’s appreciation for his focused and committed leadership of the United Nations system.

    This Session is coming at a particularly trying period when our world faces a number of critical challenges which make it imperative for us to work within the Charter of the United Nations to meaningfully address them.

    It is therefore apt that the theme, Post 2015 Development Agenda: Setting the Stage, signposts our desire and determination to actively cooperate for the improvement of the overall welfare and well-being of the most vulnerable citizens of the member-states of our Organisation.

    Nigeria appreciates the consultative nature of designing the Post-2015 development agenda. Earlier in the year, we supported this global outreach through inclusive consultations and surveys of a number of Nigerians who have expressed their aspirations with respect to the world they expect beyond 2015.

    A major highlight of this process, which has increased national ownership of the agenda, is the emphasis on the eradication of poverty as the overarching principle in the formulation of the successor framework.

    Indeed, tomorrow, we will be hosting a side event on the implementation of the MDGs, in collaboration with the UN, a number of African countries, and our development partners.

    As I had cause to say to this Assembly last Session, 2015 is not a destination but only a milestone to a better, safer, healthier and more compassionate world. Let us therefore renew our commitment to the processes that will develop the post-MDGs framework.

    Mr. President, This objective is of particular resonance to us in Africa where the challenges of poverty, illiteracy, food insecurity, and climate change continue to engage the attention of the political leadership.

    The good news however, is that in the last decade, a sustained democratization process across the continent has made significant difference in governance processes, institutions and structures. Today, we have a renascent Africa that has moved away from the era of dictatorship to a new dawn where the ideals of good governance and an emphasis on human rights and justice are beginning to drive state-society relations. This is the present reality of Africa that must replace the old prejudices and assumptions about the continent.

    We are firm in our conviction that democracy is fundamental to achieving the requisite stability that will enable the realisation of a sustainable post-2015 development agenda in Africa.

    This emergent Africa will require the continued support and partnership of the international community. An Africa that is no longer merely a destination for aid but one that is involved in constructive, multi-sectoral exchanges on the global stage. Our continent stands ready to continue to engage the rest of the world as a partner in formulating a global development agenda that will guarantee peace, security and stability.

    I wish to express my appreciation for Nigeria’s selection as co-Chair of the Expert Committee on Financing Sustainable Development.

    The importance of this Committee’s assignment cannot be overstated. For the post-2015 development agenda to be realistic, it must be backed by a robust financing framework which I hope will receive the strong backing of our Organisation’s more endowed members.

    Mr. President,

    Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable peace and security propels the country to action along with member states of our sub-regional and continental organisations, whenever stability is threatened in our continent. In recent years, Africa has had its share of conflicts notably in Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Somalia.

    It is noteworthy that African leaders, with the support of the international community, have demonstrated the capacity to work in concert and decisively in pursuit of long-term solutions in the affected States. While a lot more still needs to be done, we are convinced that progress is being made.

    The recent Presidential elections in Mali herald a new beginning that should translate into peace and prosperity for its people and provide a stronger basis for stability within the sub-region. I congratulate President Boubacar Keita. Similarly, the political transition process in Guinea Bissau holds much promise. Among African leaders, there is a greater determination and focus on the transformation of the continent. This is the required impetus for the achievement of development objectives

    that will benefit the people, and rebrand the continent even more positively.

    Although our world has not witnessed a global war since the establishment of the United Nations, there have been several conflicts with devastating consequences and impact in virtually all regions of the world. As global citizens, we have a sacred duty to free our world of wars, rivalries, ethnic conflicts, and religious divisions. Our collective effort in our drive for a better world will continue to bind us together.

    Mr. President,Nigeria continues to support the efforts of the United Nations in addressing the global initiative to combat the menace of the illicit trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons. We have redoubled efforts to address this onerous challenge within our borders and across the West African sub-region.

    In doing so, we also recognise the need for a broad-based global partnership in the on-going battle against trans-border crimes, including terrorism and acts of piracy. It is regrettable that these scourges are sustained by unfettered access by non-state actors to illicit small arms and light weapons with which they foster insecurity and instability across our continent. For us in Africa, these are the ‘weapons of mass destruction’!

    It is, therefore, in the light of our collective obligation and unceasing struggle to end this nightmare, that I congratulate Member-States on the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in April this year. Our hope is that upon its entry into force, the ATT would herald an era of accountable trade in conventional arms which is critical to the security of nations.

    In line with our continued commitment to this project, Nigeria has signed and ratified the Treaty. We will continue to engage other Member-States for its successful implementation.

    Mr. President, Terrorism constitutes a major threat to global peace and security, and undermines the capacity for sustained development. In Nigeria, the threat of terrorism in a few States in the North Eastern part of our country has proven to be a challenge to national stability. We will spare no effort in addressing this menace. We are therefore confronting it with every resource at our disposal with due regard for fundamental human rights and the rule of law.

    Nigeria will like to place on record its appreciation to the international community for its support in this regard. The reign of terror anywhere in the world is an assault on our collective humanity. Three days ago, the stark reality of this menace was again brought to the fore by the dastardly terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya. We must stand together to win this war together.

    Mr. President,Piracy, like terrorism, is another menace that has attained worrisome proportions, especially in Africa’s coastal waters. At the bilateral and multilateral levels, Nigeria has promoted cooperation to mitigate its impact and consequences on the security and economies of the affected coastal states.

    Indeed, in June this year, the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission met in Yaounde, Cameroon, and came up with practical steps to collectively confront the menace of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. This effort will, no doubt, require reinforcement and wider support and collaborative action on the part of our international partners.

    Mr. President,The situation in the Middle East remains volatile. The reported use of chemical weapons in the Syrian crisis, is unacceptable. Nigeria condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the use of chemical weapons that are prohibited by International Conventions.

    We applaud the current diplomatic efforts to avert further escalation of the crisis. We urge all parties involved to end the violence and seek a negotiated solution, including the instrumentality of the United Nations.

    The threat which nuclear weapons pose to the survival of the human race is to be understood not just in the context of aspirational nations but also the nations already in possession of such weapons. Nuclear weapons are as unsafe in the hands of small powers as they are in the hands of the major powers. It is our collective responsibility to urge the international community to respond to the clarion call for a peaceful universe in an age of uncertainty.

    We can attain this objective if we adopt measures and policies that will promote nuclear disarmament, protect and renew our environment, and push towards an international system that is based on trust, mutual respect and shared goals.

    Mr. President,I believe that I express the concern of many about the slow pace of effort and apparent lack of progress in the reform of the United Nations, especially the Security Council. We believe strongly, that the call for democratisation worldwide should not be for States only, but also, for International Organisations such as the UN. That is why we call for the democratization of the Security Council.

    This is desirable for the enthronement of justice, equity, and fairness; and also for the promotion of a sense of inclusiveness and balance in our world.

    Our support for the United Nations Security Council in its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security has been total and unwavering. We have, in previous membership of the Council, demonstrated both the political will and capacity to engage in key Council responsibilities. Nigeria has therefore decided to seek election for the 2014-2015 Non-Permanent Seat of the UNSC.

    I am pleased to state that Nigeria has received the endorsement of the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union. We urge this august Assembly to endorse Nigeria’s candidature.

    Mr. President, Our world continues to be confronted by pressing problems and threats. No statement that will be made during this Session can exhaust the extent of these problems. The world looks to us, as leaders, to provide hope in the midst of crisis, to provide guidance through difficult socio-political divisions, and to ensure that we live in a better world.

    We have obligations to the present generation, but we have a greater obligation to generations yet unborn who should one day inherit a world of sufficiency irrespective of the circumstances of their birth or where they reside on the globe. We must work to make that world a reality in recognition of our common heritage.

    We must strive to eradicate poverty, hunger, disease and human misery; we must eliminate the scourge of nuclear, chemical, biological, as well as small arms and light weapons. We must dedicate ourselves to working together to address global, regional and national challenges and deliver a more peaceful, equitable and prosperous world for all. It is our duty. We must not fail.

    I thank you.

     

    •Dr Jonathan is the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

  • Speakers of W’African parliament seek common front against terrorism

    Speakers of W’African parliament seek common front against terrorism

    The issue of terrorism dominated discussion at the ongoing Conference of Speakers of West African Parliaments (CSWAP).

    The conference is pushing for a common front to tackle the challenges of terrorism and small arms proliferation.

    Besides, the conference is also seeking more powers to be able to contribute meaningfully to the overall socio-economic integration process in the sub-region.

    Senate President, David Mark, who addressed the conference, set the tone as he pointed out that the region is confronted with home-grown terrorism and insurgency of immense proportion.

    He stressed that “these dastardly acts are committed right on our soil and by our own citizens; our own brothers and sisters. The nature of terrorism is such that it is difficult for us to point out where it originates and where it terminates. Put differently, terrorists and insurgents know no borders. They move in and out of countries at will. Their main consideration is to get the right environment to operate and their common enemies are the people of goodwill.”

    Mark said it was necessary for the parliament in the sub region to collaborate and find a common front in addressing terrorism and other vices, which have taken our societies backwards by several centuries.

    While commending the efforts of the executive in establishing such multi-lateral structures, both within our sub-region and beyond, he said legislature must not be left out.

    “I truly believe that our support is critical in getting the ECOWAS decision makers understand the need to follow the path of current global best practices in getting our sub-regional parliament attain law making status,” he advocated.

    He also urged the group to address three other critical issues of high turnover of legislators as well as the quality of legislations; the quality of supporting legislative aides and staff; and the financial autonomy of parliament.

    “These, if tackled expediently, I believe will improve the standard of our Parliaments and therefore strengthen our democracies.”

    Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, was particular about enhancement of the powers of the parliament, so as to be able to contribute effectively to the numerous challenges facing the region.

    He also stressed the need for coordinated policies to fight terrorism.

    “Our national parliaments must synergise to initiate, facilitate, and coordinate policies and legal regimes that fight insecurity, terrorism, separatism, bad governance, poverty, underdevelopment, and other ills that blight our international rating.

    “On insecurity in particular, I continue to emphasise that the insecurity of the part is the insecurity of the whole. We must be united, determined, and spirited in our stand and fight against terrorism and violent crimes. Our stand here must be total and defy all socio-political and religious affiliations. Terrorism must not find any foothold anywhere in the sub-region because it is anti-peace, anti-development, disreputable, and cancerous.

    “The transmutation of the ECOWAS Parliament from an advisory institution to a full legislative institution is very central to its ability to contribute meaningfully to the overall socio-economic integration process in the sub-region.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Community policing ‘ll tackle terrorism’

    ‘Community policing ‘ll tackle terrorism’

    Following the high rate of insecurity in the country, community policing is one of the best options to tackle terrorism and social vices, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Uba Ringim, said yesterday.

    Speaking during an interactive session by the Nigeria Security Exhibition and Conference (NISEC) in Abuja, he said the benefits of community policing would be felt in the war against terrorism, if well applied.

    “Most advanced countries control crime through community policing and I believe we can use community policing to tackle crime and terrorism. It will help a lot. We just need to address the issue urgently,” Ringim said.

    A senior lecturer at the University of Lagos and a member of the NISEC, Dr. Rasheed Akinyemi, said the police were unwilling to adopt community policing to combat crime because their hierarchies were afraid of losing their powers.

    According to him, insecurity cannot be tackled without addressing the socio-economic condition of citizens, stressing that the government must de-emphasise party politics and focus on youth empowerment.

    The don said NISEC would hold the first security conference in 2014, which would bring together local and international security experts and showcase the latest security products and services.

    The convener of the security conference, Maj. Gen. Dum Chong (rtd.), said it would champion public awareness and help build the required capacity as well as sharpen security manager’s skill and competence.

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar has said intelligence-led policing would assist the force in meeting its security obligation more effectively.

    Speaking at a workshop on the implementation of intelligence-led policing strategy in the Nigeria Police, the IGP said intelligence-led policing was fundamental to national security.

    According to him, the workshop would be a precursor to the transformation of the Force Intelligence Bureau in the areas of funding, capacity building and dedicated leadership to enable the bureau “drive my vision of an intelligence-led policing.”

    “An obvious indication that we are charting a new course and opening up new vistas in the world of intelligence-led policing is the establishment of a temporary Police Intelligence School in Enugu with regular courses being attended not only by our operatives, but also by members of the armed forces and other security agencies,” Abubakar said.

     

  • New Division‘ll be equipped for counter terrorism, says Army Chief

    New Division‘ll be equipped for counter terrorism, says Army Chief

    THE Army authorities have assured that the newly formed 7 Division would be fully equipped in terms of logistics and fire power for counter terrorism.

    A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier Gen. Chris Olukolade yesterday stated the Chief Of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. AzubuikeIhejirika, gave the assurance in an address to officers of the Division at the weekend.

    Ihejirika promised to ensure all units of the Division get the required integrity and cohesion from the outset.

    He commended the General Officer Commanding and his team for the professional way they managed the transition from the Joint Task Force to the 7 Division, urging them to maintain the spirit.

    The Army chief urged the formation to maintain its aggressive patrols to deny the remaining insurgents any respite or opportunity to regroup or operate.

     

  • Oteh: Legislative terrorism?

    Double jeopardy: that is the abiding lot of women who are extremely beautiful and extremely intelligent to boot, especially in this part where half the men start processing their thoughts from around their waists. Half of we men would love to have the deep, delectable damsels and the other half would rather hound them so either way, the bright and beautiful gal is doomed. Hardball confesses he is not an expert in the exotic art of feminine psychology but his hunches suggest to him that Ms Arunma Oteh’s unceasing troubles seem to lay in this – let’s call it – bar room hypothesis.

    Now consider the story, hardly was Oteh appointed as the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), about two years ago, than the body was put under a probe by the House of Representatives. The Nigerian bourse was actually at its nadir with stocks having crashed to near zero in most cases and investors worsted and disconsolate. Oteh was actually brought in to clean up the mess and restore confidence in Nigeria’s capital market. The House’s probe was headed by a very young man, Herman Hembe, who incidentally, was the chairman, House Committee on Capital Market.

    As a matter of fact, by way of back grounding and with no intention to disrespect, Hembe was probably still in high school when Oteh was making forays in international financial institutions as Nigeria’s flag-bearer. It turned out that the probe was not really a probe but an institutionalised extortionate binge in which Hembe was the leading act. On many occasions as his ‘probe’ went on Hembe demanded and received ‘assistance’ from Oteh’s SEC. Yet when they went before life television, Hembe would bully, harangue and put down big Aunty Oteh until one horrific day, right there on live television, Oteh banged the probe table and said enough was enough of this charade. Is this a probe or a soap and who really ought to be probing whom, she must have asked.

    First it was becoming a weird public show of an inquisition, second, this small fellow of an impostor didn’t know the difference between a bourse and a bus thus cannot deign to be probing something he was so illiterate about and lastly if she did not put a stop to this mess thus far and cut her losses, she would come out of it all worse than a stale pot of potage. That was how Oteh up-turned the table and spilled the beans on Hembe.

    The House probed Hembe, found him guilty and promptly removed him from the probe. A new chairman, Ibrahim El Sudi, was installed whose conclusion on Oteh was that she was not qualified to head the Commission. And verdict: Oteh must be sacked. When the Presidency would not yield to the House’s directive (or was it an order?) the lawmakers chose to force its wish on the executive by denying SEC its statutory right of a budgetary allocation in the 2013 Appropriation Bill.

    Last week, the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, noted that SEC was spending its internally generated revenue to beat the budget ban by the legislature. Muhammed described the development as “an act of impunity,” noting that the House would take up the matter when it resumes in September.

    It’s its prerogative to stick to its guns but here are a few questions the lawmakers might want to ponder as it enjoys its vacation. One, the National Assembly’s duty is largely oversight and approval; does it include termination of appointments of members of the executives? To insist that Oteh is not qualified for the job is to indict both the Senate and the Presidency; would it take orders from the executive arm to sack its own appointees? If this is not a witch hunt and undue high-handedness, does the NASS have such powers to deny a statutory government agency its due budgetary allocation? Can’t NASS see that no president would allow the legislature dictate whom to be sacked in the executive cabinet? If the House gets away with SEC, would it not someday invoke zero allocation on the Presidency too? Unless there is more to it than we know, the House would do well to rethink this seeming legislative terrorism in this Oteh affair and allow the fair lady be.