The Senate has announced its decision to issue a warrant of arrest for some agencies for their incessant refusal to honour lawmakers’ summonses.
The PUNCH exclusively gathered that the agencies penned down for invitation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Priviledges and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), are the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, the Nigerian Diaspora Commissions, and the Union Homes Savings And Loans Plc.
Others are the Federal Ministry Of Works, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Sally Best Properties Limited, and the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
Senator Imasuen had informed the Senate at the Wednesday plenary of his intention to issue a warrant of arrest against the aforementioned agencies.
Quoting Order 42 from the Senate Rule Book, he said, “By the indulgence of the Senate and the leave of the President of the Senate, a senator may make a personal explanation although there be no question before the Senate, but no controversial matter may be brought forward nor any debate arise upon the explanation.
“The terms of the proposed statement shall be submitted in due course to the President of the Senate. May I seek your permission, Mr. President?”
Explaining the need to issue a warrant of arrest on the agencies, he said, “I needed also to inform the House and the Senate President duly that because of the consistent refusal of some officers of some Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to attend meetings when they are called to attend our hearings, that I am going to be issuing a warrant of arrest to prepare these errand officers to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
“So, Mr. President, I will seek your indulgence in this matter to allow the committee to do as it is supposed to do in this regard. Thank you, Mr. President.”
Responding to his Point of Order, the Senate President, GodWill Akpabio, sustained his request.
Akpabio said, “Well, distinguished colleagues, Senator, Neda Imasuen came under Order 42 just to inform the hallowed chambers that he had noticed some inconsistency in some heads of MDAs to appear before the Committee on Public Petitions whenever they are called upon and he wanted to inform us that he would proceed to utilise the powers of this committee to issue the necessary warrant to compel them to appear.
“You have informed us of your intention to do so. So, your point of order is sustained.”
