Ex-Senator, Ugbane, charges NASS to clear him of corruption

A former Senator from Kogi east senatorial district, Senator Nicholas Ugbane, on Sunday asked the National Assembly to expunge his name from the list of the former and serving senators that are facing corruption charges.

He said Senate should upgrade its database and website to remove his name from the list.

Ugbane lamented that despite being cleared by two Federal High courts close to two years now, the national assembly still left his name on the list of those that had cases to answer.

According to a statement made available to Tribune Online on Sunday, the former federal lawmaker said the development had left him depressed and a sad man.

The senator in the statement by his Media Assistant, Mr. Abel Ada-Musa said until the records are put straight by the National Assembly, he will remain a sad man.

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“Despite the decisions of two separate court sitting in Abuja, the Federal capital Terri, (FCT) discharging him of allegations of corruption in the two cases, and no appeal pending, distinguished Senator Nicholas Ugbane has continued to be an unhappy man.

This is because the records and website of the National Assembly where he served as a senator in the 5th and 6th Senate continue to reflect the pendency of the said cases.

“This statement became imperative to put matters straight and correct the wrong impression that the cases are still pending against the distinguished senator and put a smile back to the face of a man who has served his country Nigeria dutifully and honestly, but who has been unjustifiably and falsely accused.”

The statement sited the judgement of both the High Court of Justice M.N Oniyangi and justice A.I Chikere striking out and discharging him of the cases.

He also said every effort he made alongside his counsel to the national assembly to redress the situation has not received a positive result.

“Meanwhile, by two separate letters addressed to the President of the Senate of the federal republic of Nigeria and the Clerk of the National Assembly dates 11 January 2017, and 17 October 2017 respectively, the senator writes requesting for records at the legislative House to be put straight in respect of the allegations, for which he has been discharged and acquitted by two competent courts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We urge the National Assembly and particularly, the Senate to update its records and website to reflect the current state of affairs as regards the criminal allegations  via the discharge of Senator Nicholas Ugbane.”