Senate threatens Works Minister, HoS, others with warrant

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For allegedly ignoring invitations to appear before one of its committees, the Senate at plenary last week passed a resolution to issue a warrant of arrest against the Minister of Works, David Umahi, the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and certain Chief Executives of public agencies.

The Senate resolution was on the heels of complaints by the Senator representing Edo South and Chairman of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen.

Speaking on the floor of the Red Chamber, Senator Imasuen expressed disaffection over perceived disregard for his committee summons by the Minister of Works and the Head of Service, amongst others whom he declared have refused to honour invitations sent to them on petitions against them before his committee.

The lawmaker, in a motion raised under Order 42 of the Senate’s standing rules, expressed concern that several invitations sent to heads of the affected agencies to appear before his committee for explanations or defence on petitions filed against them by aggrieved Nigerians or corporate bodies were ignored.

He then requested the Senate to mandate his committee to issue a warrant of arrest against the recalcitrant chief executives.

While granting Senator Imasuen’s request, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, noted that such a warrant of arrest was in line with the provisions of the Constitution.

He said, “You already have the power as provided for by Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution. Please use it by issuing a warrant of arrest against any head of the agency refusing to appear before the public petition committee.

“Appearances of the invited people before the committee are very important for justice and fairness on issues raised against them in the petitions before the Senate through the Public Petitions Committee.”

In a statement on Sunday, the Chairman of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions said he was ready to walk his talks as fresh letters have been sent to the affected Minister and heads of agencies to appear before his Committee.

“Fresh letters of invitation have been sent to heads of the affected agencies, upon which a warrant of arrest would be issued if any one of them fails to appear.”

Other affected public agencies whose chief executives have a risk warrant of arrest are Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, and Sally Best Properties Limited.

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