The House of Representatives has urged the Presidency to seek interpretation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act before a court, following the Senate’s rejection of Mr Ibrahim Magu as chairman.
The House also resolved that the executive should refrain from making statements that connote the usurpation of the judiciary’s powers considering its negative effects on the doctrine of separation of powers.
This followed a motion, yesterday, in Abuja, by Rep. Leo Ogor (Delta-PDP), on the “need to prevent erosion of the Doctrine of Separation of Powers”.
Moving the motion, Ogor explained that by the clear provision of Section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act, the chairman of the anti-corruption agency shall be nominated by the President subject to the confirmation of the Senate.
“Convinced that the EFCC Act is an Act of the National Assembly that can only be set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction, and until that happens, the law remains in force and binding on all persons and authorities in the country.
“Furthermore, the Executive Arm of Government has not filed any proceeding in any court to challenge the provision of Section 2 (3) of the EFCC (established) Act of 2004.”
Ogor said that under the doctrine of separation of powers, the interpretation of the Constitution and Acts of parliament was the sole responsibility of the judiciary and not that of any person or official of the other arms of government.
He said that the statement credited to Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, was capable of eroding the doctrine of separation of powers with its obvious implication of instituting a dictatorship in the country.
Contributing to the motion, Rep. Simon Arabo (Kaduna-APC), said that there was need by the executive to toe the line of separation of powers.
Also, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (Rivers-PDP), said that people should not continue to upgrade opinions to be actual facts.
“Government should be responsive and listen to the opinions of the masses,” he said.
The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.
The House, therefore, mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation of its resolution.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives, yesterday, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to prosecute the persons behind the assassination attack on Senator Dino Melaye.
The call is the outcome of a motion sponsored by Rep. Herman Hermbe (APC Benue) and unanimously adopted by the House.
Moving the motion, Hembe condemned the assassination attempt on his colleague and described the move as ‘needless.’
“It is condemnable that unknown men stormed Melaye’s residence on April 14, and shot sporadically at his building and cars for over an hour.
“Despite several calls to the Divisional Police Officer of Aiyetero Gbedde Police Division, the police did not come until the gunmen exhausted themselves and escaped.
“Melaye survived what appeared to have been an attempted assassination by the sheer grace of God,’’ Hembe said.
In his contribution to the debate on the motion, Rep. Solomon Ahwinahwi (PDP-Delta) said, “Dino must have said so many things, but it is not enough to kill him.
“I think there is need for us to invite the Inspector-General of Police to explain the circumstances surrounding the criminal act.”
On his part, Rep. Anayo Nnebe (PDP-Anambra), urged the Police to intensify efforts to stem cases of assassination in the country.
“We are all potential victims if the trend is not checked.
“Dino was lucky that the attack did not consume him; the next person may not be lucky,’’ Nnebe added.
The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, referred the motion to the House committees on Legislative Compliance and Police Affairs for further legislative action.
He urged members of the committees to report back to the House within four weeks.