The Senate yesterday had another spectacular session as it boldly disassociated itself from Warrant of Arrest issued by its committee on Public Accounts against the former Group Chief Executive Officer ( GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company ( NNPCL) , Mele Kyari .
The upper chamber also distanced itself from the words of the Senator representing Edo North, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who at the investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts with the Management of NNPCL refered to former officials of the Company as “bunch of criminals and thieves.”
The Senate in this action said the Committee failed to folllow Senate procedures as no Committee of the Senate has the mandate to proclaim or issue Warrant of Arrest on anybody under investigation without initial endorsement of the President of the Senate .
Barely 24 hours earlier, the Public Accounts Committee chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwabo, had in continuation of investigation on queries raised against NNPCL by the office of Auditor General of the Federation as contained in audit reports of 2017 to 2023, had session with former top management of the National oil company where Oshiomhole as member, made negative comments on it and the committee resolved to issue arrest warrant against Kyari.
The Senate Committee ‘s resolution attracted the wrath of leadership of the Senate and was nullified following a motion moved to that effect by Leader of the Senate , Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
The Senate leader who at the plenary raised the motion through point of order on urgent national importance , noted the urgent need to preserve the institutional authority of the Senate, ensure compliance with the Legislative House’s Powers and Privileges Act, and safeguard the principles of fair hearing, due process, and parliamentary impartiality in legislative oversight proceedings.
“While the Senate possesses extensive investigative and oversight powers, such powers must be exercised in a manner that does not create the appearance of bias, prejudice, prejudgment, or predetermined conclusions regarding any person or institution under investigation”, he said .
He pointedly told the Senate that the Warrant of Arrest issued against Kyari was in contradiction with legislative procedures and cannot stand .
He condemned the labeling of the NNPCL.as bunch of criminals and thrives .
“Such procedural irregularities may expose Senate proceedings to avoidable legal challenges and diminish public confidence in the institution.
“Senate is also concerned that statements suggesting the guilt of criminal culpability of any person or institution before the condition of investigations may prejudice proceedings and create the impression that conclusions have already been reached.
“Therefore Senate must at all times, uphold the constitutional principles of due process, fair hearing, parliamentary neutrality, and the rule of law in the discharge of its oversight responsibilities”, he stressed.
Bamidele’s submissions were strongly supported by the Deputy President of the Senate , Barau Jibrin, the Whip of the Senate , Tahir Monguno , Senator Adamu Aliero who described Oshiomhole’s comments as reckless and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who moved that Oshiomhole should be told to withdraw the comment.
However, Senator Oshiomhole in his response said the Committee resolution was not taken without recognition of the Senate Leadership’s role , which he said was to be tabled to the Senate Leadership and ratified by the Senate at plenary.
He said he made the disparaging comment on NNPC under extreme provocation triggered by equally disparaging comments made against the Senate and Senators by the former Chief Financial Officer of NNPCL , Alhaji Umar Ajiya during the investigative session .
The Senate went ahead to approve the prayers of the motion disassociating itself from Senator Adams Oshiomhole ‘s statement and cancelled the daud Warrant of Arrest on former GCEO of NNPC,.
The upper chamber urged all committees and members of the Senate to exercise restraint in public statements relating to ongoing investigations.
