There was a rowdy session at the
senate on Tuesday, making the upper legislative chamber to postpone the
confirmation of some nominees of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC).
Chukwuka Utazi, chairman of the
senate committee on anti-corruption, had presented a report on the screening of
the nominees by his committee..
The committee had recommended
that the senate confirm Ndasule Moses, Lawan Mamman, Galadanci Najib and
Adeleke Rafiu as members of the EFCC.
But senators from the southern
part of the country protested.
Speaking after the
anti-corruption chairman presented his report, Victor Umeh, senator
representing Anambra central, said the nominees should not be confirmed because
the south-east and south-south were excluded.
“The south-south and south-east
are not accommodated in the commission. On the issue of the fight against
corruption – it involves all parts of Nigeria,” Umeh said.
“If you look at the composition,
Mr President some people will think that the fight against corruption is
instituted against them. There is need to take people from other geo-political
zones.”
He noted that Ibrahim Magu,
acting chairman of the commission; and Olanipkekun Olukoyede, secretary of the
commission, are from the north-east and south-west respectively.
The senator said the four
nominees to be confirmed are neither from the south-south or south-east.
Responding, Utazi said a
committee set up to look at the president’s alleged lopsided appointments had
“gone underground and refused to present a report”.
Also, Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator
representing Abia south, said the consideration of the nominees should be
stepped down until it is amended.
Ali Ndume, senator representing
Borno south, said Utazi should have drawn the attention of the senate
leadership to the matter instead of bringing a report urging them to confirm
the nominees.
At this point, both Utazi and
Isah Misau, senator representing Bauchi central, interrupted Ndume.
“We must not divide Nigeria,”
Misau said. While Utazi was heard saying: “I have the floor, go and sit down.”
“You have a rowdy floor,” another
senator said.
The disorderliness went on for
about 10 minutes before and this prompted the lawmakers to go into a
closed-door session abruptly.
When they emerged from the
closed-door session, Senate President Bukola Saraki announced that it had been
agreed that the confirmation of the EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and
Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) nominees should be suspended for
further legislative input.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com