The Nigeria Senate has condemned the frequent attacks on its members for performing their constitutional roles.
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It therefore directed the Committee on Police Affairs to investigate the attacks on its members, especially Senator Matthew Uroghide (PDP-Edo) in Benin on April 27, 2018.
Uroghide had through a Point of Order narrated how thus molested him Benin over his call for Buhari’s impeachment for spending $1billion Excess Crude Fund without the National Assembly.
He said that the attack was carried out in the presence of the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Commissioner of Police, who did nothing to stop the hoodlums or protect him.
After listening to Uroghide’s pathetic story, the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, said that the frequency at which parliamentarians were being molested and harassed by law enforcement agents and hoodlums was worrisome.
Saraki said that it was appalling that lawmakers could be treated with disrespect or harassed over matters addressed in the chamber despite the immunity they enjoy.
“There is no colleague here that will not agree that we condemn the act of molestation or harassment.
“The Legislative and Privileges Act gives us immunity over whatever we say in plenary. It is unfortunate.
“I am happy that the Chairman of Police Affairs’ Committee is here. He should make sure that those behind the attack are brought to book,” Saraki said.
While feeding questions from journalists, Uroghide asked the Commissioners of Police in Edo State to fish out the culprits.
Citing Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules (2015) as amended, Uroghide lamented the humiliation he suffered in the hands of some thugs at Benin Airport in Edo State over comments he made on the floor of the Senate on recent purchase of 12 aircraft by President Muhammadu Buhari without recourse to National Assembly for approval.
Uroghide had on April 26 at plenary asked the Senate to invoke Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) over alleged illegal withdrawal of $1billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) and the spending of $496million of the money on Super Tucano Aircraft from the United States of America (USA).
Again, the lawmaker had while referring to Orders 15, 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, explained that President Buhari violated Section 80 sub-sections 1,2, 3 and 4 of the Constitution on the withdrawal and spending of monies from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation without appropriation.
