SENATE FORGERY: Malami, Lawal, Others ignore Senate’s Summon

THE Senate’s summon directed at the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal and two other ministers to appear before it over the prosecution of its principal officers in the court over forgery of Senate rules were ignored.

Other two ministers mandated to appear alongside are Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama; and Mr. Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications...

The Senate’s summon followed a motion brought under matter of urgent public importance by Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West) alleging that the federal government’s action was tantamount to autocracy and attempt to intimidate the legislature from carrying on its statutory duties of oversight functions to the executive.

Malami was billed to appear before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, while Lawal and  Onyeama were summoned to clarify grey areas in the list of ambassadorial nominees recently sent to the Senate for screening and onward confirmation.
Meanwhile, 16 senators who are members of the factional All Progressives Congress (APC) Unity Forum, yesterday, reiterated its support to President Buhari, shortly after their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterparts said they were withdrawing their support for the president.

Speaking at a press conference after a closed door meeting, Senate Minority Whip, Olusola Adeyeye, said their support to the anti-corruption war of the president is unparalled.

“We are shocked at the totally partisan reaction of our colleagues from the minority party, PDP, to the on-going investigations and recovery of public funds meant for the prosecution of the war against insurgency. Contrary to the assertion of our PDP colleagues, the investigation is not a partisan war against a particular political party”, he said.