Security tightened at N’Assembly as Omo-Agege insists on return

Security has been tightened at the National Assembly in anticipation of the resumption of Ovie Omo-Agege, the senator representing Delta Central.

On Thursday, a High Court in Abuja had nullified Omo-Agege’s suspension by the senate.

It was gathered that the new security arrangement at the complex, especially around the senate chambers, is to prevent repeat of security breach as recorded on April 18, when suspected hoodlums invaded the chambers and made away with the mace.

The incident which occurred while plenary was ongoing was linked to Omo-Agege, who defied his suspension by the senate and attended the proceedings, accompanied by the alleged hoodlums.

Despite the senate’s appeal of the ruling, Omo-Agege has said he will take his seat during proceedings of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday.

Omo-Agege who fielded questions from reporters at the National Secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Monday, said thatnew attempts by the Bukola Saraki-led senate to sustain the 90-day suspension placed on him would fail.

Referring to the judgment by an Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba which nullified his suspension, he said that the declaratory order took effect from last Thursday when the decision was taken.

“As far as I am concerned, based on my knowledge of the law, that purported suspension by Saraki has been vacated with immediate effect. They have the right to appeal and they have already filed it. But they are not entitled to the equitable relief of stay of the court’s judgment.

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“He who must come to equity must go with clean hands. Their hands are not clean and that was why we got the declaratory order. There is no reason why I should not show up tomorrow. Most likely than not I will be in the Senate tomorrow,” Omo-Agege said.

The Senate had on April 12, 2018, suspended Omo-Agege for 90 legislative days, for dragging the chamber to court over the amendment to the Electoral Act 2010.

His suspension was based on is comment that amendment to section 25 of the electoral act, 2010 (as amended), bordering on reordering of elections sequence was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

On Monday, apart from full security detail witnessed in the red chamber, police officers were reportedly seen at the lobby, a development that is unusual on a non-sitting day.

Sergeants-at-arms were also seen in clusters apparently perfecting the security beef-up.

 

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