SENATE INVASION: Ndume, Omo-Agege in hot exchange with panel members

There was a hot exchange between Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and members of the National Assembly Joint Ad hoc Committee to probe the April 18 invasion of the National Assembly by hoodlums.

The tensed meeting commenced at about 12:15pm on Tuesday, when the chairman of the committee, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, explained why Omo-Agege was invited.

He said five people who have so far testified before the committee, named Omo-Agege as the arrowhead, who led hoodlums into the Red Chamber.

He explained: “We have been set up on the issue of the invasion. We have taken the testimony of the police, mace bearer and three others. They all agreed that you brought the thugs in. It is only fair that we invite you to explain yourself.

“They said that from the entrance of the first gate, they tried to stop them. You told security that they were with you. Even at the entrance to the chamber, you told them the thugs were with you. Even the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremandu, confirmed that he saw the men coming into the chamber with you. It is only fair that we follow due process and invite you.”

Omo-Agege quickly interjected. He said he would have loved to respond to the allegations, but regretted that the case was already in court and will therefore be subjudice.

“Ordinarily, I would have loved to respond to the allegations you raised. I am here to inform you that we have gone to court. The Senate has been taken to the court. This action was commenced on the 21st of May. All the parties have been served,” he told the panel.

Responding, Na’Allah said he was yet to be served. He berated Omo-Agege for claiming to have served him the court papers despite the clear provisions stated in the law.

“I have not been served. As a lawyer, you are supposed to serve me personally. You know the procedure,” he fired.

Omo-Agege retorted: “If you don’t have a copy, I can make one available to you. I need to let you know that this matter is subjudice.”

Again, Na’Allah countered: “I am aware that service must be done personally. I knew this from my university days. I am in a position to tell you that the service has been passed. We can stay here and pretend that we have been served.

“As a senator, you know that you are opening a new chapter by stopping an arm of government from functioning or performing its duties. As a senator, you should know these things. I will take your copy, not as service, but to have it on record.”

Omo-Agege, again, responded: “The Senate has been served. The Senate President has been served. In light of that remark, I hope you are not saying that I am wrong to have approached the court.”

“You have the right to approach the court. I am only saying that it is wrong to do that in the first place,” Na’Allah explained.

A member of the committee, Hon. Akinfolarin Mayowa, said since he was not listed as a party to the suit, he was therefore at liberty to ask questions.

“I am a member of the House of Representatives. I have not been served. It means I can talk. I am aware that you brought in those thugs because you were suspended. Why did you bring in people when you could have approached a court? Why go to court now? Is that not a double standard?” He asked.

Senator Shehu Sani another member of the committee, also berated Omo-Agege. He said he had expected the Delta Central lawmaker to tell the world his version of what transpired, when thugs invaded the parliament.

Senate committee chairman on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, David Umaru, told his colleagues not to accept any court papers. He insisted that the right approach be adopted by Omo-Agege.

Before ruling on the issue, Na’Allah said that in line with Rule 5 of the Senate Standing Rules, he had the right to determine if a matter in court should be entertained by the parliament.

“As chairman, it is in my view to either suspend this hearing or go ahead. Rule 5 of the Senate Standing Rules stated this. As chairman of this committee, I have the power to determine what happens.

“At this stage, there is nothing stopping us legally. If you want to continue, fine. If you want to go, fine.”

“Because I have a pending action in court, I have decided to wait until the outcome of this litigation,” Omo-Agege responded.

Read Also: Saraki ‘thinks he owns the Senate’, I regret supporting his emergence— Ndume

He, thereafter, left the hearing room without responding to any questions posed to him by members of the panel.

On his part, former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, who is also facing the probe panel, was called to testify. He opposed an open discussion and called for a closed door session.

“I am here in honour of my colleagues. I want to talk to my colleagues. I move that we go into a closed session,” he moved.

“This is a clear order. As a senator, he can call for that. I respectfully ask that we go into a closed door session,” Na’Allah obliged.

Meanwhile, the committee has mandated a Commissioner of Police in charge of Investigative Monitoring Unit in the Office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Abu Sani to produce the suspects on Wednesday.

The suspects are expected to testify behind closed doors who ordered the invasion of the Senate and other conspirators named in the incidence.

By Ehisuan Odia…

 

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