Summons AGF
By Ezrel Tabiowo and Taiye Odewale
Abuja
The Senate yesterday descended very heavily on President Muhamnadu Buhari over the alleged forgery case instituted against its leadership, by the Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), last week.
It accordingly directed its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matter, to immediately summon the AGF to appear before it over the planned move to have both the Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja for prosecution.
The AGF, as declared by the Senate, would before its committee, explain and justify with evidence, the basis for his action and why it does not constitute gross misconduct, incompetence, contempt of court and abuse of office.
It also declared unequivocally that the Senate Standing Rule 2015 used for the inauguration of the 8th Senate on June 9, 2015, was not forged, but authentic in all its ramifications, saying “if it is considered as a forged document, then all legislative actions taken so far with the document, are forged, like the 2016 budget approval, confirmation of ministerial nominees, screening and confirmation of INEC chairman, etc.”
In a motion moved to that effect by Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West), the Senate condemned, in all its entirety, surreptitious attempts being made by the executive arm of government, under President Buhari, to erode the independence of the parliament, by forcing on them a leadership change through the back door.
Melaye, in the motion entitled: “Imminent Threat to Our Democracy as it relates to the alleged invitation of our presiding officers by a court of law in Abuja,” said, the ongoing systematic degradation and abuse of office of the leadership of the National Assembly by the
executive arm of government, through intimidation and harassment, was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.
“This Senate notes regrettably, that the executive arm of government as presently constituted, is yet to come to terms with the constitutional tenets of separation of powers and the independence of the legislative arm of government,” he said.
The Senate, specifically noted in the motion that the current attempt to arraign its leadership over an internal matter by spuriously claiming a forgery that does not exist, is a smokescreen for an impending attempt to overthrow the legislative arm, which will be strongly resisted.
In carpeting Buhari, the Senate said:
“The Senate is disturbed that instead of attending to the myriads of problems confronting the nation, including the escalating cost of living, upsurge in extremism, worsening insecurity, rising ethnic divisions, skyrocketing unemployment, declining national productivity and a nose-diving economy, the executive has continued to be hell-bent on chasing rats, while the federation burns.
“This Senate, therefore, acknowledges the grave implications this emerging trends pose to the security, continued existence, unity and survival of our dear country.”
Melaye also accused the executive of lacking in respect for the judiciary as exhibited to the National Assembly, which according to him, were geared towards one- man-rule as against participatory governance.
“My colleagues, Mr. President, this Senate notes the lack of respect for judicial decisions and the resolutions of the National Assembly by the executive which is beginning to arrogate to itself, absolute powers of the federation.
“Particularly, this Senate notes further that the judiciary had, through several rulings in a recent case suit no AFC/ABJ/CS/646/2015 on the same issue, warned the executive arm from treading on the path of criminalising or interfering in the running of the internal affairs
of the Senate.”
In their contributions to the motion seconded by Senator Bassey Akpan (PDP, Akwa Ibom), North-east senators across party lines supported it overwhelmingly.
However, in his remarks, before putting the two adopted prayers to vote, the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, warned those presently in public office and using it to persecute others, to know that “no condition is permanent.”
“Thank you very distinguished colleagues. I am going to put the question; I don’t intend to say much because I am involved. I just want to add that those who use their public office today to persecute others must realise that no condition is permanent.”