More troubles may be in the offing for the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, as the Senate on Tuesday resolved to tackle him for his refusal to honour the invitation extended to him to explain the rationale behind the prosecution of Principal Officers of the senate at the FCT High Court, over allegations of forgery of the 2015 Senate Standing Rules.
The development follows Senate Committee Report on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters headed by Senator David Umaru(APC), Niger North Senatorial District.
David Umaru who moved a motion through Order 43 of 2015 Standing Rules submitted that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami had turned down the invitation on two consecutive times.
“Mr President, Distinguished Colleagues, I want oblige the Senate to consider the Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the imminent threat to Nigerian Democracy,” he said.
Umaru explained that on the 21st June, 2016, the Chamber resolved that the AGF be mandated to explain the cause behind his decision to prosecute Saraki and 3 others for Senate Standing Rules, which made the Committee to invite him on 23rd June, 2016, but he wrote asking for extension, but did not honour the meeting of 30th July, 2016, a situation he said, was undermining Nigeria democracy.
He lamented that the AGF sent an Aide, Mr. Obono Oba, wh he said was walked out.
He however, revealed that Senior Special Assistant (Senate), Ita Enang while reaching out to the Committee on the issue had apologised on behalf of the AGF, while asking for more time for him (AGF) to appear before the Committee.
In his remark, Saraki wondered if the Chief Law Officer of the Federation could undermine the Senate as to shun in citronella.
He therefore warned that the Senate would the AGF will be sanctioned in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, if he refuses Committee’s invitation yet again.
He urged the Committee to quickly invite him and revert within one week.
“The Constitution is very clear on the issue of Powers of the Senate in dealing with Public Officers and I cannot fathom the Chief Law Officer who should know to turn down Senate invitation. He should be given time within one week to appear and if he refuses again, the Senate will sanction him accordingly,” Saraki maintained.
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