The Senate has formally condemned and dissociated itself from comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole describing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as ‘a bunch of criminals and thieves’.
According to the upper chamber, the remarks do not represent the official position, resolution, opinion, finding, or determination of the upper legislative chamber.
The clarification was contained in resolutions during the plenary on Thursday following a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.
The Senate also declared that no Senate committee has the authority to issue, authorise, or execute a warrant of arrest except in strict compliance with the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and with the express approval of the President of the Senate.
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The resolutions come barely 24 hours after the Senate Committee on Public Accounts reportedly considered and recommended the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, over allegations that he failed to honour invitations extended by the committee.
During deliberations on the motion, lawmakers strongly condemned the comments attributed to Senator Oshiomhole, describing them as an unwarranted attack on the character of public officers.
The Senate maintained that such statements were personal opinions and should not be construed as the position of the institution.
Several senators, including the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, cautioned the Edo State lawmaker against making remarks capable of undermining the integrity of public institutions.
They urged lawmakers to remain guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senate standing orders in the discharge of their legislative responsibilities.
The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to due process, legislative decorum, and adherence to established legal procedures in carrying out its oversight functions.
Some lawmakers are asking that he (Oshiomhole) publicly withdraw his statement
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