The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and other top officials face the risk of arrest warrants for allegedly ignoring multiple Senate summons.
The Senate directed its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to issue arrest warrants for these officials, along with executives from Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, and Sally Best Properties Limited, for failing to honour invitations extended to them. The summons were related to petitions against their respective agencies.
Chairman of the Senate panel, Neda Imasuen, disclosed that the Senate authorised the committee to compel the appearance of the non-compliant officials. Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, expressed that the disobedience of the officials was impeding the committee’s ability to address complaints raised by aggrieved Nigerians and corporate bodies.
The Senate’s decision followed a motion presented by Imasuen under order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules, highlighting the repeated failure of the agencies’ leaders to respond to the committee’s requests for explanations regarding the petitions. As a result, he sought the Senate’s approval for the issuance of arrest warrants.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio approved the request, reminding Imasuen that Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution grants the committee the authority to issue arrest warrants. He emphasised the importance of the summoned officials appearing before the committee to ensure justice and fairness in addressing the concerns raised in the petitions.
“Please use it by issuing a warrant of arrest against any head of agency refusing to appear before the public petition committee,” Akpabio stated. He underscored that their appearances were essential for resolving the issues presented before the Senate through its Public Petitions Committee.
