Reps summon Attorney-General over Judges arrests
House of Representatives, on Tuesday, passed a resolution mandating the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to appear before it over the sting operation that saw the Department of State Security Service (DSS), arresting serving judges and justices in the federation.
The action followed a motion moved by Rep. Kingsley Chinda, PDP, Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers titled “ Urgent Need To Investigate The Invasion And Arrest of Judicial Officers For Alleged Corruption And Similar Incidences by the State Security Service,SSS”.
The House action did not come without resistance as Rep Mojeed Olujimi, APC, Osun moved for an Order of Privilege to counter Chinda’s motion immediately it was seconded by Rep. Gabriel Onyereri, APGA, Anambra.
Olujimi Citing Sections 4 and 6 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the law maker argued that his privilege as a lawmaker has been violated as the matter in question is not of national importance.
His statement on the floor came with boos by fellow lawmakers which made him sought for protection from Speaker Yakubu Dogara who however down his plea.
According to the Speaker: “I cannot protect you as the House Rule is very clear on this since the House has already voted on this motion. You have to come by way of a motion to correct what you intend to correct”
The speaker did not allow for contributions, saying the house would have to investigate the matter first before arriving at a conclusion.
“Lawmakers should maintain fidelity to the laws. They are custodians to determine if the laws were breached,” he said.
It was at this point that the Speaker called on Rep. Chinda to commence debate on the Motion.
Chinda thereafter, told his colleagues that the essence of his motion is to ensure that an adhoc committee is set up to probe the DSS invasion of the residences of the judges.
“We are aware of various media reports of the invasion of the residences and arrest of some judges of the Ferderal High courts and Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the wee hours of Friday October 8 at Abuja, Gombe, Enugu, Sokoto, Kano and Port Harcourt.
“We are also aware of the press release by the spokesperson of the SSS confirming this worrisome incident and the reason stated therein.
“We are aware of the provisions of Section 153(1) (I) and part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 (as amended), establishing the NJC with powers to regulate and discipline judicial officers in the country.
“The powers of the SSS as enumerated in sections (2) (3) and (6) of the national security agencies act 1986; which does not include the investigation and prosecution of corruption and abuse of office,”
“The committee is expected to report to Nigerians, whether the DSS had the statutory powers to carry out such an invasion”. He said.
He expressed dismay that neither the attorney-general nor the National Judicial Commission , NJC, was contacted before the raids were carried out.
The house adopted the motion after it was put to a voice vote by Dogara, the presiding officer.
The lawmakers also resolved that an ad hoc committee should be set up to investigate the invasion carried out by the DSS and report back its findings to Nigerians.
The action followed a motion moved by Rep. Kingsley Chinda, PDP, Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers titled “ Urgent Need To Investigate The Invasion And Arrest of Judicial Officers For Alleged Corruption And Similar Incidences by the State Security Service,SSS”.
The House action did not come without resistance as Rep Mojeed Olujimi, APC, Osun moved for an Order of Privilege to counter Chinda’s motion immediately it was seconded by Rep. Gabriel Onyereri, APGA, Anambra.
Olujimi Citing Sections 4 and 6 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the law maker argued that his privilege as a lawmaker has been violated as the matter in question is not of national importance.
His statement on the floor came with boos by fellow lawmakers which made him sought for protection from Speaker Yakubu Dogara who however down his plea.
According to the Speaker: “I cannot protect you as the House Rule is very clear on this since the House has already voted on this motion. You have to come by way of a motion to correct what you intend to correct”
The speaker did not allow for contributions, saying the house would have to investigate the matter first before arriving at a conclusion.
“Lawmakers should maintain fidelity to the laws. They are custodians to determine if the laws were breached,” he said.
It was at this point that the Speaker called on Rep. Chinda to commence debate on the Motion.
Chinda thereafter, told his colleagues that the essence of his motion is to ensure that an adhoc committee is set up to probe the DSS invasion of the residences of the judges.
“We are aware of various media reports of the invasion of the residences and arrest of some judges of the Ferderal High courts and Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the wee hours of Friday October 8 at Abuja, Gombe, Enugu, Sokoto, Kano and Port Harcourt.
“We are also aware of the press release by the spokesperson of the SSS confirming this worrisome incident and the reason stated therein.
“We are aware of the provisions of Section 153(1) (I) and part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 (as amended), establishing the NJC with powers to regulate and discipline judicial officers in the country.
“The powers of the SSS as enumerated in sections (2) (3) and (6) of the national security agencies act 1986; which does not include the investigation and prosecution of corruption and abuse of office,”
“The committee is expected to report to Nigerians, whether the DSS had the statutory powers to carry out such an invasion”. He said.
He expressed dismay that neither the attorney-general nor the National Judicial Commission , NJC, was contacted before the raids were carried out.
The house adopted the motion after it was put to a voice vote by Dogara, the presiding officer.
The lawmakers also resolved that an ad hoc committee should be set up to investigate the invasion carried out by the DSS and report back its findings to Nigerians.
