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Senate threatens Works Minister, HoS, others with arrest warrant
The Minister of Works, David Umahi; Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack; Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and others have been threatened with the issuance of a warrant of arrest by the Senate for failing to appear before its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
Other chief executives who also risked the warrant of arrest are those of Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company and Sally Best Properties Limited.
The arrest threat was a sequel to the complaint of the chairman of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), about the refusal of the chief executives to honour invitations sent to them on petitions against them.
In a motion moved through Order 42 of the Senate’s Standing Rules, Senator Imasuen lamented that several invitations were sent to heads of the affected agencies to appear before his committee for explanations or defence on petitions filed against them by aggrieved Nigerians or corporate bodies were ignored.
He then requested the Senate to mandate his committee to issue a warrant of arrest against the recalcitrant chief executives.
Responding to the request, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said: “You already have the power as provided for by Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution. Please use it by issuing warrant of arrest against any head of agency refusing to appear before the public petition committee.
“Appearances of the invited people before the committee are very important for justice and fairness on issues raised against them in the petitions before the Senate through the Public Petitions Committee.”
After securing the mandate of the Senate on the issuance of warrants of arrest against heads of the affected agencies, Senator Imasuen told journalists that a list of the affected agencies would be released at the appropriate time, which he did on Sunday through a statement.
In the statement, he said: “Fresh letters of invitations have been sent to heads of the affected agencies, upon which warrant of arrest would be issued if any one of them fails to appear.”
He added that aside from the warrant of arrest to be issued against heads of the affected agencies, his committee would, this week, expeditiously treat a petition filed by Mr Onyebuchi Obioha on withholding of her daughter’s result by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, based on an alleged vindictive report written against her by the examination supervisor.
President Bola Tinubu has departed Galeao Air force Basa (SBGL) Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, for Abuja after attending the 19th G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The President is due to arrive at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 10.00 p.m. (Nigerian time).
President Tinubu had attended the G20 Leaders summit where he endorsed the global alliance against hunger and poverty, which he said was pivotal.
The President also held bilateral talks with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who commended his administration’s economic reforms and their positive indicators.
He also presided over the signing of a 2.5 billion dollar Letter of Intent between the Nigerian government and the JBS S.A., a Brazilian company and one of the top three largest meat processing companies in the World.
The president was accompanied in the trip by senior government officials including the minister of foreign affairs yusuf Tuggar, the national security adviser, Nuhu RIBADU and many others.
In commemoration of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the House of Representatives will lead a landmark march on Monday, November 25, 2024, along with other strategic activities as part of its unwavering commitment to eradicating gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement issued by the HoR spokesperson, Rotimi Akin, Jr on Saturday.
According to him the march, which starts at 8:00 AM, will bring together over 1,000 participants – including Representatives and members of the public – on a symbolic walk from the National Assembly to the Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
This demonstration of solidarity will culminate in the submission of a petition to the Inspector General of Police, demanding decisive action to safeguard vulnerable populations and ensure accountability for perpetrators of GBV.
“This march and the associated activities are not just symbolic gestures, they reflect our resolve and call to action against gender-based violence head-on,” said Hon. Abbas Tajudeen,, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“We stand united in the fight to protect the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable. Together, through collective action and legislative reforms, we can build a society where safety, justice, and equality prevail.”
Beyond the march, the 10th House of Representatives in alignment with its Legislative Agenda (2023 – 2027) has outlined *key activities to sustain awareness and action throughout the 16 Days of Activism:*
1. *Sash Demonstration Ceremony* – Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Members of the House will don orange sashes, symbolising solidarity with the fight against GBV, during plenary sessions throughout the campaign period.
2. *Convergence of State Assembly Speakers* – Monday, December 9, 2024
A strategic meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, will bring together Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to discuss legislative strategies for combating GBV nationwide.
3. *National Citizens’ Summit and GBV Conference 2024 -* Tuesday, December 10, 2024
This summit will conclude the 16 Days of Activism with discussions on constitutional reforms and securing endorsements for gender equality initiatives championed by the House.
The House of Representatives invites all Nigerians to *participate in this historic march on Monday, November 25, 2024.* Participants will receive orange T-shirts—the official colour of the United Nations campaign to end violence against women—symbolising hope for a future free of violence.
*Details of the March:*
• *Date:* Monday, November 25, 2024
• *Time:* 8:00 AM
• *Starting Point:* Speaker’s Car Park, National Assembly
• *End Point:* Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Headquarters
Gender-based violence continues to devastate families and communities across Nigeria. The 10th House of Representatives however, remains steadfast in driving systemic reforms, fostering collaboration, and championing accountability to address this pervasive issue.
Together, let us take a decisive stand for justice, equality, and the protection of human rights, paving the way for a safer, more equitable Nigeria.
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