The Senate has decided to issue arrest warrants for the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, the Federation’s Head of Service, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, filed complaints that resulted in this verdict.
Other public entities whose heads may face arrest warrants include Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, and Sally Best Properties Limited.
Imasuen complained that many invites given to these ministries, agencies, and personnel to resolve complaints brought against them by dissatisfied Nigerians or corporate groups had been routinely disregarded.
In a resolution under Senate Order 42, the legislator expressed anger with these officials’ reluctance to accept the Senate’s invitations and urged the Senate to authorise the issuing of arrest warrants.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio swiftly accepted the motion, citing Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which authorises the Senate to take such action.
“You already have the power as provided by Section 89 of the Constitution. Please use it by issuing a warrant of arrest against any head of agencies refusing to appear before the public petition committee,” Akpabio stated.
