The Senate has moved to issue arrest warrants for the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, after they failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
Other agencies at risk of similar actions include Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, and Sally Best Properties Limited.
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This decision was prompted by Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, who expressed frustration during a plenary session.
He highlighted that multiple invitations had been ignored by these officials and agencies, despite petitions filed by aggrieved Nigerians or corporate entities needing to be addressed.
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In a motion under Senate Order 42, Senator Imasuen called for the issuance of arrest warrants for those who continue to disregard the Senate’s invitations.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio supported the motion, citing Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the Senate authority to take such actions.
“You already have the power under Section 89 of the Constitution. Use it to issue arrest warrants against any head of agencies refusing to appear before the public petitions committee,” Akpabio affirmed.
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Senator Imasuen confirmed that fresh letters of invitation had been sent to the officials, warning that failure to comply would result in the issuance of arrest warrants.
He also mentioned that the committee would soon address a petition involving a student whose JAMB results were withheld due to an allegedly unfair report from an examination supervisor.
