The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday inaugurated the joint ad hoc committee of the National Assembly to probe the invasion of Senate wing of the National Assembly and the stealing of the Red Chambers mace.
Sources hinted The Eagle Online that the conclusion of the work of the probe panel will see to the expulsion of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege from the 8th Senate.
The Senate’s spokesman, Senator Abdullahi Sabi, had in statement indicted Omo-Agege over the stolen mace and invasion of the chamber.
In his inauguration address, Saraki stated that those who attacked the Senate on April 18, 2018 were led by a serving senator.
He said: “The events of the 18th of April, 2018, will go down as one of the darkest days of our democracy. The precincts of the National Assembly is not just a place where the National Assembly meets, it is the symbol of our liberty and freedom from autocracy and the base of our democracy.
However, The Eagle Online reliably gathered that the inauguration is just a formality as the Senate leadership has concluded plans to expel Omo-Agege from the 8th Senate.
The Senate had on April 12, 2018 suspended Omo-Agege for 90 legislative days for dragging the chamber to court over the amendment to the Electoral Act 2010, which seeks to reshuffle the sequence of polls during a general election.
The suspension of Omo-Agege is already in court and the judgement is expected to be delivered on May 10.
At last hearing in court on the matter, the Attorney of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said Senate had no right to suspend Omo-Agege.
Saraki said at the inauguration of the probe panel: “The events of the 18th of April 2018 will go down as one of the darkest days of our democracy. The precincts of the National Assembly is not just a place where the National Assembly meets, it is the symbol of our liberty and freedom from autocracy and the base of our democracy.
“This should not happen. It should never have happened. The violation of this solemn place, the symbol of our liberty to have a government by the representatives of our people for our people by a group of mobsters and criminals cannot simply be ignored. It has been inferred in many quarters that this group of thugs and urchins were led by a serving distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is most despicable and unspeakable.
“It is clear and remains the duty of the legislature when faced with behaviours that undermine its fundamental integrity like this one that the legislature acts to restore the integrity of the institution. We owe it as a duty not only to this present National Assembly but also those to precede it, that the legislative process is purged of this dirt and the legislature restored to its full place of dignity. This is a duty that must be achieved. We cannot let a precedence proceed from this. Everyone involved from conception to execution of this heinous crime must be brought to book.
“This committee, therefore must see its charge as pivotal to the restoration of the sanctity, the preservation of the dignity of the National Assembly and the restoration of the security, integrity and moral authority of the National Assembly.
“To the Committee, I make this charge to be thorough, fair and courageous in the discharge of this assignment. The Senate has deliberately considered your pedigree for this assignment, knowing fully well the enormity of the job ahead. You have been chosen also because we have a great task ahead, to think outside of the box to take lawmaking back to the people through creative interventions.”
– Emmanuel Leke