The Senate on Wednesday made a u-turn by mandating its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to investigate the arrest of six judges by the Department of State Services.
The Senate had last week rejected the prayer to investigate the invasion of judges residences by operatives of the DSS.
At the plenary on Wednesday, the Chairman of the committee, Senator David Umaru, told the lawmakers that it is pertinent to invite the Judges so that answers can be provided to some questions.
Umaru said: “By virtue of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Order 96, Rule 37 of our Rules, the powers of this committee to oversight the judiciary and its powers include judicial matters and judges.
“I am bringing this to the attention of the Senate so that we can take the permission to enable us conduct proper oversight on this matter and invite the justices.
“This is to enable us to interact with them in order to conduct proper oversight as we are enjoined by the provision of our rules and the 1999 Constitution.”
Responding, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, said the committee was already empowered by the rules.
Saraki said: “You do not need to come to us.
“You have your powers under the oversight and you should be able use the powers and do whatever you deem necessary.
“So, do your job in line with your powers.”
It could be recalled that operatives of the DSS had on October 8 arrested six justice who they accused of corrupt practices.
The judges have since faulted the allegations, saying there were anterior motives for the arrest.
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