…as Senate curbs Committee powers on arrest warrants
The former Governor of Edo State and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has withdrawn his remarks describing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” following condemnations by fellow Senators.
The development occurred during Thursday’s plenary session, where the Senate formally dissociated itself from Oshiomhole’s statements, maintaining that the outburst represented his personal opinion and not the official position, resolution, or finding of the National Assembly.
Responding to widespread criticism from his colleagues during the deliberation of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, Oshiomhole defended his underlying intentions but conceded to the institutional backlash.
He explained that his harsh language was triggered by NNPCL officials who allegedly insulted and denigrated lawmakers during an oversight engagement.
“Rather than provide answers, we were told that senators do not have a monopoly on patriotism and were accused of recommending their children for employment in NNPC.”
“The lawmakers were denigrated, and I reacted in defense of the Senate. I acted under provocation because distinguished members were being attacked without any proof,” Oshiomhole told the floor.
Despite defending his motive as an act of institutional loyalty, Oshiomhole bowed to the chamber’s demands for a retraction.
“We are knowledgeable of the rules and not ignorant of them. If it is the view of the Senate that I should apologize, I have no problem with that. I would do nothing to bring embarrassment to the Senate,” he added.
The upper chamber leadership warned them against exceeding their statutory boundaries regarding public invitations and the enforcement of appearances.
In a decisive resolution, the Senate declared that no Senate committee possesses the independent authority to issue, authorize, or execute a warrant of arrest against any public official.
The chamber ruled that such powers can only be exercised in strict compliance with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and must receive the express, written approval of the President of the Senate.
This institutional directive comes less than 24 hours after the Senate Committee on Public Accounts aggressively moved to recommend a warrant of arrest against the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, over his alleged failure to honor parliamentary invitations regarding an unaccounted ₦210 trillion audit query.