N210tn probe: Senate disowns ex-NNPC boss Kyari arrest warrant, rebukes Oshiomhole

The Nigerian Senate has officially distanced itself from remarks made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who had labeled the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as "a bunch of criminals and thieves." The Senate leadership emphasized that Oshiomhole's statements do not represent the official position of the upper legislative chamber.

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The power to issue a warrant affecting the liberty of a citizen is an extraordinary statutory power which must be exercised strictly in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law.

During a plenary session, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, presented a motion to formally dissociate the Senate from the comments. This clarification came after reports that a Senate committee had recommended the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, for allegedly failing to honor committee invitations.

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Such statements, if left unclarified, may be misconstrued by the public as representing the official position of the Senate and may undermine confidence in the impartiality and objectivity of ongoing legislative oversight proceedings.

Bamidele stressed that any Senate committee attempting to issue or execute an arrest warrant without the express approval of the Senate President would be acting unlawfully. He highlighted that the power to restrict a citizen's liberty is an extraordinary statutory power that must be exercised strictly according to legal procedures, emphasizing the constitutional doctrines of fair hearing and the presumption of innocence.

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The committee overstepped its bounds, and he has done the right thing by drawing attention to it.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin supported the motion, reinforcing that committees are subordinate to the Senate and can only make recommendations, not independently exercise powers reserved for the full chamber. He stated that committees must operate within the Senate's rules and the nation's laws. Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno added that the motion was a necessary intervention to safeguard the legislature's credibility and impartiality in its oversight functions.

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We need to do things in line with our rules and with the law of the land.