Finally, Amaechi’s Name Appears On Ministerial Screening List

At last, the senate has considered former governor of Rivers State and a ministerial nominee, ?Chibuike Amaech for screening on Thursday. Amaechi’s whose name is number two on the list of ministerial nominees to be screened on Thursday faced series of delay as a result of   petition alleging corruption leveled against his person.

Others are who are also listed for screening are Heineken Lokpobiri, Cladius Omoyele Daramola, Adewole Isaac Folorunso, Baba Shehuri Mustapha and Ocholi Enojo James.

Amaechi, who is a ministerial nominee from Rivers State have been having a running battle with the State government and its lawmakers, who are opposed to his nomination and appointment by President Muhamadu Buhari.

Credit: Vanguard

Why Senate Dropped Amaechi From Ministerial Screening List

Former governor of Rivers state Rotimi Amaechi was dropped from ministerial screening at the last minute on Tuesday because lawmakers had resolved to have thorough screening of nominees, chairman of Senate ad-hoc committee on communication Senator Dino Melaye has said.

Four other nominees earlier listed were also dropped by the Senate.

Speaking to Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) during a live broadcast of proceedings at the red chambers monitored by Daily Trust reporter, Melaye said a decision had been reached to screen eight nominees today but that “after meetings by principal officers of the Senate, yesterday evening (Monday) and today (Tuesday), the Senate resolved to follow the demand of Nigerians who want a more thorough screening exercise”.

He said the senate has observed that “Nigerians have been complaining that the senate was rushing” the confirmation hearing.

Melaye said as a result of the new position to cut down on the number of nominees to be screened “to three or four per day,” the report by the senate’s ethics and public petition committee which was stepped down which is expected to pave the way for the screening of Amaechi and Aisha Mohammed.

Read More: dailytrust

 

Ministerial Screening: Aisha Appears Before Senate Committee

The Ministerial nominee from Sokoto state, Mrs Aisha Abubakar is now before the Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions following a petition written against her nomination.

The petition was laid last Thursday by Senator Ibrahim Gobir seeking her withdrawal.

The senate is set to begin the next round of hearing on Tuesday to confirm 18 nominees from President Muhammadu Buhari as ministers. The other 18 had been confirmed by the senate last week.

Read More: dailytrust

Edward E. Pepple: Amaechi is innocent until proven otherwise by court

A former Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, fights back over Ministerial screening and has written three letters on why the Senate should not stop his screening as a ministerial nominee.

 

He said the allegations against him were not only false but also made malafide with the intent to “solely irritate, embarrass and tarnish his hard-earned reputation.”

 

He said he should be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved.

 

He said since there are pending cases at the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Court of Appeal, any action by the Senate will be subjudice.

 

He asked the Senate to preserve its Standing Order which bars it from dabbling in any matter pending before a court.

 

Amaechi broke his silence in three separate letters to the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

 

The letters were written by his solicitor, Edward E. Pepple.

 

In the letters, he asked the Senate to “discard” the  petition against him by the Integrity Group  and the report of the Justice G. G. Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

 

Citing the case of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Amaechi said the Supreme Court had emphasized  that an indictment by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry or Administrative Panel is not an “indictment” or sufficient for the purpose of preventing a person from holding a public office.

 

The October 12 letter to Saraki (EW/GC/CRA/15/012) reads in part: “ It has informally come to our client’s attention that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Governor of Rivers State, Chief/Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, to judicially investigate our client and probe into some transactions of the Rivers State Government undertaken during the tenure of our client has purportedly come up with a report based on which the Governor and Government of Rivers State have supposedly also issued a White Paper, wherein it has proposed that certain steps and actions should be taken against our client.

 

“Of course, this is clearly in defiance of the pending suit at the Court of Appeal on the issue.

 

“It is important to mention that our client only became aware of this situation through a news bulletin aired on both the Channels Television and the Independent African Television (AIT). Apart from those, no other form of communication has been sent to our client, whether directly or indirectly.

 

“As had been mentioned in our earlier letters, our client is challenging the competence and validity of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and its powers to make any valid or binding decision or pronouncement as it relates to him.  The matter is pending at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, in suit No. CA/PH/342/2015; Between Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (claimant/appellant) and the Governor of Rivers State; Attorney General of Rivers State; Judicial Commission of Inquiry and 7 others (defendants/ respondents).

 

“On the 14th of July 2015, our client caused to be issued an originating summons against the Governor of Rivers State, the Attorney General of Rivers State, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and 7 others before the High Court of Rivers State, presided over by Hon. Justice S.C. Amadi in suit No. PHC/189/2015 between Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi vs. The Governor Of Rivers State & 9 Others, wherein he challenged the competence and powers of the Hon. Justice G.O. Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry to carryout judicial function of investigating him and making pronouncements thereof, instead of the authorities established by law to do so. However, Hon Justice S.C. Amadi on the 20th of August 2015 dismissed the suit on very spurious and unjustifiable grounds. This led to the appeal referred to above.

 

“Much as we do not intend to canvas our arguments at the Court of Appeal before the Distinguish Senate, it is pertinent to highlight some salient provisions of the law and pronouncements of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on this issue and the rationale for our client’s challenge of the competence of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

 

“ The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the grundnorm upon which every other law derives. Therefore, any law that is inconsistent with the Constitution is to the extent of the inconsistency void. Section 6 of the Constitution establishes the judicial powers of a state, which is vested in the courts, being courts established for a state pursuant to the Constitution. Section 272 of the Constitution provides for the jurisdiction of the High Court of a state, in this case, Rivers State. See the provisions of sections 1, 6, 36, 251 and 272 of the Constitution on the above propositions of the law.

 

“On the other hand, the summary of the provisions sections 7 (b-f), 12, 13, 14, 17, 18 and 21 of the Commission of Inquiry Law (Cap 30), Laws of Rivers State 1999 is to the effect that the commission under that law has the power to summon, issue warrants of arrest, impose fines, commit for contempt and summarily convict and impose terms of imprisonment. This is contrary to the express provisions of the constitution. These are obviously powers exercisable by the courts.

 

“This position of the law has been upheld and reaffirmed severally by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In the case of Doherty V. Balewa (1961-1962) NSCC (page 248) at 257, lines 35-50, the Supreme Court in a similar situation with the instant case held as follows:

 

“The power of the commission to impose imprisonment is clearly contrary to the provisions of Section 20, and this was not disputed by the Attorney-General. This must also apply to the power to impose a fine, which is enforceable by imprisonment. In these circumstances, we would hold that Sections 8, 15 and 18 are invalid to the extent that they purport to empower a commissioner to inflict a punishment of a fine or imprisonment that the Sections should be ‘read down’ accordingly.”

 

Earlier in an October 9 letter to Saraki and the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions (EW/GC/CRA/15/011), Amaechi said the petition against him by Integrity Group was heinous.

 

He said: Sir, following the receipt of the letter for and on behalf of the Distinguished Senate (Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions)which was graciously served on our client today (9th October, 2015) with a copy of the petition, accordingly inviting him to appear before the committee, we wish to furnish you and the committee with some further and better particulars, hence this letter.

 

“ We make bold to say that as grievous, heinous and worrisome as the contents of the petition may seem on the face value, it is as malicious, dubious and libelous as it is falsehood.

 

“As we had stated in our earlier letter, whereas our client is very desirous of defending himself of these allegations made against him, we are sincerely afraid that he is, in this case, constrained and unable to do so before the distinguished Senate at this moment. This is because the subject matter of the petition is subjudice, being issues pending and subsisting before courts of competent jurisdiction. The cases include:

 

Suit No: CA/PH/342/2015; Between Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (claimant/ appellant) and the Governor of Rivers State; Attorney General of Rivers State; Judicial Commission of Inquiry and 7 others (defendants/respondents), pending at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division. (ANNEXURE 1)

Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15; between Advante Consulting & Mgt Co Ltd; Result Import Export Co Ltd; Capital Index Ltd (plaintiffs) and Livingstone Wechie (for and on behalf of the Integrity Group), The Sun Publishing Ltd, Leaders and Company Ltd and Guardian Newspapers Ltd (defendants), pending at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. (ANNEXURE 2)

“Sir, at the Court of Appeal, our client is challenging the competence and validity of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and its powers to make any valid or binding decision or pronouncement against him.

 

“The issues for determination before the Court of Appeal therefore relate and pertain to the ‘wrongful allegations of corruption and corrupt practices’ levelled against our clients and the unlawful and unconstitutional procedure adopted by his accusers and indicters (which in this case includes the Governor and Government of Rivers State, the Petitioner, Mr. Livingstone Wechie, and the Judicial Commission of Inquiry) in what may seem as an attempt at establishing the ‘purported wrongful doings’ against our client.

 

“On the 14th of July 2015, our client issued an originating summons against the Governor of Rivers State, the Attorney General of Rivers State, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and 7 others before the High Court of Rivers State, presided over by Hon. Justice S.C. Amadi in suit No. PHC/189/2015 Between Tr. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi vs. The Governor of Rivers State & 9 others, wherein he challenged the competence and powers of the Hon. Justice G.O. Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry to carry out judicial functions of investigating him and making pronouncements thereof. However, Hon Justice S.C. Amadi on the 20th of August 2015 dismissed the suit on very spurious and unjustifiable grounds. This led to the appeal referred to above.

 

“  In suit No. FCT/HC/CV/2677/15 that is before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the issues relate directly and specifically to the contents and subject of this petition. The petitioner, Mr. Livingstone Wechie, between 3rd and 4th August, 2015, using the title ‘Looting of Rivers State Treasury’ caused to be published the same contents of this petition in some national newspapers (Thisday, The Guardian, Daily Sun, The Nation, etc), wherein he published that our client and Messers Advante Consulting &Mgt Co Ltd; Result Import Export Co. Ltd; Capital Index Ltd were involved in corrupt practices.

 

“He did, as in this present petition, also allege that the said companies were fraudulent and not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Aggrieved by the libelous publications, these juristic persons (the companies) approached the court to challenge the veracity of the contents and subject matter of this petition and to seek damages for libel against the petitioner for the falsehoods published and circulated against them and our client. Find attached the bundle of court processes; including Writ of Summons, Statement of Claim, Order for Substituted Service on Mr. Livingstone and other defendants, etc.

 

“Mr. President, this suit is still pending and subsisting at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The court in order to come to the conclusion that the contents of that publication are false and libelous, for which damages should be paid must make findings and resolve some issues, including for instance:

 

whether or not our client was involved in any form of corrupt practices as alleged, be it stealing, unlawful enrichment and laundering of public funds through the plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15

whether or not the companies (Plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15) are registered with CAC, fake or authentic;

iii.    whether or not there are glaring cases of corruption, criminal breach of trust, unlawful enrichment and wanton conversion of funds as it relates to the transactions between the Rivers State Government under our client and the plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15.

 

whether or not our client approved the sale of the Gas Turbines to NG Power-HPS Limited, and if he did, whether it was for the said amount and whether the proceeds were diverted by our client

whether or not there was any transactions between the Rivers State Government under our client and the plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15, and if so, whether there was any corrupt practices in the said transactions.

“ Mr. President, we have no doubt that the Senate being an Arm of Government established under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria verily appreciates the general principle of the rule of law, hence the invitation extended to our client to respond to the petition.

 

“Whereas we appreciate the commitment of the Senate to be fair and just, especially in offering our client an opportunity to state his side of the matter, however we need to state, and most regrettably too, that our client is unable to comment or respond in specific terms to the allegations contained in the said petition, as that would amount to commenting on the subject matter before the court of law.

 

“Sir, we are afraid that there is no way the distinguished Senate can effectively, successfully and conclusively investigate and determine the allegations in this petition without making findings, decisions and pronouncements, one way or another, on the issues listed below, which would be substantially the same issues that the court needs to resolve.

 

“Some of the issues that this Senate would have to resolve for instance will include:

 

whether or not our client was involved in any form of corrupt practices as alleged, be it stealing, unlawful enrichment and laundering of public funds through the Plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15;

whether or not the companies (plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15) are registered with CAC, fake or authentic;

iii.    whether or not there are glaring cases of corruption, criminal breach of trust, unlawful enrichment and wanton conversion of funds as it relates to the transactions between the Rivers State Government under our client and the plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15;

 

whether or not our client approved the sale of the Gas Turbines NG Power-HPS Limited, and if he did, whether it was for the said amount and whether the proceeds were diverted by our client;

whether or not there was any transactions between the Rivers State Government under our client and the plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15, and if so, whether there was any corrupt practices in the said transactions; and several others.

“Just as the general principle of law is that commentaries and other forms or outside-the-courtroom discussions should not be encouraged or engaged in relation to the subject matter of any judicial litigation, so as not to prejudice and prejudge a matter before a court, we have also realized that this distinguished Senate has not only adopted this principle of law, but has also made it a written code in its Rules and Standing Orders, which is the compass for the proceedings of the Senate.

 

“The Senate by so doing has debarred distinguished Senators from considering matters which are rightly or wrongly subjudice for the sake of ensuring the much-desired separation of powers and preventing possible loopholes that may exist or be created in an attempt at short-circuiting the process of justice and circumventing the stringent application of the laws of our land.

 

“Mr. President, needless to emphasise that it is one of the cardinal pillars of fair hearing that an accused person is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved. Again, this position is strengthened and reinforced by section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended) (hereafter simply referred as the Constitution).

 

“As our client has indicated, the allegations are not only false, they are also made mala fide with the intent to solely irritate, embarrass and tarnish the hard-earned reputation of our client and maliciously represent him as a person not fit and proper to occupy public office.

 

Sir, this intention is borne out clearly from the conduct and restless activities of the petitioner who has expressly stated in his petition to the Senate that he had written same petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offence Commission (ICPC), the two foremost institutions in the country vested with the authority to prosecute financial and corrupt practices related offences. Except to speculate that the petitioner has no confidence in both the EFCC and ICPC, one would have thought that the petitioner should have awaited the outcome of the investigation of his allegations by these institutions. He did not do so because he has one goal, one mission: to malign and discredit the person of our client before the Nigerian people.

“Mr. President, we wish to resist the temptation of delving into the subject matter so as not to fall foul of the law and prejudice the case before the court.

 

“ In the circumstances, we most respectfully urge the Senate to invoke its powers and the Rules and Standing Orders to protect our client from commenting on the subject matter of the petition and any issues relating to or arising from the judicial commission of injury and/or the purported White Paper issued thereto.”

 

 

 

 

Credit : The Nation

 

Senate Postpones Ministerial Screening

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday, postponed the screening of 18 ministerial nominees yet to be screened.

In a tweet via its Twitter handle @NGRSenate, the Senate which resumed for plenary today, said: “Ladies and gentlemen, there will be no ministerial screening today (Thursday). We will continue on Tuesday, October 20, 2015. We will tweet CVs of new nominees.”

Despite the postponement of ministerial screening, the Senate still continued with the day’s legislative activities.

Details of why it postponed the screening till a later date is still sketchy at the time of filing this report.

So far, of the 36 ministerial nominees, 18 have been screened by the Senate.

Read More: vanguardngr

How Fashola Cleared The Air On N78m Website At Ministerial Screening

Former Lagos State Governor has once again cleared the air over the controversial  N78 million spent for the upgrade of the website – www.tundefashola.com  under his watch as governor in the state.

The former governor, who indirectly addressed the issue after the question, ”Did you really open a Website with 78Million Naira?” was raised by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe at the senate while he, Fashola was undergoing screening as a ministerial nominee at the senate chambers said he doesn’t sign checks or award contracts.

He added, “I don’t fix contract prices, it is an institutional process. The only training I have is that of a lawyer, But in order to execute works on a project we need the input of architect, quantity surveyors, structural engineer and we have consulting ministries; For civil works it is the Ministry of Works, for science it is the Ministry of Science and Technology among others.

Now periodically, they do market surveys with the Ministry of Economic Planning , the Statisticians are there to fix prices from biro to Iron rod to cement and it is approved and becomes the  benchmark price of government procurements, nobody can award any other contract over that benchmark.”

Read More: vanguardngr

Buhari withdraws Ibeto from Ministerial Nominees

President Muhammadu Buhari has withdrawn the nomination of Ahmed Ibeto from Niger State as a Minister, bringing the total number of nominees to 36 from 37 earlier submitted.

 

This was just announced by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki at today’s plenary.

 

 

Meanwhile, the Senate has promised to improve on whatever gains it recorded yesterday, adding that it would use the feelings of the general public as the yardstick with which to adjudge self.

 

Chairman of the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Publicity, Senator Dino Melaye, who disclosed this on Wednesday, explained that what happened yesterday was the confirmation screening. He added that “We are not going to confirm in batches. We are going to confirm holistically.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit: Daily Post

Why I built Ekiti Govt House –Fayemi

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Tuesday, debunked reports that he ran the economy of his state aground, while he served as governor.

 

Fayemi, one of the 10 ministerial nominees screened by the Senate today, said he governed Ekiti with transparency and accountability.

 

Responding to a question asked him by Sen. Olusola Adeyeye (APC Osun Central) to clarify newspaper reports that he left Ekiti in debt, after spending too much money on the Ekiti Govt House, Fayemi said they were all rumours, stating that the government house was built with just N2.5 billion.

 

The ex-governor said being one of the youngest states in Nigeria, without a government house for 19 years, the magnificent Government House he saw in Akwa Ibom, when he visited former Governor Godswill Akpabio, enticed him to embark on the project to give Ekiti State, a befitting Government House.

 

Fayemi added that the controversial N50 million bed in the government house wasn’t purchased at that price.

 

According to him, none of the beds in the government house cost above N1.5 million.

 

He was also asked what he had to say about the challenges in the nation’s education system of which he noted that enrolment, particularly in the North was still a problem bedeviling the sector.

 

He stated that the National Universities Commission, NUC, cannot regulate and operate at the same time, adding that, “We need to look at our curriculum, we need to look at teachers’ quality. We need to make public education attractive.”

 

He was also tasked on what he feels can be done about reforms in the nation’s foreign policy, poverty eradication, revenue generation for the government and his plans for the security of the nation. Fayemi, however, wowed the Senators with his wealth of experience as he answered their questions chronologically.

 

At the end of the rigorous screening, which lasted for about 50 minutes by the Senate to be confirmed as Minister, the former governor was asked to take a bow.

 

 

 

Credit: Vanguard

Ministerial Screening: Saraki, Kwara senators endorse Lai Mohammed

Ministerial nominee from Kwara State, Lai Mohammed has been endorsed by the three senators from the State, including the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.

 

The trio unanimously gave a nod for the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, to be appointed as minister.

 

The two other senators are Rafiu Ibrahim, Kwara South and Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi of Kwara North.

 

This was revealed in a tweet from the official handle of the Nigerian Senate, @NGRSENATE.

 

“#MinisterialScreening Alhaji #LaiMuhammed today received endorsement of all Senators from Kwara @bukolasaraki @rafiuibrahim #ShabaLafiagi,” the post read.

 

Mohammed was born into the family of Alhaji Mohammed Adekeye in 1952.

 

Ministerial Screening: See Amaechi’s CV

This is an exclusive presentation of a classified document on President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees as prepared by the Senate.

CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI

Full Names

Chibuike Rotimi AMAECHI

DOB •27th  May, 1965

Religion •Christian Catholic

Marital Status

•Married to Judith and blessed with three Sons.
•Born in Ubima, Ikwerre LG of Rivers State

Background

•Raised in Diobu neighbourhood of Port Harcourt.

Education

•Govt Secondary School, Okolobiri
•B.A. Degree in English and Comparative Literature from Uniport 1987
•NYSC 1988

Public Sector/ •Assistant at Pamo Clinic and Hospitals Limited

Offices Held

•Active member of the National Union of Rivers State students NURSS and National Association of Nigerian Students NANS.
•Secretary, Defunct Nigerian Republican Convention, IkwerreLG
•State Caretaker Committee Secretary, Democratic  Party of Nigeria.
•Special Assistant to then Rivers State Deputy Governor 1992 – 1994
•Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly
•Chairman, Conference of Speakers
•Governor, Rivers State 2007 – 2015
•Chairman, Nigerian Governor’s Forum
•Director General, All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Committee

Achievements and Awards

•Commander of the Order of the Niger CON
•Knight of St. Johns Order

Trend Setting

•General Infrastructure development, Construction of 21stCentury Schools, Monorail, Roads, Power Plants and Bridges.
•He is widely seen as improving the general living conditions of the people of Rivers State while he served as Speaker and particularly as Governor.

Organizations and Associations

•All Progressive Congress (APC)
•UniPort Alumni

Credit: vanguardngr

Senate free to set conditions for nominees, says Presidency

The Presidency is not opposed to the Senate setting conditions for the screening of ministerial nominees, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang said on Friday.

 

Enang told reporters in Abuja on Friday that the Senate is empowered by the constitution to set conditions for the screening of prospective ministers.

 

The Senate has set October 13, 14 and 15 for the screening of the 21 ministerial nominees submitted to it by President Muhammadu Buhari.

 

Enang, who was responding to questions on the Senate’s request for the nominees to submit certified true copies of their assets declaration, said there is nothing wrong with the request.

 

He said: “The Senate is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and it is free to set its criteria for the screening of the nominees appearing before it.

 

“Our job is to make sure that we work with the respective senators and the nominees to make sure that the senators are satisfied and agree with the nomination.

 

“We will not dispute with the Senate what they want because it absolutely lies in the heart and mind of the respective and distinguished senators to determine what questions to ask.

 

“The senators are free to ask questions just like the nominees are equally free to answer them.

 

“The senators are within their rights to request for what they want.”

 

Responding to another question on the gains of the recent meeting between the executive and the leadership of the National Assembly, Enang said it has cemented the relationship between the two arms of government.

 

“I am sure you can begin to feel the political temperature that peace has descended on the minds and psyche of Nigerians and that the relationship between the executive and the legislature which was thought to be on heat, has been fully, perfectly, effectively cemented and the public is now aware.

 

“I want to say that the conjectures as they were, of a rift between the executive and the legislature were actually and definitely, I am speaking honestly, a conjecture. There wasn’t any rift.

 

“The meeting between the President and the National Assembly leadership as it were, as stated by the Senate President, really proved that there was no rift.

 

“The Senate President said those small talks were taken by the public to mean that there was a crisis and division and I think that has laid it to rest.

 

“The legislature has been conferred with certain powers. Hence President Buhari constantly says that he would respect the functions of each arms of government and the leadership and membership of each arm of government to do their jobs.

 

“It is impossible, impracticable for any administration, knowing the powers of the other over its own, to want to deprive her of it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Nation

Senate may involve EFCC, ICPC in ministerial screening

The Senate leadership will adopt the formal procedure for the screening of ministerial nominees behind closed doors on Tuesday. It may also involve anti-graft agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission in the screening of those nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to become ministers under the present administration.

A principal officer, who craved anonymity, disclosed this during an interview in Abuja on Monday.

He said the Senate at the close-door meeting would discuss whether to give special considerations for former senators and other members of the National Assembly nominated as ministerial candidates by Buhari.

The principal officer, explained that the meeting became necessary in view of the fact that the leadership of the Eighth Senate had vowed to do a thorough job to ensure that persons with questionable characters were not confirmed as ministers.

He said, “As far as we are concerned, everybody should be equal but at the same time, we have a convention that gives special considerations to former and serving senators or members of the House of Representatives, yet we say there won’t be the usual take a bow approach.

“We also have another convention that says two senators from a state must approve confirmation of the nominee from their state, what happens if the senators are in the opposition party with the nominee?”

Speaking with some journalists in his office, the Peoples Democratic Party member representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, said President Buhari must appear before the Senate if he wants to be Petroleum minister.

Ohuabunwa said, “The constitution is clear and we will follow the constitution and the laid down rule. I don’t think the President’s name will be on the list and I also don’t think that the President will say he is a minister.

“If you are a minister one of the conditions is that you must be subjected to screening and approval of the Senate. He, as the chief minister, can be there to supervise any ministry but he cannot be a minister. Whoever is advising him to be a minister is not advising him rightly.”

But the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, disagreed with Ohuabunwa on the appearance of the President in the Senate for screening before he could function as a minister.

Na’Allah, in a telephone interview explained that the President and his vice, had been given constitutional powers to carry out all the functions in the executive arms of government without necessarily asking for the permission of the legislature.

He said, “The President does not have to appear before the Senate before he could perform as a minister or oversee any ministry. He has the executive powers to carry out necessary functions alongside the vice president. “

Ohuabunwa, however, added that the Senate might reject the presentation of the ministerial list in batches because “it is unconstitutional.”

He said, “I expect that the list will be complete for us to move on because the constitution never said in batches and the constitution has said one minister from every state, so if you are screening and the other states are not been represented how can you explain that because nothing says that the President must submit list in batches.

The senator assured Nigerians that the Senate would be guided by the constitution and the rules of the Senate in screening the nominees.

He added that it would be against the Senate and indeed against the President and Nigerians for the upper chamber to see a very strong allegation of petition on corruption and throw it away.

He said, “Definitely we will not ignore allegation of corruption against any nominee. If we see a strong petition, definitely we will look into it and follow it to a logical conclusion.

“If it requires writing to the anti-graft agencies such as the ICPC or EFCC to give us a report on such a person, we will do that because that is what screening is all about. Screening is not a tea party.

“Integrity is very important. If you have in one way or the other soiled your hands, it will be unfortunate because the Senate will not just say carry go.”

On whether the Senate would waive the painstaking process in order to curry favour from the Presidency, Ohuabunwa said the Senate would not be cowed because of any consideration.

Here is the copy of the Ministerial nominees’ list as unveiled by the Senate President today, October 6, 2015.

Screenshot_2015-10-06-18-56-26-1 Screenshot_2015-10-06-18-57-26-1

Punch

Ministerial Screening: Senate May Involve EFCC, ICPC

The Senate leadership will adopt the formal procedure for the screening of ministerial nominees behind closed doors on Tuesday (today). It may also involve anti-graft agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission in the screening of those nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to become ministers under the present administration.

A principal officer, who craved anonymity, disclosed this during an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Monday.

He said the Senate at the close-door meeting would discuss whether to give special considerations for former senators and other members of the National Assembly nominated as ministerial candidates by Buhari.

The principal officer, explained that the meeting became necessary in view of the fact that the leadership of the Eighth Senate had vowed to do a thorough job to ensure that persons with questionable characters were not confirmed as ministers.

Read More: punchng