By George OPARA
Senate, Thursday declared it was not involved in the warrant of arrest issued against Mallam Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), through its committee on public accounts.
Also, the red chamber denied any involvement in comments credited to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who described the NNPCL as a “bunch of criminals and thieves” during the committee’s hearing.
Spear News Nigeria gathered the controversial issue was raised at plenary by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele through a point of order relying on Orders 41 and 51 of the senate standing rules.
The Senate leader asked the upper legislative chamber to authenticate that, pursuant to Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, the authority to issue a warrant compelling the attendance of any witness before the Senate or any of its committees is vested exclusively in the Senate President.
He contended that no committee has the authority to independently issue, authorise or execute a warrant of arrest.
The Senate those premises resolved that no committee shall purport to issue, authorise or execute a warrant except in strict compliance with the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and with the approval of the Senate President.
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