Senate Threatens Minister Umahi, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and Others with Arrest Warrants for Ignoring Summons

 

The Senate has issued a stern warning to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, among others, for failing to respond to summons from its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The committee has threatened to issue warrants of arrest if they do not appear before the committee.

Other top officials facing possible arrest include executives from Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, and Sally Best Properties Limited. The Senate's decision followed a motion raised by the committee's chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), who expressed frustration over the continued refusal of these individuals to honor the Senate's invitations regarding petitions filed against them.

Senator Imasuen, citing Order 42 of the Senate’s Standing Rules, pointed out that multiple invitations had been sent to the heads of the affected agencies, asking them to provide explanations or defenses concerning the petitions, but these requests were consistently ignored.

In response to Senator Imasuen’s plea, Senate President Godswill Akpabio granted the committee the power to issue warrants of arrest as per Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution. Akpabio stressed the importance of the executives’ appearances to ensure justice and fairness in addressing the issues raised in the petitions.

Senator Imasuen further informed journalists that a list of the non-compliant agencies would be made public at the appropriate time. He also revealed that fresh invitation letters have been sent out, warning that warrants of arrest will follow if there is continued non-compliance.

Additionally, Senator Imasuen announced that the committee will swiftly address a petition from Mr. Onyebuchi Obioha regarding the withholding of his daughter's results by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), allegedly due to a vindictive report written against her by an examination supervisor.