Senate probes EFCC, DSS clash over moves to arrest ex-DSS and NIA chiefs
Posted by Mayowa Okekale, Abuja | 22 November 2017 | 1,952 times
•Motion sponsor, Senator Dino Melaye
The Nigerian Senate has set up an Adhoc committee to investigate the reported clash between operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Department of State Service (DSS) when the anti-corruption agency attempted to arrest former heads of the DSS and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) at their respective residences in Abuja.
Citing order 42 of the Senate’s rule book, Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West at the Upper Chamber, moved a Motion, drawing the attention of lawmakers to the reported clash between the sister agencies. He informed the Senate that DSS agents prevented the EFCC from arresting former Director General of the DSS, Mr. Ita Ekpeyong, and that of NIA, Mr. Ayo Oke, thereby causing panic.
Melaye, who described the situation as calamitous, called on the Senate to investigate the circumstances leading to the face-off between the both agencies.
Rising in support of the Motion, Senator Abiodun Olujimi, representing Ekiti South, noted that the clash between both agencies amounts to gross irresponsibility and further indicates that nobody is in charge of the government.
She warned that Nigeria is too big for the two agencies to play with, insisting that the Presidency has to be called to order.
Leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, who also supported the Motion and the need to look into the matter, however, countered Senator Olujimi and insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari is in full control of the country as opposed to her assertion that nobody is in charge of the country.
He dismissed the position canvassed by Senator Olujimi as unacceptable and erroneous.
President of the Senate Bukola Saraki, sustaining to the voice votes in favour of the resolution, directed the Adhoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the face-off.
The committee is expected to report back in two weeks.
Source: News Express
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