The Senate on Tuesday directed its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to conduct investigations into allegations that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in January this year impounded an armoured Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Saraki has however denied any links with the importation of the seized vehicle, stating that the matter was purely between the Customs Service and the supplier of the car, as the Senate has not taken delivery of the vehicle in question.
The Senate’s face off with the Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd) has been linked to the seizure of the armoured vehicle.
The vehicle, according to an online news website, was seized following the failure to pay the appropriate customs duty for the car valued at N298 million, for which only N8 million was paid instead of N74 million.
The Ethics and Privileges Committee was also directed to investigate allegations that the Senate President’s close ally, Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) does not possess an authentic first degree certificate from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
At the Senate plenary yesterday presided over by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the upper legislative chamber decided to conduct the investigations, following a point of order raised by ousted Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, who noted that both issues, raised by the online medium, borders on the privileges of the senators.
Ndume, brandishing a copy of a newspaper which reported the alleged certificate forgery, said the reports have caused insults to be rained on the Senate by Nigerians.
“My colleagues that are following events, particularly online, have seen, heard or read the rain of abuses on this Senate and the misconception of the fact that we invited the Customs CG based on a very unpopular policy that affects the people we represent, but now we are faced with this and the president has been found to be involved in this National Assembly,” Ndume said.
Ndume also argued that there had been cases of investigations into allegations of certificate forgery by lawmakers in previous assemblies, citing those involving Hon. Salisu Buhari, Hon. Bello Masari and Hon. Dimeji Bankole.
“Here in the Senate, in the Fourth Assembly, (Evans) Enwerem was accused and it was also investigated, (Adolphus) Wabara was accused of collecting bribe and it was investigated and determined.
“So, a lot of precedents have been set,” he said, and prayed that the matter be referred to the ethics committee.
“Accordingly, I will appeal we refer the matters to Ethics and Privileges Committee to investigate so that our colleagues would be cleared and this Senate will stand as it is supposed to,” Ndume said.
After allowing Ndume to raise his point of order, Ekweremadu referred the issues to the Ethics and Privileges Committee, which is expected to report back in four weeks.
Reacting to the development, Saraki’s spokesman, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the facts and documents concerning the seized vehicle, showed that the Senate President had nothing to do with its importation.
“A supplier was engaged by the Senate to supply a vehicle. While transferring the vehicle between Lagos and Abuja, it was impounded by the Customs Service.
“We believe that it is an issue between the supplier and the Customs Service because the Senate has not taken delivery of the vehicle.
“So, why is somebody trying to drag in the name of Saraki into the issue,” he said in a statement.
“The documents on the vehicle are there for the general public to view and draw their conclusions. Now that the matter has been referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, all the facts will be out,” Olaniyonu added.
In his reaction, Melaye said he was ready to submit himself to the committee’s investigation.
Melaye, who is a member of the Ethics Committee, would however be required to recuse himself while he is being investigated.
Addressing newsmen after plenary, Melaye threw a verbal jab at Ndume, describing him as a “Boko Haram suspect senator”.
“To say that I did not graduate from ABU is to say I am not a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The investigation is a welcome development.
“I already know the result (of the investigation). I have my results, admission letter and certificate of discharge. Thrice I was voted most popular student. I was President of the Students’ Union Government,” he said.
Melaye also disclosed that he possesses a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from ABU, and is currently pursuing another Master’s degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, “making it the eighth degree I am pursuing”.
“It is surprising that people would stoop so low,” he added.
(Thisday)
