SENATE REAFFIRMS EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY OF PRESIDING OFFICER TO ISSUE WARRANT OF ARREST
The Senate has reaffirmed that in line with legislative powers and privileges, the authority to compel the appearance of any witness or issue a warrant of arrest for any witness by the Senate or any of its committees lies exclusively with the Presiding Officer.
Following a motion raised by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate also has dissociated itself from comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole during an investigative hearing of the Public Accounts Committee where he described NNPCL as "a bunch of criminals and thieves".
The Senate also discountenanced the warrant of arrest issued by the committee for the arrest of the former CEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari.
The Senate emphasized its commitment to the principles of fair hearing and institutional neutrality and urged anyone appearing before the Senate to show respect in their conduct.
Meanwhile, Senator Adams Oshiomhole explained that his comments at the sitting were uttered out of provocation by the comments of a respondent, adding that he did not have any problem tendering an apology.
