Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor,
has claimed that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),
Babachir Lawal and Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, have skeletons
in their cupboards.
In an interview with Vanguard, Ogor insisted that such was
the reason they ran to court after the Senate invited them.
He also said this is the first time in the history of
Nigeria, that different arms of government will intentionally disregard the
National Assembly.
“It bothers me as a lawmaker and this also borders on
separation of power. If you watch it closely this is the first time in the
history of the country that the National Assembly, the custodian and foundation
of democracy is being so disobeyed by different arms of government.
“I read in the papers where the SGF said he was not going to
come to the Senate because the matter is in the court and I also read where the
Comptroller General of Customs said that he was not coming to NASS because the
matter is also in court.
“The question I need to put before the public, is which came
first, was it the Senate invitation or the or fillings that took place in the
court because by the provisions of sections 88 and 89 of the constitution the
National Assembly can invite any body and if it invites you it does not
criminalise anybody, it is an open invitation and constitutional powers given
to the NASS and all of a sudden you run to the court.
“If you run to court it automatically means there is
something you are hiding. If they have respect for the Senate as an institution
and therefore, the National Assembly by extension, they should not refuse
Senate invitation.
“They should show respect by attending and listening to the
Senate and thereafter give whatever explanation is required of them. It’s
morally, unethically and constitutionally wrong for the SGF and the Comptroller
General of the Nigeria Customs Service to shun the invitation by the Senate or
its committee and deliberately refuse to attend under the guise that doing so
is sub-judice.
“At any rate this trend of public officials refusing to answer
legislative summons is becoming a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and must be
nipped in the bud,” Ogor said.
He also expressed sadness at President Muhammadu Buhari’s
quietness on the issue.
Ogor added: “What is sad and debilitating about the whole
thing is that Mr President is hearing and seeing this happen but has decided to
keep mum. What happens tomorrow if the presidency invites any member of the
National Assembly and he refuses to obey such an invitation.”
By Ifreke Inyang
