Senate to investigate DSS' crackdown on judges

The leadership of the 8th Senate has reportedly mandated the committee on judiciary, human rights and legal matters to investigate the

According to a report by TheCable, the Senate Committee led by Senator David Umaru will investigate the purported arrest of the six judges by the Department of State Security.

Umaru said: “By virtue of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Order 96, Rule 37 of our Rules, the powers of this committee to oversight the Judiciary and its powers include judicial matters and judges.

“I am bringing this to the attention of the Senate so that we can take the permission to enable us conduct proper oversight on this matter and invite the justices.

“This is to enable us to interact with them in order to conduct proper oversight as we are enjoined by the provision of our rules and the 1999 Constitution,” he said.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki informed the committee that it was already empowered by the rules of the Senate to carry out its duties.

ALSO READ: Saraki condemns DSS’ unlawful method of arresting Justices

He said: “You do not need to come to us; you have your powers under the oversight and you should be able use the powers and do whatever you deem necessary. So, do your job in line with your powers.”

On October 8, 2016, operatives of the DSS arrested and detained six justices - John Okoro, Sylvester Nguta, Innocent Umezulike, Nnamdi Dimgba, Adeniyi Ademola and Muazu Pindiga - who were alleged to be corrupt.