PDP caucus in the senate opposes EFCC boss’ summon

Reports reaching Pulse say there was tense dissent in the Senate, when the issue of summoning the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss, Ibrahim Lamorde was mentioned on the floor of the hallowed chambers.

The report was contained in Vanguard Newspapers' publication.

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According to Vanguard Newspapers, some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators were opposed to the idea of summoning Lamorde at this time.

An excerpt of the statement issued by the PDP Senators was obtained by Vanguard Newspapers.

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It reads “It has come to the notice of the PDP leadership in the Senate that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions would begin a public hearing on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 and the committee has invited the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to appear before it. The PDP leadership in the Senate is not against any committee of the Senate performing its oversight duties and or functions but we feel that this is not the appropriate time to embark on the most important assignment, particularly since the same action was mooted and had failed at previous plenary session.”

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“We therefore urge the committee to suspend its public hearing on this particular matter until further notice. The PDP senate leadership reassures the Nigerian public of its support for the war against corruption by the Federal Government of Nigeria but hastens to add that such fight against corruption should be total and not selective. Nigerians need peace at this period of economic challenges precipitated by the falling of oil prices and actions that will overheat the polity and generate unnecessary friction between the executive and the legislature should be avoided,” the statement said.

It was signed by: Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha; Minority Whip, Philip Aduda; and Deputy Minority Whip, Biodun Olujimi.

You will recall that a petition was written by Dr. George Uboh accusing the EFCC boss of diverting N1tr.