Former Minister of Education Dr. Obi Ezekwesili and petitioner, Mr. Zubairu Yakubu yesterday accused the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Petitions of bias and procedural unfairness in the handling of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition to the Senate against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, who appeared before the committee as a witness condemned the Senate’s handling of the petition saying it is a gross violation of the Nigerian Constitution and legal framework.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Petitions had dismissed the hearing and adjourned sine die because the matter is already a subject of litigation.
Dr. Ezekwesili however criticized the committee’s insistence on prioritising Senate rules over constitutional provisions, particularly in cases involving disciplinary actions and petitions.
“The Nigerian Senate keeps telling citizens they are subject to Senate rules, even when those rules violate the Constitution. This is unacceptable in a democracy,” Ezekwesili stated.
She also referenced the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, arguing that it was carried out without due regard for constitutional provisions.
“The Senate placed its own rules above the laws of the land. Now, with this petitioner, they have done the same thing—using procedural loopholes to avoid addressing critical issues,” she said.
Ezekwesili backed the petitioner’s demand for a specially constituted independent committee to review the case, arguing that the current panel lacks the impartiality necessary to ensure fairness.
“If a petitioner says they do not believe the Senate committee will give them a fair hearing due to clear bias, it is only just that an independent body reviews the matter,” she added.
Petitioner Yakubu Challenges Committee’s Fairness
Mr. Zubairu Yakubu, who filed the petition, also accused the committee chairman of prejudice, citing a previous media statement in which he dismissed the petition as ‘dead on arrival.’
“How can the chairman serve as a judge in a case where he has already publicly taken a position? What is the need for us to present our case when a verdict has already been given before hearing us?” Yakubu questioned.
He further alleged that some committee members had pre-existing ties to the senator in question, which, in his view, compromised their ability to be neutral.
Key Witness Barred from Testifying
A major point of contention was the exclusion of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the petitioner’s principal witness.
Yakubu insisted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had crucial documentary evidence to support his claims, but she was barred from entering the National Assembly to testify.
“In my petition, I clearly stated that my witness would present her evidence personally. But she was not allowed into the premises. If my key witness is denied access, how can I proceed with my case?” Yakubu asked.
He argued that the committee’s refusal to allow his witness to testify further confirmed its bias.
Legal Expert Questions Senate’s Actions
Legal expert Dr. Abiola Akinyode also raised concerns about inconsistencies in the Senate’s handling of petitions.
“There is nothing in Yakubu’s petition that was not in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s original petition. If the Senate dismissed her petition as ‘dead on arrival,’ then logically, Yakubu’s should also be dismissed,” she said.
She further criticized the Senate’s apparent disregard for the Constitution, particularly in suspending Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The Senate seems to be operating under its own rules, separate from the Constitution. That is why they can suspend a senator for six months without following due process,” Akinyode stated.
Allegations of Senate Manipulating Legal Processes
One of the key revelations during the proceedings was that the Senate committee was aware that the matter was already in court before inviting the petitioner.
“If they knew the case was in court, they should have simply written to the petitioner stating they could not entertain it. Instead, they invited him, only to dismiss the petition on the basis that it was already in court,” Akinyode explained.
She suggested that the committee’s real intention was to extract additional information from the petitioner, possibly to use in legal proceedings.
Call for Justice and Transparency
With the committee’s handling of the case raising serious concerns, Yakubu and his supporters are now calling for an independent review of his petition.
Former Minister Ezekwesili warned that the Senate’s actions could set a dangerous precedent, where internal rules override the Constitution.
“The Senate must respect the Constitution. Otherwise, we risk turning our democracy into a system where powerful individuals manipulate processes to silence opposition and suppress justice,” she said.
