The Senate, Thursday, appears to have dodged the report of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs to probe the sealing off the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly by the police, but directed the police to vacate the house without delay.
Recall on Wednesday the Senate mandated its committee on Police Affairs to probe the incident and report back to the hallowed chambers within 48 hours.
Instead of receiving the report of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs after the end of 48 hours to be presented to the plenary, the Senate, Thursday, directed the police operatives allegedly sealing off the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to vacate forthwith or risk six months sentence as provided for by the constitution of the country.
Senator Bassey Albert Akpan representing Akwa Ibom East on Thursday, under adopted orders 42 and 52, had reported that the Police siege and seal off of the State legislature was still in existence till date.
Under Legislative Houses Act 2017 recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, the law states “Its section 8 says, a member of the legislative houses shall not be obstructed or hindered from moving inside the chamber. Any member so obstructed the speaker of the Assembly can arrest and prosecute the person or persons and the person risks a fine of N100,000 or six months jail.”
Though the law is operational, the speaker of the state assembly is permitted to order the arrest and prosecution of the suspect.
In the case of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, “two factions” and “two speakers” are said to be holding fort for one position.
Onofiok Luke, who declared seats of the five members of the house vacant for defecting from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to All Progressives Congress, APC, is recognised as the house speaker , Nse Ntuen, on the other hand, said to be “elected” by the five sacked lawmakers is seen as their “factional speaker.”
However, in his presentation, Senator Akpan said, “Mr. President and distinguished colleagues, Wednesday I reported that the police laid siege on the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly and regrettably they are still there as I speak.
“Mr. President, this action is not right. It is undemocratic and therefore, a tyranny.
“I, therefore, move a motion that the police should vacate the legislative complex. They have barricaded the place and, no lawmaker, staff of the Assembly and indigenes of the State is allowed to enter the state Assembly. This is unjust.
“Mr. President I was informed that the reason for the police action was to pave way for the disaffected five members of the State Assembly to impeach the speaker and governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel.”
But the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, in his contribution, invoked the apt constitutional provision against the Police action done under the pretext of providing security and maintaining law and order.
He said, “There is a law assented by President Muhammadu Buhari which is called Legislative Houses Act 2017.”
According to him, the law permits the speaker to invoke the law against group of person said to be obstructing any legislator from performing his duty in the house.
At this juncture, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki banged the gavel in confirmation, and directed the police to vacate the legislative complex or risk the wrath of the law.
