The Senate is currently in a closed-door session following a motion on an issue of privilege raised by the Deputy Senate Leader, Oyelola Ashiru.
Ashiru moved a motion of urgent national importance, citing Orders 9, 10, 41, and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules.
Ashiru explained, “Order 9 refers to privileges and the rights enjoyed by the Senate collectively and by its members individually, combined by legislative powers and privileges. Whenever a matter of privilege arises, it must be addressed immediately.
“In cases where adequate provision is not made in the standing orders, the resolution regulates this procedure.”
He continued, “Order 10 states that any senator may rise at any time to speak on a matter of privilege that suddenly arises, and may move, without notice, a motion declaring that a contempt or breach of privilege has been committed and refer the matter to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.”
Before Ashiru could proceed further, Senate President Godswill Akpabio interrupted, allowing Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to move a motion for an executive session.
Akpabio remarked, “Before you proceed, I need to ask the senators for their consent. But before that, the Senate Leader has an announcement to make. Senate Leader, you may wish to proceed.”
Bamidele responded, “Mr President and colleagues, I respectfully request that the Senate dissolve into a closed-door session for discussions before we reconvene for plenary. Mr President, I so move.”
The motion was seconded by Senate Minority Whip Osita Ngwu, standing in for the Minority Leader.
Ngwu added, “Mr President, I rise to second the motion that the Senate resolves into an executive session to discuss certain information.”
Akpabio then responded, “Distinguished colleagues, a motion has been moved and seconded for this august assembly to resolve into a closed session to discuss matters of national importance.”
Although Ashiru did not explicitly state the issue of privilege, it is recalled that there had been a recent clash between the senator and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Last week, during a debate on the Bill to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, Ashiru described the NDLEA as “the most corrupt and compromised agency.”
In response, the NDLEA, through its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, claimed Ashiru’s comments were driven by a personal vendetta rather than national interest. Babafemi alleged that Ashiru made the disparaging remarks after failing to prevent the arrest and trial of individuals involved in drug abuse at his residence in Kwara a few years ago.
Senator Ashiru’s Special Assistant, Olaitan Adeyanju, responded to these allegations in a statement on Monday evening, urging the NDLEA to charge anyone involved in illicit drugs to court.
The statement partly read, “The NDLEA claims to have discovered drugs in Senator Ashiru’s Ilorin residence, but there’s no information on which court the culprits were charged to.”
It further clarified, “Senator Ashiru has been vocal about the NDLEA’s corruption and compromise, which may explain why these allegations are being made. He didn’t send any aide to influence the dropping of drug allegations against Tosin Odepidian, and the names mentioned by the agency are unfamiliar.”
The statement concluded with a challenge to the NDLEA to prosecute anyone found guilty of drug-related offences.