The Senate on Thursday distanced itself from comments by Senator Adams Oshiomhole describing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” insisting that the remarks did not reflect the position of the Red Chamber.
The upper legislative chamber also declared that no Senate committee has the authority to issue, authorise or execute a warrant of arrest except in strict compliance with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and with the express approval of the Senate President.
The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, during plenary.
The clarification came barely 24 hours after the Senate Committee on Public Accounts reportedly recommended the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, over his alleged failure to honour invitations extended by the committee.
Bamidele warned that any attempt by a Senate committee to independently issue or execute a warrant of arrest without authorisation from the Senate President could amount to an unlawful exercise of power.
