Are MDAs Running To NASS Only When They Need Money?

The primary function of the Senate and the Senators is that of legislation. The Senate whose power is to make laws, do checks and balances including the power of appropriation seems not to be regarded by some heads of Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs).

But all the powers is the Senate are summarized in chapter one, section four of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended.

The Senate also has the power of screening and confirming President’s nominees, also investigating erring public officers if there are complaints.

But it seems the head of the Ministries Department and Agencies of government only respect the National Assembly’s power of appropriation.

The Head of Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, who allegedly assaulted a security guard at Banex Plaza area of Abuja and has since then been avoiding the Senate’s investigation, finally appeared for budget defence.

Umar, who submitted himself for the investigation, later filed a suit to stop the Senate assault case involving him.

Danladi sued the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; the chairman and members of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Ayo Akinyelure and Clement Sargwak, a security man he allegedly assaulted.

Umar was caught on camera assaulting Mr Sargwak, a security guard at the popular Banex Plaza, Wuse 2, Abuja, following a squabble that ensued between them over a parking space on the premises on March 29, 2021.

The Senate had directed its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, headed by Akinyelure to probe the alleged assault reported to the Senate by Mr Sargwak’s lawyer, Timzing Ramnap.

The petition was later laid during a plenary session of the Senate by Istifanus Gyang (PDP Plateau North).

The CCT chairman appeared before the committee on May 4 when he was given two weeks to respond to the allegations.

He was asked to return on May 18, 2021 which he never did.

Umar returned to the National Assembly for budget defence on Friday, an appearance that sparked reactions from lawmakers and others.

Before the budget presentation, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Ayo Akinyelure asked the CCT chairman, Umar, whether the National Assembly is a place they only run to when they need money.

“We ask you to come and defend yourself to Nigerians you said were sick. Now that you need Money, you have appeared,” Akinyelure said.

But Umar, who did not respond on the assault case, only focused on the budget presentation.

An incident that happened in the first quarter of 2021, some powerful people are using the instrumentality of the law to subvert justice. What do these say of a common man? Can he really get justice in this kind of society?

Indeed, Umar, who has presented and defended his budget, will continue with his normal life while the security man that was allegedly assaulted is uncertain of justice.

Also, the Code of Conduct Bureau, an organization whose heads have been fighting also came for the budget defence.

Even at budget presentation venue, the same leaders of the organization who have been in disarray, also came as a divided house.

The Nigerian Senate had earlier advised the members of the CCB appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve their differences and revert back which they never did I till they came for the budget defence.

Even during the budget defence, other members of the CCB accused the chairman, Prof Mohammed Isah, of running a one man show. They said the Chairman prepared the budget without their input, an allegation the lawmakers found out to be true.

Most of these MDAs don’t regard the National Assembly until they want money appropriated to them.