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.
He said, “The power to issue a warrant affecting the liberty of a citizen is an extraordinary statutory power which must be exercised strictly in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law.”
“The constitutional doctrine of fair hearing and the presumption of innocence require that no person or institution be adjudged guilty except by a court of competent jurisdiction after due process of law.”
He warned that such statements could be interpreted by the public as the official position of the Senate and undermine confidence in the impartiality of ongoing oversight proceedings.
“Such statements, if left unclarified, may be misconstrued by the public as representing the official position of the Senate and may undermine confidence in the impartiality and objectivity of ongoing legislative oversight proceedings.”
The Senate subsequently adopted a resolution formally dissociating itself from the comments and clarifying that they do not represent the findings, opinion, resolution, or official position of the upper chamber.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin strongly backed the motion, describing it as part of the constitutional responsibilities of the Senate Leader.
Reading from Senate rules and constitutional provisions, Barau stressed that committees are subordinate organs of the Senate and may only make recommendations rather than independently exercise powers reserved for the chamber.
“The committee overstepped its bounds, and he has done the right thing by drawing attention to it.”
He maintained that the Senate must always operate in accordance with both its rules and the Constitution. They described the statement as “reckless” and argued that it could damage Nigeria’s investment image internationally.
“The NNPC is the cash cow of this country. Such reckless statements send wrong signals to outsiders and can jeopardise foreign direct investment.”
Aliero urged the Senate to collectively condemn and distance itself from the remarks to protect both the image of NNPCL and the Senate.
Former Abia State Governor and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu also defended the strategic importance of NNPCL to Nigeria’s economy. He urged Oshiomhole to publicly withdraw the statement.