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Mark stops naming of ‘419 lawmakers’, invites EFCC boss
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David Mark, Senate President
Senate President David Mark yesterday prevented his colleague, Nuhu Aliyu, from naming alleged con men sitting in the National Assembly but referred the allegation to its committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions for investigation.
Mohammed Lamorde, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was summoned to brief the upper chamber.
Nuhu Aliyu, a former deputy inspector general of Police had while contributing to a motion on direction and tempo of the war on corruption alleged that con men were presently in the National Assembly.
He said: “Those who collude with 419ners and stole millions of dollars have themselves to blame because of their greed. Mr. President, I have said it before but I am repeating it today without regret that there are still 419ners in the National Assembly today”.
The allegation immediately attracted the attention of Ayogu Eze who raised point of order and cited Order 15 claiming that his privileges had been breached and asked that Aliyu name all lawmakers, either in the House of Representatives or the Senate, who are 419ners.
When Aliyu was called upon to name the lawmakers involved and while others were asking him to withdraw his allegation, he responded “I will not withdraw; I will mention one” but he was cut short by Mark who directed that the issue be referred to the ethics committee.
The senate was considering a motion sponsored by 17 senators and presented by Shola Akinyede who wanted the Federal Government to remain steadfast in its commitment to the war against corruption and said their concern was not against the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu who was sent on course.
The senators in the motion observed that there is a growing concern by Nigerians and the international community about emerging signals from recent developments at the EFCC giving the impression and the tempo and direction of the war had waned.
They noted that the recent increase in direct foreign investment in Nigeria and the delisting of Nigeria from the list of non-cooperating nations and territories by financial action task force were as a result of the concerted efforts of EFCC against perpetrators of Advanced Fee fraud (419).
They also observed that recently the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes stated that it required re-assurance before it could continue with a $30-milion anti-corruption facility which it has planned for Nigeria.
According to them, “virtually all our major partners in the international community including Transparency International and the United Nations have expressed their concern”.
The upper chamber in passing the motion asked Mohammed Lamorde, the acting chairman of EFCC to come and brief it on activities of the commission and claims the tempo of fighting corruption had waned.
The senate also passed a motion urging the Federal Government to streamline and monitor the activities of foreign aid organisations operating in the country to ensure that their activities are consistent with our national interest and integrity.
The senate which debated a motion moved by deputy majority leader Victor Ndoma-Egba on the abduction of 103 Sudanese and Chadian children by some French aid workers also asked government to provide enabling environment that would prevent child trafficking in the country.
Nuhu Aliyu, a former deputy inspector general of Police had while contributing to a motion on direction and tempo of the war on corruption alleged that con men were presently in the National Assembly.
He said: “Those who collude with 419ners and stole millions of dollars have themselves to blame because of their greed. Mr. President, I have said it before but I am repeating it today without regret that there are still 419ners in the National Assembly today”.
The allegation immediately attracted the attention of Ayogu Eze who raised point of order and cited Order 15 claiming that his privileges had been breached and asked that Aliyu name all lawmakers, either in the House of Representatives or the Senate, who are 419ners.
When Aliyu was called upon to name the lawmakers involved and while others were asking him to withdraw his allegation, he responded “I will not withdraw; I will mention one” but he was cut short by Mark who directed that the issue be referred to the ethics committee.
The senate was considering a motion sponsored by 17 senators and presented by Shola Akinyede who wanted the Federal Government to remain steadfast in its commitment to the war against corruption and said their concern was not against the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu who was sent on course.
The senators in the motion observed that there is a growing concern by Nigerians and the international community about emerging signals from recent developments at the EFCC giving the impression and the tempo and direction of the war had waned.
They noted that the recent increase in direct foreign investment in Nigeria and the delisting of Nigeria from the list of non-cooperating nations and territories by financial action task force were as a result of the concerted efforts of EFCC against perpetrators of Advanced Fee fraud (419).
They also observed that recently the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes stated that it required re-assurance before it could continue with a $30-milion anti-corruption facility which it has planned for Nigeria.
According to them, “virtually all our major partners in the international community including Transparency International and the United Nations have expressed their concern”.
The upper chamber in passing the motion asked Mohammed Lamorde, the acting chairman of EFCC to come and brief it on activities of the commission and claims the tempo of fighting corruption had waned.
The senate also passed a motion urging the Federal Government to streamline and monitor the activities of foreign aid organisations operating in the country to ensure that their activities are consistent with our national interest and integrity.
The senate which debated a motion moved by deputy majority leader Victor Ndoma-Egba on the abduction of 103 Sudanese and Chadian children by some French aid workers also asked government to provide enabling environment that would prevent child trafficking in the country.
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