He particularly told newsmen that failure of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, to honour senate invitation negated democratic tenet of checks and balances.
For More:Visit Us at Uju Ayalogu's Blog
Lawal was invited by Senate Ad hoc Committee on Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East to clarify his involvement in the controversial award of contracts for the rehabilitation of communities ravaged by insurgency in the region.
But, he wrote to the Senate that he will not be able to appear before the committee on the ground that he had gone to court to challenge the invitation and other issues.
Similarly, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (retd), refused to honour an invitation by the Senate.
The lawmakers wanted Ali explain the rationale for Customs proposal of a retrospective payment of vehicle duty by owners and not importers or dealers.
He was advised to appear before the lawmakers in his comptroller-general’s uniform.
After a botched attempt, Ali declined further appearance before the senators, citing advice by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as reason.
He had told the media that the minister, Mr Abubakar Malami, had written to the Senate, urging it to cease further action as the issue on the legality or otherwise of his wearing uniform had been taken to court.
Malami explained that any further action on the matter would be subjudice.
But the legislators ignored the letter and called for Ali’s resignation as Customs CG, saying that he was not fit for public office.
Tajudeen said that the actions of the two appointees of President Muhammadu Buhari violated the provision of the Constitution which empowered the National Assembly to invite any individual.
“We have three arms of government and we have separation of powers under the Constitution; so, the legislature is there to checkmate the executive while the Judiciary is there to checkmate the legislature.
“As it is, the legislature should not go beyond its boundaries, and so should the executive not exceed its boundaries.
“In a case whereby the legislature summons a member of the executive for investigative hearing, the person must answer, that is what the Constitution said.
“In this case where the SGF failed, it means there is something wrong,’’ he said.
Are you an artiste? Do you want your music to go viral and reach a large number of audience? Promote your music and Submit your story on Ujuayalogusblog.com by clicking here. For Advert Inquiries Tele/+44(0)7590363984 Subscribe to Ujuayalogusblog.com News!
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2015-2017 @ Uju Ayalogu's Blog NIGERIAN NEWS
For More:Visit Us at Uju Ayalogu's Blog
Our law makers in Nigeria lack the credible knowledge of a parliament just because of their background. Our senator is telling us thatthe institution of separation of powers, each arm is the checkmate of the other organ.
ReplyDeleteIn the light of this we can see the type of people sitting in our parliament making laws