The Senate had on Wednesday instituted a seven-member panel, chaired by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, to probe Abba over the pandemonium which occurred on that fateful date following the invasion of the complex by security operatives.
The Senate investigative panel is expected to submit its report next Tuesday.
Lawmakers, their aides and staff of the National Assembly were barred from accessing their offices which forced some of the House of Representatives members, to scale the fence.
But Marafa, who represent Zamfara Central on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, told journalists in Abuja that the senate probe may not adequately address the gravity of the offence committed against the legislature by the police authorities.
He argued that since the police had by their action, breached CAP L.12, section 16 of the constitution ( which spells out punishment and fine for obstructing members or officers and creating disturbances, etc), the matter should have been taken to court .
He said the members of the senate who are members of the probe panel were also assaulted by the police on the fateful day, hence they should not investigate the case in which they are interested parties.
He said, “My own take is that you cannot be an arbiter in your own case. All I expected from the Senate was to make a resolution to President Goodluck Jonathan and cite the relevant laws and from there, go to court.
“How do you then, investigate something to which you are a party? Nevertheless, I believe this incident is a call for self-examination on our part. It was defining moment for the National Assembly because the Constitution has already vested the three arms of government with authority.
“Flowing from that, the legislature has its own powers of appropriation, oversight, screening/approval, investigation, veto, repeal/enact laws and impeachment, among others.”The Senate cannot be an arbiter in its own case.
“An offence has already been committed. We know who did it and the law is very clear on what to do. The Police breached CAP L.12 (sections 14-16) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
“So, why set up a panel? We’ve already heard reasons given by the Police and the reasons are not tenable.”
Marafa, however, commended Senate President David Mark and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal for their “maturity and management of the unfortunate incident.”
He also commended the Senate President for having a space in his large heart to forgive the lawmaker who physically assaulted him on that day.
No comments:
Post a Comment