Senate summons Wike, FCT CP over spate of kidnappings

. Approves disengagement of Irukera

IGNATIUS OKOROCHA, Abuja

The Senate Wednesday summoned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT, Abuja), Nyesom Wike, and the Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe, to appear before it over the spate of kidnapping in the territory.

Summoning of Wike and the FCT Police Commissioner by the Senate was a sequel to the adoption of prayers contained in a motion sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko ( PDP Delta North) on kidnap and killing of  his Senior Legislative Aide ( SLA), Barrister Chris Agidy in Galadimawa last year .

Other prayers adopted by the Senate after exhaustive debate on the motion by Senators are that  the Inspector – General of Police,( IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, should urgently increase security patrols and surveillance within Abuja and across the Nation for proactive measures against kidnappings .

That the IGP should see to the installation of CCTV Cameras in strategic locations within and around Abuja Highways and that the Police should dedicate a three digit emergency number for effective emergency response .

That the Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC), should urgently ensure the functionality of dedicated emergency numbers for Police , Ambulance and Fire Service emergencies to enhance switft response to security and public safety incidents .

The FCT Minister and Police Commissioner, according to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, are to meet the Senate in closed door session on a date to be written in letter of summons to be forwarded to them by the Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze.

“The FCT Minister and Police Commissioner would appear before us in closed session on a date to be sent to them by the Clerk of the Senate.

“Their expected appearance before the Senate, is to hear from them, measures and strategies being put in place to stem the ugly tide of kidnappings in FCT .

” Incidences like kidnapping and killing of  SLA of Senator Nwoko and some residents of FCT, are worrisome and must be stopped not only in FCT but in Nigeria generally”, he said.

The late Barrister Chris Agidy was kidnapped along with 19 others in Galadimawa in November 2023 .

.approves disengagement of Irukera

The Senate has approved the disengagement of Mr. Babatunde Irukera, as  Chief Executive/Vice-Chairman of  the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

This followed the approval of the request by President Bola Tinubu, seeking senate’s approval on disengagement of Irukera.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Tinubu in a letter dated Jan. 30, asked the senate to approve the disengagement.

The senate Leader, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, moved the motion for  consideration of the President’s request.

In his contribution, Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa) said that if there was an allegation of misconduct, then the senate was entitled to know the totality of the facts of the alleged misconduct.

Sen. Osita Ngwu (PDP-Enugu) noted that though the FCCPC Act of 2018, has a section on misconduct, he, however, said that the President did not base the removal of Irukera on misconduct.

“The President is not seeking removal of the officer, based on misconduct but inability to effectively perform his duty.

“It is not for the senate to know whether he is performing or not; the President has the authority.”

In his remarks, President of the senate, Godswill Akpabio said that Tinubu had the right to “hire and fire”.

“The President has the authority. We all are expecting the President to perform. The buck stops at his table. So if a person is not performing to expectations, he or she can be removed.

“I urge this senate to approve the President’s request. In labour practice, he who hires can fire.

“And it is difficult to force a servant on a willing master as far as the law is concerned. But here, the provision is very clear.”

Akpabio further said that senate’s job was to approve the request of the President and not to investigate his request.

“The section of the law is very clear that a person can be removed over his inefficiency to perform his duties.”