Reps summon Malami, Arase over counter order to re-open Kogi Assembly

House of Representatives on Tuesday resumed plenary after two weeks of recess with a resolution to summon Abubakar Malami, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, over the counter-directive to re-open Kogi State House of Assembly complex.

The House also resolved that Solomon Arase, Inspector General of Police (IGP), should appear before the 22-member Adhoc Committee chaired by Femi Gbajabiamila, majority leader.

Some of the lawmakers, who spoke during the motion sponsored by Nicholas Ossai included Mojeed Alabi, Tajudeen Yusuf, Leo Ogor, Nnana Igbokwe, called for the sack/resignation of the Attorney General of the Federation as well as separation between the office of the AGF and Minister of Justice.

They argued that the action of the AGF was a contempt and affront as well as sabotage on the of the activities of the legislature, stressing that such action conflicted with the principle of separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Recall that the House and the Senate had in March 2016 passed separate resolutions to take over the legislative functions of the Kogi State House of Assembly following the crisis that trailed the impeachment of the speaker by five members.

To this end, the House, which adopted the recommendations of the delegation chaired by Pally Iriase, directed the IGP to shut down the complex pending the restoration of law and order in the state legislative arm.

Worried by the media report credited to the Attorney General, the House on resumption from the three-week Easter recess, inaugurated a 20-member Adhoc Committee chaired by Femi Gbajabiamila, to investigate the role of the AGF and IGP and report back to the House within two weeks.

In his lead debate, Ossai, who doubles as chairman, House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, expressed displeasure over the incitement caused by the AGF’s statement between the executive and the legislature on the reopening of the Kogi Assembly complex.

Ossai, who described Malami’s statement as ‘illegal and unwarranted,’ noted that the AGF should have approached the Supreme Court for interpretation of the relevant sections of the Constitution, rather than usurping the powers of the judiciary and legislature.

While urging the House to take decisive decision on the AGF in order to prevent future occurrence, Ossai argued that Malami’s action was “an affront against the legislature.”

In his contribution, Gbajabiamila, who explained that the House derived its powers from sections 11, 96 and 100 of the Constitution, noted that the directive of the AGF was deficient and supportive of breakdown of law and order in the Kogi State Assembly.

Also speaking, Pally Iriase, who led the House delegation on fact finding to Kogi State Assembly, disclosed that there was no subsisting Court injunction as claimed by the AGF.

While ruling, Speaker Yakubu Dogara who described the AGF statement as ‘sensitive matters that should be treated with seriousness,’ however urged members to give the AGF fair hearing.

He however noted, “any part two law student should know that there’s on presumption in law and all procedures should be complied with. I’m in doubt whether the Attorney General as the Custodian of the law of this country, authored the letter?”