Senate threatens to arrest AGF, summons SGF over comment on constituency projects

Senate threatens to arrest AGF, summons SGF over comment on constituency projects

malami and lawalThe Senate resumed from its brief recess on Tuesday with a threat of arrest dangled over the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for defiling its summons to appear over the forgery case instituted against its two presiding officers and two others.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, was also summoned to appear before the Senate Committee on Finance, Appropriations and Ethics and Privileges over comments made about the implementation of constituency projects in the 2016 budget.

The upper chamber passed both resolutions against the backdrop of a strained relationship between it and the Executive, with the AGF shunning twice invitations to appear over the forgery case he filed against Senate President Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

The Senate insisted that the AGF must appear before it or risk arrest.

President of the Senate, Saraki who spoke after the Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters,David Umaru, informed lawmakers that Presidential Aide, Ita Enang, had appealed for more time for Malami to appear.

Senator Saraki however warned that senate will not hesitate to issue a bench warrant within one week if the AGF fails to respond to invitations.