By Thompson Yamput
The constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have filed a petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and two others before the Code of Conduct Bureau.
The two others are the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and Senator Nelda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
The petition, signed by one Abdulrahman Badamasiuy and 69 others, and made available to ephemeralnews.com.ng on Tuesday in Lokoja, is addressed to the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello.
The petitioners, who came under the aegis of Aggrieved Constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District, accused the trio of abuse of power and violation of their oath of office as senators following the six-month suspension of their representative, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The above-named Senators are therefore in deep contravention of paragraph 9 of the Fifth Schedule (part 1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
“This petition is hereby presented against them pursuant to paragraph 12 of the Fifth Schedule (Part 1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria,” they alleged
According to the petitioners, the senators’ actions were “arbitrary and knowingly prejudicial” to the rights of Kogi Central constituents, who are entitled to have their elected senator represent their interests in the Senate.
The petitioners alleged that Senator Imasuen disregarded a court order restraining him from proceeding with an investigation against Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Despite being served with the court order, Senator Imasuen went ahead with the investigation, leading to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
“The suspension is unlawful, as it exceeds the 14-day limit prescribed by the Senate Rules, ” the petitioners alleged.
They also claim that the senators’ actions breach their oath of office and the Code of Conduct for public officers.
The petitioners urge the Code of Conduct Bureau to take action against the senators for their alleged abuse of power and violation of their oath of office.
It could be recalled that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions had slammed a six months suspension on sen Akpoti-Uduaghan over her alleged misconduct in the Senate Chamber during plenary. (ephemeralnews.com.ng)
