SAN FRANCISCO, October 11, (THEWILL) – Following the recent clampdown on some judges by the Department of State Services, DSS, the House of Representatives on Tuesday constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the invasion carried out at the weekend by operatives of the secret police.
The lower legislative chamber resolved to investigate the matter, after Rep Kingsley Chinda from Rivers state sponsored an urgent motion on the development under matters of public importance.
This was as the Senate rejected a motion to invite the Director-General of the DSS, Lawan Daura, to appear before it over the ongoing clampdown on alleged corrupt judges.
A PDP Senator from Gombe state, Joshua Lidani who, in a motion brought as matter of urgent national importance, had motioned that the Senate invited Mr. Daura to explain why his agency has launched a clampdown on the nation’s judges in such a manner it did was instead demanded to consider the action of the DSS which led to the arrest of the seven judges on Saturday.
He based his claim on the point that it is the constitutional responsibility of the National Judicial Council, NJC, to see to the discipline of corrupt judges. The Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio supported the motion.
At the Green Chamber, the representatives also refused to summon Daura, but said a committee to investigate the circumstance of the raid be organised.
While moving the motion on the floor the House, the lawmaker said it was important for the DSS to explain where it derived the powers it used to raid the residence of the judges, adding that the constitution guaranteed the separation of powers.
“The powers of the SSS as enumerated in sections (2) (3) and (6) of the national security agencies act 1986; which does not include the investigation and prosecution of corruption and abuse of office.
“The affected judicial officers had never been invited for questioning by the SSS before the sudden invasion and arrest was carried out,” he said.
Chinda expressed dismay that neither the Attorney-General nor the National Judicial Commission, NJC, were contacted before the raids were carried out.
In his contribution, Rep Mojeed Alabi, suggested that the House should respect the principles of separation of powers and stay away from the matter.
The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara did not allow further contributions, as he stated that the House would have to first investigate the matter before arriving at a conclusion.
“Lawmakers should maintain fidelity to the laws. They are custodians to determine if the laws were breached,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Reps members adopted the motion after it was put to a voice vote by Speaker Dogara.
