The Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s led Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions has expressed anger over the failure of former EFCC boss, Ibrahim Larmode to appear before it to hear a case of petition raised against him since 3 months ago.
Against the expectations of his personal attendance at today’s hearing, he was represented by Barrister Festus Keyamo which angered the Chairman who pointedly told his representatives that Nigeria Senate does not accept talking to a proxy while also reminding Keyamo that they were not in the Court of law.
“Please, Mr. Keyamo, you are representing the former EFCC Chairman who was expected to be here personally. It is our tradition that we don’t talk on his behalf because the case in question bothers on petition,” Anyanwu said.
Citing section 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dino Melaye who is a member of the Committee expressed disappointment that the former EFCC boss was first invited on 28th August, 2015 and since that time, he has serially been evasive.
Melaye added that the section has empowered the Senate to summon any Nigerian, be it private or public, while noting that from Lamorde’s antics, it has become very clear that he was disrespecting the Senate and that the Committee may have no choice than to issue bench warrant for his appearance.
“I want to refer you to section 89 again that it has empowered the Senate to summon any Nigerian be it private or public to answer cases that bother on petition and within the context of this, we have invited several others, why should Lamorde’s issue be different?,” Melaye asked.
Speaking, Barrister Festus submitted that Mr Ibrahim Lamorde’s absence was not out of disrespect, but based on the fact that he was invited in his capacity as the substantive Chairman of EFCC, but now he was no longer the Chairman, hence, the question of competence to answer those Petitions was fundamental.
“Distinguished Senators, Mr Lamorde’s absence obviously was not out of disrespect, but the invitation letter was to EFCC boss and since he is no longer the Chairman, that is the reason for his absence”, Keyamo said.
The Chairman, however, ruled that he has to appear personally on Tuesday, 24th, November, 2015
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