The National Assembly joint ad hoc committee investigating the invasion of the National Assembly and theft of the Senate mace has recommended the immediate suspension of the senator representing Delta central, Ovie Omo-Agege, for 180 legislative days.
The recommendation was made by the committee investigating the invasion of the Senate. The decision was made at the conclusion of their investigation.
The committee also recommends that Senator Omo-Agege be prosecuted alongside six other suspects who accompanied him into the chamber on the day of the invasion.
They are to be prosecuted for treasonable felony assault on National Assembly members of staff, conspiracy to steal and eventual theft of the Senate Mace.
The committee equally recommends a total review of the National Assembly’s security architecture.
Recall that Frontline News Online exclusively reported on Tuesday July 3, that the committee headed by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah and a member of the House from Rivers State, Rep. Betty Apiafi has concluded its investigation into the embarrassing episode-key among its recommendations being the suspension and possible prosecution of the Delta lawmaker.
Recall that Omo-Agege and former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume were summoned by the committee, even as presentations were made by representatives of security agencies stationed at the National Assembly.
While Ndume appeared before the committee and was granted permission to give his testimony behind closed doors, Omo-Agege told the panel that he had dragged it to court. He stated that it would be subjudice for him to speak on the matter.
Despite dragging the panel to court, it continued with its probe and sources say the Delta senator was indicted in the panel’s report, and its recommendations are hinged on Sections 14 and 15 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017.
The recommendations further states, ” that the management of National Assembly should, as a matter of urgency, review the existing Security Operational Procedure and indeed the entire Security architecture with a view to improving the capacity of the Sergeants- at- Arm to enable them take the lead in providing security and encouraging synergy among other agencies to assist in complimentary roles and introduce electronic gate screening mechanism with capacity to automatically process authorized persons to Jain access into and out of he National Assembly Complex.
” That members should accord the security operatives the required courtesy and cooperation to enable them discharge their responsibilities effectively and efficiently .”
The report commended the House of Representatives , the international community, the media and other well- meaning individuals for their show of support in the side of Senate when “democracy was threatened”.
It also recommended for special compensation staff of the Senate Chamber namely Sandra Davou, Chuks Egemuka, Hussaini Yuri, as well as Timothy Omale and Jacob James Idoko of the House of Representatives Chamber ” who did their best to retrieve the Mace but were overpowered by the thugs.
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