*#TodayInPlenary*

*PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF WEDNESDAY 29TH MARCH, 2017*

Welcome to a new Legislative day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Senate President Bukola Saraki took the official prayer and led the chamber into the day's proceedings.

Senator Umaru Kurfi moved for the approval of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 28th March, 2017. Senator Ahmed Ogembe seconded.

*EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION*

Senate President Bukola Saraki read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari for the Confirmation of Professor Stephen Ocheni and Suleiman Hassan from Kogi and Gombe state respectively as Ministerial Nominees.

*PETITIONS*

1. Senator Mao Ohuabunwa raised a petition on wrongful dismissal of a lecturer in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu state and seizure of car.

2. Senator Ben Uwajumogu raised a Petition on the death of a person from his Constituency in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.

*POINT OF ORDER*

1. Senator Jibrin Barau cited order 43 and stated that Daily Trust Newspapers has retracted their earlier publication about him.

2. Senator Ibn Bala Na'Allah reacted to a Publication in the Punch Newspapers where he read that the "Senate is irresponsible and childish for not confirming the Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission".

This matter was referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

*CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS*

1. Report of Parliamentary Visit of the Nigerian Senate led by the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to Berlin, Germany from 8th - 10th March, 2017 by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe read the report on the Parliamentary visit to Germany and the recommendations taken.

2. Report of the Parliamentary visit of the Nigeria Senate led by the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to Rabat and Dakhla, Morocco from 16th - 18th March, 2017.

Senator Adamu read the. Parliamentary report on the Moroccan trip and the recommendations taken.

Senate President Bukola Saraki thanked the Senators who were part of the trip and stated that the Moroccan Parliament are keen on working with Nigeria.

3. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Samuel Anyanwu in respect of a Matter of Privilege raised by Senator Ali Ndume on:

a. The insinuation that the invitation of the Comptroller-General of Customs was informed by the seizure of the a Bullet Proof SUV vehicle belonging to the Senate President purportedly cleared with fake documents.

b. The Alleged First Degree Saga of Senator Dino Melaye.

Senate President Bukola Saraki stepped aside for Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu to preside as Senate considers this report.

Senator Anyanwu read the Committee's report on statements obtained from Senator Ali Ndume on the alleged imported SUV and Dino's certificate issue.
The Committee's report confirmed that:

1. Senator Dino Melaye passed his courses and graduated from the Ahmadu  Bello University, Zaria.

2. The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University also said Senator Dino Melaye was admitted and graduated in the year 2000.

3. He presented his result and also did his National Youth Service Corps Programme.

4. He officially changed his name from Daniel Melaye to Dino Melaye.

5. The dealer said he was not consulted by Senate President Bukola Saraki or the Nigerian Senate to import the car.

6. The car had been cleared since 2015 and the allegation on Senate President Bukola Saraki was cooked up.

7. Senator Ali Ndume being a former Senate Leader failed to conduct proper investigation before the allegations.

The Committee recommendations was to:

1. Suspend Senator Ali Ndume and noted hat dilligence should be the watchword.

2. The Suspension starts today, 29th Match, 2017 to last for 181 Legislative days.

"When we see anything against another Senator, we must bring it to the floor of the Senate before making hurtful statement."
 - Senator Jibrin Barau.

Senator Abubakar Yusuf said "A wrong has been done to the Senate President Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye and the Nigerian Senate as an institution". He further stated that Senator Ndume acted on what was carried on the papers and pleaded that Senate should ask him to apologise to Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye. Senator Yusuf Abubakar said as a first offender, Senator  Ndume should be suspended from Committee activities and not outright suspension.

Senator Mathew Urhoghide pleaded with the Nigerian Senate to reduce Senator Ali Ndume's suspension to 6 Months.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said "Lessons has been learnt from this, and going forward we should investigate matters first before drawing conclusions". He put the question and Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South Senatorial District is suspended from the Nigerian Senate for 6 Months.

Senate President Bukola Saraki continues presiding over Plenary.

4. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Samuel Anyanwu in respect of:

a. Petition from Oluchukwu Ulasi, Esq. and Associate on behalf of the family of late Arerebo Dressman against the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) for alleged brutal killing of Arerebo Dressman by Officials of the Company.

b. Petition from Cpl Maxwell Bibakedom (Rtd.) against the Nigerian Army over his non-inclusion in the payroll of the Directorate of the Military Pensions Board after retirement.

The Senate in its recommendation resolved to decline CPL Maxwell request because he voluntarily retired without reaching retirement age.

c. Petition of Lawright Associated against the Department of Parks and Recreation, Federal Capital Territory Administration.

5. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Samuel Anyanwu in respect of:

a. Petition from Chinedu Obi Esq. on behalf of Tony Onuora against the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) over Tony Onuorah's Missing Container at Tin-Can Island Port.

b. Petition from Owoeye Bosede Funmilola against the West African Examination Council (WAEC) for alleged non-issuance of her Senior School Examination Certificate.

c. Petition from Usman Umar against the Nigerian Army for alleged wrongful dismissal.

Senate President Bukola Saraki thanked the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for getting the matters resolved amicably.

6. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Samuel Anyanwu in respect of:

a. Petition from Mr. Anthony Joe Ikpeme against First Bank of Nigeria Plc for Extrajudicial Termination of his Appointment by the Bank

b. Petition from Association of Federal Government Doctorate Degree Students in Russia against the Federal Ministry of Education/Federal Scholarship Board for delay and non-payment of their Stipends.

for delay and non-payment of their Stipends.

c. Petition from Mr. Ndubuisi Heidi against First Bank of Nigeria Plc for alleged unlawful Termination of his Appointment by the Bank.

d. Petition from PC Vembe Abraham against the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for alleged wrongful Dismissal from the Force.

Senate President Bukola Saraki stated that the Federal Ministry of Education and the Scholarships Board should give priority to the students. He urged the Federal Government to release funds for the scholarship board.

c. Petition from Mr. Ndubuisi Heidi against First Bank of Nigeria Plc for alleged unlawful Termination of his Appointment by the Bank.

d. Petition from PC Vembe Abraham against the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for alleged wrongful Dismissal from the Force.

*CONSIDERATION OF BILLS - SECOND READING*

1. A Bill for an Act to establish the Chartered Institute of Auctioneers of Nigeria to provide for the control of its membership and to promote the practice of Auctions in Nigeria, 2017 (SB. 446) by Senator Hope Uzodinma.

Senator Utazi Chukwuka supported the bill and said that there are vehicles at various Police Stations that can be auctioned to increase revenue.

Senate President Bukola Saraki thanked Senator Hope Uzodinma for the bill and those who contributed to its success.

Senate President Bukola Saraki said "regulating the process of auctioneers will go a long way in areas of the economy, ease of doing business and clarity". He also stated that he hopes the Committee will work on this bill properly and bring it back for further input.

2. A Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, 2017 (SB. 399) by Senator Alasoadura Omotayo.

Senator Jibrin Barau said the bill is a straightforward one and similar bills have been passed previously.

Senator Urhoghide also supported the Establishment of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, Ondo State. The bill is referred to the Committee on Tertiary Education and Tetfund.

*ADJOURNMENT*

Senate Leader moved that other items on the Order Paper be stepped down to another Legislative day. Minority leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Thursday 30th March 2017.

#GavelBangs.

*FOLLOW THIS LINK TO WATCH THE PROCEEDINGS*:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX2FRhpAQQA and Follow on Instagram via https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/847106618416402432