THE Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Itse Sagay, has fired blistering remarks at Nigerian Senators after they summoned him for reportedly describing the Senate as ‘childish and irresponsible’ and one ‘filled by people of questionable character’.

The Senate, Tuesday, suspended the confirmation process for two weeks within which they demanded Mr. Magu’s sack.

But Mr. Sagay was reported by Punch on Wednesday to have said: “That action is childish and irresponsible. Do they think Buhari is a man that can easily be threatened? My God! How can people of such character occupy the highest legislative office in the country? Nigeria is finished.

“It is a great mistake and they will regret it.”

The Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Na’Allah, on Wednesday read Mr. Sagay’s comment to his colleagues who subsequently resolved to summon the senior lawyer to appear before the committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions to explain his statement.

In reaction to the Senate’s decision to summon him, Mr. Sagay said the upper chamber's resolution was unconstitutional.

“They ought to know that I do not come within the category of persons they can summon,” said Mr. Sagay.

“I would advise them to tell their lawyers to check the Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution. Through that, they will know I don’t come within that category.”

“They don’t have authority to summon me. I am outside the group of persons they can summon. I am not a civil servant, I don’t belong to any commission or any…”

The parts of the Constitution cited by Mr. Sagay empowers the Senate or House of Representatives to direct investigation into the conduct of affairs of ‘any person, authority, ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly.’

Then, the law further provides that such shall only be exercised by the National Assembly for the purpose of making laws ‘within its legislative competence’; amending laws; and exposing “corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated for it.”

Section 89 establishes ways by which the National Assembly can enforce Section 88 paraphrased above.

Asked if his work as the chairman of the presidential anti-graft committee does not fall within the category mentioned in the Section 88 of the Constitution, Mr. Sagay who was quoted by Premium Times said, “That’s why I said they should look at the Constitution. My work comes totally outside of their power.

“I’m not going to give those details now; but if they are foolish enough to insist on my coming, at the appropriate time and at appropriate venue, all the details will come out

“But now let me just make general statement: they have no power or authority to summon me. Period!”

deantimes:


http://www.socialtimesng.net/2017/03/if-the-senate-insist-on-summoning-me-they-are-foolish-sagay/

yarimo:
Prof SAGAY you are absolutely right, because this sets of senators don't know anything about what is already written in the constitution. All what they are after is money money and more money. Mtcheeew yeye senators

kinibigdeal:


If we allow the presidency to ridicule the senate, Nigerians are dead. If not for this senate, the executives would have sold us out. If the senate and the presidency agrees often, then we are all dead. There must be check and balance

todayboy:
oga professor your boss Buhari have sent the vice president and other ministers to go and beg saraki

stop bragging Fulanis will always make your certificate useless

sharpden:


So if it were in military regime, you will tell them that they can't summon you? This democracy set!

The parts of the Constitution cited by Mr. Sagay empowers the Senate or House of Representatives to direct investigation into the conduct of affairs of ‘any person, authority, ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly.’

Then, the law further provides that such shall only be exercised by the National Assembly for the purpose of making laws ‘within its legislative competence’; amending laws; and exposing “corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated for it.”

Aufbauh:
Is quite unfortunate that the 8th Senate is constituting itself to be both maker and enforcer of the law out of crash ignorance and self aggrandizement.

Former president Obj had make more disparaging remarks about the senate before by calling bunch of rogues and thieves in high places. Why have they not attempt to summon Baba? This guys are mere jobless comedians trading off our time and resources.

PMBNG:


Obasanjo is not a presidential aide in this govt.
as at now he is just an ordinary Nigerian just like you.

come to think of it, is it not this same Obasanjo you want to portray as a saint that introduced ghana-must-go bags in National Assembly because of his 3rd term agenda?

sharpden:


So if it were in military regime, you will tell them that they can't summon you? This democracy set!

DozieInc:
The recent activities of the Senate is in no way beneficial to Nigerians in general, just a waste of public funds.
They should continue displaying their ignorance.

PMBNG:


Obasanjo is not a presidential aide in this govt.
as at now he is just an ordinary Nigerian just like you.

come to think of it, is it not this same Obasanjo you want to portray as a saint that introduced ghana-must-go bags in National Assembly because of his 3rd term agenda?

kinibigdeal:


If we allow the presidency to ridicule the senate, Nigerians are dead. If not for this senate, the executives would have sold us out. If the senate and the presidency agrees often, then we are all dead. There must be check and balance

Flyingngel:
Only 2% of the National Assembly Members knws what they are there to do, the rest are after their pockets.

ProudBornoBoy:
#Democracy is a curse to Africa..... All politician over 50yrs of age should be killed..... make youths rule
meanwhile

Jaideyone:
really? as glaring as the corruption going on in the senate is they ate not ridiculed already? Nigerians know the real reason magu was rejected. Nigerians know the real reason Ali was summoned. Nigerians know the real reason Ndume will be suspended. the current senate is joke. they already ridiculed themselves.

our senators are shameless. so there's no ridicule here. all sane Nigerians must stand against the current NASS of thieves

deantimes:


http://www.socialtimesng.net/2017/03/if-the-senate-insist-on-summoning-me-they-are-foolish-sagay/