Senate forms panel to investigate NDLEA drug allegations against colleague
The Senate has formed a six-member ad hoc committee, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, to investigate drug allegations against the Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru (APC, Kwara South).
The committee’s establishment follows a “personal explanation” by Ashiru under Order 42 of the Senate rules, in which he claimed that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had violated his privileges.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) claimed that Senator Ashiru’s house in Ilorin, Kwara State, was raided, resulting in the recovery of a consignment of drugs. This allegation was made by the agency’s chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, during a press conference on Monday, where he was represented by Mr. Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy. Marwa also noted that three of Ashiru’s aides were arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced, including one who was jailed in June of this year.
In response, Senator Ashiru accused the NDLEA of corruption and compromise during last week’s plenary session. Seeking protection from the Senate on Tuesday, he described the allegations as malicious, asserting they were aimed at discrediting him and hindering his contributions to Senate debates. Ashiru emphasized, “I am 68 years old. I can assert that I don’t take alcohol; I don’t take drugs. I don’t get involved in these things; I don’t take cannabis.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed his support for Ashiru, stating, “Injury to one is injury to all.” He assured Ashiru that anything said in the Senate is covered by privilege and immunity, affirming, “In the Senate, we see you as a gentleman to the core.”
Akpabio charged the ad hoc committee to summon NDLEA leadership to justify the allegations. He warned that failure to provide justification would result in drastic action against the agency.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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