The House of Representatives has on Thursday summoned the Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazzau (retd), and the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Prisons Service, Mr. Peter Ekpendu, based on the alleged assault on a female Member of the House of Representatives.
The female lawmaker from Delta State, Mrs. Onyemachi Mrukpor, was on Wednesday allegedly assaulted close to the exit gate of the National Assembly as she was driving out of the complex.
According to reports, the security aides attached to the Prison boss’ convoy allegedly slapped the lawmaker for overtaking the CG’s convoy while he was on a visit to the Assembly Complex.
Lawmakers reported that Ekpendu did nothing to stop his aides from beating the woman as she sat in the car while the situation unfolded.
Members present at the Thursday session of the house unanimously endorsed a motion on the incident moved by the minority leader of the house, Mr. Leo Ogor.
The House pointed out that: “The member was battered under the watch of the CG of prisons. Her offence was that she overtook the convoy of the CG within the premises of the National Assembly.
“The CG of prisons is invited to explain why he should not be committed to prison in violation of Section 16 of the Legislative Houses, Powers and Privileges Act.”
According to the law, the offense attracts a penalty of N400,000 fine or a prison term of six months on conviction.
The resolution of the house was however modified to include the Minister of Interior, Dambazau as the Ministry was in charge of supervising the Nigerian Prisons Service.
The committee set up to investigate the issue is expected to turn in its report on Tuesday, next week.