The Senate on Wednesday, exonerated the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki over his alleged involvement in the importation of an SUV Range Rover bullet proof car.
This followed the commendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions which investigated the allegation and found him not culpable.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Saraki denied importing any bullet proof car contrary to the report before the Senate.
Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Sam Anyanwu, presented the committee’s report at plenary session which exonerated Saraki of any wrong doing.
Anyanwu said “the name of the Senate President was not mentioned anywhere in the Bill of lading or any document whatsoever connected with the importation or purchase of the SUV Range Rover.
“We observed that he did not import any SUV Range Rover as corroborated by all respondents.
“This story was cooked up with intent to embarrass the Senate President, the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly.
“That the complainant did not conduct due diligence before bringing the matter to the floor of the Senate.”
The report similarly confirmed that Sen. Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi) obtained a first degree in Geography from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Anyanwu said since Ndume failed to cross-check facts before presentation at plenary session, he had brought the integrity of both Melaye and the Senate into disrepute.
He said the committee consequently recommended sanction against Ndume for not being a patriotic representative of the Senate, and should serve as deterrent to others.
The Deputy President of Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over plenary, said great lesson had been learnt. “We should investigate matter before we allege them”, he said.
Ekweremadu commended the committee for a thorough investigation within the given time frame.
“We look forward to a more united Senate. We should work for the betterment of the Senate”, he said. (NAN)
NNL/KOO/IEA