House summons minister Danbazzau over assault on female Rep
John Ameh, Abuja
The House of Representatives on Thursday
summoned the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman
Danbazzau(retd.), and the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Prisons
Service, Mr. Peter Ekpendu, over an alleged assault on a female member
of the House.
The incident took place on Wednesday
close to the exit gate of the National Assembly, when the female
lawmaker from Delta State, Mrs. Onyemachi Mrukpor, was driving out of
the premises.
Security aides attached to the convoy of Ekpendu allegedly descended on her and slapped her for overtaking the convoy of the CG.
The CG was said to have visited the
National Assembly and was driving out of the legislative building when
the beating took place.
Lawmakers claimed that Ekpendu, a very
senior government official, merely sat in his car and watched as his
aides pummelled the female member. They alleged that he did nothing to
stop his aides.
A motion on the incident, which was
moved by the Minority Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor, was unanimously
endorsed by members at Thursday’s session, presided over by the
Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara.
The House noted, “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.”
The law stipulates a penalty of N400,000
fine or a prison term of six months on conviction for an attack on a
legislator within the premises of a legislative house.
The resolution was later amended to include Danbazzau, who was asked to appear before the House Committee on Interior.
The Ministry of Interior supervises the Nigerian Prisons Service.
The committee, which is chaired by an
All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Kaduna State, Mr. Adams Jagaba,
is to produce a report on Tuesday next week.
The House Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila,
while contributing to the debate, informed the House that Mrukpor
called him immediately the alleged assault took place to make a report.
“She called me and she was crying. I have not seen a thing like this before.
“This is the time we need to rally behind her not just as a member but as a woman.
“This is a clear, straight case; that
the attacker is guilty of assault. He is guilty of battery. There is
vicarious liability in this case,” Gbajabiamila added.
In addition to Danbazzau and Ekpendu,
the House summoned the unit heads of all security agencies posted to the
National Assembly to explain the conduct of their men, who reportedly
watched as the member was attacked without intervening.
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