The Senate has formally condemned and distanced itself from remarks attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, in which he described the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as ‘a bunch of criminals and thieves’.
The upper chamber stated that the comments do not reflect its official position, resolution, opinion, finding or determination.
The clarification formed part of resolutions adopted during Thursday’s plenary following a motion moved by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.
The Senate also declared that no committee has the power to issue, authorise or execute a warrant of arrest unless it strictly complies with the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and obtains the express approval of the President of the Senate.
The resolutions came less than 24 hours after the Senate Committee on Public Accounts reportedly considered and recommended a warrant of arrest against former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, over allegations that he failed to honour invitations from the committee.
During debate on the motion, senators strongly criticised the remarks attributed to Oshiomhole, describing them as an unjustified attack on the character of public officials.
The Senate stressed that the comments reflected personal views and should not be interpreted as the institution’s position.
Several lawmakers, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, warned the Edo State senator against making statements capable of undermining public institutions.
They urged members to remain guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Senate Standing Orders while carrying out their legislative duties.
The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to due process, legislative decorum and compliance with established legal procedures in performing its oversight responsibilities.
Some lawmakers also called on Oshiomhole to publicly withdraw the remarks.
Oshiomhole: I Acted Under Provocation
Responding to concerns raised by colleagues, Oshiomhole defended his actions, admitting that he made the remarks under provocation after NNPCL officials allegedly denigrated lawmakers and levelled accusations against them.
“I acted under provocation because distinguished members were being attacked without any proof of the allegations being made. We are knowledgeable of the rules and not ignorant of them,” he said. “If it is the view of the Senate that I should apologise, I have no problem with that.”
The former Edo State governor said he would never do anything to embarrass the Senate, adding that he had merely sought to defend the institution and its members.
He maintained that he reacted to comments he considered disrespectful to lawmakers in order to protect the Senate’s credibility.
“Rather than provide answers, we were told that senators do not have a monopoly on patriotism and were accused of recommending their children for employment in NNPC. The lawmakers were denigrated, and I reacted in defence of the Senate,” the lawmaker said.
According to Oshiomhole, his colleagues should have consulted him before drawing conclusions or making accusations against him.
He said, “I was not the mover of the motion seeking the issuance of a warrant of arrest, and I do not understand why my name was singled out. The Senate Leader referred to my reaction and not to the issues that prompted it.”
Oshiomhole recalled that the Senate had previously considered allegations involving an unaccounted ₦210 trillion contained in a report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, which had been referred to the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.
“We sat here and took a decision regarding the alleged missing N210 trillion. We were informed that Mele Kyari refused to appear before the committee. What brought us here in the first place was the allegation that NNPC’s approved auditors could not account for the funds, according to the Auditor-General’s report,” the Edo North senator told lawmakers.
The Senate Chief Whip later raised a point of order, urging Oshiomhole to confine his remarks to the matter before the chamber and avoid broadening the debate.
The intervention briefly disrupted proceedings before Senate President Godswill Akpabio restored order.
Akpabio reminded senators that the motion focused solely on Oshiomhole’s alleged unparliamentary remarks and the reported attempt to issue a warrant of arrest without following established procedures.