Senate exonerates Saraki, Melaye, suspends Ndume for six months

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.
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, Kaduna State.
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 a 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.
Meanwhile, the Senate has suspended Ndume over his petition calling for investigation into the allegation discrediting Melaye as a graduate of ABU.
The suspension order followed the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions which investigated the allegation.
The committee had on March 27, summoned both Senators Ndume and Melaye to state their versions on the allegations.
The Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Sam Anyanwu  submitted his committee’s report which recommended   that  “the Senate do suspend Sen. Mohammed Ndume for bringing Sen. Dino Melaye, his colleagues and the institution of the Senate to unbearable disrepute.
“This is even as at a time of our national life when caution, patriotism, careful consideration and due diligence should be our watch words.
“The suspension is with effect from today, March 29, 2017 to last for six months.
“After having been properly cleared of any wrong doings by the findings of the committee, Sen. Dino Melaye has been cleared of the allegations made against him and exonerated”.
According to Anyanwu, the recommendation was signed by seven members of the Committee.
Sen. Obinna Ogba PDP-Ebonyi seconded the motion.
In his remarks, Ekweremadu said the matter was a lesson that has been learned.
“We should investigate matters before we made allegations,” he said.
He commended the committee for a good job, saying the investigation was carried out within the stipulated time.
“We look forward to a more united Senate. We should work for the betterment of the Senate,” he said.
The Senate had on March 21 resolved to probe an allegation of fake school certificate made  against Melaye by an online publication.
Raising the issue under matters of national importance, Ndume said former leaders of the National Assembly such as Salisu Buhari, Aminu  Masari, Adolphus Wabara, Evans Ewerem and Dimeji Bankole were all investigated when similar allegations were made against them.
Ndume said the privileges of senators were breached by the allegation.
He, therefore, prayed that the matter be referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges to probe the matter.
Consequently, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, referred the matter to the committee to investigate and report back in four weeks.