*Marwa, NDLEA Chairman, to face panel
The Senate, on Tuesday, drew a battle line with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), following claims the agency made that the house of Senator Oyelola Ashiru (APC Kwara South) was used to warehouse illicit drugs.
The agency also claimed that the senator’s recent remarks on the floor of the Senate were borne out of vendetta rather than national interest, adding that some of the aides of the lawmaker were arrested in the raid on his residence and are currently being prosecuted with one of them already sentenced to jail.
The agency made the revelation on Monday at its national headquarters in Abuja during a press briefing to respond to a statement made by Senator Ashiru that “the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is corrupt and compromised.”
However, the Senate on Tuesday, vowed to investigate and if necessary, punish the NDLEA for disparaging the upper legislative chamber during the press conference.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, while responding to a point of order raised by Ashiru, said an “injury to one is an injury to all.”
Akpabio said lawmakers enjoy legislative immunity on the floor of the Upper Legislative Chamber on any comments they make, warning that remarks made by senators on the floor can’t be used against them.
Akpabio wondered why the NDLEA would wait for almost two years to rubbish a Senator over an alleged incident that happened in February 2023.
Akpabio said: “I believe the NDLEA’s actions are in response to his (Asiru’s)comments during the debate on the rehabilitation center for drug users. If the NDLEA truly thought he was a drug baron, they should have acted long ago, not now after his Senate contributions.
“Nigerians may not be aware, but everything said in the Senate is privileged and immune from external debate, whether on radio or TV.
“Senator Ashiru has never been charged or invited by the NDLEA. We see him as a gentleman who does not consume alcohol, let alone drugs.
“Colleagues, this is a serious matter. We must call the NDLEA to order. Injury to one is injury to all. I propose we set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the NDLEA’s allegations against Senator Ashiru. If they fail to provide justification, the Senate will take drastic action.”
Ashiru, in his point of order, said drug barons are making money from his constituency and that he only advised that the Senate should look into corruption in the NDLEA.
“I don’t even take carbonated drinks. I have never seen cannabis in my life. These claims are false and NDLEA only wanted to tarnish my image,” Ashiru said.
Akpabio, thereafter, constituted an adhoc committee headed by Senator Enyinna Abaribe, to investigate the matter.
The committee is expected to report back within one week because of the seriousness of the issue.
