Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has defended the constitutional powers of the Nigerian Senate to issue warrants of arrest where necessary to enforce compliance with its investigative functions.
Speaking on Monday during an interview on TVC News’ Beyond the Headline programme, the former Edo State governor said the Senate derives such authority from the oversight powers granted to the National Assembly under the 1999 Constitution.
According to Oshiomhole, the Constitution empowers Senate committees to conduct investigations into matters of public interest and submit reports for appropriate legislative action.
He explained that individuals or institutions that fail to honour invitations or refuse to provide relevant information during investigations could face sanctions, including the issuance of arrest warrants.
“The Constitution of Nigeria 1999 has empowered the Senate to carry out oversight functions through its committees, which in turn forward reports after their investigations,” he said.
Oshiomhole added that the Senate could invoke its constitutional powers, exercised through the office of the Senate President, to compel compliance in the interest of transparency and accountability.
“We have threatened that we’d invoke the powers of the Senate, which are entrusted in the office of the Senate President, to issue a warrant of arrest for anyone who refuses to account for or explain issues that are relevant for the purpose of transparency and good governance,” he stated.
His remarks come amid growing public scrutiny over the alleged disappearance of ₦210 trillion from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), a controversy that has intensified calls for greater accountability and legislative oversight.