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Senate receives Nzeribe’s impeachment notice
By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi, Snr Correspondent, Abuja
Senator Arthur Nzeribe has served the Senate notice that he would move an impeachment motion on Tuesday next week.
He did on Wednesday without stating whether it is to sack President Olusegun Obasanjo or his Deputy, Atiku Abubakar. Probably to counter the initiative, Aso Rock met with the Senate leadership that Wednesday night "to find a common ground on recent happenings in the political atmosphere," as a source put it. "The meeting was reconciliatory," he recounted. Back in the Upper House, Nzeribe cited Order 43 (Personal Explanation) of the Senate Standing Rule, and disclosed that more information need be added to his motion, which would be ready next Tuesday. Nzeribe told his colleagues before proceedings began on Thursday: "You would recall that yesterday (Wednesday) I made a passing remark that I have a motion on impeachment and a vote of no confidence. It is on that basis that I am making this personal explanation." He read out Order 43, paused, and looked at Senate President, Ken Nnamani, for clarification. Nnamani responded: "It’s true that no debate may arise on the explanation but this your motion is a weighty one and cannot be treated so casually. What are you going to do now? What is your next line of action? Tell us what you want to do." The lawmakers were eager for Nzeribe to present the motion, but he balked; because "a lot of work still needs to be done for it to be ready. It would be ready by next Tuesday." Nnamani granted the request. Meanwhile, the Senate Committee probing the list of indicted politicians compiled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been given up till next Wednesday to submit its report. The committee is headed by Lawal Shuaibu. The Senate empowered it on Tuesday to probe how the list was doctored, and to proffer amendments to Section 3 (2) of the EFCC Act. The Section says "a member of the (EFCC) may at any time be removed by the President for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct or if the President is satisfied that it is not in the interest of the Commission or the interest of the public that the member should continue in office." Shuaibu pleaded for more time to gather materials as the committee is still expecting response from the EFCC.
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