The Senate is considering a motion aimed at clarifying the limits of its committees' powers and reaffirming due process in legislative investigations, following controversy surrounding the ongoing probe of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and its former management.
The motion, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, proposes that Senate committees should not independently issue or execute arrest warrants. It also seeks to formally dissociate the Senate from comments made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who described NNPC Limited as "a bunch of criminals and thieves" during a recent committee hearing.
According to the motion, Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution grant the National Assembly and its committees investigative and oversight powers to support lawmaking, accountability and transparency. However, Bamidele argued that the authority to compel the attendance of witnesses rests with the President of the Senate under the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
The move follows actions by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, which reportedly considered issuing a warrant for the arrest of former NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, over allegations that he failed to honour invitations from the committee.
Bamidele maintained that Senate committees derive their powers from the Senate and may only exercise authority expressly granted by the Constitution, Senate Standing Orders and relevant legislation. He argued that any attempt by a committee to issue or enforce an arrest warrant without the approval of the Senate President could exceed its legal powers and expose Senate proceedings to legal challenges.
The motion also raises concerns about comments attributed to Oshiomhole during the committee's investigation of NNPC Limited. According to Bamidele, remarks suggesting criminal culpability before the conclusion of investigations risk creating the perception of bias and could undermine confidence in the Senate's oversight process.
He noted that NNPC Limited, established under the Petroleum Industry Act, remains a strategic national energy company in which the Federal Government retains ownership interests on behalf of Nigerians.
The motion stresses that legislative investigations are intended to support oversight and accountability, not to determine criminal guilt. It further states that any finding of criminal liability can only be made by a court of competent jurisdiction after due process has been followed.
Among its proposed resolutions, the Senate is expected to reaffirm that only the President of the Senate has the authority to issue warrants compelling the attendance of witnesses before the Senate or its committees. It also seeks to prohibit committees from issuing, authorising or executing arrest warrants without the Senate President's approval.
In addition, the Senate is expected to formally state that Oshiomhole's remarks about NNPC Limited do not represent its official position, findings or resolutions.
The motion further calls on senators and committees to exercise caution in public comments on ongoing investigations and avoid statements that could prejudice proceedings or suggest predetermined outcomes.
The development comes after a heated session of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts during which Oshiomhole strongly criticised NNPC Limited while supporting calls for action against Kyari over allegations involving unaccounted public funds.
The Senate is expected to debate the motion as part of efforts to reinforce adherence to due process, protect institutional neutrality and ensure compliance with existing laws governing legislative oversight.
