Senate Sets Up Ad Hoc Committee To Probe Smart Adeyemi

ABUJA, May 26, (THEWILL) - Senate on Wednesday set up an ad hoc committee to probe statement credited to Senator Smart Adeyemi that the National Assembly is replete with corrupt persons.

Senate President David Mark after a close session before plenary announced a six man ad hoc committee to investigate the issue despite denials from Senator Adeyemi.

A national daily had reported that Adeyemi on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and called on the Chairman Farida Waziri to “probe all members of National Assembly at the end of their tenure "to explain how they got any property that would be traced to them."

The paper reported that Adeyemi had said that lawmakers were collaborating with banks to use fake names to launder money out of the country

Though Adeyemi insisted that the report was false, the Senate President insisted that the matter must be investigated by the Senate and announced a six-man committee for the job.

"I think it is serious enough allegation against this very distinguished chambers and I will suggest that this is referred to a committee. Ideally the standing committee to handle the issue is the Ethics and Public Petition committee but because of the seriousness of this publication, we will refer it to an ad hoc committee that will deal with it with dispatch and bring the matter back to the Senate."Mark said

Senate Chief Whip, Kanti Bello was named Chairman of the committee. Other members are Senators Ayogu Eze, Olorunnimbe Mamora, James Manager, Adamu Talba and Zainab Kure.