The 10th Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, entered a closed-door session following a motion raised by Deputy Senate Leader, Oyelola Ashiru, concerning a matter of privilege.
On Tuesday, Ashiru brought up the motion, citing Senate Standing Rules Orders 9, 10, 41, and 52. He explained the significance of Order 9, which pertains to the privileges and rights enjoyed by the Senate collectively, as well as by individual members, under legislative powers and privileges. He emphasized that any matter of privilege that arises must be addressed immediately.
Ashiru further highlighted Order 10, which allows any senator to raise a matter of privilege at any time and move a motion, without notice, declaring that a breach of privilege or contempt has occurred. Such matters would then be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for further consideration.
However, before Ashiru could elaborate, Senate President Akpabio interjected, allowing Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to request an executive session. Akpabio then sought the Senate’s consent for the closed-door meeting.
Senate Leader Bamidele moved the motion, stating, “Mr. President, I respectfully request that the Senate dissolve into a closed session for further discussions before reconvening for plenary.” The motion was promptly seconded by Senate Minority Whip Osita Ngwu, standing in for the Minority Leader.
Akpabio then announced, “Distinguished colleagues, a motion has been moved and seconded for this Senate to resolve into a closed session to discuss matters of national importance.”
Although Ashiru did not specify the issue of privilege he intended to address, it follows recent tensions between the senator and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Last week, during deliberations on a bill to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, Ashiru criticized the NDLEA, calling it “the most corrupt and compromised agency.” In response, the NDLEA, through its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, accused Ashiru of harboring a personal vendetta against the agency.
Babafemi claimed Ashiru’s remarks were motivated by a failed attempt to prevent the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in drug abuse at the senator’s residence in Kwara State a few years ago.
In defense, Ashiru’s Special Assistant, Olaitan Adeyanju, issued a statement on Monday, urging the NDLEA to prosecute any individuals found guilty of drug-related offenses. The statement dismissed the NDLEA’s claims, stating, “The NDLEA alleges it discovered drugs at Senator Ashiru’s Ilorin residence, yet there is no record of the suspects being charged in court.”
Adeyanju added that Ashiru’s outspoken criticism of the NDLEA’s corruption likely prompted these accusations, further clarifying that Ashiru had not sent any aides to interfere in the case of Tosin Odepidian, a figure mentioned by the NDLEA, whose name, Ashiru’s camp claims, is unfamiliar.
