Mace theft: Panel summons Omo-Agege, Ndume

A panel of the National Assembly, probing the invasion of the Senate and theft of its Mace yesterday asked Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno) and Senator Ovie Oma-Agege (APC, Delta) to appear before it today.

The joint committee of Senate and House co-chaired by Senator Bala Ibn Na-Allah (APC, Kebbi) and Rep Betty Apiafi (PDP, Rivers) announced the invitation of the two senators at the end of the panel’s hearing.

Also to appear before the panel today is the Clerk to the Senate, Nelson Ayewoh. At yesterday’s sitting, OmoAgege and Ndume were mentioned by those who appeared.

Suspected thugs numbering five had on April 18, invaded the Senate and carted away the Mace, the symbol of authority of the Senate. The probe panel was inaugurated last week by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Invitation letters to Ndume and Omo-Agege were read during the hearing of the panel yesterday by the chairman.

That of Ndume reads; “Based on the testimony of the sergeant at arms before the committee, you (Mr Ndume) is alleged to have prevented the mace keeper from taking away the mace to safety. The committee has, therefore, deemed it necessary to invite you in order to respond to that allegation”

Omo-Agege’s invitation reads; “Based on the testimony of the National Assembly Divisional Police Officer (DPO) the DSS and the Sergeant at Arms, you are alleged to have entered the National Assembly accompanied by seven persons, who allegedly took the mace of the Senate during plenary session on April 18, at about 11:30 a.m.

“All those who testified, stated that the said people were cleared into the chamber based on your confirmation that they were with you. The committee, in pursuance of this, has deemed it necessary to formally invite you to respond to these allegations on Wednesday, May 16 at 11:00am”

A sergeant at arms official, Bello Mohammed, told the panel that it was Senator Ndume that asked him to leave the mace when the thugs struck.

Omo-Agege said he was not aware of the invitation. Ndume could not be reached as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, Omo-Agege was conspicuously absent at the plenary yesterday, despite the nod of the leadership of the Senate to allow him resume following a Federal High Court judgement.