Senate sets up committee to probe lawmaker who assaulted woman

The senate has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate Abbo Elisha, senator representing Adamawa north, for allegedly assaulting a woman.

The committee was set up following a motion sponsored by Uba Sani, senator representing Kaduna central.

Moving the motion on the floor of the red chamber on Wednesday, Sani said his credibility is at stake over the incident.

“That has gone a long way in tarnishing the image and credibility of this senate. As a member of this senate, my own credibility is at stake,” he said.

“Some of us have spent most of our lives defending and fighting for the rights of less privileged and most especially, the youth and women.

“I, therefore, call on this senate to take a decisive action to redeem the image of this senate.”

Opeyemi Bamidele, senator representing Ekiti central, described the incident as extremely tragic.

“Nigerians must also be able to see us as people who are willing and ready to lead by example. Much as we must ensure that our colleague suffers for what he did not do assuming without considering that he didn’t do this,” Bamidele said.

“On the other hand, we must be able to protect the right of the Nigerian who has been violated. What we saw is a clear violation of sections 33, 34 and 35 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides respectively for the right to life, right to dignity of the human person and right to personal liberty.”

On his part, Senate President Ahamd Lawan said they both parties should have a fair hearing when they appear before the committee.

“Whatever we saw remains an allegation and until we investigate and find out what happened – both parties will have a fair hearing,” he said.

“This morning, I received a lot of calls about the incident. I believe that this senate will be responsive. We cannot condone any act of violence by anyone. If there is an allegation against any of us, we must ensure that justice prevails.

“We are going to set up a bi-partisan committee to investigate the issue.”

The committee will be chaired by Sam Egwu, senator representing Ebonyi north.