Ndume admits procedural errors in Lamorde’s probe

The Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, on Thursday admitted there were procedural errors in the probe of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, by the Senate Committee.

He, however, assured Nigerians that necessary things would be done to correct the lapses.

Ndume said, “ I think there were some procedural lapses there (Lamorde’s probe) but I don’t want to believe it was deliberate because there is no way you can cut corners or use the institution of the Senate to settle personal scores, it doesn’t work that way.

“Afterall, whatever decision you take has to be considered on the floor of the house and it has to be passed. So even if it is a committee recommendation, after the committee’s work, the report has to be presented in plenary and a simple majority will have to agree with its content before the report becomes acceptable.

“As you must have observed, I’m not used to talking about these issues; because the end justifies the means. So, if you go and make noise all over, you should know all that noise will have to be accepted by the majority of the Senate before it becomes anything.

“So even if the committee does the work and the Senate rejects it, that’s the end of the report. So, why make an issue out of it?

“Again, like I keep saying, let us concentrate on ideas and things that will make this country work. These are trivialities. They do not add value to governance and the way Nigeria is. Issues like this can generate this type of opinion.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But like I said, we observed some procedural errors and we will take appropriate steps.”

Ndume defended the slow passage of bills in the 8th Senate, stressing that the National Assembly should not be seen as a bill factory.

He maintained that there were serious social, political and economic issues begging for the attention of the three arms of government at the moment.

Ndume, who spoke with some journalists in Abuja clarified that the Senate led by Senator Bukola Saraki, had put the issue of the leadership tussle behind it and was now concentrating on supporting the Buhari administration to tackle the various problems confronting the nation.

He also said that he had been visiting both Buhari and Tinubu, on a regular basis since the last 12 years because they were his political mentors.

He said, “On my reported visit to Buhari, I am the leader of the 8th Senate. My duties are there: One, to lead the legislative business of the Senate; Two, to prepare the schedules of the Senate, and Three, to liaise with other committees.