Embattled Senator Elisha Abbo (PDP-Adamawa) on Tuesday told members of the Senate investigative panel hearing his alleged case of assault of a nursing mother not to threaten him with suspension.
The senator spoke when he appeared before the six-man panel set up by the Senate to investigate him.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan set up the panel which is headed by Senator Sam Egwu (PDP-Ebonyi) on July 3.
Senator Abbo who appeared before his colleagues at exactly 3.15 p.m., told them that the matter was already before the court, hence he would not make comments that could amount to prejudice of the Court process.
Drama started when Senator Abbo said that he had no business appearing and making comments about the matter anywhere. He said his presence was out of honour for his colleagues.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of APC National leader Bola Tinubu, who is also a member of the panel, expressed displeasure over Abbo’s comment before the panel, especially his stance of not swearing to an oath. She said:
“Distinguished, you undermine us by even trying to do that, You haven’t even listened to us. The Senate carefully selected members of this committee to hear your own side of the story which has gone viral.
“What we are doing here as a legislature is a position taken by the Senate to hear from you and others involved. This matter has affected the Senate as an institution and we have been mandated to investigate it.
“Even if we are going beyond what you expect, you can stop us. You can’t sit there on the other side and dictate the modalities and approach we follow as a committee.
“Do you want us to protect you or you want us to defend you or you want to be on your own because do you realise that we are also under law. Do you realise that we can also suspend you.
At this point, Senator Abbo flared up and said he won’t allow the committee to threaten him with suspension, having earlier informed it that the matter is before a court. Visibly upset by her comment, he said:
“I will not sit here and listen to you threaten me with suspension. I am a senator like you. You cannot threaten me with suspension.”
“Is it out of place for me to say I’m not addressing you since this matter is before a court of law of competent jurisdiction?
“I came here to honour you as colleagues after receiving an SMS inviting me here.
“Just the same way I have received SMS from the police. I was arrested, detained and charged to court over this matter. Yet, I’m here out of respect for you as colleagues.
“I want you to remember that this matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction and I don’t want to be held in contempt of the Court,” he said.
After some arguments which turned the venue rowdy, the chairman of the panel, Egwu urged all parties to remain calm.
Journalists were later asked to leave for the meeting to continue off camera.
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