By Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu
The Senate, yesterday, directed its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions (CEPPPs) to investigate a petition from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, over alleged lopsided appointments made into the board of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Falana, in the petition presented by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, alleged that the North-east geo-political zone has no single person on the board while the North-west zone has about four nominees on the board with three nominated from Kebbi State alone.
Abaribe said: ‘’This petition has to do with the appointment of members of the governing council of the NHRC. The summation of the petition is that in constituting the members, no member of that council is from the North-east zone. In constituting the members three members out of four representing the North-west zone are from Kebbi State.
‘’Therefore, he is asking the Senate to look into this matter in the interest of our national unity and our laws as established by this Senate. There is no judicial remedy being sought.’’
The President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, referred the petition to the CEPPPs, which is headed by Senator Ayo Akinyelure.
The committee was asked to report back to the Senate within two weeks.
President Buhari had on March 24 forwarded the list of the NHRC board nominees to the Senate saying he was making the appointments pursuant to section 3 (2) and (3) of the NHRC (Amendment) Act 2010, with particular reference to sub-section (3) paragraph (a) and (b).
The nominees were Salamatu Suleiman, chairman, while Ms. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Ambassador Umar Zainab, Dafe Adesida, Mr. Joseph Mmamel, Ahmad Fingillia, Kemi Okeyanda, Abubakar Mohammed, Femi Okeowo, Sunny Daniel, Agabaidu Jideani, Nella Rabbana (SAN), Azubikwe Nwakwenta, Jamila Isah, and Idayat Hassan were members. Also, Mr. Anthony Ojukwu, was nominated for the post of Executive Secretary of the NHRC.
