The Nigerian Senate on Thursday referred to its judiciary committee for legal advise the motion for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari moved by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Matthew Urhoghide.
Reports have it that President Buhari purportedly approved the sum of $496 million for the purchase of super Tucano fighter jets without consent of the National Assembly.
Senator Urhoghide, representing Edo South senatorial district, therefore, moved the motion for the invocation of Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution, which deals with impeachment of the President for voiding due process.
Senator Urhoghide citing Orders 15, 42 & 52, said the matter should be forwarded to the appropriate committee.
“The President’s request is wrong, it’s a violation of our process, proceedings and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“It’s a violation of Section 80 subsection 1, 2, 3, 4. The procedure of the expenditure is wrong. There ought to be an appropriation before such an expenditure.
“I hereby request that the SP, Bukola Saraki should invoke Section 18 of the Constitution,” the Senator said.
“I rise to second this motion with Section 80 subsection 2 and 3. We are still on the appropriation bill, we have not finished it, Service chiefs were appointed without the approval of the Senate.
“This Tucano helicopters are to be brought in 2020, why include it now in appropriation. This is an impeachable offense,” Senator Chukwuka Utazi, representing Enugu North constituency said.
In reaction, Senator Shehu Sani said, “We are not ignorant of the security challenges that is going on in the country and how it affects the stability of our country. I appreciate the efforts of the FG to bring an end to the killings in Nigeria but this is no reason to breach the Constitution”.
“This is a gross violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is very clear to us that we are failing as a government and as a nation. We should be calling for refund and exercise due process,” he added.
In his submission, Senator Sam Anyanwu said, “We should look into this as it is obvious that there is a breach of Constitution”.
“I rise on Section 83 subsection 1 and 2. I suggest we forward this matter to the Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters,” Senator Bala Na’allah said.
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