The Committee on Ethics and Privileges is to investigate and report back within 2 weeks for further legislative action.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to probe the alleged assault of a Bolt driver, Mr Stephen Abuwatseya, by one of its members, Hon. Mascott Ikwechegh (Abia State).
The incident occurred on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at the lawmaker’s Maitama, Abuja residence.
The decision to investigate the matter followed the adoption of a prayer os a motion of privilege moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Julius Ihonbvere (Edo), in plenary on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
Ihonvbere noted that Nigerians have a bad perception of the legislature, adding that the there have been conscious efforts from previous assemblies to remove negative images when interacting with the outside world.
While stressing the need to protect the image of the legislature, he stated that “it is the way you do your house, the role you have to manage your house, that outsiders will see, and give respect to the problems in your house.”
He added that for the House to protect its integrity and image, as well as that of its members, its rules must be strictly adhered to.
The leader said, “In fact, Mr. Speaker, the tendency has been for people, particularly in certain sectors, to say how to respect the existence of the house rules.
“In this house, we come from different professional backgrounds and different cultures, and many of us have invested so heavily into improving the reputation before we came here. It is that reputation that we brought to the Representatives, that has a huge impact on education.
“We all have to meditate where we go, who we talk to, how we talk to them, how we relate to them. And sometimes you do not have to just allow this to happen. Sometimes you have to help the institution, and we have the responsibility to do this.
“To lead this institution to where it can go, where we can handle it, so that those that will come to the house, will have a place to be part of us. Our goal is to have together a value that stands.
“I want to say that what has been in the news, and what we have learned about it is that one of our members was involved with a citizen.”
In his contribution to the motion, Hon. Babajimi Benson (Lagos State) said: “Mr. Speaker, our elders have always said that the day we stop learning is the day we die. They also say that we learn from mistakes and not from successes. However, Parliament is one of the most hated institutions in Nigeria today.
“We are watched morning, afternoon and night, even though most of us have very noble intentions for the people of Nigeria. We should always be guided and also know that we are not an authority over Nigerians, Nigerians are an authority over us.
“They should be treated with dignity, with respect and with kindness at all times. So if we abide by this politically, Mr. Speaker, we will begin and continue to change that heavily battered image, the garment of which we all wear. So I call on you, Mr. Speaker, I raise my case on these three points.”
However, Hon. Ikwechegh, coming under personal explanation, apologised to the House for his undignified conduct and use of derogatory words on Abuwatseya, adding that the matter had been resolved between them.
Ruling on the matter, the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, stressed that the House is guided by its rules. He added the matter must be investigated as the integrity of the House is under threat.
Kalu said, “The truth is that we cannot act according to our rules. We cannot act according to what anyone wants us to do. We are guided by our rules. I also maintain that if at any point we feel that the integrity, the dignity of the parliament, have been threatened, or scratched, we will investigate through our impartial structure in the eyes of principles of Nigerian justice, which is fair dialogue.
“That is what we put in our rules. It is not good for us to judge, you know, ahead of time and take the last decision. Therefore, in line with the prayers of the leader of the house, that this matter be referred to the committee of eighties and privilege for him to be heard”.
The Committee on Ethics and Privileges is to investigate and report back within 2 weeks for further legislative action.