The senate has begun a major onslaught on president Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers ahead of the 2019 general elections in a series of summons, the latest on the list are: Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, minister of Finance; Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (retd.), minister and Defence; and Dr. Godwin Emefiele, governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, over alleged illegal withdrawal of $462m from the Consolidated Revenue Account.
The senate recently suspended a pro-Buhari senator, Ovie Omo-agege last week and disbanded a Buhari support group, according to Economic Confidential.
The alleged infractions on the ministers involve the money said to have been withdrawn and paid to an American firm for the purchase of helicopters. It was however alleged that it was done with the approval of the National Assembly.
At the plenary on Tuesday, Senator Samuel Anyanwu (PDP, Imo-East) raised a point of order, alleging that Section 80(2) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution had been breached.
Anyanwu said, “I have it on good authority that in March 2018, from the Federation Account, a whooping sum of $462m was withdrawn and paid for (the purchase of) helicopters, to an American firm. And this is without the approval of the National Assembly or the Senate.
“I know that there was no time when there was any request (for approval) from this Senate before any withdrawal from the Consolidated Federation Account.
“I therefore, as a senator, want us to find out if that thing (withdrawal) was done. I will request and suggest we invite the CBN governor, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Defence to tell us how this money was withdrawn and paid to an American company – a whooping $462m – without the approval of this Senate.”
Ike Ekweremadu, deputy president of the Senate, who presided over the plenary, put the request to voice vote and it was unanimously granted.
Ekweremadu referred the matter to the Committee on Appropriations, asking it to invite the ministers and the CBN governor.
“The Appropriations Committee should invite the three: the Minister of Finance, the CBN governor and the Minister of Defence to shed light on the release,” he said.