News Post

The Senate on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 received, considered and adopted the report of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions as well as that of Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on a Motion titled “Modalities for Establishing Federal Polytechnics, Federal Colleges of Education and Universities across Nigeria”, sponsored by Sen. Barau Jibrin (Kano North). 

Presenting the report before the Chamber, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East) said investigations on fifteen petitions referred to the Committee by the Chamber have been concluded and their report are hereby presented for consideration and adoption. The reports include:

a) Petition from Engr. Y. Y. Sani against the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for non-payment of Outstanding Monitoring Fees of $1, 776, 873:84  and N276, 153; 92 paid by International Oil and Gas Companies Exporting Crude Oil and Gas from Nigeria. The Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to capture the outstanding monetary fees for service rendered in the 2018 budget.

b) Petition from Mr. Atiku Saleh and three others against the Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) for unfair termination of appointment by the Directorate. Senate urges the PTAD to convert the appointment of the Petitioners to contract appointment.

c) Petition from TMDK Oil Traders Limited against Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) for non-payment of N2, 500, 000, 000 for contract executed. Senate commend TMDK for agreeing to settle the matter with FMN amicably. Hence the Petition has been stood down.

d) Petition from ACP Joseph I. Ogbeide against the Nigeria Police Force for not allowing him to resume duty after being reinstated by the Police Service Commission (PSC). Senate urged the Nigeria Police Force to allow him resume duty.

e) Petition from Cpl. Ogunbuyide Adewale against the Nigerian Army for wrongful dismissal from service. Senate sustained the dismissal and urged the Petitioner should look elsewhere for another job.

f) Petition from Lt. Solomon Damina and twelve (12) others against the Nigerian Army for alleged unjust retirement from the Army. Senate called for the reinstatement, promotion to the rank of Captain and be duly retired with effect from 2008 as well as pay their benefits fully.      

g) Petition from Major Kenneth David Chioma Obimuonso (rtd.) against the Nigerian Army for alleged wrongful retirement from the Army on Medical ground. Senate called for the setting up of new Medical Team to re-examine the Petitioner and if found healthy be reinstated and paid all his entitlements, if otherwise, sustain his retirement.

h) Petition from Okoro Felicia against the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for alleged wrongful dismissal from the Corps. Senate called for her reinstatement and payment of all her entitlements.

i) Petition from Mr. Chidi Nwoha against the Nigeria Police Force for alleged unlawful dismissal from the Force. Senate ruled that he should be reinstated and paid all his entitlements.

j) Petition from Mr. Esenwa Chukwuemeka Leonard against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for alleged wrongful termination of appointment by the Corporation. Senate sustained his retirement having collected his retirement benefits.

k) Petition from Onwuka Egwu & Co. on behalf of Victor Amadi and three others against the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board and the Executive of Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA) for the illegal sale of space and erection of structures within the ASPMDA Section in the Trade Fair Complex. The Petition has been strike out because of subsisting case in the Court of Law.

l) Petition from Christopher A. Eichie Esq. on behalf of Major Abdullahi (rtd.) against the Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defence for refusing to pay him a judgement sum of N25.3 million awarded in his favour. Senate sustained his retirement and urge the Nigerian Army to pay all his benefit if any.

m) Petition from Mr. Elomeme Austin and Seventy (70) other staff of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for alleged wrongful retirement from the service of the Agency. Senate sustain the retirement of the Petitioners and be paid all their benefits if any.

n) Petition from Cpl. Obinna Ogbu against the Nigeria Police Force for alleged wrongful dismissal from the Force. Senate sustained the dismissal.

o) Petition from Dr. Adedapo D. Aladesanmi against the Police Service Commission (PSC) for refusing to issue him a letter of appointment after completing Police Training. Senate ruled that the Petitioner be issued letter of appointment.

Similarly, the report of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on Modalities for Establishing Federal Polytechnics, Federal Colleges of Education and Universities across Nigeria was considered and approved with five resolutions below:

i) The suspended Six Specialized Universities should be able to commence operations.

ii) Any State without Federal Polytechnic, College of Education or University deserve to have one.

iii) Establishment Policy should tilt towards the upgrading of tertiary education and institutions.

iv) Special funding should be made available for the successful take off of the 13 newly established Universities.

v) The Senate and the Executive arms of government should work to ensure equity in the distribution of funds among the Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and Universities.