A Senate hearing session ended in a shouting match on Tuesday between Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, representing Ebonyi North, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.
The exchange unfolded at the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which was considering a fresh petition by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Ezekwesili attended the hearing alongside Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, legal counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the chief petitioner, Zubairu Yakubu, from Kogi Central. The session took a tense turn when Yakubu questioned the neutrality of the committee’s chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, citing concerns about his handling of an ongoing sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Yakubu argued that Imasuen had already taken a public position on the matter, making it impossible for the petitioner to receive a fair hearing. He also raised concerns that some committee members had prior ties to Akpabio, further compromising the process. His remarks sparked outrage among lawmakers, who accused him of attempting to discredit the Senate.
Ezekwesili found herself at the center of the controversy after insisting on being heard. She demanded to be placed under oath as a witness, asserting her right as a Nigerian citizen to participate in the proceedings. However, this move was met with resistance from some lawmakers, leading to a confrontation with Nwaebonyi.
The senator lashed out, saying, “You’re a fool. What do you mean? Why are you talking to me like that? I will not take it. You’re an insult to womanhood. People like you cannot be here.”
In response, Ezekwesili called him a “hooligan,” escalating the verbal exchange and disrupting the hearing.
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Efforts to restore order followed, with Senator Patrick Ndubueze of Imo West urging decorum. He reminded those present that the Senate is a respected institution, adding that concerns over impartiality should be addressed within procedural limits. He also emphasised that petitioners must follow Senate rules when speaking.
With tensions running high, Imasuen announced an indefinite adjournment of the hearing. The decision came after noting that both Akpoti-Uduaghan’s wife and Akpabio’s wife were involved in separate court cases related to the matter and the absence of a Kogi lawmaker to defend the allegations.
Ezekwesili strongly criticised the Senate’s handling of the session. She described the committee’s insistence on prioritising Senate rules over constitutional provisions as a violation of Nigeria’s legal framework. She argued that internal procedures should not override the Constitution, especially in cases involving petitions and disciplinary matters.
She also pointed to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent suspension as an example of the Senate using procedural loopholes to sideline critical issues. Ezekwesili maintained that if a petitioner expresses doubts about the committee’s impartiality, an independent body should review the case to ensure fairness.
Her remarks raised broader concerns about the Senate’s approach to governance and accountability. She warned that allowing internal rules to overshadow constitutional principles could set a dangerous precedent, where powerful individuals manipulate legal processes to suppress justice and silence opposition.
Crediblenewsng.com
