The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has urged the Senate to invite the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other relevant agencies to substantiate the drug-related allegations made against the Deputy Senate Leader, Yisa Ashiru.
On Monday, the NDLEA hit back at Ashiru, after he accused the agency of being “the most corrupt and compromised agency” during last week’s debate on a bill seeking to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA alleged that the senator’s residence in Kwara was raided after intelligence revealed it was being used as a drug joint.
Babafemi further alleged that two of the senator’s aides were arrested during the raid, while one managed to escape.
“The personal house of the senator in GRA Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, had been raided in the recent past, where drugs and illicit substances were recovered while two of his aides: Ibrahim Mohammed and Muhammed Yahaya, were arrested based on credible intelligence and surveillance, which confirmed that the senator’s house was being used as a drug joint for dealers and users,” the NDLEA statement noted.
Speaking after a motion by Ashiru at plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio dismissed the NDLEA’s claims, describing them as motivated by personal vendetta.
During Tuesday’s plenary, the Senate also constituted a six-member ad hoc committee to probe the allegations.
The committee is chaired by Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South), with Kaka Shehu (APC, Borno Central), Ireti Kingibe (LP, FCT), Afolabi Salisu (APC, Ogun Central), Ede Dafinone (APC, Delta Central), and Lawal Usman (PDP, Kaduna Central) as members.
Speaking at plenary, Akpabio said, “I personally feel that whatever the NDLEA is doing must be based on your [Ashiru’s] submission here, which pointed out that the issue of integrity among NDLEA officials should be scrutinised, particularly during the debate on the establishment of the rehabilitation centre for drug users.”
Akpabio further criticised the timing of the NDLEA’s accusations.
“If the NDLEA felt you were a drug baron, they should have arrested you before you turned 30. They should have brought it up before you were 50, 60, or even 65. Not at the age of 68, just after you made contributions on the Senate floor.”
He continued, “I understand that someone went on television quoting what you said on the Senate floor.
“Nigerians seem unaware that whatever is said here is privileged, covered by immunity, and not subject to debate on television or radio.
“You have never been invited or charged by the NDLEA, and as far as we know in the Senate, you are a gentleman who doesn’t even take alcohol. This is a serious issue, and we must call the NDLEA to order.”
Akpabio then called for an ad hoc committee to be set up to “invite the NDLEA and others involved to justify these allegations,” warning that if the agency failed to do so, “the Senate will take drastic action.”
Akpabio further added, “Injury to one is injury to all.”
Earlier, Ashiru had moved a motion of urgent national importance, citing Senate Standing Orders 9, 10, 41, and 52.
He decried the NDLEA’s allegations as “mischievous and misleading.”
In a motion under personal explanation, Ashiru addressed the agency’s reaction to his comments during the debate on the bill seeking to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.
Ashiru explained, “I expressed my concerns on this bill because of the overwhelming information from my constituency about the negative effects of drug consumption and trafficking.
“One of my constituents even told me that in the last two years, he has seen 50 people lose their sanity due to drug use.”
He further elaborated, “There are also visible examples of drug barons making money from drug distribution in my constituency and others.
“I contributed on the floor, urging the Senate to investigate the operations of the NDLEA and address corruption among its operatives.
“I fully supported the bill for the establishment of another agency to handle drug rehabilitation.”
Ashiru sought to clear his name, stressing, “I am 68 years old and cannot even identify cannabis or any drug.
“Beyond drinking water, I don’t take alcohol, drugs, or even carbonated drinks. The NDLEA’s claims are a direct reaction to my comments on the floor of the Senate.”
He further condemned the NDLEA’s actions, saying, “This is an attempt to curb the Senate’s right to free debate on national issues.
“The NDLEA’s allegations are malicious, an attempt to undermine my credibility and hinder my full participation in parliamentary debates.”
Ashiru urged the Senate to take action to protect him and other members from such unfounded allegations.
During last week’s debate on the same bill, Ashiru described the NDLEA as “the most corrupt and compromised agency.”
