Senate To Go Ahead With Probe Of Senator Elisha Abbo

AISHA ABUBAKAR

 The Senate on Monday said that despite the public apology tendered by Senator Elisha Abbo over the alleged assault, the Red Chambers will still proceed with their colleague’s probe.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, had constituted a panel to investigate the assault following a point of order raised by the Senator representing Kaduna Central, Uba Sani, on the issue.

The Senate Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya; Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe; and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele supported Uba Sani by condemning Senator Abbo’s alleged action.

Senator Lawan said that it would be unfair to both the lawmaker and the victim if the Senate should pass a judgment based on the viral video clip without listening to Senator Abbo.

However, hours after the ad hoc panel was constituted, Abbo, who was absent from the Senate plenary on Wednesday, rushed to the National Secretariat of the PDP in Abuja where he addressed journalists and apologised to Nigerians and his victim for his action.

But the Chairman, Senate ad-hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, told newsmen on Monday that the public apology by Senator Abbo was not enough to stop the Senate panel from going ahead with its assignment.

His reaction was contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday, in Abuja.

“The Senate has not taken any definite position on the issue. We only constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter. We have not passed any verdict on the Senator.

“We are aware that Senator Abbo has tendered a public apology and regretted his action but that does not stop the Senate from going ahead with its own investigation.

“A responsible institution like the Senate should follow due process in a matter like this by ensuring that all parties are giving fair hearing.

“The Senate will base its decision on the report of the ad hoc committee whenever it is submitted and considered.”