Following claims by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) that it found drugs in the house of Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, the Senate has set up an ad hoc committee to probe the allegation.
The upper legislative chamber took the decision on Tuesday after Ashiru moved a motion on an order of privilege.
News About Nigeria reported that the drug enforcement agency revealed that it found drugs in the home of the deputy majority leader and also arrested two of his aides in 2023.
The Senator has, however, denied the allegation on the grounds that it is a ‘witch hunt’ intended to dent his character because he stands by the truth.
Recall that the NDLEA’s allegation came after the senator representing Kwara South said the agency is “the most corrupt and compromised government agency” in the country.
Speaking on this on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, the senator noted that the NDLEA is attempting to undermine his privileges as a senator to speak on issues by making “unfounded allegations.”
“I want to assert that I don’t know what cannabis is; I don’t take alcohol. For my protection and that of other senators, we must do something about this,” he clarified.
Responding to Ashiru’s appeal, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said there is a need for an ad hoc committee to properly investigate the matter.
He said, “Dear colleagues, we must take this issue seriously. An injury to one is an injury to all. We should set up an ad hoc committee to look at the issue holistically.”
The Senate there unanimously appointed Enyinnaya Abaribe, the senator representing Abia south, to chair the ad hoc committee.
The committee is expected to submit its report within a week.
