There was a heated exchange between Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, senator representing Ebonyi North, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, during a senate hearing on Tuesday.

The clash occurred at the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing on a fresh petition submitted by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Ezekwesili was present at the hearing alongside Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the chief petitioner from Kogi Central, Zubairu Yakubu.

Trouble started when the petitioner urged the Chairman of the Committee, Neda Imasuen, to step down in the case following the ?controversial? manner in which he had so far handled the alleged sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio.

?How can the chairman serve as a judge in a case where he has already publicly taken a position? What is the need for us to present our case when a verdict has already been given before hearing us?? Yakubu questioned.

He further alleged that some committee members had pre-existing ties to Akpabio, which he said compromised their ability to be neutral.

His remarks angered some lawmakers, who accused him of attempting to undermine the committee?s credibility.

Ezekwesili also came under fire for what they saw as her insistence on forcing herself into the proceedings.

However, Ezekwesili insisted on being heard out.

She said, ?I asked to be put on oath as a witness. I am a citizen of Nigeria.?

This led to a heated argument with Nwaebonyi, who lashed out at her, 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.?

Ezekwesili called him a ?hooligan,? further escalating the altercation.

The verbal battle momentarily disrupted the hearing before order was restored.

After the tension was doused, the legislator representing Imo West, Senator Patrick Ndubueze appealed for calm before addressing the committee.

?We should stop behaving like people in the marketplace. This is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is sad to hear you (petitioner) say you don?t have confidence in the Senate. What it means is that not everybody here is trustworthy.

?Yes, we are all citizens of this country. But here, you must be recognised before you speak. That is the rule. We cannot just jump to answer questions because you are a petitioner. This is a Standing Committee,? he said

However, Imasuen adjourned the hearing indefinitely following observations that both Akpabio?s wife and Akpoti-Uduaghan have a case in court and the absence of the Kogi lawmaker to defend her allegation.

Addressing journalists after the hearing, Ezekwesili described the Senate?s approach as a gross violation of the Nigerian Constitution and legal framework.

She criticised the committee?s insistence on prioritising Senate rules over constitutional provisions, particularly in cases involving disciplinary actions and petitions.

?The Nigerian Senate keeps telling citizens they are subject to Senate rules, even when those rules violate the Constitution. This is unacceptable in a democracy,? Ezekwesili stated.

She also referenced the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, arguing that it was carried out without due regard for constitutional provisions.

?The Senate placed its own rules above the laws of the land. Now, with this petitioner, they have done the same thing ? using procedural loopholes to avoid addressing critical issues,? she said.

She added, ?If a petitioner says they do not believe the Senate committee will give them a fair hearing due to clear bias, it is only just that an independent body reviews the matter.?

She also warned that the Senate?s actions could set a dangerous precedent where internal rules override the Constitution.

?The Senate must respect the Constitution. Otherwise, we risk turning our democracy into a system where powerful individuals manipulate processes to silence opposition and suppress justice,? she said. (Nigerian Tribune)

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