Ex-Buhari aide faults NASS overreach on private companies oversight

By John Alechenu, Abuja

Senator Ita Enang, a erstwhile Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari connected National Assembly Matters, has criticised National Assembly committees for what helium described arsenic overstepping their oversight powers by probing backstage companies.

He based his presumption connected judicial pronouncements that person clarified the limits of legislative authorization successful this regard.

Enang, who has served astatine assorted times arsenic councillor, subordinate of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, subordinate of the House of Representatives and the Senate, arsenic good arsenic statesmanlike liaison officer, explained that lawmakers indispensable respect law boundaries.

He made this constituent portion presenting a insubstantial astatine a store organised by the Senate Press Corps connected the theme: “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities” successful Abuja connected Wednesday.

Citing lawsuit law, including DHL International Nigeria Ltd v. Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2018), Enang recalled that Justice Ayokunle Faji held that backstage firms bash not autumn wrong the scope of Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which empower the legislature to summon individuals oregon entities.

He besides referred to the Court of Appeal judgement successful NECA v. Attorney General of the Federation, wherever Justice J.H. Sankey ruled that parliamentary oversight extends lone to authorities bodies funded by nationalist money, not backstage companies.

“It is an maltreatment of powerfulness erstwhile committees descend into the arena of the enforcement oregon the backstage sector,” Enang said.

He further aligned with a caller petition by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), which raised concerns astir repeated summons to backstage companies by immoderate committees.

Turning to the taxable of parliamentary reporting, Enang urged journalists to deepen their cognition of bills, the Constitution, and legislative procedures.

“This is not an mean beat. You indispensable work the bills, cognize the Constitution, and recognize parliamentary procedure. Otherwise, you are simply chasing controversies alternatively than reporting substance,” helium said.

He noted with interest that immoderate reporters absorption connected broadside comments and disagreements successful plenary portion neglecting the halfway issues nether debate.

Enang added: “I person seen situations wherever a subordinate comes to statement an amendment measure without looking astatine the main Act being amended. If you don’t recognize the bill, however tin journalists study it?”

He reminded reporters that they service arsenic “the organization representation of the legislature,” stressing that their sum provides precedents for some caller and returning members. To that end, helium called for continuous grooming done the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies.

Enang besides urged journalists to instrumentality progressive roles successful defending democracy, warning: “Do not deliberation what the legislature oregon enforcement does is their business. It is your democracy. If you beryllium and bash nothing, erstwhile problems come, it volition autumn connected each head.”

Encouraging members of the property to see governmental participation, helium said: “Others person done it. Abike Dabiri was erstwhile a writer similar you. You excessively can.”

The station Ex-Buhari adjutant faults NASS overreach connected backstage companies oversight appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.