Senate Can Issue Arrest Warrants to Ensure Compliance with Investigations — Oshiomhole

The Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has defended the relevance of the Senate’s oversight functions, insisting that the National Assembly has constitutional powers to compel individuals and institutions to provide explanations during investigations.

Oshiomhole stated this during an interview on TVC News’ Beyond the Headline programme hosted by Nifemi Oguntoye on Monday, July 27, while responding to concerns over the effectiveness of Senate investigations and whether they often end without consequences.

The former Edo State governor said the 1999 Constitution empowers the Senate to conduct oversight through its various committees, which are mandated to investigate issues of public interest and submit reports for further action.

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According to him, the Senate can invoke its powers, including the issuance of arrest warrants, against individuals who fail to appear before investigative committees or refuse to provide relevant information.

“The constitution of Nigeria 1999 has empowered the Senate to carry out oversight function through the committees, who in turn forward reports after its investigation,” Oshiomhole said.

He added: “We have threatened that we’d invoke the powers of the Senate, which are entrusted in the office of the Senate President, to issue a warrant of arrest for anyone who refuses to account for or explain issues that are relevant for the purpose of transparency and good governance.”

Oshiomhole’s comments come amid public criticism over the purported missing of N210 trillion, within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), stating that democracy without accountability is a hollow exercise.