‘You Can’t Summon Me, It’s Illegal,’ Sagay Dares Senate
Prof. Itse Sagay, PACAC Chairman[/caption]
The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, has reacted to his summon by the senate over an “uncomplimentary” remark he made after the upper chamber suspended Senator Ali Ndume for making false allegations against Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye.
The senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, led by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, PDP, Imo East, summoned Professor Sagay to appear before it in order to clear himself of the allegation and explain why he insulted the Senate as an institution.
Sagay, in reaction to the Senate’s refusal to confirm the Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs appointee’s sent by President Muhammadu Buhari, had described its action as “childish and irresponsible”, adding that the senate is “filled with people of questionable character who put personal interest ahead of the nation”.
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But in a reaction to his summon, Sagay said the lawmakers cannot summon him and described the summons as illegal and unconstitutional.
“I made a statement, I expressed an opinion about the conduct of the Senate, which I am entitled to do under the constitution. It is freedom of expression and in fact, it is my constitutional right.
“So, for them to say they are summoning me and saying I should appear before them for expressing my personal opinion on their conduct is totally unconstitutional and illegal.
“It is a question that does not arise. I do not come under the crop of people they can summon. The Senate cannot constitute itself into a court and hear a case they are involved. So, if they have any grouse against what I said, there is a place they can go to seek redress. Apart from all that, even looking at Section 88 and 89 of the Constitution, I am miles away from somebody they can summon,” he said.
