Senate on Monday denied confirming a nominee of Mr. President, Mr. Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla, as a non-executive commissioner on the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) .
However, report of the Senate Committee on Communication submitted for consideration revealed Obono-Obla was recommended for confirmation by the Senate committee.
According to the report cited by our correspondent, Obla-Obono responded brilliantly at the screening exercise.
He promised to bring his legal experience to bear by collaborating with his colleagues on the board to further enhance the growth of the communications sector if his nomination is confirmed.
He has the experience, competence and commitment to discharge the responsibility of a non-Executive Commissioner.
Unlike two other nominees which report stated that they lacked the capacity to be in the governing board of NCC, Obono-Obla was recommended by the committee for confirmation.
It was gathered by our correspondent that two senators from cross Rivers state , John Enoh and Gershom while Obono-Obla hailed from Rivers state.
Responding to the report captioned, “Senate makes U-turn on confirmation of Buhari nominee for NCC governing board, the Senate spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said in statement:
“On that fateful day, November 22, 2016, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Baba Kaka Garbai, objected to the alleged confirmation of the nominee, saying:
“My name is Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai representing Borno Central Senatorial District. Mr, President, what is actually reported in the votes and proceedings is not a true reflection of what transpired on Thursday with regards to the confirmation of one of the commissioners under NCC, Chief Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla. The decision then was a resounding Nay. So, because of that, it was a mistake. “
”Responding to the observation made by Senator Garbai, the Senate President said, “secretariat take note”.
The Spokesman added: “The Senate hereby calls on those who are peddling these half-truths to avail themselves of the proceedings of the Senate on the above stated dates to confirm if the nominee was rightly cleared by the Senate or not.”
Obono-Obla, who is the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, attached to the Ministry of Justice, had appeared before the Senate Committee on Judiciary to defend Attorney General of the Federation on the forgery trial of Senate Leadership.
Obono-Obla had said the forgery issue over which Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, are facing trial, is not an internal affair of the senate.
“It is not true that it is an internal affair,” he said. He said the senate was not on trial.
“If I go to the chambers of the National Assembly to shoot you, would it be an internal affair?
“The Senate Rule is a law and somebody allegedly forged the rules.
“The AG has not done anything wrong. The AG has not undermined democracy.
“He acted pursuant to his powers vested on him by the Constitution. Section 174 (1) says he can prosecute anybody.
“And he has done that. He has taken four persons to court. They are not the senate.
“Being president of the senate does not make you the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The matter was investigated by the police and a prima facie case was established and the AGF invoked his powers under Section 174 (1) to initiate criminal proceedings against those persons.
“And this matter is now before a court of law,” he added.
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