The Nigerian Senate has issued a warrant of arrest against the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr. Peer Lubasch, over the company’s repeated refusal to honor Senate summons. The decision was reached during Thursday’s plenary session, following a motion raised by Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West.
Senator Ngwu expressed dissatisfaction with Julius Berger’s disregard for the Senate’s authority, citing the company’s failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Works despite receiving substantial public funds for various projects. Ngwu highlighted the presence of numerous uncompleted projects awarded to Julius Berger across Nigeria, stressing the need for a thorough investigation into the company’s operations and contract handling.
The Senator accused Julius Berger of undermining the Senate’s authority by disregarding its invitations. He cited the Senate’s constitutional powers, stating that if a committee summons any person or entity to a hearing and that entity does not appear or send a representative, the appropriate action is to report to the presiding officer, who can issue a warrant of arrest ¹.
Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, supported the motion, emphasizing that the Senate has the constitutional authority to compel the appearance of any individual or organization. He noted that Senate committees derive their powers from both the Nigerian Constitution and the Senate Rules, which mandate compliance with legislative summons.
Despite objections from Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Senate President Godswill Akpabio affirmed the decision to issue a warrant of arrest, referencing relevant sections of the Constitution and Senate Rules to justify the action. Akpabio directed the management of Julius Berger to appear before the Senate to address concerns about its contract performance and operational accountability.
The Senate’s decision is seen as a move to assert its authority and ensure that companies like Julius Berger are held accountable for their actions. The warrant of arrest is expected to be served on the Managing Director of Julius Berger, compelling him to appear before the Senate Committee on Works.
The investigation into Julius Berger’s operations is expected to shed light on the company’s handling of contracts and its commitment to delivering quality projects. The Senate’s action is also seen as a warning to other companies that disregard legislative summons will be held accountable.
In conclusion, the Senate’s decision to issue a warrant of arrest against the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is a significant move to assert its authority and ensure accountability in the private sector. The outcome of the investigation and the company’s response to the warrant of arrest remain to be seen ¹ ².
