Senate upholds ICPC oversight powers, declares motion out of order

The Nigerian Senate has reaffirmed the statutory authority of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to monitor federal government projects nationwide, rejecting a motion that sought to suspend the commission’s ongoing tracking exercise.

The motion was raised during Wednesday’s plenary by Orji Uzor Kalu, senator representing Abia North under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He expressed concerns over alleged difficulties faced by contractors handling federal projects, particularly regarding delayed fund releases and challenges in budget implementation.

However, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), opposed the motion, arguing that it was procedurally defective. According to him, the motion lacked a seconder and did not secure the required consent of other lawmakers, contrary to Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders. He also emphasized that the ICPC is operating within its legal mandate to track government projects in line with transparency and accountability principles.

The Jibrin Barau, Deputy Senate President, also urged that the motion be withdrawn, stating that any concerns regarding the ICPC’s activities should be addressed through administrative channels rather than legislative intervention.

Supporting this position, Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) noted that the Senate rules allow only one matter of urgent public importance to be debated at a time under Order 41(4). He pointed out that the chamber had already addressed an earlier urgent motion on insecurity.

Ruling on the matter, Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld the points of order raised by the lawmakers and declared the motion out of order, effectively halting further debate on the proposal.