Senate President, Bukola Saraki has referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matter, weekend arrest of judges by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Saraki on Tuesday directed the committee to report to the general senate in four weeks.
He acknowledged that there is corruption in the judiciary, noting that there is an urgent need to sanitise it.
However, he condemned the unlawful mode of arrest by the DSS,
“Any anti-corruption action that goes against the rule of law does not help the fight against corruption,” he said.
Saraki thanked his colleagues, adding that the senate supports the fight against corruption especially in the judiciary.
“National Assembly has been playing it’s role to support other arms of government in its fight against corruption,” he added.
This was after senators had made their contributions and the recommendations adopted by the Nigerian Senate.
Senator Joshua Lidani, who raised the issue in a point of order, expressed concern over the the extrajudicial arrests of judges by officials of the DSS over the weekend.
He expressed the full support of the Nigerian Senate in the fight against corruption but decried the unlawful approach adopted by the DSS.
“The fight against corruption should be done within the confines of the Law. The senate supports the fight against corruption but with strict observance to the principles of separation of power,” he said.
Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, while seconding the motion, described it as absurd for the DSS to operate outside their mandate.
He explained why he was against the operation carried out by the DSS.
He noted that what the judges are being accused of were not grievous offences but “professional misconduct.”
He said, “It is a misnomer, it is absurd for the directorate of the SSS to operate outside their mandate.
“These are not allegations of rape,terrorism or crime,they are allegations of professional misconduct.
“I acknowledge the existence of corruption in the judiciary but the DSS overstepped and abused their boundaries.”
Also contributing, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi called on the National Assembly to direct relevant agencies to operate within the mandates of the law.
“National Assembly must stress clearly and call relevant agencies to remain within the mandate provided by the law.
Senator Chukwuka argued that there was no rationalizing the action of the DSS, saying that the Senate must rise and stand for justice.
“The very principle of democracy that we are supposed to espouse cannot be achieved with the way we are doing it.
“What will the International Community think of us with with our gestapo approach.
“The act cannot be rationalised, the world is watching the senate, we must rise & stand for Justice,” he said.
Deputy Senate Leader, Bala N’allah, also condemned the action.
“We have exhibited ways to fight corruption despite attempts to rubbish the institution.
“The way we handle this matter will determine how the public view this senate I condemn this action,” he said.
Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, reiterated that the Nigeria Senate supports the anti-corruption fight of President Muhammadu Buhari, but cautioned against tarnishing the image of the country.
