‘You Have No Power To Summon Me’-Lamorde Tells Senate

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer

Ad

Amupitan’s Era as INEC Chairman Officially Begins After Tinubu’s Swearing-in

By Abiola Olawale President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday officially swore in Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). ​The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, follows the recent confirmation of the Amupitan by the Senate, solidifying his mandate to oversee the nation’s…

Concerns as Nigeria’s Fuel Imports Hit 15 Billion Litres Despite Dangote Refinery Production

By Abiola Olawale ​ New data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has revealed that Nigeria imported approximately 15.01 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), or petrol, between August 2024 and early October 2025. ​This import volume, representing nearly 69% of the nation's total petrol supply during the 15 months,…

Sowore Arrested by Police at Abuja Federal High Court

By Abiola Olawale ​Human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday morning. ​The arrest took place shortly after Sowore appeared in court premises in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People…

Ad

images (19)On Tuesday, the embattled former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde informed the Senate that they do not possess the power to invite him as the subject of an investigation.

 

He made this assertion through his lawyer, Festus Keyamo, who appeared on Mr. Lamorde’s behalf before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions at the National Assembly in Abuja.

The former EFCC Chairman is being investigated over an allegation that he fraudulently diverted over N1 trillion in proceeds from corruption recovered by the anti-graft agency.

Mr. Keyamo explained that the Senate has no constitutional power to invite his client to the committee given that his client is no longer the Chairman of the EFCC.

Mr. Keyamo stated that it is only the courts that can exercise such power, adding that his client is ready to honor the power of the courts. The lawyer noted that his client would, “only appear [before the committee] if he [Lamorde] is invited as a witness.”

The Chairman of the committee, Emmanuel Nwanyawu, informed Mr. Keyamo that the committee is not a court of law and, therefore, a lawyer cannot appear before it on behalf of his client. He further explained that Mr. Keyamo was not allowed to take an oath on behalf of his client.

The Chairman noted that another letter of summons would be issued to Mr. Lamorde informing him he must appear before the committee on November 24th.

Ad

X whatsapp