Saraki And Ekweremadu Evade Court Summons Over Forgery Of Senate Standing Order

Sahara Reporters - Indications emerged last night that the Federal Government may serve court summons on  President Bukola Saraki and Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu respectively, through the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly,  Mohammed Sani-Omolori, following alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules of 2015. The duo has evaded service of court summons since they were informed about their pending forgery trial late last week.

Last week, the Federal Government filed charges against Saraki and Ekweremadu in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Others joined in the suit are former Clerk of the National Assembly, Abubakar Maikasuwa and Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Benedict Efeturi, who has just few months left to retire from the civil service.

The charges are allegedly based on the outcome of police investigation into the forgery, but Saraki and Ekweremadu claimed yesterday that they were never invited for questioning by the Nigeria Police before preferring charges against them.

They lamented that they were only invited for questioning on June 7, 2016, which was barely three days to the filing of the two charges against them on June 10. 

Sources at the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice told SaharaReporters that it has been difficult for the court summons- charge sheet and hearing notices- to be served on Saraki and Ekweremadu.

"We have not been able to access Saraki and Ekweremadu to serve them both the summons and charge sheets but from the look of things, we may invoke relevant sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act ( 2015), which empowers us to notify them through the Clerk of the National Assembly or by pasting the summons on the conspicuous part of their premises or offices.

"We will invoke sections 124 and 125(1) (2)  of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act hopefully by today (Monday). By then, we should have completed the process of serving the summons on them."

There was anxiety in Saraki and Ekweremadu's camps last night in the latest court action against them as they alleged that there are plans to arrest and lock them in Kuje prison.

"We learnt of a plot to arrest and detain Saraki and Ekweremadu. We are watching the development and we would respond accordingly within the ambit of the rule of law.

"I think they want to trick them into police custody and detain them before arraigning them in court," said another source.

Desperate Saraki In Fresh Fight-To-Finish With Presidency Over New NASS Clerk; You'll Be Shocked At The Secret Behind

In a bid to cover-up for the perjury case that heralded his emergence as the Senate President of the 8th National Assembly, Bukola Saraki is in fresh desperate move to ensure his stooge emerged as the next clerk of the national assembly, Ripples Nigeria reports this morning.

As reported by our source, News punch understands that forces in the presidency are engaged in a battle of wits with Senate President, Bukola Saraki over the appointment of an Acting Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA).

The current CNA Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa is expected to proceed on terminal leave from May 14.

The CNA is statutorily appointed by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), a parastatal responsible for recruiting and managing the workforce of the National Assembly.

The 12 Commissioners of the body are however appointed by the President from across the six geo-political zones of the nation.

The replacement of Maikasuwa has been enmeshed in intrigues and controversies with the NASC appointing Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, as Acting Clerk.

His appointment was however challenged by Saraki in a letter on April 22 to Chairman of the Commission, Dr Adamu Fika.

The Senate President called for withdrawal of Sani-Omolori’s appointment because he was not consulted and the exercise was carried out without consideration for the principle of seniority in the Civil Service.

Saraki called for the appointment of the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (DCNA), Benedict Efeturi, instead of Sani-Omolori.

But Fika countered that Efeturi was not qualified for the post because it is against Civil Service rule to appoint someone who is six months away from terminal leave.

Investigations revealed that Saraki and forces in the presidency are desperate to have their stooges in the office because of the Senate perjury, which has been reopened by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

Malami has given the Director of Public Prosecution and the Police two weeks to prefer charges against suspects, who allegedly forged the Senate Standing Orders used for the proclamation of the current 8th Senate.

It is believed that the Senate Standing Orders were forged to facilitate the election of Saraki and Senator Ike Ekeremadu on June 9, 2015.

The former CNA, it was alleged, connived with former Senate President David Mark to alter the Standing Orders few days before the election.

Forces in the presidency believe that by determining the new CNA, it will be easy to prove the complicity of Mark, Ekeremadu and others in the case.

A source told Ripples Nigeria: “You know the CNA is the live wire of the National Assembly. They could get away with the alteration because the man there cooperated.

“If someone else gets there, he will help to facilitate quick trial and even reveal more facts that will nail the culprits.

“But if they have their way again, we should expect the case to die a natural death. This is why it is essential to stop them from having their man in the office again.”

The Saraki’s camp is also desperate to get Efeturi into office to get favourable directions during the case.

Should the case of criminal conspiracy, forgery, breach of official trust and unlawful assembly said to have contravened various provisions of the Penal Code be proven, it will consume the leadership of the Senate.

This is considered another potential banana peel for the embattled Saraki to tackle aside from his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged false declaration of assets.

It was learnt that both camps are prepared to go for broke over the appointment, fuelling fears that the vacancy might not be filled after May 14.

While Fika is believed to be dancing to the tune of presidential forces, Saraki is said to be leaving nothing to chances in the battle to install the next CNA.

Fika Dares Saraki Over NASS New Clerk Appointment

Nigerian Pilot - Battle over who takes over from the incumbent clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, appears to be getting out of hand as the Chairman of National Assembly Service Commission, Adamu Fika, has confronted the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on why the appointment of Mohammed Sani-Omolori cannot be reversed.

Saraki had, in a letter last week, asked the Chairman of National Assembly Service Commission to reverse the appointment of Sani-Omolori as the acting clerk of National Assembly.

He rather asked the Commission to consider, Benedict Efeturi, the deputy acting clerk of National Assembly, for the position.

However, in response to Saraki’s letter, Fika said reversing the decision of the Commission appointing Sani-omolori as the acting Clerk to the National Assembly cannot be tenable because it is against the Nigerian Public Service rule.

In a memorandum he submitted to the 440th meeting of the Commission held on April 20, Fika explained that Efeturi was not appointed to the position because he would proceed on retirement leave on August 2.

He said in conformity with the convention and practices of the service, no officer who has less than six months to retire would act in higher office.

“Mr. Benedict Efeturi, who presently acts as Deputy Clerk to National Assembly, will also proceed on his three months terminal leave on 2nd August, 2016, days before the end of the current Clerk’s terminal leave,” he said, adding: “It is neither expedient nor in conformity with convention and practices of the Service for an officer who has less than six months left to retire from service to act in a higher office.

“Mr. Mohammed Sani-Omolori, the present Clerk of the House of Representatives who therefore remains the next most senior officer in the services of the National Assembly will remain in service till 2021.”

Against the backdrop of reports that seven commissioners of the National Assembly service commission rejected Mohammed Sani-Omolori’s appointment as acting clerk of the National Assembly, one of the commissioners, Idi Adamu Ningi, has denied same saying he at no time rejected Omolori’s appointment.

Ningi, in a letter, had on April 19 declared support for Sani-Omolori’s appointment as acting clerk.

Also, the commissioner in a statement issued explained the circumstance which led to his signature being among those who rejected Omolori’s appointment.

According to him, the signatures of commissioners on the list taken were from an attendance sheet from a meeting which held between the commissioners and Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at his residence.

He said: “On Tuesday, 26th April, 2016, I was informed of a meeting of the Commission with His Excellency, the President of the Senate in his house at 7pm of that day. I and one of my colleague’s – Alhaji Rufai Tuta, arrived after 7pm, having missed our way trying to locate the Senate President’s house.

“On arrival, we met four of our colleagues already seated – Elder Yepwi, Funmilayo Lamuye, Paul Oweh and Joseph Oru. About five minutes later, His Excellency, the Senate President walked in and after exchanging pleasantries, he spoke about the way the issue of the appointment of the acting clerk to the National Assembly was handled by the Commission and essentially expressed displeasure about it.

“My colleagues, who all spoke before me, recalled their contributions at the meeting of the Commission where the decision on the appointment was taken. I spoke last and only offered apologies to His Excellency as it was apparent that he was not happy with the Commission; assuring him that we cannot annoy him intentionally.

“Mid-way into the meeting, the Deputy Senate President walked in and joined us. While I was speaking, one of my colleague (amongst the four we met at the residence) walked towards my seat with a sheet of paper which he gave to my colleague sitting close to me – Alhaji Rufai Tuta to sign and thereafter gave it to me. I noticed the paper was merely to write our name, the zone we represent and signature to indicate our attendance at the meeting and I signed accordingly.

Ningi continued: “I am therefore, shocked and surprised to learn that I signed a document. No document was presented at the meeting and I did not sign any document but an attendance sheet.

“I could not have signed any document dissociating myself from the decision of the Commission as I had earlier (on the 19th April, 2016) in a hand written note – attached – expressed my support for the appointment of Alhaji Sani Omolori as the Clerk to the National Assembly in acting capacity.

“Let me seize this opportunity to express my deep and sincere respect and loyalty to His Excellency, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and the Deputy President of the Senate – Mr. Ike Ekweremadu and to pledge my unflinching loyalty to and confidence on the Executive Chairman of the Commission – Dr. Adamu Mohammed Fika.”

But in a swift reaction, six out of the commissioners who attended the meeting with the Senate President lambasted Ningi saying he lied.

The commissioners in a counter statement issued described as unfortunate Ningi’s denial, adding that they were disappointed at his inability to stand by his word.

The statement read: ”It has come to our attention that a member of the commission, Idi Adamu Ningi, has denied rejecting the appointment of Mohammed Sani-Omolori as acting clerk of the National Assembly.

“It is unfortunate that he could speak from both sides of the mouth, an action which speaks of how much of a liar and traitor he is.

“We expect that a man of his age and standing should know better than to publicly deny a position he had earlier taken in the last meeting which held between us and the Senate President in the interest of the commission which has been brought to disrepute owing to the crisis rocking the commission.

“Moreso, to think that Idi Ningi could fall so cheap for financial inducement shows that he is not one to call a dependable ally, neither is he in anyway worthy of confidence. His recant demonstrates a lack of maturity that glaringly tells about his character. He is a betrayer and sellout,” the statement said.

AS it is now, the battle gets messier as both the political wing of the Senate and the commission is deep rooted in the battle of who will succeed Maikasuwa, Efeturi or Omolori?

Saraki, Dogara Splits; Fight Dirty Over Budget Padding, NASS Clerk; The Untold Cold War'll Shock You

A serious cold war has reportedly brewed between the embattled President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the House of Representatives counterpart, Speaker Yakubu Dogara over the recent imbroglio on the 2016 appropriation bill, which was said to be padded at the national assembly and the tussle over  who succeed the out-going assembly clerk, Mr. Salisu Maikasuwa, News Punch understands 

Report by Daily Independent  suggests that the leadership of the apex law making body of Nigeria from the side of the Commission (National Assembly Service Commission) on the one hand, and the political heads of the institution on the other are currently embroiled in another round of power tussle over who succeeds Mr. Salisu Maikasuwa as the next Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA). 

The controversy has refused to die down with new twists being added to the already invidious moves by politicians and bureaucratic eggheads. This is making the narrative of how not to make Mr. Benedict Efeturi, the current Deputy Clerk of National Assembly, the successor to Maikasuwa or why Mr. Mohammed Sani Omolori should not jump the gun to a position that some said is not rightly his, look like a very strategically-treacherous game of chess. 

While the latest but unconfirmed update coming from the Service Commission is that seven out of the 11 commissioners who were said to have initially voted for Omolori to be Acting Clerk have now written a counter-letter saying that Efeturi should be made acting Clerk. 

There are also indications that the leadership of the National Assembly is sharply divided over who should be the right successor. This is following feelers from both camps indicating that sides have being taken, leading to a certain cold war brewing between, Senator Bukola Saraki, the President of the Senate,  who is the chairman of the National Assembly, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as Dr. Adamu Fika, the chairman of the Service Commission. 

First to beat the war drum was the latter who issued a letter of appointment to Mr. Omolori on April 20, 2016 informing him to prepare to take over from the retiring Salisu Maikasuwa, an act the Senate President saw as a slight and undermining his position by the commission’s chief executive. 

Saraki had according to the rejection letter written on his behalf by Isa Galaudu, his Chief of Staff,  insisted that the letter written to Omolori by the commission announcing his appointment be withdrawn forthwith. President of the Senate/Chairman, National Assembly had noted that Mr. Benedict Efeturi who is the current Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly but who still sits in the Senate Chamber during plenary, despite having a substantive Clerk of the Senate should instead be the one to be so appointed. 

However, in a returned fire by the commission via a memo dated  April 26, 2016, with reference number NASC/CHO/PS/II/II/28, the President of the Senate was told unequivocally that his desire to  reverse the appointment of Clerk to the House of Representatives, Sani Omolori,  as the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly was not possible. 

Sources within the Saraki camp disclosed anonymously to Independent that the commission was colluding with the outgoing Clerk and some highly placed politicians within the House of Reps and outside the National Assembly to take advantage of Saraki’s travail at the Code of Conduct Tribunal where he is on trial for False Asset declaration to hatch and push through their plans. 

A ranking lawmaker close to the embattled President of the Senate who spoke to our correspondent in confidence said: “We know all those behind this plot to undermine the person and office of the President of the Senate in an attempt to advance their own selfish interest of installing their own candidate without following due process. 

“We also know that there’s a script being acted out here from certain quarters within and outside the Assembly, but I want to assure you that the Senate President is unshaken and ready to take on any challenge that is placed on his way to achieving justice; be it at CCT or anywhere in this land."

“How can somebody who’s next in line for a post be shoved aside while the person under him would be made to become his boss when he has not committed any punishable offence just because some people believe he was wrongly promoted ahead of the other person or that he has just a few days left in active service? How does that disqualify the man? So, the Senate President is saying that even if it is for one day, they should allow him to act before his retirement, something that even the military will consider."

 “If anyone is to be punished for any offence, it should be the commission chairman and his commissioners who promoted Efeturi ahead of Omolori in 2014 knowing that Omolori was the right man to have been promoted to the post of DCNA. “Let Dr. Fika tell Nigerians the truth behind this matter and stop playing to the gallery,” the apparently angry source stated. 

Another angry lawmaker in the House of Representatives when contacted by our reporter stated that “Speaker Yakubu Dogara and some powerful Northerners outside the National Assembly are the ones bent on subverting the course of justice by denying a man what is rightly his, just like they did to James Faleke in Kogi. 

“There is this geo-political conspiracy going on to entrench a Northern agenda and the Speaker is part of it – we know. We all saw the behaviour of his aides the day the appointment letter announcing Omolori came. Some of them quickly scanned it and posted on social media. I was told, Turaki Hassan, his Media Adviser,  was even the one who circulated the said letter to you press men, shouldn’t that speak volume as to the interest of his principal in the whole matter?” the source who spoke anonymously queried. 

He questioned why the position of Clerk of the Assembly has continued to be dominated by people from the North since 1999 when they are not the only ones in the Civil Service. 

The said cold war between Saraki and Dogara is said to have also manifested in the handling of the budget impasse between the National Assembly and the Presidency with the former said to be very angry at his Reps counterpart for his refusal to corporate in an alleged move to override the President’s veto on the 2016 Appropriation Bill. 

An insider source anonymously disclosed to Independent that the Senate President had sought the concurrence of Speaker Dogara in a bid to override the President’s veto as the constitutionally stipulated period drew near expiration. But Speaker Dogara was said to have tactically taken side with the executive when he was quoted as saying in an event that “the National Assembly wouldn’t be overriding the President’s veto”, as he moved subsequently to interface with the President on behalf of the House with a view to resolving all grey areas identified by President Buhari. 

The move was said to have forced Senator Saraki who felt betrayed to back-pedal on his alleged plans to garner support from leadership of both Houses in a bid to actualise the veto override, thereby compelling him to go along with the interface which eventually led to the resolution of all differences relating to the budget. 

Daily Independent

NASS Commission Humbles Saraki, REJECTS the Senate President's Order On NASS Clerk

The President of the upper legislative arm of Nigeria, the Senate has been humiliated as his order to reverse the newly appointed clerk of the National Assembly rejected.

True to News Punch earlier report that the embattled Senate President will have an upheaval task to contend with the Federal Government over his decision to give fresh order on the appointment of Sani Omolori as the new clerk of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), yesterday, rejected a directive from Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki to reverse the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Sani – Omolori, as the new acting Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), the Daily Sun Newspaper reported

The commission had last Wednesday, appointed Sani-Omolori, clerk of the House of Representatives, as the acting CNA to replace outgoing clerk, Salisu Maikasuwa, who will proceed on terminal leave on May 14.

But, Saraki said Maikasuwa was expected to be succeeded by his deputy, Mr. Benedict Efeturi, in an acting capacity until August when he is expected to proceed on his own terminal leave.

The Senate President directed the commission to withdraw the letter of appointment already issued to Sani-Omolori, and write a fresh one for Efeturi immediately.

However, NASC Executive Chairman, Mr. Adamu Fika, in a letter addressed to Saraki, said it was not possible because it would be improper to do so being that Sani – Omolori was senior to Efeturi, who is also not supposed to be appointed in acting capacity since he would retire soon.

Fika said: “I wish to refer to your letter on the above subject matter issued on your behalf by your Chief of Staff, Senator Isa Galaudu. The letter was instructing the executive chairman, National Assembly Service Commission to withdraw the letter appointing Mr. Mohammed A. Sani-Omolori as the acting clerk of the National Assembly for the period that the incumbent clerk to the National Assembly will be on pre-retirement leave from May 14 to August 14, 2016.

“The above decision was taken at the commission’s 440th meeting held on April 20, 2016.

“The commission took into account the fact that Efeturi will himself proceed on his pre-retirement leave on August 20, 2016, 12 days before the incumbent clerk will be due to hand over to his successor.

“This means that Efeturi is time barred for the acting appointment.

“Hence, the choice of Mr. Sani-Omolori to act and ensure continuity in that very important public service office where he will serve for the next five years.”

Fika said he did not even use his voting right in arriving at the commission’s decision, because 11 commissioners were in support of the decision.

“It should be noted that in Nigeria public service, seniority is determined at the time of consideration for promotion and career progression chart leading to it.

“Seniority is never decided by the date of appointment to the service nor date of retirement.”

Fresh Problem Brews For Saraki Over Rejection of New NASS Clerk, Senate Splits, Reps Kicks

A fresh storm is brewing in the Senate in the aftermath of Thursday’s rejection by Senate President Bukola Saraki of the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Omolori’s as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly.

Saraki’s action may also have pitched him on a collision course with the National Assembly Service Commission which made the appointment.

The Senate president had ordered the withdrawal of the letter of the appointment because, as he said, the Commission sidetracked due process in taking the decision.

He said Mr. Benedict Efeturi who is the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (DCNA) and who has previously acted as the Clerk ought to have been considered ahead of Sani-Omolori.

Many Senators are said to have been shocked by the Senate President’s action which they saw as unnecessary.

“When the news broke on Friday, many of us were hearing about the correspondence for the first time. The issue of who becomes the Clerk of the National Assembly is strictly the business of the civil service and there is a commission in charge of such matters,” one senator told The Nation yesterday.

He added: “To tell you the truth, the last is yet to be heard of that matter. Many of us will not support such interference. And already, questions are being asked as some of the principal officers are also saying they were not aware of the decision to reject the appointment.”

A  Principal officer of the Senate said Saraki’s  letter rejecting Sani-Omolori’s appointment  was never discussed with other principal officers before it was sent to the commission.

“The issue will be revisited once we return next week (this week). It is not a serious matter. It is just something that should be placed in proper perspective and that is what we will do when we get back next week. I cannot say anything on the matter now because it was not discussed by the entire senate or the principal officers before the correspondence.”

The Nation also learnt that some Senators and members of the House of Representatives from Sani-Omolori’s home state of Kogi, are also not in agreement with the Senate President’s position on the matter.

A well placed source said Saraki’s letter was the culmination of weeks of intrigues over who becomes the acting clerk of the National Assembly.

While Saraki and majority of NASS Principal officers had wanted Efeturi all along, and had done everything possible to ensure his emergence, The Nation learnt that the commission for certain reasons, decided to give the position to Sani-Omolori.

“One major reason why Efeturi didn’t get the job was the fact that he was not properly appointed as the deputy Clerk. Sani-Omolori’s appointment is in a bid to correct past politicisation of purely civil service procedures. The commission was well guided in its choice and that will be proven soon,” the source said.

A source in the Senate, however, described the failure of the National Assembly Service Commission to follow seniority in the appointment of the Acting Clerk  as “an affront on the guiding principles of the appointment and promotion in the National Assembly.”

“Even if Efeturi was not going to be appointed on the ground of seniority and the fact that he is Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, reasons should have been provided by the appointing authorities in order not to create bad blood in the system,” the source said.

He noted that it is not clear how the issue will be resolved “since a major mistake seemed to have been made in the first instance.”

The Senate President, had in his letter asking for the withdrawal of Sani-Omolori’s letter of appointment, said: “We present to you the compliments of the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON. Please recall that during your last meeting with the President of the Senate on April 20, 2016, the procedure of the appointment of the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly was discussed.

“The Commission was directed to follow due process and ensure that seniority is adhered to. Of course, Mr. Benedict Efeturi who is Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (DCNA) and who has previously acted as the Clerk of the National Assembly should be the first to be considered.

“Most importantly, you have been directed to confer with the President of the Senate over the outcome of the Commission’s meeting before a letter of appointment is issued and regrettably that did not happen.

“The President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives were informed that Mr. Efeturi was not considered for the appointment because he was not duly appointed as Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly. On further enquiries, we found he was duly appointed by the National Assembly Service Commission.

“Consequently, I am directed by the President of the Senate, to inform you that the letter appointing Mr. Sani Omolori as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly be withdrawn immediately for further consultations.”

The letter was signed by Saraki’s Chief of Staff, Alhaji Isa Galaudu

Culled from The Nation

Saraki Stirs Another War With FG, Gives Counter Directive To Reject New Clerk of National Assembly

The embattled President of Nigerian Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki may have stir another supremacy battle with the Federal Government as he has rejected the newly appointed Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Mohammed Sani-Omolori.

The Senate President in a letter to the National Assembly Service Commission directed the commission to withdraw the appointment of Sani Omolori as acting clerk of the assembly.

The appointment of Mohammed Sani-Omolori, was announced on Wednesday, but he was to assume office on May 13, replacing Salisu Maikasuwa who will commence his pre-retirement leave on May 14.

Saraki in a letter written by Isa Galadau, chief of staff to the Senate President, to Adamu Fika, chairman of the commission,  the senate president said he was misled and misinformed by Fika.

He opined that Benedict Efeturi, deputy clerk of the national assembly, who once acted as clerk, ought to have been the head of the bureaucracy of the legislature based on seniority.

“We present to you the compliments of the president of the senate and chairman of the national assembly, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON. Please recall that during your last meeting with the senate president on April 20, 2016, the procedure of the appointment of the acting clerk of the national assembly was discussed,” the letter read.

“The commission was directed to follow due process and ensure that seniority is adhered to. Of course, Mr Benedict Efeturi who is deputy clerk of the national assembly (DCNA) and who has previously acted as the clerk of the national assembly should be the first to be considered.

“The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives were informed that Mr. Efeturi was not considered for the appointment because he was not duly appointed as deputy clerk of the national assembly.

“On further enquiry, we found out that he was duly appointed by the National Assembly Service Commission vide extract from minutes of its 403rd meeting held on Friday, 21st November, 2014.

“From the foregoing, you have misled and misinformed the president of the senate and speaker of the house of representatives.

“Consequently, I am directed by His Excellency, the senate president, to inform you that the letter appointing Mr Sani Omolori as acting clerk of the national assembly be withdrawn immediately for further consultations.”

With this development, Saraki may have to contend with the Presidency and Federal government, should he insist on his directive to be implemented by the commission.

Below is Saraki’s Letter:

21st April, 2016

The Chairman

National Assembly Service Commission

TOS Benson Street, Utako,

Abuja

Withdrawal of Letter of Appointment of Acting Clerk of National Assembly

We present to you the compliments of the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON. Please recall that during your last meeting with the Senate President on April 20, 2016, the procedure of the appointment of the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly was discussed.

The Commission was directed to follow due process and ensure that seniority is adhered to. Of course, Mr Benedict Efeturi who is Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (DCNA) and who has previously acted as the Clerk of the National Assembly should be the first to be considered.

The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives were informed that Mr. Efeturi was not considered for the appointment because he was not duly appointed as Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly. On further enquiry, we found he was duly appointed by the National Assembly Service Commission vide Extract from Minutes of its 403rd Meeting held on Friday, 21st November, 2014.

From the foregoing, you have misled and misinformed the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Consequently, I am directed by His Excellency, the Senate President, to inform you that the letter appointing Mr Sani Omolori as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, be withdrawn immediately for further consultations.

Please accept the assurances of my warmest regards.

Sen. Isa Galaudu

Chief of Staff to the Senate President

More Agony As NASS Clerk Who Aided Saraki In Shady Senate Election 'SACKED'

More agony for the embattled President of Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki as the Clerk of the National Assembly and the man who made it possible for Bukola Saraki to become senate president, Malam Salihu Maikasuwa has been replaced.

The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) has approved the appointment of Mohammed Sani-Omolori as the acting Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) for a period of three months effective from Friday, May 13, 2016 when the incumbent, Salisu Maikasuwa, will proceed on pre-retirement leave ahead of his retirement later in August.

It was reported on Monday that Maikasuwa would be proceeding on his compulsory pre-retirement leave on Friday, May 13, 2016.

Maikasuwa has a deputy, Ben Efeturi, who, by tradition, should succeed him. Apart from Efeturi, there is a pool of secretaries of the Directorates.

They include Daniel Adem of Legal Services; Olajide Adelami of Procurement, Estate and Works; Lasisi Bukoye of Finance and Accounts; C. J. Usman, Corporate Affairs and Dr. Moma Efretuei of Common Services.

It was learnt that since they are in the rank of Permanent Secretaries, they are eminently qualified for appointment as CNA.

But the NASC decision was conveyed in a letter addressed to Sani-Omolori through Maikasuwa yesterday.

It was titled “Appointment As Acting Clerk To The National Assembly” dated Wednesday, April 20, 2016 and signed by NASC executive chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mohammed Fika.

“I am writing to inform you that the National Assembly Service Commission at its 440th meeting held on Wednesday 20th April, 2016 has approved your appointment as Acting Clerk to the National Assembly. This appointment who takes effect from 13th May, 2016 to 15th August, 2016 is in exercise of its powers as provided in Section 6b of the National Assembly Service Act 2014.

“The appointment is in recognition of your hard work, dedication to duty and very responsible conduct since joining the service. I have no doubt in my mind that you will justify the confidence reposed in you by the Commission and the Leadership of the National Assembly,” Fika wrote.

Meanwhile, before the appointment of Sani-Omolori was made public yesterday, there were already subterranean moves by the top echelons of the NASC to jettison seniority and install him as the next substantive Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA).

Although the number two official in the National Assembly bureaucratic ladder and current Deputy Clerk (DNA), Ben Efeturi, initially looks set to take over from Maikasuwa, but information gathered suggested that the powers-that-be were looking at a contrary direction to pick a successor to the retiring CNA.

Insiders said the unfolding scenario is contrary to the change mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration as the NASS commission has breached due process by appointing its preferred candidate.

“Incidentally the plot is at the instance of the commission chairman, who understands bureaucracy very well, but he is doing everything to achieve the aim,” a top official said.

The official, who preferred not be named, added that the commission had earlier met on Monday and Tuesday this week over the matter.

The commission comprises 12 members while its chairman, Fika, who hails from Yobe State, is said to be backing Omolori, who is an indigene of Kogi State.

Fika was said to be on the necks of other commissioners of NASC, urging them to recommend Omolori while he is said to be pushing for the retirement of Efeturi.

Omolori is the current clerk of the House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly and was said to have been eager to become the CNA eventually and become the substantive CNA in August when Maikasuwa retires.

“Ideally, Efeturi should be the acting Clerk of NASS since he has few months to retire while Mr Olajide Adelami ought to be appointed as acting Deputy Clerk of NASS. This is in line with the rules, competence, cognate experience and capacity,” the source added.

It is on record that Fika had about two years ago unilaterally appointed Omolori as the deputy CNA without resolution and due process. But other members kicked. This prompted Fika to reverse Omolori’s appointment while Efeturi was later appointed as the DNA.

The former Clerk who presided over the senate leadership elections in June last year favoured Saraki and his group by staging the exercise while nearly half the senators converged at the International Conference Center for a scheduled meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

.

Prior to the inauguration and the subsequent leadership elections, the Clerk directed the affairs of the National Assembly and could have shifted the elections till later in the day to allow for the presence of full house in the red chamber

.

The retiring Clerk who will proceed on terminal leave in the middle of next month will be remembered by Nigerians as one of the greatest saboteurs of President Buhari's change agenda