The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday found itself in a heated debate over the twenty-nine trillion naira Ways and Means funds by the immediate past administration.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, insisted that the Senate had acted illegally by allowing funds drawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria, and already spent to be brought to the parliament for approval.
Senator Ali Ndume cited relevant sections in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, noting that the Senate lacked powers to approve funds already spent.
This was countered when Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje argued that the upper legislative Chamber had the power to approve, prompting Ndume to insist that he was not part of the plenary that approved the Ways and Means in advance.
He added that it was required that after funds were spent, the Executive was expected to revert with details of how the funds were expended, hence.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, however, insisted that details be provided, noting that the 10th Senate would not be a rubber stamp for anyone.
Akpabio said, “We are where we are today as a result of illegal things and I think it is necessary that details of Ways and Means be provided.”
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