The Senate, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, constituted an ad-hoc committee to investigate drug distribution allegations levelled against Senator Oyelola Ashiru (APC-Kwara) by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

This followed the adoption of a point of order brought by Senator Ashiru under Order 42 of Senate Standing Rules which entailed personal explanations.

The committee has Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe as chairman, while other members include Senators Ede Dafinone, Afolabi Shaibu, Shehu Kaka, and Lawal Usman.

The committee, which has one week to present its report, is to invite the NDLEA to speak to the allegation and justify its claims against Ashiru.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio had before announcing the composition of the committee said Ashiru approached him about the breach of his fundamental rights and privileges.

Akpabio, however, said whatever the NDLEA did was based on Ashiru’s submission, when he said that the integrity of NDLEA officials should be looked into.

The Senate President said it was surprising that the NDLEA never invited, arrested, or charged Ashiru to court on any drug-related issue before now.

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He stated: “If they felt you were a drug baron, they would have arrested you when you were 30, 50, 60, 65 years, not at the age of 68 when you made contributions on the floor of the Senate on a bill to establish a drug rehabilitation centre.

“We in the Senate see you as a gentleman to the core and we must take this issue seriously and call this agency to order because an injury to one is an injury to all.

“So, it is my personal view that the Senate invites NDLEA to come and justify the allegations, failing to do so, the Senate will take very drastic action.”

Earlier in his explanation, Ashiru said he had expressed his concern and contributions to the bill based on information from his constituency on the negative effects of drug consumption and trafficking.

The lawmaker said one of his constituents had asserted that in the last two years, more than 50 persons lost their sanity because of drugs.

Senator Ashiru added that there were visible drug barons who were making money from the distribution of drugs.

He said the increase in drug-related crime had resulted in his contribution, urging that the Senate look into the operation of NDLEA officials, especially on the allegations of corruption among them.

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Ashiru, who described NDLEA’s allegations against him as unfounded and malicious, said he had also supported the establishment of an institute for awareness and rehabilitation of persons affected by drugs.

The senator said: “I want to ascertain that in my life, I am 68 years old now, I cannot even identify cannabis or any drug.

“Beyond taking water, I don’t take alcohol; I don’t even take carbonated drinks, beyond taking water and other foods.”

Senator Ashiru said rather than the NDLEA addressing the issues raised by the Senate, the agency resorted to deceit.

The lawmaker further stated that the report was an attempt to infringe on the Senate’s right to free debate on issues of national interest.

The Star