SERAP backs Sagay on refusal to appear before Senate.

SERAP called on the leadership of the Senate to immediately withdraw the summons on Professor SAGAY, which it described as unwarranted and unconstitutional.

Professor SAGAY was summoned by the Senate in his capacity as Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption.

He is expected to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for purportedly describing the Senate as childish and irresponsible, and filled by people of questionable character.

But SERAP’s Executive Director, ADETOKUNBO MUMUNI said the Senate’s decision to summon Professor SAGAY simply for exercising his right to freedom of expression is arbitrary and a travesty that cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny.

In a statement circulated to media houses, MUMUNI said the suppression of freedom of expression and public discussion is inimical to peace, order, good governance and the rule of law, and patently inconsistent with the Senate’s law-making and oversight functions.

He noted that the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of Nigeria but recent events in the Senate appear to stir public anger.

The Senate’s action is based on a point of order raised by the Deputy Senate leader, BALA IBN NA’ALLAH, which drew the attention of lawmakers to a report in a newspaper publication, where Professor SAGAY was quoted as saying that the Senate is filled with people of questionable character.

Senator IBN NA’ALLAH insisted that Senate does not have questionable characters and therefore asked the Senate to summon Professor SAGAY to name those who he feels have questionable characters among them.