The Senate has screened and confirmed Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, a ministerial nominee from Delta State, after he apologised to the lawmakers over an alleged misconduct to the legislature.
Mr. Keyamo’s screening at Monday’s plenary followed his apology to lawmakers over his conduct in 2020, when he reportedly ignored summons of both chambers of National Assembly to explain disbursement of N52 billion public works programme of the Federal Government.
Earlier, the Senate had dissolved into closed session over motion to suspend the screening of Mr. Keyamo.
The motion, which generated altercation amongst the senators, was sponsored by Sen. Dalington Nwokocha (LP-Abia).
READ ALSO: http://Sanwo-Olu congratulates Lagos APC chair, Ojelabi at 65
Nwokocha had raised a motion for suspension of Kayemo’s screening pending investigation and explanation on how disbursement of N52 billion public works programme to Nigerians across 774 local governments during his tenure as Minister of State, Labour and Productivity.
On resumption from closed session, Mr. Kayemo apologised to the lawmakers over his conduct in 2020 to both chambers of National Assembly, when he was invited to explain his ministry’s activities on the public works programme.
He, thereafter, explained payment to the beneficiaries of the public works programme was made by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) direct to the beneficiaries account with their verifiable BVN.
According to him, every beneficiary was duly registered and documented and could be verified by the Senate.
READ ALSO: http://(OPINION) ‘Bishops’ of Imo politics
Senate President Godswill Akpabio noted that government was a continuum, adding that the Senate has the right to investigate payment of the money to the beneficiaries.
Sen. Godiya Akwasiki (SDP-Nasarawa), however, urged the Senate to accept the apology tenderd by the nominee, given his remorseful disposition.
Sen. Alli Ndume (APC-Borno), thereafter, moved a motion that the Senate accept the apology of the nominee, while Sen. Jaribe Agom (PDP- Cross River) moved another motion that the nominee take leave of the Senate, after his apology was accepted by the Red Chamber, given the ruling of President of Senate.
Sen. Akpabio consequently ruled further that the nominee took a leave of the Senate.
The Senate, thereafter, dissolved into another Closed Session to continue the legislative business of the day. (NAN)
