No doubt it has being an overwhelming session with the screening of the Ministerial nominees by the Nigeria Senate (Upper Legislative house) last week and the ministerial screening was postponed by the Senate President on Friday October 16, 2015 to continue on Tuesday October 20, this week. So far about 18 Ministerial Nominees have been screened and confirmed by the Nigerian Senate out of the 36 which is being nominated as Ministers by the Nigerian President - General Muhammadu Buhari.
However, there seem to be a particular Ministerial nominee that is yet to be screened whose name and issues surrounding same has being on the news on his possible screening by the Nigerian Senate, and that's the former Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Amaechi has been reported to have being indicted by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry in Rivers state on the basis of corrupt practices and embezzlement of public funds while as a sitting Governor. It has being reported that a Petition against his screening as a Ministerial nominee has being sent to the Nigerian Senate from a Civil Society Group in Rivers State; that his Ministerial nomination shouldn't be confirmed on the basis that he was indicted for corrupt practices. Reports are also to the effect that he has responded to the allegations and the matter has being before the Nigerian Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee who are to report back to the Nigerian Senate on whether to go ahead with the screening of the former Governor as a Ministerial nominee.
QUESTIONS AND ISSUES SURROUNDING AMEACHI'S MINISTERIAL NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT
# Can it be said that the Justice Omoreji Judicial Commission of Inquiry that was reported to have indicted the former Governor, have acted with the aim of persecuting the former Governor in lieu of his appointment as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
# Reports which earlier surfaced that one 'Livingstone Wechie', through his organisation; "Integrity Group" had secured a Court Order from the Rivers State High Court to stop the Nigerian Senate from screening the former Governor as a Ministerial nominee. However, the; 'All Progressive Congress' which is the ruling party, has denied the existence of any such court order. Are Nigerian Civil Society groups empowered to decide or advise on the appointment of a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
# Can the notice of indictment of the former Governor which is being reported to have being served on the Nigerian Senate, and that of the alleged court order if in existence, prevent the Legislators from exercising their Legislative duties in screening the former Governor as a Ministerial nominee, in view of the fact that the principle of separation powers which separates the arms of Government is well enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution?
# The Former Governor of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi was reported to have responded to the alleged petitions against his ministerial nomination by three letters which he addressed to the Senate President. As reported that the former Governor alleged in his letters to the Nigerian Senate President that; he is seeking a redress over the verdict of indictment issued against him. Why is there no mention of the court and details of the suit upon which he is seeking a redress against the verdict of indictment?
# It's also reported that a petition has being submitted to the ICPC and EFCC by the Integrity Group, a civil society since August 2015; calling for the prosecution of the former Governor of Rivers State Mr. Amaechi for corruption, criminal breach of trust, unlawful enrichment and conversion of over 70 Billion Naira of the State resources. If such a report alleging corrupt practices has indeed being submitted to the ICPC and/or EFCC, why are there no reports of investigation on the matter by the two government agencies?
# Finally if the reported verdict of indictment against the former Governor remains unquashed, will the nomination and subsequent appointment of the former Governor as a Minister as intended by the Federal Government, or an appointment as a Public officer be valid and lawful in view of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution?
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