Reps sack arms purchase probe c’ttee, 11 others

The House of Representatives yesterday sacked 12 ad-hoc committees for failing to submit their reports within the stipulated time frame.

Among them was the ad-hoc committee constituted to review the purchase, use and control of arms and ammunition and related hardware by the military, paramilitary and other law enforcement agencies.

Also affected were the ad-hoc committee on power sector reform; the ad-hoc committee probing the governing lease of federal government assets; the ad-hoc committee investigating the failure of MDAs to release retention funds; the ad-hoc committee to interface with the executive and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria; the ad-hoc committee to investigate the assault and rape of a student by teachers at the FCT School of the Blind, Jabi.

Others were the ad-hoc committee to investigate the crude oil theft in Nigeria; the ad-hoc committee on the alleged negligence by the Federal Ministries of Justice and Petroleum Resources in the handling of the Federal Government and the Process and Industrial Development Limited.

Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Abubakar Hassan Fulata, said the committees were “discharged” for failing to present their reports within the stipulated periods.

He said this was contrary to the provisions of Order 18, Rule 3 (1)(g) of the Standing Orders of the House.

He said the affected committees would be committed to the Committee of the Whole or any other committee as may be constituted.”