In 16 months, two major controversies dangle over Ita Enang who was appointed in August 2015 to serve as a linkman between the Senate and the executive arm of government, specifically the Presidency.
To some extent, Enang who has been at the National Assembly since 1999 have succeeded in clearing the gulf between the Senate and executive, that was not without integrity threatening controversies.
Before Enang’s appointment, the Presidential Villa was a no-go-area for the leadership of the Senate, no thanks to the way and manner the Senate President, Bukola Saraki emerged as the number one lawmaker in the country.
If experience, exposure and mastery of Legislative workings count, Enang will not be involved in budget controversies.
For 18 years , the Akwa Ibom born legal icon has been at the National Assembly. First as a member of the House of Representatives for 12 years and throughout this period, he was chairman of the House rules and business committee.
In 2011, he stepped up to the upper chamber and for four years he was the chairman of Senate business and rules committee, a position that enhanced his legislative acumen. Throughout his sojourn in the two chambers, Enang was one of the lawmakers to be reckoned with.
With all these, Enang was in January, 2016 indicted in the budget controversies, the disappearance of the 2016 budget . A committee set up by Saraki, specifically accused Enang as being responsible for the disappearance of the document.
Since the inauguration of the National Assembly, no issue expose the Upper Chamber to ridicule as the disappearance of the budget which was laid by President Buhari on December 22nd, 2015.
From all angles, the Upper Chamber received bashings as the lawmakers were accused of trying to frustrate the moves by President Buhari to turn around the fortunes of the country. It was after Enang’s episode that you other dramas that enveloped the 2016 budget followed.
As if that was not enough to send the presidential aide packing, news filtered round the Senate that another version of the Department of State Services (DSS) on the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu was with Enang.
The DSS had on October 3, written to the clerk to the Senate its finding on the acting Chairman of the EFCC. The service, specifically said Magu was unfit to man the office he is presently occupying. It said Magu failed its integrity test and as such should not be confirmed.
Penultimate Thursday, the Senate acting on the DSS report, rejected the confirmation of Magu. The development created uproar in the anti-corruption family.
But before this could settle down, here comes the news that Enang is bearing another security report by the DSS. It was signed by Folashade Bello, on behalf of the Director-General of the DSS, Lawal Daura. Bello signed the one that was addressed to the Clerk to the Senate.
In the Enang’s version, the DSS reportedly cleared Magu and asked the Senate to go ahead to confirm him.
The spokesperson of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi confirmed that another security report was truly addressed to Enang.
Like when the budget reportedly got missing, Senator Enang requested to be excuse when our correspondent contacted him to comment on the DSS report. At the peak of the disappearance of the budget, Enang kept mum.
However during end of the year’s interactive session with members of the Senate Pres Corps, Senator Enang said it would be unwise of him to speak on a matter that is still being considered.
“For matters which are pending it would not be wise to speak on matters which are pending therefore please permit me not to speak on any matter which is still undergoing consideration.
“For me and for all of us, I think I will prefer that we ask questions on matters relating to legislation and the majors that have been sent to the president which have been concluded in one way or the other. I will not want to go more into any other matter other than matter of legislation,”he said.
The question now is why would a sensitive organization like the DSS write two security reports on one person, with different recommendations.
