From Kemi Yesufu, Abuja
The House of Representatives yesterday summoned Controller-General (CG) of Prisons, Peter Ekpendu to appear before it to explain his role in the assault of a female lawmaker, Onyemaechi Mrakpor, on Wednesday evening.
Ekpendu will appear before the House Committee on Interior to explain why he should not be convicted for the physical assault of the lawmaker representing Aniocha North/Aniocha South/Oshimili North/Oshimili South Federal Constituency, based on Section 16 of the Powers and Privileges of Legislative Houses Act which says a lawmaker should not be obstructed from entering or exiting an assembly complex.
The House also directed the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau to appear before the committee.
This was even as Daily Sun learnt that lawmakers met in a colleague’s residence in Maitama over the issue on Wednesday night to decide on what action to take.
House Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, who brought the incident to the attention of the House under matters of privileges, said Ekpendu breached the Act, an offence punishable by six months imprisonment or N400,000 or both.
Ogor explained to the House that Mrakpor was in a hurry on her way out of the National Assembly on Wednesday evening and this led to her car overtaking the convoy of the Controller-General, an action which irked his security aides.
According to him, Ekpendu watched as his aides descended on the car of the lawmaker and when she tried stepping out of the car, one of them slapped her.
In his contribution, House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila said the prison officer who allegedly slapped the female lawmaker should be handed the harshest punishment as he conducted himself in an unprofessional manner.
Other female lawmakers, Nnenna Ukeje and Ayo Omidiran described the assault of their colleague as another case of violence against women, which must be roundly condemned.
The committee was given a week to submit its report as the House was informed that the CG will soon retire from service.