By The Senate on Wednesday rejected a proposal seeking to stop the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) from monitoring federal constituency projects across the country.
The decision followed a heated procedural debate during plenary after a motion by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who argued that the anti-corruption agency was encroaching on the oversight responsibilities of National Assembly committees by tracking projects executed by contractors.
However, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, strongly opposed the motion, insisting that the commission was acting within its legal mandate to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.
Bamidele noted that projects facilitated by many lawmakers, including himself and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, had previously been monitored by the ICPC without any objections.
He told the chamber that the agency’s tracking exercise was necessary because the projects were funded with public resources and intended to benefit constituents.
“Many of our colleagues know that their projects are being monitored. There is nothing to worry about because these projects are meant for the benefit of our people,” he said.
Bamidele further argued that preventing the anti-graft agency from carrying out its statutory responsibilities would undermine transparency in public spending.
He also raised procedural objections to the motion, pointing out that it had not been properly seconded and did not follow the rules guiding motions presented under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders.
According to him, the motion lacked the required consent of the chamber before being introduced and therefore could not be entertained.
“To the extent that it was not properly seconded and the necessary consent was not sought before presentation, the motion cannot stand,” he stated, suggesting that any concerns about the tracking process should be handled administratively.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau supported the position, stressing that ICPC’s monitoring activities were important in ensuring that contractors properly execute projects funded with public funds.
Following the debate, Senate President Akpabio ruled that the matter should be handled administratively rather than debated on the floor, effectively dismissing the attempt to halt the commission’s project-tracking exercise.
Senate Expresses Concern Over Renewed Borno Attacks
Meanwhile, the Senate also expressed concern over renewed insurgent attacks on military formations and communities in Borno State.
The chamber observed a minute of silence in honour of soldiers killed during a recent attack by suspected insurgents on a Nigerian Army base in Kukawa Local Government Area.
The motion, moved by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, revealed that the attack occurred in the early hours of March 9, 2026, when insurgents launched a coordinated assault on the military formation, engaging troops in a fierce battle that reportedly lasted nearly 24 hours.
Lawmakers expressed sadness over the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Umar Farouk, described as a key figure in restoring civil authority in Kukawa after the town was previously overrun by insurgents linked to Boko Haram.
According to Monguno, the attackers approached the base from several directions, engaging troops in intense combat that resulted in casualties, destruction of military vehicles and the looting of some weapons.
He warned that the attack signaled a troubling resurgence of insurgent activities in the North-east despite ongoing counter-insurgency operations under Operation Hadin Kai.
Monguno further disclosed that another community in Kukawa LGA, identified as Doro, was also attacked earlier on Wednesday, resulting in the death of another soldier.
The Senate commended the courage and sacrifice of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their continued efforts in defending the country and combating insurgency in the North-east.
