Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen, has reiterated that the National Assembly cannot override decisions of competent courts, as the committee reviewed a series of petitions and dismissed those lacking merit or legal standing.
Speaking with journalists after a committee session at the National Assembly, Imasuen said public expectations that the Senate can deliver immediate relief in all disputes must be aligned with its constitutional role as a lawmaking body bound by due process and existing laws.
He explained that several petitions brought before the committee were weakened by incomplete disclosures, particularly instances where petitioners failed to reveal that their cases had already been decided by courts.
Citing a customs-related matter, the lawmaker noted that a petitioner imported a truck but failed to declare items concealed within it, paying duty only on the vehicle. Authorities later discovered the undeclared goods and acted in accordance with the law.
According to him, the case had already been determined by the Federal High Court of Nigeria, which ordered forfeiture of the goods to the government. “The Senate cannot overturn a valid court judgment,” he said.
In another petition involving Fidelity Bank, Imasuen said the committee found that the petitioner had opened multiple accounts, obtained a loan, and personally withdrew the funds in dispute. Based on the evidence presented, the panel dismissed the claim, ruled that the bank could not be compelled to refund legitimately accessed funds.
He added that other petitions, including those involving diplomatic and institutional entities, were also struck out after failing to meet the threshold of credible evidence.
However, Imasuen disclosed that a petition concerning retirees, particularly those linked to the defunct Afribank, remains under active consideration.
Describing the issue as critical, he said it is unacceptable for individuals to contribute to pension schemes for decades and face uncertainty over their entitlements after retirement.
The committee, he said, has given all parties two weeks to submit relevant documents and will reconvene thereafter to take a final decision based on the facts.
Imasuen reaffirmed that while the Senate remained open to citizens seeking redress, its actions will always be guided by verified facts, due process, and strict adherence to the rule of law.
