The news reaching us now suggest that the Nigerian Police have arrested Senator Ovie Omo Agege after he was alleged to have led some hoodlums to snatch away the Mace in the red chamber of the National Assembly. Though nothing can be confirmed as of now, a news report suggests that after the National Assembly issued a 24hours order to both the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Security to apprehend the mastermind and hoodlums and retrieve the Mace, the police immediately arrested the Senator for further investigation.
But what is more alarming from all of these was that despite the huge presence of security men and women at the Red Chamber, the hoodlums numbering about five, were still able to gain entrance to the chamber, grab the Mace and bolted off without anyone trying to stop them…hmmm…even the Senators present at the Chamber were all dumbfounded at the event that was happening around them without any attempt to rescue their symbol of Authority being taken away.
Now the question is, do the police have the right to arrest Senator Ovie Omo-Agege given that the event that took place was inside the Senate and it is no business of the executives, in this case, the police. Fine, there was an invasion by foreign persons, but as a Senator, Omo-Agege who is still being alleged to be the brain behind the invasion is still a Senator of the Federal Republic who is also entitled to all privileges accorded every other distinguished Senator….It is clearly going to be an interesting week for the Senate and the National Assembly as reports also suggest that members of the lower chamber have gone to show their solidarity with their senior colleagues at the Red Chamber. I cannot wait to see the next move by both parties.