Senators have declared Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello missing, and are frantically looking for her; with a directive that Senate Chief Whip, Kanti Bello, should employ all legislative means to find her before the plenary next Tuesday.
Iyabo, Senate Health Committee Chairman, who is the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was declared missing on Thursday, as her colleagues expressed worry over her whereabouts.
Shadowing her movements and actions is her alleged involvement in the N300 million sleaze at the Ministry of Health, which has led to her hide and seek game with officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Although she has denied participating in sharing the money, the EFCC seems eager to ensure her appearance in court until she is cleared through judicial pronouncements.
The EFCC has arraigned former Health Minister, Adenike Grange, and her Minister of State, Gabriel Aduku, as well as other officials for their alleged involvement in the scandal.
Iyabo has reportedly gone missing since the appearance of the dramatis personae in court.
What led to the Senatorial directive was a motion raised by Bello, who cited Orders 14, 15 and 16 of the Senate Standing Rules, which deal with matters of privilege, to draw attention to newspaper reports on her wellbeing.
Bello said the reports quoted Iyabo as saying that her life is in danger; adding that something needs to be done since the Senate has no means of protecting its members, especially when their whereabouts are unknown.
He urged the Senate to act urgently to ascertain her whereabouts and wellbeing, as it is not wise to sit back and watch events get out of control.
“As a Senate, there is need for us to find a means of protecting her,” he added.
James Manager, who seconded the motion, said the Senate needs additional information on her whereabouts before further action could be taken.
Uche Chukwumerije suggested that “we must be very tactful in this matter. We must not be seen to be above the law. We cannot claim ignorance of the circumstances surrounding Iyabo.
“We must be careful in talking about the privileges of a Senator in anything that has to do with the court of law.”
Jubril Aminu countered that the plight of Iyabo, on the grounds upon which Bello brought the motion, has nothing to do with the rule of law, since she has a right to life.
He counseled the Senate to approach the matter from that angle.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the debate, ruled that Bello should make more inquiries and report back to the Senate on Tuesday next week.
In another development, the Senate Aviation Committee on Thursday unsuccessfully canvassed an investigation of how the N19 billion aviation intervention fund meant to revamp the sector was spent.
Committee Chairman, Ayim Udeh, had drawn attention to the missing Beechcraft plane, and sought the approval of the Chamber to probe the disbursement of the fund.
But other Senators were disenchanted, as they recalled the manner in which the committee has handled aviation issues, particularly those on the missing plane.
Instead of approving an investigation, the Senate resolved that the government should seek the assistance of international agencies to find the aircraft, which left Lagos for Obudu a month ago but disappeared midway.
Senators expressed disappointment that Udeh and his committee have failed to provide information on the plane, as well as justification for the proposed investigation.
In his contribution, Sola Akinyede said there is no need for a new probe since President Umaru Yar’Adua has set up a panel to examine the matter.
“Any other such probe can prejudice the one ordered by Mr. President,” he stressed.
Deputy Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, noted that “this motion is just a repetition of what has already been discussed in the Senate. I think we should send it back to the committee to, on its own, investigate the circumstances surrounding the missing plane.
“A lot of stories are being told about the missing plane so that the Senate does not know what to believe.”
John Shagaya queried the silence of Wing Airline, owners of the missing aircraft, saying: “Why has IASA, the manufacturing company, and the insurance company, not shown any interest in finding the plane? Can we assume that the plane was struck by lightning and that the bits and pieces have disappeared?”