The House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Library, Research and Documentation on Thursday suspended its investigation into allegations against the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Suleiman Abubakar, after petitioners failed to provide concrete evidence to support their claims.
The committee ordered the petitioners to return with verifiable documents before the probe can continue.
Prof. Abubakar had been accused of allegedly participating in a governorship primary election without first resigning his appointment, an action the petitioners claimed violated constitutional provisions and civil service regulations.
However, at the investigative hearing in Abuja, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Yusuf Galambi, ruled that the panel could not proceed on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations.
“The committee is unable to proceed in the absence of credible and verifiable evidence to substantiate the allegations before us,” Galambi declared.
He directed the petitioners to produce relevant documents, including party records, nomination forms and expression of interest forms allegedly linked to the NILDS Director-General.
According to him, only the presentation of concrete evidence would enable the committee to determine the next line of action.
The hearing followed a motion earlier adopted by the House of Representatives, which called for strict compliance with constitutional and administrative provisions regulating political participation by public officers.
Galambi said the committee remained committed to carrying out its assignment objectively and would revisit the matter once the petitioners submit the required documents.
He also disclosed that the committee had already extended a formal invitation to Prof. Abubakar and that the communication was duly delivered.
A member of the committee, Hon. Harrison Anozie, expressed concern over the failure of the NILDS Director-General to appear before the panel despite being invited.
“In the matter referred to this committee, we have extended invitations to all parties, especially the DG, who has been alleged to have participated in a political process without resigning his appointment as required by the Constitution and the directive of Mr President,” Anozie said.
He added that adequate notice had been given to enable the NILDS boss appear and present his side of the story.
“He ought to be here to state his own side of the story. A proper notice was served on him, and ample time was given for him to appear before this committee,” he stated
Anozie, however, maintained that the absence of any party would not stop the committee from performing its legislative responsibilities.
Also contributing, Hon. Chinedu Obika questioned the petitioners on the evidence available to support their allegations and specifically asked whether they possessed any video recording showing the alleged participation in the governorship primary.
Responding on behalf of the petitioners, Williams Amuga of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) admitted that their claims were based largely on reports and materials circulating on social media.
Following the admission, the committee ruled that the hearing be suspended and directed the petitioners to return with additional documentary evidence before further proceedings can take place.
The decision effectively puts the probe on hold until the petitioners comply with the committee’s directive and provide verifiable proof to back their allegations against the NILDS Director-General.
