Controller General of the Nigerian Prisons Service, Peter Ezenwa Ekpendu has faulted claims by a member of the House of Representatives, Joan Marakpor that the she was slapped and severally assaulted.
Ekpendu in a statement issued Friday in Abuja and signed by spokesman of the Service, Francis Enobore said it is important to state that whereas it is true that the he was at the National Assembly on the invitation of a Committee to attend to some official issues with some of his staff, neither the pilot car in front of him nor his official car had any confrontation with anyone.
“He went there with 4 cars and not 20 as alleged”
“However, since it is alleged that the assault took place within the precinct of the National Assembly, precisely at the security post of the outer gate with hordes of security personnel from various agencies including that of the National Assembly on duty, it is advisable to establish what actually transpired from these security officers.
The matter is currently being investigated by the Police.
“The Controller-General is a peace loving and law abiding citizen of Nigeria who has never been involved in any act of bravado, impunity or hooliganism and will never encourage any form of abuse on any Nigerian including the Honourable member of the National Assembly and will not tolerate any form of indiscipline on the part of his staff”, the CG said.
The House of Representatives had on Thursday summoned the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Prison Service, NPS Peter Ekpendu to appear before its Committees on Interior and Police Affairs over an alleged assault on Joan Marakpor.
Marakpor was reportedly slapped by an officer of the NPS for allegedly not giving way to the convey of Comptroller-General, of the NPS at the National Assembly on Wednesday, April 20.
In an order of privilege which culminated into a motion by the Minority Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, said the assault of the member was in breach of Section 16 of their House rules. While describing the scenario as embarrassing to the National Assembly, Ogor said in the spirit of fair hearing the Comptroller-General should be made to appear before its committees to explain to it why he should not be relieved of his duty.
Contributing to the matter, House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila said when he spoke to Marakpor she was crying.
“I’m not interested in the issue of fair hearing, he is guilty of assault, battery, bodily harm and violence against women, “he said.
He suggested that the House amend its rules to only accommodate the President’s convey to the National Assembly.
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