The Senate has summoned the Chairman of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), General Buba Marwa (retd), to appear and respond to allegations raised against Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Oyelola Ashiru.

In addition, the Senate has established a six-man investigative panel chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, APGA, Abia South, to further examine the allegations by inviting all parties involved.

Other members of the panel are Senator Kaka Shehu, APC, Borno Central; Senator Ede Dafinone, APC, Delta Central; Senator Ireti Kingibe, LP, FCT; Senator Afolabi Shauibu, APC, Ogun Central; and Senator Lawal Usman, PDP, Kaduna Central.

The anti-narcotic agency accused Senator Ashiru of making derogatory comments about the NDLEA because he allegedly failed to prevent the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in drug abuse in his house.

Senator Ashiru raised the issue under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Order, explaining how the reaction to his comments during a debate on a bill by the NDLEA had affected his integrity as he neither takes alcohol nor carbonated drinks except water.

He then pleaded that the matter must be taken very seriously.

The Senate addressed the matter after a closed-door session that took place from 11:49 a.m. to 1:25 p.m.