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New twists and different opinions have come up in the Senate, regarding the probe of the Economic and Financial Crimes boss, Ibrahim Lamorde.

According to National Assembly correspondents, a group of senators that are known as the APC Unity Forum have come out to reveal why they are not in support of the probe planned for the EFCC boss.

A statement obtained from National Assembly correspondents, which was purportedly released by  Senators George Akume, Abu Ibrahim, Barnabas Gemade and Ahmad Lawan, said that the way the petition was presented, flawed the probe process and this was at the root of their outright rejection of the entire process. They demanded that things be put in order if they are to support the petition in any way.

The statement said: “In this regard, nothing of the sort happened. Senate proceeded on recess on August 13 and it is not on record that the petition of Mr. George Uboh, accusing Lamorde of diverting over N1 trillion recovered from some corrupt Nigerians, including former governor of Bayelsa State, DSP Alamieyeseigha, the former Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun was presented to Senate in plenary.

“The Senate Unity Forum do support the position earlier adopted by some of our colleagues that the Lamorde probe should be halted as it did not follow due parliamentary process. For the avoidance of doubt, Rule 41(1-3 of the Senate Standing Orders specifically spell out how petitions are handled in the parliament.

“Rule 41(1-3) states:(1) A petition may only be presented to the Senate by a Senator, who shall affix his name at the beginning thereof.

“(2) A senator presenting a petition shall confine himself to a brief statement of the parties from whom it came, the number of signatures attached to it and material allegations contained in it and to reading the prayers of such petitions.

“(3) All petition shall be ordered, without question being put, to lie upon the Table. Such petition shall be referred to the Public Petitions Committee.

“It is after these steps have been taken that the presiding officer would refer the petition to the afore-mentioned Committee.

“It should be noted that, in this case, none of the laid-down procedures was followed before the Senate Unity Forum read in the newspapers that the Senator Samuel Anyanwu -led Ethics privileges and Public Petitions Committee would on Wednesday, August 26, commence probe of EFCC chairman. We stand against this probe. It is illegal and unconstitutional because it did not follow our rules.”

They further insisted that due process should be followed in presenting the petition to the Senate and that they would give it all their supports. They claimed they only want things to be done the right way and not be shrouded in secrecy or irregularities. They claimed they were willing to be fully involved in the anti-corruption crusade of the present federal government, but only demand that things should follow due process before they can lend their supports to any of the petitions. They further reminded the public that they are lawmakers and should act within the dictates of the law.