Drama As Ezekwesili, Senator Nwebonyi Trade Words At Senate Hearing

There was drama in the Senate on Tuesday during the hearing of a petition from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as a former minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi had a heated exchange during the hearing.

The altercation between Senator Nwebonyi and Ezekwesili took place during a hearing by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions over Senator Natasha’s petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Ezekwesili accompanied Abiola Akiode, counsel to Senator Natasha, and petitioner, Zubairu Yakubu, to the hearing.

But tensions rose when Yakubu tried to speak as the Chairman of the Senate on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions Committee Neda Imaseun was addressing the panel.

Yakubu was asked to mute his microphone, leading to Ezekwesili’s intervention. However, Nwebonyi, a witness for Akpabio, interjected, prompting a heated exchange with the former education minister.

Ezekwesili told the lawmaker to compose himself, sparking an outburst from Senator Nwebonyi.

Infuriated, the Senator accused her of being disrespectful.

The heated exchange disrupted the hearing before order was finally restored. Imaseun thereafter said the case was before a court, ending the hearing.

“Therefore, this matter is closed here at the senate, and it is adjourned sine die,” he said.