House Calls for Release of Youth Council President

By Damilola Oyedele

The House of Representatives has called on the Department of State Security Services (DSS) to release  the President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mr. Chinyere Ikenga, who has been detained since last week.

Ikenga is allegedly being detained for his vocal support for Senate President Bukola Saraki who is being tried by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on charges of false declaration of assets.

The House noted at plenary Thursday that continued detention of Ikenga without arraignment before a competent court is a violation of his fundamental rights guaranteed by the 1999 constitution, as amended.

The House made the call following a motion sponsored as matter of urgent national importance by Hon. Goodluck Opiah who alleged that Ikenga was constantly harassed before his arrest.

Opiah said Ikenga was picked up for views his recently expressed in a televised interview on the trial of Saraki.

The House, following a voice vote, directed its Committee on National Intelligence to look into the issue.

Meanwhile the House appealed to the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to shelve its planned strike to allow for continued intervention of the National Assembly.

NARD had issued a 21 day notice which expires this weekend.  The House Committee on Health Institutions and Labour are already interfacing with the union.
Hon. Kingsley Chinda  (Rivers PDP) in a motion said there is an urgent need to avert the strike which is capable of grounding the health sector and causing hardship for Nigerians.