BREAKING: Reps Begin Screening Of New Service Chiefs

The House of Representatives has announced the commencement of the screening of the newly appointed Service Chiefs.

Security heads slated for screening include Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Lucky E.O Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Ishiaka Oladayo Amao.

Speaking before the start of the exercise, Chairman of Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, said the screening of the service chiefs will be transparent and free of bias.

The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee screening the Service Chiefs added that after their confirmation, the House will give the service Chief all the required support to succeed in their assignments.

He said the nation must do everything possible to get the issue of security right in memories of all those who have died in the fight against insecurity.

Benson said the screening is in accordance with provisions of Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 which required that the nominees be confirmed by the National Assembly.

Naija News reports that it is the first time the House of Representatives is conducting the screening of Service Chief.

Recall that popular Borno Senator, Ali Ndume had said that Senate Joint Committee on Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force may start the screening of the newly nominated Service Chiefs this week.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, disclosed this while speaking to reporters in Abuja last week Saturday.

He said the new service chiefs would be screened this week since the joint committee was given only two weeks to submit its report.

Ndume said, “It is not advisable to screen service chiefs in the open.

“If you do, it means you will be compromising the security of the country especially if there are issues that borders on national security.

“We have been given two weeks so it will definitely be done next week and we shall keep you informed.“