TheCable

The senate has mandated its committee on youths and sports to probe the alleged illegality of the appointment of S. Ibrahim as the new director-general (DG) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The resolution of the senate is a sequel to a motion sponsored by Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west.

TheCable had reported that appointment violated the law.

While moving the motion on the floor of the senate on Tuesday, Melaye said the appointment of Ibrahim contravenes section 5 of the NYSC act.

The senator argued that it is only the president who can make such an appointment not the chief of army staff.

“There has been an infraction perpetrated by the Chief of Army staff in appointing a new director-general for the NYSC,” the legislator said.

“According to section 5 of the NYSC act, a director-general is to be appointed by the president. The chief of army staff through signal removed the DG of NYSC and through signal appointed his replacement.

“The act gave authority to the president. Previous director-generals were appointed by the president. We are not in a banana republic. NYSC is not a formation of the Nigerian Army but on the enactment of the national assembly.”

But dissenting, Francis Alimikhena, deputy chief whip, said the chief of army staff has the right to appoint anyone to that position.

“The chief of army staff has the right to post any member to any position. He had the right,” Alimikhena said.

On his part, Senate President Bukola Saraki (pictured) said the senate would work with the recommendation of the committee.