By Nelson Agbajor
ABUJA/Nigeria: The Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance has expressed strong concern over the slow implementation of the National Assembly’s directive to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) regarding compensation for the family of Mr. Fidelis Omhonria following a tragic incident involving NDLEA operatives.
The directive was issued after a heartbreaking operation in which two-year-old Onosereba Omhonria was killed while his younger brother, Eromonsele Omhonria, sustained a severe gunshot injury to the eye.
Chairman of the Committee and Vice Chairman, Senator Ede Dafinone, who presided over the committee’s review meeting with officials of the NDLEA, voiced dissatisfaction that nearly three years after the incident the agency has yet to fully comply with the Senate’s resolution on compensation for the affected family.
Dafinone noted that the prolonged delay raises serious concerns about adherence to legislative directives and the commitment of government institutions to deliver justice to victims of official actions.
Members of the committee warned that failure to promptly implement resolutions passed by the National Assembly could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and weaken the effectiveness of legislative oversight.
The lawmakers therefore urged the NDLEA to take urgent steps to address the matter and provide the much-needed relief to the grieving Omhonria family, stressing that the Senate’s directive on the issue was clear and must be executed without further delay.
Senator Dafinone reaffirmed the committee’s determination to ensure full compliance, emphasizing that legislative oversight remains a vital instrument for promoting accountability and transparency within public institutions.
To facilitate the process, the committee advised the NDLEA to formally engage the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, noting that confiscated assets already under government custody could legally be accessed as part of the compensation framework for the affected family.
The committee explained that the review meeting was convened specifically to assess the level of compliance with the Senate’s earlier directive and to explore practical steps toward resolving the matter.
Lawmakers further stressed that the protection of citizens’ rights and welfare must remain paramount during law enforcement operations across the country.
While reiterating the National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring justice in the case, the committee also highlighted the urgent need for adequate medical intervention for the injured child, Eromonsele Omhonria, whose eyesight remains at risk as the family awaits the implementation of the Senate’s directive.
