- Senate issued an arrest warrant for Julius Berger’s Managing Director, Dr Peer Lubasch, for defying multiple summons
- Julius Berger faced increased scrutiny over delays in federal road projects
- Senate President Akpabio emphasised constitutional powers of oversight and accountability
The Nigerian Senate has issued a warrant of arrest for Dr Peer Lubasch, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, following his repeated failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Works.
The arrest order was made on Thursday, December 12, after Dr Lubasch allegedly ignored multiple invitations to testify before the committee.
Akpabio orders Lubasch’s arrest for ignoring summons
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision, noting that the committee had extended three separate invitations to the managing director, including one presided over by Akpabio himself, all of which were disregarded.
“So what we are going to do is that since we have summoned the company, and the company has rebuffed the summons of the National Assembly of this Senate then we should immediately take the next step of issuing a warrant of arrest to compel the Managing Director of Julius Berger to appear before the Senate Committee.”
Speaking on the matter, Akpabio emphasised the Senate’s constitutional responsibility to oversee the appropriation and utilisation of public funds, stressing that the committee's efforts were in line with its mandate to ensure transparency and accountability in government contracts and projects.
“If we have powers to appropriate, we have powers to oversight, and we also have powers to follow the money to the letter.”
“So what we are going to do is that since we have summoned the company, and the company has rebuffed the summons of the National Assembly of this Senate then we should immediately take the next step of issuing a warrant of arrest to compel the Managing Director of Julius Berger to appear before the Senate Committee.”
He condemned the extended debate over the issue, arguing that the National Assembly should not be wasting time discussing a contractor that has shown contempt for its authority.
“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has authorised the Senate President to sign a warrant compelling the Managing Director of Julius Berger to appear before the Senate Committee on Works on a stated date to be so named, and then a report to be made available thereafter to this honourable assembly, failing which we shall go further to do the needful as prescribed by the Nigerian constitution,” the Senate stated.
The Senate Committee on Works had previously expressed concerns over delays in major road projects, placing several contractors, including Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, under investigation.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong pointed out that Julius Berger briefly mobilised to a project site but ceased work soon after, prompting the Senate to demand the company’s appearance on December 6, 2024.
The Ministry of Works also issued a statement on the same day reinforcing this deadline.
The arrest warrant reflected the Senate's stance on promoting accountability in the execution of federal projects. Julius Berger’s Managing Director is obligated to clarify how the funds for the road project were spent.
Non-compliance with the warrant may trigger additional measures in accordance with constitutional provisions.
FERMA assures Nigerians that government would fix bad federal roads
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) assured Nigerians that the federal government would fix the damaged federal roads in the country.
According to the report, the project aligned with President Bola Tinubu's "Renewed Hope Agenda," which aims to reduce stress for state commuters and drivers.