The Senate wing of the National Assembly became the scene of a heated exchange on Wednesday when two lawyers, Oladotun Hassan and Myson Nejo, accused Senator Ayo Akinyelure of bias during a committee hearing. Hassan and Nejo had submitted a petition to the National Assembly, through Akinyelure—Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions—seeking an investigation into the appointment of Stella Okotete as Executive Director of Nexim Bank. Their petition called for the reversal of Okotete’s appointment, arguing that she lacked the necessary qualifications. The document read in part: “Public complaint against criminal conspiracy to wit: unimplemented 2019 Senate resolution on removal recommendation, violation of the CBN’s circular to all banks and financial institutions revised assessment criteria for approved persons’ regime for financial institutions ref; fpr/dir/cir/gen/05/014 dated 15 October 2015, and regulations on appointment of heads of financial institutions, serial fraudulent misrepresentations on prerequisite qualifications and deceitful withholding of CBN’s statutory position, obligations and duties as the executive director of the Nigerian Export‑Import Bank against Stella Erhuvwuoghene Okotete.” It further asserted that, “Given her lack of educational academic prerequisites, 18 years of banking service, non‑professional technocratic competence and ongoing massive corruption at Nexim Bank, we call for her immediate replacement.”
When Hassan and Nejo appeared before the panel, they were told that Senator Akinyelure had informed them that the Nexim Bank Executive Director had sent a text message indicating she would be unavailable because she was abroad on medical leave. The senator explained, “Since the case is already in court, the Senate might not be able to formally hear it. I am not sure why she is here, but I have allowed the case to be heard. We will wait until she returns and then hear from both parties. If the court papers confirm the case is before the court, you may proceed there.”
The situation deteriorated when Senator Akinyelure began defending the Executive Director. He asserted, “The President is free to appoint whoever he wishes to any position. This is a development bank; the appointment does not require certificates.” He added that “mortgage and development banks can even be run by a primary‑six holder, unlike commercial banks which require high professionalism.” Claiming to be a Chartered Accountant, he presented his view as expert knowledge. The petitioners reacted strongly, accusing the senator of bias and a lack of transparency. Nejo said, “We see no reason to be here because you have already taken sides, defending the woman. If the case is already in court, there is no need for this discussion.” He further argued that proper oversight by the Senate and the Central Bank of Nigeria would have rendered the petition unnecessary. “Your statements that the President can appoint anyone without a certificate show you will not give us a fair hearing. You are biased, Mr. Chairman, and this is highly disappointing,” he added.
Hassan demanded an apology from Senator Akinyelure to the Nigerian public, threatening legal action against the Senate if none was forthcoming. He claimed the President had been misled about Okotete’s appointment and that the senator’s defense “endorsed corruption.” Hassan emphasized that the Senate should uphold the resolution it passed, noting, “Our role is to remind the legislators that this statutory position was a constitutional appointment by the President through the Secretary‑General of the Federation. It is disrespectful that we traveled from Lagos and Ondo states only to be told, via a text message, that the other party is absent.” He pointed out that the Nexim Bank is based in Abuja, yet no representative appeared, and the senator’s reliance on an absent respondent demonstrated bias. “If the Senate fails to apologise, we will consider it a co‑accomplice in our petition, which would stain the Senate’s reputation,” he warned.
Hassan reiterated the senator’s remarks that the Nexim Bank Executive Director’s role is a political appointment and that even a primary‑six holder could occupy it, citing the Federal Mortgage Bank’s past leadership as an example. He stressed that Nexim Bank, as a development institution handling both local and foreign investments, requires competent leadership. “If an unqualified person is appointed, we are here to present the case,” he concluded, noting that bringing the matter before the court was intended “as a result of mutual respect,” not to prejudice the judicial process.
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