Amanze Chinonye
The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has defended former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayodele Oke, during the Senate’s screening of three ambassadorial nominees earlier this week.
The nominees Ayodele Oke, Kayode Are, and Aminu Dalhatu appeared before the Committee in Abuja as part of President Tinubu’s latest diplomatic appointments.
The exercise drew particular public interest because of Oke’s controversial exit from office in 2017 under the Buhari administration, following the discovery of large sums of cash in an Ikoyi apartment. At the time, the NIA under Oke said the funds were tied to a covert operation approved by the Presidency.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe matter later led to Oke’s removal and prosecution by the EFCC, although the case struggled to advance due to national security sensitivities. The charges were eventually withdrawn, and a court order affirmed his acquittal.
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Against this backdrop, Dickson said the Committee owed Nigerians a duty to ask “relevant questions” to clarify past controversies linked to nominees. He disclosed that he directly asked Oke to explain the circumstances of his exit. According to him, the former intelligence chief outlined his achievements, detailed the events leading to his removal, and submitted a court order showing he had been cleared after the EFCC withdrew the case.
The Bayelsa senator used the moment to launch a broader critique of the former ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of politicising critical national issues such as corruption, terrorism, and economic reforms. He argued that the treatment of Oke mirrored what happened to former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, describing both as “victims of the APC’s misguided vendetta to criminalise the PDP and its leadership.”
“Since its formation, the APC has always played politics with serious national issues,” Dickson said, adding that the party “weaponised” the Boko Haram crisis, resisted fuel subsidy reforms only to impose a harsher version, and pursued a “one-sided anti-corruption crusade” aimed at the opposition.
He insisted that the fight against corruption must be non-selective and that security and intelligence institutions including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) must be protected from political interference, especially when carrying out lawful directives approved by a sitting President.
Dickson said he had no hesitation voting to clear Oke after reviewing his explanations and the legal documents presented. He also endorsed the confirmation of the two other nominees former SSS Director-General Kayode Are and diplomat Aminu Dalhatu describing all three as experienced, capable Nigerians.
He congratulated the nominees and urged them to represent Nigeria honourably in their forthcoming postings. “We will be monitoring,” he added.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
