The Senate has cleared Festus Keyamo (SAN) as a ministerial nominee after he apologized to the lawmakers at Monday's plenary.
The clearance came after a three-hour closed-door session resulting from a disagreement over his choice by President Bola Tinubu.
Senator Darlington Nwokocha had raised a Point of Order that the former minister, at various times, refused to appear before the ninth Senate to explain how N52 billion appropriated to Nigerians was spent.
But at the commencement of plenary, Keyamo apologised to the Senate for not honouring its invitation and also clarified that the N52 billion Public Works Fund at N20,000 each for beneficiaries was transferred directly to them by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Keyamo further explained that the Ministry of Labour and Employment only generated the list for the CBN to take action, adding that the register of beneficiaries is domiciled with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
He further urged the Senate to investigate the matter if his explanation was unsatisfactory.
