By RICHARD IHEDIWA, Abuja

Four bugging devices said to be the type used by the State Security Services (SSS) were yesterday discovered at strategic points in the senate chambers apparently planted to record proceedings of the upper house during closed sessions.

The Senate leadership has ordered a full scale probe into the discovery of unauthorized secret audio-visual devices otherwise known as bugs in the chambers of the senate. Deputy Minority Whip, Daniel Saror while seconding a motion by Senate Leader Dalhatu Tafida to adjourn yesterday�s plenary drew the attention of a bewildered Senate to the presence of the bugs concealed and placed at the four corners of the chamber which he alleged were used to relay proceedings at closed session to unauthorized quarters.

Saror who recalled that such devices had been discovered and disconnected at the heat of the third term saga last year, insisted that the bugs had been planted to compromise the sanctity of the Senate adding that the devices had always interfered with microphones even during plenary proceedings.

�You will recall that sometime last year, we discovered some secret security monitoring cameras and we had to get them disconnected. Now I can see four in the chamber. This is supposed to be a hallowed chamber for us to conduct our business without interference.� Saror said pointing at the bugs.

A worried Senate President Ken Nnamani immediately queried the clerk of the Senate on the issue insisting that there must be full probe to ascertain how the devices found their ways into the Senate chamber.

The Clerk of the Senate and the sergeant at arms were later summoned to the office of the Senate President for questioning over the matter. Senators fear that the bugs have been used to relay to unauthorized quarters, their contribution during the closed session which is usually characterized by unrestrained forthrightness and candour.

Fear that similar devices may have been planted in the chamber of the House of Representatives may have led lawmakers in that chamber to be now more cautious in their utterances, NewAge gathered.