Senate President David Mark has said he is willing to temporarily quit office to allow his colleagues debate the report of the Senator Omar Hambagda led committee investigating alleged financial impropriety levelled against him.

Speaking at the 6th National Seminar on Economic Crimes organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, Senator Mark said: "I will step down to allow my colleagues debate the report whenever it is brought before the Senate."

He asked his accusers to make a public apology if he is cleared. But the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions charged with the responsibility of unveiling the source of publications alleging that Senate President had awarded a N400 million contract for the renovation of his official residence and smuggled N2.5 billion into the 2007 supplementary budget could not present its report yesterday.

The Committee for the third time, failed to present its report after members refused to sign the report to be presented by the committee Chairman, Senator Omar Hambagda.

There are indications that members of the committee are divided over findings and recommendations of the report as only four members have signed the report while seven others refused.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate yesterday, Senator Hambagda disclosed that members of the committee will still need to meet and iron out issues before presenting the report. He said: "We were to meet yesterday for all the members to sign and adopt the recommendations of the report.

Unfortunately, not up to half of the members were there. It is not the intention of the committee not to have everybody there." Also speaking on the matter, Senator James Manager said the committee should be given until today to present its report but added that, "We should give them more time till tomorrow and I want to say that tomorrow must be tomorrow and they must present the report unfailingly.

I want to also say that if the content of that report is controversial as I can see it is heading to that then it will not be only the chairman of the committee that will talk on behalf of other members."

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over yesterday's session in the absence of Senator Mark, ruled to allow the committee until today to present its report otherwise the Senate may seek alternative means of solving the problem.