Senate Pass Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, Others

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed the three Anti-Corruption Bills.

​They are Witness Protection Bill​; Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill ​and Whistle Blowers’ Protection Bill 2017​.​

 

Meanwhile, in support of the anti-corruption agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, the Senate resolved to pass a law to establish a substantive and autonomous Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), following the suspension of Nigeria from the EGMONT Group.

The EGMONT Group is a network of 152 Member Countries that share information relating to criminal intelligence and financial investigations that deal with money laundering, terrorism financing, proliferation of arms, corruption, financial crimes and economic crimes.

The suspension means that Nigeria will no longer be able to benefit from the financial intelligence shared by the other 152 member countries of the group, which includes the United States and the United Kingdom, which will significantly hamper its abilities to recover stolen funds that are stashed abroad.

Senate adopted a multiple point resolution that called for the establishment of an independent NFIU, and the empowerment of the unit to be able to exchange and relate with all countries on the issues within its mandate at bilateral and multi-lateral meetings.

Senate called on the Ministries of Justice, Finance and Interior to work to ensure that Nigeria’s suspension is immediately reversed and ensure that all the conditions set by the EGMONT Group are met to re-admit and improve Nigeria’s standing within the Group.

The Senate also called on the Executive branch to ensure that it includes a separate budget for the NFIU in any supplementary budget that it sends to the National Assembly before the end of the year, stating that this will ensure that Nigeria’s suspension is lifted as soon as possible.

In his comments, President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, stated that separating the NFIU from the EFCC will show that we are serious about this anti-corruption fight. The Senate President further called on the Senate to begin the process of enacting the law.

“We must make sure that the suspension is lifted,” Saraki said, “The earlier we get it lifted the better it is for our image and the sooner we can restore our standing internationally.”

Senator Foster Ogala (Bayelsa West), stated that the expulsion of Nigeria from the UN-backed EGMONT Group would spell doom for Nigeria, while also urging the Senate to initiate the passage of the NFIU Establishment Act in order to ensure that it contributes its own significant quota to fighting corruption in Nigeria.

The Senate further directed that its Committee on Anti-Corruption should begin working on a Bill and present it to the full plenary within 4-weeks.

By Wale Odunsi

Senate Changes Position, Set To Confirm INEC RECs

The Nigeria Senate has received the report of its Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the screening of 12 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

Senate had on July 4 suspended all confirmation requests from the Presidency until Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo withdraws a statement credited to him that the Senate does not need to confirm nominees from the executive arm of government.

The decision followed opposition to a letter from Osinbajo, urging the upper chamber to confirm the nomination of Lanre Gbajabiamila as Director-General of the National Lottery Commission (NLC).

On Wednesday, the Senate after over one hour closed session, accepted the report of the RECs screening.

The 12 RECs whose screening reports were received were – Mrs. Asmanu Sani Maikudi (Katsina), Sam Olugbadebo Olumekun (Ondo), Mahmud Isah ( Kebbi), Rufus Oloruntoyin Akeju (Lagos) and Riskuwa Shehu (Sokoto).

Others are – Kassim Gana Geidam (Yobe), Jibrin Ibrahim Zarewa (Kano), Abdulganiyu Olayinka Raji (Oyo), Samuel Egwu (Kogi), Mike Igini (Delta), Mustapha Zubairu( Niger) and Ahmad Bello Mahmud (Zamfara).

No date was fixed for their confirmation.

By Wale Odunsi

Stop Wasting Kogi State Funds On Dino Melaye's Recall - Senate Tells Gov Bello

The crisis between the Senate and Kogi state government over Senator Dino Melaye’s recall deepened Thursday, when the upper chamber described as reckless and misplaced priority advertorial in National dailies by the Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, in his response to the governor of Akwa Ibom state remark on the recall.

Raising through order 43, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan representing Akwa Ibom Northeast explained that governor Bello of Kogi state had a full page advertorial condemning his colleagues who earlier in the week hosted Senator Dino Melaye in his state.

Displaying the dailies, he noted: “Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, you recall our condemnation of Kogi governor over wasting of resources on pages of newspapers.”

“Again, you can see another advertorials and one keeps wondering on how he has completely lost focus by recklessly spending funds he would have used in improving conditions of the state,” he added.

Akpan, who has unresolved electoral issues sought the leave of the upper Chambers to caution Yahaya Bello from spending resources on frivolity, adding that Bello’s colleagues from Akwa Ibom state was doing well.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu cautioned Yahaya Bello in the way he administers the state, noting that he should not be seen fighting everybody.

Udom Emmanuel expressed vituperations on Kogi governor for being the brain behind Dino Melaye’s recall, a situation that did not go down well with the Kogi State government.

By Samson Adekojo Usman

Senate Mandates Hospitals To Treat Gunshot Victims Without Any Requirement

The senate has passed a bill that compels hospitals across the country to treat gunshot victims without demanding police report or financial deposit.

The bill titled, “Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots” was passed during the senate’s Tuesday’s plenary session.

The bill also mandates security agents to assist people with gunshot wounds and ensure that they are taken to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment.

President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, while passing the bill said most gunshot victims are not criminals.

According to Saraki, “By the passage of this Bill, the Senate has moved to ensure that every hospital in Nigeria, both public and private, must accept to treat victims of gunshot wounds without any clearance from the police.

“What we have done is to ensure that everyone is entitled to medical treatment, irrespective of the cause of the shooting.

“We should reserve judgment for the criminal justice system, and leave healthcare for the medical professionals.”

By Seun Opejobi

Saraki Moves To Reshuffle Senate Committees

Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday indicated plans to reshuffle the 68 Senate standing Committees. 

Saraki disclosed the intention during yesterday during plenary session. 

He was responding to observation by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who picked holes in the composition of the standing committees. 

Ekweremadu had during consideration of report of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, on the Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron, Bill said the membership of committees needed to be reviewed. 

He raised observation after the chairman of the committee, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano) presented the report. 

Holding a copy of the report, Ekweremadu said only 12 out of the 21 members of the tertiary institutions committee signed it. 

“It is unusual the number of senators, 21 that are in the tertiary institutions committee. It is unhealthy that many senators will be in many committees that would make it difficult for them to attend meetings,” he said 

Saraki concurred with the observation saying, “I agree with you in entirety. You will recall that at the leadership we have discussed it. We must clean it up and this must be done before we go for our recess, “he said.

By Ismail Mudashir

We Are Ready For Your Probe - NPA Tells Senate

Recall that Nigerian Senate on Wednesday mandated its Committee on Marine Transport to investigate a N3billion fraud allegation against the agency.

The allegations were raised in a Point of Order moved by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District.

Reacting, NPA Principal Manager, Public Affairs, in a statement said that the Senate’s decision was in line with the determination of the authority to open its books for probity at all times.

He noted that the present management of NPA had on assumption of duties, identified the challenge and taken immediate steps to address the situation.

Nasiru said NPA was ready to collaborate with other agencies of government to ensure transparency in the execution of government business and work in the best interest of Nigeria always.

The spokesman said as part of the processes, an advertisement for Expression of Interests for “Consultancy Services for Dredging and Channel Design Optimisation Studies was placed in newspapers in October 2016.

He said so far, three companies had been pre-qualified for the assignment with a Request For Proposals (RFP) already issued toward the conclusion of the process for the award of contracts.

“”The studies, when completed, will provide an accurate information on the depth and siltation levels of the channels and ultimately, guide the NPA in its next line of immediate and future actions on the channels”.

Nasiru added that the studies would additionally provide a comprehensive review of the dredging practices currently adopted for the management of the Bonny/Port Harcourt Channel, the Calabar Channel and Lagos Channel.

He said there would also be a comprehensive review of the existing channel layout and recommendations on how the layouts could be optimised for current and projected vessel traffic in each of the pilotage districts.

“As part of the optimisation studies, it is recognised that the consultant will undertake further in-depth studies on hydro-dynamic modelling, sedimentation modelling, navigation simulation studies and navigational risk assessments.

“The NPA discovered that the cost of dredging of the channels has increased on yearly basis in the past and that the studies would provide guidance on specific measures to take to save cost,” Nasiru said.

By Wale Odunsi