TheNewsGuru

Tag: NASS

  • Why House is probing Special Presidential Investigation Panel – Dogara

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has explained why the House is investigating the Special Presidential Investigation Panel to ascertain where it got the powers to investigate public officers as it is not listed among the agencies listed to discharge that function in the constitution.

    Dogara said while speaking at a public hearing on the Legality and Modus Operandi of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel in the National Assembly on Thursday, that the probe became imperative because of the confusion of roles which has been identified by the Executive branch itself.

    He noted that the Constitution which is the supreme law governing affairs in Nigeria has vested the respective powers of investigation and eventual trial of public officers who are in breach of the Code of Conduct on the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Code of Conduct Tribunal, in addition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) which were established by two extant laws and copiously vested with powers and jurisdiction to investigate allegations of crime and to charge possible offenders to the Federal High Court.

    Speaker Dogara added that while it is undeniably the responsibility of the Judiciary to give final interpretation on the legality or otherwise of any question of law, it is also the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly to make laws, or to plug defects in any existing law, or to amend any laws as it deems fit, especially to protect Nigerian citizens from the possibility of double jeopardy of facing different laws and different judicial and executive agencies on the same subject matter.

    He stated, “This investigation is further strengthened by the confusion of roles which has been identified by the Executive branch itself. It is public knowledge that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had waded into these matters in a letter titled, ‘Re: Directive in Respect of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the recovery of public property’, which has not been denied. According to Malami’s letter to Obono-Obla: “I have received a letter Ref. SH/OVP/DCOS/FMJ/0424 dated 20th October, 2017 in respect of the above subject from the Office of the Vice President. In the said letter, the Vice President expressed his concerns on the activities of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property which runs contrary to the enabling Act establishing it. He also noted that the activities of the Panel run foul or contrary to established administrative procedures and protocols in the Federal Civil Service Structure”.

    Hon Dogara continued, “The spirit, if not the letter, of Section 36(9) of the Constitution guaranteeing a right to fair hearing and outlawing double trial by Courts or Tribunal set up by law, should guide our attitude on this matter, especially now that the Supreme Court has decided that the Code of Conduct Tribunal has a quasi criminal jurisdiction.

    “While we recognise the need to tackle the problem of corruption with renewed vigour in our society, as we fully subscribe to the dictates of the Constitution which enjoins the State to ‘abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power’ Section 15(5), we must, however, be conscious of doing things and implementing our laws in such ways and manner that will portray us as a democratic society conscious of the Rule of Law and Fundamental human rights.”

     

  • Senate invasion: Saraki visits wounded female Sergeant-at-Arms Officer [Video]

    Senate President Bukola Saraki on Sunday visited Mrs. Sandra Davou, Sergeant-at-Arms Officer who was wounded when thugs reportedly sponsored by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege invaded the Senate on Wednesday.

    TheNewsGuru reports Mrs. Davou suffered various injuries after she was assaulted when the thugs invaded the Senate chambers of the National Assembly.

    The Senate President, who was away in Washington when the incident happened, had condemned the invasion of the Senate and said the red chambers will stop at nothing to bringing those responsible to book.

    He also commended the leadership and all members of the Senate for standing up firmly in defense of democracy and the rule of law with their decision to defy those who machinated the attack on the red chambers of the National Assembly.

    “I am delighted that the Senate stood up to them by disregarding their unreasonable and shameful action and went on with the day’s proceedings as slated in the Order Paper.

    “My commendation goes to my deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, other members of the leadership, my colleagues, the leadership and members of the House of Representives for standing in defence of democracy, parliamentary sanctity and constitutionalism.

    “With the way the Senate has defied those seeking to undermine it, we have sent out a strong signal that we are always ready to defend our constitutional mandate and nothing will deter us from this.

    “I associate myself with the comments of the Deputy Senate President that we are ready to get to the roots of this assault on democracy and ensure that those who are responsible, no matter how remote, will be brought to justice,” Saraki said.

    https://www.facebook.com/bukola.saraki/videos/10156365678829962/

     

  • Stop Discos from estimated billings, electricity consumers urge NASS

    Stop Discos from estimated billings, electricity consumers urge NASS

    Some electricity consumers have appealed to National Assembly to enact a law compelling electricity distribution companies(Discos) to install pre-paid meters for all customers to save consumers from estimated billing.

    They made the appeal in separate interviews with newsmen on Friday at a forum on arbitrary estimated billing organized by Association of Electricity Consumers Right in Lagos.

    Akin Badmus, Coordinator of the Association, urged the lawmakers to promulgate a law that would ban Discos from billing consumers on estimation.

    Badmus said that issues around estimated billing and non-availability of prepaid meters needed to be addressed to enable Nigerians enjoy the benefits of privatisation.

    According to him, most electricity consumers are struggling with the twin problems of estimated billing and poor services, four years after privatization.

    Badmus prayed the 8th Assembly to enact a bill that would criminalize estimated billings to electricity consumers and order Discos to install meters in every household.

    “Most Discos have refused to install meters that would determine the level of consumption of electricity consumers – a device that measure the amount of energy used by a resident and business owners,” he said.

    Another consumer, Mrs Felicia Dorothy, a resident of Ogba Housing Estate, urged the lawmakers to consider a review of the privatisation exercise so as to address concerns raised by consumers.

    Dorothy also appealed to the National Assembly to proscribe estimated billing used by Discos to shortchange consumers.

    “ The National Assembly should consider a bill seeking to amend the Power Sector Reform Act.

    “Every electricity consumer must be provided with a pre-paid meter, thus ending the regime of paying for power not consumed,’’ she said.

    Alhaji Sunmola Ojurongbe, Chairman, Ojokoro Housing Estate, said many artisans were being ripped off through over-billing and estimated billing.

    “It is unbearable for a welder to pay as much as N15, 000 when you hardly get uninterrupted supply each day.

    “I believe if functional pre-paid meters are installed, you only pay for what you use,’’ Ojurongbe said.

    Data obtained from Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) show that over three million or 45 per cent out of the 7.47 million consumers nationwide have prepaid meters.

  • FCT Police release Omo-Agege as Senator denies stealing mace

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has denied making away with the symbol of authority of the Senate.

    TheNewsGuru reports the National Assembly was on Wednesday invaded by thugs suspected to be supporters of the Delta Central Senator. They carted away the Mace of the Senate in the process.

    The Senator in a statement emanating from his office, and signed by Barrister Lucky Ajos said he never invaded the red chamber nor made away with the mace.

    “Based on legal advice and his understanding of the current position of the law, Senator Omo-Agege today resumed work and sitting with his colleagues.

    “A few champions of the unconstitutional, invalid and tyrannical suspension tried to stop him but those who opposed it welcomed and protected him throughout the sitting,” the statement read.

    TheNewsGuru reports on Thursday April 12, 2018, the Senate suspended Senator Omo-Agege over the remarks he made at a press conference that the amendment of the 2010 Electoral Act which changes the sequence of elections set by INEC is targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Following the invasion of the National Assembly today the Senator was arrested by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police and Divisional Police Officer (DPO).

    https://youtu.be/FCBwDnnZsWs

    “We are aware of several media reports suggesting that Senator Omo-Agege personally removed or encouraged anyone to remove the Mace of the Senate. This weighty allegation is not true at all.

    “Following media reports on the Mace issue, the Police authorities decided to hear from Senator Omo-Agege. He has told the Police his perspective to help them carry out a proper investigation. He has since left the Police. Senator Omo-Agege trusts them to thoroughly investigate this very serious matter,” the statement read.

    The statement by the barrister also responded to Senate Spokesperson press statement on the invasion of the National Assembly.

    “We are also aware of a statement allegedly issued by the Senate Spokesperson, Senator Abdullahi Sabi. Without any investigation, Senator Sabi willfully, deliberately and unfairly made very serious allegations against Senator Omo-Agege on the Mace incident.

    “We are carefully studying Senator Sabi’s allegations to ascertain their full ramifications. Appropriate responses will follow, as may be necessary,” the statement read.

     

  • NASS invasion: We’ll get to the roots of this – Senate President

    Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki has condemned the invasion of the National Assembly in which the symbol of authority of the Senate was carted away by suspected Senator Ovie Omo-Agege sponsored thugs.

    TheNewsGuru reports Senator Omo-Agege allegedly sponsored five thugs to invade the red chamber of the National Assembly on Wednesday and forcefully carted away the mace of the Senate.

    In his reaction to the developments, Saraki, who has been away in Washington where he is attending the Spring Meeting of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF), said the National Assembly will get to the root of the matter.

    He commended the leadership and all members of the Senate for standing up firmly in defense of democracy and the rule of law with their decision to defy those who machinated the attack on the red chambers of the National Assembly.

    Saraki also lauded the swift reaction by the leadership and members of the House of Representives in demonstrating their solidarity with the red chamber and thereby sending a strong signal that enemies of democracy and those who want to undermine the legislature will be resisted by all parliamentarians.

    “I have just been informed that some hoodlums invaded the Senate chambers, forcefully taken away the mace and assaulted some of our Sergeant-at-arms on chamber duties. I am delighted that the Senate stood up to them by disregarding their unreasonable and shameful action and went on with the day’s proceedings as slated in the Order Paper.

    “My commendation goes to my deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, other members of the leadership, my colleagues, the leadership and members of the House of Representives for standing in defence of democracy, parliamentary sanctity and constitutionalism.

    “With the way the Senate has defied those seeking to undermine it, we have sent out a strong signal that we are always ready to defend our constitutional mandate and nothing will deter us from this.

    “I associate myself with the comments of the Deputy Senate President that we are ready to get to the roots of this assault on democracy and ensure that those who are responsible, no matter how remote, will be brought to justice,” Saraki stated.

     

  • Reps condemn attack on Senate, says NASS won’t be intimidated

    Sequel to Wednesday’s attack on the Senate and subsequent hijacking of the mace, the House of Representatives has called for a total overhaul of the National Assembly security system.

    The lawmakers condemned the porosity of the National Assembly complex where adequate security was said to be grossly lacking.

    While reiterating their solidarity, the lawmakers, however, vow that they won’t be intimidated by the attack.

    The call followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance by the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who described the invasion of the Senate by hoodlums as attack on the highest arm of the institution.

    He said: “In every democracy, the mace is vital to the parliament. We don’t know the facts yet, though it has started to unravel.

    “What we do know is that thugs came into the floor of the Senate while members are sitting, picked up the mace and took off with it into a waiting car in front of the White House.

    “How this happened is a cause for concern because it is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for anybody to walk into the chamber and pick up the mace.

    “It is sad that on this day we have visiting parliamentarians from the Gambia and we have to apologise to them because they should not leave with a bad taste in their mouth.

    “So, we have to join the Senate in solidarity because as it is now, we are sitting ducks and we will be forever if something is not done on the matter.

    “This moment should be used for what we should have done long ago. This place is porous. Things we should not see are happening everywhere. You see people hawking, some selling clothes and suya. How did they get in?

    “There is a need to discuss how to beef up the security at the National Assembly.

    “This attack is sacrilegious and could have been worse. This is akin to a terrorist attack but we will not be intimidated.

    “This attack is meant to stop us from performing our job but we will sit and do our job.”

  • NASS did not show enough commitment to passage of 2018 budget – Akabueze

    …advocates quick enactment of the’organic budget law’

    The Director General of budget office of the federation, Ben Akabueze on Saturday accused the national assembly of not showing enough commitment to the passage of the 2018 appropriation bill.

    The DG, therefore, advocated that the national assembly should expedite actions the enactment of the “organic budget law” to counter delay in the passage of the 2018 appropriation bill.

    Akabueze spoke at the “Exploit 2018,” a business empowerment platform organised by Bishop Sam Amaga led Salem International Christian Center (SICC), Lekki, Lagos.

    Akabueze explained that the budget office having perfected its side of the bargain thought that at the “very worst” the budget would have been passed in January.

    He said if the organic budget law is in place, it would make key players committed to getting the budget passed.

    “Ultimately, we must get progress on enactment of the organic budget law. That law is pending in the national assembly,” he said.

    “The national assembly was initially very enthusiastic about it. The organic budget law among other things should include a timetable for passing of the budget, which should bind every party involved to a definite date. Anybody who fails to follow it would make it clear that they have broken the law.

    “We have sent a signal of commitment to better public finance management. We have stated that goal over time and everybody was quite excited and we thought the signalling effect would be quite significant.

    “The bottom line is that we have not committed ourselves to this goal of getting the budget passed. If we commit ourselves to it, we will get it done no matter the obstacles… we hoped that at the very worst by January this budget would have been passed.”

    He expressed disappointment that the January-to-December budget cycle could not be met even though “conscious efforts” were put in place to get it passed on schedule.

    Akabueze said though the nation’s fiscal year could be changed based on a recommendation from the national assembly, government planning should synergise with that of the private sector.

    He said: “For myself and my team it is particularly disappointing because we worked extremely hard to be able to get this done.

    “The understanding was that if the budget was submitted to the national assembly in October, it would be passed in December. We worked very hard to make that possible. At the end, we ran into scheduling problems and it couldn’t be presented to the national assembly until November 7.

    “Beyond just the signalling effect, sheer logic dictates that there should be predictability with the nation’s fiscal period. The constitution empowers the national assembly to prescribe another fiscal year. So if we feel that January to December no longer serves us, whether it’s April to March or May to April- whatever we pick- let’s all commit ourselves to try to make it work. That is how serious economies are managed.

    “I personally find nothing wrong with January to December (budget cycle) especially as a larger majority of private sector organisations in Nigeria also run on a January to December cycle. That way, the correlation between public sector activities and private sector activities is reinforced if we are both working on the same planning horizon.”

  • Dogara urges constituents to support NASS members for multiple terms

    For legislators to represent optimally and influence development in their constituencies, the electorate must support them for multiple terms in the National Assembly, speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said.

    Speaking in Oko town, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State, at the final funeral thanksgiving for Pa Sunday Akanji Odebunmi, the father of a member of the House of Representatives and chairman of the House Committee on Information and National Orientation, Segun Odebunmi, the speaker also noted that most lawmakers who have served multiple terms in the National Assembly have a better chance to become principals and even presiding officers.

    Dogara showered encomiums on Odebunmi whom he described as a committed member of the House whose interest is the development of the country and urged his constituents to give him support by reelecting him in the 2019 elections.

    “The Hon member representing this constituency is a brother, a wonderful member of the House of Representatives and he heads one of the important committees of the House and I will urge the people of this constituency to continue to support him.

    I have said elsewhere that a member is like wine, it is said of wine that it tastes better with age. If he was able to do some things during his first tenure, his second tenure is better than the first and likewise, if he is given support, his subsequent sojourn into the parliament will produce better results.

    “I guess the people of my constituency have been smart to understand this and therefore, they took me to the House for the third time, it was only on the third time that I became speaker.

    “So, if you want to produce leaders in the National Assembly, it means that once you have a member that is doing his best, you have to support him and I tell you that before time, he can be leading the House and the fruits of his representation will be made manifest,” the Speaker said.

    Speaking on behalf of the entire members of the House, he joined the family in celebrating the life of the departed Pa Odebunmi, noting that “he lived a life that touched so many people as an accomplished community leader, a philanthropist, he was someone who was very selfless….

    “If you look at the fruits that Baba has left behind, beginning from our own dear brother, who is a member representing this constituency in the National Assembly and his siblings that are here, you will be left with no option than to say that Baba lived a quality life and we can see that reflected in the fruits that he left behind”.

    On his part, the Oloko of Okoland, Oba Solomon Adegoke Akiyoka Oyeyode III, expressed gratitude to the Speaker for visiting his domain and urged him and other visitors to take advantage of the vast agricultural land in the area to invest.

    Also present at the event were the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yussuf Sulaimon Lasun, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, House Leader Hon Femi Gbajabialima and other members of the House.

     

  • NASS 2018 Budget will be made public – Senate Leader

    The Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday said the 2018 Budget of the National Assembly would be made public.

    Lawan said this while briefing newsmen journalists on the objectives of the “Open NASS’’ initiative designed to increase public access to the operations of the national assembly.

    Lawan heads the Special Committee set up to organise “Open Week Event’’ which is scheduled from June 25 to June 29 at the National Assembly Complex.

    He described the initiative as an evolving one, adopted by parliaments all over the world.

    “Increasingly, governments around the world are promoting initiatives in transparency‎.

    “Governments that are open and transparent are more accountable to their citizens and are less likely to be corrupt.

    “Openness generates trust in government and also paves the way for meaningful participation by citizens and more informed and better policies.

    “Around the world, an increasing number of parliaments are being more proactive in the provision of information.
    “This has become easier with the proliferation of the internet and access to Information Communication Technology (ICT).

    “Many parliaments are now uploading significant‎ documents such as daily order papers, draft laws and committee reports for distribution.

    “It is against this background that the National Assembly has initiated the Open Week to open the National Assembly to the public,’’ he said.

    Lawan emphasised that the event would broaden public understanding of legislative functions and processes and engender interactions between legislators and key stakeholders.

    “Series of activities during the `Open Week’ will include interactive sessions with various interest groups, question and answer sessions.

    “It also includes exhibitions and tours, planned over a four-day period to raise awareness on legislative initiative and activities,’’ Mr Lawan said.

    He said that the interactive sessions would feature members of the executive arm of government on the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the Judiciary on pre- and post-elections adjudication.

    “Others are constitutional separation of powers, a session with state assemblies and a session with trade unions ‎on economic growth and industrial relations.

    “Also, there will be sessions with traditional rulers and pressure groups, civil society organisations on accountability and service delivery in governance as well as sessions with women, youth, and student bodies.

    “The exercise will feature daily exhibitions for National Assembly Committees to display their outputs and interface with stakeholders via cluster units to be created from both chambers for ease of access.

    “The benefits of the Open Week are numerous and have direct bearing on democratic governance in Nigeria.

    “Through the Open Week, the National Assembly is fostering public participation in the democratic process.

    “Giving the public access to legislative information, activities and policies are substantial steps towards empowering them to take part in political dialogue and decision-making processes.

    “Allowing public access to the legislature allows stakeholders to scrutinise our actions as an institution, such public engagement can lead to greater trust in government.

    “We have nothing to hide; being able to access this information significantly reduces suspicion and generates trust,’’ the lawmaker said.

  • RMAFC: SERAP seeks voluntary return of ‘illegal running costs, allowances’ by NASS

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Yakubu Dogara to “persuade their members to voluntarily return running costs and other allowances so far collected, and now declared as illegal by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), and to use any returned funds to establish a trust fund to improve investment in education and health.”

    The RMAFC yesterday declared as illegal the N13.5 million each senator reportedly collects monthly as running cost. Each member of the House of Representatives also reportedly collects N10 million monthly as running cost. According to the commission, the payment is not covered by the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) (Amendments) Act 2008 governing emoluments of political office holders in the country.

    Reacting, SERAP in a statement by its deputy director Timothy Adewale said: “Under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the National Assembly cannot use its appropriation power for personal gain of lawmakers. The revelation that the National Assembly unilaterally increased their own allowances and running costs without any regard to due process of law constitutes a flagrant abuse of governmental powers for personal gain.”

    According to the organization, “The National Assembly would never be able to check abuses of power by the executive or perform important oversight functions if the lawmakers are looking after themselves rather than standing up for the citizens.”

    The statement read in part: “A trust fund can supply health aid, educational support, economic empowerment, dignity and overall improved social welfare of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors of the population. This proposed trust fund can serve as one of the strategies for addressing the escalating crisis in our educational and health sectors, something which Bill Gates has discussed with the Nigerian authorities.”

    “Legislative powers are a means; the end is the liberty and prosperity of the citizens. The leadership of the National Assembly should, therefore, ensure that our lawmakers are more sensitive to the needs of Nigerians in the exercise of their legislative powers and that the powers are used to improve opportunities for the citizens, and access to quality education and adequate health for all Nigerians regardless of socio-economic status.”

    “To check against corruption, the leadership of the National Assembly should also urgently put in place a system of publishing an account of receipts and expenditures of members including on constituency projects, running costs and other allowances. Nigerians who pay the lawmakers ought to know in what manner the funds for the operation of the National Assembly are expended.”

    “Saraki and Dogara should take immediate steps to ensure the recovery and voluntary return of the ‘dirty money’, if they are to ensure that the Constitution’s integrity is not undermined by the evasion of political and legal accountability by the National Assembly. The trust funds would contribute to the efforts to improve investment in education and health for the greatest happiness of the greatest number.”

    “Without accountability of our lawmakers, the country’s democratic project cannot function according to its constitutional design. By limiting the potential for the abuse of governmental power, the Nigerian Constitution protects individual liberty and requires all branches of government including the National Assembly to strive to improve their welfare and economic and social development and opportunities.”

    “The Framers of the Constitution deemed this information essential if Nigerians are to exercise any control over their representatives and meet their growing responsibilities as citizens. Publication of statement of accounts of public expenditures would enhance the responsibility of the National Assembly by informing the public about the purposes and authority for certain expenditures.”

    It would be recalled that RMAFC said only the National Assembly Service Commission could explain how the senators came to be paid such an unapproved allowance. The commission’s clarification was contained in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed.