TheNewsGuru

Tag: Senate

  • Senate rejects Buhari’s CBN nominee for failing ‘integrity test’

    Senate rejects Buhari’s CBN nominee for failing ‘integrity test’

    The Senate Thursday turned down the request for the confirmation of Dr.Abdul Abubakar for appointment as a Non-Executive Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    This followed the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions which screened the nominee.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, said the nominee failed integrity test.

    Ibrahim also said Abubakar “lacks honesty and failed to answer questions put to him” by members of the committee

    The committee added that there was a negative petition against the confirmation of the nominee

    The rejected nominee hails from the North West geopolitical zone of the country.

    The Senate, however, endorsed the nomination of four nominees as Non-Executive Directors of the Board of the apex bank.

    They include: Professor Ummu Ahmed Jalingo (North East), Professor Justina Odinakachukwu Nnabuko (South East), Professor Mike Obadan (South South), Abdu Abubakar (North West) and Adeola Adetunji (South West).

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in his contribution suggested that the committee should be mandated to take a second look at the rejected nominee.

    Ekweremadu said that the petition against the nominee should further be scrutinised.

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, toed the same position

    The Senate resolved to ask the committee to carry out further legislative action on the rejected nominee and report back in one week.

    When Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki put the questions to voice votes, confirmation of the four nominees was unanimously accepted by lawmakers.

    The rejected nominee was referred back to the committee for further work.

    Saraki urged the nominee to work with the apex bank to ensure the growth of the economy.

  • Senate summons CG Prisons over imprisonment of under-age

    Senate summons CG Prisons over imprisonment of under-age

    The Senate on Wednesday summoned the Controller-General, Prisons, Mr Ahmed Ja’afaru, to appear before its Committee on Interior, to explain why under-age offenders and infants should be confined with adults in the nation’s prisons.

    The upper chamber also urged various security agencies involved in the arrest and detention of juveniles to ensure that they were not incarcerated beyond 48 hours.

    These resolutions were sequel to a motion on “Illegal Confinement of Under-age Offenders/Infants in the Same Prison with Adult Prisoners” brought by Sen. Victor Umeh (APGA-Anambra) at plenary.

    Umeh noted that he was traumatised by the gory pictures of under-age children languishing in prison as contained on pages 13 to 15 of the Nation Newspaper of Saturday, March 31.

    According to him the report was captioned “Kids Behind Bars: World of Under-age Languishing in Prison”.

    The lawmaker alleged police prosecutors encouraged under-age offenders to inflate their ages during arraignment in courts, assuring them that such practice would lead to their release.

    He expressed concern that the repercussion of keeping infants in prison with their mothers was enormous as it would deny them proper upbringing.

    The lawmaker, therefore, advocated that separating under-age offenders and the innocent infants from regular prisons as prescribed by law, would go a long way in protecting their mental health and development.

    The prayers of the motion were unanimously adopted by the lawmakers after a voice vote by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

  • Bribery allegation: Provide evidences or keep shut, Senate tells Jega

    The Senate on Wednesday challenged Prof. Attahiru Jega, former chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to prove bribery allegation he levelled against members of the National Assembly.

    The decision followed a Point of Order moved by Sen. Isah Misau (APC-Bauchi), drawing the attention of the Senate to the comment attributed to the former INEC boss.

    While relying on order 43, Misau said: “I want to recall that on Democracy Day, Prof. Attahiru Jega accused all lawmakers and particularly the National Assembly committee chairmen of asking for and taking bribe while carrying out their oversight functions.

    “I take exception to it and would want the Professor to mention those he knew were involved. It is by so doing that we can be upright in the fight against corruption in this country.”

    Misau also said that his privileges were breached with the alleged comment, adding that he was embarrassed by the unsubstantiated allegation by Jega.

    “My point of order is based on the lecture made during democracy day. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was in attendance.

    “During the lecture, the guest lecturer who is an elder statesman and the former Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

    “He made a statement which I feel I have to bring on this floor.

    “He made mention that some committee chairmen of the National Assembly are notorious in demanding or collecting bribes, which I feel is very weighty because that programme was televised live.

    “The thing they need to understand is that these live programmes are watched around the world.

    I am a member of ECOWAS parliament and I after the lecture, I went to the parliament, most of the parliamentarians were asking me, if what Prof. Jega said was true.

    “ I found it difficult to explain to them and I feel that not only Prof. Jega but anybody that would make statements concerning the credibility of this senate and the chairmen, should be bold enough to mention the committee chairmen especially when it is about fighting corruption in Nigeria.

    “If we really want to fight corruption and want to help the government, he would not be making such statements without mentioning the committee chairmen and those who gave him that sort of information.

    “I felt embarrassed. We need the professor to throw more light on what he said.

    In his remark, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said it was important for Jega to substantiate his allegation.

    He urged eminent stakeholders in the country to be weary of their comments to avoid putting the country in a bad light before the world.

    “I was at the programme with the Speaker and we were highly embarrassed by this kind of comment.

    “All of us are committed to the fight against corruption and this type of statement does not help.

    “It is a slight on the integrity of some of us. If he has those kinds of evidences, he should bring them forward.

    “To say that, is to suggest that every member of the national assembly is part of this and those who are not part of it are condoling such action which is far from the truth.

    “If he cannot come out and name them he should not make such statements.

    “If there are cases like these, we have always said that we are not going to cover up for anybody.

    “For future accusations, they should name them and see what the institution would do in trying to ensure that the necessary sanctions are taken’’, he said.

  • After his charge, Ben Murray-Bruce welcomes estranged Senator

    Embattled Senator Dino Melaye estranged in his All Progressives Congress (APC) party on Wednesday made moves to joining his former party and his colleague in the Senate, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, has okayed the development.

    TheNewsGuru reports Melaye defected to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday when he resumed plenary after battling allegations he was involved in certain crimes.

    He moved from the APC wing in the Senate to the PDP and was seen seated close to former Senate President David Mark, who is a staunch member of the PDP.

    “Great to have Dino Melaye at the Senate today and hearty welcome to our great party, PDP,” Murray-Bruce tweeted on his official Twitter handle.

    Senator Melaye, who was wooed on Monday by the PDP’s Bayelsa East Senator to resume plenary today, appeared in the red chambers donning a cervical collar, and using a walking stick.

    “We will treat you good – no trauma or intimidation whatsoever,” the Bayelsa Senator told his Kogi counterpart.

    Senator Murray-Bruce charged the former APC Senator to resume plenary in whatever condition he is, stressing that the National Assembly has not felt the same since he has been away.

    “I want Dino Melaye to come to the Senate on Wednesday even if he is on crutches. The Nigerian Senate is not the same without Dino. We miss him. I know he is on crutches but I want him to come on Wednesday and I will stand with him,” Murray-Bruce tweeted on Monday.

    Senator Melaye is yet to release official statement on his deflection to the PDP.

     

  • Senate investigates ‘OAU Sex-For-Marks-Scandal’

    The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, commenced investigation into the alleged sexual harassment case between a student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Monica Osagie and a lecturer of the institution, Prof. Richard Akindele.

    The investigation is sequel to senate’s resolution on a motion by Sen. Biodun Olujimi (PDP- Ekiti) at plenary entitled: “The Growing Trend of Sexual Harassment in the Higher Institutions of Learning: The Case of Monica Osagie”.

    The senate consequently, mandated its Committees on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to carry out a full scale investigation of the case.

    Recalled that Osagie had accused Akindele of deliberately failing her for rejecting his alleged sex demands.

    Leading debate on the motion, Olujimi lamented the growing culture of sexual harassment in institutions of higher learning across the country.

    “It was for this reason that in October 2016; the Senate passed the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions (Prohibition) Bill.

    The Bill prescribes severe punishment for lecturers and academic staff of universities, who either sexually harass or assault their male or female students.”

    She pointed out that the Osagie and Akindele’s case “has further brought home the point, further justifying the specificity and target of the new bill.

    “And the need to ensure that this perversion is completely kicked out of our places of learning.

    “Though the university authorities have since weighed in on the matter to ensure justice is done, this is another matter that must not be swept under the carpet of expediency, forgetfulness or deliberate abandonment.

    “The case deserves greater scrutiny and attention as it signposts how serious we are as a nation to fully and exhaustively eliminate this perversion from our schools.

    “This is just one out of the many cases that have come to limelight within the past decade and it shows that the pervasion is spreading across the country with both the male and female gender as victims.

    “This is especially in view of the poor prosecution and conviction numbers being turned out,” she said.

    The lawmaker, who lamented the reported cases of rape and other sexual violence on daily basis in national dailies, stressed the need for the parliament to bring succour and safety to the victims.

    “These acts damage our children in very significant ways and also portray our country in bad light which are alien to both our cultural and religious orientation as a people,” she said.

    Contributing, Sen. Olugbenga Ashafa (APC- Lagos) saluted Osagie for her courage in the ongoing investigation of the alleged sexual harassment by the lecturer in ‘a Sex-For-Marks-Scandal’.

    He said Osagie’s uncommon bravery at a time many female students had come to accept sexual harassment a norm in the nation’s educational institutions was worthy of commendation.

    “This is because a lot of sexual harassments are being swept under the carpet.”

    Concluding debate on the motion, the President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki stressed the need for the implementation of the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions (Prohibition) Bill passed by the upper legislative chamber in 2016.

    Saraki, however, urged the committees to ensure painstaking and thorough investigation of the case so that it could serve as the basis for the protection of female students on campuses.

    NAN

  • Dino Melaye: Resume plenary on Wednesday even on crutches

    Senator Dino Melaye has been charged to resume plenary on Wednesday even on crutches as the National Assembly has been said not to feel the same without him.

    Senator, representing Bayelsa East in the Senate, Ben Murray-Bruce, who made the charge with an early morning tweet via his official Twitter handle on Monday, said Melaye should resume in whatever condition he is.

    “I want Dino Melaye to come to the Senate on Wednesday even if he is on crutches,” he tweeted.

    TheNewsGuru reports the Kogi West Senator has been away from the red chambers following his travails after allegations emerged he was involved in certain crimes.

    Following efforts by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to address his case, the Senator jumped from a Police moving van conveying him to Kogi state; but he landed in hospital instead.

    He has been arraigned, granted bail, and recuperating, but his colleagues want him back at the Senate sooner than later.

    “The Nigerian Senate is not the same without Dino,” Murray-Bruce stated in his tweet.

    “We miss him. I know he is on crutches but I want him to come on Wednesday and I will stand with him,” he added.

     

  • Passage of CAMA by Senate A Lifeline To Small Businesses, Says LCCI boss

    President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Babatunde Paul Ruwase has lauded the passage of the Companies and Allied Matters (CAMA) Act amendment Bill by the Senate, and said the development will greatly boost and increase the viability of small businesses in the country.

    Ruwase gave the commendation when he led other executive members of the Chamber on a courtesy visit to the President of the Senate, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the President of the Senate, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja.

    The LCCI boss noted that the passage of the CAMA amendment Bill is a major step towards enhancing the business environment in the country.

    He said that the Bill, when signed into law, would reduce the burden of reporting obligations for small businesses, reduce time and cost of setting up a company and also facilitate the transition of many informal sector players to the formal sector of the economy.

    He said that the amendment is timely in view of present economic realities as the country cannot “afford a static legislation in a dynamic business and economic environment.”

    Ruwase further stated that the beauty of a legislation lies in how well it is aligned with contemporary realities and thanked the President of the Senate for the “efforts of the Red Chamber in promoting private sector development and for collaboration.”

    “The fact that your Excellency has a private sector background has brought a lot of value to the content and processes of legislation,” he added.

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, thanked the LCCI and its members for their contributions to the nation’s economic growth.

    He noted that the 8th Senate has been keen on working with the private sector to improve the nation’s economy and business environment right from its inception in 2015.

    He said that the Senate with the collaboration of major players in the private sector had identified a number of critical laws that required urgent review to improve the ease of doing business in the country, most of which have now been passed and signed into law.

    “This is a Senate that is very pro-business. We believe that our role as a government is to create enabling environment that will allow businesses to thrive.

    “Even in the area of infrastructure, our focus has been on how we can pass laws to enable private sector participation. With our reforms in railways, ports and road construction and maintenance, we hope that the private sector will play a bigger role with the bills we have passed.

    “There are some bills that are still pending like the Investment and Securities bill where there is a major amendment that we hope to pass very soon. We are also looking into the reform of the Stock Exchange to make it more attractive and also in line with global best practice,” he said.

    Saraki said the aim of the Senate is to strengthen the economy and be able to provide jobs for the youth through legislation.

  • BREAKING: Omo-Agege, Ndume appear before investigative panel on senate invasion [Photos]

    Delta Central senator, Ovie Omo-Agege, on Tuesday honoured the invitation of an ad-hoc committee drafted to investigate the incident of the chamber invasion.

    The committee was set up by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

    Ali Ndume, another senator invited by the committee, was also in attendance Tuesday afternoon.

    Mr Omo-Agege was on sit as at 12:16 a.m. when the committee commenced the sitting while Mr Ndume walked in at about 12:20 a.m.

    The senators are expected to answer questions on their roles in the invasion of the Senate chamber last month.

    The Senate in April suspended Mr Omo-Agege for accusing his colleagues of working against President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election plans in 2019. The senator made the accusation after his colleagues adopted the amendment to section 25 of Electoral Act outlining a change in the sequence of elections.

    A week after the suspension, hoodlums invaded the Senate carting away the mace, the Senate’s symbol of authority.

    The mace was later recovered by the police.

    The hoodlums are believed to have been led by Mr Omo-Agege, who has however, denied any wrongdoing.

    The committee in its first sitting invited the two senators after police witnesses mentioned them as culpable in the invasion and subsequent mace theft.

  • We now have ‘Senators President’ not ‘Senate President’, Ndume attacks Saraki

    Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has taken a swipe at Senate President, Bukola Saraki, calling him as a ‘Senators President’ who is forcibly leading the senate.

    Ndume who made the remarks during an interview session on Channels TV [Hard Copy] on Friday, said once an individual thinks he knows it all, he will always get it wrong, the senate has been hijacked and now looks like a senate owned by Dino and Saraki.

    He added, “Saraki has only one senatorial district and so do every other senators, and if you look at what happened to senators, Abdullahi Adamu; Ovie Omo-Agege and myself, then you will know what I am talking about.”

    He alleged that once any senator disagrees with Saraki, then the person will be treated below others and attacked by the leadership of the senate.

    “Once you are not on his side, you won’t be allowed to be part of any of the committees. I have no grouse against him, I believe that God has destined me to be Senate leader just for one and half years and he [Saraki] only took an advantage of it.

    “I have been accused of being a sponsor of Boko Haram insurgents, I went through court for six years under the leadership of David Mark and nothing happened.

    “It is only unfortunate now that, the senate under leadership of Bukola Saraki is one-sided, why would you invite the Inspector General of Police just because of one lawmaker, Dino Melaye.” He lamented.

    Recall that the Senate on March 29, 2017, suspended Ndume for six months for not “conducting due diligence” before filing a petition against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; and the lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye.

    Ndume was suspended “for bringing Senator Dino Melaye, his colleague, and the institution of the Senate to unbearable disrepute.”

    The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions made the recommendation in its report, which was adopted by the lawmakers.

    The panel had recommended that the lawmaker be suspended for one year but some senators pleaded that the punishment be reduced to six months, which was unanimously approved.

    The former Majority Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, resumed from suspension in September 2016 as the National Assembly.

  • BREAKING: Senate passes 2018 Budget

    The Senate has passed the 2018 Appropriation Bill following the consideration and adoption of the report by the joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriation.

    The report was laid before the Senate on Tuesday, while the lawmakers considered and adopted it at an extended plenary on Wednesday.

    The same version of the report was presented in the Senate and House of Representatives.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had presented the bill to the National Assembly in November 2017.

     

    Details later…