News Post

In an attempt to ensure transparency and accountability in the withdrawal and spending of public funds by the Government, the Senate has summoned the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun over the withdrawal of $152 million allegedly withdrawn from the Federation Account by the Federal Government.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Sen. Chris Anyanwu rose under point of order 42 and 52 to report a breach of Section 50 (2) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended) and the alleged the withdrawal from the Federation Account of $152 million dollars by the Federal Government without legislative approval. The law-maker suggested for a thorough investigation of the matter.

Accordingly, the Senate has summoned the Minister of Finance to brief the Chamber on the matter and the issue has been referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriation to investigate and report back its findings to the Chamber in one week.

Similarly, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe came under point of order 42 and 52 to inform the Senate of the state of insecurity in Southern parts of Nasarawa State which has continued to claim the lives and properties of his constituents. The issue of insecurity across the nation was extensively deliberated upon by Chamber with more than 15 Parliamentarians contributing and three resolution were passed:

i) A minute silence was observed in honour persons that lost their lives.

ii) Senate urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Nigerian Armed Forces to move in and curtail the security threats across the country.

iii) Senate to set up Ad-hoc Committee on Insecurity to investigate and report back its findings to the Chamber with recommendations on how best to address threat of insecurity across the country.

Meanwhile, the Upper Legislative Chamber has considered, approved and confirmed the nominations of two Heads of Federal Government Agencies. The confirmation followed the presentation of the screening reports of the two nominees by two Senate Committees for consideration and approval.

Consequently, the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters led by Sen. David Umaru presented its report on the screening exercise of Mr. Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu for appointment as the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). On receipt of the report, the Chamber resolved into the Committee of the Whole where the recommendations of the Committee were approved and the nominee ultimately confirmed via voice vote.

Also, the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy led by Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe presented the screening exercise report of Prof. James Momoh for appointment as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), representing South-South. The Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole where the recommendations of the Committee were approved and the Chamber revert to plenary and confirmed the nominee via voice vote.

Nonetheless, the Red Chamber has debated and passed two Motions that include:

1) Passage of Constitution Amendment (Fourth) Alteration Bills, 2018, sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West) and 49 others.

The Senate is aware of the provisions of Section 9 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended in the processing the alteration of the provisions of the Constitution. 33 Bills seeking to alter various provisions of the Constitution were presented on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday, 26th and Thursday 27th July, 2017 respectively.    

It would be recalled that the Senate approved 29 out of the 33 Bills and the House of Representative approved 21 out of the 33 Bills with both Chambers’ required two-third majority. The two Chambers approved 17 Bills without differences while 4 were passed with differences which both Chambers are working to harmonize in line with their rules. Consequently, 12 of the Alteration Bills have satisfied the provisions of Section 9 (2) of the Constitution for their passage into law, the Senate has accordingly:

i) Resolved to that while awaiting the resolution of some State Houses of Assembly on some of the Bills, the Bills that have met the requirements of the provisions of Section 9 of the Constitution and passed, be processed in line with the Acts Authentication Act and transmitted to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation for his assent to enable institutions of government prepare for immediate implementation of policies and programmes pursuant to the provisions.

2) Need to make adequate provision for Inclusive and Accessible Basic Education for Children with Disabilities in Nigeria, sponsored by Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu (Imo North) and 8 others. The Motion scaled through with two prayers below:

i) Call on the Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development to summon the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development to brief the Committee on the progress made towards improving the welfare of the disabled in Nigeria and report back in two weeks.

ii) Call on the Federal Ministry of Education to improve on their policy making, institution development to promote inclusive and increased educational access for children with disabilities.