For The Records: Read Today’s (Wednesday)Proceedings Of The Nigerian Senate

*#TodayInSenatePlenary*

*PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF WEDNESDAY, 20TH DECEMBER, 2017.*

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, took the official Prayer and led the Chambers into today’s proceedings ‪at 11.04am‬.

Senator Andy Uba moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday 19th December, 2017. Senator Clifford Ordia seconded.

*EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION*
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of Elder Monday Udo Tom, Baba Abba Yusuf, Eric Olawale, Ajidagba, Segun Agbaje, Cyril Omorogbe, Yahaya Bello, Dr. Emmanuel Alex and Mohammed Mogaji Ibrahim as State Resident Electoral Commissioners.

Confirmation of Nomination by Senate Leader.
That the Senate do consider the request of President, Muhammadu Buhari C-n-C on the Confirmation of the Nomination of the Chairman and members of the Code of Conduct Bureau in accordance with Sections 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Sections 1(2) & (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act:
1 Dr. Muhammed Isah, Chairman (Jigawa, North-West)
2 Murtala Kankia, Member (Katsina, North-West)
3 Emmanuel E. Attah, Member (Cross River, South-South)
4 Danjuma Sado, Member (Edo, South-South)
5 Ubolo I. Okpanachi, Member (Kogi, North-Central)
6 Ken Madaki Alkali, Member (Nasarawa, North-Central)
7 Prof. S. F. Ogundare, Member (Oyo, South-West)
8 Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, Member (Ogun, South-West)
9 Saad A. Abubakar, Member (Gombe, North-East)
10 Dr. Vincent Nwanli, Member (Ebonyi, South-East)

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Executive Communication: Confirmation of Nomination of the Chairman and members of the Code of Conduct Bureau to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and report back to the Senate ‪in 2 weeks‬.

*ANNOUNCEMENT*
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, announced Senators Jide Omoworare, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Gilbert Nnaji, Mohammed Hassan, Abdullahi Adamu, Bassey Akpan, Binta Masi Garba, Sam Anyawu as members of the Ad-hoc Committee set up to investigate the ongoing monumental economic waste at the Nigerian Customs Service and Senator Dino Melaye as Chairman of the Committee.

*PETITIONS*
Senator Aliyu Sabi raised a Petition on behalf of Umar Farouk, a former PHCN staff against the Power holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) on non payment of severance package.

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa raised 2 petitions on behalf of his constituency members: 1. on the unlawful dismissal from the Nigerian Police and 2. On the unlawful take over of Private contract by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the petitions raised to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back ‪in 2 weeks‬.

*POINT OF ORDER*
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu cited order 42 and 52, spoke on the issue between Innocent Chukwuka (Innoson Motors) and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the invasion of his home and unlawful arrest as regards a personal transaction between him and Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) that’s already in court while he remains in police custody.

*Comments from Senators on the Point of Order*

“How can a commercial transaction between a client and his bank lead to the involvement of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and his arrest. The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is engaging in a self care package, we must say NO to this kind of impunity”- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

“There is no doubt there’s been a carry over of the military mentality that is lacking concentration. The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) do what they like because they have the power, this is uncivilized and unhealthy”- Senator Na’allah.

“When injustice is fostered on any Nigerian, it is fostered on all of us. The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) violated sections 34, 35 and 36 of the Nigerian Constitution. What’s the business of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in making arrest over civil matter”-Senator Olusola Adeyeye.

*Senate resolved to:*
1. Intervene in the arrest of Mr. chukwuma innocent, Chairman innosonmotors by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); and
2. Mandate that the Committee on anti-corruption and financial crimes investigate the matter and report to the Senate in 24hours.

Senator Sam Anyanwu cited order 42 and spoke on the Nigerian Governors approval of $1 billion from excess crude account. He sought the leave of the Senate to bring it as a motion on another legislative day.

Senator Suleiman Nazif cited order 42 and spoke on the demise of the Emir of Katagum, Bauchi State, HRH Alhaji Dr. Muhammad Kabir Umar.

*Senate resolved to:*
Observe a minute silence in respect of late HRH Alhaji Dr. Muhammad Kabir Umar.

*PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading*
1.Stamp Duties Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (HB. 889) by Senate Leader.
-The Stamp Duties Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (HB. 889) was read the FIRST time.

2. Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2017 (HB. 364 & 656) by Senate Leader.
-The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2017 (HB. 364 & 656) was read the FIRST time.

3. National Youth Service Corps Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 556) by Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.
-The National Youth Service Corps Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB. 556) was read the FIRST time.

4. The Chartered Institute of Forensic Accountants of Nigeria Bill, 2017 (SB. 581) by Senator Dino Melaye.
– The Chartered Institute of Forensic Accountants of Nigeria Bill, 2017 (SB. 581) was read the FIRST time.

5. The Investment Assurances Bill, 2017 (SB. 587) by Senator Stella Oduah.
-The Investment Assurances Bill, 2017 (SB. 587) was read the FIRST time.

6. The Nigerian Coast Guards (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 579) by Senator Yele Omogunwa.
– The Nigerian Coast Guards (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 579) was read the FIRST time.

*PRESENTATION OF REPORTS*
1.Report of the Committee on Trade and Investment on the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Act CAP D5 LFN 2011 (Amendment) Bill 2017 (SB. 6) by Senator Sabo Mohammed.

Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Trade and Investment on the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Act CAP D5 LFN 2011 (Amendment) Bill 2017 (SB. 6).

The Report was LAID.

2. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Sam Anyanwu in respect of a:

a. Petition from Mr. Chidi Noah against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for alleged unlawful dismissal from the force,

b. Petition from Mr. Esenwa Chukwuemeka Leonard against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for alleged wrongful termination of his appointment by the corporation,

c. Petition from Onyeka Egwu & Co. on behalf of Chief Victor Ahmadu and three (3) others against the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board and the executives of the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA) for the illegal sale of spaces and erection of structures within the ASPMDA section in the trade fair complex,

d. Petition from Christopher A. Eichie Esq. on behalf of Major Ali Abdullahi (rtd) against the Chief of Army Staff and the Minister of Defence for refusing to pay him a judgement sum of N25.3million awarded in his favour,

e. Petition from Mr. Elomeme Austine and seventy (70) other staff of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for alleged wrongful retirement from the agency,

f. Petition from Cpl. Obinna Ogbu against the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for alleged wrongful dismissal from the force,

g. Petition from Dr. Adedapo D. Aladesanmi against the Police Service Commission (PSC) for refusing to issue him a letter of appointment after completing police training.

Senator Shehu Sani seconded that the Senate do receive the reports of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of petitions a – g above.

The Report was LAID.

*MOTIONS*
1. Urgent need to investigate and curtail the on-going monumental economic waste at the Nigerian Customs Service by Senator Mohammed Hassan.

*Senate resolved to:*
Set up an Ad- hoc Committee to investigate the veracity of these claims and advise the Senate accordingly.

2. Proposed sale of the National Theatre and the Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos by the Federal Government of Nigeria by Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki.

“They are not for sale and shouldn’t be for sale, if we sell these National Monuments it’s like we are selling our souls because they are part of our historical antecedents. We will not accept our National monument being put up for sale”- Senator Shehu Sani.

“It’s pathetic that we want to rewrite our history in the wrong way by selling our National monuments that tells our history. It is reckless and wicked if we sell our cultural heritage for 10% of its original worth just because they are not being taken care of”-Senator Dino Melaye.

*Senate resolved to:*
I. Call on the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to stop the planned sale of the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and the National Theatre,

II. Mandate the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism to Identify all buildings to be classified as National Monuments, and…

III. Direct the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to immediately develop Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and National Theatre into a viable tourist attraction for the Country.

*CONSIDERATION OF BILLS- Second Reading*
1. A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Institute of Industrial Research for the Development of micro small, medium and large industries aimed at rapid industrialization and socio-Economic development of Nigeria, 2017 (SB. 585) by Senate Leader.

The Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Institute of Industrial Research for the Development of micro small, medium and large industries aimed at rapid industrialization and socio-Economic development of Nigeria, 2017 (SB. 585) was read the SECOND time.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the Committee on Science and Technology to report back ‪in 2 weeks‬.

2. A Bill for an Act to amend the nursing and midwifery Act CAP N143 LFN 2004 to restructure the composition of the Council, review penalty provisions, the composition of the Tribunal, 2017 (SB. 451) by Senator Musa Kwankwaso.

The Bill for an Act to amend the nursing and midwifery Act CAP N143 LFN 2004 to restructure the composition of the Council, review penalty provisions, the composition of the Tribunal, 2017 (SB. 451) was read the SECOND time.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the Committee on Primary Health to report back in 4 weeks.

3. A Bill for an Act to promote the protection of personal information processed by public and private bodies to introduce information protection principles so as to establish minimum requirements for the processing of personal information, 2017 (SB. 310) by Senator Stella Oduah.

The Bill for an Act to promote the protection of personal information processed by public and private bodies to introduce information protection principles so as to establish minimum requirements for the processing of personal information, 2017 (SB. 310) was read the SECOND time.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu refers the Bill to the Committees on National Orientation Agency and Information Technology to report back in 4 weeks.

4. A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu, 2017 (SB. 519) by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

The Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu, 2017 (SB. 519) was read the SECOND time.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to report back in 4 weeks.

5. A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of Federal Task Force on revenue defaulters piracy and National heritage protection, 2017 (SB. 449) by Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

The Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of Federal Task Force on revenue defaulters piracy and National heritage protection, 2017 (SB. 449) was read the SECOND time.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the Committee on Culture and Tourism to report back in 4 weeks.

6. A Bill for an Act to amend the National
Hospital for women and children, Abuja to effect change of the name to National Hospital, Abuja, 2017 (SB. 282) by Senator Lanre Tejuoso.

The Bill for an Act to amend the National
Hospital for women and children, Abuja to effect change of the name to National Hospital, Abuja, 2017 (SB. 282) was read the SECOND time.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the Bill to the Committee on Secondary and Tertiary Health to report back in 4 weeks.

*ADJOURNMENT*
Senate Leader moved that all other items on the order paper be stood down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader Seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to ‪Thursday, 21st December, 2017‬.

#GavelBangs.

Signed:

New Media Department,
Office of the President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria