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

*#TodayInSenatePlenary*

*PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF THURSDAY, 21ST DECEMBER, 2017.*

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, leads the Principal Officers into the chambers; takes the official prayers; and begins the day’s proceedings ‪at 11.09am‬.

Senator Shaaba Lafiagi moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday 20th December, 2017. Senator Ben Murray Bruce seconded.

*PETITION*
Senator Isah Misau raised a petition on behalf of a member of his constituency against maritime activities.

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

*POINT OF ORDER*
Senator Shehu Sani cited order 42 & 52, spoke on the demise of  former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Gidado Idris.

*Senate resolved to:*
observe a minute silence for the repose of the soul of Late Alhaji Gidado Idris.

Senator Kabir Marafa cited order 1 & 127 and said that justice should be done to the nominee of the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from Zamfara State and he should be considered.

“We would leave the matter for the Committee to look into and get back to the Senate. Justice can be delayed but never denied”- Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

*PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading*
1 Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Auditors in Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 584) by Senator Ahmad Lawan and Senator Andy Uba.

The Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Auditors in Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 584) was read the FIRST time.

2 FCT Property and Conveyancy Bill, 2017 (SB. 555) by Senator Sani Mustapha.

The FCT Property and Conveyancy Bill, 2017 (SB. 555) was read the FIRST time.

3 Agriculture Industry and Modernization Bill, 2017 (SB. 588) by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.

The Agriculture Industry and Modernization Bill, 2017 (SB. 588) was read the FIRST time.

4 Federal Referral Hospital (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 589) by Senator Adamu Aliero.

The Federal Referral Hospital (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 589) was read the FIRST time.

5 National Health Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 590) by Senator Olanrewaju A. Tejuoso.

The National Health Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 590) was read the FIRST time.

6 FCT College of Nursing and Midwifery Bill, 2017 (SB. 591) by Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda.

The FCT College of Nursing and Midwifery Bill, 2017 (SB. 591) was read the FIRST time.

7 Export Prohibition Act CAP E22 LFN 2004 (Repeal) Bill, 2017 (SB. 575) by Senator Sabo Mohammed.

The Export Prohibition Act CAP E22 LFN 2004 (Repeal) Bill, 2017 (SB. 575) was read the FIRST time.

*PRESENTATION OF A REPORT*
1 Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the diplomatic immunities and Privileges (Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa) order No. 11, 2016 in accordance with the provisions of Section 21 of the diplomatic immunities and Privileges Act, Cap. D9 LFN 2004 by Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.

Senator Ben Murray Bruce seconded that Senate do receive report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the diplomatic immunities and Privileges (Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa) order No. 11, 2016.

The Report was LAID.

*EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION*
1 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 following Persons for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accordance with Sections 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

1 Elder Monday Udo Tom, Commissioner (Akwa-Ibom)
2 Baba Abba Yusuf, Commissioner (Borno)
3 Eric Olawale, Commissioner (Osun)
4 Dr. Uthman Abdulrahman Ajidagba, Commissioner (Kwara)
5 Mr. Segun Agbaje, Commissioner (Ekiti)
6 Dr. Cyril Omorogbe, Commissioner (Edo)
7 Yahaya Bello, Commissioner (Nasarawa)
8 Dr. Emmanuel Alex Hart, Commissioner (Rivers)
9 Mohammed Mogaji Ibrahim, Commissioner (Gombe).

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Confirmation of the Nomination for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)to report back ‪in 2 weeks‬.

2 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 Ibrahim Rufa’i Imam as Grand Kadi of Sharia Court of Appeal, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in accordance with Sections 261(1) of the 1998 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Confirmation of the Nomination of Ibrahim Rufa’i Imam as Grand Kadi of Sharia Court of Appeal, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to the Committee on Human Rights, Legal matters and Judiciary to report back ‪in 2 weeks‬.

*CONSIDERATION OF A BILL-Second Reading*
1 A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal polytechnic Mpu, Enugu State to provide full-time courses in technology, applied science management and other fields of studies and to make provisions for the general administration of such polytechnic (SB. 528) by Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

The Bill for an Act to establish the Federal polytechnic Mpu, Enugu State to provide full-time courses in technology, applied science management and other fields of studies and to make provisions for the general administration of such polytechnic (SB. 528) was read the SECOND time.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki referred the Bill to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions to report back in 4 weeks.

*BILLS FOR CONCURRENCE*
1 Vigilante Group of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (HB. 718) by Senate Leader.

2 Subsidiary Legislation (legislative scrutiny) Bill, 2017 (HB. 13) by Senate Leader.

3 Courts and Tribunals Fines and Financial Penalties Bill, 2017 (HB. 642) by Senate Leader.

4 Radiographers (Registration, etc) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (HB. 676) by Senate Leader.

5 Medical Residency Training Bill, 2017 (HB. 982) by Senate Leader.

The 5 Bills were read the SECOND time.

*COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE*
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the 5 Bills for Concurrence.

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

The 5 Bills were read the THIRD time and PASSED.

*PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS*
1 Report of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment on the 2017 budget of corporations and agencies of Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Senate Leader.

Committee: Trade and Investment, Government Owned Enterprises: Corporate Affairs Commission, Oil and Gas free zone authority, Financial reporting council, Nigeria export/import bank and Nigerian export promotion council.

Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi presented the report of the Committee on Trade and Investment.

2 Report of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes on the unlawful arrest of Innocent Chukwuma by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by Senator Chukwuka Utazi.

Senator Chukwuka Utazi said the Commitee spoke with the Chairman the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Mustapha Magu and his team. Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman of Innoson Motors was subsequently released. Senator Utazi stated that Mr. Chukwuma also called him to thank the Nigerian Senate for their intervention in the matter.

“We must look into our security institutions to know their prime responsibilities. We need to prevent such things from happening.” -Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki

3 Report of the Committee on Capital Market on the demutualization Bill, 2017 (SB. 531) by Senator Mustapha Bukar.

Senator Danjuma Laah seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Capital Market on the demutualization Bill, 2017 (SB. 531).

*COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE*
Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the demutualization Bill, 2017 (SB. 531).

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

The Demutualization Bill, 2017 (SB. 531) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

4 Report of the Committee on Capital Market on the need to determine the status of unclaimed N90b dividends in securities for Nigerian Investors by Senator Mustapha Bukar.

Senator Philip Gyunka seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Capital Market on the need to determine the status of unclaimed N90b dividends in securities for Nigerian Investors.

Senator Mustapha Bukar presented the report and Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki requested that a full report be made available within two weeks of resumption.

*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 ‪Tuesday, 16th January, 2018.‬

#GavelBangs.

*Signed:*

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