Some senators staged a walkout on Thursday to protest a bill seeking to amend the act establishing the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and its tribunal.

The senators expressed dissatisfaction with the bill, which passed second reading, saying the proposed amendments were not in the interest of Nigerians.

Solomon Olamilekan (APC, Lagos west), one of the lawmakers opposed to it, said though the majority will have its way, he decided to leave the senate chamber to prove that he is against the bill.

Leading a debate on the bill, which was read for the first time on Tuesday, Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP Delta north), sponsor of the bill, said the amendment would redraft section 3(d) of the act.

Nwaoboshi said the procedural codes that were being employed by the bureau’s tribunal were not provided for in the nation’s constitution.

“It is clear that the act does not contemplate criminal trial so the usage of criminal procedure act and the criminal procedure code should not be used as a procedural template in the tribunal,” he argued.

“In due course, I will present to this distinguished senate a comprehensive amendment of the third schedule to the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal rules of procedure which should be distinct rules for proceedings in the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

Most senators, who contributed to the debate, supported the amendment of the act.

Dino Melaye (APC Kogi west), said the amendment was very apt as it had become clear that the CCT was delving into criminal trials.

“Section 3b stipulated that before a prosecution can start, the person in question would have to be communicated and he must respond to the bureau,” he said.

“After investigation by the bureau, they will transfer for prosecution. It is stipulated that you must have a minimum of three judges before they can sit, but as it is today, we have two judges yet trial is ongoing.

“When the two judges take different positions, what happens?”

Melaye urged all senators to support the amendment, emphasising that it was justified.

Other senators who made their contributions in support of the bill include Jubrin Barau (APC Kano north), Sam Anyanwu (PDP Imo east) and the minority whip, Biodun Olujimi.

Olujimi said: “We are licensed as senators to look at acts and laws to see how we can make them better. There is no doubt that this act needs amendment.

“We do not want the act to be used inconclusively; this is a straight forward thing, it should go to the committee and we conclude.”

However, Yahaya Abdulahi (APC-Kebbi north) while supporting the amendment, expressed reservations over the timing in view of ongoing trial of the Senate President Bukola Saraki, at the CCT.

He said though the amendment was apt, the perception of Nigerians, especially with regard to the timing should be taken into consideration.

“What I am against is the timing; we must be wary about public perception about the position of the senate,” he said.

“The Nigerian people could perceive this to mean that we did not challenge this act until now that our principal officer is standing trial.

“I have nothing against this amendment because it brings fairness; if I am being treated the way our principal officer is being treated, it would not be good.

“But for the credibility of this senate I think we should re-examine the timing of this.”

In his remarks, Ike Ekweremadu,  deputy president of the senate, who presided over the session, said the amendment had nothing to do with the trial of the senate president at the CCT.

He said Saraki’s trial had already started before the amendment bill was introduced, adding that they had no link.

“This bill will not affect the proceedings at the Code of Conduct Tribunal,” he said.

“We should not be afraid to do the job which the constitution has given us.

“We support the CCB and the CCT but we must make sure that in doing their work, there must be fairness and respect for human rights. We must at all times be courageous to do our work.”

The lawmakers voted for the passage of the bill for second reading and it was referred to the committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions and its judiciary and human rights counterpart.

The committees were directed to submit their reports in two weeks.

The bill was laid on Tuesday alongside seven other bills among which was the amendment of the administration of criminal justice act.

https://www.thecable.ng/division-senate-amendment-ccb#.VxCjYNk_B2A.twitter

Hmmmm....ayam short of words

which yeye division,Because one yeye Tinubu boy granted an interview ni? Any he is amongst the 1/3,we don't need him and Remi to pass the bill into law

2/3?

*whistling*

You can get a majority but enough to veto? You are kidding.

BTW, Yayi, is my senator.

He knows Alimosho does not play with things like this

Wetin consign me??

Democracy at play. Minority will have their say while majority will have their way. Sen Olamilekan is a coward, why didn't he sit in the senate and voice his displeasure on the floor of the senate. Moreso, he should list the names of those that are opposed to the bill. I'm sure they aren't even up to 1/3. The influence of the executive on CCT/CCB is dangerous for the independence of parliament. I support the bill 100%.

Mynd44:
2/3?

*whistling*

You can get a majority but enough to veto? You are kidding.

BTW, Yayi, is my senator.

He knows Alimosho does not play with things like this

Good Morning Sir! How is business(Banning People) going today??

Mynd44:
2/3?

*whistling*

You can get a majority but enough to veto? You are kidding.

BTW, Yayi, is my senator.

He knows Alimosho does not play with things like this

Let your Senator tell you how many senators staged the walkout with him. The truth is, this bill enjoys the support of even more than 2/3 required to override president's veto.

chukwudi44:
which yeye division,Because one yeye Tinubu boy granted an interview ni? Any he is amongst the 1/3,we don't need him and Remi to pass the bill into law

Pa C, let's take a bet? This amendment will not stand!! That 2/3 won't be there when push comes to shove..

modath:


Pa C, let's take a bet? This amendment will not stand!! That 2/3 won't be there when push comes to shove..

continue to dream and watch as this bill becomes law

so the senators are tired of being pawns in the hands of the executive...meanwhile sarki is a criminal like his fellow senators trying to hide behind the long arms of the law.

Mynd44:
2/3?

*whistling*

You can get a majority but enough to veto? You are kidding.

BTW, Yayi, is my senator.

He knows Alimosho does not play with things like this

Ogbeni where in Alimosho u dey

olamilekan adeola solomon is a failure, let him know that silence or taking a walk out shows that he is fearful. we elected him to represent us and not to walk out of senate chamber when critical issue of such magnitude is being debated. its really a shame that he could not stand up to air his dissatisfaction , may be if he had spoken some of the senators supporting the ammendment might because of his opinion change his mind.

Please Senator Dino, fortification of asset is it domestic or criminal matter.

chukwudi44:


continue to dream and watch as this bill becomes law

I hope u wake up from your slumber soon

It is a shame that our legislative arm of government is the brewer and the sustainer of corruption in Nigeria. But one thing am sure of is that they will be disgraced. PDP is the definition of corruption, but it won't stand this time.

modath:


Pa C, let's take a bet? This amendment will not stand!! That 2/3 won't be there when push comes to shove..

Wishful zombieic thinking

chukwudi44:


continue to dream and watch as this bill becomes law

You talk many things before Pa C!! Wonder when you will finally learn to face reality! Goodluck (pun intended) finding 2/3 majority...

chukwudi44:


Lol you sincerely believe Tinubu has enough money to match the PDP? I laugh in Swahili. I see how far the PDP under GEJ lost footing indeed.

chukwudi44:


Tinubu has been proven to have become politically irrelevent.

chukwudi44:


you will shout rigging after the results have been announced.just get your handkerchiefs ready for wiping your tears

[size=28pt] Where is Ben Bruce?? [/size]

Whichever way,saraki must go and as for dino the DID I KNOW,mind ur mouth and utterances. .........its brotherDAVE again...

The bill will eventually get to mr president for signing... Mr president will eventually have the final say

So my question to Ike Ekweremadu remains if the amendment is passed into law, will it nullify the CCT trial of saraki because like it was said, it takes 3 people to preside over it, not two, like we see now.

I hope these senators know what they're doing because I'm starting to believe Saraki is smelling doom and he's now trying to play every card available on his table.

He can go to court, influence a stay of action and then let's see the out come.

AhmadMind:
[size=28pt] Where is Ben Bruce?? [/size]

He's on twitter, preaching common sense.

tobimillar:


Ogbeni where in Alimosho u dey

I doubt if mynd44 stay in Alimosho, I represent Egbeda 2-4-7.

Yayi sef dey fear any time he hears dem mention Maicom boys... Lmao.

The day Saraki resigns would be the day PDP gets majority in the Senate.

bone what you see on net, saraki is loved by his people(Kwarans)

Nigeria self

Amazing

1. Solomon Olamilekan (APC, Lagos west), one of the lawmakers opposed to it, said though the majority will have its way, he decided to leave the senate chamber to prove that he is against the bill.My MAN

2. However, Yahaya Abdulahi (APC-Kebbi north) while supporting the amendment, expressed reservations over the timing in view of ongoing trial of the Senate President Bukola Saraki, at the CCT. My MAN

Great recognition for Senators mentioned above

I thought Shukwudi said all the Senate approved it.

AhmadMind:
[size=28pt] Where is Ben Bruce?? [/size]

Leave that Fraudster.


He is no where to be found when

1. Wike borrowed 10billion last week. (Confirmed information)

2. Bayelsa workers are owed for months.

3. Fayose was in China for trade fare.

4. Code of conduct silly bill

5. Women right bill.

6. Caution Fayose as a sitting Governor writing useless letter to China to stop what FG is trying to do. (That is a treasonable thing to do)

7. He retweeted the shoe lie peddled against the President.

8. He retweeted the 2Billion dollar loan with private jet sent by Reno Omokiri.



He only supports anything that does not favour PDP and screams COMMON SENSE.


COMMON SENSE my foot.


No politician uses common sense when their interest is not protected.

Ben Bruce is a FRAUD the earlier the poor masses know, the better.