Constitution Alteration Bill Seeking to Penalise Persons Who Flout Legislative Summons Passes Second Reading
A bill seeking to alter section 89(1)(d) and 89(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) passed second reading at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, 30 September 2020. In the lead debate by Hon. Abubakar Fulata (Jigawa:APC), he stated that the bill seeks to give effect to section 14(3) […]
House Resolves to Re-introduce Passed National Water Resources Bill
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, 29 September 2020 resolved to re-gazette and re-introduce the controversial National Water Resources Bill, 2020. This bill was passed in July 2020 before the National Assembly embarked on its extended recess. This resolution was reached following a matter of privilege raised by Hon. Bem Benjamin Mzondu (Benue:PDP) seeking clarification […]
PLAC Commends President Buhari’s Assent to Police Bill, 2020
Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) commends President Muhammadu Buhari for Assenting to the Police Bill, 2020. Assent to the Police Bill signifies a huge commitment to the reform of Nigeria’s policing system that was long overdue. The new Act seeks to provide for a more efficient and effective police service that is based on […]
Trajectory of The National Water Resources Bill, 2020 Passed by the House of Representatives
The House of Representatives, in July 2020, passed the National Water Resources Bill, 2020, which seeks to provide equitable and sustainable development of water resources as well as regulating its use, management and conservation. This bill is however being criticized for seeking to bring all water resources (surface and underground) and the banks of water […]
Senate Set to Commence Review of Constitution Alteration Bills
The Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) has commenced the process of reviewing the 1999 Constitution(as amended) Alteration Bills and amending certain provisions of the law. The Ad-hoc Committee which is chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (APC: Delta) constitutes 58 lawmakers representing the thirty-six […]
House Summons Heads of MDAs over Chinese Loans and Bilateral Agreements
The House of Representatives Committee on Treaties and Protocols has summoned the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed over existing Bilateral Loan Agreements between Nigeria and the Chinese Government. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai […]
House Suspends Legislative Activities and Engagements of its Standing and Ad-hoc Committees
The House of Representatives has suspended the conduct of all legislative activities and engagements of its Standing and Ad-hoc Committees. In a letter dated 19th August 2020, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa (APC: Kano) directed the Chairmen of the Standing and Ad-hoc Committees to immediately suspend all Committee […]
Senate Holds Public Hearing on the 2021-2023 MTEF/FSP
The Senate Joint Committees on Finance and National Planning has commenced a 5-day Public Hearing on the 2021-2023 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework/Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) to avail the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) the opportunity to present justifications on their economic and fiscal estimates contained in the 2021-2023 MTEF/FSP. The proposals of the Federal Government […]
2020 Legislative Internship Opportunity
Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) is implementing a 10-week long internship programme with support from the European Union (EU) for young Nigerians who wish to gain knowledge of legislative practices and processes. Internship Requirements: Qualification: (i) At least, a bachelor’s degree in any discipline(ii) Completed NYSC(iii) Good writing and speaking skills(iv) Good computer […]
Infograph on What NGOs need to know About the new CAMA (Part 2)
Infograph on What NGOs need to know About the new CAMA (Part 1)
House Debates Immunity For Judges
The House of Representatives on Thursday, 23 July 2020 debated a Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to give certain judges immunity from civil and criminal matters. Leading the debate, bill sponsor Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo (Ebonyi:PDP) argued that the Constitution Alteration bill seeks to alter section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria […]
Senate to Hold Briefings on the State of Services in the Nigerian Army and other Security Agencies
The Senate at its plenary session of Tuesday, 21 July 2020, mandated its Committees on Army, Police Affairs, Defence, Interior, Air Force, Navy and National Security and Intelligence to hold a briefing on the State of Security Services in the Nigerian Army and other Security Agencies following the increase in the number of casualties of […]
House Gives Sen. Akpabio, Minister of NDDC, 48 Hours to Publish Names of Members Awarded 60% of NDDC Contracts
The Speaker of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, 21 July 2020 mandated that the Minister of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sen. Godswill Akpabio publish names of members to whom 60% of NDDC contracts were awarded within 24-48 hours. This declaration was made by the Speaker, following a matter of privilege raised by […]
National Assembly Concludes Harmonisation of the Police Bill
For the first time since 1943, the National Assembly has passed a comprehensive bill seeking to reform the Nigeria Police. The bill seeks to provide for a more efficient and effective police force that is based on the principles of accountability and transparency; and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It would be recalled […]
House Questions the Implementation of the Special Works Programme by the Ministry of Labour
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, 21 July 2020 urged the President to direct the Minister of Labour to live up to his responsibility of supervising the National Directorate of Employment in relation to the Special Works Programme and urged the Ministry of Finance not to release funds if it would breach the Appropriation Act […]
Key Provisions from the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2019
A Bill Seeking to Amend the Legislative Houses (Powers And Privileges) Act Scales Second Reading in the House
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, 14 July 2020, passed for second reading a Bill seeking to amend the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017 to preserve the powers of a Legislative House and guarantee the principle of separation of powers. Leading the debate on the Bill, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata (APC: Jigawa) informed […]
Senate Constitutes its Conference Committee on the Police Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2020
The President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmad Lawan (APC:Yobe) constituted the Conference Committee on the Police Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, passed by the Senate on Tuesday, 7 July 2020. Presenting the names of lawmakers constituting the Conference Committee at the plenary session of Tuesday, 14 July 2020, Sen. Lawan noted that Members of the […]
Senate Passes Bill Seeking to Amend the Criminal Code Act
The Senate on Tuesday, 14 July 2020, passed the Bill seeking to amend the Criminal Code Act, 2004 by deleting the statute of limitations on defilement, providing stiffer penalties for offences of kidnapping and removing gender restrictions on rape offences. Presenting the report on the Bill, the Chairman, Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal […]