The member, representing Lokoja/Kogi Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Umar Baba Jibril is dead.
Aged 58 years, Jibril, a three time member of the house, died in the early hours of Friday in Abuja, one of his political associates, Mr Amuda Dan Sulaiman confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) .
He was until his death, the Deputy Majority Leader of the house.
He was also a former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly. (NAN)
The House of Representatives on Thursday said it would meet with Community Development Associations (CDAs) in different geo-political zones in the course of its Ad Hoc Committee assignment, to curb excessive electricity charges.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Ajibola Famurewa (Osun-APC), who made the assertion at the inaugural meeting of the committee, said excessive electricity charges were being levied on consumers by distribution companies (Discos).
He said that majority of Nigerians were suffering under the arbitrary charges for electricity from the distribution companies.
“The committee was given the mandate by the House to determine the differences between the prepaid meters installed by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the MOJEC prepaid meters by DISCOs.
“It would also determine the costing algorithm used by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in arriving at the consumers’ price.
“The committee is to ascertain the average cost of electricity in West African sub region vis-a-vis Nigeria.
“Its mandate also include finding out why DISCOs have not complied with the deadline of March 1, 2017 in phasing out the estimated billing system.”
According to him, relevant organisations and agencies to be investigated include Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the Central Bank of Nigeria , (CBN), the Consumer Protection Council, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NIBET) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
Others are Electricity Distribution Companies of Nigeria (DISCOs), Nigeria Labour Congress, and Association of Nigerians Electricity Consumers among others.
Famurewa said that there would be zonal interactive sessions with electricity consumers in a bid to understand the scope of the problem.
According to him, the committee will try to meet the six weeks given as deadline by the House.
This, he said, was to allow the House takes a timely decision on the issue to ease the suffering of the people.
NAN
House of Representatives Thursday resolved to probe the activities of the Special Presidential Investigative Panel for the Recovery of Public Property to ensure that it is in tandem with the law and conforms to best practices.
The panel is alleged to be interfering with the activities of the Code of Conduct tribunal.
The resolution of the Green Chamber was sequel to the passage of a motion sponsored by Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers)
Recall that the SPIP recently filed an ex-parte motion through a legal practitioner, Festus Keyamo asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to freeze all hidden assets belonging to the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
Chinda, while moving the motion noted the inauguration of the Special Presidential Investigative Panel (SPIP) pursuant to the Public Property Special Provisions Act, CAP R4 LFN, 2004 otherwise known as Decree No 3, 1984 with the commencement date of 31st December 1983.
“The said panel is alleged to have received petitions from Nigerians and its mode of operation is to proceed to invite citizens to fill asset declaration form which is by law the exclusive mandate of the Code of Conduct Bureau under the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act CAP T 15, LFN 2004”.
“Following the activities of the Panel, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation has received several complaints from the general public on the need to take an in-depth look at the law viz-a viz the various anti-corruption agencies that are now established, particularly the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Code of Conduct Tribunal”, the lawmaker said.
Chinda further said Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution captures the Code of Conduct Bureau as a federal executive body and that the 5th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution provides greater details of the act amounting to a breach of the code of conduct of public officers and established the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
His words: “Part II of the Schedule defined a public officer in the context of the constitutional provision.
“The Public Property (Special Provision) Act codified as CAP R4 LFN, 2004 predates the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act CAP T15 LFN 2004, whereas the Act commenced 31st Dec, 1983, the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act commenced on 1st January, 19991, (8 years later).
“The Public Property (Special Provision) Act CAP R4 LFN 2004 is a spent law by virtue of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, CAP T15 LFN 2004, the functions specified by the Act to be performed through panels established by the President are now performed by the Code of Conduct Tribunal which serves as a special court headed by a qualified Judge of a superior court of record in Nigeria to try the offences regarding the breach of the Code of the conduct of public officers. Beside the Code of Conduct Act being a newer law on the subject matter, has made specific provisions on the matter.
“It is a trite law that the court would construe a later act as repealing an earlier one if the two provisions cannot stand together or if they both make the same provisions dealing with a similar subject matter as established in Trade Bank Plc Vs. Lagos Island Local Govt (2003) FWLR (Pt 161) 1734”, Chinda added.
According to him, “there cannot be two parallel agencies of government no matter the manner of operation undertaking the same functions in whatever guise or form.
“This more so where the functions are so similar that the public are meant to go through repeated processes and procedures which may infringe on their rights and give rise to series of litigation and the consequential loss of revenue both in overheads and the execution of awards in the damages”.
“Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) ought not to have been set up in view of the existence of such institutions as the EFCC, ICPC and especially the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Code of Conduct Tribunal both created by law and supported by the 1999 constitution.
“Mindful that the Code of Conduct Tribunal is a special court whose Chairman is a qualified Judge of a superior court of record dealing with matters related to the subject whereas the Public Property (Special Provision) Act, CAP R4, LFN, 2004 gives jurisdiction to the Federal High Court under Section 2(2)b which is not only inconsistent with the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act but inconsistent with section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which did not include the code of conduct matters under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court – Trade Bank plc Vs Lagos Island Local Govt (2003)”, the lawmaker said.
He added that there are economic implications of setting up multiple agencies with its ravaging effects on the revenue of government.
Speaker Yakubu Dogara in his ruling said the House will set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the modus operandi and legality of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP).
The House of Representatives is set to undertake a comprehensive investigation of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) over alleged unwholesome activities of its personnel in Kano markets.
Nigerian Customs officials were alleged to be overtly involved in illegal seizure of cars, shoes and textile materials in markets and routes leading to Kano State.
Though the NCS Controller General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) has been asked to direct his officers to stop illegal seizures of goods, the House nonetheless has mandated its Committee on Customs and Excise to undertake a comprehensive investigation of the allegations and report back within four weeks.
The stand of the House followed the adoption of a motion by Aliyu Madaki (APC, Kano), who noted that the issue should not be discountenanced with Kano being a major commercial center.
He said people from every part of Nigeria and neighbouring countries travel daily to Kano markets to purchase goods and textile materials on wholesale and retail basis.
He said: “Personnel of the Nigerian Customs recently embarked on illegal seizure of cars even in car stands in the name of customs duties.
“Personnel of the customs service seized in quantum shoes that were bought from Aba markets and on their way to Kano markets and same thing when they are going to Aba.
“The illegal activities of the customs is not only carried out in Kano state but extended to all the routes leading to Kano state”.
The motion was unanimously adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal government to commence the implementation of free and compulsory education for primary and secondary school children.
According to the lawmakers, the number of out-of-school in the country, which has reached an alarming level of 10.5 million children spread across the country has made the implementation imperative and urgent.
As such, the House also urged the Federal government to invest more in teacher training, improve on student/teacher ratio as well as improve on educational infrastructure.
In addition, House Committee on Basic Education and Services has been mandated to take a critical look into the issue and come up with a solution that will stand the test of time.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Akinwunmi Olaitan (APC, Lagos) and Jimoh Olajide (APC, Lagos), who regretted that an International Labour Conference, held in Geneva, Switzerland in 2016 declared that Nigeria is one of the 10 countries in the world accounting for the majority of children deprived of access to education.
Olaitan, in his lead debate expressed concern that cultural factor, negative impact of insurgency on education in the Northeast, recent herdsmen/farmers clashes and inadequate provisions for public funded schools in general are the major factors responsible for this.
“The implications of this on our national development will increase crime rate, worsen the economy, exacerbate security issues and sooner, rather than later the social consequence may consume us as the multiplier effect of this in future is better imagined.
“It it worrisome that Nigeria in recent times has witnessed an unprecedented level of insecurity which has made national security threat to be a major issue for government and has prompted huge allocation of the national budget to security.
“This state of anxiety has further increased the rate of out-of-school children.
“It is equally disturbing that with the lingering security challenges and inability of the security apparatus of government to guarantee safety and security in the country, the question that bothers everyone in Nigeria today is can there be security?”.
The motion was unanimously adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.
The Suspended former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin has sent in a letter apologizing to the House of Representatives for his numerous allegations that put the Green Chamber into disrepute.
The Speaker of the House Yakubu Dogara, who showed the letter on the floor today at plenary, said Jibrin has fulfilled all the conditions that he was given by the House ” and can resume legislative duties if he so wishes.”
Recall that Jibrin was suspended for 180 days on September 16th 2016 after the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges considered his case and made recommendations to the House which were adopted.
Jibrin was also barred from occupying any position of authority in the Green Chamber till the 8th assembly ends.
To be forgiven, the suspended lawmaker must tender a formal written apology to the House, which must be advertised in a number of daily newspapers amongst other requirements.
Jibrin had incurred the wrath of the House with his numerous allegations against the Speaker Yakubu Dogara and three other principal officers.
He claimed the 2016 budget was padded the 2016 budget to the tune of billions of Naira by the quartet and referred to the Speaker as “corrupt” and a “shameless thief”
Jibrin also alleged that members of the House received hundreds of millions as running cost, a claim which annoyed most members.
The House of Representatives has offered its support to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for sealing up the Abuja Arts and Culture Village of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC).
The police sealed the Abuja Arts and Crafts Village located in the highbrow Central Business District (CBD) between the Yar’Adua Center and Sheraton Hotels on the invitation of NCAC.
According to the NCAC Director General (DG), Segun Runsewe, who led his management team to the House Committee on Culture and Tourism Thursday, individuals and corporate organisations have taken over a large part of the expanse of land allocated to NCAC for the construction of the International Arts and Craft Village.
He said the intervention of the House became inevitable as hoodlums have equally turned the complex into robbers den.
He said: “On assumption of office last year as DG of the NCAC, I met over 37 abandoned cars believed to have been stolen, over 300 persons were sleeping in the Village and we have recorded over 20 cases of armed robberies.
“The place is very close to Sheraton Hotels and the criminals normally harrass the foreigners lodging there after which they will run for cover at the Village.
“Some individuals wrote to about 79 Embassies soliciting for aids to renovate the Village without our knowledge or passing through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was wrong.
“Also, we discovered that an individual constructed about 92 shops here illegally while those who acquired shops from the Agency at the rate of N45, 000 per year, lease same out at the rate of N700, 000.
“To us, this is outrageous and we have to report all these to the parent Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism as well as the Police.
“It is interesting to note that when the Police raided the Village, several fire arms, hard drugs of all kinds were discovered in the place while several arrests were also made and those arrested were currently being prosecuted.
“We are appealing to the parliament to assist us in recovering our village from these individuals and corporate bodies claiming that the land was leased out to them by unauthorized government organs”.
Committee Chairman, Omorege Ogbeide -Ihama said the management’s involvement of the police was in order, adding that the House is eager to assist in the reclamation of the complex as a matter of urgency.
She said: “The management of NCAC was summoned to enable the Committee find out why the village was under lock and key so that we can take a bold step to secure what belongs to the Nation from private individuals and corporate bodies who illegally acquired the Village for private use.
“Having listened the DG of the NCAC, we are directing him now to liaise with the Police so that Police personnel will continue to guard the Village while all things are being sorted out and to ensure that all those arrested at the place with weapons prosecuted according to the law of the land.
“Our Committee will also come around to the village of fact-finding assessment in order to see the extent of the encroachment as well as the individuals and Corporate bodies involved in the illegal act.
“The Agency should furnish our secretariat with the original Certificate of Occupancy issued to the NCAC and other relevant documents on the land which also guide us in the course of our investigation.
“There is no going back; the place must be put to international standard for which the Government allocated the land for and not for private use or dens of criminals as it is now.
“How can individuals and private bodies claim ownership of the vast land meant for the Agency without any action from its previous managements?
“This House will ensure that officials found culpable on this matter is severely punished as prescribed by law”.
The House of Representatives Thursday called on the Federal Government to rescue the recently abducted school girls from Government, Girls Technical College, Dapchi, in Yobe State.
The lawmakers arrived at the resolution after a long deliberation on this year’s International Women’s Day, through a motion brought by Chairperson, House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Stella Ngwu (PDP Enugu) urging the Federal Government to secure freedom for all kidnapped school girls in the country.
They also enjoined the authorities to secure the release of the remaining Chibok girls and provide security for school children and women in the country.
Lawmakers like Lynda Ikpeazu, PDP, Anambra; Aisha Dukku, APC, Gombe; Garba Tchede, APC, Taraba; and Gudaji Kazaure, APC, Jigawa all called on the government to provide legal framework for gender parity and support Nigerian women in the quest for gender mainstreaming.
This was as a coalition of Civil Society Organisations including Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution (CDNCD) and Our Mumu Don Do Movement called on the National Assembly to probe the incident.
“As representatives of the people, the time has come for the National Assembly to take every action that can spur the executive and the nation to act.
“The National Assembly is invited to conduct a powerful investigation to unravel whatever conspiracy has been alleged so far, and the circumstances surrounding how over hundred girls will be kidnapped in a ‘war zone’ without them being spotted, or meeting police/ military check point.,” the coalition said in a statement by Ariyo- Dare Aroye and Raphael Adebayo, who represented the CSOs.
The Nigerian Military is conducting Operation Lafiya Dole, in the Morth East with Yobe State being part of the area of strategic operations. But the military was allegedly withdrawn from Dapchi 21 days, before the school girls’ abduction.
Some of the parents of the 110 students abducted from the Government, Girls Technical College, Dapchi, could not hold back the tears at the gate of the National Assembly yesterday.
The parents, both male and female who wore black shirts with inscription, “We are Dapchi People”, said since the abduction of their children, there has been no meaningful contact by government officials on the issue and prayed the government to help rescue their children.
One of the parents Yahaya Taributu, a male who told The Nation that three of his daughters were taken by the abductors, said the abduction was because of the laxity and incompetence on the part of the security forces.
He said: “Government should go and bring back our daughters” he said, adding that that could not understand why the military was withdrawn from Dapchi 21 days, before the abduction.
“We don’t know why government had to withdraw the army, but we believe that government knows better. We cannot, and will not rest over this matter, until we meet four eyes with our daughters”.
A mother, Aisha Alhaji Bukar, whose daughter one of those captured by the Boko Haram insurgents, could not stop weeping, saying her daughter’s absence has made her a sorrowful mother.
Also, Aisha Kundili Bukar, whose daughter was also kidnapped and Adamu Gashuama, a father, whose daughter was a victim, said there was no visible security in the town.
“Even now, if you go to Dapchi, you can carry mothers, fathers and all their children into captivity unchallenged. Dapchi is not safe,” Aisha Kundili Bukar said.
In a bid to curb incessant rate of medical tourism abroad, the House of Representatives has called for a comprehensive upgrade of Tertiary Health System, Teaching Hospitals and Medical Centres in each state of the country to international standard.
To this end, the House also resolved to set in motion, necessary machineries that would ensure an upward review of the Budgetary allocation for the health sector to meet the minimum 15 percent recommended by African Heads of States in Abuja, known as the Abuja Declaration 2001.
The resolution of the Green Chamber was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion sponsored by a member, Segun Adekola (PDP Ekiti) titled: “Need to upgrade the teaching Hospitals and the National Hospital, Abuja to international standard.”
Adekola while moving the motion noted that available statistics showed that Nigerians spend over N360 billion yearly on medical treatment abroad.
He said despite Nigeria being a major signatory to the Abuja Declaration of Heads of Governments which resolved to adopt a minimum of 15 percent as national health budgets for all members in Africa, the Country has never exceeded 6 percent since the declaration was made in 2001.
The One percent consolidated fund which the National Health Act, 2014 stipulated for health, especially for universal health coverage, health insurance and primary healthcare, has never been implemented since the Act was enacted in 2014, he said.
“If the twenty Teaching Hospitals spread across the six geo-political zones of the country are refurbished and made to function optimally, Nigerians will not need to travel abroad for medical treatment,” Adekola said.
When the Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara called for a vote on the matter, it was passed by a majority of members.
The House thereafter mandated the Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity to ensure implementation of the resolution.
The House of Representatives has given former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala four working days to appear before its Committee investigating pension reform.
The governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele was also expected to appear before the lawmakers for explanations on the alleged stealing of pension funds in Nigeria.
The Anayo Nnebe-led ad hoc Committee investigating the activities of the Presidential Task Force on Pensions Reforms from 2010 to the time of its dissolution and any other successor agency said no representation would be allowed.
Nnebe said all those invited must appear in person.
Also to appear alongside the former Minister are former Chairman of the defunct Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulraheed Maina, former members of the Task Force, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, the Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Eyo-Ita, former Head of Service, Stephen Orosanye, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.
Others are the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and all relevant stakeholders in the pension sector.
Speaking at the opening of the public hearing Tuesday, Nnebe said the physical appearance of those summoned was purely on an account of accountability and thoroughness, adding that the Committee would not entertain any representation.
He said: “The issue is very simple. We have heard from PTAD and the Legislative Watch. Former minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela, all the member of the defunct Presidential committee, EFCC, ICPC, Attorney-General, Governor of Central Bank, the IGP, and all the relevant stakeholders are invited by this Committee.
“On Monday, March 12, 2018, we expect that in the next adjournment, all stakeholders would be here.
“We have to get to the root of this matter. We cannot conclude this investigation without hearing from the persons involved. We must bring all the culprits to book.”
While declaring open the hearing, Speaker Yakubu Dogara said the House was forced to embark on the investigation the numerous complaints that trialed the reforming agency considering the significance of pension in the lives of the citizens especially the retirees.
Represented by the Chief Whip of the House, Pally Iriase, the Speaker recalled that the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms was inaugurated on 10th June, 2010, with the mandate to restructure the Head of Service Pension Office, Police Pension office and among others.
He said: “The Task Force was dissolved in February 2013 after series of allegations of looting of pension fund amounting to N200b which was neither accounted for by neither the Task Force nor the successor agency.
“Following the great significance of this sector in the lives of our citizens especially the retirees and the receipt of numerous complaints and petitions from relevant stakeholders, it became inevitable for the House of Representatives to set up this Ad-hoc Committee to examine all the facts surrounding the activities of the Presidential Task on Pension Reforms during its existence.
“The subject of this investigation has had a checkered history and has become very controversial. I understand that the Senate is also conducting investigations on the subject.
“As a bicameral Legislature our constituents have inundated us with complaints that gave rise to the Resolution of the House. Where possible you should compare notes with the Senate while maintaining the Independence of your investigations.
“As Members of the Parliament, it is our mandate to represent our people very well, demonstrate transparency and justice to issues that affect the well-being of our people in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other related policies”.
In her presentations, the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Sharon Ikeazor said that the Abdulrasheed Maina panel left no significant details for her upon assumption of office.
She said: “PTAD only inherited liabilities from the task force. We didn’t get anything sufficient from the defunct task force, only liabilities were handed over to the directorate.
“PTAD is an outfall of the maladministration of the pensions reforms “.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, Legislative Watch, Ngozika Ihuoma who was also a former member of of the Presidential Task Force however said the task force was still active with its mandate.
He said Maina was innocent of all the allegations levelled against him, wondering why other government officials were not fingered in the alleged diversion of pension funds, “What of all the other members of the task force and other government officials at the time?
“Maina was able to help the Federal government recover N1.3 trillion after a visit to him in Dubai by the Minister of Justice,” he added.