Tag: Reps

The House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes has called on state governments across Nigeria to domesticate anti-corruption laws to strengthen the fight against graft at all levels.

The Committee Chairman, Honourable Ginger Onwusibe, made the call on Tuesday during the opening session of a three-day workshop on anti-corruption, fiscal responsibility, and good governance for Edo State and Local Government officials. 

The event, held at the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja, was organised in collaboration with Barclays Global Consult and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Represented by the Clerk to the Committee, Austin Adesoro, Onwusibe expressed concern that despite the presence of anti-corruption laws and institutions, corruption, money laundering, and financial fraud continue to plague the public sector.

He stressed the need for state governments to not only domesticate relevant laws but also promote ethical values and reorient both public officials and citizens to uphold transparency and accountability in governance.

“Effective, accountable, and transparent institutions are critical for sustainable development. We must take an uncompromising stance to reform governance in Nigeria,” he said.

He highlighted the EFCC’s recent milestones and noted that in 2024 alone, the EFCC recovered over ₦365.4 billion and secured 4,111 convictions.

“The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukayode, has said a new EFCC will emerge in six months.

“We support this preventive trajectory and will push for legislation to overcome judicial challenges,” he said.

He also commended Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for ensuring state and local government officials were sensitised on anti-corruption laws and practices.

On his part, the Director General of the Edo State Liaison Office in Abuja, Peter Abulu, called on the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to urgently address the growing number of awaiting trial inmates in custodial centres across the country.

Abulu lauded the House of Representatives and the EFCC for organising the event, which he described as timely and strategic.

He emphasised the importance of such workshops in promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability among public servants.

“Our actions or inactions have far-reaching consequences,” Abulu said. “Workshops like these equip us with the knowledge and frameworks needed to act with professionalism and ethical clarity.”

The DG commended ongoing efforts to align Edo State’s governance practices with national standards and noted that overcrowding in correctional facilities remains a critical concern.

He urged the EFCC to improve its prosecution processes, especially for minor financial infractions, and to utilise non-custodial measures as outlined in the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019.

“There are cases still in court where the accused are no longer alive. The system must evolve to avoid overburdening our prisons,” he stated.

The Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Suleiman, in his goodwill message, emphasised the need for structural reforms and accountability to tackle systemic corruption in Nigeria.

He warned that corruption continues to divert critical resources away from development priorities.

“We must adopt a zero-tolerance posture against all forms of financial crime and entrench transparency in public finance,” Suleiman said.

He called for greater legislative oversight at both national and subnational levels to strengthen anti-corruption institutions.

The House of Representatives is considering including Inter–University Centres among beneficiaries of funds available to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for improved training and research at the centres. 

The House passed, for second reading a bill seeking to include the centres sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu and eight others including Tolani Shagaya (APC, Kwara). 

The inter-university centres include National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Abuja; National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba, Abia State; Nigerian French Language Village (NFLV), Badagry, Lagos State; and National Arabic Language Village, Ngala, Borno State among others. 

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Tolani Shagaya recalled that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) was established under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, No.16 of 2011 to provide supplementary support for the general development of public tertiary institutions across the federation. 

He said the scheme has grown to become one of the most impactful institutional frameworks in the nation’s education sector through the improvement of infrastructure, provision of learning, instructional tools and equipment, training and re-training of both academic and non-academic staff, and fostering research and innovation in the nation’s public tertiary institutions. 

He lamented that the Inter-University Centres, which are established by Acts of the National Assembly to serve all Universities have been excluded from this support framework, despite the fact that they play a unique and indispensable role in advancing tertiary education across Nigeria.

These Centres, he said designed to fill critical academic, linguistic, and research gaps, serve as specialised knowledge hubs for all, but sadly they currently do not receive any support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, even though their academic and training work directly supports the same university system that education tax is meant to fund. 

Shagaya said that the amendment is not just necessary, it is a matter of equity, inclusion, and academic relevance, adding that the swift passage of the Bill will enhance the overall development of the nation’s tertiary education system. 

He said, “InterUniversity Centres support the entire university ecosystem by offering centralised expertise, hosting advanced research, conducting nationwide language training, and enhancing academic cooperation across institutions. Yet, because they are not classified as traditional universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education, they have been excluded from the funding streams that sustain similar tertiary institutions. 

“This situation has placed the Inter-Universities Centres at a serious disadvantage — leaving them underfunded, under-equipped, and undervalued, despite their clear national mandate. This Bill seeks to correct that anomaly and to ensure that Inter-University Centres are recognised for their contributions and supported accordingly. 

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“The Bill proposes following key amendments to the Principal Act – (a) Amendment of section 4 which provides for the recognition of InterUniversity Centres under the Act; (b) Amendment of section 7, which provides for a new allocation/sharing ratio of 2:1:1:1 which will consequently provide for funding of the InterUniversity Centres (this ratio is could be further adjusted at the Committee Stage when inputs of stakeholders have been taken); and (c) Amendment of section 20 which provides for the interpretation and meaning of “Inter-University Centres”. 

“This is a practical and inclusive amendment that ensures no vital academic institution is left behind. By providing for the recognition of Inter-University Centres as eligible beneficiaries of the tax imposed under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act, the Inter-University Centres would be reinforced, become stronger, and become more coherent structural support for the nation’s tertiary education system.”

…bills to be represented at Wednesday plenary

Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected a constitutional amendment bill seeking to rotate the office of the president and vice president among the six geopolitics zones of the country. 

In addition, the House rejected six other constitutional alteration bills listed in the order paper of the House for consideration.

It, however, resolved to bring back the bills on Wednesday and consider them on their individual merit. 

The House had at the commencement of debate set aside its rules to allow it take the constitutional alteration bills simultaneously, while allowing members to choose any of the seven listed on which they wish to debate on. 

However, most members chose the bill seeking to rotate the office of the President and Vice President among the six geopolitical zones, with many members opposing the idea and warning against setting a dangerous precedent with it. 

Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Sani Madaki led the opposition to the bill, saying that issues the bill intend to cure has been addressed by the Federal Character Commission, warning that the issue of rotation should not be included in the constitution, but allowed to remain the way it is. 

Madaki argued that the existing political parties already have mechanism to ensure fair representation in the sharing of offices at every given electoral period. 

Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) described the proposed alteration as ingenuous, but wondered whether it will work against the issue of quality. 

He stressed that adopting the rotation principle will not be in the interest of the country as it will promote regional and ethnic rivalry among the various zones of the country. 

Shina Oyedeji (PDP, Oyo) said if the rotational principle is included in the constitution, every state and tribe in the various zones will begin another round of agitation for fairness and justice. 

He believe that everybody in the country should be given equal opportunity to aspire to the office of the President and Vice President, saying “if you adopt zoning and it’s comes to the South West for example, which state will take the position? Is it Ogun or Oyo. 

Bello Mohammed ElRufai wondered what will happen if the President dies while in office like it happened when former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua died in office, saying will you ask the Vice President to vacate office to pave the way for another President from that zone? 

ElRufai argued that adopting the provision will also infringe on the right of all Nigerians to contest for any office of their choice, adding that even if the rotation principle is allowed, there will always be mistrust among the people. 

He said “whatever you do in Nigeria, there will always be a cry of marginalisation. We should not engage in a dangerous precedent by putting it in the Constitution”.

Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun) said even though the amendment might be a unique one, it will be out of place to force the political parties on where to choose their candidates during elections. 

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However, Minority Whip, Ali Is a said the six geopolitical zones should be allowed to have a shut at the Presidency and also extended to the state level so that governorship is rotated among the three senatorial zones.

He argued that all geopolitical zones in the country have well qualified persons who can manage the affairs of the country and even the West African subregion, adding that even the Federal Character principle provides that there should be fairness among all states of the country. 

He commended the Deputy Speaker for acknowledging the fact that there is the need to allow fairness, saying “in 2027, we should allow the Presidency go to the North East for the sake of fairness and allow all zones to produce the President”.

Clement Jimbo (APC, Akwa Ibom) said the bill seeks to cure the age long injustice metted on the minority groups in the country, adding that a proviso be included in the Constitution that will ensure that after all zones has had a shut at the Presidency, the principal be brought to an end. 

The bills are a bll for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to remove from Independent National Electoral Commission, the Powers of Registration and Regulation of political Parties in Nigeria and Transfer same to the Office of the Registrar General of Political Parties, and a Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for the Principle of Rotation of the Offices of the President and the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria among the Six Geopolitical Zones of the Country, Namely: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West. 

Others are Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for Establishment, Independence, and Functions of the Office of the State Auditors-General for Local Governments and the Federal Capital Territory Area Councils, to Strengthen Fiscal Oversight, Promote Accountability and enhance Good Governance at the Grassroots and a bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Create Ughelli East Local Government Area in Delta State. 

The bills also include a ill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for the Number of Judges of the Federal High Court to be not less than one hundred or such other Number as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly, Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to expand the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to include Admiralty Jurisdiction, including Shipping and Navigation on the River Niger, River Benue and their effluents, and on such other Inland Waterways as may be designated by an Act of the National Assembly as International Waterways, all Federal Ports, and Carriage by Sea. 

There is also the Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Empower the National Judicial Council to Fix and Review, in conjunction with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Salaries, Allowances, and other Emoluments of Judicial Officers and Staff of the Judiciary. 

Members of the House of Representatives from the North West and North Eastern part of the country have alleged discrimination against the two geopolitical zones in the establishment of Compressed Natural Gas conversion centres. 

Their position followed a motion by the Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Aliyu Sani Madaki on the need to establish more compressed natural gas conversion centres across Nigeria,.

Madaki said the advantages of conversion to CNG are enormous, saying “it will bring down the cost of living in Nigeria and reduce air and noise pollution, which makes it environmentally friendly. 

“CNG burns more cleanly than the Premium Motor Spirit, which means less carbon buildup in the engine, thus reducing the need for frequent engine repairs and prolonging the life of engine components;

“The House is aware that vehicles powered by CNG experience less wear and tear on critical components such as spark plugs and exhaust systems.

“For the take-off of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, the Federal Government proposed to establish CNG conversion Centres in some states, including Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Ebonyi, with one centre each.

“Akwa Ibom has five centres, Delta- 9 centres, Edo-11 centres, Ekiti seven centres, Enugu and Kogi with three centres each.

“The Federal Capital Territory has three centres, Kaduna 10 centres, Kwara eight centres, Lagos 70 centres, while Nasarawa has two, Ogun has seven, Oyo with 17 and Rivers has eight centres. 

According to Madaki, Kaduna us the only state in the North West benefiting from the presidential initiative, while no State in the North East is listed. 

He said, “We are worried about the exemption of other states from the initiative, as commuters of those states are not taken into consideration. States like Kano, Borno, Katsina, and Sokoto, which are commercially viable, are exempted.

He urged the federal government to establish more CNG conversion centres in the North-West and North-East to facilitate legitimate business operations for all citizens.

In his contribution, Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), said that in the establishment of the CNG centres, the North-East was completely ignored.

He said, “The North-East was completely ignored, the same with the North-West. The CNG Presidential initiative was to assuage the pains of Nigerians over the removal of fuel subsidy.

“We need to find out why many corridors in the North and cities were exempted from the allocation of CNG centres. I do believe that this initiative, instead of addressing a problem, is creating a lot of problems in the country.”

 Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) argued that “If there is any place that deserves these CNG centres, it is the North-East. There is no single CNG centre in the whole of the North-East. 

“I want to commend the President for initiating this presidential initiative to cut costs and improve the standard of living of all Nigerians. But the policy implementers should bear at the back of their mind that if one region of a nation has issues, the remaining regions cannot sleep with their two eyes closed. 

“It’s because of the neglect in the past of the North-East sub-region that led to what is happening now in the country.

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“We have Boko Haram insurgency and other forms of criminality, because even before then, the North-East used to be the poorest region in the nation, and they were neglected. Instead of the nation giving attention to the North-East, so that other parts of the country can remain in peace, the North-East was neglected. This is why we have insurgency and insecurity in the North Central, North-West and other parts of the country.

Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun) said some advanced nations are already moving away from CNG to hybrid vehicles, preparatory to migration to electric vehicles and asked the Federal Government to think more about the area of electric cars because of cleaner energy. 

 Kafilat Ogbara (APC, Lagos) called for the constitution of an all-inclusive ad-hoc committee to monitor the implementation of the Presidential Initiative on CNG, saying, “I will advise that the committee should include members from all the regions, whether they are in that committee or not, so that as honourable members, we will be able to monitor these things and oversee them in our constituencies properly.”

Apart from resolving to set up the ad-hoc committee, the House urged the Federal Government to establish Compressed Natural Gas Conversion centres equitably across the country to give Nigerians a sense of belonging.