Proceedings of the Nigerian Senate of Tuesday, 7th July, 2020

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

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at about 10:35am.

Senator Tolu Odebiyi moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings for Wednesday 1st July, 2020. Senator Clifford Odia seconded.

LETTER FROM MR PRESIDENT

1. President of the Senate Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari, requesting for the Confirmation of Appointment of Professor Umar Dambatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the governing board of the Nigerian Communications Commission.
2. President of the Senate Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari, requesting for the Confirmation of appointment of three nominees as members of the Code of Condut Bureau.

PETITION
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege presented a petition from Josheph Wowo alleging violation of his fundamental rights while serving as the Chief Justice of the Gambia.
Petition was referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in four weeks.

POINT OF ORDER

1. Senator Buhari Abdulfatai cited under Order 42 and 52 to request for the leave of the Senate to present his motion.
   In the motion, Senator Buhari notified the senate of the sad demise of late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Senate resolved to:

1. observed a minute silence in his honour.
2. Send a high powered delegation to commiserate with his family and the good people of Oyo state.
3. Ask the Federal Government to name the Ibadan Airport after him.
4. Senator Philip Aduda cited under Order 43 to speak on his earlier Point of Order which talked about the Federal Capital Territory not having an Ambassadorial nominee. He said the directive that 12 states should retain their Ambassadorial nominee be extended to the Ambassador from the FCT who is currently in Sierra Leone. He also spoke on the non-inclusion of a nominee from the FCT in the nomination of 11 Judges which the president requested for confirmation.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan in his response said he is sure the executive will take note of his observations.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele also responded by citing Order 43 to inform the Senate of what is being done is to fill existing vacancies in the judiciary of the FCT. He stressed that all states are currently represented in the judiciary of the FCT and so the FCT is not left out in the current appointment which is to fill vacancies from created to fill the states which currently do not have.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS

1. National Institute for Brackish Water Fisheries Research, Ngo-Andoni (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (HB. 417) by Senator Abubakar Abdullahi(Senate Leader)
   National Institute for Brackish Water Fisheries Research, Ngo-Andoni (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (HB. 417) was read the First Time.
2. National Primary Health Development Agency Act CAP N69 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (SB. 438) by Senator Degi-Eremienyo, W.Biobarakuma
   National Primary Health Development Agency Act CAP N69 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (SB. 438) was read the First Time.
3. Federal University, Dutsin-Ma Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (SB.453) by Senator Ahmad Baba Kaita
   Federal University, Dutsin-Ma Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (SB.453) was read the First Time.
4. Institute of Information Communication Technology Uga (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 457) by Senator Patrick Ubah
   Institute of Information Communication Technology Uga (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 457) was read the First Time.
5. Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 466) by Senator Suleiman Umar
   Institute of Risk and Disaster Management (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 466) was read the first time.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

1. Confirmation of the Nomination of Idahagbon Williams for Appointment as Commissioner of the Federal Civil Service Commission by Senator Abubakar Abdullahi (Senate Leader)
   Minority Leader seconded.

The Senate ruled that the request of Mr. President C-in-C on the Conformation of the Nomination of Idahagbon Williams for
Appointment as Commissioner representing Edo, Ekiti, and Ondo States in the Federal Civil Service Commission in accordance with Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended) referred to the Committee on National Planning and Establishment and related matters for further legislative actions and to report back in two weeks.

2. Confirmation of the Nomination of Engr. Usman Mahmud Hassan for Appointment as Commissioner of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission by Senator Abubakar Abdullahi (Senate Leader)
   Minority Leader seconded.

Senate ruled that the request of Mr. President C-in-C on the Confirmation of the Nomination of Engr. Usman Mahmud Hassan for Appointment as Commissioner representing Kaduna State in the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission in accordance with Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended) be referred to the Committee on National Planning and Establishment and related matters for further legislative actions and to report back in two weeks.

3. Confirmation of the Nomination of Dr. Tella Adeniran Rahmon for Appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
   Minority Leader seconded.

Senate ruled that the the Request of Mr. President C-in-C on the Nomination of Dr. Tella Adeniran Rahmon for Appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is referred to the Committee on INEC for further legislative actions and to report back in two weeks.

4. Conformation of the Nomination of Mr. Suleiman Sani for Appointment as Career Ambassador by Senator Abubakar Abdullahi (Senate Leader)
   Minority Leader seconded.

Senate ruled that the request of Mr. President C-in-C on the Conformation of the Nomination of Mr. Suleiman Sani for Appointment as Career Ambassador is referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for further legislative action and report back in two weeks.

5. Confirmation of Appointment of 41 persons as Non-Career Ambassadors by Senator Abubakar Abdullahi (Senate Leader)
   Minority Leader Seconded

Senate ruled that the request of Mr. President C-in-C on the Confirmation of Appointment of 41 persons as Non-Career Ambassadors
is referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for further legislative action and to report back in two weeks.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS

1. Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters
   Sexual Harassment Bill, 2020 (SB. 77) by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele
   Minority Leader seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the Sexual Harassment Bill, 2020 (SB. 77)

Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the Sexual Harassment Bill, 2020 (SB. 77)

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

The Sexual Harassment Bill, 2020 (SB. 77) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

2. Report of the Committee on Police Affairs
   Police Act CAP P19 LFN 2004 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2020 (SB. 181) by Senator Halliru Jika.
   Minority Leader seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Police Affairs on the Police Act CAP P19 LFN 2004 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2020 (SB. 181)

Senator Halliru Jika while presenting the report said the committee met with all relevant stakeholders including the convocation of a public hearing to her inputs from all those concerned. He added that views expressed by stakeholders reveal there is a general support for the bill.

Recommendations include:

1. That it should be made binding for the Inspector General of Police to adhere strictly to the Nigerian Police plan.
2. That the name of the Nigerian Police Force should not be changed.
3. The Nigerian Police should abide by certain provisions of the Constitution especially as it concern persons in custody.
4. That the appointment and removal of the Inspector General of Police as presently constituted be retained.
5. That the tenure of the Inspector General of Police be made for a four year single term so as to make the position tenured.

Senator Rochas Okorocha in his contribution objected to the tenure of the position of the Inspector General of Police saying that doing so will politicize the office especially since it is not a commission. “The Nigerian Police is not a commission. I think the issue of tenure should actually be looked into. All these appointments shouldn’t be tenured but should be subject to performance.” – Senator Rochas Okorocha

Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Police Act CAP P19 LFN 2004 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2020 (SB. 181)

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

Police Act CAP P19 LFN 2004 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2020 (SB. 181) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

“This again is one of those important Bills that will help the Nigerian Police Force to be more effective and efficient. Congratulations to our Committee on Police Affairs and to the Senate. Today is a day of passing very important legislations for good governance of this country.” – Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, CON.

Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, CON, reminded Distinguished Senators of the Valedictory Service holding tomorrow Wednesday 8th July at the Senate Chamber for Late Senator Bayo Osinowo, who until his death represented Lagos East Senatorial District. He urged Distinguished Senators to dress in accordance with the mood of tomorrow.

ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that all items on the order paper be stood down to another legislative day.

Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary was adjourned to Wednesday, 8th July 2020.