The House of Representatives at the plenary has passed through second reading bills seeking for an act to set timeline within which civil and criminal cases are heard, create Bende north Local Government Area from the existing Bende Local Government, involve the National Assembly in the process of treaties negotiation, provide for the listing of the National Assembly Service Commission and State House of Assembly Service Commission as Independent Bodies.
The lawmakers also passed through second reading bills seeking establishment of the University of Nigerian Languages, Aba, Abia State and provide for the conduct of population census every ten years.
The proposed legislations sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu and some other lawmakers were presented for second reading by the House leader, Julius Ihonvbere.
They are, “Bill for An Act to Repeal the National Institute for Nigerian Languages Act, Cap. N50, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Provisions for the Establishment of the University of Nigerian Languages, Aba, Abia State to Make Comprehensive Provisions of its Due Management and Administration and for Related Matters, Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Involvement of the National Assembly in the Process of Negotiation for and Entering into Treaties with Other Countries, Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Provide for the listing of the National Assembly Service Commission and State House of Assembly Service Commission as Independent Bodies Under Sections 158 and 197 Respectively; to Enhance the Independence of the National Assembly Service Commission and State House of Assembly Service Commission, to Clearly Designate the Clerk of the National Assembly and Clerks of State Houses of Assembly as Heads of Legislative Service at the National and Sub-national Levels.”
Others are, “Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to Set Time Within Which Civil and Criminal Cases and Matters Are Heard and Determined at Trial and Appellate Courts in Order to Eliminate Unnecessary Delay in Justice Administration and Delivery; and for Related Matters, Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Creation of Bende North Local Government Area Out of the Present Bende Local Government Area of Abia State; To Rename Bende Local Government Area as Bende South Local Government Area of Abia State and Bill for an act provide for the conduct of population census every ten years after the publication by the President of a population census report.”
For the University of Nigerian Languages Aba, Abia State, the bill seeks to provide for the upgrade of the institute to a university to allow it run degree programmes.
It also seeks to promote the study and use of Nigerian languages, ensure that the legal framework of the institute conforms to the regulations of the National Universities Commission, and to establish a university that will promote the study and use of Nigerian languages.
According to the explanatory memorandum of the census Bill, it seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Altered) to provide for the conduct of population census every ten years after the publication by the President of a population census report.
The bill’s draft states, “Section 213 of the Principal Act is altered by inserting after subsection (5), a new subsection “(5A)” as follows – “(5A) There shall be a population census every ten years after publication by the President of a population census report in the official gazette of the government of the Federation. Third Schedule, Part I, item-J of the Principal Act is altered by substituting the existing subparagraph (a), with a new subparagraph “(a)” as follows (a) undertake enumeration of the population every ten years through sample survey census or otherwise.”
For the civil and criminal cases Bill, it seeks to provide for the alteration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Altered) to set time within which the matters are heard and determined at trial and appellate courts in order to eliminate unnecessary delays in justice administration and delivery.
According to the bill’s draft, “In any civil or criminal matter except in election petition, a trial superior court of record shall deliver its judgement in writing within 270 days from the date of the filing of civil or criminal matter. In any civil or criminal matter except in election petition, a trial inferior court of record or tribunal shall deliver its judgement in writing within 210 days from the date of the filing of the civil or criminal matter. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section – (a) a trial superior court of record may deliver its judgement in writing within 330 or more days having regard to the circumstances of the matter and in particular to the complexity of the matter, number of parties, number of witnesses, number of documents or other exceptional circumstances; and a trial inferior court of record may deliver its judgement in writing within 270 or more days having regard to the circumstances of the matter and in particular to the complexity of the matter, number of parties, number of witnesses, number of documents or other exceptional circumstances.
“Appeal arising from a civil or criminal matter except in election petition shall be heard and judgement delivered in writing by an appellate court within 180 days from the date of filing of the appeal, or such number of days not exceeding 270 days, having regard to the circumstances of the appeal and in particular to the complexity of the appeal, calling of fresh evidence or other exceptional circumstances.”
The treaties bill seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Altered) to provide for the involvement of the National Assembly in the process of negotiation for and entering into treaties with other countries.
The bill specifically seeks to amend the constitution by inserting new subsections in the Principal Act to allow the National Assembly make laws for the making of treaties between the Federation and any other country on any matter on the Exclusive Legislative List.
According to the draft, the President shall involve the National Assembly in the process of negotiation for and entering into all treaties on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with any other country.
For the Bende bill, it seeks to alter the Constitution to provide for the creation of Bende North Local Government Area out the present Bende Local Government Area of Abia State and to rename the present Bende Local Government Area as Bende South Local Government Area of Abia State.
According to the explanatory memorandum, the First Schedule to the Principal Act is altered in the second column of the first row showing Local Government Areas in Abia State by deleting the word “Bende” and inserting the words “Bende North, Bende South”.
On the bill for listing of the National Assembly Service Commission and the State House of Assembly Service Commission as an Independent Bodies, it seeks to alter the Constitution to enhance their independence, and to clearly designate the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Clerks of the State Houses of Assembly as the Heads of Legislative Service at the national and subnational levels respectively.
According to the explanatory memorandum, “Substitute for section 51 of the Principal Act, a new section “51” – Staff of the National Assembly. There shall be a Clerk to the National Assembly, who shall be the Head of the Legislative Service and such other staff as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. The method of appointment of the Clerk and other staff shall be as prescribed by the Act of the National Assembly made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.”
“Substitute for section 93 of the Principal Act, a new section “93” Staff of House of Assembly: There shall be a Clerk to each State House of Assembly who shall be the Head of the Legislative Service for that State and such other staff as may be prescribed by aLaw of that State House of Assembly. The method of appointment of the Clerk and other staff shall be as prescribed by that Law of the State House of Assembly made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.”
When put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu who presided over the session, it was supported by the lawmakers and passed.
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