Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Lawyers To Sue NASS On CCB/CCT Amendment Bill

Some lawyers in Lagos on Monday threatened to sue the Senate on the ongoing moves to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act 2004.

The lawyers said embarking on such an amendment at a time when the Senate President was being tried by the tribunal was in bad faith.

Mr Tope Alabi, a human rights lawyer, said the Upper Chamber has the constitutional duty to legislate for the country, but that the motive for making the law must be right.

“The Senate has the constitutional power to amend any law but the motive must be right and for the good of the country,’’ he said


The bill to amend the CCT Act tabled on April 14 by Senator Peter Nwoaboshi scaled a second reading at the Upper Chamber.

Senate President Bukola Saraki was docked at the tribunal on a 13-count charge bordering false declaration of assets and money laundering to which he pleaded not guilty.

He challenged his trial at both Federal High Court and the Supreme Court which ruled that he had a case to answer at the CCT.

Alabi:“The intention of the Upper Chamber to amend the CCT Act when Saraki is standing trial before the CCT is clearly in bad faith.

“Nigerians must rise to oppose it, I will proceed to challenge them (senators) in court.”

He advised the senators to join President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft war, instead of giving themselves out as aiding corruption.

Mr U.P.E. Nnaji, said the Senate was trying to make retroactive laws as it was done under the military era.

“They should focus on legislations that are beneficial to the citizens rather than wasting our lean resources to legislate on irrelevancies.

“They should stop the amendment or face court action,’’ he also told NAN.

For Mr Chris Ayiyi, the amendment was nothing to worry about for as long as it was not retroactive.

According to him, Senate is empowered to repeal or amend any law, but that it should be done with sense of responsibility.

Ayiyi urged Nigerians to have faith in the lawmakers and believe that the amendment of the CCT Act was for the future.

Corroborating Ayiyi’s position, Mr Chibuikem Opara, said:“Although the Senate has the powers to amend any law, such amendment must be done for the common good.

“It is not to favour or persecute any person no matter his or her class.”

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