The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila presided.
After leading the opening prayer and the National Pledge, the Speaker approved the votes and proceedings of Thursday, September 22nd, 2022
PETITIONS
1. Rep. Haruna Dederi laid 3 petitions on behalf of different complainants bordering on issues concerning threats of demolition from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), illegal dismissal from service against the Police Service Commission and allegations of forceful entry and illegal encroachment on private property against Shell Petroleum Development Company. They all sought the intervention of the House in resolving the issues.
2. Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka laid a petition on behalf of a complainant against the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General of Police and other top officers of the Police for shielding a culpable Officer in the murder of a known associate of the complainant. He craved the intervention of the House to ensure the matter is resolved.
The Petitions were referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions
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MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
1. Rep. Datti Mohammed moved a motion alongside over 30 Members on the urgent need for the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to commence construction of the Abuja-Kaduna highway and it was seconded by Rep. Miriam Onuoha.
Rep. Mohammed in leading the debate stated that the urgency of the need for the rehabilitation of the road is to curtail the continuous hardship suffered by motorists plying the road. This situation he stated has continued to constitute gridlocks anytime there is a breakdown of vehicles, which in turn makes the supposedly straightforward road become a hazard to ply and a soft spot that exposes travellers to criminals. He called on the relevant agencies of government and Committees of the House to ensure compliance to the prayer of the motion, and that the security apparatus of the country should ensure security coverage for the rehabilitation and reconstruction process.
The motion was voted on and adopted.
2. Rep. Zakaria Galadima moved a motion on the urgent need to investigate the suspected deliberate killing of an Islamic Sheikh by men of the Nigerian Army and it was seconded by Rep. Olododo Cook.
Rep. Galadima in leading the debate called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of the culpable officers in the gruesome killing of the cleric who was on a journey. While calling on the House to condemn in the strongest terms the gruesome murder of the cleric. Rep. Galadima urged the Federal government to ensure a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure monetary compensation to the family of the victim.
He urged the House Committee on Army to ensure compliance.
Rep. Ibrahim Olanrewaju wondered why the motion is coming under the sphere of a matter of urgent public importance as investigations into the murder have gone a long way, with the suspects being court-martialed and charged to court for prosecution.
Rep. Munir Dan-Agundi reminded the House of the motion earlier moved by Rep. Alhassan Rurum on the murder of the NYSC lady in Kano allegedly murdered by a Chinese resident. He called on Honorable members to stick to timeliness in bringing motions for urgent public importance and to also consider the state of investigations already in motion by security forces.
Rep. Abubakar Yalleman called for accommodation of the motion as the mover of the motion is in touch with the victims and hence the motion should be taken and supported.
Rep. Ademorin Kuye supported the position of Rep. Olanrewaju noting that the urgency of the motion has been overtaken by events with the conclusion of the investigation, the court-martial and the subsequent prosecution of the culprit.
In interpreting the prayers of the motion, the Speaker of the House faulted the prayer calling on the Federal government to pay compensation, as that is preemptive of the investigation of the court.
The Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa called for the House to make a decision based on the rules as the timing of the motion does not qualify as a matter of urgent public importance.
The Minority Leader of the House, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu in proposing an amendment called for understanding of Honorable Members in handling the motion as Rep. Galadima brought the motion to address the grief of the victims. He proposed that all other prayers of the motion be deleted except the call for a due investigation by the Federal government.
The motion was voted on and adopted as amended.
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MATTER OF PRIVILEGE
1. Rep. Munir Dan-Agundi rose on a matter of privilege to call on the House to rescind a decision it took on a matter of urgent public importance on September 21st 2022 on the need to investigate the gruesome murder of the NYSC lady by a Chinese resident in Kano state and it was seconded by Rep. Ahmed Jaha.
Leading the debate Rep. Dan-Agundi said the mover of the motion, Rep. AlHassan Rurum failed to let the House know that the matter had been under investigation for a while and hence did not qualify to be termed as a matter of urgent public importance and that Rep. Rurum should not have made it look like the police were not doing their job well. He stated that he didn’t want the House to take the wrong path in its decision.
Rep. Bamidele Salam reminded the House that the motion for rescission by Rep. Munir Agundi should have been put on notice to allow Rep. Alhassan Rurum who is the original mover of the motion the right of reply as he seems not to be on the floor presently to defend his stand on the motion. He called for a fair hearing and that the opportunity for right of reply should be given to Rep. Alhassan Rurum.
Rep. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha reminded the House that the motion had been decided upon and Rep. Munir Agundi has the right to approach the House Committee it was referred to still lay his complaint.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila clarified that the motion to rescind a decision can be accommodated if the facts before the House are clear irrespective of the presence or absence of the original mover of the motion, that the right of fair hearing cannot supersede clear facts. He suggested that the House henceforth can look into issues already in court, but refrain from calling for another investigation so as not to look prejudiced.
The Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa called on the House to make its decision on the motion strictly based on its Laws. He pointed out that there are vital elements of the prayers of the motion that will seem incentive on the part of the House if rescinded, which will be akin to throwing out the baby together with the bath water.
Rep. Munir Agundi in exercising his right of reply proposed an amendment and called for fairness and equity in arriving at the House decision about the motion, that it should incorporate the 2 other recent motions on murders and delete the portion to investigate, it was seconded by Yusuf Buba Yakub.
The motion was voted on and adopted as amended.
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PRESENTATION OF BILLS
1. Office of Budget Management of the Federation Bill, 2022 (HB. 2063) (Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila & Hon. Henry Nwawuba) – First Reading.
2. Nigerian Content in Programme, Contract, Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 2064) (Hon. Dachung M) – First Reading.
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ORDERS OF THE DAY
BILLS
1. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Lottery (Amendment) Act, No. 6 of 2017 and Enact the National Gaming Bill to Regulate the Operation and Business of Gaming in Nigeria and Enhance Revenue Generation for the Government of the Federation to Complement the funding gap of the Commission; and for Related Matters (HB. 1288) – Third Reading.
Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ndudi Elumelu.
The Bill was voted on and read for the third time.
2. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe, Imo State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1456) – Third Reading.
Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ndudi Elumelu.
The Bill was voted on and read for the third time.
3. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of the National Religious Harmony Commission; and for Related Matters (HB. 1103) (Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila and Rep. Abubakar Hassan Fulata) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Abubakar Fulata moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
4. A Bill for an Act to prohibit late payment, underpayment of workers’ Wages, Pension and Other Emolument in Nigeria and Prescribes penalties for Violation; and for Related Matters (HB. 7) (Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Abubakar Fulata moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka.
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
5. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Ease of Doing Business to ensure Transparency, Efficiency and Productivity in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 2015) (Leader) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ibrahim Olanrewaju.
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
6. A Bill For an Act to Amend the Evidence Act, Cap. E14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to bring its Provisions in line with Global Technological Advancements in Evidence taking which shall be Applicable to all Judicial Proceedings in or before Courts in Nigeria, and for Related Matters (HB. 2019) (Rep. Ifeanyi Chudy Momah & Rep. Ugonna Ozurigbo) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Ifeanyi Momah moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ugonna Ozurigbo.
Rep. Ademorin Kuye in speaking against the Bill clarified that the Evidence Act for 2004 had been amended to the substantive Law of 2011 and the decision may the done in error as the Act of 2011 has taken cognizance of the intention of the Bill.
Rep. Ifeanyi Momah in his right of reply stated that the Bill seeks to cure the electronic admissibility and relevance of electronic evidence in Court.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila stated that what the Bill seeks to cure has been a lingering problem, especially in cases related to evidence in financial/bank fraud.
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
7. A Bill for an Act to Establish Security Services Welfare Infrastructure Development Commission to Provide among other things, Management and Review the State of Welfare Infrastructure of the Security Services; and for Related Matters (HB.803) (Rep. Abdulrazaak Sa’ad Namdas) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Abdulrazak Namdas moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Sada Soli.
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
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Adjournment:
The House at 14:06 adjourned plenary to Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 by 11:00 following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa.
Courtesy:
Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives
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