Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Wednesday, March 29th, 2023

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase presided.

After leading the opening prayer and the National Pledge, the Deputy Speaker approved the votes and proceedings of Tuesday, March 28th, 2023
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PRESENTATION OF REPORT

Committee on Federal Road Safety Commission:
Rep. Akinfolarin Mayowa Samuel:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Federal Road Safety Commission on a Bill for an Act to Establish Federal Road Safety Commission Training Institutions as Capacity Building Institutions for training in Road Traffic Administration and Safety Management, provide Professional Training for Members of the Corps; and for Related Matters (HBs 1619, 1620, 1621 and 1622)” (Referred: 16/12/2021).

The report was laid following a motion moved by Rep. Akinfolarin Samuel and seconded by Rep. Unyime Idem.
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ORDERS OF THE DAY

BILLS

1. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal High Court Act, Cap. F12, Laws of the Federal 2004 to Provide for the increase in the Number of Judges from 100 to 150 and to make Provisions for the Regulation of the Award of Prejudgment in Relation to Claims Bothering on Commercial Transactions in Nigeria; and for Related Matters (HB. 2186) (Senate) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Adewunmi Onanuga moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Hassan.

The Bill was voted on, read the second time, passed and referred to the Committee of the Whole.

2. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Colleges of Education Act, Cap. F8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to include Federal College of Education Technical, Agaie, Niger State; and for Related Matters (HB. 2080) (Rep. Abdullahi Mamudu) – Second Reading.

Bill stepped down by leave of the House

3. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act, Cap. S9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Standards organization of Nigeria Bill, 2022 for the purpose of Providing additional functions for the Organisation, increasing penalty for violation; and for Related Matters (HB. 2169) ( Rep. Julius O. Ihonvbere) – Second Reading.

Debate
Rep. Julius Ihonvbere moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Shettima Ali.

The Bill was voted on, read the second time, passed and referred to the House Committee on Industries.
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MOTIONS
4. Re-committal of Bills:
Rep. Abubakar Hassan Fulata

The House:

Recalls that the following Bills were passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the President for assent;

(i) Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2021(HB. 1456); and
(ii) Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022) (HB. 1955).

Observes that some fundamental issues which require fresh legislative actions had emerged hence, re-committal of the Bills to address the issues;

Resolves to:

Commit the Bills to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration.

Debate
Rep. Abubakar Yalleman moved the motion on re-committal of Bills and it was seconded by Rep. Abdulganiyu Johnson.

The motion was voted on and adopted.

5. Need to Name the National Assembly Library Building in Honor and Commemoration of Femi Gbajabiamila Speaker of the 9th National Assembly
Rep. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi:

The House:

Notes that Research is crucial to legislative business because it provides essential information for lawmakers to make decisions and understand the complexities of issues addressed and evaluate potential impacts of legislation;

Also notes that one of the critical components of the legislative process is the Legislative Library which plays a central role in quality legislation as it provides access to sources of information such as books, journals, reports and database that are essential for legislators to work effectively and efficiently as seen in renowned Libraries such as the Library of the US Congress, British Parliament and others;

Aware that the Speaker of the 9th Assembly, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila whose vision is to place the National Assembly on the world map, created the Committee on Legislative Library Research and Documentation, a first in History, with the mandate to establish a world-class Legislative Library, Museum and Archive to deepen legislative knowledge as well as preserve legislative history for posterity;

Also aware that the Speaker saw the urgent need for the National Assembly, as the Apex Legislative body in Nigeria, to have a functional legislative library for optimum performance of the federal legislators, necessitated the expedient construction and completion of the NASS Library which remains one of his cardinal goals for the 9th Assembly and has remains resolute in actualizing the vision within the life span of the 9th Assembly;

Further aware that the 9th National Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker has frantically and tirelessly made efforts to put in place the necessary structure for the smooth running and operations of the National Assembly library through the establishment of the NASS Library Trust Fund Bill that has been signed into law by the President;

Cognizant that there is no better way to immortalize the doggedness of such a visionary leader other than to name the library after the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila;

Also cognizant that such an outstanding achievement and legacy should not go unrecognized in our legislative history;
Resolves to:
​Mandate the Clerk to the National Assembly to name the National Assembly Library building after Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila as it’s the practice in developed climes.

Motion stepped down by leave of the House

6. Need to Investigate the Assault on Residents of Gboko and Guests of Old Barn Hotel, Gboko by Men of the 401 Special Forces Brigade of the Nigerian Army:

​Rep. Mark Gbillah:
​The House:
Notes the primary duties of the Nigerian Army as enshrined in Section 217 subsection (2) (a)-(d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is to defend Nigeria from external aggression; maintain its territorial integrity, suppress insurrection and aid civil authorities to restore order subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly;

Also notes that the operational use of the Armed Forces in Nigeria is for the purpose of maintaining and securing public safety and public order in accordance with Section 8 (3) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004;

Concerned about the worsening spate of military and police brutality, extra-judicial killings by security operatives on civilians and unarmed Nigerians;

Worried about the unfortunate incidence of Saturday 18 March 2023 at Old Barn Hotel, Gboko in Benue State, where at about2:30 am, men of the 401 Division of the Nigerian Army viciously assaulted and brutalized several persons and guests;

Also concerned that these military men, numbering over 20 stormed the hotel in Nigerian Army trucks and dressed in military uniforms but without any identifiers such as nametags, any form of personal identity or ranks;

Disturbed that the military men ordered all persons within view to move, gather in groups and squat on the ground without explanation such cruel and inhuman treatment;

Also worried that in the course of obeying the Army Officers’ commands, one of the soldiers accosted the Honourable and slapped him;

Also disturbed that despite introducing himself as a serving member of the House of Representatives, the soldier rather poured more invectives on the Honourable and ordered his subordinates to slap him and in an attempt to defend himself from the unprovoked assault, about 20 soldiers pounced on him and others with guns and brutally assaulted them, this resulted in serious injuries on his head, face, shoulders, chest, back, both arms, and legs;

Further disturbed that this same team of soldiers were allegedly responsible for the extrajudicial killings of at least two (2) persons in Gboko in two (2) separate instances on the same day;

More disturbed that since the attack, several media outlets particularly, Leadership Sunday, The Sunday Sun, Daily Trust and Vanguard Newspapers of Sunday, 19th March 2023 were awash with defamatory reports and images falsely linking the assault on Rep. Sokpo to Electoral violence;

Desirous of the need to re-enforce its statutory role of ensuring the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government.
Resolves to:

(i) condemn the assault on Old Barn Hotel, Gboko and its guests by men of the Nigerian Army on 18 March, 2023;

(ii) urge the Chiefs of Defense and Army Staff to commence a comprehensive investigation of the incident (ensuring evidence is obtained from civilian witnesses) with the view to identifying the soldiers that were responsible for this mayhem.

(iii) invite the Chiefs of Defense and Army Staff to appear before the House to:
(a) explain the circumstances behind the unprovoked attack and why these military officers did not carry proper identification or inform the civilians about their mission
(b) explain the military’s rules of engagement during election monitoring and other engagements with the civilian population, especially considering the extrajudicial killing of two young men in Gboko by the same 401 Special Forces Brigade on 18th March 2023 for alleged ballot snatching;
(c) brief House about actions currently taken by military authorities to investigate the unprovoked assault on residents of Gboko, including Hon. Kpam Jimin Sokpo and the shooting to death of two persons in Gboko on 18 March 2023.

(iv) mandate the Committee on Army to ensure compliance and report to the House within two (2) weeks.

Debate
Rep. Mark Gbillah moved the motion on the need to investigate the assault on residents of Gboko and guests of Old Barn Hotel, Gboko by men of the 401 Special Forces Brigade of the Nigerian Army and it was seconded by Rep. Olawuyi Olatunji.

Rep. Gbillah in leading the debate stated that while the efforts of the Nigerian Army to maintain peace and order are commendable, any act of excessive force that contradicts laws on human rights should never be condoned. Rep. Gbillah further stated that the actions of the military men fall far short of what is obtainable in nations adhering to best practices and the laws governing military engagement. He called on the House to summon the Chief of Army Staff to explain what is being done to curb the reported excesses of the military in civil society.

The motion was voted on and adopted.
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CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) REP. AHMED IDRIS WASE CHAIRED:

7. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Igboho, Oyo State; and for Related Matters (HB. 733) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 21/3/2023.

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Peter Akpatason stated that the establishment Bill seeks to strengthen the federal presence in terms of the availability of quality and affordable medical services for the good of people in the region and urged Honourable Members to support it.

Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-3

8. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Illeh, Edo State; and for Related Matters (HB.1389) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 22/3/2023.

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Peter Akpatason stated that the Bill is similar to the previous one and seeks to provide adequate and quality medical services through the establishment of the proposed medical center for the good of those in the region.

Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-3

9. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, Cap. A. 18, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Arbitration and Mediation Act, 2023 to Provide a Unified Legal Framework for the fair and efficient Settlement of Commercial disputes through Arbitration and Mediation, make applicable the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitration Awards (the New York Convention) to any award made in Nigeria or in any contracting State arising out of International Commercial Arbitration; and for Related Matters (HB. 1455) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 22/3/2023.

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Peter Akpatason stated that the Bill is one seeking to cure the lack of a unified legal framework for settling such international commercial disputes. He stated that the availability of such an enabling framework is long overdue. He called on Honourable Members to support it.

Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-92

10. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of the Federal Capital Territory College of Nursing and Midwifery; and for Related Matters (HB.214) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 23/3/2023.

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Peter Akpatason stated that the Bill is similar to the first 2 Bills considered and it seeks to boost the nursing and midwifery service in the Federal Capital Territory. He urged Honourable Members to support it for the good of those in the FCT region and its environs.

Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-43

11. Report of the Conference Committee:
Rep. Adeogun Adejoro:​​
“That the House do consider the Report of the Conference Committee on a Bill for an Act to Establish the National Centre for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria; and for Related Matters and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 22/3/2023).

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Adeogun Adejoro stated that the Bill is a result of a Conference Committee report arising from the need to establish the center to control the proliferation of small and light arms for the safety of Nigerian society.

Rep. Abubakar moved a motion for the adoption of the conference report and it was seconded by Rep. Abubakar Ahmad.

Summary of voting: Conference Report Adopted.

12. Committee on Public Accounts
Rep. Oluwole Oke:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Public Accounts on a Bill for an Act to provide for Establishment of an Independent Office of the Auditor General for Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory and provide for the Audit of Area Councils Public Accounts; and for Related Matters (HB.1782) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 21/3/2023)

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Oluwole Oke stated that the Bill seeks to put in place the independent Office of the Auditor General for Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory. This he stated is necessary as all other Area Councils in states nationwide enjoy this autonomy, so it is only right for the FCT to enjoy it as well. Rep. Oke stated that it is not right for the Area Councils of the FCT to be directly under the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation exclusively, as the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation does not audit the Area Councils of the FCT.

Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-53

13. Committee on Health Institutions:
Rep. Pashcal Obi:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Health Institutions on a Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to Establish Federal Medical Centtre, Eastern Obolo, Akwa Ibom; and for Related Matters (HB.1426) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid:15/12/2023).

Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Unyime Idem stated that the report is from the Bill seeking to establish the medical center to provide health benefits for people in the region and Akwa Ibom state in general and he called on Honorable Members to support it.

Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-3
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HOUSE IN PLENARY
The House reverted to plenary and adopted the report of the Committee of the Whole following a motion by Rep. Peter Akpatason and seconded by Rep. Mohammed Monguno
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Adjournment:
The House at 13:36 adjourned plenary to Thursday, March 30th, 2023 by 11:00 following a motion for adjournment moved by the Deputy Leader of the House, Rep. Peter Akpatason and seconded by Rep. Unyime Idem

Courtesy:
Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.