PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF TUESDAY, 26th JULY, 2022

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

Senate President Ahmad Lawan, led the Principal Officers into the Chamber, took the official prayers and began the day’s proceedings at 11:09am.

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Senator Amos Bulus moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 20th July, 2022.

Senator George Sekibo seconded.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION

Senate President Ahmad Lawan read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on:

1. Confirmation of appointment of the following persons as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC):

i. Ibrahim Abdullahi – Adamawa State – Renewal

ii. Obo O. Effanga – Cross River State – Renewal

iii. Alh. Umar Ibrahim – Taraba State – Renewal

iv. Dr. Agboke Mutiu Olaleke – Ogun State – Renewal

v. Prof. Samuel E. Egwu – Kogi State – Renewal

vi. Nyeka Pauline Ugochi – Imo State – New Appointment

vii. Prof. Muhammad Lawal Bashir – Sokoto State – New Appointment

viii. Prof. Ayobami Salami – Oyo State – New Appointment

ix. Amb. Zango Abdussamadu Abdu – Katsina State- New Appointment

x. Mrs. Queen Elizabeth Agwu – Ebonyi State

xi. Dr. Agundu Oliver Tersoo – Benue State – New Appointment.

2. Confirmation of the appointment of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as Chief Justice of Nigeria;

3. Confirmation of five Nominees for Appointment as Non-Executive Directors of the Board of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

PETITIONS

1. Senator Gershom Bassey submitted two petitions against the injustice meted out on two members of his constituent in the 2009/2010 upgrading of officers of the Nigerian Customs Service.

Petitions were laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition to report back within four weeks.

2. Senator Ayo Akinyelure submitted five petitions from the Office of the President of the Senate:

i. Petition from Mallam Shuaibu Haruna Sogji and Comrade Aliyu Ibrahim S.Achiba against the A. Awogu, Vigilante Group of Atani, Osushe & Agbakuma in Ogbaru LGA, Anambra state on Criminal Conspiracy, Murder, threat to life, terrorist attack, Kidnapping, and possession of Prohibited firearms being perpetrated by the Vigilante Group of Atani, Osushe & Agbakuma in Ogbaru LGA, Anambra state and other Dreaded Cult Members

ii. Petition from Abdulkarim A. against Head of Service of Agriculture, Research Council of Nigeria, CAH Consultancy Ltd and DVC Multi Ventures Ltd in respect of suspected Fraudulent manipulation of funds contact Scams, insider dealings, Violation of Extant Procurement Law and Economic Sabotage.

iii. Petition from C.K. Osueke against Nigeria Police Force in respect of a letter of Complaint/appeal for intervention of the House of Representatives in the matter between Obiator Community Welfare Union, Umundugba and the Nigeria Police Force.

iv. Petition from Prof. Salisu Shehu against Pastor Akintaro Joshua Ojo Over dangerous blasphemous attack on Islam, Prophet Muhammed (SAW) and Muslim, a threat to u undaunted Peace in the Southwest and a call for investigation, arrest and Prosecution

v. Petition from Chief Riyaz Uddin against the Management of CHI Ltd in respect of Harassment, Humiliation, defamation of character and good by the Managing Director and HR Director of CHI Ltd

Petitions were laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition to report back within four weeks.

POINT OF ORDER

Senator Michael Nnachi cited Order 41 and 51 to seek the Leave of the Senate to present a motion on landslide and erosion which occurred in Ebonyi South Senatorial District, claiming many lives.

Senator Sam Egwu seconded.

Senate resolved to:

i. Urge the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently intervene by ensuring the completion of the road;

ii. Urge NEMA to urgently assess the situation and send relief materials to the victims;

iii. Urge the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to take palliative measures on affected roads to enable inhabitants gain access to their homes; and

iv. Urge the Ecological Fund to act immediately to restore the situation in the affected areas.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING

1. Dieticians Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 515) by Senate Leader

Dieticians Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 515) was read the First Time.

2. Nigerian institute of international Affairs Act (Repeal & Enactment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1279) by Senate Leader

Nigerian institute of international Affairs Act (Repeal & Enactment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1279) was read the First Time.

3. Administration of Criminal justice Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1037) by Senator Chukwuka Utazi

Administration of Criminal justice Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1037) was read the First Time.

4. Rotation of Power Bill, 2022 (SB. 1040) by Senator Abba Moro

Rotation of Power Bill, 2022 (SB. 1040) was read the First Time.

5. Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1041) by Senator Nora Ladi Daduut

Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1041) was read the first

MOTION FOR RE-COMMITAL OF BILLS

1. Re-Committal of Bills to the Committee of the Whole,

The Senate:

Recalls that the following Bills were passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives and were transmitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly for onward transmission to the President C-in-C for Assent;

The Bills are:

1. National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act No. 15 2006 (Amendment) Bill;

2. Institute of Agriculturists (Establishment) Bill; and

3. Public Interest Disclosure and Complaints (Enactment) Bill.

Senate resolved to rescind its decision on the Bills as passed and re-commit same to the Committee or the whole for re-consideration and passage.

Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the Bills

Senate reverted to Plenary to report Progress.

National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act No. 15 2006 (Amendment) Bill

The Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act No. 15 2006 (Amendment) Bill and approved Clauses 1-12 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.

National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act No. 15 2006 (Amendment) Bill was read the Third Time and PASSED!

2. Institute of Agriculturists (Establishment) Bill

The Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Institute of Agriculturists (Establishment) Bill, and approved Clauses 1-42 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.

Institute of Agriculturists (Establishment) Bill was read the Third Time and PASSED!

3. Public Interest Disclosure and Complaints (Enactment) Bill

The Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Public Interest Disclosure and Complaints (Enactment) Bill and approved the Clauses as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.

Public Interest Disclosure and Complaints (Enactment) Bill was read the Third Time and PASSED!

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS FOR SECOND READING

1. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPADEC) Act 2010 and for other related matters thereto, 2022 (SB. 742) by Senator Sadiq Umar

The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Power to report back within four weeks.

2. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Patents and Design Act Cap P2 LFN 2004 and Enact the Patents Act 2022 to provide for the protection of inventions and other related matters, 2022 (SB. 880) by Senator Ibikunle Amosun

The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Trade and Investment to report back within four weeks.

3. A Bill for an Act to establish National Poverty Alleviation Management Commission, to be saddled with the responsibility of coordinating and regulating all forms of poverty alleviation management funds in Nigeria and other related matters, 2022 (SB. 885) by Senator Kabir Barkiya

The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Poverty Alleviation to report back within four weeks.

PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS

1. Report of the Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs

Confirmation of the Nomination of Mohammed Bello for Appointiient as Chairman Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi.

Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi moved that the Senate do consider the Report of the Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs on the confirmation of the nomination of Mohammed Bello for appointment as Chairman Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

Senator Ibikunle Amosun seconded.

Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi laid and presented the report.

Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the report.

Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.

The Nomination of Mohammed Bello was CONFIRMED Chairman Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

2. Report of the Committee on Education (Basic & Secondary)

National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 996) by Senator Ibrahim Gaidam

Senator Ibrahim Gaidam moved that the Senate do receive and consider the Report of the Committee on Education (Basic š& Secondary) on the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 996).

Senator Frank Ibezim seconded.

Senator Ibrahim Geidam laid and presented the report.

Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the report.

Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.

The Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 996) and approved the Clauses 1-29 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.

National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 996) was read the Third Time and PASSED!

3. Report of the Committee on National Security and Intelligence

National Commission against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 513) by Senator Ibrahim Gobir

Senator Ibrahim Gobir moved that the Senate do receive and consider the Report of the Committee on National Security and Intelligence on the National Commission against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 513).

Senator Ayo Akinyelure seconded.

Senator Ibrahim Gobir laid and presented the report.

Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the report.

Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.

The Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered National Commission against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 513) and approved the Clauses 1-33 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.

National Commission against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 513) was read the Third Time and PASSED!

ADJOURNMENT

Senate Leader, Senator Ajayi Boroffice moved that Senate do stand down other items on the Order Paper till another legislative day.

Minority Leader, Senator Philip Aduda seconded.

Plenary was adjourned to Wednesday, 27th July, 2022.

Signed

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Office of the President of the Senate