Proceedings of The Nigerian Senate Of Wednesday, 11th July, 2018

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

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings ‪at 11:02am‬.


‪Senator Gilbert Nnaji moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 10th July, 2018. Senator Oluremi Tinubu seconded.‬

PETITION
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe raised a petition on the issue of scholarship awarded in his State  but none of his constituency member was picked.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in 2 weeks.


POINT OF ORDER
Senator Bassey Akpan cited Order 43 and expressed his gratitude to the Senate for the support during his court case, which took place 3 months ago, when the Supreme Court ruled against his candidacy. “I am grateful that the Rule of Law was allowed to prevail.”

“Congratulations on this victory, we will continue to uphold the rule of law.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Senator Aliyu Sabi cited Orders 42 & 52 and informed the Senate on the unfortunate incident of flooding in his constituency. “There was a flood accompanied by heavy rainfall, livestock and property with millions of Naira were destroyed. About 500 people rendered homeless and 10 lives lost.”


Senate resolved to:
I. Observe a minute silence for the souls of the departed;
II.Federal Government should intervene through ecological fund office to solve the erosion issue in that area;
III. NEMA should immediately come to the aid of the victims by providing them with relief materials; and
IV. Senate should send a delegation to commiserate with the government and people of Niger State.

Senator Dino Melaye cited Orders 42 & 52, raised the issue of the uneven distribution of policemen in the country. Stating that about 30,000 policemen were deployed to one part of the nation, while the other states are left with less defense staff.

"What is done for one should he done for others. We should not sit still in the face of obvious criminality. We are here to speak for the people."- Senator Dino Melaye.


‪Senate resolved that:‬
The Police and NSCDC should provide security for Senator Dino Melaye as he is a citizen of Nigeria.

Senator Chukwuka Utazi cited Order 43, spoke on the African Anti-Corruption day, today, July 11th. “I encourage the Senate to remain steadfast in the fight against corruption and promote peace in the nation.”

PRESENTATION OF A REPORT
Report of the Committee on Police Affairs by Senator Abu Ibrahim on the confirmation of the nomination of the following persons for appointment as Chairman and members of the Police Service Commission (PSC) in compliance with the provision of Section 153(1)(m) and 154(1) of the 1989 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).                                   

1. Musiliu Adeola Kunbi Smith CFR, M.Sc, FNIM, fwc- Chairman (South West).

2. Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, (FNICArb) Rtd- Full Time Commissioner (North East).


3. Lawal Bawa (AIG) Rtd, CON, mni- Full Time Commissioner (North West).

4. Muhammad H. Najatu- Member (North West).

5. Barimoh Adogame Austin- Member (South South).

6. Barr. Rommy Mom- Member (North Central).

7. Dr. Nkemka Oshimiri Jombo-Ofo- Member (South East).

‪Senator Abdullahi Adamu seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the Committee on Police Affairs on the confirmation of the nomination of the above persons for appointment as Chairman and members of the Police Service Commission (PSC).‬

The Report was LAID.

MOTIONS
1. The demise of Mallam Adamu Ciroma (Dallatun Fika, Galadima Fika and Madakin Fika) by Senator Mohammed Hassan.

“We all feel this loss. We will miss his leadership and we hope that we who are still living will follow the tenets of his mentorship and live in the spirit of his lessons."- Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

“He was a consistent man. He was a hardworking and disciplined man and i pay my respects to this man and i wish that politicians of nowadays will learn from him and his passion for this nation."- Senator Theodore Orji.

“He was a committed, honest man who showed committment for the Rule of Law and Nigeria."- Senator Bukar Ibrahim.

“He was truly a humble man and showed respect for all regardless of social standing. This nation will truly feel his loss. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace."- Senator Bala Na’allah.


"There was a fun side to him. He was hilarious, he was funny, truly a good man. He was my friend and great man. May his gentle soul rest in peace."- Senator Ben Murray Bruce.

‪“He was indeed an African man. We all agree that he was a man full of knowledge. All of us that encountered him know that he was one of the best of us.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.‬

Senate resolved to:
I. Observe one minute silence in honour of Late Mallam Adamu Ciroma (Madakin Fika);

II. Send a high powered delegation of this Hallowed Chamber to condole his family and Fika Emirate in Potiskum; and

III. Urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to immortalize Mallam Adamu Ciroma by naming a national monument in his honour.

‪Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu announced the members of the delegation as: all Senators from Yobe State including Senators Bukar Abba, Jeremiah Useni, Theodore Orji, Ben Murray Bruce, Ubali Shittu, and led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu.‬

2. Alarming rise in cases of alleged human rights violations and consistent assault on the provisions of the 1999 Constitution by the Executive by Senator David Umaru.

“We are sliding into tyranny, autocracy or even totalitarianism. We must respect and value democracy and conform to certain standards. We are very concerned with the issues raised in this motion.”- Senator Shehu Sani.

“When we are out of this office, we must remember that our only shield will be these laws. There is no better way to fight corruption than to use the instrumentality of the law and make sure the common man is not haunted."- Senator Shehu Sani

“Let us try as much as possible to put politics aside. We have to put our heads together to face these challenges."- Senator Barau Jibrin.

"I fully align myself with all Senator Shehu Sani said. I have been a victim of Human Rights violation. The point is we should all be able to exercise all our Fundamental Human Rights freely.”- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe


“Those who held power yesterday are giving account today and so will we. No one is safe at this point."- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

“This is very important as the  issue of Rule of Law is not just fundamental, but also the backbone of every civilized nation."- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Senate resolved to:
I. Urge the Federal Government to urgently empanel a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate all cases of human rights abuse allegedly committed by the Police, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the course of discharging their duties with a view to identifying the culprits and victims and offering redress where necessary;

II. Call on the Federal Government to demonstrate practical commitment to the observance of the rule of law especially in ensuring obedience to court orders and following due process in fulfillment of its constitutional obligation;

III. Call on the Federal Government to take necessary measures and/or establish necessary structures to ensure that all constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens are protected and observed by its security and law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities;

IV. Call on the Federal Government to desist from further violation of the sacred principle of separation of powers and adopt the rule of law as the guiding principle of government actions; and

V. Summon the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami, SAN to appear before the Senate in plenary and explain to the Senate the Constitutional basis for the controversial Executive Order No. 006 and the other Executive Orders which have been issued by the President in clear usurpation of the law making functions of the National Assembly.

ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that all other items on the order paper be stood down to another legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Thursday, 12th July, 2018

#GavelBangs

Signed:
New Media Department,
Office of the President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.