The House of Representatives, during its plenary on Thursday, passed through the second reading several bills seeking to establish an Act to set timelines within which civil and criminal cases are heard, create Bende North Local Government Area from the existing Bende Local Government, involve the National Assembly in the process of negotiating treaties, and provide for the listing of the National Assembly Service Commission and State House of Assembly Service Commission as independent bodies.
The lawmakers also passed through the second reading bills aimed at establishing the University of Nigerian Languages, Aba, Abia State, and providing for the conduct of a population census every ten years.
The proposed legislations, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, alongside other lawmakers, were presented for a second reading by the House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere.
The bills include:
-
A Bill seeking to repeal the National Institute for Nigerian Languages Act, 2004, and enact provisions for the establishment of the University of Nigerian Languages, Aba, Abia State, to make comprehensive provisions for its management and administration and for related matters.
-
A Bill seeking to provide for the involvement of the National Assembly in the process of negotiating and entering into treaties with other countries.
-
A Bill seeking to provide for the listing of the National Assembly Service Commission and State House of Assembly Service Commission as independent bodies under Sections 158 and 197 respectively. This aims to enhance the independence of these commissions and designate the Clerk of the National Assembly and Clerks of State Houses of Assembly as Heads of Legislative Service at the national and sub-national levels.
Other bills include:
-
A Bill seeking to set timelines within which civil and criminal cases and matters are heard and determined at trial and appellate courts, aiming to eliminate unnecessary delays in the administration and delivery of justice.
-
A Bill seeking to provide for the creation of Bende North Local Government Area out of the present Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, while renaming the current Bende Local Government Area as Bende South Local Government Area.
-
A Bill seeking to provide for the conduct of a population census every ten years following the publication of a population census report by the President.
For the University of Nigerian Languages, Aba, Abia State, the Bill aims to upgrade the institute to a university to allow it to run degree programmes. It also seeks to promote the study and use of Nigerian languages, ensure that the legal framework of the institute conforms to the regulations of the National Universities Commission, and establish a university that fosters the study and use of Nigerian languages.
According to the explanatory memorandum of the census Bill, it seeks to mandate the conduct of a population census every ten years, following the publication of a population census report by the President.
The Bill’s draft states: “Section 213 of the Principal Act is altered by inserting after subsection (5), a new subsection ‘(5A)’ as follows: ‘(5A) There shall be a population census every ten years after publication by the President of a population census report in the official gazette of the government of the Federation.’
“Third Schedule, Part I, item-J of the Principal Act is altered by substituting the existing subparagraph (a), with a new subparagraph ‘(a)’ as follows: (a) undertake enumeration of the population every ten years through sample survey census or otherwise.”
Regarding the Bill on civil and criminal cases, it seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to establish a timeframe within which cases must be heard and determined at trial and appellate courts, aiming to address delays in justice administration.
The Bill’s draft specifies: “In any civil or criminal matter, except in election petitions, a trial superior court of record shall deliver its judgement in writing within 270 days from the date of the filing of the civil or criminal matter.
“In any civil or criminal matter, except in election petitions, a trial inferior court of record or tribunal shall deliver its judgement in writing within 210 days from the date of the filing of the civil or criminal matter.
“Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section: (a) A trial superior court of record may deliver its judgement in writing within 330 or more days, having regard to the circumstances of the matter and in particular to its complexity, the number of parties, witnesses, documents, or other exceptional circumstances; and (b) A trial inferior court of record may deliver its judgement in writing within 270 or more days, having regard to the circumstances of the matter and in particular to its complexity, the number of parties, witnesses, documents, or other exceptional circumstances.”
“An appeal arising from a civil or criminal matter, except in an election petition, shall be heard and judgement delivered in writing by an appellate court within 180 days from the date of filing of the appeal, or within such number of days not exceeding 270 days, having regard to the circumstances of the appeal, particularly its complexity, the calling of fresh evidence, or other exceptional circumstances.”
The treaties bill seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Altered) to provide for the involvement of the National Assembly in the process of negotiating and entering into treaties with other countries.
The bill specifically seeks to amend the constitution by inserting new subsections into the Principal Act to allow the National Assembly to make laws for the creation of treaties between the Federation and any other country on matters within the Exclusive Legislative List.
According to the draft, the President shall involve the National Assembly in the process of negotiating and entering into all treaties on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with any other country.
For the Bende bill, it seeks to alter the Constitution to provide for the creation of Bende North Local Government Area out of the present Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, and to rename the present Bende Local Government Area as Bende South Local Government Area of Abia State.
According to the explanatory memorandum, the First Schedule to the Principal Act is altered in the second column of the first row listing Local Government Areas in Abia State by deleting the word “Bende” and replacing it with “Bende North, Bende South.”
On the bill for the listing of the National Assembly Service Commission and the State House of Assembly Service Commission as independent bodies, it seeks to alter the Constitution to enhance their independence and clearly designate the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Clerks of the State Houses of Assembly as the Heads of Legislative Service at the national and sub-national levels, respectively.
According to the explanatory memorandum: “Substitute section 51 of the Principal Act with a new section ‘51’ – Staff of the National Assembly:
‘There shall be a Clerk to the National Assembly, who shall be the Head of the Legislative Service, and such other staff as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. The method of appointment of the Clerk and other staff shall be as prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.’
“Substitute section 93 of the Principal Act with a new section ‘93’ – Staff of the House of Assembly:
‘There shall be a Clerk to each State House of Assembly, who shall be the Head of the Legislative Service for that State, and such other staff as may be prescribed by a Law of that State House of Assembly. The method of appointment of the Clerk and other staff shall be as prescribed by that Law of the State House of Assembly made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.'”
When put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, it was supported by the lawmakers and passed.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then