Breaking: Senate Makes U-Turn On Proposed Amendment To CCB, CCT Act

The Nigerian Senate has abandoned the planned amendment to the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

The controversial move which was speedily forwarded by the Senate was met with a large public outcry after it speedily scaled two readings last week, forcing the red chamber of the National Assembly to make a u-turn on the bill.

Titled “Code of Conduct Act Cap C15 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2016”, the Senate sought to transfer the control of both the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the Code of Conduct Bureau from the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) to the National Assembly or the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

This came in the wake of the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over alleged false declaration of Assets, with many Nigerians; including some senators, decrying the insensitivity and high-handedness of the upper chamber.

In its sitting on Wednesday, the Senate bowed to public pressure and decided unanimously to stand down the bill.

This could also mean a suspension of the summons sent by the Senate to Justice Danladi Umar of the CCT, who was expected to appear before the Senate on Thursday, April 21.

Taking to his Twitter handle (@benmurraybruce) Senator Ben Burray Bruce (PDP) wrote:

“Today, rising from our meeting, the Senate has decided with one voice to stand-down the amendment of the CCT Act.”

The senate has been increasingly under the spotlight lately following their alleged purchase of 108 Toyota Land Cruisers worth N36 million each amidst the prevailing cash crunch, even as its president, Saraki, fights to clear his name at the CCT.

Credit: Twitter ((@benmurraybruce)