The Senate has in apparent response to public outrage, agreed to suspend the proposed amendment of the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
The amendment bills, which were sponsored by senators loyal to the embattled Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, received rare accelerated action as they were passed for second reading within 48 hours after they were first read on the floor of the Senate.
Organized labour, lawyers and some senators had condemned the timing of the proposed amendment of these Acts, claiming it was a ploy to weaken the Code of Conduct Tribunal especially, before whom Mr. Saraki is standing trial on 13-count charges bordering on false assets declaration while he was governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.
The decision to step down the proposed amendments was taken on Wednesday during an executive session of upper chamber.
The Senate also agreed to “put a stop at (sic) all things that has divided the house even as the petition against Senator Kabiru Marafa is stepped down”.
Senator Marafa (APC/Zamfara) is the spokesman of the Unity Forum, a group of senators opposed to Saraki’s leadership of the Senate.
Senate now agrees to put a stop at all things that has divided the house even as the petition against Senator Kabiru Marafa is stepped down.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) April 20, 2016
Senate also suspends the Amendment of the CCB/T Act and the ACJ Act.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) April 20, 2016
Senate also decides to stand with Senate President @bukolasaraki in his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) April 20, 2016
Senate to also set up a 12-Man Reconciliation Committee comprising 2 Senators from each geopolitical zone.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) April 20, 2016
Senate also decides that Senators who have pending cases in Court should withdraw such cases.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) April 20, 2016
