House Steps Down Bill Enhancing Powers of FCT Sharia Courts

Backs appointment of ministers, commissioners within one month

Damilola Oyedele fulfil certain conditions such as a breach of registration requirements and failure to win either a presidential, governorship, local government seats or secure a seat in the National Assembly or state legislatures.

On financial autonomy for state legislatures, Ekweremadu said Section 121 of the Constitution was amended to guarantee a first line charge funding for State Houses of Assembly from the consolidated revenue fund of the state.

On status of the FCT, he said Sections 256, 299, 300, 301 and 302 of the Constitution were amended to create the office of an elected Mayor for the FCT with powers to administer the FCT by exercising all functions currently being administered by the Minister of the FCT.

He said an amendment was also effected to regulate the nomination of ministers and commissioners national polity, leading to rumours that Sharia law was being introduced in the country.

A group of lawmakers on Tuesday had also proposed a bill seeking the establishment of Ecclesiastical Court of Appeal.

The Sharia Bill was stood down despite being listed on the order paper.

It was stepped down as the adding that Sections 147 and 192 of the Constitution had been amended to ensure that appointees of the executive are not assigned portfolios prior to confirmation by the Senate or State House of Assembly.

The amendment also provides for a period of 60 days within which such nominations shall be forwarded to the Senate or state House of Assembly after inauguration.

The deputy senate president further said the constitution was amended to remove the law-making power of the executive under Section 315 because “the extant provision is starkly contrary to Section four of the Constitution which confers law-making powers exclusively on the legislature.”

On judiciary, he said Sections 233, 237, 247, 251 and Part I of the Third Schedule of the constitution were amended to provide for all appeals from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court to be by the sponsor was not at plenary.

The implication however is that the bill, which is one of those scheduled for consideration at the constitutional review retreat happening in Abeokuta, Ogun State, this weekend, would be temporarily discarded.

Meanwhile, the House also passed through second reading, a bill seeking to mandate presidents and governors to leave of the Supreme Court except in the case of interpretation of the constitution, death sentences and fundamental human rights.

He added that amendments of clauses on judiciary were done to allow two justices of the Court of Appeal sitting in chambers to dispose any application for leave to appeal court after considering the records of proceedings if the justices believe that in the interest of justice it does not require an oral hearing of the application.

He disclosed that an amendment sought to establish a criminal division of the Federal High Court to try electoral offences, terrorism cases, economic and financial crimes cases, among others.

The amendment also provides for appeals from the decisions of the National Industrial Court to go to the Court of Appeal.

Similarly, the judiciary provisions amendments provide appoint their cabinets within a month of their inauguration.

Sponsored by Hon. Solomon Adaelu (Abia PDP), seeks to amend sections 147 and 192 of the 1999 Constitution to provide that the nomination for appointment of ministers and commissioners shall be made not later that 30 days from the date the president or governor takes the oath of office. for 12 justices of the Court of Appeal to be learned in Labour and Employment Matters for the purpose of hearing appeals from the National Industrial Court.

The report also provides for devolution of powers, as Ekweremadu said the Second Schedule, Part I and II of the Constitution were altered to decongest the exclusive legislative list to give more powers to states.

According to him, this will enhance the principle of federalism and good governance, disclosing further that “it substituted Post and Telegraphs” with “Post and Telecommunications”, and moved pensions, prisons, railways, stamp duties and wages from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list and added arbitration, environment, healthcare, housing, road safety, pensions, land and agriculture, youths, public complaints to the concurrent list.”