The House of Representatives – Advent Cable Network Nigeria

Dare Summoned By Reps Over Doping Crisis At Tokyo Olympics

ACNN ADMIN — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 15:07:55 +0000

The House of Representatives has begun investigation of the disqualification of Nigerian athletes at the 2020 Olympics over alleged doping, asking the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, to come and explain the preparedness of the Nigerian contingent for the sports festival.

The resolutions followed the unanimous adoption of a motion at the plenary on Wednesday titled, ‘Need to Investigate Activities of the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development on Failed Doping Test by Nigeria Athletes at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.’

Consequently, the House resolved to “invite the Minister of Sports and Youth Development (sic) to brief the Committee on Sports on the level of Nigeria’s compliance with extant regulations set by the International Association of Athletics Federations and the independent anti-doping arm, Athletics Integrity Unit.”

The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to put necessary measures in place to ensure compliance with extant regulations at both local and international competitions, while mandating the Committee on Sports to “investigate the immediate and remote cause of the failed doping test to forestall future occurrence.”

Moving the motion, Mr Babatunde Ayeni said the Nigerian delegation to the Olympic Games fared well in terms of performance, thereby raising the country’s rating the comity of nations.

Ayeni recalled the outstanding performance of the Nigerian Football Team which bagged the historic first soccer gold medal at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, United States of America.

The lawmaker lamented the incident of July 20, 2021, where the Athletics Integrity Unit of the International Association of Athletics Federations barred 10 Nigerian athletes, including the highly-rated Blessing Okagbare, from the Tokyo Olympics for failing to meet requirements for out-of-competition drug testing.

He recalled that the Athletics Integrity Unit alleged that Okagbare, who won the opening heat of the Women’s 100 meters, had tested positive for human growth hormone.

Ayeni added, “The House is also aware that the allegation further affirmed that the affected athletes failed to comply with the rules requiring those from countries deemed to be at high risk of doping to undergo three no-notice out-of-competition tests in a 10 months’ period leading up to a major event.

“The House is concerned that despite the huge funds being made available yearly for the regulatory agencies in the sports sector, adequate efforts have not been made to get Nigeria into the category where they would be deemed to have made significant improvements in anti-doping tests.”

Source: The Punch

Reps List Naira Devaluation Losses, Ask CBN To Halt Trend

ACNN ADMIN — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 15:25:01 +0000

The House of Representatives has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria to urgently put in place a policy to check further devaluation of the naira to the United States dollar and other international legal tenders.

The House decried that while the Nigerian currency was losing value, others in African were appreciating.

At the plenary on Wednesday, the House unanimously adopted a motion moved by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Pensions, Mr Bamidele Salam, which warned the CBN of the implications of further devaluing the naira.

The motion was titled, ‘Matter of urgent public importance on the need for the Central Bank of Nigeria to urgently put in place monetary policies to stop the free fall of the naira against the dollar and other international legal tenders.’

Salam recalled that Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, while addressing the Bankers’ Committee at a summit on the economy in Lagos earlier in February, informed the committee about the naira devaluation against the dollar.

The lawmaker also quoted Emefiele as saying at the summit that the official exchange rate stood at N410 to the dollar.

“That is 7.6 per cent weaker than the rate of N379 published on the central bank’s website,” Salam noted.

According to the lawmaker, while the value of the naira relative to the dollar had declined by nine per cent in the last six months, the South African rand and Ghanaian cedi had appreciated by 11.4 per cent and one per cent, respectively.

Salam also recalled that the CBN adopted multiple exchange rates in 2020, in a bid to avoid an outright devaluation.

He noted that the official rate used as a basis for budget preparation and other official transactions differed from a closely controlled exchange rate for investors and exporters known as the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Rate Fixing Methodology.

He stressed that the naira had traded in a tight range between N400 and N410, while the NAFEX rate was different from the parallel market, considered illegal by the CBN, where the naira closed at 502.

Salam said, “The House is concerned that devaluation is likely to cause inflation because imports will be more expensive – any imported goods or raw material will increase in price; aggregate demand increases, causing demand-pull inflation. Firms/exporters have less incentive to cut costs because they can rely on the devaluation to improve competitiveness.

“The concern is that the long-term devaluation may lead to lower productivity because of the decline in incentives.

“The House is further concerned that devaluation of the naira makes it more difficult for Nigerian youths especially in the IT sector, whose businesses are online and must necessarily transact businesses in the US dollars.

“It also reduces real wages. In a period of low wage growth, a devaluation that causes rising import prices will make many consumers feel worse off.”

Source: Punch

Reps Move To Legalise State Security Outfits

ACNN ADMIN — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 12:19:31 +0000

Members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed support for a bill which seeks to give legal backing to established security outfits at the subnational level across the country.

The lawmakers expressed the support during the debate on the bill which seeks to amend the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) with a view to giving legal backing to State Security Outfit to Complement the Nigeria Police Force; and for related matters.

The private member bill which scaled through Second Reading was sponsored by Honourable Oberuakpefe Anthony Afe.

Afe explained that the bill seeks to provide community security outfits to assist the Nigerian Police in different communities of Nigeria as the pockets of violence seem to have overwhelmed and overstretched the police personnel.

He stated that the security needs of Nigeria cannot be left to measures that have proven to have less effect and many challenges.

As a progressive parliament, he stated, the House needs to rise to the challenge using the legal and legislative backing of the constitution review for the benefit of Nigerians.

The bill was voted, passed for the second reading and referred to Special Ad-hoc Committee on the Constitution Review.

Also at plenary, the House called on President Muhammadu Buhari to embark on massive recruitment of security personnel of the country to boost the security system.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Honourable Mansur Soro on the need to ensure security of all the citizens across the country.

Soro, who frowned on the audacity of bandits raiding various communities across the country with disregard for security presence or fear for constituted authorities, lamented that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes move around terrorising communities and fully armed in large numbers in broad daylight.

Source: Nigerian Tribune

Reps Investigate Legality Of Twitter Ban Invites Lai Mohammed

ACNN ADMIN — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 15:30:03 +0000

Members of the House Representatives have resolved to invite the Minister of Culture and Information, Lai Mohammed in a bid to investigate the legality of the Twitter ban by the Federal Government.

The decision was reached on Tuesday during plenary.

The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, in his speech directed the House Committees on Justice, Commerce, and Information to investigate the process that led to the suspension of the microblogging site.

The Speaker said the House recognises that Twitter is a very important means of communication.

According to him, the social networking service has been used for both good and bad and the legislature must make sure that the policies of government are in accordance with the law and do not have adverse consequences on the people.

He directed relevant committees of the House to constitute a single committee and commence investigation into the circumstances surrounding the ban, and its legality.

The committee, however, agreed to invite the Minister of Information on the matter.

While the deliberation was ongoing, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers walked out after its caucus leader, Kingsley Chinda was ruled out of order by the Speaker amid the rowdy session.

Mr. Chinda had prayed the House to urge the Federal Government to suspend the ban while the House investigation is ongoing as directed by the Speaker.

This comes after the Federal Government of Nigeria had last week announced the indefinite suspension of Twitter in the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed while announcing the suspension cited the persistent use of the platform for activities that are “capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.”

Following the announcement, telecom operators in Nigeria blocked the microblogging site Twitter, making users unable to have access to the website.

To this effect, some navigated the hurdle using Virtual Private Networks (VPN).

The decision of the Federal Government has led to various reactions from the envoys of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union in Nigeria among others insisting that the suspension of Twitter, is a violation of the fundamental human right of freedom of expression.

Source: Channels tv

Gulak: Insecurity Now Worse In Imo Under APC – Reps Minority Caucus

ACNN ADMIN — Mon, 31 May 2021 14:33:16 +0000

The minority caucus in the House of Representatives has said it is alarmed by the gruesome killing of Adamawa State-born Ahmed Gulak, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to former President Goodluck Jonathan, by gunmen in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Sunday.

According to the caucus, insecurity is now worse in Imo State after the All Progressives Congress began to govern the state.

The caucus, in a statement issued by the Minority Leader of the House, Ndudi Elumelu, described the assassination of Gulak as “wicked and barbaric”, urging the police and other security agencies to fish out the assailants.

The statement was titled ‘Reps Minority Caucus Alarmed, Condemns Gulak’s Killing…Demands Justice.’

The opposition lawmakers said, “We urge that those behind this assassination be immediately made to face the full wrath of the law. Moreover, the minority caucus is heavily disturbed by the worsening insecurity, violence and killings in Imo, particularly since the All Progressives Congress administration took over the state.

“As representatives of the people, our caucus believes that the situation has gone beyond the capacity of the government of Imo State, especially given its failure to gain control since inception.

“The Minority caucus, therefore, urges urgent security and constitutional steps to check rising violent activities, restore law and order and bring the tense situation in the state under control.

Source: PUNCH

House Of Reps Suspend Constitution Review Hearing In Imo, Abia Based On Security Threats

ACNN ADMIN — Mon, 31 May 2021 10:45:34 +0000

The House of Representatives has suspended its constitution review hearing scheduled to hold in Imo and Abia States. This suspension was contained in a communique by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Idris Wase.

Rep Wase who serves also as the Chairman, House Special Committee on Constitution Review noted in his statement on Sunday that “The House of Representatives Special Committee on Constitution Review Zonal Public Hearing scheduled to take place in Owerri Central (Imo and Abia States) on Tuesday, 1st and Wednesday, 2nd June 2021, has been suspended until further notice.”

This suspension of the constitution review hearing in the two South-Eastern states comes on the heels of the gruesome murder of a former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Gulak who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was brutally murdered while he was on his way to catch a flight at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri.

Source: Channels tv

The Jewellery Forfeited By Diezani Is Valued At N14.4bn – EFCC

ACNN ADMIN — Fri, 28 May 2021 14:47:49 +0000

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has rated the pieces of jewellery seized from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and have been valued at about N14.460 bn.

AbdulRasheed Bawa, Chairman of the EFCC, told the House of Representatives on Friday 28 of May.

Mr. Bawa disclosed the “estimated value” of the forfeited pieces of jewellery to an ad hoc committee of the House probing the status of recovered loot at an investigative hearing.

It was a shocking revelation to the members of the committee and the audience at the venue. The EFCC boss also told the lawmakers that the houses finally forfeited by the Ex-minister have been valued at about $80m.

House Of Reps Moves To Scrap NYSC As Bill Reaches Second Reading

ACNN ADMIN — Tue, 25 May 2021 10:22:58 +0000

There is a debate that is to commence on the continuity of NYSC by the House of Rep. This is based on the general principles of a bill which seeks scrapping of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) which was established on the May 22,1973, under Decree No. 24 of 1973 as a way of reconciling and reintegrating Nigerians after the civil war which occurred between July 6, 1967, and January 15, 1970.

This bill which seeks to alter the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by repealing Section 315(5a) and for related matters, was sponsored by Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante (PDP-Rivers).

The proposed bill which scaled through First Reading last week is expected to be slated for the Second reading on the legislative date to be determined by the House Committee on Rules and Business.

Following the Clause 1 of the bill seen by Tribune Online, Hon Abiante proposed the amendment of Section 315 (5a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is hereby – Section 315(5a) repealed thus Section 315(5a, b and c now read: “Nothing in this Constitution shall invalidate the following enactments, that is to say: the Public Complaints Commission Act; the National Security Agencies Act; the Land Use Act and the provisions of those enactments shall continue to apply and have full effect in accordance with their tenor and to the like extent as any other provisions forming part of this Constitution and shall not be altered or repealed except in accordance with the provisions of Section 9(2) of this Constitution.

As stipulated in the Explanatory Memorandum of the proposed amendment, the bill “seeks to repeal Section 315 (5) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) on the following grounds: Incessant killing of innocent Corps Members in some parts of the Country due to banditry, religion extremism and ethnic violence as well as incessant kidnapping of innocent corps members across the country.

The proposed bill also stressed other challenges facing the scheme such as; public and private agencies/departments are no longer recruiting able and qualified Nigerian youths, thus relying heavily on the availability of Corps Members who are not being well paid, and get discarded with impunity at the end of their service year without any hope of being gainfully employed;

“Due to insecurity across the country, the National Youth Service Corps Management now give considerations to posting corps members to their geo-political zone, thus defeating one of the objectives of setting up the Service Corps i.e. developing common ties among the Nigerian youths and promote national unity and integration.”

Speaking, he said, “many corps members are being used by their employers for jobs that have no bearing on the skills acquired at institutions of higher learning, thus making them unemployable after their service year.

“The available camp facilities/officials are grossly inadequate to contain the number of Nigerian graduates participating in the scheme, thus creating unpleasant situations to the corps members during the orientation programme.”

REPS ISSUE BENCH WARRANT ON EFCC BOSS IBRAHIM MAGU

ACNN NEWS — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 02:35:08 +0000

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant against the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu for refusing to appear before it.

The Committee had severally invited Magu to appear before it on a petition by former first lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan.

It said that Magu should be arrested and presented before it on Nov. 7, after his failure to appear before the panel despite several invitations.

Mrs Jonathan had some of her accounts frozen by some banks following an investigation launched by the EFCC. But a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ordered that all the accounts should be unfrozen.

The former first lady consequently sent a petition to the House against the EFCC, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among others, alleging harassment from them.

At the continuation of sitting on the petition in Abuja, the committee, which gave Magu up to Oct. 4 to appear, lamented that the EFCC chairman was nonchalant on the matter.

The panel, chaired by Rep Uzoma Nkem-Abonta (Abia-PDP), said it had sent several letters inviting the EFCC chairman to appear and clear the air on the directive the commission gave some banks to freeze Mrs Jonathan’s accounts.

A member of the committee, Rep Kingsley Chinda ( PDP-Rivers), consequently moved that a bench warrant be issued against Magu to appear before the panel on the next adjourned date.

All the members of the committee present at the sitting supported the motion.

The chairman of the committee then ruled that a bench warrant be issued against Magu.

Meanwhile, the committee directed Mrs Jonathan’s lawyers to sit with the managements of Zenith Bank, Eco Bank, First Bank and Fidelity Bank to address the issue of the court order asking the banks to unfreeze her accounts.

The committee also discharged Union Bank as it fully complied with an earlier directive to unfreeze Mrs Jonathan’s accounts.

The committee had a fortnight ago directed all the affected banks to unfreeze Mrs Jonathan’s accounts that do not have any pending court orders or official communication from the EFCC to do so.