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Senate Warns Against Sale Of N’ Theatre, Tafawa Belewa Square …Summons IGP Over Killings …As Dariye Co-Sponsors Motion From Prison
The Senate has reaffirmed its commitment to the non-sale of the National Theatre, Tafawa Balewa Square and other national monuments. This is sequel to the adoption of the report of its Committee on Culture and Tourism at plenary, yesterday.
Presenting the report, the chairman of the committee, Sen. Fatimat Raji-Rasaki said the committee was instructed to examine monuments across the country and report back.
According to her, the committee traveled to Lagos and other parts of the country to assess the monuments and recommends that, given their historic and monetary value, they should not be disposed of.
The chairman further said the committee came to a conclusion that some other monuments, which were hitherto not recognised as national monuments should be given that status.
“Senate debated motion on proposed sale of the National Theatre and Tafawa Balewa Square and mandated the committee to work on it and report to back. “This followed the motion I moved on December 20, 2017 on Federal Government’s plan to sell the monuments.
“The Tafawa Balewa Square was instrumental to our history and the National Theatre was built for all blacks gathered to gather to celebrate the uniqueness of the black race. “The committee traveled to all the locations of all the monuments across the country and has concluded work on 32 edifices. Eight natural sites and four technological edifices,” she said.
Contributing, Senator Shehu Sani (PRP-Kaduna), said the monuments were important to Nigeria’s history and should not be sold off.
He added that selling them off would be a great mistake as the historic identity attached to them would be erased, while generations to come would not have any sense of Nigeria’s history. “When we travel to other countries we visit historic monuments, and adding to revenue generation in those countries.
“It therefore behooves on us to keep ours for visitors to have where visit and for generations unborn to have a sense of our history. “I visited Benin Republic monuments and the Slave Castle in Ghana among other countries and I saw how much they generate from them,”he said.
The lawmaker urged parents to take their wards to historic places to teach them the country’s history rather than just visiting eateries and amusement parks.
He advocated that rather than selling them, the country should find a way of funding and maintaining them. Senator Yusuf Yusuf (APC-Taraba) said since the position of the senate is not to sell them, workable strategies needed to be evolved to manage them properly.
“Selling may not be the best option but what do we do. I hear the square is under concession but is not well managed,” he said. In his remarks, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over plenary, said the monuments should be maintained rather than being sold off. “We need to maintain them and try a structured concession.
There is no gainsaying the fact that monuments that should be maintained to be part of our history. “Some other ones should be identified in the course of time and as we evolve as a country to be named as national monuments,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Senate has summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to appear before the upper chamber and brief it on increasing spate of killings in different parts of the country.
This followed a 10-prayer motion by Senator Shehu Sani at plenary, yesterday.
The bill titled, “Senseless Killing of a Briton and Abduction of Three Others in a Holiday Resort in Kaduna State by Bandits” was co-sponsored by all other lawmakers.
The Senate also urged security agencies to immediately deploy drones and interceptors in tracking kidnappers that were asking for ransom.
It equally urged the Federal Government to set up an inter-agency task force to tackle cases of banditry and kidnapping in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Niger States.
Furthermore, the Upper Chamber urged security agencies to give special cover to foreign workers and tourists.
It also urged telecommunication companies to provide security agencies with information in areas where kidnappings were taking place.
Presenting the motion, Sani expressed concern over the spate of killings
Contributing, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, said the creation of state police was one of the major solutions to cases of killings in the country.
He further urged kidnap victims to open up on the hideouts and activities of kidnappers, to assist security agencies in arresting them.
“Kidnap victims should learn to open up and narrate their ordeal so that their hideouts can be traced.
“For instance, some people were kidnapped some time ago and one of them was a customs officer.
“They manhandled him more than their other captors and the ransom demanded from him was more than that of others.
“As they kept beating him, a lady advised him to pretend to be a fake customs officer and that was how they brought down the ransom from N10 million.
“From what has happened to the Briton it is time we tackle this menace. It is becoming an embarrassment to the country, so, if it means declaring an emergency it is necessary.
“We need to declare a national state of emergency to enable the government put in place measures to end this problem.”
Sen. Joshua Lidani (PDP-Gombe) said the development if not addressed as soon as possible would greatly affect tourism and investment, among others.
He said, “It has become a routine to observe a minute silence and it is disheartening.
“The implication of the spate of killings in the country is enormous. It affects tourism as countries might begin to warn their nationals against coming to Nigeria.
“Every day we are inundated with reports on killing and kidnapping; in fact, armed robbery is no longer in vogue. If not tackled we will not have an investment in this country.
“Nigeria is becoming a killing field and this will have an effect on investment and tourism. We need to do something drastic, something unusual that we have not done before.
“We need to mobilise the military to those areas and we should not be shy of asking for help, “he said.
Sen. Babba Kaita (APC-Katsina) called for specific suggestions on how to tackle the problem.
He said it was a collective fight that must not be left for the Executive alone.
The lawmaker said, “We should marshal out plans from the chambers of this Senate to secure this country.”
The Deputy Minority Whip, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha also called for the creation of state police.
He also called for synergy between the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) vigilance groups and locals of affected states, adding that such move would drastically reduce the menace.
“We also need massive military deployment to these flashpoints, as well as come up with capital punishments for these crimes.”
Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC-Zamfara) said, “The North is at war. Unless something is done, I am afraid that in the next two to three years, the situation might be out of control.
“This has become a business because there is technically no business in the north. The way forward is to fight corruption and set standards.”
Senator Andrew Uchendu (APC-Rivers) said the major reason for the menace was the high level of unemployment.
He noted that “until our youth are engaged, this problem will continue”.
“We need to find appropriate economic policies to engage idle hands.”
The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said it was time workable solutions were employed to nip the problem in the bud.
‘’When we talk about the way forward, we need to be honest with ourselves because in addressing these issues we need to be frontal on what has led us to where we are today.
“We must look beyond our political parties and see it as a problem that all of us need to address.
“Where there is a fault, we must be bold enough to say where the fault is and where there are sanctions we must be bold as well to say so,” he said.
Saraki expressed optimism that with the new Police boss, the relationship between the National Assembly would improve.
He said, “You have all been in this chamber for one year and noticed that we could not even communicate, converse or engage with the Nigeria Police.
“You were all here when the Head of Police refused to even come before us.
“How can we work together to move things forward because, at the end of the day, we must begin to sit down with those in charge and discuss what we need to do.
On the death of Faye Mooney, the Briton killed in Kaduna recently, the president of the Senate said it was unfortunate.
“Here is a lady that used to work in Iraq and Kosovo and did not die until she came to Nigeria. That does not portray this country in a positive way at all.
“As the Deputy Senate President and Senator Lidani said, there are going to be questions of people coming to invest in a country like this.
On efforts made by the legislature in the past, Saraki said, “If you recollect we invited the heads of security agencies and directed them to submit to us what they need and there was no response till date.
“So, what I think is that we should take it up from here. We should not get discouraged.
“We should go back and review where we are and find a way for our committees to re-engage the heads of our security agencies,” he said.
In another development, the Senate, yesterday, listed Senator Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central), who is currently serving 10-year jail term, as a co-sponsor of a motion on insecurity in Kaduna State and the attendant killings.
Dariye’s name was number 89 on the Order Paper, alongside those of 107 senators who had supported the motion.
At the plenary, yesterday, the upper chamber of the National Assembly considered and adopted the motion entitled, ‘Senseless Killing of a Briton and the Abduction of Three Others in a Holiday Resort in Kaduna State by Armed Bandits.’
The lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani, sponsored the motion, together with 107 other lawmakers, including Senator Joshua Dariye, who is currently in jail.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had prosecuted Dariye for fraud he committed while he was governor of Plateau State.
Unanimously adopting the motion, the lawmakers resolved to observe a minute’s silence in honour of the departed souls, while urging the security authorities to intensify the search for the perpetrators and bring them to book.
The Senate also urge the Federal Government to set up an inter-agency task force to tackle cases of banditry and kidnapping in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Niger states, while urging security agencies to give special security cover to foreign workers and tourists.
The lawmakers also urged security agencies to “immediately deploy the use of drones and interceptors in tracking kidnappers asking for ransom,” while advising community and traditional rulers and all stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies.
Other resolutions were to “urge telecommunication companies to provide security agencies with information in areas where there are kidnappings; and urge Senate to send a delegation to the British embassy and condole the British Government.”
The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, made an additional prayer to invite Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Adamu Mohammed, to appear before it “next week” and explain the spate of insecurity across Nigeria.
The prayer was unanimously granted.
Moving the motion, Sani condemned the attack on a holiday resort in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the killing of a 29-year-old Briton, Faye Mooney and another Nigerian, Mr. Mathew Oguche, and the abduction of three others on April 19, 2019.
He said, “The Senate notes with sympathy and total dismay, the wave and spate of armed banditry and kidnappings in most parts of the country, from the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western parts of the country without a formidable and technological approach to fighting the heinous crime.
“In recent times, the attacks on individuals, houses and villages have become one too many, and there is no single person that has been brought to book as a result of the wanton killings; and the so-much-emphasised efforts at combating the crime is not yielding fruitful results.
“The Senate is more worried due to the fact that perpetrators of these heinous activities tend to be gaining more courage to perpetuate their dastardly acts without fear of confrontation due to their acclaimed superior fire power.”
Sani recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, earlier in the year, had ordered senior security chiefs to curb kidnappings in the region when four western tourists – two Americans and two Canadians – were abducted in Kaduna in an ambush in January, which left two of their police escorts dead.
The lawmaker warned that the recurrence of “this banditry where foreigners and tourists are involved may put Nigeria’s diplomatic relationship on the line, thereby raising red flag to other tourists who may wish to visit Nigeria.”
Sani said in parts, “The northern part of Nigeria has become a theatre of killings and kidnappings, especially in states like Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger. Kajuru in Kaduna State is notorious for killings and kidnappings.
“Worthy of concern also is the spate of killings and kidnappings that have found base in Zamfara and Niger states.
“In Munya Local Government Area of Niger State, over 20 housewives were kidnapped; and areas such as Kushaka, Kurebe, Pandogari, Gidigori, Kusherki, Koregi, and Alawa, Kwaki, Bataro, Chikuba, Shafa, Kauri, Zazzaga in Rafi Local Government Area are under serious siege by the kidnappers.
“Other areas under siege include Kakangi, Gayam, Dan Canji, Maganda, Dawari and Kazage. Distinguished colleagues, you will be astonished to hear that the kidnappers had the audacity to write and warn the member representing Birnin Gwari/Giwa in the House of Representatives, Hon. Hassan Adamu Shekara, warning him of his activities, thereby forcing him to evacuate his family from the area.
“Distinguished colleagues, as I present this motion, negotiation is ongoing to pay ransom for the abductees of the Kujuru incident. The abductors had earlier demanded for N60million as ransom.”
However, the Senate has passed the Federal Cooperative Colleges Bill, 2019.
The Bill, titled Senate Bill 418, was read for the third time, yesterday, during the plenary and then passed.
Earlier, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano North) had presented the report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the National Commission for Colleges of Education Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2019 (SB. 561).
The Senator representing Kaduna Central at the Senate, Shehu Sani, seconded it, and urged the Senate to consider it.
The Senate then dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill; following which the Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress of the Bill.
The National Commission for Colleges of Education Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2019 (SB. 561) was then read for the third time and passed.
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, thanked the senators for the conclusion of the Bill, saying “it would provide avenues for young people in the education sector of our economy.”
In the same vein, the Report on the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND on the Federal Cooperative Colleges Bill, 2019 (SB. 418) was presented by Senator Barau Jibrin.
It was titled Senate Bill 418.
Senator Aliyu Sabi (APC-Niger North) seconded that the Senate should consider the report, following which Jibrin presented the report.
The Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause-by-clause consideration of the Federal Cooperative Colleges Bill, 2019 (SB. 418).
The Bill was also read the third time and passed.
A bill to amend the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, which mandates compulsory counselling and training for individuals convicted of corruption-related offences, was sponsored by Kayode Akiolu (APC-Lagos) during plenary on Wednesday.
Leading the debate, Mr Akiolu explained that the bill sought to amend Section 67 of the principal act, introducing new provisions that were not part of the original section.
“These additional provisions, found in subsections 2, 3, and 4 of the amendment bill, require judges and magistrates to not only impose imprisonment and/or fines on those convicted of corruption but also mandate a minimum four-week anti-corruption counselling and training.
“The counselling and training will be designed and delivered by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) and aims to address the psychological factors related to corrupt behaviour,” Mr Akiolu said.
Mr Akiolu emphasised that the training would help reform convicts by addressing their corrupt tendencies and could even transform them into advocates for anti-corruption efforts.
He added that this approach aligned with the reformative aspect of the criminal justice system, which focused on punishment and rehabilitation.
“As per subsection 4, the bill allows magistrates and judges to order convicts to cover the cost of their counselling and training, preventing additional financial burdens on the government,” the lawmaker noted.
Mr Akiolu further argued that if the bill is passed into law, it would strengthen the country’s fight against corruption.
Given the widespread negative impact of corruption, he urged the House to support the bill for the country’s benefit.
Following the debate, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas referred the bill to the relevant committee for further legislative consideration.
The Judiciary and the Media are key pillars of democracy, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has said.
Kekere-Ekun made this statement in her address at the 2024 National Conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC).
The CJN was represented by Mr Abdulaziz Olumo, the Secretary of the National Judicial Institute (NJI).
“ The judiciary and the media occupy unique and complementary roles in any democratic society.
“ The judiciary serves as the guardian of justice, equity, and the rule of law, the media acts as the conscience of society, disseminating information, shaping public opinion, and ensuring accountability.
“ Together, these institutions provide checks and balances that strengthen the fabric of democracy,” she said.
Quoting Felix Frankfurter, a former U.S. Supreme Court Justice, she said: free press is not to be preferred to an independent judiciary, nor an independent judiciary to a free press. Neither has primacy over the other; both are indispensable to a free society.”
The CJN said this dynamic interdependence between the judiciary and the media presents opportunities and challenges alike.
“ The media is entrusted with the responsibility of informing the public about judicial activities, the judiciary relies on accurate and ethical reportage to enhance public confidence in its work.
“ However, the inherent power of the media to influence public opinion requires careful management, especially when its focus turns to judicial proceedings.
“ The question posed by Robert J.Cordy, a former Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, is pertinent here: “What happens when the free press turns its sights on the courts-scrutinizing, sensationalizing, and exposing the frailties of the judiciary while questioning its ethical standards and performance?”
“The media’s capacity to shape narratives and perceptions is undeniable” she said.
Quoting Jim Morrison , she said “Whoever controls the media controls the mind.”
According to her, this underscores the immense responsibility placed on journalists to report truthfully, fairly, and objectively.
“ Unfortunately, the commercialisation of news and external influences have led to the rise of sensationalism-a practice that distorts facts, erodes trust, and undermines the very essence of journalism.
“ Sensationalised headlines, such as the infamous 2016 headline “We raided the houses of ‘corrupt, unholy’ judges, says DSS,” can paint a skewed picture of the judiciary and its officers. Such reporting, often devoid of context, compromises the integrity of the justice system and misleads the public.
“ Closely tied to this is the issue of “trial by media,” where premature and often biased media narratives prejudge cases and infringe on the constitutional rights of individuals” she said.
She added that as Mahatma Gandhi rightly observed, “The sole aim of journalism should be service.” It is imperative for media practitioners to remain steadfast in their commitment to truth and objectivity.
To this end, she advised, the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents to take proactive steps to regulate the activities of its members.
“ This is not merely about enforcing rules but about fostering professionalism and safeguarding the credibility of the media.
“ The judiciary and the media must work as partners in progress.
“ To bridge the gap between these institutions, there is a pressing need for constructive engagement and mutual understanding.
“ Courts can provide the media with guidelines on judicial processes, courtroom decorum, and the nuances of court proceedings.
She noted that globally, courts have adopted initiatives to support the media’s role in reporting judicial matters.
For instance, she said the Supreme Court of Dakota’s media guide outlines protocols for courtroom reporting, while the UK ‘s Media Guidance document provides clarity on access and etiquette for journalists.
“ These examples demonstrate how structured collaboration can enhance the quality of judicial reportage.
“ In Nigeria, we can take a cue from these models by developing a comprehensive media guide tailored to our judicial landscape.
“ This initiative, which would involve inputs from NAJUC and judicial stakeholders, would not only enhance media access to courtrooms but also ensure that judicial activities are accurately and responsibly reported” she said.
She advocated that judiciary correspondents must make deliberate efforts to familiarise themselves with the rules and procedures of the courts.
She added that understanding these frameworks will enable journalists to navigate the complexities of judicial proceedings effectively and responsibly.
“ Training programs such as this conference play a crucial role in equipping judiciary correspondents with the knowledge and skills needed to report judicial matters accurately.
“ The theme of this year’s conference, “The Role of Courts in Enforcement of Judgments,” is both timely and significant, as it addresses an aspect of judicial work that is critical to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice.
“ I commend NAJUC for its commitment to promoting accountability and transparency through its engagements with the judiciary.
“ As I conclude, I must emphasize the importance of credible journalism in strengthening public trust in the judiciary” she said.
She urged judiciary correspondents to prioritise the pursuit of truth and objectivity, resist undue influences, and remain steadfast in their commitment to ethical standards.
She commended the leadership of NAJUC, under the chairmanship of Mr Kayode Lawal, for its efforts in promoting professionalism among judiciary correspondents.
The Senate has issued an arrest warrant for the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr Peer Lubasch, to appear before its Committee on Works.
The Tide’s source reports that the warrant was for Lubasch to explain the utilisation of funds appropriated for the reconstruction work on Calabar-Odukpani-Itu highway.
The warrant followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Sen. Osita Ngwu (PDP- Enugu) and co-sponsored by Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC-Cross River) and Sen. Mpigi Barinada (PDP- Rivers) at plenary in Abuja, yesterday.
Ngwu, in the motion said, that the senate had mandated the committee on works to conduct investigation into the state of road infrastructure across the country.
He said that in furtherance to the investigative hearings, Julius Berger refused to honour invitations to provide details of its role in the Calabar-Odukpani-Itu highway project, in spite of receiving substantial public funds.
He said that this was worrisome, given the alarming discrepancies in performance among contractors on the project, with specific reference to Julius Berger for failing to meet delivery timelines.
Ngwu said it was the constitutional powers of the National Assembly under Sections 8 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to conduct investigations on any person or organisation responsible for administering public funds.
He said that the powers set out in section 6 of the legislative powers and privileges act empowered the Senate to issue warrants of arrest on persons in contempt of its proceedings.
The Tide source reports that the senate further ruled that President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, should sign the warrant, mandating the Julius Berger managing director to appear on a date to be communicated.
Akpabio said that the senate’s decision was in line with its constitutional powers under Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“This senate will not tolerate the continued disregard of its authority.
“The managing director of Julius Berger must appear before the relevant committee, failing which further actions will be taken as prescribed by the constitution.
“The point of order, which was supported by the majority of the senators, highlighted the importance of upholding the integrity of the legislature.
“The senate committee will submit its findings to the National Assembly after the MD’s appearance.
“If there is any further failure to comply, we shall take the necessary steps to ensure respect for the constitution and the rule of law,” Akpabio said.