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Why National Assembly Can’t Fight Corruption, Waste Of Public Funds – Lawan

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Between Ahmad Lawan And The President Of The Senate: Moment of Truth

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Monday blamed the inability of the National Assembly to check corruption and waste of public funds on the 1999 Constitution.

According to Lawan, the constitution does not give the parliament the needed legislative power to fight corruption.

He said this while responding to a lecture delivered by a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Demeji Bankole, during the sixth convocation of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies-University of Benin (NILDS-UNIBEN) held at the National Assembly, Abuja.

Bankole delivered his lecture on the theme: “Challenges of legislative turnover: Implications for good governance in Nigeria”.

Lawan said though, Section 88 of the 1999 constitution as amended provides that the parliament shall expose corruption, embezzlement and waste, it does not equip the parliament with the power of sanctions.

“I think the reality is that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) as it is today has left the legislature constrained because, in Section 88 , it talks of the legislature exposing corruption, waste and embezzlement and stops there. So, when you expose something and you can’t do anything, how does that solve the problem? It’s like seeing a thief and you say “thief, thief! thief! ole! ole! and you can’t act as a police person to arrest this person and cannot try or prosecute this person and the person goes.

“So, the legislature is really incapacitated; that is the fact because, you can’t do anything; if you sign a warrant of arrest for someone you invited and who refused to appear before the National Assembly; you have no police of your own in the National Assembly to send to go and arrest that person. You have to go through the Inspector General of Police and where does he belong?

“And the IGP will have the choice if you ask him to send the police to arrest somebody let’s say in the Ministry of Justice; he will really have to weigh the options whether he will create problem for himself or the institution by issuing that warrant”, he said.

Lawan, who also lamented the high turnover of legislatures at the National Assembly due to the manner politics is played in the country, said it will impact negatively on the development of democracy in the
country.

 READ ALSO: Buhari Presents Last Budget At National Assembly

While delivering his lecture, Bankole advocated that those elected into parliament should not simply be “loyalists of governors” or governors’ boys but people who can understand and engage with policy and other technical issues routinely presented to the legislature.

According to him, non-executive interference can protect legislative terms and results over a long time in institutions and capacity building.

Bankole said when power is concentrated in one arm of government, it could result in tyranny and ultimately hinder the effectiveness of other arms from holding each other to account.

Earlier, Director General of NILDS, Prof Abubakar O. Sulaiman, said the convocation was held for a total of 87 candidates who have been certified in both character and learning by the authorities of NILDS and University of Benin .

The graduands include 30 candidates for Master’s Degree in Legislative Studies; eight candidates for master’s degree in Legislative Drafting; 19 candidates for master’s degree in Parliamentary Administration; 13 candidates for master’s degree in Elections and Party Politics and 11 candidates in PGD in Political Party Management while the Higher National Diploma (HND) in official reporting has six candidates.

 

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BREAKING: Abacha’s Ex-chief Of Staff Oladipo Diya Dies

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Diya

Retired Lt.General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the former Chief of Staff in General Sani Abacha’s military government, is dead.

His death was confirmed by Prince Oyesinmilola Diya. He said the former military administrator of Ogun State passed on to glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.

Born on the 3rd of April, 1944, Diya was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983.

Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He held other top military posts like GOC, 82 Division and finally the Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha

The statement read: “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband,Father, Grandfather,brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.

“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”

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Breaking: Appeal Court Retains Adeleke As Osun Governor

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BREAKING: Adeleke Freezes Osun Accounts , Reverses Appointments After Swearing In As Governor
Governor Adeleke

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated the tribunal judgement that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, on Friday held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgement of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola

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BREAKING: PDP Suspends Anyim, Fayose

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Anyim and Fayose

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; former president of the Senate, Pius Anyim; Prof Dennis Ityavyar and Aslam Aliyu were on Thursday suspended from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP made the suspension on Thursday after an extensive review of the affairs of the party, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

The PDP also referred the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time,” the statement added.

 

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