the Code of Conduct (amendment) bill, 2016, with the National Assembly
taking over power to appoint staff of Code of Conduct Bureau/Tribunal from
the Presidency.
The Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act if finally passed into law and
assented to, powers of the Presidency to make rules and regulations for
the bodies would automatically be transferred to the National Assembly.
It would be recalled that criticisms have trailed the CCB and CCT being
under the direct supervision of the Office of the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation.
The passage on Thursday means that the heads will now be reporting to the
National Assembly.
The House of Representatives initiated Bill which was also approved by the
Senate of the Federal Republic yesterday, also reduced tenure of Chairman
and members from serving until they are 70, to a term of five years. The
first term of five years in office was however subject to renewal for one
further term only, making a total of 10 year so in all.
Another major amendment to the Act is the human face, where observed
non-compliance or breach of the provisions are settled between the CCB and
the defaulter without going to the tribunal.
“Provided that where the person concerned makes a written admission of
such breach or non-compliance, no reference to the Tribunal shall be
necessary.”
There is an amendment to the Act that the membership should increase from
three to nine, with a compulsory quorum at every sitting, just as this is
contrary to the past, when only the chairman could adjudicate over cases.
Although, actual amendments to the Act were done by the House of
Representatives and passed on May 31, the Senate concurred with the House
and passed the bill on Thursday.
In the amendment, the Bureau will first invite the person suspected of
falsely declaring his asset for clarification before taking the person to
the Tribunal.
Section 4 (2) was also amended to substitute the word “President” with
“the National Assembly” as the one to appoint members of staff of the
Bureau and exercise disciplinary control over them.
Section 1 (4) was deleted and replaced with: “The Chairman and members
shall serve for a term of five years subject to renewal for one further
term only.
“(E) upon complaint(s) of any breach or where it appears to the Bureau
that there is a breach of the provision of this Act, any person concerned
shall be given particulars of such non-compliance or breaches to explain
before any reference to the Tribunal.”
Recall that the Upper Legislative Chambers had previously stepped down the
consideration of the bill owing to the public outcry that followed the
move.”