Date: 2016-10-06

The controversial amendment of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Tribunal Act Bill resurfaced in the Senate yesterday. The Bill entitled "Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act CAP C15 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2016 (HB.320)" was read for the first time in the Senate yesterday.

Being a House Bill, the promoters of the proposed legislation are seeking Senate concurrence in order to forward it to the President for assent. A similar Bill earlier sponsored by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North) was hastily withdrawn following sustained public out cry against it.

Most of those who kicked against the Bill wondered why it should be introduced at a time the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki is being tried by the CCT. They contended that even if there was merit in the Bill, its timing was wrong.

The withdrawn Senate version of the Bill sought particularly to remove the CCB and CCT from under the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The sponsor of the Bill insisted that it was dangerous for such an important public institution like the CCB to left under the control of one man.

It is not yet known how the upper chamber will consider the referral Bill.