NASS taking over CCT from presidency.

THE Senate on Thursday passed 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. With the current amendment proposals to the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and 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.”











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