Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, CON, Ph.D, led the Principal Officers into the Chambers, took the official prayers and began the day’s proceedings at 10:47am.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Ajibola Basiru moved for the adoption of Votes and Proceedings for Tuesday, 23rd February, 2021.
The motion was seconded by Senator Betty Apiafi.
PRESENATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING
1. Federal Medical Centre Osogbo, Osun State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 364) by Senator Ajibola Basiru
Federal Medical Centre Osogbo, Osun State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 364) was read the First Time.
2. Federal University of Science and Technology Muchalla Adamawa State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 643) by Senator Elisha Ishaku
Federal University of Science and Technology Muchalla Adamawa State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 643) was read the First Time.
3. Federal University of Agriculture Araromi Obu, Ondo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 646) by Senator Nicholas Tofowomo
Federal University of Agriculture Araromi Obu, Ondo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 646) was read the First Time.
4. Federal University of Health Medical Sciences Iyin, Ekiti State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 647) by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele
Federal University of Health Medical Sciences Iyin, Ekiti State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 647)
5. Chartered Institute of Computer Forensic of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 650) by Senator Yakubu Oseni
Chartered Institute of Computer Forensic of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 650) was read the First Time.
PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Committee on Police Affairs
2020 Budget of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund by Senator Haliru Jika
Senator Haliru Jika moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Police Affairs on the 2020 Budget of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.
Senator Hassan Mohammed Gusau seconded.
Senator Haliru Jika laid and presented the report.
Senate approved the recommendations of the report of the Committee on Police Affairs on the 2020 Budget of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.
2. Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters
Confirmation of the Nomination of Prof. Larry Obinna Collins Chukwu for Appointment as Commissioner for the Nigerian Law Reform Commission by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the Confirmation of the Nomination of Prof. Larry Obinna Collins Chukwu for Appointment as Commissioner for the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.
Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia seconded.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele laid and presented the report.
Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to plenary to report progress.
The nomination of Prof. Larry Obinna Collins Chukwu was CONFIRMED as the Commissioner for the Nigerian Law Reform Commission
CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT
Confirmation of the Nomination of Abdulrasheed Bawa for Appointment as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Senate Leader moved that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-in-C for the Confirmation of the nomination of Abdulrasheed Bawa for Appointment as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in accordance with Section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2003
Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the Executive Communication.
Senate Leader moved for a motion to allow Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters, Senator Babajide Omoworare, the nominee, family members, Speaker and Members of the Kebbi State House of Assembly into the chamber.
Minority leader seconded.
The nominee, Abdulrasheed Bawa, introduced himself and read his biodata to the Senate.
“I am so impressed in this very awesome presentation by Mr. Bawa, the Chairman of the EFCC. There would be no need to ask him any questions. Clearly, he is a very brilliant young man. Within a couple he has been able to showcase himself. Ordinarily he should take a bow. This nomination is unique. It is a nomination that has generated hope for millions of our youths in this country.” – Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege
“What you’ve shown is diligence, perseverance and hard work which are all the requirement to get to the top. We want to see a lot of youth like showing other youths in Nigeria that if you want to get to the top you don’t have to be destructive.” – Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“Mr. Nominee, there have been issues about EFCC recovery where amount recovered is different from amount remitted to the government coffers. I want you to tell this Distinguished Senate what you will be doing differently to ensure what is recovered is the same as what is remitted.” – Senator Adeola Solomon
“I will wish you well and after sometimes I would want this Chamber to have the opportunity to invite you to give us an update on what you have been able to achieve. I however have a question. What is the relationship you have with your predecessor and were you ever arrested and what is the reason for arrest?” – Senator Sani Musa
ABDULRASHEED BAWA’s COMMENT
The issue of political witch-hunt has been against the EFCC since its inception. When it comes to the issues of trial in court, at the end of every investigation, files are sent to the Legal Department to see whether or not the investigation warrants going to court. As I said, we are not perfect. I do state here that we have 90 per cent success rate on matters that we have charged to court
On the issue of media trial we have a responsibility as a commission to enlighten the public about our activities as a commission. Matters that are in court are already in the public domain. The press have right to demand for those records and print them. So it is not within our control to determine which matter that is in court can be published or not.
When my appointment was announced last week Tuesday, an elderly man advised me and he said, ‘Mallam Bawa, you are now 40 years old. Even if you succeed and serve two terms you are still going to be 48 years old’ and he said I have a very long future ahead of me. I am a human being but I assure you I am going to discharge my duties without fear or favour. Conscious of the fact that I am a human being and after this life I will die and after my death there will be judgement and sentence.
I have a very cordial relationship with former Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu. I was never arrested nor detained by him. He called me on phone to congratulate me on my appointment. I do have a very cordial working relationship with former Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.
The EFCC is not only serving the public, it also serves the private sector and recoveries are made both for public, private and individuals in the private sector. The Lagos Zonal Office recovered over N10.9 billion last year. Anytime EFCC Chairman do mention about recoveries he made, he mentions about everything that covers both public and private sector. I hope God willing, we are going to digitalize the process on everything that we do going forward.
We have a full-fledged Directorate of Internal Affairs that police the officers of EFCC. And we will reposition it so that the Directorate will be proactive rather than reactive. So the self-cleansing is going to commence regarding the repositioning of that department.
What I can do differently is leading by example. I have never been in office a minute after 8:00am except something happens. I will try as much as possible to ensure that I am leading the path.
Thank you very much Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the motherly advice you gave earlier on.
On issues of asset disposal, God willing, will be carried out on case by case basis. As we are concluding a case in court and sequel to court’s judgement, we will go on discharging that asset and I think that will solve most of our problems.
If we have proper funding, I can tell you that law enforcement will be different in this country. A single case may cost you maybe N20 million. What I believe is proper funding can change the face of law enforcement in this country.
I assure you that the confidence that Mr. President has on me and my colleagues will be repaid with diligent work for the betterment of this country.
Senate reverted to plenary to report progress.
The Nomination of Abdulrasheed Bawa was CONFIRMED as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that plenary be adjourned to another legislative day.
Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary was adjourned to Tuesday, 2nd March, 2021
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Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
