CCT trial: We want to save Nigerians from overzealous politicians – Senator

– Senate passed two crucial laws for first reading today

– The passage of these two laws for first reading has Nigerians curious

– Senator Peter Nwaboshi spoke on the matter

The chairman Senate committee on Niger Delta, Peter Nwaboshi, on Tuesday, April 12, has said that the amendment of the Code of Conduct act is to save Nigerians from over-zealous politicians.

In an interview with newsmen at the National Assembly, he said the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) now is under the Office of the Secretary to the Government.

He added that Babachir David Lawal,the secretary to the government who also oversees CCB and CCT, is a politician and can use his position to oppress his political opponents.

“The secretary to the government is a politician and can use it as a politician against political opponents or perceived political opponents.He oversees the CCB and the CCT, they report to his office.

“So since the Supreme Court in their judgment has said that they are a court of some sort, they must be seen to be neutral in nature and to not report to a politician.

READ ALSO: Saraki goes after two crucial laws to evade trial (documents)

“Not to be reporting to a politician and being over sighted by a politician: it should be seen as an independent body, doing its job, we give them what they are entitled to,” he said.

He added that the intention of the amendment of the bill is to make it completely neutral, by moving it to the judiciary or the National Assembly who has the power to remove the Chairman and members of the tribunal.

“Otherwise one day like we are seeing now, if you are an enemy to the SGF he used the CCB to put you into trouble, charge you there like we are seeing now.

“So to make it to be really neutral and be independent, we are trying to save Nigerians, any politician could be written to whenever he steps on the toes of the SGF,” said Nwaboshi.

He continued that the intent of the amendment is not because of the present trial of Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, but for Nigerians to see that a quasi judicial arm should not be under the control of a politician.

Nwaboshi added that the CCB says anyone holding a public office should declare their assets upon assumption and depature of office, and within that period, should be investigated.

“You do not just leave it for 100 years, then all of a sudden, someone wakes up and says: 56 years ago you did not declare your asset, that should not be so.

READ ALSO: Saraki’s resignation, 2016 budget, others as NASS returns from recess

“You have been given a time frame to declare at the beginning and at the end, but within the four years, the CCB does not conduct its investigations immediately but takes another 15 years,” said Nwaboshi.

“The court has said that it made a mistake in Tinubu’s case which means another political party can come up tomorrow and pick up Tinubu.

“I am doing this a s patriotic Nigerian to make sure this body is not used as a political weapon to witch hunt your political opponents or an individual,” he said.

However, eight bills were laid o the floor of the Senate for second reading in which two laws relating to the

These two laws are Code of Conduct Act CAP C15 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2016 (SB 248) sponsored by Peter Nwaboshi representing Delta north senatorial district and Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (Amendment) Bill 2016 (SB 249) sponsored by Isah Misau representing Bauchi central senatorial district.

It has been widely reportedly that this action was taken to evade his ongoing trial of Bukola Saraki, the Senate president, at the code of conduct tribunal (CCT).

Saraki has been charged with 13 counts of false declarations of assets while he was the governor of Kwara state.

The post CCT trial: We want to save Nigerians from overzealous politicians – Senator appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.