The Special Ad-hoc Committee probing the $10 million bribery allegation against members of the House of Representatives, to pass the Control Infectious disease bill has commenced its sitting.
The controversial bill was sponsored by the Speaker and two other lawmakers.
Some of the parties invited by the Ad-hoc Committee chaired by Hon. Henry Nwawuba includes the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and other stakeholders.
The House had on Tuesday, 5th May 2020 resolved to probe the promoters of the alleged $10 million bribery allegation in response to the motion raised by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Special Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Henry Nwawuba, disclosed that the House leadership has submitted its position on camera, adding that the bad eggs among the membership of the House will not be protected.
He further noted that the allegation was very clear, the source was very clear, adding that the investigative hearing does not foreclose the legal action proposed by the House.
Following the public outcry and series of criticism trailing the provisions of the proposed legislation, the House via a resolution passed on Tuesday, 5th May, resolved to rescind its earlier decision to consider the bill at the Committee of the Whole.
To this end, the House resolved to conduct a public hearing with the view to enable members of the public to make inputs.
Speaking at the last Tuesday plenary, Hon. Abubakar Fulata who sponsored a motion titled: ‘Recession of the resolution of the House on Quarantine Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2020 (HB.836) pursuant to Order Nine, Rule 1(6) of the Standing Orders of the House of the Representatives.
In his lead debate, Hon Fulata noted that on Tuesday, 28 April 2020, a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Quarantine Act, Cap. Q2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, make provisions Relating to Quarantine and make Regulations for preventing the introduction into and spread in Nigeria of Dangerous Infectious Diseases; and for related matters was read a Second Time and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
According to him, the House “realizes the need to engage members of the public and relevant stakeholders to make contributions to the Bill.
To this end, the House resolved to “rescind the initial referral on the Quarantine Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2020 and Refer same to Committees on Healthcare Service, Health Institutions and Justice for further legislative action.”