News
House Advances Bill to Shield Judicial Officers from Prosecution
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has progressed a bill aimed at amending the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, ensuring that judicial officers cannot be prosecuted before being lawfully removed from office. The bill passed its second reading during Thursday’s plenary session.
The bill which was originally introduced on April 30, 2024, sponsored by Rep. Solomon Bob (PDP-Rivers), seeks to amend sections 20 and 24 of the existing Act.
According to Rep. Bob, these amendments will safeguard judicial officers from arbitrary legal actions and premature removal.
A key provision in the bill stipulates that no judicial officer shall face prosecution before the tribunal unless they have been officially removed under Section 292 (1) of the Constitution.
Explaining the bill’s objectives, Rep. Bob emphasised the need to reinforce judicial independence by ensuring that disciplinary measures follow due process. He highlighted proposed modifications to Section 20, stating that the Code of Conduct Tribunal should be recognized as a superior court of record with exclusive jurisdiction over offences under the Act.
Additionally, amendments to Section 24 introduce new subsections (5 and 6) to further strengthen judicial protections.
He said: “Nothing in this Act shall permit the commencement of any action against a Judicial Officer before the Tribunal unless such Judicial Officer has been validly removed from office under section 292 (1) of the Constitution.
“Any action seeking to prosecute any Judicial Officer in contravention of sub-section (5) of this section shall not be entertained by the Tribunal.
“It is axiomatic that in a presidential system the three arms of government are separate and independent of one another; each with its powers constitutionally determined. Under our constitution, their powers are created by sections 4, 5, & 6 for the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary respectively.
“The constitution evinces that each arm of government will discharge its responsibilities without interference from the other arms.
He explained further that: “The Code of Conduct Tribunal which is the crux of this bill is a body with statutory judicial powers to try and sanction public office holders found to be in breach of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act. The powers of the Tribunal are pursuant to section 24 of the Principal Act – The Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.
“The constitution has made very clear provisions for removal of elected officials including judicial officers. The obvious intention is to obviate the threat of arbitrary removal from office, thereby safeguarding the sanctity of the office and affording the office holders the necessary leeway to discharge the functions of their office without fear of being victimized.
“For Judicial officers, the procedure or process for their removal from office is as enunciated in section 292 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. Section 292(1) requires that the removal of a Head of Court by the President or the Governor, as the case may be, must be upon an address by the relevant Legislative House. And in any other case (i.e. Judicial officers other than Heads of Court) by the President or Governor, as the case may be, acting on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council. It is pertinent to note that in both cases, the bases of such removal are incapacity (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body), misconduct or contravention of the code of conduct.
“For ease of reference, section 292(1) of the Constitution is reproduced hereunder: “A judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances.
“Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, this proposed amendment aims at securing the sanctity of the office of judicial officers, their tenure, freedom from arbitrary interference and harassment, and to ensure that no judicial officer is put on trial except after having been lawfully removed from office in strict compliance with section 292 of the Constitution.
“This Bill will enhance the rule of law and invariably deepen our democracy. I, therefore, with utmost respect, urge it upon you my very dear colleagues”.
Lawmakers engaged in a heated debate over the bill, while some argued for maximum protection, others questioned why immunity is granted to the executive but not the judiciary.
Rep. Peter Ifeanyi supported stronger safeguards for judicial officers but cautioned against granting blanket protection to those who might abuse their positions. He clarified that the term “immunity” was causing confusion and suggested a more precise definition.
Rep. Kalejaye Paul, however, expressed concerns that the bill contradicts constitutional provisions. He argued that rebranding “immunity” as “protection” does not change the bill’s underlying intent. Stressing the Code of Conduct Tribunal’s role in holding public officials accountable, he warned that altering constitutional processes could create loopholes for other sectors to seek similar privileges.
Rep. Sada Soli pointed out that Section 292 of the Constitution already provides safeguards for judicial officers in the performance of their duties. He criticized the trial of a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) at the Code of Conduct Tribunal without first passing through the National Judicial Council (NJC), calling it a breach of due process. According to him, the bill simply aims to establish a proper legal framework for handling disciplinary actions against judicial officers.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu noted that Rep. Soli’s explanation had clarified the bill’s intent, allowing members to make informed decisions. The bill was subsequently put to a vote, approved for second reading, and referred to the House Committees on Anti-Corruption and Justice for further consideration.
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasized the crucial role of parliamentary oversight in ensuring security agencies adhere to the rule of law and uphold human rights.
Speaking at a two-day workshop in Abuja, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Abbas, represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, underscored the legislature’s responsibility in monitoring security institutions to ensure they effectively safeguard citizens.
He stressed that maintaining a balance between security operations and accountability is essential for fostering public trust in government institutions. Given the technical nature of the security sector, he noted that lawmakers must be equipped with the necessary knowledge to scrutinize security activities and align them with national objectives.
Acknowledging Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, Abbas called on lawmakers to leverage their legislative powers to support security agencies in overcoming these issues. He encouraged his colleagues to familiarize themselves with the newly developed legislative oversight manual, which offers guidance on navigating the complexities of security governance.
Additionally, the Speaker urged continuous evaluation of existing oversight mechanisms, advocating for both routine assessments and targeted investigations into security operations to identify and rectify inefficiencies or abuses.
He commended the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for its efforts in strengthening the National Assembly’s institutional capacity and assured that the legislature remains committed to maximizing these resources for national benefit.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Chairman of the Governing Council of Eha-Amufu College of Education, Prince Melubari Akekue, on Wednesday met with Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi and Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata to discuss the Bill for upgrading the college to a University of Education.
The Bill which was being sponsored by Professor Nnamchi, has already passed its second reading in the House and is now awaiting a public hearing to organized by the House Committee on University Education.
Prince Akekue expressed his gratitude to Professor Nnamchi for his support and noted that the upgrade would significantly boost the institution’s intake, which has declined in recent years.
He also sought Professor Nnamchi’s assistance in reviving the Igbo studies department, which is at the risk of being closed due to low enrollment.
In response, Professor Nnamchi offered to establish a scholarship programme for students from his constituency interested in studying Igbo Language at the institution.
The meeting with Hon. Fulata, Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, was also productive, as he pledged to expedite the public hearing process once funds are released by the National Assembly.
This development is a significant step towards enhancing the institution’s status and promoting education in the region. Eha-Amufu College of Education, established in 1981, is a federal government higher education institution located in Enugu State.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Bill Gates has finally confirmed his new romance with his ‘serious girlfriend’ just weeks after he revealed that his divorce from ex-wife Melinda French Gates was his worst mistake ever.
Recall that the former tech power couple tied the knot in 1994, welcomed three kids into the world, and then divorced in May 2021 after 27 years of marriage.
Since then, 69-year-old Bill has been spotted several times throughout the last few years with 62-year-old Paula Hurd, the widow of former Oracle CEO, Mark Hurd.
But it wasn’t until Tuesday that the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft got candid about his love life during an appearance on The Today Show.
‘I’m lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula,’ he said. ‘So we’re having fun, going to the Olympics and lots of great things.’
‘I’m more cheerful now,’ Bill said during an interview with British newspaper The Times in December. ‘That was the mistake I most regret
The billionaire also spoke of his ex-wife’s resignation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation last year – one of the largest charitable institutions in the world – and how he didn’t only lose his partner, but their joint book club, his meditation buddy and walking partner.
‘You would have to put that at the top of the list,’ Bill told The Times. ‘There are others but none that matter. The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years.’
Hurd, who bears a striking resemblance to Melinda, is the widow of former Oracle co-CEO and president Mark Hurd, who died at the age of 62 in 2019 after a reported battle with cancer.
Once a tech executive herself, Hurd is now an event planner organizer, and philanthropist.
Her late husband, who spent most of his career at tech company NCR and later Hewlett-Packard before joining Oracle in 2010, had an estimated net worth of $ 500 million at the time of his death.
Although there was growing speculation into the pair’s blossoming connection, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed in 2023 that Bill had found love again two years after his divorce from his wife of 27 years.
In January of 2023, Bill was spotted in Australia with Hurd, who was a mystery woman then.
Together, the pair were captured checking out the sights of Sydney outside of the city’s famed Opera House.
The two appeared to be taking a stroll around the city as they stopped to admire the panoramic views of the harbor.
It’s no surprise that the paths of the Microsoft founder and Oracle executive – both prominent Silicon Valley figures – and his wife had crossed over the years.
Since then, the love birds have been photographed together at the 2024, Olympics, a Baylor University basketball game, and on the red carpet.
The pair were also pictured at last year’s so-called billionaire’s summer camp in Sun Valley, Idaho, where they were joined by fellow power couple Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.
While Bill seems to be in the happy honeymoon stage, he admitted that he wouldn’t change a thing about the past, explaining how his marriage to Melinda kept him grounded, The Times reported.
‘There is a certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person because of the memories and depth of things you have done and having kids together,’ he told the outlet.
‘When Melinda and I met, I was fairly successful but not ridiculously successful – that came during the time that we were together. So, she saw me through a lot.’
Although he called the divorce ‘tough’ while adding how he was ‘disappointed’ when Melinda left the foundation to pursue other philanthropic opportunities, he said how the pair still see each other and make time for their kids and two grandchildren together.
The Microsoft co-founder spoke to NBC morning news show about his previous comments – specifically calling his divorce his ‘biggest regret’ – where he clarified that he wasn’t saying he wished the split with Melinda would have happened, USA Today reported.
‘Although the divorce wasn’t great, having those three kids, the work we were able to do together – even if I knew that it wouldn’t last forever, I would still do it again,’ he said.
My business career, though, there’s been some ups and downs, has been incredibly phenomenal,’ he added. ‘My kids are phenomenal. So it’s even hard for me to complain about things.’
‘I’ve moved past the divorce, and Melinda’s doing well. I’ve got a lot of work that I love to do. So I’m not really complaining about anything.’
Melinda has also previously opened up about their ‘unbelievably painful’ divorce and explained that she ‘just couldn’t stay in that marriage anymore.’
The philanthropist told Fortune magazine in October of 2024 that the Covid-19 pandemic helped give her the ‘privacy to do what she needed to do.’
She also said in 2021 that her husband’s affair with a Microsoft employee in 2000 had broken the ‘trust’ in their marriage.
‘Well, I certainly believe in forgiveness, so I thought we had worked through some of that,’ Melinda told the Wall Street Journal when asked about the alleged infidelity.
‘It wasn’t one moment or one specific thing that happened,’ she added.
‘There just came a point in time where there was enough there that I realized it just wasn’t healthy, and I couldn’t trust what we had.’
Intermixed with Gates’ extramarital liaisons is scrutiny around his relationship with Epstein, the pedophile financier who took his own life in 2019 while jailed on charges of sex trafficking minors.
Bill insisted that the pair never had ‘any business relationship or friendship’ and their meetings were solely to discuss philanthropic ventures.
But Melinda said her ex-husband’s closeness to the predator put considerable strain on the marriage.
The Gates’ divorce settlement is America’s second-most expensive ever after Bezos’ $38.3billion split with ex-wife MacKenzie Bezos.
Although Bill and Hurd’s relationship is now public and, of course, ‘serious’, Melinda has also reportedly found a new man.
Melinda shockingly revealed her relationship with tech mogul Philip Vaughn in October 2024 as she was seen with the Seattle-based entrepreneur as they went to dinner in New York City.
Despite going through an ‘unbelievably painful’ divorce with Bill, Melinda put tensions aside when it came to Philip, who used to work at her ex’s company.
The pair’s sightings only heightened throughout 2024, though specific details surrounding their relationship timeline remain private.
Their relationship reflects their shared interests – innovation, business and the overall navigation of life after significant career and personal changes.
As for Bill’s new memoir, he told Today that the process of revisiting his early years was surprising as he ‘doesn’t look back much.’
‘This year, I turn 70, Microsoft turns 50, and so I thought, OK, I should share what luck I had to have amazing parents, you know, the way they let me go out and hike and try new things,’ he said.
‘I was just unbelievably lucky,’ he added. ‘And you know, that’s why Microsoft ended up being so successful.’
Parliamentary Oversight of Security Agencies, A Legislative Imperative – Speaker Abbas
Eha-Amufu College Upgrade: Melubari Confers With Reps Nnamchi, Fulata
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