'Amending CCT ACT during Saraki's trial is suspicious' - Lawyers

dimeji akinloye

April 18, 2016 5:39 PM

The lawyers said embarking on such an amendment at a time Saraki is facing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is suspicious.

Some Lagos lawyers have threatened legal action against the Senate over the moves to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act 2004, of which reason is believed to favour the Senate President,

Speaking to NAN on Monday, April 18, the lawyers said embarking on such an amendment at a time Saraki is facing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is suspicious and in bad faith.

Saraki is being tried at the tribunal on a 13-count charge bordering on false declaration of assets and money laundering to which he pleaded not guilty.

He challenged his trial at both Federal High Court and the Supreme Court which ruled that he had a case to answer at the CCT.

A human right lawyer, Mr Tope Alabi, said the Senate had the constitutional duty to legislate for the country, but that the motive for making the law must be right.

"The Senate has the constitutional power to amend any law but the motive must be right and for the good of the country,’’ he said.

"The intention of the Upper Chamber to amend the CCT Act when Saraki is standing trial before the CCT is clearly in bad faith.

"Nigerians must rise to oppose it, I will proceed to challenge them (senators) in court."

The bill to amend the CCT Act had on April 14 passed a second reading at the Senate.

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Alabi advised the senators to join President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft war, instead of giving themselves out as aiding corruption.

Another lawyer, Mr U.P.E. Nnaji, said the Senate is trying to make retroactive laws as it was done under the military era.

"They should focus on legislations that are beneficial to the citizens rather than wasting our lean resources to legislate on irrelevancies.

"They should stop the amendment or face court action,’’ he said.

Also speaking about the amendment, Mr. Chris Ayiyi, said the amendment is nothing to worry about for as long as it is not retroactive.

According to him, Senate is empowered to repeal or amend any law, but that it should be done with sense of responsibility.

Ayiyi urged Nigerians to have faith in the lawmakers and believe that the amendment of the CCT Act is for the future.

dimeji akinloye

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