Lawmakers to remove controversial clauses in constitution amendment

The National Assembly (NASS) has agreed to remove the controversial clauses in the amendments to the constitution under the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015, which it passed this year.

It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan had withheld his assent to the amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the AGF instituted a suit against the lawmakers to annul the amendments.

The lawmakers’ agreed to amend the Act in an out of court settlement between the representatives of the executive and legislative arms of government in Abuja on May 26.

Parties agreed that the views of the president be considered and effected by deleting some alterations in the Alteration Act, 2015, for which the president had withheld his assent.

The six-point of settlement in the suit between the Attorney-General of the Federation and the National Assembly, was made available to NAN on Wednesday, May 27.

According to the terms, NASS agreed to delete alterations made to Section 8 of the Principal Act on referendum in respect of state creation.

It also agreed to delete alterations made to Section 9 of the Principal Act dispensing with the assent of the president in the process of constitution amendment.

NASS also agreed to delete alterations made in Sections 45a-45b of the Act relating to Free Basic Education and Maternal Healthcare Services.

It also deleted alterations made to Sections 150, 174, 195 and 211 of the Principal Act relating to the separation of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

This also applies to State Attorney-General and Commissioner For Justice.

Accordingly, the suit of the Attorney-General in Suit No: SC/214/ 2015 before the Supreme Court was withdrawn following a motion for discontinuance.

The court accordingly struck out the case.

It was also agreed that President Goodluck Jonathan shall assent to the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015.