N’Assembly Reconsiders Peace Corps, EFCC, 42 Other Bills

 Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja 

The National Assembly has commenced the recommittal process of bills passed by the ninth Assembly, which were neither assented to nor rejected by former President Muhammadu Buhari before the expiration of the last Assembly.

Records from the office of the Clerk to the National Assembly revealed that bills that fall into this category were 44.

The Nigerian Peace Corps Establishment Bill is among the 44 bills to be reconsidered by the 10th Assembly.

Other bills in this category are: Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill 2023; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2023; ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition and other Related Materials (Ratification and Enforcement) Bill 2023, Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences (Amendment) Bill 2023 and Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023, among others.

The Peace Corps Bill was earlier transmitted to former President Buhari in April this year but was among those not assented to, before leaving office on May 29.

The bill, which was supported by majority of the lawmakers of the ninth National Assembly, was retransmitted to President Bola Tinubu for his assent on June 8, 2023 via a letter by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Tambawal.

However, it became statute-barred for presidential assent on June 13, when the 10th National Assembly was inaugurated since the ninth Assembly passed it.

The bills, some of which were sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu was read on the floor of the House for the first time following a motion for recommittal moved by House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere.

The bills are expected to enjoy expeditious passage in both chambers of the National Assembly, as they will not commence afresh.