The Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to repeal the Armed Forces Act and re-enact a modern, constitutionally compliant, and operationally responsive legal framework for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, scaled through after lawmakers considered its lead debate during plenary.
Presenting the debate, Senator Yar’adua said the Armed Forces remain the cornerstone of Nigeria’s sovereignty and national security, having consistently defended the country’s territorial integrity against insurgency and terrorism.
He noted that the existing Armed Forces Act, which originated from the military decrees of the 1960s and was later consolidated in 2005, no longer reflects contemporary realities.
According to him, the new legislation seeks to align military governance with constitutional principles of democratic accountability and modern security demands.
Highlighting key objectives of the bill, Yar’adua said it upholds the supremacy of the Constitution, ensures fair hearing and due process within military justice, and addresses outdated provisions such as Section 173, which allowed administrative reports to serve as convictions without trial.
The proposed law also seeks to protect child rights and fulfill Nigeria’s international obligations by prohibiting the enlistment of persons under 18 years.
It reinforces the President’s constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief while providing clarity on operational command structures.
In his contribution, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume supported the bill, stressing the need to update Nigeria’s laws to reflect democratic principles and global best practices.
Ndume emphasized that the reform will help align the Armed Forces with civil authority and strengthen human rights protection within the military structure.
Meanwhile, the Senate also passed two other bills for second reading.
The first is a Bill for an Act to Amend the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act to provide for the appointment and duties of sheriffs, sponsored by Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule of Lagos West.
The second seeks to establish the Chartered Institute of Revenue and Fiscal Management of Nigeria as a professional body to regulate and promote excellence in revenue and fiscal management practices, sponsored by Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central.
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