A Bill seeking to prevent judicial officers from interference of the executive arm has passed the second reading at the House of Representatives.
Sponsored by a member from Rivers State Mr Solomon Bob and six others the Bill was introduced to Amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.
Leading a debate, sponsor of the Bill Mr Solomon Bob, explained that the legislation seeks to protect judicial officers from control and abuse by the executive in the discharge of their constitutional mandates.
This according to the lawmaker include, arbitrary or forceful removal from office, without going through the requirement of relevant sections 292 of the 1999 constitution as amended.
He said section 292 mandates only an address from a State Assembly as being the basis upon which a judicial officer can be removed from office and It’s based on such removal the officer can be tried by a court of law.
Contributing to the debate, a member from Anambra State Mr Ifeanyi Momah, suggested that since the code of conduct covers all public officers and not only judicial officers, the house can amend the code of conduct bureau and tribunal Act in isolation from the constitution.
After a voice vote, the house passed the bill for second reading and refered to the committee on anti corruption for further legislative considerations.
COV : TSIBIRI
