Abuja – A Bill to amend the Nigerian National Merit Award Act, on Wednesday, passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
The Bill is to stripe any person honoured with the award but subsequently found guilty of any crime against Nigeria Law by any court of competent jurisdiction .
The bill sponsored by Rep. Ayodele Oladimeji(Ekiti State), was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.
Leading the debate on the bill, Oladimeji explained that the amendment he proposed was in the bid to strengthen the anti-corruption war being fought by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“There is need for the law to be amended, this will strengthen the anti-corruption war of the government of the day.
“In view of the current development in our economic and political life, the law requires an amendment which will make the Act live up to the expectations of contemporary times.
“It is on this basis that this bill seeks to strengthen the Federal Government aims and objectives in fighting corruption in all fields of life.
“This would be through the introduction of section 8 (2) to the principal Act which provides “Any Awardee convicted of any criminal offence shall be stripped of the National Honour.”
According to him, the awardee must be found guilty of any crime by a competent court of jurisdiction before the executive consider the stripping of such awardee.
Oladimeji said that the bill also intended to remind recipients of the awards that as holders of county’s awards, they were like ambassadors of Nigeria and ought not to debase the award through their inactions.
Contributing to the debate, Rep. Adamu Kamale(Adamawa State), while giving support to the amendment said it would make the recipients of such award live up to expectations.
