The House of Representatives decided to look into claims that members of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) were involved in smuggling.
Following the passage of a motion of urgent public concern, which was sponsored by Oluwaseun Whingan, the member representing the Badagry Federal Constituency in Lagos State, the House made the decision during a plenary session on Wednesday.
Whingan brought up an earlier this month incident in Badagry, Lagos State, where a journalist was attacked while trying to take footage of events at what he called a “smuggling zone.”
The attitude of the customs officers caused the member who introduced the motion to raise eyebrows.
He demanded, among other things, that the legal foundation of the Nigerian Customs Service be examined, as well as the actions of its officials while performing their jobs.
However, the Committee on Customs and Excise has been tasked with reviewing the move.
The Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, was amended during plenary to require mandatory counselling and training for anyone convicted of corruption-related offences. The measure passed the second reading in the lower house.
On behalf of Lagos Island, Hon. Akiolu Moshood Kayode sponsored the measure.
Leading the discussion during Wednesday’s plenary, Kayode stated that the bill aims to amend Section 67 of the Principal Act by adding three new provisions that require judges and magistrates to impose a mandatory counselling and training period on those found guilty of corruption-related offences in addition to imposing jail time and/or fines.
Speaking about the bill’s general principles, Kayode explained that mandatory anti-corruption counselling and training for those convicted of corruption-related offences acknowledges the close relationship between mental health and the ancient accumulation of wealth.
