Bills seeking amendments to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Act and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (ICPC), 2000, have scaled second reading in the National Assembly.
The amendments aim to strengthen basic education and introduce mandatory counselling and training for corruption-related offenders.
The UBEC amendment bill, sponsored by Senator Adamu Usman (Kaduna Central), passed its second reading in the Senate.
Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives, the bill to amend the ICPC passed its second reading.
Similarly,the lawmakers have agreed to investigate the alleged smuggling activities of some Customs officials at the Badagry axis.
The proposed changes, affecting Sections 2, 3, 7, 9, 11, and 16 of the Act, focus on improving early childhood education, regulating the appointment of commission members, and ensuring adherence to implementation guidelines.
Moreover, the bill proposes an increase in UBEC funding from two to five per centt and mandates the direct allocation of intervention funds to local government education sectors.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Secondary and Basic Education for further review.
Sponsored by Moshood Kayode (Lagos Island), the bill seeks to amend Section 67 of the Principal Act to include mandatory counselling and training for individuals convicted of corruption-related offences.
Leading the debate during plenary, Kayode explained that the proposed amendment recognises. the link between mental disposition and the tendency for wealth accumulation through corrupt practices.
The bill mandates that magistrates and judges, in addition to imposing prison sentences or fines, must include anti-corruption counselling and training in the sentencing of convicts.
The House’s decision followed a motion of urgent public importance raised by Hon. Oluwaseun Whingan, representing Badagry Federal Constituency in Lagos State.
Whingan highlighted an incident earlier this month where a journalist in Badagry was allegedly assaulted while attempting to record activities at a location he described as a ‘smuggling zone.’
The lawmaker expressed concerns over the conduct of Customs officers and called for an investigation into the legal framework and operational activities of the NCS.
The motion has been referred to the Committee on Customs and Excise for further legislative action.
