NGO, Lawyers To Challenge Delay In NASS Staff Bill Assent

Chairman of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), based in Abuja, Alliance for Credible Legislative Conducts (ACLC),  Afuye Clement, has said about 24 lawyers are ready to challenge the injunctions being sought by those who have approached an Abuja High Court to halt the bill extending the tenure of staff of the National Assembly, if granted.

Clement, who reacted swiftly to a move by some individuals who recently approached a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja: that the bill extending retirement age of staff of the National Assembly from 60 to 65 years, should be halted, declared his reaction via a press release he issued to journalists in Abuja,
Clement said, „As close watchers of the activities of the National Assembly, the attention of the Alliance For Credible Legislative Conduct (ACLC) has been drawn to a move by some disgruntled elements, who recently approached a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja: that the bill extending retirement age of staff of the National Assembly from 60 to 65 years should be halted.

“This latest development is nothing but part of a concerted push by a gang of daring and desperate individuals who are hell bent on truncating this wonderful bill now before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
We are not surprised that this latest approach has failed woefully to offer any superior new insight, into their despicable script against this altruistic Bill designed for the benefits of staff of the National Assembly.
It is our position that the recent application of this faceless group is incompetent, vexatious; an academic exercise, deliberately plotted to waste the previous time of the judiciary,” he said.
Clement said, „In confronting this ridiculous and baseless development being sought by these enemies of the National Assembly, 24 lawyers have indicated their readiness to challenge this unwarranted injunction pro bono, if granted by the High Court.

It is very clear that this latest affront is being propelled and sponsored by some over ambitious personalities who are not only hollow in their presentations, but do not mean well for the health and progress of the National Assembly.

By virtue of Sections 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ‘the legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in the National Assembly; the National Assembly has powers to make laws for the order and good governance of the country’,” he said.