Osinbajo Throws Out Lottery Commission Bill, 3 Others, Senate Reacts
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo[/caption]
Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has withheld assent to four bills passed into law by the National Assembly.
The Senate President Bukola Saraki stated this while he read a letter addressed to the Green Chamber at plenary on Wednesday.
The Bills are National Agricultural Credit Scheme, National Lottery Commission as amended, Dangerous Drugs bill and Currency conversion Act.
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According to the letter, the Vice President refused to assent the Bills due to various administrative hitches not in the interest of the nation.
Prof. Osinbajo stated that the “existence of pending legal issue” was the reason he turned down the National Lottery Commission Bill.
“Distinguished Senate President, you are aware of pending litigation against Nigeria Lottery Commission which was not supposed to be legislated upon until liquidation of the case,” the letter reads.
In reacting to the executive action, Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, frowned at the Vice President’s decision, saying that the Presidency is trying to take legislative powers away from the National Assembly.
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Saraki called for calm, assuring that the matter will be referred to the legal department for legal opinion.
Letter: Ag. President @ProfOsinbajo also withheld assent to the National Lottery bill, 2016, due existence of pending legal issue …
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) February 22, 2017
…. and National Assembly’s power to Legislate on the subject matter.
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) February 22, 2017
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Letter: Ag. President, @ProfOsinbajo also withheld assent to the Agricultural Guaranteed Credit Scheme Bill. #TodayInPlenary
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) February 22, 2017
Senator @dino_melaye raises a petition on the refusal by the Ag.President @ProfOsinbajo to assent to 3bills passed by the National Assembly
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) February22, 2017
…go to court to seek redress. #TodayInPlenary.
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) February22, 2017
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SP, @bukolasaraki responds & says the issue will be referred to the legal dept for advice and interpretations of the law. #TodayInPlenary
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) February 22, 2017
