Lagos Assembly begins amendment of Anti-Corruption Commission Law
By Adekunle Williams
The Lagos State House of Assembly has begun amendment of the principal law of state’s Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law, 2021.
The Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC, Mr Victor Akande made this known during a one-day stakeholders’ public hearing on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the principal law was passed by the assembly on Dec. 8, 2020 and assented by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the state on April 19, 2021.
The bill seeks to address issues relating to public complaints bothering on accountability of public officers in the State by the proposed Commission.
Akande said the long title of the principal law would be deleted while a new long title had been inserted as “A Law to establish the Lagos State Anti-Corruption and Transparency Commission and for other related matters”
The lawmaker said Section 62 of the principal was now deleted and a new one was inserted to read as the assets or properties of any person arrested for an offence under this Law has been seized.
“Any assets or property has been seized by the commission under this Law, the commission shall cause an application to be made to the court for an interim order forfeiting to the state government.
“Where any property has come into the possession of any officer of the commission as unclaimed property or any property is found fo be in the possession of any other person corporate body or financial institution in the possession of any person.
“If this is in possession of any person, corporate body or financial institution is suspected to be proceeds of corruption, economic crimes or some unlawful activities under this law.
“The High Court shall upon application made by the commission, its officers or any other person authorized by it.
“This is upon reasonably satisfied that such property is an unclaimed property or proceeds of corruption, economic crime or any unlawful activity under this Law.
“This will make an order that the property or the proceeds from the sale of such property be forfeited to the state government,” he said.
Akande said at the 14 days expiration or such other period as the High Court might stipulate from the date of giving of the notice or making of the publication.
According to him, an application shall be made by a motion on notice for the final forfeiture of the property concerned to the state government.
Akande noted that the amendment law was not in conflicts with the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) established by the National Assembly. (NAN)
