The Bauchi State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission was established by a bill that the Bauchi State House of Assembly approved into law.
According to BROOMHOME, the bill’s passage came after the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions and Human Rights, Hon. Bakoji Aliyu Bobbo, of the Chiroma Constituency, presented the committee’s report during a plenary session on Thursday presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Danlami Ahmed Kawule.
The committee stated that it had traveled to the states of Kano and Taraba, which had passed the same law, in order to learn from their experiences. It also stated that it had invited all pertinent parties and held a public hearing where memos, observations, suggestions, contributions, and input were gathered.
The committee noted that the fight against corruption is a national trend that the Bauchi State Government should adopt and support because corruption and the abuse of power are widespread problems that must be addressed in the civil service and public sector, making the bill timely and desirable in order to stop the scourge.
To ensure the commission’s independence, the committee instead suggested adding a new Section 6 to the law that reads as follows: “In exercising its duties under this bill, the commission shall not be subject to the direction and control of any authority.”
The House adopted all of the committee’s recommendations, including the suggestion to form a new department of legal and enforcement.
Therefore, the House was asked by the Minority Leader, Hon. Bakoji Aliyu Bobbo, who represents the Chiroma Constituency, to permit the bill to create the Bauchi State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to go through third reading. This request was seconded by the Hon. Gazali Abubakar Wunti, who represents the Ganjuwa East Constituency.
Following the House’s agreement, the Speaker instructed the Deputy Clerk of the House, Lamara Abdu Chinade, to conduct the third reading, which led to the passage of the measure into law.
