The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr. John Gaul-Lebo has said that the state’s laws are out-dated because some fines are still in pounds and shillings.
Gaul-Lebo said this while presenting the legislative agenda of the 8th Assembly.
He said “The laws were last reviewed in 2004 and for 12 years, the laws have not been reviewed. Between 2004 and now, about 120 laws have been enacted but they are still not enough. The laws of Cross River State only have six volumes but it should be in 22 volumes.
“Some of the laws in Cross River State still have penalties in pound sterling; others still have provision for 50 shillings. The offence of kidnapping is one year, six months in the first instance, and when you kidnap the second time, you get three years. And you know in the consolidated counting procedure in prison terms, day and night are calculated as different days.
“The reason why you find many kidnappers running into the state is because kidnapping is an offence that you can get bail for. They can grant you bail immediately, even on self- recognition as a kidnapper. These laws were passed as far back as 1976, so that law was a military law and we think it is an embarrassment.
“The House will take charge of the process to ensure that the Law Reform Commission is reformed to the point where the laws are reviewed. Now, the process of law review will begin outside of the House but will end up in the House of Assembly. So we don’t want the laws to be reviewed with an old template. That is not in accordance with our legislative template.”
He also added that the house is planning to establish the State Legislative Institute to build the capacity of members of the Assembly and councillors in the state.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has removed the State Accountant General, Ngozi Y. Abu from office.
In a statement by his Simeon Nwakaudu, the Special Assistant (Media), Wike said The Director, Treasury, Sir Dagogo R. Abere, has been appointed as the Acting Accountant General of the state.