By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Abuja
A constitutional lawyer, Amobi Nzelu Esq has called for radical and comprehensive amendment to Nigeria’s constitution, saying that the radical amendment requires convocation of Sovereign National Conference (SNC) to determine which way forward and corporate existence of Nigeria.
The principal partner of Chinenye Chambers, Nzelu made the demand in a letter he wrote to Senate President Godswill Akpabio within the week.
Suggesting that the National and State Assemblies be made part time and allowances paid to members, he also added that the sharing formula between the Federal, State and Local Governments be critically looked into, if devolution of power is put in place.
On the amendments, he proposed seven Supreme Court of Nigeria (SCN), in each of the geopolitical zones and Supreme Court of the Federation (SCF) in Abuja.
While suggesting that as there are three Courts of Appeal (CA) in each geopolitical zone, and that appeals from those zones, terminate at their SC, while appeals from the Federal High Court (FHC) of states and federal offences terminate at SCF in Abuja, he informed that SCN is still handling 2015 appeals from CA, making such appeals nine years in arrears. He added that each 50 states in America has its own SC, makes its own laws and controls its resources. Nzelu added that the magic behind speedy justice delivery Americans have been enjoying is devolution of court system.
He also advocated for an Inspector General of Police (IGP) in each geopolitical zone and that of the federation in Abuja.
However, defending his proposal, he had this to say: “This proposal is informed by the size of our country and the need to quickly address issues when they arose. For instance someone is being threatened in a location wherein it is evidently clear that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Area Commander (AC), Commissioner of Police (CP) Zonal Commander (AIG) have been compromised and a letter is routed to the IGP in Abuja.
“Before that letter arrives the IGP’s office, and is attended to, the deed has been done. Sometimes, letters to the IGP takes as long as two months before they are treated and many aren’t treated at all. Security should be brought down nearer to the people and in this wise, State Police is imminent and necessary to address security challenges in our country.”
He continued: “The IGP of each zone should have a DIGP, representing each state under him. In the alternative, there can be two DIGPs and five AIGPs under the zone. This arrangement will create room for addressing of matters and making the crntre less attractive.”
While calling for devolution of powers, saying that more powers are arrogated to the centre than necessary, the constitutional lawyer therefore said that there should be true federalism as is practised in America, for each unit to develop at its pace, manage its resources and pay percentage to the centre. Nzelu also suggested that most items in the exclusive legislative list be moved to the residual or concurrent legislative list, to reduce pressure at the centre, and the fight to occupy the centre will be less aggressive.
“Devolution of powers is a sina qua non for the economic growth of our country. In a country with mono source of income, in the face of many untapped resources, it is an aberration, or better still unacceptable to consolidate power into one hand or at the centre,” he faulted, adding that a country where finance minister of states come to Abuja at the end of each month to shares oil revenue is worrisome and can’t engender any meaningful development.
