Reps propose legislative security directorate

The House of Representatives is set to debate the general principles of a bill seeking the establishment of a legislative security directorate in the National Assembly.

The proposed legislation seeks to, among other things, provide for the qualification and condition of service of the Sergeant-at-Arms and other security directorate personnel.

Sponsored by the member representing Ikole/Oye Federal Constituency, Ekiti State, Akin Rotimi, the bill was read on the floor of the Green Chamber last week and is now set for debate.

A copy of the bill exclusively obtained by Sunday PUNCH showed that when established, the directorate’s function will include: “Ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the National Assembly complex and its precincts; providing physical security and protection to lawmakers, staff, and visitors in the National Assembly complex and its precincts, and  managing access to the two Chambers of the National Assembly and controlling entry to the National Assembly complex and its precincts.”

Other functions include: “Conducting threats and risk assessments to identify potential threats to the security and safety of the National Assembly complex and its precincts and taking appropriate actions to address them.

“Responding to emergencies such as, active shooters, bomb threats, fire and other security incidents, managing public order and demonstration in the National Assembly complex and its precincts and working closely with other security and intelligence agencies to share information and intelligence relating to any threat or risk in the National Assembly complex and its precincts. “

Section 3 of the proposed law provides for the status of the Sergeant-At-Arms and the qualification for the role.

Section 3 (1) of the bill reads, “The Head of the Sergeant-At-Arms shall enjoy the same status as a Secretary in the National Assembly Service and shall be the head of the Directorate and responsible to the Clerk to the National Assembly for the day-to-day activities of the Directorate.”

Sub-section reads, “There shall be appointed to assist the Head of the Sergeant-At-Arms such other personnel as may be determined by the National Assembly Service Commission on the recommendation of the Clerk to the National Assembly.”

Section 4 (2) of the bill provides that: “A person is eligible for appointment as Sergeant-At-Arms, if the person is certified physically and mentally fit by a government hospital.

“Possesses a minimum of first degree or its equivalent obtained from a recognised institution and has served in the National Assembly Service for a minimum of 15 years and attained the status of at least a Deputy Director. “

Additionally, a person to be appointed Sergeant-At-Arms must not “Have been convicted of a crime involving dishonesty or fraud in the preceding 10 years, or has not been indicted for indiscipline or incompetence by the National Assembly Service Commission or any Government establishment.”

In Section 5, the bill provides that “The Head of the Sergeant-At-Arms shall serve for four years subject to renewal for another four years and no more.

“Notwithstanding the provision of subsection (1), the Head of the Sergeant-At-Arms shall cease to hold office on attainment of 60 years of age or 35 years in service, or whichever comes first.”

Section 8 of the bill forbids anyone from bringing into the National Assembly precints firearms and ammunition except otherwise stated.

“Notwithstanding the provision of any law, no person shall carry into or possess firearm in the National Assembly complex and its precincts.

“Any person who is authorised by law to carry or possess firearms and ammunitions shall declare such firearms and ammunitions to the Sergeant-At-Arms at the point of entry into the National Assembly Complex and its precincts.

 “Any person that contravenes the provisions of this Section commits an offence and shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.

The Head of the Sergeant-At-Arms and other staff of the Directorate are authourised in Section 9 of the bill to possess or carry firearms and ammunitions within the National Assembly complex and its precincts subject to the approval of the President.

The proposed law also stipulates that “Firearms and ammunitions should not be used in the precincts the National Assembly and its precincts except,  “In self-defence or defence of others against the imminent threat of death or serious injury, to prevent the perpetration of a particularly serious crime involving grave threat to life and to arrest a person presenting such a danger and resisting their authourity, or to prevent his or her escape.”

The National Assembly is also empowered in the bill to establish an armoury subject to the approval of the President.