TODAY'S PLENARY:

 Williams Akpabio -AKHA, Uyo

 A Bill for a law to Establish Office of the Public Defender, Akwa Ibom State, has yesterday passes Second reading and forwarded to House Committee on Justice, Human Right and Public Petitions for in-depth study and report back to the House in one month.

It could be recalled that this Bill sponsored by Hon. (Barr.) Otobong Bob, member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency and 15 others scaled through first reading at the floor of the House Tuesday 12th January, 2021.

According to the sponsors during debate at the plenary, the Bill if passed to law shall be for indigent residents of Akwa Ibom State particularly, women, widows, children, student, unemployed persons, physically challenged persons, retirees above the age of sixty years, and anyone earning below the current minimum wage approved by government, irrespective of tribe, race, religion, or ethical affiliation.

This Bill shall amongst other things, have responsibility for the provision of legal aid, services, and advice in accordance with this law; received/ Investigate complaints made to it directly from individuals or by referrals from government agencies, public institutions, private institutions; Organized symposia, conferences, educational activities, workshop and exchange programmes on legal aid and related matters. 

Hon. Bob further noted that the Office of the Public Defender would resolve matters brought before it by way of alternative dispute resolutions, as well as publicize its services by informing and sensitizing the public.

Speaking in support of the Bill, the member representing ONNA, Rt. Hon. Nse Essien  commended Hon. Bob for finding it necessary to bring the Bill to the floor of the House. He pointed out that when passed into law, the Bill will enhance quick dispensation of justice and ensure people are not punished unjustly.

Rt. Hon. (Barr) Aniefiok Denis, member representing , Etinan State Constituency described the Bill as timely,  the lawmaker added that this Bill will enhance fair hearing and trial, he appealed to his colleagues to throw their weights behind the Bill, to ensure it sees the light of the day. 

Other members who spoke in favour of the Bill including Rt. Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh, member representing Ibeno/ Esit Eket who noted that the Bill is targeted at helping people who may not afford the services of a lawyer due to financial constraints. 

Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko  (Ibesikpo Asutan), expressed hope that the Bill would help decongest Correctional Centres across the state and ensure that court cases are settled speedily including cases of domestic violence, landlord/tenant discords, raping cases, unlawful detentions etc.

 Hon. Effiong Johnson (Mbo), Hon. (Barr) Victor Ekwere (Mkpat Enin) also through their weight behind the Bill.

Similarly, at Plenary today, A Bill for a Law to Repeal and Re-enact with Major Changes the Akwa Ibom State Education Trust Fund Law and for Other Matters Connected Thereto sponsored by the Member representing Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko, was read the first time and committed to the House Committee on Rules, Ethics and Privileges for rescheduling.

Meanwhile, the House has adjourned its plenary to Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 10am.