Reps to implement UN Convention against corruption – Dogara

Yakubu Dogara, speak- er, House of Represen- tatives, on Wednesday, unveiled plans to implement the provisions of Article 8 of the United Nations Con- vention Against Corrup- tion, which provides for the development of ‘Codes of Conduct for Public Officials.’

Article 8(1a) of the UN Convention titled ‘Criminali- sation of Corruption’ states that “The promise, offering or giving to a public official, directly or indirectly, of an un- due advantage, for the official himself of herself or another person or entity, in order that the official act or refrain from acting in the exercise of his or her official duties.”

Dogara issued the direc- tive while inaugurating the 7-member ad-hoc com- mittee on Code of Conduct chaired by Aminu Shagari.

According to him, the Committee was “put to- gether to fashion out a code of conduct document that members would subject themselves to in the 8th House of Representatives.”

Dogara who was rep- resented by Yussuf Lasun, deputy speaker explained that the committee will be responsible for the “formu- lation of a code of conduct of members document to guide the House” as well as incorporation by reference of the code of conduct docu- ment as part of the Rules of the House.

The committee is also expected to carry out all the functions of the Stand- ing Committee on Ethics and Privileges pending the constitution of the Stand- ing Committee and rec- ommend amendments to aspects of the Rules dealing with the conduct of Mem- bers to be consistent with the Code of Conduct document as well as any other matter incidental or relevant to the subject matter of the Com- mittee jurisdiction.

KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja