An Appraisal of the Investigatory Powers of the Legislative Houses under the 1999 Constitution
Loading...
Date
2017-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Malaysian Current Law Journal
Abstract
Nigeria practices bicameral legislature and unicameral legislature at the Federal and state levels respectively. Since the return of democratic government in all tiers of the Nigerian government, the military has been in the barracks and the legislative arm of government has been rejuvenated again. Over a decade, there have been more than 50 probe panels constituted by the legislature in the past decade. The legislature has been performing their oversight functions. The question is whether the style of such performance is in conformity with the spirit and letters of the Constitution. This paper reviews the various powers the constitution vests on the legislative arm of government in Nigeria. The paper also observed some lapses in the exercise of these oversight functions. The paper however suggested ways in which this legislative oversight can be strengthened for better policy formulation and legislation to enhance good governance for development.
Description
Keywords
Legislative powers, Investigatory powers, Constitution, National Assembly
Citation
[2017] 1 LNS(A) xci