The Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Oaths Act, Cap. O1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and nact the Oaths Bill to take cognizance of Technological Advancements and make Provisions for Digital and Electronic means of Administering Oaths and Affirmations in Nigeria; and for Related Matters,” which was sponsored by Hon. Chudy Momah and Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo has passed through second reading. The Bill was passed at the House of Representatives’ Plenary session on Tuesday.
Speaking in defense of the bill, Momah said the legislation was proposed with the intention that oaths taking processes will be reviewed and possibly replaced with a technology based procedure. He opened the floor for the debate that ensued at the plenary by laying down the principles of the Bill. The first person to oppose the notion was the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu who proposed that: “…the old act needs to be brought to speed to contemporary issues. I believe that the persons sponsoring this Bill are the chairman ministry of Justice and chairman Federal Capital Territory Judiciary and others. So I agree that oath taking can be updated.” The same proposition was backed by Hon. Sada Soli. He also prefered an amendment of the old Bill instead of a repeal.
The Deputy Speaker, on his part said for now, the status quo should remain; while Hon. Linda Ikpeazu suggested that a kind of merger of both processes should be done.
The Bill was later put to a vocal vote which resulted in a favourable consideration; and the Bill was passed.
