Breaking: Akpabio Declares Public Hearing Open on Asset Management, Sheriffs Act Amendment Bills
By Raphael Ekpang
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has formally declared open a public hearing on two critical legislative proposals aimed at strengthening asset management transparency and modernizing Nigeria’s judicial enforcement framework.
In his keynote address, the Senate President assured stakeholders that the proposed reforms are designed to reinforce the principle that crime will not be rewarded, diligence and enterprise will be protected, judgments will carry real consequences, and justice in Nigeria will be both principled and practical.
He emphasized that the overarching objective of the bills is to strengthen institutional credibility, enhance enforcement mechanisms, and restore public confidence in the rule of law.
“In line with the mandate of this committee and the authority vested in me as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I hereby formally declare this public hearing open,” he stated.
Earlier, The Senate committee chairman on judiciary, human rights and legal matters, Sen. Adegbonmire A. Ayodele has expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their presence and active participation, noting that their contributions would be instrumental in shaping laws that are responsive, effective, constitutionally sound, and aligned with national interest.
He said, the Senate is considering a bill that seeks to establish an independent agency solely responsible for the management and disposal of forfeited assets. The proposed legislation aims to separate asset recovery from asset management functions to enhance transparency and accountability.
Sen. Ayodele noted that Key objectives of the bill include:
Creating unified standards and processes for the custody, valuation, and disposal of forfeited properties across all relevant agencies.
Establishing an automated forfeited assets management system to track recovered assets from seizure to final disposal.
Ensuring that proceeds from forfeited assets are channeled into national development initiatives.
However, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria noted that the proposed framework is designed to improve governance, strengthen public trust, and eliminate inconsistencies in the handling of recovered assets.
He informed that the second bill under consideration is an amendment to the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act (SB 42). Originally enacted in 1945, the Act regulates the appointment of sheriffs, enforcement of court judgments, and service of civil court processes. However, Senator Ayodele observed that “the 80-year-old statute no longer reflects contemporary judicial practices or technological advancements.”
According to the sponsor, the amendment bill seeks to:
Modernize the Act to reflect current economic realities and update outdated monetary provisions.
Provide for electronic service of court processes in line with modern judicial practice and technological advancements.
Address challenges in enforcing monetary judgments against government agencies.
Streamline procedures for the execution of civil court orders. And Strengthen enforcement mechanisms available to judgment creditors.
Sen. Ayodele underscored that the public hearing represents a cornerstone of democratic lawmaking, offering stakeholders and members of the public an opportunity to examine the proposed legislation, offer expert input, raise concerns, and suggest recommendations.
The committee chairman stressed that they are approaching the bills with an open mind and are not prejudging their merits, describing the proposed legislations as far-reaching instruments with significant implications for governance, economic stability, and public trust in state institutions.
He concluded by expressing optimism for fruitful deliberations, assuring participants that all submissions would receive due consideration and inform the committee’s final recommendations.
Core Reporters report that the public hearing is currently ongoing at the Nigerian senate in Abuja.
