Politics
COVID-19: Falana explains why Infectious Diseases Control Bill is dead
A frontline human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has described the proposed Infectious Diseases Bill as superfluous, illegal and unconstitutional.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said that the efforts to replace the Quarantine Act was a waste of time, adding that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and Prevention Act of 2018 has taken care of what the legislators are trying to achieve.
Falana said this when he appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Wednesday.
The legal practitioner said, “It is pertinent to inform Nigerians that in November 2018, a law was enacted in this country – the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Act, NCDC Act, which has taken care of infectious diseases in the country.
“So, it is not correct, in fact, it is misleading on the part of the House of Representatives to say that it is amending the 1926 Quarantine Act because there is already a development between 1926 and now. You had the 2018 Act which has taken care of the entire provisions of the new bill.
“The new bill, as far as the law is concerned, is superfluous. Its provisions are largely illegal and unconstitutional.”
Several measures are being implemented to halt the spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria, which has infected 2,950 people in the country and claimed over 100 lives already.
The introduction of the infectious disease Bill has, however, proved controversial with many calling for it to be dumped.
The bills before the House of Representatives is co-sponsored by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila and two others,
Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday said the Bill was conceived in the best interests of the Nigerian people.
According to him, the allegation that the Bill is a sinister attempt to turn the citizens into guinea pigs for medical research and take away their fundamental human rights was far from the truth.
- Top Stories16 hours ago
We will no longer allow obstruction of our operations after Ododo interfered in Yahaya Bello’s attempted arrest – EFCC
- News15 hours ago
Iyalode Line Visits Olubadan Designate
- News13 hours ago
Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate Today 18th April 2024
- Top Stories10 hours ago
Breaking: Police Apologizes Over Reports Of DJ Switch’s Arrest
- Politics15 hours ago
FIRS Chairman Releases Statement As Tinubu Inaugurates National Single Window Committee
- Top Stories16 hours ago
EFCC: Why Yahaya Bello Can’t Evade Arrest, Prosecution — Falana
- News9 hours ago
Heritage Bank In Crisis…Shut Down Over Mass Sack, Undue Process
- Entertainment16 hours ago
Bobrisky Reportedly Moved From Ikoyi To Kirkiri Prison