Reps summon, Maduekwe, Aondoakaa over Bakassi

Worried about the fear that the executive arm of government might have commenced the implementation of the agreement without the approval of the legislature, Gbajabiamila who sponsored the bill with 81 other members said the house should be conscious of the gradual and systemic erosion of legislative powers to ensure separation of powers.

He noted that the October 10, 2002 judgement of the International Court of Justice ceding Bakassi to Cameroon must be carefully studied to ensure that injustice is not being done to the people of Nigeria anywhere.

According to him, pursuant to section 12 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria and order 16 (1) of the standing orders of the House of Representatives, no bilateral or multilateral treaty or agreement can be effected or executed without the approval of the National Assembly.

He stated further that such treaty, according to the constitution is to be subjected to the same procedure as every other bill enacted into law.

Gbajabiamila acknowledged that the court judgment and the Green Tree Agreement are premised on boundary adjustment exercise but recognises that section 8 of the 1999 Constitution provided for the only way and manner any boundary adjustment can be effected.

Contributing to the debate, Cyril Maduabum drew the attention of the house to the Supreme Court decision on the matter which held that by virtue of 1999 Constitution, an international treaty entered into by Nigeria is not binding without legislative backing.

"It must have a force of law behind it. The treaty must be brought to the National Assembly for ratification. To pretend that the constitution does not exist is what we can not tolerate.

"Section 12 (1) said it must come to the National Assembly to get the force of law" he said.

Bassey Otu from Cross River State said the judgment of the International Court of Justice on the matter remained an affront of national justice and warned that though it is affecting Cross River today, it may be any other state tomorrow.

However, Stanley Onajunuka from Abia State cautioned that Nigeria needs to be very careful as it must not be seen to be violating international law.

"Nigeria is aspiring to be permanent member of the United Nations Security Council therefore we must be seen to be observer and true believer of all treaties." he said.

Essien Ayi who represents Bakassi alerted the house of the influx of refugees from Cameroon as a result of the violation of the treaty by Cameroonian gendarmes. According to him, over eighty thousand new refugees are now in the refugee camp as a result of the breach of the agreement.

"For now, we have to sit down and look at this treaty carefully and protect the interest of our people" he said.

Similarly, Patrick Obahiagbon who also supported the motion asked that everything must be done according to the constitution of the country.