The Supreme Court of Nigeria has struck out suits by Lagos and Ekiti states, challenging the legality of virtual court sittings.
The Attorney-General of Ekiti State, Mr Olawale Fapohunda had in the suit asked the court to determine the constitutionality of a directive issued by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubaka Malami, to the Heads of Courts at Federal and State levels, as it relates to the conduct of virtual proceedings in court, and whether such is not a violation of federalism as provided in the 1999 Constitution.
Also, Fapohunda wanted the apex court to determine if the directive issued in line with the National Judicial Council is not a violation of the constitutional provisions on fair hearing as it relates to the conduct of criminal trials in public.
Furthermore, Fapohunda asked the court to set aside or strike down directives to the extent that they purport to be binding on the Ekiti State High Court for being inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Ooni Adimula of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi
The Ooni Adimula of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has charged young Nigerians to be steadfast in culture and heritage.
This charge was made over the weekend when the Monarch hosted in his palace, the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Ife (Ile-Oodua), some youths, a social media entertainer and actor, Debo Adebayo, widely known by the stage name Mr Macaroni and Big Brother Naija star, Seyi Awolowo.
According Oba Ogunwusi, young people must never forget their culture and heritage: “It is the greatest asset and wealth that we all must embrace”.
The Monarch, who reiterated his passion and commitment to mentoring young Nigerians said: “Over the past four years of my ascension to the Throne of my forbearers, one of my core Royal mission has been to reconstruct the worldview of our young populations as I instill in them new cultural attributes through beliefs, values, practices, norms, tradition, heritage and understanding extraordinary corpus moments in African history.
“It was an audacious moment, imprinting ambitious ideas for greatness in their minds as well as stemming up their spirit to share in my vision of rewriting our stories, celebrating our ancestor’s achievements and recording their challenges of the past for the generations ahead”, Oba Ogunwusi said.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Mr Macaroni expressed excitement and appreciation of the warm reception by the His Imperil Majesty.
“Honor of my life to have spent an incredibly exciting and overwhelming day with the Alayeluwa, Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula!! His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) The Ooni of Ife!!
“He showed me so much love, I was speechless!! Totally unbelievable!!
Thank you for this moment sir and for showing how ready you are to invest in the Youths! This for me is priceless!!! May your reign be long and prosperous!!! Kabiesi oooooooooooo”, Mr Macaroni stated.
Also sharing via Instagram, his experience with Oba Ogunwusi and appreciating the Monarch’s gift, Seyi Awolowo said: “The king freakied (credited) our accounts while he cracked the entire palace up.
“Not seen a king like this before… may you live long and prosper”, He stated.
Mama Zindzi Mandela, youngest daughter of late South African Icon and ex-President, Nelson Mandela.
Mama Zindzi Mandela, South Africa’s Ambassador to Denmark and youngest daughter of struggle icons, Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, has died at the age of 59.
She died on Sunday night at a hospital in Johannesburg, but the cause of her death has not been ascertained as at press time.
She’s survived by her four children: Zoleka, Zondwa, Bambatha and Zwelabo and her husband Molapo.
Confirming the unfortunate incident, the Mandela Family, in a statement, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Mama Zindzi Mandela, youngest daughter of the late ANC (African National Congress) stalwarts Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
“She is survived by her children and grandchildren. Memorial service and funeral arrangements to be announced in the course of the week.”
Also, Nelson Mandela Foundation was heartbroken by the news of the passing of Mama Zindzi.
The foundation said: “We have been shocked to wake to the news of the untimely passing of Zindziswa Mandela. On a day when we are marking the anniversary of another terrible moment – when Madiba’s son Thembekile died in a car accident in 1969. Zindzi was someone we had come to know well and to love. She was our friend.
“Our thoughts are with her family and friends.
“Zindzi will be remembered for a rich and extraordinary life, marked by many iconic moments. The years she spent banished with Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to the small town of Brandfort. That summer’s day in February 1985 at Jabulani Stadium when she read to the world Madiba’s rejection of President Botha’s offer of a conditional release from prison.
“We will also remember her as a special soul. She worked with the Foundation on many projects over the years, for instance the book Hunger for Freedom, by author Anna Trapido. We valued her generosity, her warmth and her sense of humour. She was always patient in responding to our requests for information and other forms of assistance. And we admired her strength in dealing with life’s challenges and tragedies.
“Madiba’s personal archive speaks to this strength, as well as to the nature of her relationship with her father. Just two examples as illustration. In a 1969 letter from prison, Madiba noted that her ‘heart is sore because I am not at home and wants to know when I will come back.
“In a 1987 letter to Zindzi, Madiba told her that he had heard from an acquaintance that she was as strong as a rock. He went on: ‘That is just the kind of remark a father would like to hear about his beloved child. I literally swelled with pride and satisfaction. That remark reached me at the right time, shortly after you had just gone through a rather harrowing experience.
“He ended the letter: ‘Tons and tons of love darling, and a million kisses.
“We join with many in saying hamba kakuhle to an outstanding South African. We will miss you Zindziswa; you who were named after the daughter of that great South African poet S.E.K. Mqhayi. We will miss you Ambassador Mandela. Lala ngoxolo Madiba, Zondwa, Ngqolomsila, Sophitsho, Yem-yem,” Nelson Mandela Foundation said, in a statement by Luzuko Koti.
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa also offered his condolences.
“I offer my deep condolences to the Mandela family as we mourn the passing of a fearless political activist who was a leader in her own right. Our sadness is compounded by this loss being visited upon us just days before the world marks the birthday of the great Nelson Mandela.
“Zindzi Mandela was a household name nationally and internationally, who during our years of struggle brought home the inhumanity of the apartheid system and the unshakeable resolve of our fight for freedom.
“After our liberation she became an icon of the task we began of transforming our society and stepping into spaces and opportunities that had been denied to generations of South Africans,” Ramaphosa said.
The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in his tribute, said: “Saddened to hear the news about Zindzi Mandela passing. I am sending my deepest condolences to the Mandela family and the people of South Africa. Zindzi was an inspirational leader and we all will miss her greatly.”
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government Sunday handed over the National Arts Theatre complex in Lagos State to the private sector for a complete revamp and modernisation.
This was coming as Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the proposed transformation of the theatre complex give Nigeria an opportunity to harness her creative industry, describing the revitalisation of the cultural edifice as a goldmine for revenue generation.
The National Arts Theatre complex, sitting on an expansive space and an adjoining 134-hectare fallow land in Iganmu area of Lagos, has been abandoned over the years due to mismanagement and non-maintenance.
Moved by the need to restore the glory of the epicentre of cultural activities in Lagos and turn around its capacity to develop the creative industry, Buhari recently approved the regeneration of the theatre complex through a public private partnership.
The presidential approval culminated into the official hand over ceremony of the edifice at the theatre complex’s Banquet Hall to private investors led by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Bankers’ Committee (a team of private investors) under the chairmanship of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The N25 billion project, tagged the Lagos Creative and Entertainment Centre, which is expected to be completed in 18 months, would be executed in two phases.
Phase 1 involves the restoration and upgrade of the National Theatre to its glorious days at a cost of N7 billion, while Phase II would involve the development of the adjoining fallow land at a cost of N18 billion.
Highlights of the first phase include the upgrade of the theatres (the main halls and cinema halls, conference and banquet halls, press hall and the bar); installation of new seats, upgrade of the sanitary facilities, installation of lifts, acoustics and specialist lightings, as well as replacement of the air
conditioning, lighting and plumbing.
Phase II would involve the development of purpose-built clusters to provide world class facilities for Nigeria’s Creative Industry, with the clusters having four hubs: Fashion, Music, Film and Information and Technology (IT) hubs.
The creative clusters would be supported by other facilities, including multi-storey parking to accommodate 1,000 cars, a Visitors’ Welcome Centre which would house commercial and retail facilities, as well as administration and management offices.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who officially transferred the monument to the team of private investors for regeneration, said the project is expected to be delivered in the next 18 months.
The minister said the planned restoration and upgrade of the iconic National Theatre would generate about 10,000 jobs during and after the restoration.
He said: “Please permit me to start off by making a clarification: this iconic National Theatre remains a national heritage and will not be ceded to any person or group, as some have chosen to frame what we are doing here today. What we are here to do is to hand over the National Theatre for restoration and upgrade and the fallow land within the premises to the Central Bank and the Bankers’ Committee for development.
“The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture holds the keys to the National Theatre on behalf of all Nigerians.
“The good news is that this project will not lead to a single job loss. Instead, it will create more. Some 6,000 jobs will be created during the construction phase, while the completed project could generate up to an additional 600 permanent and 2,000 to 3,000 call-on/call-off jobs. This is as good as it gets!”
The minister described the handover of the facility as a “historic day in the annals of the Creative Industry in Nigeria,” describing the project as a win-win for all those involved.
“For over 40 years, no major renovation work has been done on the National Theatre, while the adjoining land has been lying fallow. Many attempts to restore the National Theatre
have failed. And the government has no money to restore the complex.
“As you know, this is the hub of the Creative Industry in Nigeria. The National Theatre was established to encourage the advancement of the performing arts throughout the country; to create opportunities for performing artists of the country as well as to aid the promotion of social development and the improvement of the quality of life. In its present state, it is not living to its billing,” the minister added.
Recalling the glory days of the National Theatre, Mohammed said the edifice once hosted all Nigerian state government functions and musical extravaganzas such as the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Roy Ayers, Skyy, Shalamar, Whispers, Third world and Dynasty; stage events like Wole Soyinka’s adaptation of D. O. Fagunwa’s Langbodo and even Stevie Wonder, who received one of his numerous Grammy Awards at the National Theatre.
In his remarks, Sanwo-Olu described Lagos State as the centre for innovation, noting that the Centre of Excellence would benefit hugely from the monument’s revitalisation.
Sanwo-Olu said harnessing the potential of creative industry remained vital to diversifying the national economy and transforming Lagos economy to be 21st Century compliant, adding that a modernised National Arts Theatre would empower innovative youth across the country to develop creative skills in fashion, performing arts, music and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
“As the governor of the state where this national monument is sited, it gives me a great sense of joy to see the National Arts Theatre being revitalised. When the conversation around setting up the biggest black heritage started in the 1970s, Lagos was the centre of the discussion.
“It feels good to see that the conversation around revitalising the monument turning it around for the generations to come is taking place in Lagos. Everyone of us growing up about 30 to 35 years ago knew what the National Theatre stood for. Given that we have had good times in this monument, it would be shame on all of us if we didn’t do what we are doing today and leave this national heritage to die,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu observed that before the move by the Federal Government to revamp the theatre, Lagos State Government had deployed resources to modernise the areas around the monument, pointing out that the state government built a Light Rail station in the theatre.
The governor said synergy between the state and federal governmenta in equipping the monument with Light Rail station is an asset that would help in mass transportation in and out of the edifice when the revamping is completed.
Sanwo-Olu said: “There’s no way we can transform Lagos economy and make it 21st Century compliant if this national centrepiece is not re-engineered to develop our creative industry. Therefore, this revitalisation exercise speaks to our vision in the pillars of our development agenda.”
The governor assured the investors and the Federal Government that Lagos would be part of every process required to turn around the heritage.
Emefiele, on his part, said the partnership would transform the monument to a world-class arts and entertainment centre.
He said the handing over of the theatre to private investors was timely, given the challenges facing the economy that earns revenue from single source.
The CBN boss added that the nation had the potential to generate annual revenue of $20 billion from creative industry, noting that such could help cushion the effect of instability on the national economy.
Emefiele thanked Lagos State Government for creating an infrastructure around the monument, pointing out that the rail station would open the theatre up for seamless traffic.
“Upon completion in another 18 months, this entire area would have transformed into a creative centre which will only be comparable to world-class entertainment and convention centres in this part of the world.
“Our goal to revamp this National Arts Theatre is to create an environment where startups and existing businesses can be rewarded for their creativity. When the renovation is completed, this monument will support skill acquisition and creation of jobs for over one million Nigerians over the next five years,” he said.
Also speaking, the Minister for Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, said the partnership was another giant step by the Buhari administration to strengthen the youth and invest in their creativity.
“I commend the Bankers’ Committee for this new vision to engender a rebirth of millennial economy. A modernised National Arts Theatre will help our young people to hone their skills and divest their energy to create values for themselves and the country,” Dare said.
The revamping of the monument would be handled by SANEF Creatives Limited. When completely revamped, cinemas of the modernised National Arts Theatre would now have digital screens and modern lighting system.
Its three exhibition centres and banquet halls would be completely regenerated. It would have a multi-storey car park, ICT incubation centre, cultural and entertainment hubs, including apparel factory, film village, and music hub for young musicians to have an opportunity to record.
The ceremony was witnessed by Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; the Chairman of the Committee of Banks’ CEOs, Herbert Wigwe; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Grace Isu Gekpe; among others.
Suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has been accused of re-looting funds recovered by the commission as well as bribery.
Magu, who is currently being interrogated by a Presidential Investigation Committee on the EFCC-Federal Government Recovered Assets and Finances from May 2015 to May 2020, headed by retired Justice Ayo Salami, has been accused of mismanagement and lack of transparency in managing recovered assets by EFCC.
A final report of the presidential probe panel obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had seriously indicted and implicated Magu on various allegations levelled against him.
The new facts have emerged on how interest rates accruing from N550 billion recovered by EFCC in the period under review were allegedly re-looted.
Magu is now expected to disclose the whereabouts of the missing interest funds running into millions of naira.
NAN also observed that the Final Report of Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Assets (PCARA) that covered the period of May 29, 2015, to November 22, 2018, had also confirmed the concerns of the public about contradictory recovery figures emanating from Magu.
“It is quite disturbing that conflicting figures are being circulated in the public space by EFCC as the amount of recovered funds.
“For foreign currency recoveries, EFCC reported a total naira equivalent of N46,038,882,509.87, while the Naira equivalent of the foreign currency lodgments was N37,533,764,195.66, representing a shortfall of N8,505,118,314.21.
“These inconsistencies cast serious doubt on the accuracy of figures submitted by EFCC. It is the committee’s view that EFCC cannot be said to have fully accounted for cash recoveries made by it.
“While EFCC reported total Naira recoveries of N504,154,184,744.04, the actual bank lodgements were N543,511,792,863.47. These discrepancies mean that EFCC’s actual lodgment exceeded its reported recoveries by N39,357,608,119.43.
“It must be pointed out that the discrepancy of more than thirty-nine billion naira does not include interest accrued in this account since it was opened.
“It, therefore, casts serious doubt on the credibility of the figures and means that a substantial amount of money has not been accurately accounted for.
“Failure to report on the interest on actual lodgements clearly establishes that the interest element of over N550 billion has been re-looted relating to the period under review.
“This is an apparent case of manipulation of data in a very brazen and unprofessional manner and this has greatly eroded the public confidence in the anti-corruption efforts,’’ the report stated in part.
NAN also reports that PCARA revealed how the investigative reports on EFCC’s activities by the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) exposed acts of corruption and money laundering against some EFCC officials, including Magu.
“The NFIU reports established that the Acting Chairman has been using different sources to siphon money from EFCC, and in some cases collecting bribes from suspects.
“The report has shown that a particular Bureau de Change, owned by Ahmed Ibrahim Shanono linked to the Acting Chairman based in Kaduna has more than 158 accounts and has been receiving huge sums of funds.
“The link to Magu was also established by the payment of N28 million to Falana who is a close associate and ally of the Acting Chairman,’’ PCARA report further revealed.
NAN reports that the Salami probe panel is expected to continue sitting on Monday, while Magu’s lawyer, Oluwatosin Ojaomo, had on Friday applied for an administrative bail for his client, who is facing corruption and other charges before the panel.
File photo: President Buhari at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari Saturday broke silence on the travails of the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
The President explained that the guiding principle of his administration is that there are no sacred cows, adding that when allegations are made against the chief executive officer of an institution, the chief executive officer has to step down from his post and allow for a transparent and unhindered investigation.
Buhari noted that a series of documented allegations were made against EFCC under the leadership of Magu, which led to the constitution of an investigative panel in compliance with the extant laws governing the convening of such a body.
“A series of documented allegations were made against the Ag. Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Following a preliminary review of the allegations leveled against the Ag. Chairman and several other members of his staff, there were grounds for a detailed investigation to be conducted.
“Hence, an investigative panel was constituted in compliance with the extant laws governing the convening of such a body.
“As is the proper procedure, when allegations are made against the Chief Executive of an institution, and in this case an institution that ought to be seen as beyond reproach, the Chief Executive has to step down from his post and allow for a transparent and unhindered investigation.
“EFCC does not revolve around the personality of an individual, and as such cannot be seen through the prism of any individual.
“Therefore, the suspension of Mr. Ibrahim Magu, allows the institution to continue carrying out its mandate without the cloud of investigation hanging over its head.
“EFCC has many good, hardworking men and women who are committed to its ideal and ensuring that the wealth of our country isn’t plundered and wherein there is an act of misappropriation such person(s) are brought to justice,” Buhari said, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
The statement added that the embattled EFCC acting chairman was being given opportunity to defend himself in accordance to the rule of law.
“Mr. Magu is being availed the opportunity to defend himself and answer the allegations against him. This is how it should be, as is the fact that under the laws of Nigeria every citizen is presumed and remains innocent until proven guilty.
“We must realise that the fight against corruption is not a static event, but a dynamic and ever evolving process, in which the EFCC is just one actor; and as we continue to work towards improving our democratic process so shall every institution of ours also embark on that journey of evolution.
“What is however important is that there must be accountability and transparency and our people must realize that they would be held to account. This is the building block in the fight against corruption, the establishment of the concept of Accountability and the recognition of the rule of law.
“Those who see Mr. Magu’s investigation, as a signal that the fight against corruption is failing, have unfortunately, missed the boat.
“There is no better indication that the fight is real and active than the will to investigate allegations in an open and transparent manner against those who have been charged to be custodians of this very system.
“Under this President and Government, this is our mantra and guiding principle. There are no sacred cows, and for those who think they have a halo over their heads, their days are also numbered.
“Mr. Magu was not immune – and regardless of the obvious embarrassment that potential acts of wrongdoing by him, given the office he held, may appear for the government.
“No other administration in the history of Nigeria would have moved to bring into the light and public domain such an allegation,” the statement pointed out.
Meanwhile, the President has urged African leaders to ensure the immediate actualisation of the Common African Position on Assets Recovery (CAPAR), as the continent celebrated Anti-Corruption Day on July 11.
Buhari, in a letter to President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, Chairman of African Union, asked for a re-commitment to the anti-corruption war by leaders on the continent to engender an “integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena.”
The Nigerian President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, lamented that “the massive corruption being perpetrated across our national governments has created a huge governance deficit that has in turn created negative consequences that have worsened the socioeconomic and political situation in Africa.”
The letter by Buhari reads in part: “As Your Excellency is aware, the continental fight against corruption has been premised on an irreducible minimum that can pave the way for Africa’s transformation.
“In this effort, the emphasis has been on the continent’s collective determination to forge resilient partnerships among our national governments, civil society organisations and other interest groups, such as women, youth and the physically challenged, to ensure improved socio-economic, political and security development and ultimately, the improvement of our continent.
“The concern of the African Union is that the massive corruption being perpetuated across our national governments, has created a huge governance deficit that has in turn created negative consequences that have worsened the socio-economic and political situation in Africa.
“Your Excellency may recall that these continental concerns led our colleagues at the African Union, to appoint my humble self as the African Union Anti-Corruption Champion. I believe that the efforts and focus of the Nigerian Government at home, partly informed this decision as well as the need for Africa, as a continent, to recommit herself to the fight against corruption and the imperative to free resources for meaningful development.
“I am, therefore, in full support of the call for the issuance of a continental message to commemorate this day, on July 11, 2020, to re-commit the African Union to the continental fight against corruption, including through a robust approach to assets recovery, hence the need for a strategic framework on a Common African Position on Assets Recovery (CAPAR).
“Happily, in February 2020, at the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa, CAPAR was adopted. In my view, the African Union must go beyond the mere annual celebration of the Africa Anti-Corruption Day by moving swiftly to operationalize the African Common Position on Assets Recovery by all member states. This is an excellent way to drive Africa’s Agenda 2063, for an ‘integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena.’
“As current Chair of our Union, I sincerely commend to you, this suggestion that seeks to call our leaders in Africa to recommit ourselves to this very important task of reclaiming our continent from the vice of systemic corruption.
“Please accept, Your Excellency and Dear Brother, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Executive Goverrnor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun
The Ogun State Government says it is looking at the possibility of providing durable drainage by extending the ongoing construction work on the Panseke-Adigbe road in Abeokuta, to reach the popular Opako bridge along Obada road.
According to a statement made available to Echotitbits by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Emmanuel Ojo, the state government took the decision in order to put a permanent stop to the perennial destruction of the retaining walls on the busy bridge, due to the lack of proper drainage.
The original Panseke-Adigbe road project, which was started at the twilight of the immediate past government , was 500-metre short, with the intent to stop the new road around Alowonle area.
However, the current Administration of Governor Abiodun is working with contractors handling the ongoing project towards extending drainage to the bridge, so that there will be proper flow and channeling of water, especially during the rains which have currently destroyed the approach to the bridge, even as the bridge itself remains intact.
As at Saturday afternoon, engineers were at the bridge with excavators to put washed off materials back in place so that the road may become motorable, pending the time when drainage work must have reached the site.
The State Government pleads with road users and residents to cooperate with engineers on site, while they carry out their duties in reasonable time.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Saturday said the President Muhammadu Buhari-Federal Government must not cover for the indicted Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but ensure that he answers for alleged corruption, reported violation of rules, victimisation of Nigerians and stealing of recovered funds for which he has been suspended.
“What Nigerians expect at this time is for the Federal Government to ensure Magu’s prosecution in court as well as take necessary and decisive steps to restore the integrity of the EFCC by ensuring that Magu’s replacement as EFCC Chairman is thoroughly screened to avoid the ills and violations experienced under the suspended acting chairman,” PDP said.
The party described Magu as not only being unfit to lead an agency like the EFCC, but has also allegedly “reduced the anti-corruption agency to a house of corruption and a partisan witch-hunt organisation that thrives in violation of rules, abuse of investigation processes, manipulation of court procedures as well as a vehicle to harass and extort money from innocent Nigerians.”
The opposition party stated that “Magu should be made to provide answer to allegations in the public space that he was more interested in securing politically induced convictions rather than justice, for which he allegedly turned EFCC into a terror house where innocent Nigerians are harassed with trumped-up charges and convicted on media trial even before being allowed to defend themselves in court.”
The party said: “There are also allegations of violation of rights, including allegedly making his victims to make statements in custody without the services of their lawyers. This is in addition to insinuations in the public that the indicted EFCC boss was also harassing certain judges to get conviction on cases.
“Similarly, there are several cases of officers and ranks of the commission whose employment in the service were unjustly suspended or terminated.”
PDP accused Magu og destroying “the integrity of the anti-corruption agency with his manifest selective fight against corruption, in which no member of the current administration, including those who have been openly indicted for corruption, has been prosecuted by EFCC.”
“Nigerians can recall that under Magu, the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, was bold to state that once a corrupt person joins the APC, all his sins are forgiven.
“Moreover, the memo by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, detailing charges of diversion of recovered funds, secret sale of seized property and insubordination among others now validates the position of most Nigerians that Ibrahim Magu lacks the required discipline, exposure and experience to head an agency like EFCC,” the party added.
PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, also urged “an investigation into the alleged connection between the indicted EFCC boss and certain judges handling EFCC cases, while calling on the judiciary to sanitise the courts in this direction.”
File Photo: President Muhammadu Buhari recieves Benue State Goverrnor, Samuel Ortom.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, Saturday told President Muhammadu Buhari to declare armed Fulani herdsmen killing innocent people in the communities of in the state as terrorists.
The governor’s call was coming after the incessant herdsmen attacks on different communities of the state in the last couple of months.
The latest of such attacks took place Friday night at Tse-Chembe community near Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area of the state, where the herders murdered seven persons in cold blood and left many others badly injured.
Ortom, who condemned the invasion and killings, described the situation as unacceptable.
He alleged “Benue State has a law which prohibits open grazing of livestock, and stresses that only a terrorist group would deliberately choose to violate the legislation as Fulani herdsmen have done since the law was enacted in 2017.”
The governor added that “declaring the armed herders operating in Benue State as terrorists will end the wave of impunity and guarantee the rule of law.”
He called on people of the state, especially those living in the affected areas to report any suspicious persons to security agencies.
Ortom commended “officers and men of Operation Whirl Stroke for their prompt responses to distress calls, particularly that of yesterday when the people of Tse-Chembe came under herdsmen’s attacks.”
He reassured Benue people that his administration would “not surrender the state to criminal elements, be they herdsmen or any other group.”
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said “no amount of threats and attacks will stop the enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state.”
L-R: Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi; Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu.
Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, has explained why she could not set up a seven-man investigative panel for the impeachment proceeding against the state’s Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.
The chief judge explained that she could not constitute the panel until all constitutional processes are followed.
It would be recalled that Ondo State Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, had written to the chief judge, informing her that impeachment notice has been served on Ajayi, which was signed by 14 lawmakers.
Oleyelogun informed Justice Akeredolu that setting up of the panel was in line with section 188 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“By the Resolution of the House today pursuant to Section 188 (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended it was resolved that the allegations be investigated forthwith.
“It is in line with the above that we request you set up the seven-man panel to conduct the investigation as resolved by the Honourable House, and the Panel report back to the House,” reads a letter to the chief judge by the speaker.
The chief judge, however, in a letter dated July 9 and addressed to the Speaker, said the lawmakers have not completed the constitutional process that would lead the Speaker to invite her to set up an investigative panel as stipulated by the constitution.
Justice Akeredolu said she also received a letter from Kayode Olatoke SAN that the matter of the impeachment of Ajayi was subjudice.
The chief judge said: “The Deputy Governor, Hon. Alfred Agboola Ajayi, must be served with notice of impeachment signed by not less than one-third of members of the House of Assembly of the state.
“The notice to be served on him must state that he is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office and must specify the particulars of the gross misconduct.
“He must be allowed to respond to the allegations.
“Within 14 days of receipt of the notice of the Honourable Speaker, whether or not the Deputy Governor responds, the House of Assembly shall pass a resolution supported by not less than two thirds majority of all the members of the House of Assembly that the allegations be investigated.”
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