Parties In Rivers Assembly Court Case Give Different Interpretations To Judgement

By

-

June 10, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

There are discordant tunes over Monday’s judgement by a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt which, dismissed the suit seeking to declare the seats of 25 Rivers House of Assembly Lawmakers opposing to Governor Similayi Fubara vacant.

The 25 Assembly members, who are loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the heat of the political crisis in the oil rich state.

In their letter of defection read on the floor of the Assembly, on the 18th of December, 2023. They cited the division in their party and lack of interest of the PDP leadership in resolving the matter in Rivers State as the reason for their defection.

However, delivering judgement in the suit, today, 10th of June, Justice Okogbule Gbasam held that the lawmakers are still members of the PDP after he said the claimants failed to provide proof as required by law that the defendants are members of the APC.

The court held that defection from a political party cannot be proven through media reports, including newspaper articles, radio broadcasts, or online news stories, but rather requires more substantial evidence.

The court ruled that a lawmaker’s defection from a political party can only be established through official party records, specifically: the party membership register and a valid membership card in fulfillment of all membership requirements, as stipulated by the party.

“Any other means, including media reports, are insufficient to prove defection,” the judge ruled.

Recall that a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Friday, May 30, declared the seats of the 25 lawmakers vacant pending the determination of a suit before it.

However, Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, said that there was no declaration to the effect that Martin Amaewhule and 26 others are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA).

Iboroma stated that there is already a misleading news in circulation on social and conventional media that Amaewhule and others are members of the PDP and RSHA, stressing that the information is meant to deceive the public.

The Rivers State Attorney-General, therefore, urged members of the public to disregard such news already making the rounds on social, print, and electronic media, emphasizing that the entirety of the news is not true and has no basis in law.

Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Rivers State, the Attorney-General said, as the 3rd defendant in Suit No. DHC/20/CS/2024, his attention was drawn to a recent judgment of the court to that effect.

But Iboroma explained that the suit in question did not seek to declare the seats of Martin Amaewhule and 26 others in Rivers State House of Assembly vacant.

Rather, he said: “The suit of the claimants was struck out for want of locus standi and jurisdiction and also for being an abuse of court process which robbed the trial court of jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter.

“As you all know, Martins Amaewhule and 26 others defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress on the 11th Day of December, 2023, and stated that much in affidavit evidence deposed to by Martins Amaewhule for himself and on behalf of 26 others in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1681/CS/2023 before Hon. Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division. The Suit is still pending in Court.”

The Rivers State Attorney-General explained further: “By Section 272(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it is only the Federal High Court that can determine whether Martins Amaewhule and 26 others are still members of Peoples Democratic Party and also members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This much was held by the trial court.”

CBN Axes Boards, Management Of Three Banks

By

Ayodele Oni

-

June 10, 2024

0

By Ayodele Oni

Indications emerged on Monday that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), may hit more Commercial Banks in the country following a clampdown on the Management and Boards of three more banks.

The Apex Bank had, last week, withdrawn the operating licence of Heritage Bank and handed its operations to the Nigeria Deposit Insurañce Corporation, (NDIC).

The CBN, on Monday, announced the immediate dissolution of the Boards and Management of Keystone, Polaris and Union Banks.

This was contained in a statement by Mrs Sidi Ali Hakama, Acting Head of Corporate Communications of the CBN, stating that the decision of the Apex Bank was based on the non-compliance with regulatory institutions and specifically on Sections 12 (c), (f) (g) (h) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, 2020.

The CBN specifically said that the Banks infractions vary from regulatory non-compliance, corporate governance failure, disregard of the conditions under which their licences were granted, and involvement in activities that pose a threat to financial stability among other.

The CBN however assured the public of the safety and security of depositors’ funds, stressing that it remained resolute in fulfilling its mandate to uphold a sound, safe and robust financial system in Nigeria.

The CBN also assured that the Nation’s banking system remain sound and resilient.

Ondo NSCDC, In Joint Operation, Arrests Suspects With Adulterated Petroleum Products

By

Ayodele Oni

-

June 10, 2024

0

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced the arrest of five suspects in connection with an alleged illegal transportation of 250,000 litres of adulterated petroleum products along Ondo waterways.

The Command, in a statement on Monday in Akure, explained that the arrest followed a joint operation with a private Security Services and Nigeria Army along Igbokoda watereay.

The statement, signed by the NSCDC spokesman, Aidamenbor Daniel, gave the names of the suspects as

Orofin Olorunjuwon, Enigbewo Sunday, Ayeyiwa Ilumaro, Owoyemi Ete and Okorisa Noah.

It stated that the suspects were arrested on Sunday, at Igbokoda waterways of Ondo State with two large wooden boats filled with about 250,000 litres of adulterated petroleum products, three outboard boat engines and two pumping machines.

“The joint task force set the illegally acquired petroleum product ablaze on the high sea, while the suspects and other exhibit are in custody for prosecution.

“Commandant Ibiloye assured that the joint operation and routine patrol of the waterways will be a continuous exercise to rid Ondo state of economic saboteurs, while the suspects will be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to other criminal elements.”

SDP Chairman Advocates For N100,000 Minimum Wage, Says It Will Make Workers Breath

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

June 10, 2024

0

By Akinwale Kasali

Shehu Gabam, Social Democratic Party, SDP, National Chairman has called on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration not to pay Workers less than N100,000 as Minimum Wage.

Gabam made the appeal to the Federal Government in the wake of a possible nationwide strike following the failure of the FG and the Organized Labour to reach a compromise on the minimum wage, as negotiations are still ongoing.

The SDP Chair said this when he featured as a guest on the Sunday edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Gabam insisted that the Government will do itself a favour by settling for a reasonable wage that is above N100,000 to avoid civil servants sabotaging the system.

He said, “For me, what I think at this stage is that the government should do something above N100,000. It is reasonably okay. It makes a little bit of sense. People can breathe, and people can go to work without thinking of sabotaging the institutions.

“You are paying civil servants and other private employees just N30,000. And then when you go to the market, there is nothing of the lowest that you can get at the cost of N30,000.”

The SDP chief also chided Nigerian Governors for announcing that payment of any minimum wage higher than N60,000 was not sustainable. This is even as he appealed for a review of the fuel removal subsidy policy.

“Any serious Governor that can put his priorities right can pay N60,000 comfortably,” Gabam insisted, noting that if ghost workers are purged from the system, States can pay it. The tragedy is that the majority of the problems we are having today are from the states. The Governors are contributing largely to the problem.

He added, “They have to consider reviewing this subsidy. I’ve mentioned this severally, you can get it right with the rate of subsidy the way it is. This Government initiated this crisis by removing the fuel subsidy and naturally, they don’t need to be told that there are consequences that will follow.

“What we expected is that by the time the Government made up its mind to remove the fuel subsidy and the pains that would follow thereafter, the consumption rates, the supply rates, and the demand rates of the nation, no one can stand it,” he concluded.

Conflicting Judgement Reinstates 27 Pro-Wike Law Makers As PDP Members

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

-

June 10, 2024

0

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt and presided over by Justice Okogbule Gbasam on Monday, June 10, 2024, ruled that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule and 26 other Lawmakers are in the eyes of the law, still members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, despite their earlier public declaration of defection.

The 27 Legislators had in the wake of the political disagreement between the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, and Governor Sim Fubara announced their resignation and subsequent defection from the PDP to the All Progressive Congress, APC .

Their defection was one of the direct fallouts from their failed speculated impeachment plot against Governor Fubara, a development which also led to the torching of a section of the Assembly Complex and other parts vandalized by supporters of both parties.

Justice Gbasam while ruling on an application seeking to declare the seats of the defected Lawmakers vacant which, also, has the PDP as an applicant, noted that the applicants failed to substantiate their claims that the defected lawmakers are now members of the APC.

He maintained that the applicants failed to prove that the names of the defected lawmakers are not still contained in the PDP membership register and/or that they are no longer having in their possessions the PDP membership cards.

The Judge insisted that what defines membership and/or non membership of a party is not an open declaration ,but party membership register and card.

He, therefore, ruled that the applicants having failed to establish that the names of the 27 legislators are no longer in the PDP register, they remain members of the party .

The Source reports that another Rivers State High Court had on May 30, declared the Lawmakers’ seats vacant on account of their defection from the PDP to the APC.

The Court had also ordered the Speaker of the House of Assembly Amaewfule to stop parading himself as such .

It further directed that Governor Fubara should stop accepting any correspondences from the 27 defected Lawmakers pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice before the court .

2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Super Eagles In Make Or Mar Match Against Benin Republic

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

June 10, 2024

0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Super Eagles of Nigeria has a score to settle with the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, having garnered just three points in its three matches against Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Amavubis of Rwanda and the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

The National side is languishing in fifth position in the six-team log, putting its possibility of qualifying for the World Showpiece in jeopardy. Only a win against Benin Republic could revive its hope.

Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George, has revealed that his players will approach the game against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic with every seriousness.

Speaking ahead of the game, Finidi mentioned that his players have learned from their draw against South Africa and are eager to secure a win.

He said: “We are going to approach the game with every seriousness. The match against South Africa, that is gone. We have learnt from it. We just have to get ourselves to have that fantastic second half that we had [against South Africa].

“If we can start that way tomorrow [now today], I think we have a chance.”

The Cheetahs who boast four points, the Eagles know they must fire on all cylinders and recreate the happy moments of the AFCON at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny – where they won all three matches played there during the Africa Cup of Nations finals earlier in the year.

The Eagles has been scheduled to have a feel of the familiar turf during their official training at 4pm CIV time on Sunday.

Gabonese official Pierre Ghislain Atcho will be the referee for Monday’s encounter that commences at 4pm CIV time (5pm in Nigeria). Ethiopian officials Temesgin Samuel Atango and Tigle Gizlaw Belachew will serve as assistant referees 1 and 2, while Cameroonian Antoine Max Effa Essouma will be fourth official.

Djamel Haimoudi from Algeria will be the referee assessor, with Burkinabe David Yameogo as commissioner and Ivorian Atte Claude Elloh as security officer.

The game will be played at the Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at 5 p.m. (Nigerian time).

Minimum Wage: Organized Labour Set To Resume Suspended Strike

By

Ayodele Oni

-

June 10, 2024

0

By Ayodele Oni

The Organized Labour may resume the indefinite strike it suspended last week on Tuesday, just as it Insisted that it will not accept any N62,000 or N100,000 “starvation wage” as the minimum wage for workers.

The union maintained its stand on N250,000, being its latest demand at the last meeting of the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage on Friday, as the living wage for an average Nigerian worker.

Chris Onyeka, Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), made the clarification while fielding questions on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief show on Monday.

Onyeka pointed out that the one week given to the Federal Government last Tuesday to suspend the strike would expire by the midnight of Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

According to him, should the Federal Government and National Assembly fail to act on the demands of workers by Tuesday, the organs of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, (TUC), would meet to decide on the resumption of the nationwide industrial action.

“We have never contemplated N100,000 let alone N62,000. We are still at N250,000, that is where we are, and that is what we considered enough concession to the government and the other social partners in this particular situation.

“We are not just driven by frivolities but the realities of the market place; realities of things we buy every day, bag of rice, yam, garri, and all of that.

“The Federal Government and the National Assembly have the call now. It is not our call. Our demand is there for them to look at and send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly, and for the National Assembly to look at what we have demanded, the various facts of the law, and then come up with a National Minimum Act that meets our demands.

“If that does not meet our demand, we have given the Federal Government a one-week notice to look at the issues and that one week expires on Tuesday.

“If after tomorrow, we have not seen any tangible response from the government, the organs of the Organized Labour will meet to decide on what next.

“It was clear what we said. We said we are relaxing a nationwide indefinite strike. It’s like putting a pause on it.”

Aba Killings: Lucky Ikpeama, One Of The Five Soldiers Killed, Goes Home June 13, Gov Otti, Visits Family

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

-

June 10, 2024

0

Alex Otti with Family of a Solider Killed in Aba

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The remains of one of the five soldiers killed at a Military checkpoint at Obikabia junction, Aba, Abia State, on May 30, 2024, during the Indigenous Peoples Biafra, IPOB, declared sit-at-home order to mourn those that lost their lives during the Nigerian civil war, Lucky Ikechukwu Ikpeaman, will be laid to rest on Thursday June 13, at his home town, Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Council of Abia state.

The Source had earlier reported that before being mauled down by some yet-to-be identified gunmen alongside his four other soldier colleagues, Ikpeama spent and survived over eight years battling Boko Haram insurgency in Maiduguri and its environs.

He was, however, redeployed in 2023 to Abia state, his home state, where he served until the sad incident of May 30.

The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, on Sunday, June 9, paid a condolence visit to the distraught family members of killed Cpl. Ikpema ,during which they announced the burial date for their fallen son ,having applied and subsequently granted approval by the Nigerian Army authorities to bury him.

A statement issued on Monday, June 10, by the Media Aide to the Governor, Kazie Uko, stated that while commiserating with the Ikpeamas ,Governor Otti reiterated his promise that the State Government will take up the responsibility of training the children of the slain soldiers up to the University level.

The Abia State Governor had, in the wake of the killing of the five soldiers, visited the 144 battalion of the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Asa, Ukwa West local council of the state to condole the widows and families of the killed soldiers, announced that the Abia state Government will take full responsibility of the welfare of the families of the fallen soldiers.

“Abia state Governor, Dr Alex Otti, on Sunday visited the family of Cpl Lucky Ikechukwu Ikpeama ,one of the soldiers killed by yet-to-be identified gunmen at Obikabia junction Obingwa local Government Area .

“Late Cpl Ikpeama hailed from the same village ,Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area as Governor Otti.

“The deceased,one of the soldiers ambushed and killed by the gunmen on Thursday May 30 ,2024 at his duty post ,left behind a young wife with about a four month old baby and aged mother.” part of the statement reads.

Our Ambition Is To Offset Monthly And Annual Wage Bills Through IGR By The Year 2027 – Katsina Governor

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

-

June 10, 2024

0

Umar Dikko Radda - Governor of Katstina State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has said that his administration is poised to surpass its N20 billion targeted internally generated revenue projection for the 2024 fiscal year.

This is even as he announced a bumper sum of N4.08 billion as internally generated revenue for the first quarter of the year representing a staggering 227% increase from the N1.79 billion generated during the corresponding period in 2023 .

In a statement issued on Sunday, June 9, 2024 by his Media Aide Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the Governor attributed the cheering development to the religious implementation of the ” Building Your Future Policy Document” of his administration.

According to him, the blueprint has paved the way for ground-breaking initiatives, such as the State’s Treasury Single Account and the recently implemented E-tax billing system .

Governor Dikko insisted that these reforms have not only streamlined tax and revenue collections ,but also fostered an inclusive environment ,ensuring that no stone is left unturned in the quest for economic growth.

“One of the key catalysts for this extraordinary. success has been the administration’s unwavering commitment to plugging leakages in the state’s financial system .

By identifying and addressing these vulnerabilities, the administration has effectively stemmed the tide of revenue loss ,paving the way for an unprecedented in flow of resources.

The administration’s overarching objective is to empower Katsina state to achieve a level of fiscal self sufficiency that will enable it offset its monthly and annual wage bills solely through internally generated revenue by the year 2027 .

However, at the current. pace of progress ,this ambitious goal may be realised even sooner than anticipated”, Governor Radda stated.

EFCC Raid: Gov Aiyedatiwa Meets Nite Club Owners, Promises To Look Into Complaints, Police Sue For Peace

By

Ayodele Oni

-

June 10, 2024

0

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Sunday met with owners of night clubs in Akure following the raid by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the weekend.

Owners of night clubs and hotels affected by the raid gave the accounts of how their facilities were vandalized by the officers of the anti-graft body when they arrested some suspected internet fraudsters in the early hours of Saturday in Akure.

This is just as the State Police command explained its role in the EFCC operation.

The EFCC had stated that its operatives, acting on intelligence reports, stormed the outlets to effect the arrest of 127 people allegedly holding ‘Yahoo Parties’ and those who had been on the radar of the Commission.

Addressing the club owners at the meeting held at the Government House, Governor Aiyedatiwa sympathized with them on the damages done to their facilities and loss of revenue.

The Governor urged them to compile a record of all their facilities destroyed during the raids so they can use it to present genuine cases to the necessary authorities.

Saying that there can’t be smoke without fire, the Governor said the EFCC has the mandate to carry out arrest of suspects and must have acted on credible intelligence to carry out the raids.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, however, said innocent people affected by the operation should seek redress, while those who have cases to answer should be allowed to defend themselves.

The governor added that he has been in communication with top security agencies to get credible reports on the incident, and promised to intervene wherever necessary.

The club owners, who thanked the Governor for the timely meeting, said they were not part of those planning to hold a protest over the incident.

In a statement, the police command spokesperson,

Funmilayo Odunlami -Omisanya,

said it was informed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before the operation.

“The Police on receipt of the information on the sting operations at about 0330hrs of 09/06/2024 made contact with relevant stakeholders to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order in the state.

“The State Government and the Inspector-General of Police have been informed and are taking steps to ensure that all concerns are addressed without prejudice.

“Thus, the Command calls for peace to allow relevant authorities look into the matter with a view to addressing the complaints and concerns of aggrieved residents.

“The Command recognizes the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful protest but this rights must be exercised without breach of public order and non infringement on the rights of other law abiding citizens.

“The Police owe it a duty to protect the rights of all citizens and foreign nationals resident within or transiting through the State at all times.

“We appeal to the good people of Ondo State especially the youths who claimed to have been adversely affected by the sting operation to act with restraint and comport themselves within the ambits of the laws of the land.

“While urging victims and their sympathizers to calm their frayed nerves and follow laid down procedures in channeling their complaints to appropriate authorities for possible redress and not embark on a self help mission that can lead to break down of law and order in the State.”