Ondo: Assembly Insists On Impeachment Process Against Deputy Governor, Again, Mandates Chief Judge, To Set Up Panel

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October 23, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State House of Assembly has again insisted that the State Chief Judge, must set up a seven-man panel to investigate allegations against the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The fresh request is coming just as Aiyedatiwa was sighted at his office in Akure on Monday weeks after his absence due to the impeachment threat by the Assembly.

The Assembly had, last week, honoured the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which waded in to resolve the crisis.

The Assembly told Aiyedatiwa to withdraw the suit he filed at the Courts before meaningful dialogue could take place.

In what looked like a turn around again on Monday, the Assembly mandated the Chief Judge to go ahead with the constitution of the panel, saying “from the facts and legal advice at the disposal of the House, the earlier court Order restraining the House has now elapsed and/or become extinguished by the operation of the law.”

In the letter, signed by the Speaker, Oladiji Adesanmi stated that “Your lordship would recall that the ex parte order was made on September 26, 2023, after which the case was adjourned to October 9, 2023.

“The 3rd Defendant in the case filed a motion on October 4, 2023 to discharge the Order and/or strike out the case for want of jurisdiction.

“Fourteen days from October 4, 2023 when the motion was filed, terminated on or about October 18, 2023. The Court has not taken the application or renewed the Order, as evident in the Certified True Copy of the Court’s record of proceedings for October 9, 2023 and October 16, 2023.

“In fact, in Exhibit ODHA3, it was recorded that the motion was served on the Plaintiff in Court on October 9, 2023, after which the matter was adjourned to October 16, 2023.

“In view of the above facts, your lordship would agree that the said Order has elapsed by the operation of the law, and no longer constitutes an encumbrance for your lordship to discharge the sacred constitutional obligation placed on your office by virtue of Section 188 (5) of the Constitution to set up the Seven-man Panel.

“Consequently, the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly hereby calls on your lordship to kindly constitute the Panel without any further delay.”

From the latest development, there are indications that the peace move by the leadership of APC has failed to resolve the crisis between the Governor and Deputy.

Ondo Celebrates Third Position In Integrity Watch Rating, Says It’s In Tandem With Akeredolu’s Policy

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Ayodele Oni

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October 23, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju has described the rating of the State in third position by an International Transparency group as a sign of commitment by the present administration to ensure prudency in government.

The Commissioner, in a statement on Monday said “this very considerable, positive achievement did not come in one fell swoop.

“It was achieved in a structured way. Sudden leaps are the stuff of comic books, theater, and movies.

“The State is fortunate to have Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON, a man steeped in the notion of institutions as the decisive engine room for development as its helmsman.

“The steady climb up the transparency and accountability ladder by Ondo state is a laudable understanding of the foundations needed for sustainable as opposed to ephemeral development.

“Transparency leads to better costing of projects, and better service delivery. It also helps to develop the institutional memory needed for the long term.

“That is why the institutional philosophy of Akeredolu is the REDEEMED Agenda. The 8-point REDEEMED Agenda represents, Rural and Agricultural Development; Educational Advancement and Human Capital Development.

“It also include Development through Massive Infrastructure; Efficient Service Delivery, Development and Policy Implementation; Effective Health Care and Social Welfare Services; Maintenance of Law and Order for Adequate Security; Energy, Mining and Sustainable Industries; as well as Digital Revolution and Entrepreneurship.

“Akeredolu through this report has earned his place in history as the custodian of the tradition of accountability.

“This sets a marker which must be institutionalized before the end of his tenure in office. The gains must be protected and codified and must be protected! Akeredolu’s legacy must be built upon.”

“In a report recently released, the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, judged Ondo State third best among Nigeria’s thirty-six states in transparency and accountability in public fund management and the implementation of public policies.

“CeFTIW considered six key areas: Accessibility, Open Budget, Public Procurement, Human Resources, Anti-Corruption, and citizen engagement. The top five states in order are Ekiti, Kaduna, Ondo, Lagos and Gombe.”

P&D Gas Contract: British Court Dismisses $11Billion Fine Against Nigeria

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Ayodele Oni

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October 23, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

It was a victory after five years of legal fireworks, for the Nigerian government as the British court threw away a fine of $11billion earlier awarded against Nigeria.

P&D had secured a contract in Nigeria which went sour. The company sued the Nigerian Government and secured billions of dollars in fine against Nigeria.

Nigerian Government hired legal experts that argued that the company secured the contract through fraudulent means.

But, a lower court in the United Kingdom fined Nigeria to the tune of $11 billion arbitration award in favour of P&ID.

In a judgment delivered by Robin Knowles, a Justice of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales, on Monday upheld Nigeria’s prayer to dismiss the fine.

The Court held that the ground on which the ill-fated gas processing contract was secured was illegitimate.

Before now, there were fears that if Nigeria loses, the fine would compound a fragile economy that has seen inflation jump to 26 percent in the face of dwindling power of the Naira.

A tribunal on January 31, 2017 had ordered Nigeria to pay $6.6 billion to P&ID. The money was with interests beginning from March 20, 2013.

Ondo NMA Berates Move To Regulate Medical Examination, Standard

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Ayodele Oni

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October 23, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA), Ondo State Chapter, has frowned at attempts by certain individuals and bodies to interfere with regulation of medical education and standards especially as it relates to the board licensing foreign trained medical graduates.

The State Chairman of NMA, Dr Omosehin Adeyemi, told journalists in Akure on Monday that the association has carried out detailed review of the processes and content of these examinations and make bold to say that any medical graduate that fails them should be humble enough to seek help and not engage in brazen arm twisting and blackmail.

“We stand with the MDCN on this and encourage the Registrar to remain undaunted as no one can intimidate him while we watch.

“As stated in the Physicians’ Pledge, we shall do all within our power to “defend the honor and noble traditions of medicine.”

“We wonder why it is only the medical profession that faces this onslaught? Other courses are also read in Ukraine, Sudan, Egypt, Belarus, etc. But it is medicine that must be forced to accept all and sundry to practice whether qualified or not.

“If our government does not value the life of Nigerians then the NMA does and shall insist on not unleashing terror on Nigerians by licensing unqualified medical and dental graduates.

“Those that pass the licensing examinations are not aliens. If you cannot pass then seek help and try again. We wish to especially call on our beloved National Assembly to resist being used under any guise to compromise the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

“If Nigerian trained doctors and dentists are poorly trained, they won’t be in high demand worldwide. Our government should immediately investigate the quality of medical education being offered to our children in Ukraine.

“Let us stand up in defense of the health of an average Nigeria. As the great physician Hutchinson said “from making the treatment of a disease worse than the disease O Lord, save us.

“We use this medium to humbly sound a note of warning to all and sundry to never try to run Nigerian doctors down in anyway but to always follow due process if aggrieved or in discharging their responsibilities.

“If anyone has any case against a doctor practicing in Nigeria, it should channel such to the Registrar of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for appropriate response being the body statutorily saddled with such responsibility.

“The Nigerian Medical Association hereby express her displeasure at the recent media trial of some healthcare workers by the Minister of Women Affairs. We believe that such behavior is infra dig for one that occupies such a lofty office.

The NMA chairman called on Ondo state government to commence immediate implementation of health workers’ hazard allowance to avert looming strike by medical doctors working in the state government’s hospitals.

Adeyemi pointed out that members working under the state government have been patient enough over the failure of the government to implement a 100 percent Hazard Allowance for them.

He declared that the Association may not be able to guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector, if the state government failed to release a circular for the implementation of the health hazard by Tuesday.

Dr Adeyemi said the hazard allowance, which had been approved since August this year, is being paid by the federal government and some other state governments.

“We as an association are exploring all peaceful avenues towards securing some economic reprieve for our beloved members.

“The progress towards payment of slightly improved salary to our members is just too slow. We are using this opportunity to call on government to immediately commence the payment of the recently reviewed CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures with their arrears and also other allowance for medical doctors and dentists.

“I hope there won’t be need for us to engage in another round of agitation for the implementation of what has been circularized since July 2023. Let’s make hay while the sun shines.”

Supreme Court: “Two Conflicting Letters From CSU On Tinubu’s Certificate Before Court”, Says “Case Must Be Proved Beyond Reasonable Doubt

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Ayodele Oni

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October 23, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The Supreme Court has observed that there are conflicting letters from the Chicago State University (CSU) on President Bola Tinubu’s certificate.

Justice John Okoro, Chairman of the 7-member panel hearing the application of Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), filed against the victory of President Bola Tinubu, made the observation on Monday in Abuja during the court’s sitting.

Atiku had sought Tinubu’s academic record from Chicago State University so as to prove his allegation that the president submitted forged documents to INEC.

Atiku asked the apex court to grant his appeal to tender fresh evidence, given the nature of the issue, but Tinubu kicked against this, saying granting such would amount to abuse of court process.

Atiku also pointed out that the presentation of a forged certificate disqualifies a candidate for all time, no matter when presented.

Speaking at the hearing on Monday, Justice Okoro said criminal matters have to be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

“But in this case, there are two conflicting letters from the CSU – one authenticating the President’s certificate and another discrediting it. Which do we rely on?,” he asked.

No Cause For Alarm Over Supreme Court Judgement Saga – Imo State Govt, Dismisses It As “Exercise In Futility”

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The Source

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October 23, 2023

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The Imo State Government has urged the people of the State to remain calm over the purported attempt by the opposition to seek an enforcement from the Supreme Court on its judgment of 2020 concerning the double nomination of Uche Nwosu for the 2019 gubernatorial election.

It described the latest suit by the opposition as a distraction and mere academic exercise since the Supreme Court had laid to rest all issues pertaining to the election when it affirmed Senator Uzodimma as the validly elected Governor of the State.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba in a statement in Owerri declared that since it was obvious to the opposition Parties that they were losing the upcoming governorship elections to Governor Uzodimma, they have contrived the suit to cause confusion and distract the electorate.

He described the latest effort as an exercise in futility because the so-called ruling on Nwosu was on nomination and not as the candidate of the APC in the said election.

According to him, “they have forgotten that Uche Nwosu later went to the Federal High Court to challenge the candidature of Senator Hope Uzodimma, and he lost. That judgment was never appealed.

“Secondly, they appear to suffer a selective amnesia that, according to the relevant Electoral Act, matters pertaining to pre election matters are Statutes barred. So, clearly, they are out of time.”

Emelumba wondered why anyone would wait few days to the election to file a suit that is dead on arrival “if not for the fact that they know they will be defeated by Governor Uzodimma and APC in the November 11 governorship contest.

He described as a dramatic irony the opposition elements approach to the same Supreme Court it lampooned and derided when it declared Sen Uzodimma as the validly elected Governor of Imo State.

“Are they now tired of calling Uzodimma the Supreme Court Governor that they are shamelessly going to the same Supreme Court?” he asked.

The Commissioner accused the opposition of engaging in abuse of court processes and wasting taxpayers’ money .

He wondered what else they were looking for since the Supreme Court has ruled that Sen. Uzodimma is the validly elected Governor and threw out the suit by PDP seeking a judicial review of the judgment.

He called on supporters of Governor Uzodimma and the entire Imo electorate to ignore the antics of the opposition and go ahead to vote for APC in the November 11 election.

New Students Loan Scheme Commences January – President Tinubu

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Ayodele Oni

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October 23, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government is working on a credible loan scheme for students in tertiary institutions in the country.

President Bola Tinubu announced on Monday that by January 2024, the new Students Loan Programme must commence.

President Tinubu gave the assurance while speaking at the 29th edition of the annual Nigerian Economic Summit, anchored by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

According to him, “To the future of our children and students we’re saying no more strikes.

“There must be consumer credit, scheme will have to come to effect as soon as possible. I thank my team and my colleagues to build this programme, develop it now.”

President Bola Tinubu was of the view that with the scheme in place, the era of industrial actions in the nation’s academic environment would come to an end.

Tinubu, who spoke extensively on his administration’s plans to stabilize the economy, with the collaboration of all stakeholders, especially the private sector, also noted the need to immediately initiate a sustainable credit scheme, which he said will aid an effective anti-corruption campaign.

“We cannot talk about anti-corruption when you have to look for cash to buy a car, when there’s no mortgage for homeownership.”

He said: “By January 2024, the new Students Loan Programme must commence. To the future of our children and students we’re saying no more strikes.”

Tinubu: Supreme Court Reserves Ruling On Atiku, Obi’s Appeals

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 23, 2023

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Bola Tinubu-Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar

By Akinwale Kasali

The Supreme Court has adjourned the appeals of Labour Party’s Peter Obi and Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar, challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declared winner of the February 25, 2023, Presidential Election, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The duo of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi as well as the Allied Peoples Movement had challenged the victory of President Tinubu. But the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal struck out their appeals on September 6, 2023.

However, Chukwuma Umeh, APM’s counsel, applied to withdraw the suit after the apex court failed to grant its request to void Tinubu’s election.

But the PDP and LP continued with their cases.

The 7-member panel led by Justice John Okoro reserved the ruling on the matter after the arguments by lawyers of respective parties.

“This appeal is reserved for judgement until a date to be communicated to parties,” Okoro held.

Breaking: Supreme Court To APM: “What Do You Stand To Gain From This Suit?”, Throws Case Out

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 23, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Supreme Court has thrown out the appeal of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, against the election of President Bola Tinubu as President.

The party had claimed that the place-holder nominated by Tinubu as his running mate, Ibrahim Masari, before he was replaced by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was not replaced within the 14 days stipulated by Section 33 of the Electoral Act.

At the hearing on Monday the lead counsel for the party, Chukwuma -Machukwu Ume told the Court that their appeal was not premised on double nomination.

He insisted that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima was illegally nominated.

The Court asked if the APM had anything to gain from the matter.

“What will you gain if you win this appeal? There are other appeals that are asking for something substantial. There is nothing to gain but to give us work to do. You are not asking us to put your candidate there as President.”

The APM lawyer, however, applied to withdraw his appeal.

APC, INEC, Ibrahim Massari, and Tinubu’s counsels did not object.

“Having been withdrawn, the appeal is hereby struck out.”

Survivors Of Benue Bank Robbery Get Government Attention

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Ayodele Oni

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October 23, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Benue State Government has reached out to victims of last week’s bank Robbery in Otukpo on their hospital beds with assurance to assist them.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, during the visit, promised that the government would give the victims justice by doing everything to apprehend the criminals.

The incident led to pandemonium in Otukpo town Friday afternoon as armed men with the use of explosives and sophisticated weapons invaded five commercial banks in the ancient town.

Several persons including the Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, (DPO), in charge of Otukpo, three other officers, among others were shot dead after which they carted away large sums of money.

The Deputy Governor, who was accompanied on the visit by top security personnel in the state also visited the scenes of the incident for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.

Dr. Ode, who made known his visit on his verified social media page, also offered financial assistance to all the survivors of the attack who are currently receiving treatment in hospitals in Otukpo.

The Deputy Governor who hails from the town, in the message said: “I paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to the scenes of the robbery which took place in Otukpo on Friday evening.

“I was accompanied by the leaders of the various security agencies comprising of the Army, Police and the DSS, where we offered government sympathy to the families of all the victims of the sad incident.

“I also visited the Och’Idoma, HRM, Dr Elaigwu John Odogbo, to condole him and the entire Idoma nation over the robbery attack on our homeland.

“Equally, I visited the injured victims who are receiving treatment in various hospitals and offered them financial assistance.

“Government will do everything necessary to apprehend the criminals and bring them to justice speedily.”

During the unprecedented bloody armed robbery, a number of fatalities was recorded including the Divisional Police Officer of Otukpo, three female Police Officers, and Emmanuel Uche, a UBA newly recruited staff who had just finished serving his country as a Youth Corper.

According to Police sources, four of the dare devil robbers have been arrested, while two were neutralised on the day of the Robbery by soldiers who gave them a hot chase – sadly, after the tragic incident.

The Banks raided were UBA, First Bank, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and Zenith Bank.