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Adamawa State Grounded

July 30, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Business activities in Adamawa state may be at the lowest ebb for few days as restriction has been clamped on movement of the people throughout the state

Following the upsurge in the activities of hoodlums, Adamawa state Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri has declared 24-hours curfew on the state with effect from Sunday.

Governor Fintiri, while announcing the decision in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Sunday, said that with the curfew in place, there will be no movement throughout the state.

The statement however added that only those on essential duties with valid identification would be permitted to move around during the period of the curfew.

Fintiri explained that the measure became necessary and unavoidable owing to the dangerous dimension activities of hoodlums had assumed in all parts of the state.

The Governor noted that the hoodlums attack people with matchets and break into business premises and homes carting away property.

Fintiri appealed to citizens and residents of the state to comply with the directive, adding that any person found contravening the order would be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

Diphtheria: Kano Government Confirms Hospitalization Of 100 Persons

Akinwale Kasali

July 30, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

The Kano State Government has disclosed that it has commenced Diphtheria Disease Contact Tracing to track those affected by the outbreak of the deadly disease.

The Government stated that more than 100 patients are on admission in the hospital, while over 2,000 others have been treated and discharged since the disease broke out.

Abdullahi Karaunmata, the State Epidemiologist who made the disclosure while updating newsmen on the outbreak in the state, revealed that the teams have been deployed to the nooks and crannies of the State, especially in high burdened Local Government Areas.

According to Kauranmata, the diphtheria cases have been reported in 31, out of 44 LGAs in the state.

Furthermore, he said it has constituted two centres for the treatment of patients, infected with Diphtheria.

The resurgence of diphtheria, according to him may be linked to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a lockdown and disruption of routine immunisation, leaving many children unimmunised on the other hand, due to the conduct of some parents or caregivers, who are hesitant to take their wards for immunization.

According to him, “Recently, NCDC has released a list or update outlining the number of states affected, with the total number of confirmed cases, including the mortality among the children. The report has categorised Kano among the states with the highest number of diphtheria patients.

“Currently, we have more than 100 cases on admission. We have treated and discharged over 2,000.

“Diphtheria has been reported in 31 out of the 44 LGAs in the state.“

Through the epidemiology unit, we have now established contact tracing teams across the high-burden LGAs.

The team is actively searching for the children, with symptoms of diphtheria. With this development we have focused our searchlight in all nooks and crannies of the state, searching for these patients.

“Another effort, since January, this year, the Kano State government through the Ministry of Health, established a technical working group on diphtheria, comprising a team of experts from different technical backgrounds, with the support of development partners.

“The committee is saddled with the responsibility of controlling the outbreak in the state. Every day, a series of meetings were held, and incident management has since been activated.

“Already, the Kano State Government has established a well-equipped diphtheria treatment centre at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.

“And it has been provided with well-trained human resources, with the support of MSF and other partners, just as cases have been managed and discharged continuously.

“And looking at the rising number of cases because of the improved awareness, the government has strategized and opened a new treatment centre within the Infectious Disease Hospital, popularly called IDH just to ensure that every suspected case is thoroughly screened if found positive, he or she is administered the required treatment.

“Diphtheria has been with us for a long time but we have successfully immunized our children against it, with one of the antigens in PENTA.

“Caregivers, who took their children for immunisation would remember the PENTA vaccine. But what we are currently experiencing is a resurgence of diphtheria, which scientists have postulated so many reasons that it could be, a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You could recall that during the wave of COVID-19 heat, which caused a lockdown and disruption of routine immunisation, it left many children unimmunised and on the other hand, attributed to the conduct of some parents or caregivers, who are hesitant to take their wards for immunisation.”

Adamawa: Boko Haram Insurgents Loot Warehouses, Fintiri Declares 24-Hour Curfew

Akinwale Kasali

July 30, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the escalating attacks on Warehouses in the North Eastern State of Adamawa by hoodlums and suspected Boko Haram terrorists, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has declared a 24-Hour curfew.

The Hoodlums had attacked some Warehouses in the State carting away with foodstuffs and valuables.

The Governor who announced the curfew on his verified twitter handle said the government took the action as a precaution to prevent the escalating violence by hoodlums attacking people and businesses.

“No movement is allowed, except for essential duties with valid ID. Your safety is our priority – please comply for the well-being of all,” he wrote.

DSS Releases IPOB Leader, Kanu, For Medical Checkup

The Source

July 30, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, breathed air of freedom for few minutes at the weekend following his release to enable his personal physicians attend to his health.

Lead Counsel to the IPOB leader, Ifeanyi Ejiofor tweeted that Kanu has met with his personal physicians in an Abuja hospital outside the facility of the State Security Service (SSS).

Ejiofor tweeted “Sequel to our avowed assurance to always keep Ezigbo UmuChineke abreast of pertinent happenings especially with Onyendu’s health status, welfare and update on his legal matters, we are pleased to inform you that Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu met with his choice personal physician yesterday in a hospital in Abuja, outside the facility of the State Security Service (SSS).

“As was part of the protocol, I witnessed the consultation. The medical examination was seamless and productive, and he will be progressing to the next stage soon.

“As the entire world has always been informed, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has consistently made his position on the infamous sit-at-home known, and his directive is that this must be stopped.

“Onyendu’s legal team, under the able leadership of Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have been the lone voice conveying this important message on all media platforms available to us, as well as condemning in unequivocal terms, the heinous criminal activities of the serial fraudster in Finland.

“To this end, we urge all Ezigbo UmuChineke and indeed, the members of the public to respect and carry out the wishes of Onyendu and accordingly, desist from any further engagement with those whose primary intention is to ensure that Onyendu is kept in perpetual captivity, and consequently, destroy the entire Southeast through unauthorized sit-at-home and its enforcement.

“Interestingly, the bad news for these enemies of our people is that they have failed and failed woefully, and the long arm of the law will surely catch up with them.”

“How I Frustrated Simon Ekpa’s Plans To Betray Nnamdi Kanu” – Ejimakor, IPOB Lawyer; Says Ekpa Threatening His Life

The Source

July 30, 2023

American trained Lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, who is the Special Counsel to the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has revealed how he frustrated Simon Ekpa’s attempt to reach Peter Mbah, Enugu State Governor.

Ejimakor made this disclosure in a tweet on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

According to him, on July 19, 2023, Ekpa chatted him on WhatsApp, and demanded to speak with Governor Mbah.

But Ejimakor said he knew that all Ekpa wanted to do was to collect money from the Mbah and betray the Kanu.

To prove his claim, Ejimakor shared the screenshot of his chat with Ekpa.

Ejimakor tweeted: “Simon, these screenshots would prove that on 19th July, you begged me to facilitate your desperation to speak with Gov Mba, but I used my ‘number six’ to frustrate it because I knew you will ask him for money in return for betraying MNK. That’s why you disobeyed his order.”

Ejimakor’s revelation comes on the heels of the rejection by Ekpa, of a written order to him by Kanu, where he asked him to stop forthwith, the sit-at-home order in the South-east.

Ejimakor, also, alerted that Ekpa has mobilised those he described as “minions” to make calls to him, Ejimakor, all night because he made public Kanu’s order to Ekpa.disclosures yesterday.

He said: “One of the callers sent a text threatening to harm me. But I am not fazed by the intimidation.

He said the text message which was sent to him at 6.59am Saturday from telephone number +234 9165950339 reads: “Don’t make the same mistake of ifeanyi ejiofo or you will regret till you die we biafra can’t forgive anyone who betrayed mazi nnamdi kanu be warn Mr lawyer what do you think you can get from Nigeria terrorist that you can not have more than if biafra finally come rethink.”

Both IPOB and Kanu’s family insist that the letter which ordered Ekpa to stop, immediately, all sit-at-home orders was written by Kanu.

Ekpa disputes that.

My Ordeal In Prison And Abandonment

The Source

July 30, 2023

By Inibehe Effiong Esq.

Exactly one year ago, precisely on July 27, 2022, I was remanded in the Correctional Centre (prison) for one month by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, His Lordship, Hon. Justice Ekaette Fabian-Obot, for alleged contempt of court.

The Chief Judge never gave me the opportunity to defend myself.

I was not put in the dock. I was not tried. No charge was prepared against me or read to me. No opportunity was given to me to say anything.

I flew into Uyo from Abuja the previous day to represent Leo Ekpenyong, Esq. in two libel suits filed by the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and Senator Effiong Bob.

I arrived the court that historic morning in company of my colleague, Augustine Asuquo Esq, hoping to offer my professional services to my client as required of me. However, it was obvious that the agenda for the day was specifically to send me to prison for daring to file applications asking the Honourable Chief Judge to recuse herself from the two libel cases on grounds of bias or likelihood of bias.

Before that day, His Lordship had threatened to send me to prison and had called me the most unprintable names imaginable. One would have thought that when the impartiality of a court is being challenged by way of an application for recusal, the court should stay action on every other matter and determine such an application which goes to the very heart and foundation of our justice system.

In this case, I filed the two motions for refusal on the 23rd day of June, 2022. The two cases came up on the 24th day of June, 2022; and the 29th day of June, 2022 and again on the 27th day of July, 2022.

If the excuse for ignoring the motions on 24th and 29th June, 2022 was that they were not ripe for hearing, what was the excuse for not taking the applications on the 27th July, 2022? Should a court continue with hearing of the substantive case when there is a pending motion calling into question the neutrality of the court? I will leave this question for the courts, and possibly the National Judicial Council (NJC) to decide.

Anyone who has concerns on whether these motions for recusal were well founded in law and in facts, should kindly take time and read through the said motions and examine the grounds and evidence in support thereof.

Before I filed the motions, I wrote to the Hon. CJ and pleaded with My Lord to reassign the two cases which had the same facts. My Lord in her wisdom refused to accede to my request.

Part of the grounds of the two recusal applications was that my Lord had previously entered default judgments and awarded damages against my client in favour of Mr Udom Emmanuel and Senator Bob to the tune of N1.5 billion and N150 million respectively.

I filed separate applications asking the court to set aside the default judgments. The court after very problematic proceedings, agreed that the judgments violated my client’s right to fair hearing. But in setting aside the judgments, His Lordship descended heavily on my person in a way that I couldn’t comprehend.

My thinking, which formed part of the grounds of the motions for recusal, was that since it is the practice that when a judgment is set aside, the case usually starts de novo before another judge, it was better for the cases to be reassigned. This is because the mind of the court may have been prejudiced, notwithstanding that the said judgment has been set aside.

Another ground of the applications was that my client felt extremely scared after my Lord attended the wedding of the daughter of Senator Effiong Bob during the pendency of the two libel cases which arose from the same alleged online publication (a publication my client vehemently denied) with identical pleadings, witnesses and representation.

There is video evidence of this. This is one of the issues the NJC should look into; whether it is proper for a judicial officer to associate with a litigant in that manner during the pendency of a contentious matter?

Another ground related to repeated aspersions cast on my person by His Lordship. These facts are there for the whole world to see.

It was as if I deserved death for filing the recusal motions.

Immediately my Lord entered the courtroom on July 27, 2022, his Lordship ordered the court’s orderly to go outside and bring in armed policemen into the courtroom. The atmosphere in the court became more tensed than it has ever been. Counsel on both sides waited for the orderly and the armed policemen to come inside the courtroom before appearances could be announced.

Soon afterwards, two mobile policemen with AK47 rifles entered inside the courtroom and sat directly behind me.

Throughout my 5 years in the Faculty of Law, University of Uyo, and 1 year in the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, my lecturers never taught me that armed men with assault rifles can be allowed inside the courtroom. Since my call to the Nigerian Bar, I have appeared before inferior and superior courts of record across the country and I have never seen policemen or anyone with assault rifle inside the courtroom. I have always thought that the courtroom is a solemn place.

Immediately we announced our appearances, I again drew His Lordship’s attention to the pending motions for recusal, but my Lord as usual shouted me down and ordered the Claimant’s witness into the witness box for continuation of cross examination. I did not argue. I obeyed, and resumed cross examination from where I stopped on the last adjourned date.

I was going to the third question when His Lordship interjected me and ordered a journalist from Premium Times, Saviour Imukudo, to stand up. His Lordship asked him who he was and he introduced himself. Immediately he mentioned Premium Times, His Lordship ordered that his phone be seized and that he should be taken outside and be detained. His editor had to come to plead for his release. Apparently, this was the second time this particular journalist, who was consistent in covering and reporting the two cases, would be sent out from the courtroom by My Lord.

What was I supposed to do as a Minister in the Temple of Justice in the circumstance?

My thinking was that I had a duty to the profession to respond to what I considered a regrettable development in the courtroom. I addressed the court on the expulsion of the journalist and told his Lordship that since the Constitution guarantees publicity of trial, that journalists and indeed members of the public, should be free to access the court and observe proceedings.

My Lord was infuriated and said that it was His Lordship’s court, and that except I was the one who brought in the journalist to smear her reputation, I should mind my business.

I simply kept quiet on the issue of the journalist.

However, I used that opportunity to draw the attention of the Court to the presence of the armed mobile policemen behind me, and told His Lordship that their presence had created hostility in the courtroom and that it was not consistent with the norms of the legal profession to have armed men inside the courtroom. I pleaded with the court to direct them to exit the courtroom.

His Lordship rejected my entreaties.

I then decided to make a formal application for the policemen to be ordered to vacate the courtroom. Immediately I said “My Lord, I am now applying formally…”, my Lord picked a pen and started writing what I wrongly assumed was my formal submission on the impropriety of having armed policemen with assault rifles inside the courtroom.

Unknown to me, it was my committal order that My Lord was writing and not my submissions.

I was still on my feet addressing the Court, when the Honourable Chief Judge said: “you there, step out of the Bar”. My Lord did not even refer to me by name, but I knew the order was for me. I was stunned, confused and speechless.

Immediately I recovered from the momentary confusion that enveloped me, I stepped out of the Bar.

The next comment My Lord made was “Derobe yourself”.

I admit that I did not comply with this order immediately. I rather told His Lordship that if I derobed, I would no longer be able to address the court as counsel. I was expecting some explanation on why a lawyer should derobe while addressing the court. At no time did my Lord say anything about contempt or suggest that I was about to be committed for contempt.

When My Lord did not respond to my position that I will not be able to address the court if I derobed, I removed my wig.

His Lordship then read out the pre-written order committing me to one month imprisonment. At no time did His Lordship say anything about contempt or my conduct or about my comment being contemptuous.

The issue of contempt never came up. The only time the word contempt was used was when the pre-written committal order was read out.

The then governor’s lawyer, Mr Samuel Ikpo, a senior lawyer who came out after my committal to tell fictional stories to the media in order to scandalize me, did not utter a word in court while this was playing out. He said nothing. He did nothing. He just sat there looking stunned; possibly shocked by the development (if indeed he was shocked).

It was during my stay in the Correctional Centre that I heard that it was stated in the record of proceedings that I, Inibehe Effiong, insulted the Chief Judge.

It was even reported that I pointed at the Chief Judge and banged on the table.

All that I can say today is, if there is a God in Heaven that rules over the affairs of men, may I, Inibehe Effiong, never succeed in life. May curse be upon me and my entire unborn generations if I ever pointed my hand or finger at the Chief Judge or if I banged on the table as it was reported a year ago or if I even told the Chief Judge that the proceedings will not continue except the journalist was brought back to continue his work.

May adversity never depart from me and my household if I did these things.

But if these accusations against me are false, may God not allow those who lied against me to escape misery. May their generations suffer worse injustice and victimization, and may darkness never depart from their households.

I am making these supplications because what really offended and still hurts me deeply till date, is not the fact that I was imprisoned. But the lies that were told in a desperation to justify my imprisonment.

It took 21 days before what was presented to the world as record of proceedings could be made available. This is a document or just 4 pages. Yet, it took 21 days to produce it. I won’t say more on this.

Even after I had served my full term, efforts were made to frustrate me from pursuing my appeal at the Court of Appeal. The case file was not made available on time for compilation of records. When it was made available, record of the case and certain documents suddenly developed wings. In the end, I was only able to do self-compilation out of time. The motion to regularize same is still pending without a date for hearing (yet).

I weep for the legal profession in Nigeria!

I am a victim of injustice of the Nigerian Judiciary.

But I still believe firmly that the same Judiciary will absolve me. But like Fidel Castro said, in the end, history will absolve me. I have helped many people in this country to get justice through our courts. But in a moment, I felt that that justice in Nigeria was a mirage. Despite what I went through a year ago, my faith in our court system has not died.

Some people may wonder why it is necessary for me to pen this down today. Well, I am mindful of the verdict of history.

It is also important for me to notify members of our noble association, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), that despite the resolution passed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NBA for my case to be taken before the National Judicial Council (NJC), the current President of the Bar quite unfortunately, has abandoned me to my fate and completely forgotten about my travails.

When I was released, I wrote officially to Mr. Y. C Maikyau SAN, to thank the entire National leadership of the NBA for standing by me during my ordeal.

The President replied at the time and directed me to send him a written brief on my case.

I delivered a detailed written brief of 16 pages, with not less than 14 attached documents in prove of its content to the President on 4th October, 2022.

Ten months after I submitted the brief, the President of the NBA has neither contacted me (directly or indirectly) nor taken any action (to my knowledge) on my case. I was later told informally not to bother because Mr. President had no interest in pursuing my matter. That he wondered why his predecessor, Mr. Olumide Akpata, did not submit the petition to the NJC before leaving office. I only wish Mr. President had informed me officially, that his administration would not follow through with the resolution passed by the NBA NEC led by Mr. Olumide Akpata. It would have afforded me closure and enabled me to decide whether to pursue the matter at the NJC on my own or not.

I just want lawyers in this country to know that this is not about one lawyer by name Inibehe Effiong. This is about a dangerous precedent for the legal profession and legal practice.

Tomorrow is pregnant.

Injustice to one, is injustice to all.

I want to once again, publicly express my eternal gratitude to Mr. Femi Falana, SAN who has been a mentor and a father figure to me even before my call to the Nigerian Bar. He has done for me what I can never repay him for. I am also grateful to Mr. Olumide-Fusika SAN, Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa SAN, Mrs. Funmi Falana, the current Chairman of SPIDEL Mr. Aikpokpo-Martins, immediate past Chairman of SPIDEL Mr Monday Ubani, Mr Olakunle Edun, Femi Adeborisada, Nsikak Akai Esq, my dearest colleague in chambers, Augustine Asuquo, and other members of my legal team who have stood by me.

As for Mr. Olumide Akpata, I wonder what would have happened if you were not the leader of the Bar when I was incarcerated? Who would have spoken out for me, especially given that the leadership of the NBA branch in Uyo had openly sided with the Government of Akwa Ibom State and didn’t even care to pay me a visit. The leaders of the Uyo Branch of the NBA sold me out and I want history to record this. But for the National Leadership of the Bar, my legal team led by Mr Falana SAN, lawyers and activists of conscience, I would have been left completely vulnerable.

I was never bothered about my incarceration. It is a price that I had to pay for seeking to uphold the very sanctity of our judiciary. But I was worried about my image being slandered without anyone available to defend the truth of what transpired.

Dear Mr. Olumide Akpata, if you come across this press statement, please, know that I am forever in your debt. I recall that the corrupt political actors in Akwa Ibom, who have always hated my advocacies and public criticisms of their misrule, were so relieved when you left office. They told me in different fora that the support the NBA National under your leadership gave to me will end with your tenure. Some of the pro-government leaders of the Bar in Uyo publicly insulted you at their Branch meetings and questioned why you should intervene in my case. But you remained consistent till the last day of your tenure.

May God bless you, Mr. Akpata.

I thank the Nigerian civil society, the human rights community, the NLC, Mr. Chidi Odinkalu, Richard Akinola, Sowore, Abdul Mahmud, Deji Adeyanju, Agba Jalingo, Firsts Baba Isa, Rinu Oduala, Aisha Yesufu, SERAP, etc, the media and other conscientious Nigerians for many editorials and public condemnations of the injustice that was done to me.

It is only in standing up for those who are not in position to stand up for themselves, that humanity is preserved.

History will vindicate the just.

Nigerian Leaders Are Extravagant, Masses Bear The Brunt Of Harsh Economic Policies – CD

Ayodele Oni

July 30, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The Campaign for Democracy, (CD), has reviewed the current policies and actions of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and concluded that masses alone are being forced to carry their burden.

National President of CD, Pastor Ifeanyi Odili, in a statement, stated that recent appointment of some members of the national assembly as Ministers and aides of the president amounts to insensitive to the economic situation of Nigeria.

“We feel, very strongly, that the present APC government seems to be far from the reality on ground. We see the present leaders as people who are not willing to make any sacrifice for Nigeria which they were co-destoyers.

“Rather they want Nigerian masses to be the ones to solely make the sacrifice. President Tinubu has informed Nigerians that the nation is very poor, reason for the withdrawal of oil subsidy.

“It is, therefore, unreasonable, unimaginable and indiscribable that the same Government will, at the same time, come out with fresh budget for the elections of the NASS members whose positions were swapped for Ministerial and staff appointments.

“We asked, are there no other intelligent persons, capable hands in those states that the President has to commute the already elected lawmakers for ministerial positions not minding the extra budget that will be involved in organizing fresh election in those federal constituencies to replace them?

“If the Government would want the cooperation of Nigerians in making sacrifices, the pilots of our nation’s affairs must be seen to lead in the making of sacrifices as well.

“The Government cannot tell Nigerians to prepare for hard time, make sacrifices, when people in the same government are brutally displaying their ill gotten wealth to the masses and the executive arm of the government is reckless with our limited resources.

“Also, CD took notice of members of the red chamber making mockery of Nigerians when one of the Senators presented a bill titled, ‘Nigerians Cannot Breath’.

“The response of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the body languages of other Senators show that Nigeria is on the wrong path. Evil men have taken over our nation.

“On many occasions, at different fora, CD has echoed and re echooed it that the only panacea for coup in Africa is to give the people good governance, not mere fancy speeches and display of mundane political techniques by certain group of people with questionable character.

“The oppression of the masses, the deteriorating security situation, the bad social and economic management system, the endemic corruption, the constitution manipulation, the mass poverty, the hunger issue and every other social vices visible and dominating the governance system of our African leaders are direct invitation to coup as can be seen in Niger in recent times.

“A government cannot subjugate the people to acute pain and hunger and expect them to keep quiet.

“Government should do the right thing for the people at the right time, then our nation will be haven of peace.

“There is need for belt-tightening from the top, especially, at the legislative houses. The masses alone must not be made to carry the burden while their leaders wine and dine in the confines of their palatial estates.”

Odili berated the African leaders noting that the event in Niger is a reminder of the security challenges facing that country and such creates potentials for military intervention in politics anywhere in the continent.

Electricity: Ogene Makes Case For Investment In Renewable Energy, Hails House leadership

James Orji

July 30, 2023

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy, Afam Victor Ogene, has assured that the committee would lead the charge in formulation of vital policies for a new direction in the nation’s energy needs and enabling technologies, away from the dwindling fossil energy, to a more sustainable and cleaner renewable energy.

Ogene, who is also the Labour Party caucus leader in the House, gave this assurance in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, to appreciate the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu and the leadership of the 10th Assembly, for finding him worthy of the chairmanship of this important committee.

He said that with the fast dwindling global fossil fuel reserve and the increasing dangers associated with it, especially as regards its impact on the environment and climate change, renewable energy is the future and Nigeria must step up and be more intentional in investing in the renewable energy sector and technologies.

The lawmaker, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra state said that “Scientists and experts have predicted that we will deplete the Earth’s fossil fuel reserves in as few as 50 years, so, investing now in renewable energy is one way to ensure a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.”

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for thinking towards that direction, by his appointment of Mrs. Olu A. Verheijen, an expert in renewable energy, as Special Adviser on Energy, and promised that his committee would work in close synergy with the executive in finding a lasting solution to the nation’s intractable electricity power challenges.

Ogene also proposed that renewable energy should have a full fledged ministry of its own, in order to give it the required attention in exploration of alternative sources of energy and also drive the investment in the emerging technologies that would ensure meaningful contribution to the nation’s energy supply from that sector.

He said further: “I want to sincerely thank the leadership of the House of Representatives under the able leadership of the Rt. Hon.Tajudeen Abbas, for trusting me with the responsibility of leading this important Committee on Renewable Energy. It is a responsibility I accept with a great sense on honour and servant leadership for the great people of Nigeria, who we represent in the parliament.

“It is a call to duty, and in line with the legislative agenda of the 10th Assembly, we shall always prioritise on the interest of the people at all times in carrying out our oversight and lawmaking responsibilities, for the overall good of the nation.”

A ranking legislator, Ogene was also recently appointed to chair an Ad-hoc Committee of the House to investigate the failure of the Federal Mass Transit Schemes in Nigeria.

“Why Radio Presenter, Uba (Nonso Nkwa) Was Arrested” – Imo State Government

The Source

July 30, 2023

By Charles Igbo

“Uba should provide evidence to the Police that Governor Uzodinma and Asari Dokubo are responsible for the killings in Imo State. He is being held for criminal libel”

Imo State Government has debunked the speculation that it ordered the arrest of a Radio presenter, Mr Nonso Uba, popular as Nonso nkwa” because of his criticism of the Governor Hope Uzodinma administration.

It explained that rather, the Police in Abuja arrested him on allegations of criminal libel bordering on threat to State Security.

Imo State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, in a statement in Owerri on Saturday, regretted that commentators have been blinded by emotions, such that they have completely ignored the alleged offence of the Radio presenter.

He noted that neither the style of his arrest, nor the contents of his radio programmes, was the issue but the defamatory statement by Mr Uba that Governor Hope Uzodimma and Alhaji Asari Dokubo were responsible for the killings in Imo State.

According to Emelumba, the Government, as a law abiding institution, sought the help of the police to investigate and substantiate the veracity or otherwise of the allegations.

“His Excellency swore an oath through the constitution to protect lives and property of the people and here you have someone accusing him of breaching that oath which is an impeachable offence. It is only natural for the institution charged with investigation to look into the matter,” he said.

The Commissioner noted that since it is trite in law that he who alleges should provide proof, it was necessary for the police to invite Uba to prove his allegations.

He said that nobody should teach the police how to go about their assignment, insisting that those who arrested Uba were on uniform and didn’t hide their identity.

Emelumba said it was regrettable that instead of people to address the real issue which is criminal libel against the governor, they are now presenting Uba as the victim.

“The real victim here is Governor Hope Uzodimma. If it were in some society, people would have taken arms against him based on that seditious publication by Uba. Free speech does not give him the license or immunity to set the State on fire. Being the so-called activist is not a license to destroy the State. Let him hand the proof of his allegations to the police,” he insisted.

The Commissioner also insisted that those calling on the Government to release Uba missed the point as the case is between him and the police.

According to him, “I am sure that the police will not hesitate to release him today if he gives them the proof that Uzodimma and Asari Dokubo are responsible for killing people in Imo state.”

Uba was arrested in Owerri on Thursday by a detachment of Police from Abuja as he drove out of the studios of Ozisa FM after presenting a programme. His vehicle was double-crossed by the Police who then arrested him. He has been transferred to Abuja where he is being interrogated for proof of his allegations.

South-West Houses Of Assembly, Meet In Akure, Push For Harmonization Of Rules

Ayodele Oni

July 29, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Towing the way of Speakers of Houses of Assembly in the South-west, Majority Leaders of the Assembly drawn from the six States met in Akure, the Ondo State capital to brainstorm on the development of Legislative Reform Agenda for the geopolitical zone with a view to harnessing legislative practices.

Under the umbrella of the South-West Legislative Reform Implementation Committee (SLRIC), the leaders elected the Majority Leader of the Ondo state House of Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, as the new Chairman.

Ogunmolasuyi, who will lead the group till 2027, represents Owo Constituency-one. He was unanimously elected to take over from the outgone Chairman of SLRIC and immediate past Majority leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Oyeniran Agunbiade.

Handing over the mantle of leadership to Ogunmolasuyi, the former Lagos Majority leader, said the forum had recorded a lot of successes since it was formed some years ago to champion legislative stability in the southwest.

Agunbiade noted that the Forum ensured harmonized House Rules for all the six houses of assembly in the zone, adding that same is being copied nationally.

In an acceptance speech, the new Chairman of the South-West Legislative Reform Implementation Committee and Majority Leader of the Ondo state House of Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi said the SLRIC will continue to serve as a rally point for all Southwest majority leaders in order to enhance their various regional integration.

According to him, the Akure meeting will lay the foundation upon which the new Houses of Assembly will build on in the zone and it is expected of the majority leaders in the South-West region to encourage their co-lawmakers to contribute immensely to the development of their constituents.

Ogunmolasuyi, promised that the Forum under his leadership will strive to do better than the past and ensure that objectives which it stands for shall be uphold.

“Not only that we shall also ensure that the platforms which will better the lot of South West Houses of Assembly are created thereby making us the cynosure of eyes amongst all the regions in Nigeria.

“We have achieved success on our mandate, we are mandated to champion legislative reform and ensure its implementation in the Southwest. We have achieved brotherhood among majority leaders in the Southwest, we have achieved cordiality.

“We are striving to ensure that all legislators in Southwest come together to know ourselves better, to interact and know the area of interest that will benefit individuals, as well as create harmonious relationship among all the houses in the southwest.

“We have done cross learning programmes, in some critical areas of oversights, budgeting. We have championed the harmonization of rules of the Southwest where the major provision that are in consonance with best legislative practices are extracted from all the rules of each of the Houses of Assembly are being put together.

“We make sure that the Houses also follow the procedure outlined in the rules. We went round the state to attend plenary and see how the rules are being used.

“We have been able to encourage other zones in the country to harmonize their rules. We are in the process of making sure that the database for all legislators in the Southwest and to come together and interact.”

Declaring the inaugural meeting open, the Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, who spoke through the Deputy Speaker, Abayomi Akinruntan said; “I will like to state that the committee should ensure that a platform be created for effective service delivery as regards oversight which will, enhance the level of legislative compliance among the Southwest Houses of Assembly.

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