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Ondo AG Says Ambiguity In Judgement Delays Implementation Of Judicial Financial Autonomy

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kayode Ajulo SAN

By Ayodele Oni

As efforts are being made to end the two weeks strike by Judiciary workers in Ondo State, the Attorney General, (AG) and commissioner for Justice, Olukoyede Ajulo SAN, has insisted that ambiguities surrounding judgement on the financial Autonomy for the judiciary, have stalled its implementation.

Ajulo, who confirmed that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been holding meetings with the striking workers, noted that “there are critical ambiguities surrounding the implementation of the judgment on financial autonomy.

The AG told journalists in Akure that “The Judgment obtained by some overzealous elements, while affirming autonomy, lacks specific directives on allocation ratios and the precise distribution of funds among various judicial bodies as well as other agencies of Government.

“This lack of clarity and the setting aside of some provisions of Ondo State Judiciary Fund Management (Autonomy)  Law, 2021 has led the government to seek judicial interpretation through a formal appeal, a necessary step to avoid missteps and ensure lawful compliance.

“What must be made clear is this: the government has neither acted in bad faith nor shown disregard for the judiciary. On the contrary, it has upheld the principles of the rule of law, opting for legal clarity rather than hasty, potentially unconstitutional action.

“This approach reflects a deeper commitment to enduring reform, institutional stability, and responsible governance, a path that ultimately benefits the entire justice system.

“Despite the ongoing legal appeal challenging the judgment, the Attorney General remains fully conscious of the vital role judicial workers play and the necessity of resolving outstanding issues through dialogue.

“He has already taken immediate steps to address the situation in a manner that will support the timely return of workers to their posts.”

On the strike by judiciary workers, the AG confirmed that “In fact, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa met with the leadership of the JUSUN to discuss and an agreement has been reached on a way forward in ensuring that their demands are met. And we are optimistic about the calling off of the strike.”

Ajulo revealed the Governor’s meeting with the stakeholders held on Monday 23rd June, 2025, where it was agreed that JUSUN should suspend the industrial action for further negotiations.

Ajulo said the state government was awaiting the JUSUN to suspend the strike after an agreement with Governor Aiyedatiwa.

Ajulo said, “the ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) is layered with political complexity and requires thoughtful navigation.”

“More Nigerians Killed/Abducted In Tinubu’s Two Years Than In Buhari’s Eight Years” – El-Rufai

By
The Source
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Nasir E-Rufai and Bola Tinubu

By Gideon Njoku

“President Tinubu’s Monthly N100bn To Security Agencies Is Impeachable Offence”

Nasir El-Rufai, one of those working very hard to deny President Bola Tinubu a second term in office in 2027, has said that more Nigerians have been killed and/or kidnapped in President Bola Tinubu’s two years in office than in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight

years in office.

The immediate past Governor of Kaduna State spoke Monday, June 23, night on Arise Television’s Prime Time anchored by Charles Aniagolu.

Quoting figures which he said were official from the National Board of Statistics,  El-Rufai said that over two million Nigerians were kidnapped in 2024 and over 600,000 killed?

El-Rufai: “According to official reports,  over 2.2 million Nigerians were abducted in 2024 and over 615, 000 killed. Is Nigeria at war?”

He slammed President Tinubu for performing  “woefully”  security in securing Nigeria and Nigerians, and wondered where the huge, unprecedented, amount of money Nigeria spends on security every month goes to.

El-Rufai: “For the last 12 months or upto 18 months, every month, 100 billion Naira is deducted from the Federation Account and sent to the Security Agencies. Why is there no improvement?”

He also noted that the monthly deduction amounts to an impeachable offence against the President since it was neither approved nor appropriated by the National Assembly.

He also chided President Tinubu for holding Governors responsible for the insecurity in their States, and reminded the President that when he, Tinubu,  was in the opposition during the President Goodluck Jonathan’s Government, he always held Jonathan responsible for every insecurity in any part of Nigeria by telling the former President that the “bulk stops on his table.”

From being one of President Bola Tinubu’s chief campaigners and supporters in the months running to the 2023 Presidential Election and immediately thereafter, El-Rufai  has since turned to be one of Tinubu’s most bitter critics and political enemy. He badly wants President Tinubu out of office in 2027 because, according to him, the President has performed woefully.

Zamfara Gov Reacts To N34bn Loan Controversy

By
James Orji
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Dauda Lawal - Zamfra State Governor

Reports to the effect that Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state, took a N34 billion  loan is false, the state government has said.

The rebuttal comes on the heel of a report that Governor Lawal administration took the loan, despite the governor’s denial that he has not taken any loan since he came to office two years ago.

According to a statement by the governor’s spokesmanSulaiman Bala Idris , the report is a “fake news” that lacked “objectivity in reporting” from those disseminating it, adding that the governor had recently clarified the issue during a media chat he had with some journalists in Gusau, the state’s capital.

“During a live media chat last week, Governor Dauda Lawal highlighted his commitment to fiscal responsibility, reaffirming that he has not taken any local or international loans throughout his two years in office.

“But to our surprise, Sahara Reporters published what it tagged as an exclusive report of how a N34 billion loan was recorded under Governor Lawal’s watch.

“The report revealed clear gaps in understanding and showed its apparent failure to seek a professional review of the Zamfara State budget document.

“The 2023 budget was prepared during Bello Matawalle’s previous administration, who is now the junior Minister for Defence. Out of this budget, N53.2 billion was allocated for servicing loans borrowed by the state government.

“Although no borrowing was recorded for the above figure, the Zamfara State government spent N34 billion on interest payments for various loans taken by previous administrations.

“This demonstrates Dauda Lawal’s commitment to reducing Zamfara’s debt burden and preventing the taking of additional loans.

“Sahara Reporters should question the former Governor Bello Matawalle about how he used the loans received during his tenure, which did not lead to any development. That is the loan we are currently servicing.

“Dauda Lawal has not taken any loans since his two years so far as the Zamfara State Governor.

“We challenge Sahara Reporters to provide any supporting documents that show the current Zamfara administration seeking loan facilities, whether locally or internationally.

PDP: Damagun, Ologunagba Clash Over INEC’s Cancellation Of NEC

By
James Orji
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Umar Damagun - PDP Chairman

Umar Damatgun, the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has countered Debo Ologunagba the National Publicity Secretary of the party over his remark that the Independent National Commission, INEC, has no powers to cancel its 100th National Executive Committee, NEC, slated for June 30, 2025.

Damagun made the remark in a release made available to journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital saying the PDP spokesman is on his own, and his position does not represent that of the party, as well as the National Working Committee, NWC, which can decide on such matter.

He said the party is still consulting with the Commission over the issue, adding that the party will not do anything that contradicts basic democratic norms.

Ologunagba had on Tuesday, addressed a press conference in Abuja where he accused INEC of trying to derail the nation’s democratic process after the commission cautioned the party not to go ahead with the NEC after the National Secreatry of the party, Samuel Anyanwu refused to sign the Notice of meeting sent to INEC by the party.

The magazine reported that Anyanwu had refused to sign the letter due to the ongoing tussle between him and Sunday Ude-Okoye for the party’s National Secretary position. The Supreme Court had affirmed Anyanwu for the position.

According to Damagun, Ologunagba response to the issue was very hasty as the leadership of the party is still consulting with other PDP stakeholders and a meeting has been arranged with INEC on Tuesday, to see how the issue concerning its upcoming NEC could be resolved.

Damagum: “My attention, as the Ag. National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been drawn to a recent press interactions and comments made by our National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, concerning the Party’s scheduled 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the purported position of the Party regarding communications from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Let me clearly and unequivocally state that the comment by Hon. Debo Ologunagba was made without the authority or approval of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party.

“Therefore, the comments were made prematurely and without due consultation, especially in light of the fact that a meeting has already been scheduled for Tuesday, 24th June 2025 between the party leaders, stakeholder, the Ag. National Chairman of PDP and the Chairman of INEC to address the concerns raised in the letter sent to our Party.

“It is shocking and unfortunate that such a sensitive matter was addressed publicly without recourse to establish internal processes or the leadership of the Party.

“In my capacity as the Ag. National Chairman, I wish to make it categorically clear that the views expressed by Hon. Ologunagba in that press interactions are entirely his personal opinions and do not represent the official position of the PDP.

“Regrettably, this is not the first time that Hon. Ologunagba has acted unilaterally, disregarding the collective decision-making structures of the Party.”

Damagum stated that “the Party remains committed to defending its internal autonomy and resisting undue interference from external forces, it must do so in a responsible and unified manner. Our strength lies in our unity, discipline, and adherence to due process.

“The PDP remains committed to conducting its 100th NEC meeting in accordance with constitutional provisions and democratic norms,” he said.

The Source reports that the party has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis for months, which a committee led by a former President Bukola Saraki set up by the party, is trying to resolve.

Finally, President Tinubu Publicly Identifies And Introduces Chicago School Mate

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Bola Tinubu and his Chicago School Mate

By Adesina Soyooye

In a light-hearted manner, President Bola Tinubu has pulled the rug from under the feet of those who taunt, and doubt him when he says he was a student of the Chicago State University, United States of America.

From 1999 when he became the Governor of Lagos State, the President has been under public scrutiny over his education background – where he went to school, if indeed he did, they add.

Even though neither the primary nor the secondary schools he attended has been identified, they have not been the subject of any serious scrutiny. All attention has been on the University President Tinubu attended in Chicago, USA. The questions tumble: Did he attend the University he claims he did? Did he come out with a certificate? How did he even gain admission into the University? With whose result. As a female or a male? Which gender does his University certificate bear? Where are his school mates? Let him even show us one of his school mates.

On Monday, President Tinubu did, publicly.

In Abuja, while speaking at the launch of the Renewed Hope Agriculture Mechanisation Program where he introduced 2,000 tractors and 9,000 specialized farming implements, President Tinubu veered off his prepared speech to “shame his traducers.”

He proudly introduced a foreigner, from Belarus, as his school mate. He said he was his neighbor and school mate, a fellow student in Chicago.

“To all of you”, President Tinubu began, “Alex was my very good neighbor, and went to the same school with me in Chicago. Never did we dream that I would be in this position as President of Nigeria, and Alex, a successful businessman from Belarus.” He added that their school, which name he did not give, must be very proud of both of them.

An Alex, who was grinning from ear to ear stood up and lapped it all in his stride. He took his time before he sat down.

Noted one mischievous gentleman: “We don’t know whether this man is grinning because he went to school with the President, or the money, in hard currency, he has come to Nigeria to make.” Whatever, doubting Thomases has now seen one of President Tinubu’s Chicago  school mates.

“Why I Supported Tinubu In 2023 Inspite Of What I Knew” – El Rufai

By
The Source
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Bola Tinubu and Nasir El-Rufai

By Gideon Njoku

The President has committed an impeachable offence. I was aware of the confusion over his name, his parentage, his education, but every Saint has a past, and every sinner has a future”

A former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said that President Bola Tinubu has never been his friend even though he worked with zeal for his emergence as Nigeria’s President in 2023.

Speaking Monday night on Arise Television, El-Rufai, who is now one of the bitterest critics of President Bola Tinubu, said he was friends with Chief Bisi Akande, not Tinubu who he didn’t know much about aside from his performance as Governor of Lagos State.

Asked why he campaigned for Tinubu to be President, given his bitterness with him now, and if he was ignorant of the many negatives against Candidate Tinubu in 2023, El-Rufai said he was very much aware of the doubts over Tinubu’s parentage, his education, his name, even his State of origin, but El-Rufai said he didn’t bother much because, as he put it: “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.”

He said those negatives paled in the face of the Party’s decision to zone the Presidency to the South and that as soon as that was done, he was bound to work for the success of the Candidate.

He also said he believed in Tinubu’s capacity then given his performance in office as the Governor of Lagos  State.

El-Rufai noted that even though “agberos” helped Tinubu to win the Governorship of Lagos in 1999 and 2003, Tinubu pushed them aside, and picked brilliant minds to work with him. He also noted that Tinubu ran an inclusive administration which accommodated people without minding their tribes – Igbo, Hausa, Fulani.

He also acknowledged that Tinubu improved the lot of Lagos, and gave the State a good foundation and a face-lift.

But El-Rufai regretted that two years of the Tinubu Government at the Federal level spells capital disappointment.

Looking at the security situation, he told his interviewer that two years was not early to judge the President. During the President Goodluck Jonathan Government, El-Rufai reminded, Tinubu harassed Jonathan no end and insisted that the bulk stopped on the President’s table. He mocked Tinubu for now blaming Governors for the insecurity in the State. He alleged that the sum of one hundred billion Naira is removed every month by the President for security and that it is an impeachable offence against the President because it was not appropriated by the National Assembly. “It is an impeachable offence”, El-Rufai pointed out.

Told that States now have more money, El-Rufai countered by asking what the Governors are doing with the money- what new projects?

Citing an example with Kaduna State where he was Governor, El-Rufai said there has been no new project since he left, and pointed out that all the projects the President Commissioned in Kaduna during his recent visit were projects he started and which were all about 90% completed before he left office.

“Tinubu Is Gone, In 2027, He Has No Pathway To Win. He  Cannot Win” – El-Rufai

By
The Source
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Nasir E-Rufai and Bola Tinubu

By Gideon Njoku

“If anybody had told me in 2023 that Tinubu will perform this woefully, I would have dismissed the person as mentally ill”

A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nasir El-Rufai, has said that President Bola Tinubu, would never win the 2027 Presidential Election.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Monday night, anchored by Charles Aniagolu, El-Rufai said of Tinubu’s chances in 2027: “None. Tinubu is gone. He has performed woefully. He has failed woefully. If anybody had told me in 2023 when we were campaigning for him that Tinubu would perform this woefully, I would have dismissed the person as mentally ill.”

On why he is confident that the President would fail in his reelection bid in 2027, El-Rufai said that President Tinubu’s approval rating, nationwide is abysmal.

For instance, the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State revealed, a scientific opinion poll showed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rate in the North and the South-east stands at 91%. In Lagos, it stands at 78%. And, said El-Rufai, in, other States there is none where his disapproval rate is less than 50%. “The guy is gone. He has performed miserably. They are deceiving themselves when they say the 2027 Election is settled because of the defections. But the election is not settled. Tinubu has no pathway to win. No, he cannot.”

Until a couple of months ago, El-Rufai was a member of the President’s All Progressives Congress. He was one of those who strongly backed President Tinubu’s candidacy in 2023. He seriously campaigned for him. They fell apart after the Senate declined his confirmation as a Minister with no clear reason when he was nominated by President Tinubu. But he says: blame not the Senate, blame Tinubu who asked them to drop him.

“I Was Saved The Embarrassment Of Serving In Tinubu’s Disastrous Cabinet” – El-Rufai

By
The Source
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Bola Tinubu and Nair El Rufai
Bola Tinubu and Nasir El Rufai

By Gideon Njoku

Tinubu’s Cabinet Lacks Quality, it is a joke The Government is a disaster.

The immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s Cabinet as a joke. He said it lacks quality representation. He, however, admitted that only about five members of the Federal Cabinet would pass as quality people.

El-Rufai a former APC chieftain who is now a member of a coalition intent on removing President Bola Tinubu from office in 2027 spoke Monday night to Charles Aniagolu on Arise Television’s Prime Time.

Recall that El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, was nominated by President Bola Tinubu to be a member of his Cabinet. But to the surprise of not a few people, the Senate declined his confirmation.

However, El-Rufai is not blaming the Senate. He blames Tinubu who he said instructed the Senate not to confirm his nomination.

Asked if he is unhappy over his non confirmation as a Minister, El-Rufai emphasised that the contrary was the case.

According to him, the quality of the members of President Tinubu’s Cabinet is so low, that it would have been a huge embarrassment for him to be a member of a Cabinet he described as disastrous.

He said the Cabinet has no quality; is nothing to write home about. But for about five of them, El-Rufai asked, who are the others?

Comparing the class of Ministers in Tinubu’s Cabinet to those of his class, he asked: “Where are the Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealas, where are the Oby Ezekwesilis?

“These guys can’t get it together. God saved me the embarrassment of being a part of this disaster.”

He said he would have had problems explaining to Nigerians, if he was a member of Tinubu’s Cabinet, why there is no electricity; why the economy is this terrible; why the exchange rate is like a “yoyo”.

He laughed at those who think he was desperate to be a Minister, and disclosed that Tinubu was not his friend but  begged him to be his Cabinet member. “I rejected from the beginning. He sort me out. He begged me. He requested for me. I am grateful to God it didn’t happen because I don’t know how to explain this disaster to Nigerians.”

Falana Slams FG, Benue Government For Failing To Prosecute Suspects

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Femi Falana - SAN

By Akinwale Kasali

Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has faulted the Federal Government and the Government of Benue State for consistently failing to prosecute suspects arrested in connection with violent attacks in Benue State.

Falana said that in saner climes, the suspects would have been prosecuted, and if found guilty, face the full wrath of the law.

In a statement issued under the platform of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, ASCAB, which he chairs, Falana lamented that although hundreds of suspects have been arrested over the years for crimes ranging from illegal possession of firearms to mass killings and kidnapping, most of them are never charged to Court, making this a recurring decimal.

Falana made this assertions following President Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue during which he directed the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the latest wave of violence in the State.

However, Falana described the President’s order as potentially symbolic, pointing out that previous arrests had not led to convictions or justice for victims.

He berated the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for alleging that residents of Yelwata community provided shelter for the killers.

He described the statement as an attempt to shift blame onto victims instead of addressing the systemic failures of security and governance.

Providing a timeline of law enforcement actions, Falana stated:

“On December 30, 2024, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Yabanet, announced the arrest of 273 suspects involved in capital crimes, along with the recovery of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition.

“On January 17, 2024, police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed that an illegal firearms factory had been uncovered in Benue. Two suspects—Friday Aduduakambe and Iorwashima Iornyume—were arrested, and a cache of weapons, including nine locally made pistols and one unfinished AK-47, was seized.

“On April 17, 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed that three herdsmen were arrested over the killing of 11 people in the Otobi community, Otukpo Local Government Area. On June 19, 2025, Community Volunteer Guards apprehended three suspected kidnappers at the Otukpo motor park with ransom money collected from their victims.”

The former Ekiti State Governorship Candidate in 2003 under the National Conscience Party, NCP, further said that between January and June 2025 alone, dozens of violent crime suspects have been arrested, including 43 suspected killers in the last 10 days.

He said despite these arrests, no significant prosecutions have been reported.

“It is undoubtedly clear that the authorities have continued to treat suspected killers in Benue State like sacred cows.

“The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Benue State, Fidelis Mnyim, must take immediate steps to ensure that justice is served,” Falana added.

He stressed that the right to life, guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, is meaningless unless the State acts decisively to punish those who violate it.

He warned that unless concrete action is taken, the ongoing culture of impunity will only worsen the bloodshed and erode public trust in the rule of law.

Kogi Polytechnic Asks 273 Students To Withdraw, Expels Six Students

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Kogi Polytechnic

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The authorities of the Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, on Monday June 23 ,2025 announced the forced withdrawal of no fewer than 273 students over poor academic performance.

Six students were, also,   expelled over offences bordering on examination misconduct.

A statement from the institution’s spokesperson, Uredo Omale, informed that the development was part of the decisions reached at the Polytechnic’s 120th Academic Board meeting held on Thursday April 17,2025 .

According to the statement, the Rector, Chairman of the Board, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, expressed dissatisfaction with the general academic performance of the affected students, resulting in the  decision to advise them to withdraw.

However, the  Chairman lauded members of the Committee for Result verification headed by the institution’s Deputy Rector, Dr Taiwo Olowo, for their diligence in the discharge of their duties.

Omale stated that the 273 students affected by the withdrawal notice cut across 20 academic departments, and 42 programmes.

The expulsion of the six students, he noted, was approved by the Board after the consideration of the report of an examination misconduct committee led by Dr Grace Ehimony

The Academic Board Chairman similarly commended the examination misconduct committee, and those of the various Schools and Departments for a thorough job.

This is just as he called for a sustained  synergy among the committees so as to ensure the continued making of decisive resolutions capable of positively impacting the quality of teaching and learning in the institution.

The Rector reaffirmed the commitment of the Board and Management  towards  the institutionalization of reforms that will promote the best interest of the Polytechnic.

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