Federal High Court Stops VIO From Impounding, Imposing Fine On Motorists

By

-

October 3, 2024

The Federal High Court in Abuja has made an order restraining the directorate of Road Traffic Services popularly known as Vehicle Inspection Office, VIO, from impounding, confiscating or imposing fine on any motorist.

The court while delivering judgement in a suit filed by human rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal of Falana and Falana Chambers.

Justice N.E. Maha agreed with the Applicant that there is no law empowering the Respondents to stop, impound, confiscate, seize or impose fine on motorists while delivering judgement in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 between Marshal Abubakar vs the Directorate of Road Traffic Services & 4 Ors. The court in its judgement delivered on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, made a declaration that the 1st (Directorate of Road Traffic Services) to 4th Respondents under the control of the 5th Respondent (Minister of the Federal Capital Territory) are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate the vehicles of motorists and or impose fine on motorists.

The court gave an order restraining the 1st to 4th respondents either through their agents, servants and/or assigns from impounding, confiscating the vehicles of motorists and or imposing fine on any motorist as doing so is wrongful, oppressive and unlawful by themselves.

The court also made an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, agents, privies, allies or anybody acting on behalf of the 1st Respondent from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and right to own property without lawful justification.

Zenith Bank To Customers: We Apologise

By

James Orji

-

October 3, 2024

0

Nigeria’s leading commercial bank, Zenith Bank has apologise to its teaming customers over the disruptions and inconvenience experienced as a result of recent upgrade of its system.

The commercial bank had notified its customers of plans to upgrade its information technology infrastructure between September 29 to October 1, leading to disruptions in its online banking services, as customers were unable to perform banking transactions.

The Adaora Umeoji-led bank however announced on Thursday that the hitches experienced during the period are over, assuring customers that they can now perform hitch-free online banking service.

The statement posted on the bank’s X handle read, “Dear Valued Customer, We sincerely apologize for the service disruptions you experienced recently on our banking channels.

“We have made significant progress with the upgrade and you can now perform transactions conveniently with the following Zenith Bank channels.”

NECO’s N50,000 Certificate Reprinting: NANS, Rejects It, Says It Is Outrageous

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

October 3, 2024

0

By Akinwale Kasali

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has condemned, and rejected the National Examination Council’s, NECO, N50,000 fee for reprinting of certificates.

NECO’s Registrar, Dantani Wushishi, had announced in Minna, Niger State, the new policy of the Examination body on September 30, 2024.

According to the statement, the N50,000 fee for certificate reprint is subject to periodic review and the reprint requests and will only be approved within one year of the original certificate’s issuance.

In reaction to NECO, NANS Clerk of the Senate, Abdulyekinn Odunayo, in a statement described the decision as outrageous and a commercialisation of education.

NANS explained that the fee is an unacceptable burden on students, coming at a time when many are struggling to make ends meet.

It further stressed that the economic hardship is taking a toll on Nigerian students, adding that the new policy by NECO gives room to doubt its commitment to education.

The statement reads: “The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, unequivocally condemns the outrageous decision by the National Examination Council, NECO, to impose a N50,000 fee for certificate reprints.

“This draconian policy is a slap in the face of Nigerian students, already beset by financial hardships and uncertainty.

“The N50,000 fee is an unacceptable burden on students, many of whom struggle to make ends meet.

“This fee will exacerbate financial exclusion, denying countless students access to their rightful certificates, perpetuate inequality, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged students and undermine the integrity of NECO, casting doubt on its commitment to education for all.”

NAN said NECO’s fee structure and policies lacked transparency, and sparked concerns about mismanagement of funds and inefficient service delivery.

The student body, while reiterating its advocacy for affordable, accessible, and quality education, demanded an immediate reversal and reduction of the fee to an affordable amount.

“The National Association of Nigerian Students will not stand idly while education is commercialised and students are exploited.

“We demand an immediate reversal of the N50,000 fee, a reduction of the fee to a more affordable amount (not exceeding status quo), extension of the reprint request deadline to 5 years and a stakeholder engagement to ensure student-centric decision-making,” the statement added.

Uzodimma Assures Edo Governor-elect, Senator Okpebholo, Of APC Support

By

The Source

-

October 3, 2024

0

Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has assured the Governor-elect of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, of the full support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Okpebholo prepares to take over the reins of power in his State soon.

Senator Uzodimma, who is, also, the Governor of Imo State, gave the assurance on Wednesday when Okpebholo, his Deputy Governor-elect, Denis Idahosa, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the APC Chairman in Edo State and other key members of the Party paid him a thank you visit at Government House Owerri.

Earlier, Okpebholo told Governor Uzodimma that the visit was to thank him for being with him “before, during and after” the election in Edo State that took place on September 21, 2024.

He said Governor Uzodimma has proven himself a “father, a leader of APC and a brother” and that he has shown that he is a dependable ally.

Okpebholo said he was in Government House with his leader, Senator Adams Oshomole, his Deputy-elect, the Chairman APC Edo State and others, to express their gratitude and “to say a big thank you.”

He said now that they have won the election, the next step is to develop Edo State and that they were happy to visit Governor Uzodimma to receive his blessings ahead of assumption of office.

He added that the Governor’s blessings will complement that of the Oba of Benin who had directed them to come and thank him as well as thank God for his grace.

The Governor-elect seized the opportunity to invite Governor Uzodimma to his inauguration on November 12, 2024, saying that Sen Uzodimma will perform the role of a father he is in the APC family.

In his response, Governor Uzodimma warmly welcome Sen Okpebholo on behalf of the Government and people of Imo State and thanked them for finding it fit and necessary to visit him.

The Governor said it is a thing of joy that APC won the election in Edo State and expressed his happiness, noting that “the entire population and members of APC of Edo State and Nigeria in general are all happy for the victory.”

Governor Uzodimma congratulated him and all members of APC and citizens of Edo State he will be leading as their Governor, and prayed God to give him the wisdom to do those things he promised during his campaign.

He advised him to “remember to give Edo State a new look, to bring prosperity and development and be able to justify the confidence reposed in him by the leaders of APC and the entire Edo indigenes.”

He also prayed for the Governor-elect and his team, particularly that what they will use to achieve and develop Edo State, they will not lack.

Governor Uzodimma thanked Okpebholo for taking the pains to come all the way from Edo State to visit him and described it as “symbolic” and a gesture he must treasure for a long time.

Concluding, the Governor promised that as long as Okpebholo is a member of the APC, and is bringing progress to Edo, he as the Governor of Imo State and the people of Imo State, will continue to support him.

Governor said: “Go home with confidence that one with God is majority and with the kind of support and blessings you have gotten from the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the people you don’t have any reason to be afraid because Edo people voted for you.”

Present at the visit were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Bar Nnamdi Anyaehie, among other top government officials.

Tin Can Port Customs Hands NDLEA Illicit Drugs Worth Over N682 Million

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

-

October 3, 2024

0

Tin Can Port Customs Hands NDLEA Illicit Drugs

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Tin Can Port Command, on Wednesday October 2, 2024, formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, seized hard substances ,with a street value of over N 682 million .

The over 684 packets of Cannabis Indica weighing 341,025kg in three containers were shipped into the country by the shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Company, MSC .

The Comptroller of the Tin Can Port Command of the NCS ,Derra Nnadi ,while handing over the intercepted hard drugs to the NDLEA ,noted that the substances were seized on August 2, and August 8, 2024, by the Service while on examination.

The Comptroller stated that the Command has of recent deployed all required resources and operational strategies at its disposal in collaboration with sister security agencies and regulatory bodies in checkmating the activities of smugglers.

Comptroller Nnadi expressed the Command’s commitment towards sustaining its fight against the importation of dangerous substances into the country by some unscrupulous characters .

The Tin Can Port Command NCS boss, said the handover of the drugs to NDLEA is in keeping with the existing inter agency collaborative efforts ,and the MoU between the two agencies.

He appreciated the NDLEA, Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Buba Marwa for the cordial working relationship that exists between the agency and NCS .

He also thanked the other stakeholders, including international partner agencies for their support and understanding in the efforts to rid the country of the activities of smugglers.

Senator Jonathan Zwingina Dies In Abuja

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

October 3, 2024

0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Adamawa State Government has been thrown into mourning following the passing of Jonathan Silas Zwingina, a former Senator who represented Adamawa South Senatorial District.

Zwingina died in Abuja after a prolonged illness, less than two months after he celebrated his 70th birthday.

The politician was the Director-General of the Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola Abiola campaign Organisation in the June 12, 1993, Presidential election.

He was born in Adamawa State, and was a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. He served as the Senate Majority Leader for two terms.

After taking his seat in the Senate in June 1999, he was appointed to Committees on Works & Housing (chairman), Establishment, Internal Affairs, Information, Special Projects, Privatization and Economic Affairs.

He defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, later in his political career.

Zwingina was the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Save Democracy Group Africa. He was known for his advocacy for democracy and played a key role in Nigerian politics during his time in office.

Though the Adamawa State Government is yet to issue a statement on the former Senator’s passing. His family is, also, yet to announce his passing and/or arrangements.

Defection Of Abia Rep: PDP Kicks, Wants INEC To Conduct Fresh Election

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

-

October 3, 2024

0

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately declare the seat of Hon Chris Nkwonta vacant.

Hon Nkwonta representing the Ukwa West/East Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP, on Wednesday, October, 2, 2024 defected to the All Progressive Congress, APC ..

According to the letter of defection as read by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, the defecting Lawmaker cited division within his party, the PDP, as reason for his action.

Instructively, he has since been rewarded for the political somersault with the House Committee Chairmanship of the newly created South East Development Commission SEDC.

But the Abia PDP in a statement issued by its Media Adviser, Jude Ndukwe, urged the National Electoral Umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to take steps to conduct a fresh election to feel the vacant seat.

The Abia PDP rejected claims of existence of factions and or crisis within the Party.

“Following the decision of Hon Chris Nkwonta, the representative of the Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, to defect from the PDP to the APC on the floor of the House on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the PDP in Abia State, hereby, calls on INEC to immediately comply with the provisions of the Nigeria Constitution by declaring the seat vacant and conduct a new election within the constitutionally stipulated time to replace the defected member.

“This call is for the body to comply with the provisions of section 68(1) (g) &(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ( as amended ) since Hon Nkwonta’s defection did not meet the conditions precedent to the defection of a Federal Law maker as provided by our laws ..”the Abia PDP stated

According to the Party spokesperson, “it is clear that the PDP has no factions either at the Federal or State level, a situation which renders Nkwonta’s defection illegal.

The Source reports that after having its 24 years stranglehold on Abia broken in 2023, the PDP has been plagued by many high profile defections including former top Government functionaries.

But the Party’s leadership has insisted that there is no cause for alarm, as it is on weight shedding exercise.

Edo 2024: Assembly Speaker Shuns Party, Congratulates Okpebholo

By

Adesina Soyooye

-

October 3, 2024

0

By Adesina Soyooye

Outgoing Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, must be raging in anger. A few days after the Candidate of his Political Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, lost the Governorship seat to the All Progressive Congress, APC, Candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in a still- disputed, controversial election, Obaseki is facing abandonment by a couple of people who were his political allies.

Top on the list is, allegedly, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku.

In the face of the disputed September 21, 2024, Governorship result which the PDP and not a few people and groups claim was won by the PDP, the Speaker has embraced the result as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and embraced Okpebholo.

Recall that the PDP, from the National to the State level, and even the State Governor and Government, rejected the result, and are headed to Court. The Governorship Candidate, Ighodalo, described the election which threw up Okpebholo as the worst in Nigeria’s history. They are all headed to Court to challenge the outcome. But, pending that, the Speaker thinks otherwise.

In a surprise move, Speaker Agbebaku sent a congratulatory message to the Governor-elect in defiance of the stand of his Party, the PDP.

In the congratulatory message, he advised Okpebholo to be wary of sycophants.

Okpebholo, according to the results declared by INEC, defeated Ighodalo by scoring 291,667 votes as against 247,274 votes.

Congratulating Okpebholo at plenary on Wednesday, the Speaker acknowledged him as Governor-elect. He said: “The governor-elect is for Edo people and not for the All Progressives Congress alone and I prayed that sycophants do not mislead him.”

The Speaker lost his Constituency, Owan West to the APC which polled 12,277 to PDP’s 11,284 votes.

The Agbebaku-led House of Assembly has also just recalled two members of the State House of Assembly who have been on suspension in the past four months.

Ajaero To Workers: Battle Over N70k Minimum Wage Not Over

By

James Orji

-

October 3, 2024

0

President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero has urged workers in the country to get ready to fight to ensure that the new N70,000 minimum wage is implemented.

The NLC leader made this assertion on Wednesday at a two day workshop in Lagos organised by NLC for Congress’ state councils from the South. The event was supported by Fredrich Ebert Stiftung, FES, and the International Labour Organisation, ILO.

The theme of the workshop was “Strategies for Effective Implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.”

The labour leader’s remark comes after some state governments said they don’t have the capacity to pay.

This has given rise to fears among workers that the implementation will face hiccups.

Speaking Ajaero said the fight for new wage for Nigerian workers is not yet over until the wage, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July this year is paid to workers.

Part of what Ajaero said: “The wage of a single worker often sustains many more—feeding families, educating children, and supporting communities. It is not merely a pay-check; it is the lifeblood of society. When we fight for better wages, we are not asking for charity. We are fulfilling a sacred duty—to build a vibrant economy, to uplift the nation, and to secure the dignity of work. This is a divine responsibility, one that we are bound by conscience and duty to carry out.

“On the 3rd of this month, we were in Kano where we kicked off this workshop beginning with the Northern zone and now, we are here for the Southern zone. And, as we gather here today, just as I told them in Kano, know that the eyes of every worker are upon us. They depend on our courage, our resolve, and our unity to carry their voices to the negotiation tables that await us.

“We all followed the battle that led to the new National Minimum Wage act. We saw the threats, the drama, the propaganda, and the unrelenting attempts to weaken our cause. We were called names, vilified, and faced with all manners of intimidation. But we did not bow. We stood strong. We sacrificed, not just for ourselves, but for every worker in this country.

“Yet, winning the fight for a new minimum wage is not enough. We must now ensure that it is implemented in full, so that its benefits reach every corner of Nigeria, from the largest cities to the smallest villages. If we faced such fierce opposition at the negotiation stage, then know that the road ahead will not be any easier. Be prepared for insults, threats, and attempts to blackmail you.”

The federal government said last week that the implementation of the new minimum wage takes off from July.

Tinubu Lacks Capacity, Overwhelmed With Nigeria’s Problems

By

James Orji

-

October 3, 2024

0

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lacks the required capacity to transform the country and set her on the path of greatness.

A Nigerian doctor based in Germany, Franklyne Ogbunwezeh made the remark while speaking during an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica.

The diaspora’s Nigerian made this known before President Tinubu left the country, On Wednesday, for the United Kingdom, UK, on a two-week annual leave.

Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy who made this known yesterday, said Tinubu will return to the country after the working visit to the UK.

The president has been trenchantly criticised for his regular travels out of the country.

His critics have urged him to stay back at home to tackle the country’s myriads of problems.

Doctor Ogbunwezeh who expressed doubts on the skills set of the president to effectively govern the country, stated that Tinubu if given 100 years to rule cannot achieve any meaningful change in the country.

He said the manner the administration handled some key national problems is a clear pointer that President Tinubu is already overwhelmed, and cannot perform better.

He described President Tinubu’s handling of petrol subsidy removal, naira devaluation, security, inflation amongst others as abysmal, adding that some forces have hijacked the government from him.

According to him, “President Tinubu does not have the capacity or the competence to govern Nigeria. Even if you give him a hundred years, he won’t know what to do with the country.

“Immediately after, the forces that are hell-bent on making a buck out of every bad situation in Nigeria took over, and now he is overwhelmed.”