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Category: News

  • 9 Bodies Recovered From Niger Boat Mishap – NSEMA

    9 Bodies Recovered From Niger Boat Mishap – NSEMA

    The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has said that nine bodies were recovered from a boat mishap that occurred in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

    The Head of Relief and Rehabilitation in NSEMA, Alhaji Salihu Garba, disclosed this in an interview in Minna.

    Ten persons were confirmed dead in a boat mishap that occurred on Thursday, November 16.

    The victims, mostly traders, were reportedly conveying goods from Zongoru Community of Bassa Ward to Gijiwa, ahead of Friday market in Kuta, headquarters of Shiroro LGA, when the tragic incident happened.

    At least 34 persons were said to be on board of which 10 allegedly lost their lives, while 22 were reportedly rescued by local divers.

    Garba gave the names of the deceased to include Farida Muntari, Sharhabila Sagir, Bubakar Sadiq, Na’ima Ibrahim, Amina, Safaratu Ibrahim, Sadiq Ibrahim and Rafiya Yakubu.

    He said that the agency had yet to identify two of the deceased persons, adding that all the deceased were from Zangoro.

    He further said that there were 24 males and female adults and 10 male and female children in the boat when it capized.

    Garba also said that a search operation was ongoing to recover the remaining bodies. 

  • How Troops Foiled Attack On Yobe Governor’s Convoy –DHQ

    How Troops Foiled Attack On Yobe Governor’s Convoy –DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters said troops of 29 Task Force Brigade foiled the attack by terrorists on the convoy of Yobe Governor along Maiduguri-Damaturu Road on Saturday.

    A statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, on Monday in Abuja, said the troops also recovered the two vehicles affected in the incident.

    He said one military truck driver, four police escorts and one DSS operative wounded in the attack were in stable condition.

    According to him, one of the injured police escorts died shortly on arrival at the Specialists Hospital Damaturu.

    “Reinforcement of troops from 29 Task Force Brigade led by the Brigade Commander are conducting fighting patrol in the area to locate the terrorists who carried out the dastardly act.

    “The two vehicles affected in the incident include one military MRAP and one civilian escort vehicle whose tyres were shot at during the incident, have been safely recovered to the military camp at Benisheikh.

    “Operations are ongoing to hunt and destroy the terrorists that perpetrated the attack,” he said.

    The governor’s convoy was ambushed by terrorists while returning to Damaturu from Maiduguri, about 6 kilometers from Benesheikh town on Saturday.

    The governor was not in the convoy when it was ambushed.

    The Secretary to the State Government and some other top government officials who were in the convoy were unhurt. 

  • Social Media Reports On Justices Nomination List, ‘Mischief-Making’, Says NJC 

    Social Media Reports On Justices Nomination List, ‘Mischief-Making’, Says NJC 

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has disowned reports credited to it in the social media that it was not aware or did not receive nomination list for Supreme Court vacancies from the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

    The Director of Information, Barrister Soji Oye, on Sunday, said that he never had discussion with anybody regarding receiving or not receiving the list of Justices nominees from the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

    He described the social media reports on the matter as deliberate handiwork of mischief -makers, insisting that reports on such matters are always by official press statement from the Council through his office.

    The NJC Spokesperson cautioned against unverified reports circulating on social media regarding Supreme Court nominations and the process being followed to fill vacancies on the bench.

    It will be recalled that there were reports stating that the FJSC released 22 names for NJC’s consideration to fill vacancies at the Apex Court bench. 

    The nomination reportedly includes regional distribution of candidates across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

    According to the report, the nomination of Justices for the bench followed complaints in

    September that the Supreme Court was operating with only 10 out of its constitutional strength of 21 Justices.

    Based on the depletions of Justices due to retirement and deaths, it was reported that the FJSC subsequently submitted a shortlist to address the vacant positions.

    Oye warned the media, especially social media operators to always get their information from rightful sources so as not to mis-inform the general public on Supreme Court nominations and the process being followed to fill vacancies on the bench.

  • CJN Ariwoola Inaugurates 58 New SANs November 27

    CJN Ariwoola Inaugurates 58 New SANs November 27

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola will swear-in 58 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria on Monday,  November 27, 2023, at the main Courtroom of the Supreme Court, as part of the programme lined up for the 2023/2024 legal year of the Court. 

    In line with the age-long tradition, the CJN will during the special court session, deliver a state-of-the Judiciary address that would highlight the performance of the Supreme Court in particular and the Nigerian Judiciary in general in the 2022/2023 legal year. 

    The Director of Press and Information of the Apex Court, Dr Akande Festus made this known in a press statement he issued on Sunday in Abuja.

    According to him, other leading stakeholders in the Justice Sector will present speeches bordering on the state of the justice sector of the country at the occasion.

    They include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) amongst others.

    It will be recalled that 114 applications were received by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) for the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2023. 

    Out of the number, 101 are advocates while 13 are academics. 

    The total number of qualified applicants shortlisted after the Advocates 1st and 2nd Filtration Stages, Academic Pre-qualification, Academic 2nd Filtration Exercise, the Independent Appeals Hearing and Chambers Inspection Exercises was 69 comprising 57 advocates and 12 academics. 

    After conducting the specified screening and filtration exercises which include a number of appearances in superior courts, recommendations by Justices of the Supreme Court and Judges of superior courts, Chamber inspections; approval on eligibility and integrity of the candidates from the Nigerian Bar Association, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria and the general public, amongst others, the LPPC came up with 58 successful candidates. 

    Out of the figure, 57 are advocates while one is an academic. 

    The Supreme Court commenced its annual vacation on Monday, 24th July, 2023. 

    Though the Court had started sitting since Monday, 18th September, 2023, the new legal year ceremony is to be formally held in accordance with its tradition. 

    All the programmes outlined to mark the formal commencement of the new legal year will start at 10 am in the main Courtroom of the Supreme Court.

  • Plateau Guber: Appeal Court Sacks Muftwang, Enthrones Goshwe As Governor 

    Plateau Guber: Appeal Court Sacks Muftwang, Enthrones Goshwe As Governor 

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja on Sunday sacked Governor Muftwang Manasseh of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of Plateau Sate.

    The Appallate Court, therefore ordered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to  recognize Nentawe Goshwe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the validly elected governor of Plateau state in the March 18 governorship election. 

    Consequently, on the strength of section 136 of the electoral act, the court order INEC to retrieve the certificate of return issued to Governor Manasseh and issue a fresh certificate of return to the Goshwe.

    A three-man panel headed by Justice Elfrieda Williams- Dawodu,  delivering the lead judgment, cited section 177 of the Constitution, noting that Manasseh was not a validly sponsored by the PDP during the election.

    The panel held that the party violated the court order that a valid Congress be conducted in the 17 local government areas of that state, by conducting Congress in only 5 local government areas of the state, and as such is a nullity.

    Dismissing the decision of Plateau state tribunal, the Appeal Court held that the issue of qualification is both a pre-election and a post-election matter contrary to the findings of tribunal which held that the appellant lacked the locus to contest the validity of the respondent.

    The court also noted that under section 134 of the electoral act it is the sole right of a political party to sponsor its candidate having met the necessary requirements to do so.

  • Employ More Doctors Or…, ARD Threatens Enugu Govt

    Employ More Doctors Or…, ARD Threatens Enugu Govt

    *Issues 14-Day Ultimatum On Insecurity Issues

    The Association of Resident Doctors of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Enugu State Government to employ more doctors and ensure security.

    This is contained in a communique issued at the weekend after the end of the Emergency General Meeting of the association in ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu held.

    The communique was jointly signed by the President of ARD-ESUT, Dr Chukwunonso Ofonere and its Secretary General, Dr Ikemefuna Nnamani.

    The statement called on the management of ESUTH Teaching and the Enugu State Government to declare state of emergency on the employment of Doctors in the hospital.

    According to the statement, “the EGM observed that it is now 120 days since the government, through the Secretary to the State Government promised the ARD of employment of Medical Officers and Resident Doctors, and we are yet to see an advert to this effect.”

    It said that the EGM was intimated of the Management’s proposed plan to ensure the safety of Doctors and other health workers in the hospital.

    The statement noted that the EGM had resolved to extend the initial 14 days ultimatum by another 14 days ultimatum which shall end on Dec. 1.

    “First, the management should declare state of emergency on the employment of doctors in the hospital. There should be an urgent approval for the recruitment of medical officers, resident doctors and House Officers in the hospital.

    “This recruitment should be focused especially at the Accident and Emergency Department, Surgery Department, Internal Medicine Department, Paediatrics Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Departments,”.

    It noted that resident doctors that had left the institution in the past four years were never replaced.

    “Secondly, management should ensure implementation of safety policies to protect her workers against physical attacks and kidnap within one week as promised by the Chief Medical Director (CMD).

    “Thirdly, the immediate implementation of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) as our counterpart in other states; even as attached to this communique is the list of the eligible doctors and the financial implications,” it said.

    The statement noted that the EGM resolved that after 14 days and the above demands were not met, industrial harmony could not be guaranteed. 

  • Police Capture Serial Goat Thief In Kaduna

    Police Capture Serial Goat Thief In Kaduna

    The Kaduna State Police Command has apprehended a serial thief known for stealing goats in Pasali Konu village, Kagarko Local Government Area.

    ASP Mansur Hassan, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrest on Sunday, stating that the 20-year-old suspect was captured during a patrol conducted by a surveillance team and local vigilantes on November 11 at approximately 0430hrs.

    The arrested suspect, originating from Igwa village in Kagarko LGA, was found armed with dangerous weapons and wearing a facemask. Hassan revealed that the confessed thief, operating as part of a duo, admitted to their intent to steal goats in the village.

    Upon encountering the patrol team, one suspect escaped, while the police successfully detained the apprehended individual. Efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the absconded suspect.

    Hassan emphasized the commencement of preliminary investigations and affirmed that the apprehended suspect would face legal proceedings.

    He reiterated the commitment of the command to combat criminal activities in the state, urging the public to provide timely and valuable information to aid proactive measures against crime.

  • Nigerian Navy Seizes 50 Sacks Of Cannabis Worth N70m In Badagry Bust

    Nigerian Navy Seizes 50 Sacks Of Cannabis Worth N70m In Badagry Bust

    Nigerian Navy Seizes 50 Sacks Of Cannabis Worth N70m In Badagry Bust

    The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Badagry, Lagos intercepted 50 sacks of cannabis sativa valued at N70 million in the Gbethrome community.

    Lt. Cdr Kelly Umoru, FOB Base Operations Officer, reported on Sunday that the seizure occurred around 6:30 a.m. at an unfinished building close to the beach.

    Acting on a tip-off, naval operatives discovered the illicit substance stored in these abandoned premises.

    Umoru highlighted that each of the 50 seized sacks contained approximately 200 parcels of the suspected cannabis, collectively valued at N70 million in the market.

    “You will recall that on November 9, 2023, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Navy Command Operations, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hussan, flagged off an operation codenamed ‘Water Guard’ line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s directive.

    “FOB Badagry on Sunday, Nov.19, acting on credible human intelligence, stormed Gbethrome, and discovered 50 sacks of suspected cannabis sativa stored in an abandoned building near the beach.

    “Each of the sacks contains about 200 parcels. The market value of the items is N70million,” he said.

    This interception aligns with the ‘Water Guard’ operation, initiated on November 9, 2023, following the directive of Rear Admiral Mustapha Hussan, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Navy Command.

    The Nigerian Navy intends to hand over the confiscated items to the appropriate agency for further necessary action.

    This interception follows a similar incident on October 4, where the Navy in Badagry handed over 27 sacks of cannabis sativa, worth N35 million, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Navy Capt. Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, FOB Commanding Officer, stated that these items were seized on September 29 at Pako Beach in Badagry.

  • Waterways Security: FG To Create Coastal Guards

    Waterways Security: FG To Create Coastal Guards

    Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has said the Federal Government is exploring the possibility of establishing coast guards to ensure security on the nation’s coastline.

    Oyetola made the disclosure at the weekend during the 32nd Iragbiji Day celebration in Iragbiji, his home town, in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun.

    “There is conscious efforts on security of marine environment. We have deployed security equipment to safeguard the waterways.

    “We are already looking at the possibility of establishing coast guards which will be designed essentially to ensure the safety of our coastline.

    “We have not less than 853 kilometres of coastline in Nigeria and about 10,000 perimeter of inland waterways.

    “If we want to ensure coastal tourism, we must provide adequate security and we are working with the navy, marine police and others to ensure security of our waterways”, he said.

    Oyetola commended the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Abdulrosheed Olabomi, for using the Iragbiji day celebration to attract development to the town in the last 32 years.

    The minister, however, condemned the conversion of the Sustainable Development Goal-Focused Skilled Acquisition Centre built in the town by the Federal Government to a football camp by the state government.

    “I am so unhappy that the same project that we fought for, for our youths to acquire skills, has been turned into a soccer base.
    ”I have no quarrel with football, but the facility must be used for the purpose it is made.

    “The centre is meant for the acquisition of skills for youth and I want the state government to recognise that this project put in place by the Federal Government is for the benefit of the youths in acquiring skills,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrosheed Olabomi, said the community had been using the money realised from the annual celebration to assist indigent students in the town.

    Oba Olabomi said that the community paid for the West African Examinations Council, National Examination Council and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination fees of 50 indigent students of the town from the money realised from the 2022 celebration.

    The traditional ruler called on sons and daughters to support the community so that more indigent students could benefit.

    He commended the minister for his support for the town all times.

  • SERAP, BudgIT, 34 Others Sue Tinubu Over Appointments Of INEC RECs

    SERAP, BudgIT, 34 Others Sue Tinubu Over Appointments Of INEC RECs

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), BudgIT and 34 concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over the appointment of new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The group said at least four of the new appointees are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and allies of high-ranking politicians.

    The Senate had confirmed the appointment of seven out of 10 newly appointed RECs for INEC. The alleged APC members appointed as RECs include those from Akwa Ibom, Edo, Lagos and Rivers states.

    In the suit number FHC/L/CS/2353/2023 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the Plaintiffs are seeking: “an order setting aside the nomination, confirmation and appointment of the alleged APC members as RECs for INEC, for being unconstitutional, unlawful, null, void and of no effect.”

    The Plaintiffs are also seeking: “an order of mandamus to compel President Tinubu and Senate President Mr Godswill Akpabio to remove the alleged APC members as RECs for INEC, in line with Section 157 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].”

    The Plaintiffs are also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Tinubu to appoint qualified Nigerians who are persons of unquestionable integrity and a non-member of a political party or loyalist to the positions of RECs for INEC, in line with Paragraph 14(3)(b)(c), Third Schedule and Section 156 of the Nigerian Constitution.”

    In the suit, the Plaintiffs are arguing that: “The status, powers, independence of INEC, and the impartiality with which it acts and is seen to be allowed to act, are fundamental to the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and effectiveness of citizens’ democratic rights.”

    The Plaintiffs are also arguing that, “INEC ought to be the primary guarantor of the integrity and purity of the electoral process. President Tinubu and the Senate have the constitutional responsibilities to ensure both the appearance and the actual independence and impartiality in the nomination and confirmation of INEC top officials.”

    According to the Plaintiffs, “The credibility and legitimacy of elections depend mostly on the independence and impartiality of those appointed to manage the process. Without an independent and impartial INEC, the democratic rights of Nigerians would remain illusory.”

    The Plaintiffs are arguing that, “Anyone to be appointed as RECs for INEC must clearly be non-partisan, independent, impartial and neutral. INEC officials ought to be able to discharge their legal duties and implement the Electoral Act without fear or favour.”

    The Plaintiffs are also arguing that, “Nigeria’s electoral body must enjoy the independence from direction or control, whether from the government or any other quarter. It must be accountable to the electorate, and act accordingly.”

    The suit filed on behalf of the Plaintiffs by their lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part: “As public officers, President Tinubu and Mr Godswill Akpabio are required to act in conformity with their oath of office and the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].

    “Treating INEC as a line department accountable to bureaucratic higher-ups and high-ranking politicians rather than as an independent and impartial body is antithetical to constitutional and international standards and the notion of the rule of law.

    “The use of the word ‘non-partisan’ means that those to be appointed to conduct credible elections must not be people who openly identify as belonging to a political party, whose occupation is politics or who are perceived by ordinary Nigerians as having political biases.

    “Section 153(1) (f) of the Nigerian Constitution provides that ‘There shall be established for the Federation the following bodies, namely – (f) Independent National Electoral Commission.

    “Section 156(1) of the Nigerian Constitution provides among others that, ‘in the case of the Independent National Electoral Commission, he[she] [the person to be appointed as a REC] shall not be a member of a political party.’

    “Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution provides among others that ‘2. A member [of INEC] shall –a. be non-partisan and a person of unquestionable integrity… 3. a Resident Electoral Commissioner shall –b. be a person of unquestionable integrity and shall not be a member of any political party.’

    “Under Section 6(4) of the Electoral Act 2022, ‘The appointment of a Resident Electoral Commissioner shall be in compliance with section 14 (3) of the Nigerian Constitution.’

    “The nomination, confirmation and appointment of the alleged APC members as RECs for INEC is a breach of Section 6(4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Section 156(1)(a) and Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution.”

    They further noted that “Those recently appointed as RECs and confirmed by the Senate include an individual who was formerly a member of the PDP before allegedly ‘decamping’ to the APC and who served as the Chief of Staff to Mr Godswill Akpabio when he was Governor of Akwa Ibom State.”

    “The alleged APC members or loyalists also include individuals who reportedly campaigned on social media for the election of President Tinubu and who was appointed as chairman of the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board in 2001 when Mr Tinubu governed the state.”

    Joined in the suit as Defendants are: INEC; Mr Godswill Akpabio, for himself and on behalf of the Senate; and Messrs Etekamba Umoren; Isah Shaka Ehimeakne; Anugbum Onuoha; and Bunmi Omoseyindemi.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.