Category: News

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday dismissed the preliminary objection filed by the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) against Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State’s N20 billion suit over alleged certificate forgery.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, held that the preliminary objection lacked merit and ought to be dismissed.

Justice Ekwo said that the provision of Section 20 of the NYSC Act, 2004 which the corps based its objection on was not applicable to Mbah since he was not a serving corps member.

“Again, I am minded to agree with the plaintiff (Mbah) on whom the provision of Section 20 of the NYSC Act, 2004 applies.

“This means that the provision has a category of persons to whom it is applicable.

“A keen perusal of the provision of Section 22 (1) and (2) of the Act would reveal that it sets out the person to whom the provision of Section 20 of the Act applies which is a ‘member of the service corps’ which is defined to mean a person registered as a member of the service corps.

” It is then stated in Section 21 (2) that for the purpose of the Act, the reference to a ‘member of the service corps’ includes, unless to the context otherwise requires or it is otherwise expressly provided, a prospective member of the service corps or any person who is a registered member.

“The major characteristic of the provision of Section 21 (1) and (2) of the Act, is that the draftsman puts wordings thereof in the present tense and not past tense.

“It makes the provision applicable to ‘a prospective member of the service corps or any person who is a registered member,’” he said.

Justice Ekwo held that upon studying the statement of Mbah’s claim, he found no averment or claim thereof where it was stated that the governor was either “a prospective member of the service corps or any person who is a registered member.”

He said it was a settled law, without prejudice to the position of the law, that “the jurisdiction of a court is determined by the subject matter of the action and the claim before the court.”

“Consequently, I find that the substance of the preliminary objection of the defendants is not predicated on a proper interpretation of the provision of Section  20 of the NYSC Act, 2004 and therefore premised on erroneous consideration of the said provision.

“It is rather sad that this preliminary objection has been used to waste the time of the court and consequently divert proceedings in this case from the substantive matter,” he said.

Justice Ekwo, who dismissed the NYSC’s preliminary objection for lacking in merit, adjourned the matter until Sept. 21 and Sept. 22 for hearing.

Governor Mbah had sued the NYSC and its Director, Corps Certification, Mr Ibrahim Muhammad, for publishing a disclaimer, denying the issuance of a discharge certificate issued to him on January 6, 2003.

Justice Ekwo, on May 15, restrained the NYSC, Muhammad and any of their agents from, henceforth, engaging in such publication pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.

The order followed an ex parte motion moved by Mbah’s counsel, Mr Emeka Ozoani, SAN.

But the NYCS, in its preliminary objection dated May 19 and filed May 22, sought an order dismissing or striking out the suit for want of jurisdiction and competence.

Giving three grounds of argument, the corps said that Mbah did not appeal to the president as required by the provisions of Section 20 of the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap N84, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 before instituting the suit against the defendants.

It argued that appeal to the president was a condition-precedent to instituting an action against the defendants in any court of law in Nigeria.

 According to the NYSC, consequent upon the refusal of the plaintiff/respondent to comply with the provisions of Section 20 of the National Youth Service Corps Act, this suit is premature for the jurisdiction of the court to crystalise.

The NYSC had, on Feb. 1, written a letter signed by Mr Ibrahim Muhammed saying that the NYSC certificate belonging to Mbah was not issued by the corps.

Mbah of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of the Enugu state governorship election held in March 18 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense (NSCDC), says it has arrested three suspected criminals over conspiracy, trespassing, burglary, and theft.

The spokesperson of the command, DSC Buhari Hamisu, disclosed this while parading the suspects in Katsina.

“On Friday, July 14, 2023, based on credible intelligence, the Command succeeded in arresting the three (3) suspects, Musa Murtala also known as DARI, 17-year-old of Lungun Katsalle Shararrar, Pipeline Quarters, Katsina.

“Others include Nasiru Yusuf, aged 17, of Unwala Quarters, Bayan Gidan Nakowa Katsina and Yahaya Lawal, aged 30, also of Unwala Quarters Katsina.

“The notorious syndicate specialises in burglary and stealing. In the course of the investigation, the suspects confessed to having committed the offenses.

“They have also stated that on Tuesday, July 5, 2023, they conspired with Yahaya Shuaibu, alias Jidda, the ring leader, and three other suspects now at large,” Hamisu said.

He added that the suspects burgled a compound of two flats of Alhaji Jafaru Sani-Buhari and Buraimoh Abbas-Olayemi at Shararrar Pipe Quarters Katsina and stole a number of items worth thousands of naira.

According to him, the following exhibits were recovered from the suspects; a mattress, freezer, sewing machine, gas cooker, grinding machine, generator, and electricity stabilizer.

“Other items discovered are; kettles, hand saw, submersible wire, and also a bag containing sockets and a ceiling fan.

“The suspects will be charged to a competent court, for prosecution after investigation,” he revealed.

The NSCDC’s spokesperson noted that the success was recorded due to the tireless efforts of the operatives under the leadership of Commandant Jamilu Indabawa.

He pointed out that Indabawa is always looking forward and committed to ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for all the people of the state and Nigeria in general.

According to Hamisu, the state is no more a comfort zone for all criminals.

The Commandant further warned all criminals and miscreants in the state to desist from evil acts as the Corps and other security agencies will not relent in dealing with them.

Indabawa called on the general public to support the security agencies with actionable and timely intelligence that will help to unravel the activities of miscreants in the State and report any suspicious movements to the nearest office.”

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 27-member Committee to immediately commence work on the 2019-2023 National Youth Policy.

A statement issued in Abuja by Mohammed Manga, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, said that the inauguration was in accordance with the timeline for the review.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, while inaugurating the Committee, said that the aim was to ensure that the Ministry had a befitting Policy Document that would serve as a guide for the development of the nation’s teeming youth.

“The National Youth Policy, like other government policies, is the handbook of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development’s guide on youth development as it represents the declaration of the Nigerian Government to the practical support it intends to give to its youth.”

He stated further that the 2019-2023 Edition of the National Youth Policy was in the last lap of its journey, especially as the policy itself stipulates a 5-year periodic review, hence the need for the commencement of the process.

Abubakar said that part of the successes recorded in the implementation of the 2019-2023 Edition of the NYP by the Federal Government includes Youth inclusion, participation, and access to information, which enables them to know their rights.

He said the ministry, in partnership with Civil Society Organisations, Private Sector, and International Agencies, had taken National Youth Policy to the grassroots through enlightenment and publicity.

He added that various programmes and projects were also implemented across the six geo-political zones in line with the policy thrust of the government.

Ismaila explained that the periodic review of the NYP guidelines had become imperative, particularly due to the dynamic nature of the human endeavour, which he emphasized was not static.

“It is the dynamic nature that has prompted the review of the guidelines in human activities in order to get better results,” he added.

The permanent secretary observed that, there have been a lot of changes in the perception and actions of Nigerian youth towards government policies in the last five years, especially in the era of Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Besides, he said, “the age range of youth (15-29) in the current edition of the NYP had generated a lot of debate and controversy, as it appeared to fall short of Nigeria and Africa youth age reality.”

This he said was the justification for the review to address the current situation.

“It is in view of these that the government approved the commencement of the review process with the formation and inauguration of the Committee, which is expected to work from now to February 2024.

“I charge you (the Committee) to bring your wealth of experience to bear in ensuring that we produce a one stop shop Policy Document for implementation by government.

“Other terms of reference are amongst others to oversee the entire review process of the National Youth Policy 2024-2027 until its launching and ensure integration of youth concerns from each geo-political zone into the final policy document.

“Ensure that the new policy is in tune with global trends, supervise the various consultations with stakeholders during the review process, and bring up any other activity that will add value to the process,” the statement quoted Abubakar as saying.

Abubakar commended all relevant stakeholders for their support in ensuring the success of previous reviews as well as implementation of the editions.

He therefore called on development partners and other relevant stakeholders to put all hands on deck to ensure youth issues were mainstreamed into National Agenda.

He assured that the Ministry would continue to maintain open doors to partnerships and collaborations.

He expressed confidence in the ability of the committee to live up to its task of producing a new Policy for Nigerian Youth in line with the policy thrust of President Bola Tinubu-led Administration.

The Chairman of the committee, who is also the Director of Education and Youth Development (EYD), in the Ministry, Alhaji Kabiru Mohammed gave the assurance that members would work tirelessly to provide Nigeria with the best policy document, in line with global best practice. 

The Niger State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has said it is solidly behind the nationwide indefinite strike embarked upon by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARDs) in the country.

The national body of NARDs on Tuesday night, embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike to demand improved welfare for members and improved health sector.

Dr Yusuf Mohammed, Chairman, Niger chapter of NMA stated this during an interview in Minna on Friday. 

“We are 100 per cent in support of the strike because the Federal Government refused to abide by the agreement reached with NARDs.

“They issued several warnings but government refused to listen, prompting the strike. The Niger state chapter of the NMA is solidly behind the strike by NARDs,“ he said.

Mohammed said the demands of the doctors included, immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum to the omitted doctors.

Others are the immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement of the health workers and payment of skipping arrears, and upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) among others.

He appealed to the federal government to fulfill the demands of the doctors in order to boost their morale to put in their best to improve the health sector.

The chairman said that the association in the state had since joined their colleagues across the country in the strike. 

In a much-anticipated announcement, President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial list was unveiled, featuring notable personalities. Among the nominees are the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and three other ex-governors – Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), and Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa).

The list also includes prominent figures such as Presidential spokesman, Dele Alake; acting National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Kyari; and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Lateef Fagbemi.

Presenting the list before the Senate, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, brought an end to the long wait by Nigerians. Senate President Godswill Akpabio received the list, dated July 27, 2023, titled ‘Request for Confirmation of Ministerial-Nominees.’

A total of 28 nominees were read out by Akpabio, with significant representation from politicians, including ex-governors, serving and former members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Among the nominees, 25% are women, reflecting a commitment to gender inclusion in the political sphere. The women on the list are Betta Edu, Doris Aniche Uzoka, Hannatu Musawa, Nkiru Onyeojiocha, Stella Okotete, Uju Kennedy Ohaneye, and Iman Suleiman Ibrahim.

The timely submission of the ministerial list by Tinubu a day before the constitutional deadline of July 28, 2023, highlights his focus on a swift cabinet formation. This stands in contrast to the delayed appointment of ministers during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, which unveiled its cabinet six months after inauguration in 2015.

The Fifth Amendment to the 1999 Constitution mandates the President to submit the names of ministerial nominees to the National Assembly within 60 days of assuming office, a constitutional requirement that Tinubu has fulfilled.

See the full list of Tinubu’s ministerial list:

Abubakar Momoh
2. Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar
3. Arch. Ahmed Dangiwa
4. Barr. Hannatu Musawa
5. Chief Uche Nnaji
6. Dr. Betta Edu
7. Dr. Doris Aniche Uzoka
8. H.E. David Umahi
9. H.E. Nyesom Wike
10. H.E. Badaru Abubakar
11. H.E. Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai
12. Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo
13. Hon.Nkeiruka Onyejocha
14. Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo
15. Hon. Stella Okotette
16. Hon. Uju Kennedy Ohaneye
17. Mr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo
18. Mr. Dele Alake
19. Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN
20. Mr. Muhammad Idris
21. Mr. Olawale Edun
22. Mr. Waheed Adebayo Adelabu
23. Mrs Iman Suleiman Ibrahim
24. Professor Ali Pate
25. Professor Joseph Utsev
26. Senator Abubakar Kyari
27. Senator John Enoh
28. Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi

Below is a breakdown of the nominees according to the geo-political zones:

North-East
Yusuf Maitama Tuggar – Bauchi
Ali Pate –Bauchi
Abubakar Kyari – Borno
Sani Abubakar Danladi – Taraba

North-West
Badaru Abubakar – Jigawa
Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai – Kaduna
Ahmed Dangiwa – Katsina
Hannatu Musawa – Katsina
Bello Muhammad Goronyo – Sokoto

North Central
Lateef Fagbemi – Kwara
Muhammad Idris – Niger
Iman Suleiman Ibrahim – Nasarawa
Joseph Utsev – Benue

South-West
Olubunmi Tunji Ojo – Ondo
Dele Alake – Ekiti
Olawale Edun – Ogun
Waheed Adebayo Adelabu – Oyo

South-South
Nyesom Wike – Rivers
Abubakar Momoh – Edo
Betta Edu – Cross River
Ekperikpe Ekpo – Akwa Ibom
Stella Okotette – Delta
John Enoh – Cross River

South-East
Uche Nnaji – Enugu
Doris Aniche Uzoka – Imo
David Umahi – Ebonyi
Nkeiruka Onyejocha – Abia
Uju Kennedy Ohaneye – Anambra

A Federal High Court in the FCT on Thursday struck out an application filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) to secure an order to detain the suspended former Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele for a further 14 days.

The DSS had in an application told the court that the agency has uncovered fresh evidence that warrants the request for the order.

The application, which was marked FCT/HC/M/12105/2023 and heard by Justice Hamza Muazu, was quietly filed Wednesday (yesterday) by the lawyers from the agency and came up before the vacation judge today.

Justice Muazu struck out the application for being an abuse of court process and for want of jurisdiction.

When the judge questioned the counsel to the DSS, Victor Ejelonu, on the court’s jurisdiction in view of the provisions of Sections 293 and 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which vests exclusive rights on the Magistrates’  Court to grant detention order, the counsel withdrew the prayer.

Emefiele, was on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum by the Federal High Court in Lagos State.

He was granted bail after pleading not guilty to the two-count charge bordering on an alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Emefiele is facing two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition preferred against him by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Justice, has described the notice of strike action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as illegal and in contempt of court.

FG is reacting to the national president of NLC Joe Ajaero and Secretary-General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, call on Nigerian workers to prepare for a nationwide strike on August 1, to protest the hike in the price of fuel.

The Federal Ministry of Justice, through the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs B.E. Jedy-Agba, said the attention of the ministry has been drawn to media reports indicating that the leadership of the NLC endorsed a 7-day notice of their intention to embark on nationwide strike action from 2nd August 2023, if the demands of the labour unions are not met.

The SGF said, “It is pertinent to alert members of the NLC and the general public to the pendency of SUIT NO: NICN/ABJ/158/2023 – FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANOR V. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR before the National Industrial Court, wherein His Lordship, Anuwe, J., on 5th June 2023 granted an injunctive order restraining Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the pending Motion on Notice, which is also praying for an order of interlocutory injunction for parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the dispute or issues submitted to the court. The said Motion on Notice is still pending.

“It is noted that the issues (removal of fuel subsidy, hike in prices of petrol and consequential increase in the cost of living, etc) which precipitated the above court action are the very same issues over which NLC has now issued another strike notice.

“The NLC has submitted to the jurisdiction of the court and is being represented by the reputable law firm of Femi Falana, SAN. It is therefore our minimum expectation that NLC will allow the courts to perform their constitutional roles rather than resorting to self-help and undermining the orders of the court.

“We note with dismay that this latest strike notice is consistent with the inexplicable disdain which the NLC leadership has visited on the authority of the court in recent times following earlier inciting and derogatory remarks made by the NLC President against the court. Indeed, the avowed penchant of the leadership of the union for casting aspersions on the Judiciary is quite worrisome and concerning,” she said.

*Says NIC ignored section 3 (2) of the Trade Union Act

Femi Falana, a prominent Constitutional Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has raised objections to the recent judgement of the National Industrial Court, which granted official recognition to the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA) and National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) as trade unions.

Citing various Supreme Court rulings, Falana argued that the Apex court had previously emphasized the mandatory nature of Section 3(2) of the Trade Unions Act.

According to this section, the Registrar of Trade Unions must refuse the registration of a trade union if there already exists another union catering to the same interests as the one applying for registration.

In response to the judgement, Falana contended that the Supreme Court had previously upheld the constitutionality of Section 3(2) of the Trade Unions Act.

As counsel to the claimant, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), he criticized the Industrial Court for seemingly disregarding the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Osawe & Ors v Registrar of Trade Unions [1985] 4 NWLR (Pt.4) 755.

In that case, the Supreme Court had held that the right of association guaranteed by Section 37 of the 1979 Constitution, like other rights in Chapter IV of the Constitution, was not an absolute right and could be limited in accordance with Section 41 of the same Constitution (now Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution).

Falana further explained that the Trade Unions Act 1978 was enacted to maintain public order and prevent the chaotic proliferation of trade unions that prevailed before the law’s enactment. It aimed to establish a sense of order in the trade union landscape.

The disagreement over the judgement highlights the complexities of trade union recognition and the ongoing efforts to strike a balance between the right of association and maintaining order within the trade union sector.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Supreme Court held that by section 3(2) of the Trade Unions Act, it was mandatory for the Registrar of Trade Unions to refuse registration of a trade union once there is in existence a trade union that caters for the same interest as the one applying for registration.

“The NIC ignored the case of  Registered Trustees of National Association of Community Health Practitioners (RT, NACHPN) & Ors v Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) & Ors [2008] LPELR-3196 (SC); [2008] 2 NWLR (Pt.1072) 575, where  the Supreme Court affirmed its decision in the case of Osawe v Registrar of Trade Unions (supra) and came to the same conclusion. 

“The Justices unanimously held that Section 3(2) of the Trade Unions Act makes it mandatory for the Registrar of Trade Unions, on receiving an application to register any trade union, to ensure that there is no any other registered trade union in existence which caters for the same interest as the one applying for registration,” Falana said.

Recall that the Industrial court, in its judgment delivered by Justice Benedict Kanyip held that in line with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Act, there can be more than one trade union within an employment.

The judge in addition stated that contrary to the claimant’s submission that Section 3 (2) of Trade Union Act made the first and second defendants incompetent to register CONUA and NAMDA to coexist and carry out the same functions in the universities as ASUU.

Kanyip said that the Section does not encourage the monopoly of trade unions, but rather the section encourages the existence of other trade unions.

The court said “The reliefs prayed by the claimant failed, refused and I so hold. I make no order as to cost”

The claimant’s counsel, Mr Femi Falana SAN, submitted two questions for determination.

Part of the question was whether by Section 4 (2) of the constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended and Section 3 (2) of TUA, the second defendant can register CONUA and NAMDA to carry out the same functions covering the same jurisdiction sphere as the claimant.

The counsel further averred that the second and third defendants registered the third and fourth defendants in a bid to split ASUU.

The first and second defendants in reply submitted that the court should determine whether the issues raised by the claimant were not speculative and academic.

The third defendant on its part raised three issues that bordered on whether the claimant put before the court any proof, whether the claimant’s suit was not liable to be dismissed, and whether the third and fourth defendants were not legally registered.

The fourth defendant submitted for the determination of the court whether there was any violation in the registration of the two unions.

According to the court, the claimant gave evidence of this assertion from an online publication titled, “FG registers 2 new university unions in a bid to split ASUU”.

Although the fourth defendant objected to the admissibility of the publication in evidence, stating that the publication was a hearsay evidence, the court however dismissed the objection and allowed the admissibility as Exhibit 1.

The court also held that the fourth defendant was not registered as a trade union until Jan.11, collected the certificate of registration on Jan. 13, and formally completed all processes to be registered as a trade union on Jan.17, 2023.

The court therefore ruled that as of June 26, 2022, when the claimant filed the suit, the fourth defendant was not in existence.

The Federal Government will continue to dialogue with the members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the labour unions towards addressing their grievances, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has said.

Abbas stated this after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the engagement with the President on the issue of the strike of the resident doctors was enlightening as he showed great concern about their plight.

“We met with the President on the strike of the National Association of Resident Doctors. He asked us to continue to dialogue with them and tell them to give him more time.

“He told us that some of the issues raised by doctors were not known to him and he will like to resolve them as quickly as possible. I believe within the next coming days some actions would be taken,’’ Abbas said.

Similarly, the Speaker said that the House would continue to dialogue towards meeting the demands of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

‘’We will invite them to come and sit so that we can hear their grievances and then we follow the same pattern of engaging them, persuading them to give us a little more time to see how can able to meet their expectations.’’

​Resident doctor​s started their strike on Wednesday because their demands were not met by the government.

​Part of their demands include immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement, payment of skipping arrears and upward review of CONMESS in line with full salary restoration to the 2014 value of CONMESS​.

​The NLC has also given a seven days ultimatum to the Federal Government to reverse all perceived anti-poor policies, including the recent hike in the pump price of petrol, or face an indefinite nationwide strike from Aug. 2.

The Speaker appealed to the labour unions to give the new government of Tinubu more time to look into the demands with the aim of resolving them amicably.

In a bid to tackle the current security challenges in the country, the Federal Road safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced a clampdown on vehicles plying the country’s highways with concealed registration numbers.

Assistant Corps Marshall, Clement Oladele, FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Jos.

Oladele, who stated this when he visited the leadership of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ), Plateau Council, said that it was a crime for anyone to cover his/her number plate.

He expressed worry that some persons who considered themselves big men, were covering their vehicle registration numbers in contravention of the national traffic regulations.

“The national traffic regulation specifies that any vehicle that is on the highway must have an identity, and we have decided as a corps to commence the clampdown on such traffic offenders.

“Why will you cover your number plate? What are you hiding from? The number plate is the identity of a vehicle just like a name.

“There is nobody that does not have a name, even though most of you have no choice of the names you were given, the same way too a car does not have a choice in the number plate that is allocated to it.

“We are starting our special operations, and we want you to assist us reach out to members of the public with the information,’’ he stated.

Oladele also decried the situation vehicles impounded by the FRSC, were left unclaimed for many days and even weeks.

The zonal commanding officer therefore, said motorists who failed to pay the fines for their traffic offences and collect their vehicles after seven days, would be charged to court.

“We will not give you the opportunity to make the payments in the banks, you will have to meet us in court.

“The magistrate will invite you, and you will have to go the court and explain why you committed a traffic infraction and why you did not come to make the payment early,’’ he added.

He thanked the journalists for doing their job of watchdogs for the overall good of the society.

He prayed God to continue to protect them, as they carried out their risky job of educating, informing and entertaining the society.

Plateau NUJ Chairman, Mr Paul Jatau, assured the zonal commanding officer of the collaboration and support of journalists in the state, to make the highways safer for everyone.

Jatau said that the union had a robust working relationship with the former commanding officers and sector commanders of the corps, and pledged to sustain that.

“We do promise as a council that we will synergise with you, and to do everything in our power to promote whatever you are doing.

“We appreciate that you are working for the general good of the society, and we will give you all the support because those are things that we too believe in.

“When you commence the operations that you talked about, reach out us so that our colleagues would join you in enlightening the public,” Jatau added.

The zonal commanding officer was accompanied by the Plateau Sector Commander of FRSC, Alphonsus Godwin.