Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has disclosed that House member, Alex Ikwechegh, cannot be suspended without prior investigation and fair hearing.
Ikwechegh, was in the news earlier this week for physically and verbally assaulting an e-hailing (Bolt) driver who asked him to walk to the car to receive the package he ordered.
Reacting to public backlash calling for Alex’ suspension, Kalu said: “According to our rules, we cannot act according to what everyone wants us to do.
“We are guided by our rules and our rules remains that if at any point we feel that the integrity and dignity of the parliament has been threatened and scratched, we investigate through our internal structure in the eyes of principles of natural justice, which is fair hearing.
“That is what we put in our rules. It is not good for us to judge ahead of time and take razz decision.
“Therefore in line with the prayers of the leader of the house, that this matter be referred to the committee on Ethics and Privilege for him to be heard.
“His appeal was very emotional, very touching, shows remorse, I was touched, but that is not enough.”
The Senate has begun the screening of seven ministerial nominees named last Wednesday by President Bola Tinubu.
The screening exercised was held at the red chamber on Wednesday after it was postponed on Tuesday.
The upper legislative house began with Nentawe Yilwatda, the nominee appointed to replace Betta Edu as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
The Senate suspended its rule to admit the ministerial nominees.
Other appointees for screening are Bianca Odumegu-Ojukwu nominated as the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi nominated as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Jumoke Oduwole nominated as the Minister of Industry.
Idi Maiha as Minister for the newly created Livestock Development Ministry, Yusuf Ata as the Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, with Suwaiba Ahmad as Minister of State Education.
Last Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu sacked five ministers, re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has once again paid the previous monthly allowance of N33,000 to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for the month of October despite the recent announcement of a new N77,000 allowance.
On the 25th of September, 2024, the federal government announced an increase in the monthly stipend for serving corps members from N33,000 to N77,000, effective from July 2024.
The change was said to align with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 and was considered a significant boost to the welfare package for corps members.
However, despite the official announcement, corps members were paid the old allowance of N33,000 for September.
In the latest development, some corps members confirmed that the implementation of the new allowance has still not commenced, as they received N33,000 for October instead of the approved N77,000.
The Abia federal lawmaker who assaulted an Abuja Bolt driver, Alex Ikwechegh, was arraigned before the Kuje Magistrate Court at 12 noon today, Wednesday.
The probe and prosecution of Ikwechegh are being handled by the Inspector General of Police’s Special Investigation Unit.
The lawmaker, representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency in Abia State, was captured in a viral video physically assaulting the Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya.
The incident occurred on October 27 when the driver was delivering a package to the lawmaker at a residence on Zamfara Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.
Nigerians have continued to react and condemn the lawmaker’s actions.
Amid the outcry, the embattled lawmaker apologized and promised to cooperate with the police in their investigation.
He also disclosed that he was seeking counseling over his actions.
In a statement, activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju said, “We are on our way to Kuje Magistrate Court for the arraignment of the honourable member who assaulted our client, Mr. Steven, a Bolt driver.
The IGP’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is in charge of the investigation and prosecution.“
The media is invited to cover the arraignment, which is scheduled for 12 pm today at Kuje Magistrate.”
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria from further releasing monthly financial allocations to Rivers State Government.
The presiding judge held that the presentation of the 2024 budget by Governor Siminalayi Fubara before a four -member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.
She described the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January this year by Fubara as a constitutional somersault and aberration that must not be allowed to continue.
Justice Abdulmalik also held that Fubara’s action in implementing an unlawful budget smacked gross violations of the 1999 Constitution he swore to protect.
She proceeded to restrain the CBN, Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
Ayorinde AdeBello, a pastor recently suspended by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for alleged homosexuality, has denied the claims that led to his suspension with another Pastor.
The church’s decision was detailed in a memo dated October 28, 2024, signed by Sunday Akande, the national overseer of RCCG.
The memo mandated a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and temporarily relieved the accused pastors of their church duties. Akande reiterated that the church’s doctrine explicitly prohibits any act of homosexuality, referencing biblical teachings.
However, in a statement on his Instagram handle, AdeBello asserted that he has never engaged in sodomy with male teenagers.
He added that his prior silence had been misinterpreted as an “admission of guilt,” which prompted the public denial.
AdeBello’s statement reads: “In the past few days, some allegations were made against me and some others via a blog on social media known as Gist Lover.
“I had wanted to respond immediately it was brought to my attention, but I was advised not to, as I was not the only one named, and all of us may have been mentioned to drive engagement on the blog.
“However, as these allegations have escalated to criminal claims, I am compelled to respond as my prolonged silence has been misconstrued as an admission of guilt.
“I have NEVER sodomised or had sex with any male teenager before. 2. I have NEVER demanded for sex from any male as payment or gratification in order to give them assistance, platforms or positions. God is the only King Maker, the only One who can raise and erase kings, give positions and platforms.
“I have NEVER demanded for sex from any male as payment or gratification in order to give them assistance, platforms or positions. God is the only King Maker, the only One who can raise and erase kings, give positions and platforms.
“I have NEVER had sex with (*******) or proposed sex to him for any reason.
“The questions in the screenshot were asked during a conversation in a male teenagers WhatsApp group where discussions regarding Male Reproductive Health and Self Esteem took place.
“The teenagers were taught about the right hygiene for reproductive health, the right kind of underwear to buy, and that the girth and length determines the underwear size. I also explained that their sizes should not affect their self-esteem and that they are perfectly and uniquely created by God.
“It is disheartening to see that the screenshot message has now been mischievously quoted out of context to portray me as someone who has sex with male teenagers.”
Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has criticized a call for a new jet for Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, calling it “insensitive” amidst the country’s economic struggles.
The former Anambra state governor stated that Nigeria’s challenges, such as extreme poverty, unreliable power grid, and failing businesses, should be the priority of the country’s leaders and not luxury.
He urged leaders to focus on essential trips and prioritize selfless service to uplift Nigeria’s development and welfare.
“We are today among one of the eleven worst-governed African nations in the last 10 years.
“We are also among the 20 most hungry nations in the world, with our people facing worsening mass poverty, extreme hunger and starvation.
“Our nation remains the poverty capital of the world, with our per capita income crashing further from $1700 in 2023 to $1109 this year. Are these not the issues that should be prioritized by committed leaders?” Obi queried.
Using Indonesia as an example, Obi stated: “It was not until 2014 that Indonesia, with sustainable economic growth of over 6% annually for the past 10 years, adding about 50% to both her GDP and GDP per capita, decide to buy a Presidential jet, used by both the President and Vice President.
“The Vice President travels mostly in the country’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia. And since we have recently undeservedly bought one, it should be used on essential, inevitable trips of the President and Vice President.
“I appeal to the President, Vice President, and our public office holders that our present precarious situation calls only for minimal and highly contributory inevitable travels.
“It is time to sit down and find solutions to our litany of challenges for the wellbeing of the people and the development of our country. Nigeria will rise again if the leadership can commit to selfless service.”
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has approved a new minimum wage of N71,000 for civil servants, effective November.
According to the governor, the increased wage will raise the state’s monthly salary obligations by N6 billion and N7 billion for local government councils.
Additionally, 20,737 promoted teachers will receive a total increment of over N340 million.
Yusuf praised the state minimum wage implementation committee for their efforts, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
A statement by Yusuf posted on his Facebook account reads: “The decision is in line with my administration’s commitment to social justice and the improvement of living standards for our workers.
“In line with our commitment to social justice and enhancing the standard of living for our workers, we have approved the sum of 71,000 naira as the new minimum wage in Kano State.”
“Additionally, following the promotion of 20,737 teachers by our government, a total increment amounting to over 340 million naira has now been reflected in their respective salaries.”
“Once again, I commend the state minimum wage implementation committee for its commendable work. – AKY.”
Mujahid Asari Dokubo, former President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, has openly condemned the Nigerian government’s recent decision to dissolve the Niger Delta Ministry, highlighting this move as part of a long-standing trend of overlooking the region’s interests.
Dokubo, a vocal advocate for the region, argued that the removal of the ministry represents a setback for the people of the Niger Delta, who have historically struggled for recognition and fair access to resources derived from their land.
In his remarks, Dokubo explained that the Niger Delta Ministry was initially established as a response to the demands of local communities who sought a dedicated institution to address their unique developmental challenges.
This ministry, he noted, had come into existence through significant sacrifices made by various Niger Delta communities, which include the Ijaw and Ogoni, in the pursuit of better resource management and regional development.
Alhaji Dokubo, who spoke on a TV breakfast show, also voiced his discontent with the current classification of the Niger Delta, which he believes has been diluted over time to include regions outside the Niger Delta’s core geographical area.
He expressed disappointment that such political changes undermine the ministry’s original purpose, making it more challenging to secure the resources and development needed for genuine Niger Delta communities.
While addressing whether the ministry was dissolved due to inefficiency, Dokubo rejected this reasoning, pointing to systemic corruption as a broader issue across Nigeria, rather than one specific to the Niger Delta.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for laws that genuinely support the Niger Delta, while expressing frustration over the lack of substantial development frameworks in the country.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday, received a phone call from the US President, Mr. Joe Biden.
The call took place at about 4pm, Nigerian time and lasted for about 30 minutes.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, while briefing state House Correspondents about the development.
The discussion centered about the recent release of the Head of Finance Crime compliance at Binance, Tigran Gambaryan.
Tuggar said, “The call was about the collaboration between the two countries with regards to law enforcement and law enforcement agencies as well as the release of one of the suspects of the crypto currency exchange company that you are all aware of.
“Mr President also thanked the US for the partnership and collaboration in numerous areas with regards to security in Africa and West Africa as as whole. President Biden assured President Tinubu that this is a partnership because the future of the world reside in Africa and as such, the partnership is important.
“The leaders also discussed the issue of permanent seat in the United Nations security Council and Biden assured the the united States is committed to seeing Africa having a permanent seat and does not see why one of those seats should belong to Nigeria.”
