• Expresses doubt over govt’s resolve on fuel subsidy
Minimum wage negotiations between organised labour, Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), and the Federal Government will resume in the last quarter of this year.
General Secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Emmanuel Ugboaja, who disclosed this, yesterday, at the ongoing International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, said raising the national wage floor, which is due next year in February, will not be part of forthcoming discussions. He said: “When labour meets the Federal Government’s negotiation team on Monday, June 19, 2023, the minimum wage will not be on the table. The current minimum wage will expire in February, next year. Normally, by this time, labour should table its proposal on what the new national wage will be, by the last quarter of this year, so that we can reach an understanding.”
The NLC scribe blamed governors for debasing the national minimum wage by declining to implement the law. He said: “Our governors have made a mockery of what a national minimum wage ought to be, by reducing it to their own definition of what they are willing to pay workers. Governors have reduced salary payment to a privilege. No. That cannot be.
“They pay workers for services rendered; they are not dashing out money. Salary payment ensures societies grow. Therefore, ignorance is the bane of the Nigerian minimum wage implementation.”
Meanwhile, Oyo State NLC chapter, yesterday, said it was sceptical of Federal Government’s determination to remove fuel subsidy. This came up during a seminar organised by the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), with the theme, ‘Fuel Subsidy Removal: The Why, How and Way Forward’, in Ibadan.
State NLC chairman, Kayode Martins, said there shouldn’t have been any fallout with the labour movement, if government had, earlier, announced measures to cushion effects of the removal.
Martins said: “We are not saying subsidy should not be removed. It is a good thing. We embrace it, but we are afraid of the implementation. There are lots of promises, here and there, from past administrations, which they failed to fulfil. So, that’s our fear. We hope it would not be business as usual. That’s the phobia we have now.”
In her opening remarks, NISER Director General, Prof. Antonia Simbine, said: “As is typical of subsidy programmes across the world and especially, in developing countries, the fuel subsidy regime increasingly led to unconscionable racketeering and a cesspool of corruption.
“The huge fiscal burden and mounting debts that deficits fostered, the broad consensus that fuel subsidies disproportionately favour the rich and dislocated funding in critical development domains, such as education, health, security, coupled with a crippled economy, meant that these subsidies had become unsustainable.”
[Guardian]
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, will on Thursday testify before the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja.
Mr Yakubu will testify in Atiku Abubakar’s petition challenging President Bola Tinubu’s victory at the 25 February presidential election.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused INEC and Mr Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating the polls.
His lead counsel, Chris Uche, on Tuesday, informed the five-member panel of the court chaired by Haruna Tsammani that Mr Yakubu would appear before it on Thursday.
At the behest of Atiku’s legal team, Mr Yakubu had been subpoenaed to testify on the conduct of the disputed election.
Also, he is expected to tender some sensitive electoral documents in aid of the petitioner’s suit.
Mr Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), put INEC, Mr Tinubu and APC’s legal teams on notice concerning Mr Yakubu’s scheduled appearance on Thursday to forestall any impediment that may obstruct the hearing.
Atiku calls first star witness
After calling 18 witnesses to testify for the petitioner, Mr Uche, on Tuesday, called his client’s first star witness.
The witness, Alex Ter, a lawyer and former Attorney General of Benue State, in his testimony, alleged that the February presidential poll was fraught with widespread irregularities as it was conducted in disregard of the Electoral Act, 2022.
In his witness statement on oath, Mr Ter said he was the national coordinator Situation Room for the PDP during the February 25 presidential election in Abuja.
He presented three video clips featuring INEC chair Mr Yakubu and INEC’s Commissioner for Voter Education, Festus Okoye, who both pledged that the electoral umpire would electronically transmit the election results.
The third video concerned the European Union Election Observer Mission, which was admitted as an exhibit by the court.
Also, the court admitted the guidelines for election officers 2022 and the manual for election guidelines 2023 as exhibits.
Mr Ter also tendered screenshots of the INEC IReV portal.
Despite Mr Tinubu and APC’s objections to the admissibility of the documents, the court admitted the videos played in court.
Last Saturday, similar video clips were tendered by Peter Obi’s Labour Party, also contesting Mr Tinubu’s victory.
Atiku and Mr Obi came second and third, respectively, in the race, but the pair are urging the court to declare each of them president.
They are also calling for a fresh poll.
While being cross-examination by INEC’s lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud, a SAN, Mr Ter said he was not at the National Collation Centre in Abuja, but was at the PDP situation room in Abuja.
The witness told the court that he was not an ICT expert. He clarified that his report on the election’s outcome was obtained from agents of the PDP at the collation centres.
Mr Ter, Atiku’s 19th witness, told the court under cross-examination by Mr Tinubu’s lawyer, Akin Olujinmi, a SAN, that the presidential election was nullity owing to alleged electoral malpractices by INEC.
At the end of Mr Ter’s testimony, the court adjourned the suit until Wednesday for further hearing.
[Premium Times]
Justice Ambrose Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Court 3, Ikoyi Lagos has fixed July 21st for the commencement of trial of Mr Michael Ukiye Diongoli, and his two companies, UK Dion Group and UK Dion Investment Limited on a 61 count charge of defrauding unsuspecting investors to the tune of over N3.7billion.
Diongoli and his companies are alleged to have between 2021 and 2022 with intent to defraud, conspired among themselves to obtain money from several individuals and organisations including Dr. Basil Onugu, Prof. Oyekachi Green Nwankwo, FSL Securities Ltd, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, MTN Employer Cooperative, Col Chukwu Tengu rtd. and Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme among others.
The defendants are accused of pretending to be registered financial institution into wealth management, invited customers to pay money into their accounts and fix it for a period ranging from 6 months to one year with interest, a statement the defendant knew to be false and committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related to Offenses Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
According to the Charge “That you Micheal Ukiye Diongoli, Dion Investment Limited and others at large between MRCH 2021 and May 2022 in Lagos Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud fraudulently obtained several sums of money to UK Dion under the pretence that you are a registered financial institution, and you are into wealth Management wherein customers were invited to pay money into your account, fix it for a period ranging from 6 months to one year and the customer will get the money invested with interest, a statement the victims believed, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related to Offenses Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.
When the charges were read to the defendant, Micheal Ukiye Diongoli pleaded not guilty to all 61 counts, Justice Allagoa thereafter set July 21, 2023as the date for the commencement of the trial.
Mr Diongoli, and his two companies, UK Dion Group and UK Dion Investment Limited are also facing a criminal summons by Justice Zainab Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of operating without the Liscence of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In the two count charge brought against Michael Ukiye Diongoli, UK Dion Group And UK –Dion Investment Limited all of No. 21 Buhari Street, Peace Court Estate, Lokogoma, Abuja, they are alleged to have on or between the year 2021 and 2022 within the jurisdiction of the honourable court did commit a felony to wit: conspired among themselves together with their staff to do an illegal act – diversion of investment funds to the tune of over N3.6billion belonging to the investing public which includes Basil Onugu, Elizabeth Umenwa Nwankwo, Adetoun Sokoni, Ezeogu Victoria Ndozi and others you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of Criminal Code Act, laws of the Federation, 2004.
“That you Michael Ukiye Diongoli, UK Dion Group And UK –Dion Investment Limited all of No. 21 Buhari Street Peace Court Estate, Lokogoma, Abuja, they are alleged to have on or between the year 2021 and 2022 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High and together with your other staff, did commit a felony to wit: diverted investment funds to the tune of over N3.6billion belonging to the investing public which includes Basil Onugu, Elizabeth Umenwa Nwankwo, Adetoun Sokoni, Ezeogu Victoria Ndozi and others you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383(2) F of Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 390(7) of the same Act”.
Global watchdog, Amnesty International on Tuesday claimed that the killing spree that characterized the last administration, is continuing under President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement, its Acting Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, said about 123 deaths have been recorded since Tinubu took power on 29 May 2023, which was just 15 days back.
Sanusi was quoted as saying “It is horrific that attacks by gunmen have claimed at least 123 lives mere weeks after President Bola Tinubu assumed office on 29 May. Rural communities, always bracing themselves for the next bout of violence, are facing deadly attacks by rampaging killers. Protecting lives should be the utmost priority of the new government. The Nigerian authorities must urgently take steps to stop the bloodletting.
“The brazen failure of the authorities to protect the people of Nigeria is gradually becoming the ‘norm’ in the country. The government said it will enact security measures in response to these attacks, but these promises have not translated into meaningful action that protects the lives of vulnerable communities. The Nigerian authorities have also consistently failed to carry out independent, effective, impartial and thorough investigations into these killings — and this is fueling impunity.
“The Nigerian authorities are obliged under international human rights law, regional human rights treaties and Nigeria’s own constitution to protect the human rights of all people without discrimination — and that includes the right to life. Those suspected of criminal responsibility for these callous crimes must urgently be brought to justice in fair trials.”
Recounting the devastating gun violence incidents, the statement said “On 11 June in Plateau State, a gunman shot dead at least 21 people. On 9 June, gunmen killed 25 people in Katako Village, before killing another 13 individuals in Kusherki town on 10 June.
“Throughout May 2023, at least 100 people were killed in various communities of Benue State. Between 15-17 May, over 100 people were killed in the Mangu region of Plateau state.
“In southern Kaduna, over 100 people were killed by gunmen between December 2022 and April 2023.”
The Recording Academy (GRAMMY) is set to further accommodate the vibrant rhythms and unique melodies of African music with the introduction of a new award category titled “Best African Music Performance” for the 66th GRAMMY Awards in 2024.
According to a statement by the organizers on Tuesday, the landmark decision was unanimously approved during the Academy’s semi-annual Board of Trustees meeting in May 2023. The introduction of this category marks a significant step towards acknowledging the rich diversity and impact of African music on the global soundscape.
Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, shared his enthusiasm and the Academy’s rationale behind the introduction of the new category.
“The Recording Academy is proud to announce these latest Category changes to our Awards process. These changes reflect our commitment to actively listen and respond to the feedback from our music community, accurately represent a diverse range of relevant musical genres, and stay aligned with the ever-evolving musical landscape,” he said.
The ‘Best African Music Performance’ category will spotlight recordings that echo local expressions from across the African continent. The category encompasses a wide range of music genres, including Afrobeat, Afro-fusion, Afro Pop, Afrobeats, Alte, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Genge, Kizomba, Chimurenga, High Life, Fuji, Kwassa, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian Drill, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop, and Ethio Jazz, among others.
According to Mason, the introduction of this new category signifies the Academy’s commitment to recognize and appreciate a broader array of artists. “By introducing these new categories, we are able to acknowledge and appreciate a broader array of artists,” he said.
This move ensures the representation and celebration of African music, its creators, and the unique cultural narratives they bring to the world stage.
Mason concluded, “We are excited to honor and celebrate the creators and recordings in these categories, while also exposing a wider range of music to fans worldwide.”
The new categories include Best African Music Performance, Best Alternative Jazz Album, and Best Pop Dance Recording.
The courtroom was hushed throughout the brief hearing.
A stone-faced former President Donald Trump entered a not guilty plea Tuesday to charges he lied and schemed to hold on to sensitive national security material that he was supposed to have surrendered when he left the White House.
Trump, 76, was indicted last week on 37 federal felony counts, including willful retention of national defense information, making false statements and representations, and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
In court, Trump, wearing a blue suit and red tie, sat silently with his hands crossed and had a not guilty plea entered by his attorney during the brief proceeding before Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman.
“We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty,” Trump lawyer Todd Blanche told the judge.
Special counsel Jack Smith, whose office brought the case, was in court for the proceeding, seated in the front row.
Goodman did not put any travel restrictions on Trump, who’s campaigning for president, or ask him to surrender his passport. Prosecutors had not asked for either restriction. The judge did on his own bar Trump from discussing the case with any witnesses identified on a list to be compiled by government lawyers.
Trump was seated at the same table as his co-defendant in the case, aide Walt Nauta. Nauta, 40, did not enter a plea because he does not yet have a local attorney, and was given a June 27 return date.
The bombshell case is the first time in U.S. history that a former president has been charged with federal crimes — a test of the criminal justice system he once presided over in a politically fraught prosecution.
Trump was arraigned once before, in the New York case involving his hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. But unlike the Manhattan court, the federal magistrate in Miami prohibited cameras inside the building — leaving the public to watch only the small gathering of supporters outside.
Trump left the courthouse just before 4 p.m. ET, and stopped at the popular Cuban restaurant Versailles, where the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to him. Trump turns 77 on Wednesday.
“Thank you Miami. Such a warm welcome on such a SAD DAY for our Country!” Trump posted on Truth Social as he was headed toward the airport.
The former president, who had struggled to find a local attorney after two members of his legal team resigned Friday, was represented in his initial appearance by Blanche and Chris Kise, Florida’s former solicitor general and an ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump’s main 2024 GOP rival, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.
Both traveled with Trump to the courthouse in his motorcade, a source close to Trump said.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and maintains he was entitled to the documents. He has said the prosecution was politically motivated and vowed to retaliate against President Joe Biden if re-elected.
“Now that the ‘seal’ is broken,” Trump wrote in all capital letters in a post on Truth Social earlier in the day, ” … I will appoint a real special ‘prosecutor’ to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the USA, Joe Biden.”
Alina Habba, a Trump attorney who’s involved with his other cases, spoke to reporters outside of the courthouse and repeated the former president’s claims that politics was driving the prosecution, saying Trump is the Republican front-runner and it’s “less than a year and half before the election.”
“People in charge of this country do not love America. They hate Donald Trump,” Habba said.
Trump did not make any public comments at the courthouse, and was scheduled to deliver remarks at his estate in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Tuesday night. The event had originally been planned as a private fundraiser for his 77th birthday.
There was no mug shot of Trump during the booking process, a law enforcement source told NBC News, with an existing photo uploaded to the government’s secure booking database, which is not publicly accessible. He was also going to be electronically fingerprinted.
Trump also had to provide personal data such as his telephone number, address and Social Security number, as part of the process.
Miami Police Chief Manny Morales said Monday that the city was bracing for the possibility of thousands of protesters at the courthouse and has been coordinating with federal, state and local partners “to ensure that we maintain not only peace and order” but also the ability for demonstrators “to express themselves and their First Amendment rights.”
Hundreds of spectators, journalists and activists gathered outside the courthouse earlier in the day, but by the time of Trump’s arrival, the crowd was much smaller than anticipated.
The indictment says that Trump’s claim to the documents expired the moment he left office but that he intentionally held on to top secret and other classified documents, in some instances for over a year and a half after he left office. It alleges that he kept a trove of classified documents even after he was hit with a subpoena for their return and that he misled his attorneys into believing they’d all been returned.
The documents “included information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the U.S. and foreign countries; United States nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack; and plans for a possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack,” the indictment says.
He also treated that information cavalierly — at times keeping it on the stage in the ballroom at his Florida resort and in a bathroom next to a toilet, the filing alleges.
During the period Trump kept the documents around his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, the club “hosted more than 150 social events, including weddings, movie premieres and fundraisers that together drew tens of thousands of guests,” the indictment says.
It also disputes Trump’s claim that the documents were secured by his Secret Service detail, alleging agents had no idea the documents were there. “Trump did not inform the Secret Service that he was storing boxes containing classified documents at the Mar-a-Lago Club,” prosecutors said.
The court filing doesn’t elaborate on how prosecutors knew that to be the case. Sources familiar with the matter said last week that investigators had questioned about two dozen Secret Service agents.
Regardless, the filing notes, the agency is “not responsible for protecting Trump’s boxes or their contents.”
The indictment said disclosure of some of the documents’ contents “could put at risk the national security of the United States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military and human sources, and the continued viability of sensitive intelligence collection methods.”
Nauta is charged with helping Trump hide documents and with lying to investigators about his involvement with and knowledge of the boxes and their contents.
Nauta’s lawyer, Stan Woodward, has declined to comment on the charges against his client, who was a military valet in the Trump White House.
The judge who presided over Tuesday’s proceeding won’t oversee the case in a trial. Court officials said the case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who last year temporarily halted the FBI’s review of the documents that had been recovered at Mar-a-Lago.
Her ruling was overturned by a panel of appeals court judges who suggested Cannon had tried to “carve out an unprecedented exception in our law for former presidents.”
[Nbcnews.com]
Extreme weather conditions in Europe have killed almost 195,000 people and caused economic losses of more than 560 billion euros since 1980, the European Environment Agency said Wednesday.
“Nearly 195,000 fatalities have been caused by floods, storms, heat- and cold waves, forest fires and landslides” between 1980 and 2021, the EAA said in its report.
Of the 560 billion euros ($605 billion) in losses, only 170 billion, or 30 per cent, were insured, the EEA said, as it launched a new online portal collating recent data on the impact of extreme weather.
“To prevent further losses, we need to urgently move from responding to extreme weather events…to proactively preparing for them,” EEA expert Aleksandra Kazmierczak told AFP.
According to the latest data, heatwaves accounted for 81 per cent of deaths and 15 per cent of financial losses.
Europe needs to take measures to protect its ageing population, with the elderly particularly sensitive to extreme heat, the EEA said.
“Most national adaptation policies and health strategies recognise the impacts of heat on cardiovascular and respiratory systems. But less than half cover direct impacts of heat like dehydration or heat stroke,” it said.
The summer of 2022 saw more deaths than usual in Europe following repeated heatwaves, but the 2022 deaths were not included in the data published on Wednesday.
There were 53,000 more deaths in July 2022 than the monthly average in 2016-2019, up by 16 per cent, though not all of those deaths were directly attributed to the heat, the EEA said.
Spain registered more than 4,600 deaths linked to the extreme heat in June, July and August.
Climate modelling has predicted longer, more intense and more frequent heatwaves.
In February 2022, the EAA said extreme weather killed 142,000 people and caused 510 billion euros in losses for the period 1980-2020.
The increase in the figures released on Wednesday was partly due to the fact that in 2021, flooding in Germany and Belgium led to economic losses of almost 50 billion euros.
In terms of deaths, a change in methodology in France and Germany was responsible for the large variation, the EEA said.
– ‘Devastating consequences’ –
Climate change caused by humans increased the risk of drought five- or six-fold in 2022, a year when forest fires ravaged twice as much territory as in recent years, the EEA said.
Droughts could end up being very costly.
Economic losses could rise from nine billion euros per year currently to 25 billion euros at the end of the century if the planet warms by 1.5C degrees.
That could climb to 31 billion euros if it warms by 2C and 45 billion euros if it warms by 3C, according to scientific scenarios.
The consequences for agriculture could be “devastating”, the EEA warned.
“Farmers can limit adverse impacts of rising temperature and droughts by adapting crop varieties, changing sowing dates and with changed irrigation patterns,” the report said.
Without changes, yields and farm incomes are projected to decline in the future, it said.
While human losses from flooding are much lower, accounting for just two per cent of the total, they are the most costly, accounting for 56 per cent of economic losses.
AFP
After months of political intrigues, permutations, and drama, the four candidates nominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, for Senate and House of Representatives leadership won their elections in style yesterday.
The four anointed candidates are Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas; and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
While Barau and Kalu emerged unopposed, Akpabio prevailed after a tough battle and Abass recorded a landslide victory over his two opponents.
In the Senate where all the 109 senators took part, Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State and one-time Senate Minority leader, polled 63 votes to defeat former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari (APC, Zamfara West) who polled 46 votes.
In the House of Representatives, it was smooth sailing for Abass as 353 of the 359 lawmakers inaugurated gave him their votes. His challengers, Idris Wase and Aminu Jaji polled three votes each.
Congratulating Akpabio and Abass on their election, President Bola Tinubu told the new leadership of the 10th National Assembly that Nigerians want the lawmakers to lift their economic burden.
Tinubu urged the National Assembly to work with him to deliver the dividends of democracy, adding that now that elections are over, it is time to get on with the business of governance to justify the mandate given to them.
Mild drama in Senate
Instead of the 10 a.m. Clerk of the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Sani Tambuwal, communicated to the lawmakers last week, the election process commenced at 8 a.m. yesterday.
Before the election, former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), nominated Akpabio after a call was made to that effect by the Clerk to the National Assembly and the nomination was seconded by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West).
There was drama when the CNA asked if there was any other nomination for the position as Senator Elisha Abbo (APC, Adamawa North), tried to nominate Senator Abdulaziz Yari for the position, but Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), kicked against it, saying that Yari is not a ranking senator.
Monguno argued that Yari’s nomination contravened Senate Standing Order 3, 2020 as amended. The argument was spontaneously opposed by senators-elect in support of Yari with shouts of No! No!
The CNA overruled Monguno and declared that nomination of Yari was in order and not an infraction on any rules of the Senate or relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
At this point, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), seconded the nomination of Yari. In the election by secret ballot, Yari scored 46 votes against Akpabio’s 63.
How Barau emerged unopposed
After the declaration of Akpabio as President of the 10th Senate, the CNA called for nomination for the position of Deputy Senate President where Senator David Umahi (APC, Ebonyi South), nominated Senator Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North) and was seconded by Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central).
In the absence of further nominations, the CNA declared Senator Barau as the new Deputy Senate President.
Immediately after his activities in the Senate, the CNA proceeded to the House of Representatives for the election of the presiding officers.
Akpabio extends hand of fellowship
In his inaugural speech, Senate President Akpabio, extended an olive branch to Senator Yari who contested against him and other senators who were not on his side, irrespective of political party membership, saying: “Having won elections and inaugurated, we should see ourselves as Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not that of political parties.”
Akpabio who described the 10th Senate as an uncommon one that will collaborate with the executive arm of government in the area of improved revenue generation for the country, said: “This Senate and by extension, the 10th National Assembly, needs to collaborate with the President Bola Tinubu-led executive arm of government on improved revenue generation.
“President Tinubu as the executive governor of Lagos State from May 1999 to May 2007, did it by raising the internally generated revenue, IGR, of the state, which was below N1billion then to between N50billion and N61billion every month now.
“We, therefore, need to come up with legislation on improved revenue generation by looking at new sources for that purpose.”
He said that the 10th Senate should look in the direction of strengthening the legislative space and at the same time support good policies and programmes of the Federal Government like the recent removal of fuel subsidy
Akpabio, after his speech, called on the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau to move for an adjournment to today, Wednesday, which he did and was seconded by Senator Ali Ndume.
We refused to be intimidated —Ningi
Reacting to the election, former Deputy Senate Majority Leader and Head of Media of Senator Yari’s Campaign Organisation, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who described the poll as free and fair without much-anticipated drama, said: “The election was free and fair without much-anticipated drama. That is what makes the institution of the Senate different.
“The animosity, the fear of what happened in the last two days completely vanished. You go into the hall and you see how people are embracing themselves and that is parliament and that is democracy. We have refused to be intimidated by any enforcement and imposition and that is why we said there must be an election and those who came up with the idea of theatre party and the sitting government had the day, we have no problem.., the election was free and fair and to be honest I was expecting it to be so.
“The position I took was not the position of my party but that of the minority caucus and you could see not all of us actually voted on the same page. Some people actually went to negotiate, and that is parliament. I believe in six months or so we are going to bind together by putting the nation first.”
I’m happy democracy is being deepened — Izunaso
On his part, an aspirant for the Senate Presidency, Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West) who noted that he is happy that democracy is being deepened, said, “I feel happy that members of the 10th Senate have made their choice, have elected their President and Deputy President. I think from there we can hit the ground running because a lot is expected of us by Nigerians.”
How Abbas, Kalu emerged
In the House of Representatives, the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, DCNA, Kamaru Ogunlana, kicked off the electoral process before his principal, Magaji Tambuwal emerged from the Senate at the end of a similar exercise, to complete it.
It will be recalled that Abbas and Kalu were the preferred choices of the ruling All Progressives APC for the offices.
However, their unveiling on May 8 triggered fierce opposition from a number of their colleagues such as Idris Wase, Aminu Jaji, Ado Doguwa, Aliyu Betara, Miriam Onuoha, Yusuf Gagdi among others, who later formed a Group of 7(G7), vowing to run against his nomination.
At the twilight of the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, Betara, Gagdi heeded the voice of wisdom and joined Doguwa who had long stepped down for the joint ticket but Wase and Jaji were adamant and vowed to run to the end.
At the inauguration, the Majority Leader of the 9th House, Alhassan Ado Doguwa from Kano State nominated Abass for the speakership position. He was seconded by Nnolim Nnaji, representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West. Abbas was to later accept his nomination.
At this point, Ogunlana asked if there were “further nominations “.
A shout of “no, no” erupted from the chamber.
It, however, suddenly simmered down when Rep Tijani Kayode, representing Offa Federal constituency of Kwara State nominated Wase.
The nomination was also seconded by Mohammed Abdulmumuni, representing Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency of Nasarawa State.
Yet again, a third nomination for Jaji ensued from Ahmed Yusuf Doro who represents Katsina Bindawa/Mani federal constituency of Katsina State
It was seconded by Mohammed Aliyu Ibrahim from Malumfashi/Kafur federal constituency of Katsina State.
In the absence of further nominations, the election began on a state by state basis with lawmakers openly announcing the name of the candidate they were voting for. At the end of the exercise, the clerk, Tambuwal announced that Abbas polled a total of 353 while Wase and Jaji got three votes each.
“Members-elect, Abbas, having scored the highest number of votes cast is hereby declared winner and returned as speaker of the House”, Tambuwal said.
The declaration prompted a spontaneous jubilation in the chamber.
Emergence of Kalu as deputy speaker
The emergence of Kalu as the deputy speaker of the House followed a call by the clerk.
On that note, Babajimi Benson representing Ikorodu Federal constituency of Lagos State nominated Kalu for the office of the deputy speaker.
Upon his nomination, the shout of “Kalu, Kalu” filled the air.
The nomination was seconded by Kadijat Bukar Abba Ibrahim representing Damaturu/Gujba/Gulani/Tarmuna federal constituency of Yobe State.
After Kalu accepted his nomination, the clerk asked: “Are there other nominations?”
Shouts of “no no” resonated, making the clerk declare and return Kalu elected unopposed.
Why Wase, Jaji got 3 votes each
Wase and Jaji’s votes came from their two colleagues who nominated and seconded them. The others were their personal votes.
359 members take oath
Meanwhile, 359 members out of 360 took their oath of office due to the death of a member-elect from Taraba State, Isma’ila Maihanchi.
He was elected to represent Jalingo, Yerro, and Zing Federal Constituency but died shortly after the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Gbajabiamila hands over to Abbas
The immediate past speaker, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila on the sidelines of the inauguration formally handed over to Abbas.
Performing the ritual, Gbajabiamila said: “On behalf of the members of the Ninth Assembly and I believe the 10th Assembly, I congratulate you on your election as the Speaker of the 10th Assembly. I wish you well. It is not an easy feat. But from what I know, you’ll do a good job. We are your members. On behalf of them, I hand over the hand-over notes as the speaker of the 9th Assembly. This will be a guide to you and I hope you continue from where I left.”
I’ll be fair to all— Abbas
In his acceptance speech, Abbas acknowledged that the speakership position was keenly fought, and said that his administration will be just, fair and guided by the constitution of the land.
He pledged not to discriminate against any member or political party.
He said: “This victory is not just about me; it is about all of us coming together as a united House to serve the Nigerian people diligently. It is about honouring the trust that has been placed in us and working tirelessly to deliver on our promises of good governance and effective representation.
“It is worthy to note that the speakership campaign witnessed in the past few months was democracy at play. But today, all of that has come to pass, and it is time to forge ahead and work together for our people for our common good.
“I do not take this mandate bestowed on me for granted. I want to assure you today that I shall be just and fair to every one of you irrespective of our perceived differences. I shall operate a House that you all will be proud of. I shall be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the House Rules. Our doors will be open for members of APC, PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, APGA, SDP, ADC and YPP as we strongly believe nation-building is a joint task.”
“My dear colleagues, I invite you all to be on board for the next four years as we embark on this Nigerian Project to renew the hope of our people”, Abbas urged.
10th House to surpass gains of 9th parliament
Abbas also said that his administration will sustain and even surpass the gains recorded by the 9th House of Representatives, saying: “Under my watch, the 10th House shall sustain and even surpass the gains of the 9th House. That is my prayer. We shall carry out the task before us jointly. We shall introduce reforms and innovations for the benefit of Nigerians. In a few weeks, we shall be reeling out the legislative agenda that will shape the 10th House of Representatives.”
We shall work in harmony with executive, judiciary
The Speaker also said that the House will work in harmony with the executive and the judicial arms of government for the good of the country.
“We will work in harmony with the executive arm, while upholding principles of checks and balances. Our collaboration will be anchored on the principles of transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.”
Time to get on with governance — Tinubu
Congratulating the lawmakers, President Tinubu in a statement he personally signed, hailed the new leadership of the National Assembly and also reminded them that in the course of work together, disagreements may occur and that any disagreement will not be out of malice, ill-will and quest to diminish the institution of the National Assembly or any individual member.
Describing the election of Akpabio and Abbas as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly as a good development, he said: “I heartily congratulate them and also rejoice with the new Deputy Senate President Jibril Barau and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu for their well-deserved victories.
“Being elected by their peers as presiding officers and assuming the leadership of the National Assembly is a great honour that comes with a huge responsibility. I trust that you will justify the confidence reposed in you by your members and many Nigerians.
“I wish Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Honourable member Idris Wase and Honourable Aminu Jaji who enriched the process with their participation in the leadership election the best and a successful tenure in the 10th National Assembly.
“I urge them to sustain the same level of enthusiasm they brought to the leadership contest in the discharge of their duties to their constituents and Nigeria.
“My congratulations to all members of the National Assembly, across party lines, who, today, enlisted into the service of the blessed people of our great country.”
He further said, “We have all been called upon and accepted the responsibility to diligently and faithfully serve our fatherland with the oath we took. It is time to get on and move swiftly with the business of governance in the service of Nigeria.
“As your President, I am prepared to transparently work with the National Assembly. Nigerians expect senators and Rep members to make laws and carry out oversight duties that will enhance the performance of government to achieve successful outcomes, including improving their quality of life.
“In the course of our work together, disagreements may occur. When we disagree, it will not be out of malice, ill-will and quest to diminish the institution of the National Assembly or any individual member.
“Our people across the length and breadth of our country expect so much from us. They want us to lift their economic burden. They want us to eliminate insecurity so our farmers in rural communities can go to their farms and produce the food we eat.’’
Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south district, says President Bola Tinubu “sneaked out” to beg some lawmakers to support his preferred candidates for the 10th national assembly leadership positions.
Speaking on Tuesday in an interview with Channels Television, Ndume said the president deployed his “foot soldiers” to deliver his preferred candidates.
Earlier, Godswill Akpabio, the senator representing Akwa Ibom north-west, was elected senate president after polling 63 votes to defeat his challenger, Abdulaziz Yari, who scored 46 votes.
Barau Jibrin, a senator from Kano, was declared deputy senate president.
For the house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, a lawmaker representing Zaria constituency in Kaduna, was elected speaker, while Benjamin Kalu from Abia state, was declared deputy.
The new leaders of the national assembly got the backing of the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tinubu.
Reacting to the development, Ndume said the president is an “experienced” politician, adding that he convinced many lawmakers to support his preferred candidates.
“When I contested last time (2019), everybody was on the other side because the party and president endorsed Ahmad Lawan,” he said.
“It is almost a repetition of the same thing, the party and the president had a preferred candidate but this president (Tinubu) is an experienced politician who has played a lot of politics.
“He deployed his foot soldiers to complement our (campaign team of Akpabio) efforts and that made a difference. The vice president assisted us.
“He called some people. He even went to some people. It is politics. He sneaked out to visit some people and begged them to support. He has his reasons and there were convincing.”
[TheCable]
The newly sworn-in President of the Senate and former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio, has vowed that the 10th Senate will surpass the expectations of Nigerians in building a prosperous nation.
Akpabio made this vow while delivering his inaugural speech after his swearing-in Abuja on Tuesday.
Recall that, Akpabio, who is the preferred candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC was sworn in as the Senate President after polling 63 votes, beating his rival, Abdulaziz Yari, who scored 46 votes.
He said, “Together, we shall reach and surpass the expectations of the Nigerian people regarding us, and our roles in building a better, safer, more inclusive, prosperous, efficient and ethical country.
“I assure you, Distinguished Senators, that I am mindful of the enormous responsibilities that this position calls for. You will have my cooperation in all matters and our joint efforts will be one of teamwork. I extend my sincere hands of fellowship to all of us, including those who, at a time, may have had different opinions regarding the leadership of the Senate.
“These expressions of differing and opposing opinions and views are but the fabric that democracy is made of. Democracy, ultimately, has to do with choice, and there can be no real choice where and when there are no alternatives.
“It is time now to go forward with the task set before us as a collective body – the promulgation of laws and enactments for the well-being and security of the country and as a check on the executive arm of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in our oversight functions,” he said.
The Senate President, however, urged the senators of the 10th Assembly to put national interests first.
He said, “Today marks a historic moment as we embark on a new chapter in the Senate. Distinguished Senators, today, I stand before you humbled, honoured, and filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and responsibility as I acknowledge and accept your call to serve as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I assure you that I will discharge the responsibilities of this office with utmost dedication, integrity, and fairness.
“I am humbled because your choice reflects the collective will of the Senate, this assembly of Nigerians whose role and responsibilities for Nigeria is at the apex of the demands of true patriotism, loyalty and devotion to the country. As the Senate, you represent the entire country and your choice is a reflection of the choice of your constituents, of all Nigeria. And I thank you very sincerely for it.
“Many of the challenges we have had, and many of the defining moments of our historic journey as a nation towards true democracy, have been met and made by those who have hitherto occupied this seat. I am therefore immensely grateful not only for the great trust you have placed in me today by electing me as the President of the Senate but also for the opportunity to serve our great nation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Government is a continuum and the Senate is no less so. We shall, therefore, further strengthen the legislative space in continuation of the laudable efforts made by the 9th Senate under the able leadership of H.E. Senator Ahmed Lawan, GCON, President of the 9th Senate. Chief among these are:
“i. Gender matters, with specific affirmative provisions to guarantee women’s inclusivity;
ii. Issues relating to persons with special needs and equality;
iii. Engaging, empowering and rewarding our resourceful and innovative youths in terms of protection of intellectual innovations and property, and improved access to finance for technological start-ups. We must recognise and prepare for a mid-21st century global economy that places a premium on intellectual content and knowledge, and our young men and women must be supported to engage competitively;
“iv. Expansion of the revenue streams available to the country, especially from our huge but largely unregulated natural and solid mineral resources base. These additional sources of revenue will build the nation’s resilience to shocks and stresses resulting from the fluctuation of oil prices in the international market;
“v. We will, as a forward-looking Senate, pass laws that emphasise economic viability, social acceptability and environmental sustainability, to encourage alternate and green technologies without prejudicing our developmental needs.”
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Mr Yisa Usman, a Deputy Director with Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) was, on Tuesday, arraigned on allegations bordering on threatening Mrs Raheemat Oloyede on the phone with the intent to blackmail her husband, Prof. Ishaq, the board’s registrar.
Usman was arraigned by the police on behalf of the Federal Government. on a five-count charge before Justice Nkeonye Maha of a Federal High Court, Abuja
He was alleged to have committed the offence with Abdulfatai Usman, now at large, between Feb. 14, 2022 and Feb. 15, 2022.
They were alleged to have intentionally communicated through a network computer system with phone number: +447529723948 with Mrs Oloyede, “a communication which is grossly offensive, indecent, criminal intimidation for the purpose of causing inconvenience or needless anxiety” to her.
They were alleged to have committed the offence contrary to Section 24(1)(a) & 1(b) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Usman is the sole defendant in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/139/2023 dated March 29 but filed March 30.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts after the charge was read to him.
Police prosecutor, Eristo Asaph, made an application for a trial date after the defendant took the plea.
But Moses Balogun, who appeared for Usman, applied for bail.
“Having pleaded not guilty, we shall be applying for bail my lord,” he said.
The lawyer informed that a bail application dated and filed on June 7 had already been served on the prosecution on the same day.
He said the motion on notice was brought pursuant to Sections 35 and 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution and in compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
He told the court that during the investigation of the matter and while Usman was admitted to an administrative bail, he complied with the terms of the bail.
Balogun, who said that Usman was a deputy director, prayed the court to grant him bail on liberal terms or self-recognition pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Asaph did not oppose the application.
Justice Maha, in a ruling, admitted Usman to bail in the sum of N2 million with a surety who must be a civil servant on level 14 and must own a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
She ruled that the defendant and the surety must submit their travel documents and a passport photograph each to the court registrar.
In the alternative, the judge held that the surety could also be a responsible citizen having paid his tax for a period of two years and must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
She said the surety, who must submit his or her international passport and a passport photograph to the court registrar, must depose to an affidavit of means.
Justice Maha ordered that Usman should be remanded at a correctional centre pending the perfection of his bail and adjourned the matter until Oct. 26 for trial.
But Balogun, who prayed the court to order a release of his client to him pending the perfection of his bail within five days, pledged to write an undertaking to the effect.
The judge granted the plea and ordered that the undertaking must be completed before the close of work.
NAN reports that the police also accused Usman of intentionally publishing letters between Jan. 31, 2022 and Feb. 4, 2022, through a computer system network on WhatsApp social media platforms alleging that the JAMB registrar, Oloyede, and members of the management board of JAMB committed fraud and violated the Federal Government’s regulations.
The message or publication was said to be grossly offensive for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill-will or needless anxiety to them, even though, he knew such information to be false; and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.
I’ll uphold principles of transparency, respect for rule of law - House of Reps Speaker, Abbas
AdminThe Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has pledged to uphold the principle of transparency, accountability and the rule of law to deliver good governance for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Abbas made the pledge in his acceptance speech after his emergence as a speaker on Tuesday in Abuja.
“Under my watch, the 10th house shall sustain and even surpass the gains of the ninth house. That is my prayer.
“We shall carry out the task before us jointly. We shall introduce reforms and innovations for the benefit of Nigerians.
“In a few weeks, we shall be reeling out the legislative agenda that will shape the 10th House of Representatives.
“We shall work closely and inter-dependently with the executive and judiciary to give Nigerians the good governance they deserve,” he said.
According to him, we stand at a crucial juncture in our nation’s history, where challenges abound but so do opportunities.
He said the house would champion legislations that would uplift the lives of fellow citizens, promote social justice, and drive sustainable development.
The speaker said the house would focus on strengthening the security apparatus and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to combat insurgency, terrorism, and all forms of criminalities.
Abbas said the house would aim to help create a safe and secure environment that would foster economic growth and social stability.
“Through legislations, the 10th house will promote entrepreneurship and support small and medium-scale enterprises.
“We shall diversify our economy and provide sustainable employment opportunities for our youth.
“We are aware of the challenges in our education, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors amongst other.
“We will work in harmony with the executive arm, while upholding principles of checks and balances.
“Our collaboration will be anchored on the principles of transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law,” he said.
Abbas said the victory at the polls was not just for him but for all the members and all Nigerians.
According to him, it is about honouring the trust that has been placed on us and working tirelessly to deliver on our promises of good governance and effective representation.
Abbas said the mandate bestowed on him as speaker would not be taken for granted, assuring members that he would be just and fair to everyone irrespective of political party and perceived differences.
He promised to run an open-door policy for all members and all Nigerians irrespective of political party or creed.
He congratulated his predecessor, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila and prayed for his success in his new office as Chief of Staff to the President.
Again, INEC, Tinubu Oppose IREV Reports From Rivers, Others But Tribunal Admits Them As Obi’s Evidence
AdminThe Presidential Election Petitions Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, admitted in evidence certified true copies of INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) reports for Adamawa (21 LGAs), Ogun (20LGAs), Ekiti (16 LGAs), Rivers (19 LGAs) and Akwa Ibom states (25 LGAs).
The documents were tendered on Monday by the lawyer representing the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, Audu Anuga SAN, who urged the court to admit them as part of his client’s evidence.
He also tendered blurred results obtained from the IReV portal for Ogun State.
The application made by Obi’s legal team was unanimously opposed by the legal team of the Independent National Electoral Commission, President Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The respondents said they would advance their reasons for objecting to the documents at their final written address before the judgement.
The court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani noted the objections of the respondents but eventually admitted the documents as evidence while marking them as exhibits.
Another lawyer representing Obi, Afuba Peter SAN, equally tendered certified true copies of Form EC40GBU for Niger state (10 LGAs), Osun state ( 7 LGAs) ( Edo (3 LGAs), Sokoto states(5 LGAs) and asked the court to admit them.
The forms show the number of registered voters and polling units where elections were either cancelled or did not take place.
The respondents again opposed the tendering of the electoral documents but the PEPC still admitted them as Obi’s evidence.
The petitioners subsequently called for adjournment so as to file more documents.
The prayers were granted and the case was further adjourned to Tuesday.
THE WHISTLER reports that the flagbearer of the Labour Party, Obi, has so far presented a lawyer (who spoke on a US District Court judgement on Tinubu’s bank account), Senior Reporter/Editor, Lucky Ukpewo from Channels Television as well as a software engineer to substantiate alleged non-ompliance to the Electoral Act during the elections by INEC.
He is disputing the polls in over 18,000 polling units.
The National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, and the Force Secretary, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Hafiz Inuwa, for contempt of court.
The Court ordered the arrest of the IGP and the Force Secretary for disobeying the court order, which was regarded as contempt over the failure to reinstate some police officers who are graduates of Courses 33, 34, and 35 of the police academy, who were alleged to have been forcefully retired by the force.
The court has earlier ordered the IGP to reinstate the officers who were alleged to have been forcefully retired by the force, but the order of the court was allegedly not obeyed by the IGP.
It will be recalled that the aggrieved officers approached the court and sought an order to nullify their compulsory retirement from the service by the IGP.
The court presided over by Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi, however, ordered the IGP, the Police Service Commission, and the Force Secretary of the Police to reinstate the forcefully retired officers.
But the Police boss and others have failed to obey the judgment of the court delivered on April 19, 2022
However, the Court in a fresh order on June 8, 2023, a copy that was made available to journalists on Tuesday, Justice Oyewumi berated the IGP for the latter’s refusal to obey the court despite advice from the relevant stakeholders in the police force.
The court order read, ” It is on record of this court that the court delivered a judgment in this case on 19/4/2022 and ordered that the judgment creditors/applicants should be reinstated forthwith.
” It is on record of this court also that the Police Service Commission, the statutory body that is vested with the power to appoint, promote and discipline the judgment creditors/applicants, had ordered the Inspector General of Police to comply with the judgment of this court.
“It is equally noteworthy that the CP, Legal, the Head of Department of the Nigerian Police Force had also issued a piece of legal advice urging the Inspector General of Police to comply with the order of this court vide a letter dated, and the Inspector General of Police received it on 27/7/2022 yet he has refused to obey or comply with the judgment of this court.
“This is an officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who swore on oath to uphold the rule of law and the same law he has now failed or refused to obey.
“It is also of importance to state that this court has given ample opportunities to him and the Force Secretary to appear before this court and show cause why they are not to be held to be in contempt of this court, the record of the court evinces that they have both been served the enrolment of the order of this court severally yet they both deem it fit to flout the order of this court and desecrated this hallowed chamber and the temple of justice.
“Justice is not only for the affluent, it is indeed for the poor and vulnerable also. I pause to say that I wonder what type of head of an enforcement agency like the police, the Inspector General of Police is, if he finds it so difficult or so difficult it seems for him to obey a simple order of the court.
”I also wonder the type of example he is laying for his officers if he, as the head of the Nigerian Police Force, has chosen/ elected to flagrantly take the law into his advice by the Police Service Commission and his own officer, the CP, Legal to comply. This, I must say, is preposterous and appalling.
“It is in the light of all stated, which are in sync with the record of this court, that I hold the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, and the Force Secretary, AIG Hafeez Inuwa, for being in contempt of this court, they are to be arrested and be produced before this Court for necessary action.”
The court, however, adjourned the case till October 9, 2023.