The Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity and National Population, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, has lamented the absence of accurate population data to plan Nigeria.
He also regretted that successive administrations have relied on inconsistent numbers, making it difficult to arrive at a strategic plan for the future.
Addressing a delegation from the National Population Commission (NPC) led by the Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, Senator Ningi said, “Public analysts say that Nigerians are over 200 million. Some would say 220. Just yesterday I heard that we are over 250 million.
“All those things are mere guesswork. And it is the population commission that is saddled with the constitutional responsibility to do that. And that has been actually emphasized by an Act of Parliament.
“If we want to belong to the comity of nations that make an impact in the world, we need to know what we are doing, we need to know our capacity. And without knowing who we are, and how many we are, we can’t continue to guess.”
He further revealed that the population census was necessary to prepare for tomorrow.
A member of the committee and the Senator representing Jigawa Northwest, Babangida Hussaini (APC), said measures need to be put in place for the proper policing of the country’s 927,000 sq kilometer of land to check illegal immigrants.
“Today, our borders are as open as the sky. These are issues that are germane to population growth, to plan cities, to issues of education, security, and water.”
On her part, Saidat Olayinka Oladunjiye, President Bola Tinubu’s nominee as NPC Commissioner for Lagos State assured the committee of a rich guideline to guide the NPC towards a successful enumeration exercise.
She explained that the commission would deploy the Geographic Information System (GIS), adding that “the population census we are going to have this time is going to be one of the best in the country because like you said data is blood.”
[DailyTrust]
Let’s Stop Deceiving Ourselves, Privatize The Refineries Before Dangote Exposes Them – Speaker Abbas Tells NNPC
AdminThe Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has called for the privatisation of the nation’s refineries.
According to him, it has become evident that the Nigerian government can not run some businesses and the time to stop the deception is now.
Speaking on Thursday when he received the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), led by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari in Abuja, Abbas said the privatization should be done before Dangote refineries come on stream.
According to him, Dangote refineries would expose the inadequacies of the government-run refineries and the inefficiencies would become more naked due to competition.
He argued that the condition and activities of the national refineries in the past twenty years are shameful and workers are getting paid for doing almost nothing.
The Speaker however said that the NNPC Limited will be supported for success and optimal function.
“There is need to make these refineries have multi-dimensional uses, if there is no crude oil, are there other activities that can make the workers to be active so that what they earn is deserved; I need you and your management to look at how we can turn around this decades of losses;
“One way to do so is to find a way to privatise these refineries; we have spent so much money and time deceiving ourselves that some businesses can be run by the government.
“In the case of the refineries, we have now realised that some sectors of NNPC business can only be handled by the private sector and our refineries are one of those.
“The inadequacies will become manifest as soon as Dangote’ refinery comes on board because the competition will be there and inefficiencies of the refineries will become more naked.
“I want you to put it as part of your cardinal objectives, let us find ways to privatise our refineries so that they can be active so that in the near future, they will be able to compete with new refineries that will come up,” Abbas said.
Naija News reports that during the visit, the NNPCL boss assured that the nation’s refineries would resume operations gradually by December 2023 and by the end of 2024, Nigeria would stop importing fuel.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity and National Population, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, has lamented the absence of accurate population data to plan Nigeria.
He also regretted that successive administrations have relied on inconsistent numbers making it difficult to arrive at a strategic plan for the future.
Addressing a delegation from the National Population Commission (NPC) led by the Chairman, Nasir Isa Kaura, Senator Ningi said, “Public analysts say that Nigerians are over 200 million. Some would say 220 (million). Just yesterday, I heard that we are over 250 million.
“All those things are mere guess works. And it is the population commission that is saddled with the constitutional responsibility to do that. And that has been actually emphasised by an Act of Parliament.
“I want to prepare your mind as to the assignment before us. It is not an easy assignment, it is not any how assignment. It has to do with the future of this country, and how we move as a nation.
“If we want to belong to the comity of nations that make impact in the world, we need to know what we are doing, we need to know our capacity.
“And without knowing who are we, and how many are we. We can’t continue to guess.”
He further revealed that population census “is not about how many Christians are in Lagos, how many Muslims are in Lagos. How many Yorubas, how many Igbos. That is not the importance of population census. It has to do with preparation for tomorrow.
“It doesn’t matter who you are. We go to Alaba Market, Muslims, Christians. So, if you say how many Christians go to Alaba Market, how many Muslims go to Alaba Market, what is importance of that?
“Whatever comes to Lagos, Lagosians share whether Christians or Muslims. So, these are all small, small things that make the issue of census or public account a very major dogma.”
He explained that Nigerians over time continue to contest census figures, as he urged the delegation to take the need for an accurate census to the grassroots.
A member of the committee and the senator representing Jigawa North-West, Babangida Hussaini (APC), in his contribution urged a “a different look of what population census is all about,” as he regretted that the current centralised approach is not achieving the desired effect for the nation.
He highlighted migration and emigration as challenges facing proper census in the country.
Senator Hussaini also insisted that measures need to be put in place for the proper policing of the country’s 927,000sq kilometres of land to check illegal immigrants.
“Today, our borders are as open as the sky. These are issues that are germane to population growths, to plan cities, to issues of education, security, water, name it.
“So, I think the starting point is for us to appreciate what population census is all about.”
On her part, Saidat Olayinka Oladunjiye, President Bola Tinubu’s nominee as NPC Commissioner for Lagos State assured the committee of a rich guideline to side the NPC at a successful enumeration exercise.
She explained that the commission would deploy the Geographic Information System (GIS), adding that “the population census we are going to have this time is going to be one of the best in the country because like you said data is blood.”
She also revealed that the commission has robust plans for capturing of children in the upcoming exercise.
“I want to say with all sense of humility, having served as commissioner twice in the state, I know how it is, and I know how to get things done.
“I know the indices of how to access children. I want to say to you that in Lagos State I have access to my colleagues as commissioner that I could leverage on to get things done.”
According to her, the next population census would be the best in the history of the country, maintaining that NPC would embark on capacity building for staff, as well as partnering with local government administrations to ensure the success of the exercise.
On religion, she underscored that the commission will emphasise on competence, adding that “once you’re competent you’ll get the job.”
“We know what we are going to do. We have the template. We have the programme. We are going to work with all relevant government agencies— ministry of education, health, environment, local government chairmen, local government ministries, the ministry of information to get the necessary information out.
“So, at the end of the day the population census is going to be the best.”
On low technology penetration in parts of the country that may hamper the deployment of the GIS for the exercise, Oladunjiye revealed that the commission would adopt same strategy used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for election.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has warned Nigerians against patronizing fake online stores ahead of the customary seasonal sales, known as ‘Black Friday’.
Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC disclosed this in an advisory statement on Thursday.
According to Irukera, the Commission foresees a 135 per cent rise in fake online stores.
The Commission said Nigerians should be vigilant and only patronize trusted and credible platforms to satisfy their needs.
“The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has received credible intelligence that the customary seasonal sales at deep discounts on a specific Friday, otherwise known as ‘Black Friday’, may witness an increase of fake online stores by 135%, including scams, misrepresentation and other exploitative conduct. This information is corroborated by publicly available reports such as Netcraft.
“The Commission advises consumers to be vigilant and discerning in this period and to demand and insist on their rights, particularly concerning full and transparent disclosures,” he said.
Netcraft, a research group, had earlier raised the alarm on the rise of fake online stores ahead of Black Friday sales, which officially kick-started on 24th-27th November after the United Thanksgiving Day celebration.
According to Netcraft, fraudulent online stores use different techniques, including offering bogus discounts and impersonating luxurious, fake websites to deceive their victims.
A report said financial fraud in 2021 was valued at N193.5 billion ($544 million), a significant increase from the N153.4 billion ($431 million) lost in 2020.
However, the soaring inflation rate, which increased to 27.33 per cent, may have reduced Nigerians’ purchasing power and increased the cost of living.
Also, the persistent foreign exchange crisis, as FX hit N956.33/$1 on Thursday, has continued to affect Nigeria’s consumption trend.
These harsh economic realities would no doubt lure many Nigerians into patronising Black Friday sales.
[DailyPost]
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) says sexual harassment is corrupt practice that attracts imprisonment term of not less than seven years.
Secretary to the commission, Clifford Oparaodu, gave the warning at a one-day sensitisation workshop on Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions, in Abuja, on Thursday.
Oparaodu said that ICPC regarded sexual harassment as a corrupt practice, hence there was a need for victims to know their rights and how to seek justice.
He expressed concern that sexual gratification had become a form of “illegal tender” in many institutions.
“Sexual harassment is a form of corruption. It is a deviation from the norm for an official to use his/her office or position to demand, receive, obtain or attempt to obtain any form of sexual gratification for him to perform his duties.
“Ideally, official duties ought to be carried out with integrity, good conscience and diligence without the expectation of any unlawful benefit,” he said.
According to him, Section 2 (f) of the ICPC Act states that gratification includes any service or favour of any description …” Section 8 of the ICPC Act says: “Any person who corruptly asks for, receives or obtains any property or benefit of any kind for himself or any other person; is guilty of an offence of official corruption and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.
“It is pertinent to note that unlawful benefits are not always pecuniary and it is disheartening that sexual gratification has become a form of ‘illegal tender’ in many institutions.
“Staff members have been found to use their office to demand and receive sexual benefits from other staff and students in exchange for good grades or other favours.”
Oparaodu said it was unfortunate that due to the fear of stigmatisation or further victimisation, many targets of such demands find themselves forced to succumb.
“This is in order to avoid dire consequences and denial of benefits to which they may ordinarily even be entitled.
“The culture of silence has allowed sexual harassment thrive but ICPC is working relentlessly to ensure that with sensitisation and appropriate policy implementation, this culture would gradually change,” he said.
He said ICPC is determined to put a stop to this, initiated the Sexual Harassment Unit with a focus on prevention of sexual harassment in tertiary and secondary institutions.
Oparaodu said this was to address the issue of sexual gratification and abuse of office and power by officials.
He explained that the purpose of the workshop was to educate students about how to easily contact the ICPC, report incidents of sexual harassment, and gather evidence in a way that will support the commission’s investigations.
In a paper he presented on ‘Sexual harassment, an offence against the individual/a crime against society’, the Deputy Director, Proceed of Crime Department, ICPC, Adenekan Shogunle, urged participants to regard the fight as a collective one.
Shogunle said that youths should not accept sexual harassment, saying that the menace needed to be stopped to ensure the safety of educational institutions for learning.
“What is essentially a social disorder has become normal in many tertiary institutions.
“Absence of effective grievance remedial mechanisms and prevalent culture of silence, social tolerance has left many female students at the mercy of rabid predators.
“In a bid for justice, survivors are taking matters into their own hands; naming perpetrators and sharing experiences on social media,” he said.
Policy Lead Gender, Mobile Initiative, Sarah Egbo, in a paper urged institution leaders to demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing sexual harassment.
Egbo also called for involvement of the entire institution in policy development and implementation; ensure transparency in reporting, investigation and decision making.
She encouraged collaboration with local organisation, law enforcement and other stakeholders for a coordinated response.
Kano State Governor Kabir Yusuf has faulted the request by the Court of Appeal that parties in the dispute over the last governorship poll in the state return the Certified True Copies (CTC) of the court’s decision handed to them on November 21.
Yusuf and his New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have continued to question the court’s true intention since the release of the CTC of the judgment, which contained discrepancies, particularly on page 67.
In a letter dated yesterday by his lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, (SAN), the governor argued, that the Court of Appeal no longer has the power to act on the judgment since the 60 days, within which it is allowed to determine election appeals under Section 285(7) of the Constitution, expired on November 18.
The governor said that only the Supreme Court now has the powers to decide on what to do with the judgment.
The Court of Appeal, in its letter, dated November 22, signed by Mrs. Amina Ibrahim (Deputy Chief Registrar) requested parties in the case to return the CTC of the judgment earlier issued to them in view of the identified typographical errors.
Part of the letter, seen by The Nation, reads: “Sequel to your application dated 17th November, 2023 with Reference No: WOC/ABJ/Vol.4/231/2023 on the above subject, a certified true of the judgment was issued to you on the 21/11/2023, which has some typographical errors.
“It is in line of the above that we are seeking to retrieve the judgment, to effect the necessary correction before re-issuing. We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience.”
In the letter, Yusuf said: “Assuming without conceding that the judgment has some errors, whether typographical or otherwise, we humbly and dutifully draw your attention to the fact that the Court of Appeal became functus officio in the matter on Saturday, November 18, 2023 and any application for correction of errors can only be entertained by the Supreme Court.
“Again, Section 285(7) of the Constitution earlier referred to becomes very handy and imperative to the effect that the Court of Appeal cannot take any further step in the appeal or subject after the expiration of sixty (60) days.”
The governor contended that the Court of Appeal was wrong to have requested parties to apply for correction and send indicated its intention to amend the judgment when the times allocated to it in the Construction has expired.
He added: “Even at that, judicial precedents are countless as to the procedure to follow and which court has jurisdiction to take such an application, after the expiration of the 60 days mandatorily benchmarked by the Constitution.
“Today (November 23) is the seventh day, effective from Friday, November 17, 2023, since the delivery of the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
“We repeat that, out of the fourteen days mandatory prescribed for our client to file his notice and grounds of appeal to the Supreme Court, he is left with just seven days; and it is only fair that he should be allowed to exercise his constitutional right of appeal without any inhibition, within the fraction of days left for him.
“We reiterate that this response has been borne out of a compelling duty and responsibility to the administration of justice; and, as counsel, it is our responsibility to draw attention to these salient statutory imperatives.”
[TheNation]
This Year Alone They Have Spent N18 Billion To Renovate Aso Rock – Onovo Knocks Tinubu’s Administration
AdminThe presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in 2015, Martin Onovo has stated that the present administration led by President Bola Tinubu is very wasteful.
Onovo stated this while reacting to the N2.18 trillion supplementary budget approved by the National Assembly.
Speaking to Daily Sun, the former NCP flag bearer insisted that such a move was wasteful and unpatriotic.
He lamented that the ruling party has spent 18 billion naira to renovate Aso Rock presidential villa this year alone.
Onovo argued that the 18 billion could have been used to construct 120 kilometres new roads.
According to him, “It is very wasteful and unpatriotic. The false pretence associated with the presidential yacht, the provision to support INEC charades and the scandalous cash transfer provisions, the N4bn to “renovate” Aso Rock Presidential Villa after the Presidential Transitional Council spent N14B ‘renovating’ the same Aso Rock Presidential Villa this same year. This year alone, the ruling party has spent N18B “renovating” Aso rock. Using the AfDB median rate for road construction, N18B can complete 120 kilometres new roads.
“The N400 billion for the Ministry of Defence may vanish like previous appropriations. The N200 billion for the scandalous cash transfer can complete over 1,330 kilometres of new roads. Remember, the distance from Port Harcourt to Sokoto is only 1,275 kilometres. All these confirm that the Tinubu administration is unpatriotic, prodigal, incompetent and against the Nigerian people.”
Veteran Nollywood actress, Shaffy Bello, has harped on the need for women to contribute financially to any relationship or marriage.
The movie star, in a chat with media personality, Stephanie Coker, said women should not get angry when men question ‘what they are bringing to the table’.
According to Shaffy Bello, no man wants to marry a liability, adding that a woman even becomes more attractive when she does not need her man to do everything for her.
She wrote: “I would tell the ladies never tell a man ‘what do you mean? what do I bring to the table?’. I am not one of those. I think we both should ask ourselves what are we both bringing to the table. If he is bringing something to the table, What are you bringing to the table? I don’t want a liability if I am a man. I don’t want to marry a liability. As a matter of fact, you are even more attractive when you don’t need him. When you don’t need me, you are more attractive. You are just needy, that is not attractive”
Meanwhile, Shaffy Bello has disclosed the reason she got divorced after 25 years of marriage.
According to the thespian, she walked out of her marriage because it was a long distance union as her estranged husband, Akinrimisi is based in the United States.
The actress disclosed this in a chat with popular media personality Chude Jideonwo.
She explained that her ex-husband was a good father to her children but she wanted more.
The mother of two disclosed how difficult it was to travel back and forth just to see him.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT
She said the long distance didn’t help her marriage, so she settled for divorce.
Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has expressed worry over the current state of affairs within the country’s judiciary.
NEF in a statement, yesterday by its Convener, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, stressed the need for the judiciary to be cautious in its actions to prevent the erosion of its integrity, public trust, and confidence.
He said: “The potential consequences of these actions may ultimately validate the concerns raised by retired Supreme Court Justice, Dattijo Mohammed in his valedictory remarks about corruption and undue compromises within the judiciary.
“We recognise the importance of a fair and impartial judiciary in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding democratic principles.
The judiciary plays a critical role in ensuring justice, protecting citizens’ rights, and preserving the credibility of the electoral process.
Any actions that compromise these principles undermine the very foundation of any democratic nation.
“NEF, therefore, calls on all levels of the judiciary to uphold the highest ethical standards and maintain impartiality in their decision making processes.
“Judges should exhibit unwavering integrity and resilience when adjudicating cases, especially those pertaining to elections.
“The judiciary plays a crucial role in sustaining constitutional democracy by ensuring the rule of law, protecting individual rights, and providing checks and balances on the other branches of government. However, if the judiciary fails to fulfill its responsibilities, it can have severe implications for the stability and functioning of a democratic society.
“The current trend may encourage politicians to view politics as a do-or-die affair. When the judiciary fails to effectively adjudicate disputes and hold politicians accountable for their actions, it creates an environment where politicians feel emboldened to engage in corrupt practices, abuse their power, and disregard the principles of democracy. This erosion of trust in the judiciary can lead to a breakdown of democratic norms and values, ultimately undermining the legitimacy of the political system.
“Furthermore, a collapsing judiciary jeopardizes the safeguarding of constitutionalism, which is the cornerstone of any democratic society. The judiciary acts as the guardian of the constitution, ensuring that laws and policies adhere to the principles enshrined within it.
“Without a functioning judiciary, there is a risk of constitutional violations going unchecked, leading to the erosion of citizens’ rights and freedoms. This can result in a loss of public confidence in the democratic process, as citizens may feel that their voices are not being heard or that their rights are being trampled upon.
“The fairness and transparency of the judicial system are vital for fostering public trust, confidence, and belief in the democratic process.
“NEF believes that the judiciary should be an unbiased and independent arm of government, which is essential to the success of democracy and it should not be seen as compromising the integrity of its decisions particularly at a time when the nation is grappling with a range of challenges.
“NEF, therefore, calls on the judiciary to consider the consequences of its actions and decisions and strive to uphold the rule of law in all its activities to justify the confidence reposed on it by Nigerians.
The NEF called on the public to remain vigilant in as to the direction the nation’s judiciary is headed and not to hesitate to expose any perceived misconduct on the part of the judiciary.
“It is our firm belief that a strong and incorruptible judiciary is crucial for the development and progress of our great nation. NEF, alongside other concerned stakeholders, will continue to closely monitor the conduct of the judiciary and advocate for its ethical revitalization to safeguard the interests of all Nigerians,” he added.
[Vanguard]
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Assents to Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Bill
AdminPresident Bola Tinubu has assented to the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Bill, 2023.
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria was established on August 1, 1964, by an Act of Parliament and revised as the DICON Act in Chapter 94 of the Laws of the Federation, 2004.
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Act, 2023, repeals the previous iteration of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Act and empowers the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria to:
(1) Operate, maintain, and control subsidiaries and ordnance factories to manufacture, store, and dispose of ordnance and ancillary stores and material.
(2) Establish the Defence Industry Technology, Research, and Development Institute (DITRDI) to create an elaborate scientific and research-based technological foundation for Nigeria’s defence industry through the leveraging of combined, multi-disciplinary research from multiple military research institutes for application that leads to commercialization and the development of new military technology and capacity in Nigeria.
(3) Provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for the regulation of the manufacturing, distribution, storage, and disposal of defence articles in Nigeria.
(4) Incentivize the development of a nuanced financing architecture that enables private capital to facilitate research, development, and production in the defence sector in a transparent and predictable fashion.
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Bill, 2023, was sponsored by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson (APC — Ikorodu Federal Constituency)
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
More...
Nigeria's Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, has lamented about the increasing spate of cybercrime in the country.
According to him, it has caused a huge financial loss and invasion of privacy in the country.
He said cybercrime became rampant in the country after some individuals with bad intentions started it some years ago.
He said the people, who first engaged in cybercrime in Nigeria, started with hacking, identity theft, fraud, harassment and cyber terrorism.
Mr Akpabio said this on Wednesday during the inauguration of a public hearing on the amendment of Cybercrime Act 2015 held at the Senate Complex, Abuja.
Mr Akpabio who was represented by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, lamented how cybercrime has become a great menace to the Nigerian economy.
“In this age of rapid technological advancement and widespread internet usage, cybercrime has emerged as a grave menace to our society, economy and personal security.
“It is imperative and strengthening the existing laws on cybercrime prohibition and prevention. In the past, certain individuals with misguided intentions exploited our weak cybercrime laws, thereby tarnishing the reputation of our country.
“They engaged in a wide array of illegal activities, such as hacking, identity theft, fraud, harassment and cyber terrorism. These crimes not only inflicted significant financial losses upon our country, but also invaded our privacy, disrupted critical infrastructure, and eroded trust in our digital systems,” the Senate President said.
Mr Akpabio therefore reiterated the need to establish a comprehensive legal framework that will include strengthening the prosecution of cyber-criminals.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Shuaib Salisu (APC, Ogun Central), said it is necessary to amend the Cybercrime Act 2015.
Mr Salisu explained that the amendment sought to strengthen the digital space operation in Nigeria.
He, therefore, called on all the stakeholders to contribute to the legislation of the amendment.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has affirmed the judgment of the Gombe State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which dismissed the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the re-election of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on March 18 announced Governor Inuwa Yahaya of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the governorship poll with 342,821 votes while Muhammad Jibrin Barde of the PDP scored 233,131.
Not satisfied with the INEC declaration, Barde approached the Tribunal, claiming that Yakubu’s victory at the poll did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Barde’s lawyers maintained that the PDP candidate scored the majority of the lawful votes cast during the poll, adding that multiple thumb printing and ballot box stuffing took place in nine local government areas of the state in favour of Governor Yahaya.
But the three-man panel of the tribunal chaired by Justice S.B. Belgore dismissed the PDP application for lacking merit.
The tribunal further expunged witness statements and exhibits of the PDP (INEC forms) for being baseless.
The PDP candidate then approached the Appeal Court for redress.
In its judgement on Thursday, the Appeal Court agreed with the Tribunal that the PDP’s case was void of merit.
“We have considered all the issues and have agreed that the appeal is void of merit,” the Appeal Court held while dismissing the appeal.
The Commissioner for Justice in Kano State, Haruna Dederi, has described the purported claim of error on the Certified True Copy (CTC) of its judgment on the state’s governorship election as “outrageously scandalous”.
New Telegraph recalls that the Appeal Court upheld the ruling of the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which sacked state Governor, Abba Yusuf and declared the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Nasiru Gawuna as the winner of the March 18 poll.
However, a CTC of the judgment that emerged on Tuesday affirmed Yusuf’s victory.
While the court had clarified the situation, saying it was a typo error, the State Commissionerof Justice argued that such a development is “scandalous”.
Speaking on Channels TV on Thursday, Dederi said, “What is a typographical error? Does it affect one word? Does it affect two words? Does it affect three words? How can a typographical error affect whole paragraphs? This is something that cannot be accepted by any discernible mind as I have said.
“This is something that is outrageously scandalous and it cannot be accepted. We are not satisfied.”
The Commissioner, who said the controversy surrounding the judgment “has now been shifted to the Supreme Court,” believes “it would be resolved there”.
the Appeal Court’s clarification, he maintained that the trending copy of the CTC is “the only version we have as the judgment of the Court of Appeal.”
“There is no corrected version,” insisting that the claims of typo error about the CTC “is not tenable. It cannot be accepted”.
Governor Yusuf and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have headed to the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict and hope to get justice.
The party challenged “the entire judgment of the Court of Appeal save and except the conclusion and orders at page 67 of the duly Certified True Copy, CTC including the order as to cost favourable to the appellant”.
A member of the House of Representatives representing Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency of Kebbi State in the 10th National Assembly, Hon. Sani Yakubu Noma on Thursday said he has concluded arrangement to give out 100 (one hundred) female orphans for marriage.
Speaking to journalists in his hometown in the Argungu area of the State, the lawmaker said the marriage plan is in fulfilment of his religious obligations and sympathy to female children that lost their parents in his constituency.
According to him, arrangements had been concluded for the marriage ceremony which is billed to hold at the Palace of the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Mera, and the event is scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 25.
“A committee has been set up for the successful implementation of the event. Those selected to be married out were drawn from the two local government areas that I’m representing at the national assembly.
“Already I have procured beds, mattresses, essential furniture, and other matrimonial commodities for the beneficiaries of the marriage”, he said.
He further disclosed that he would be empowering thousands of his constituents with some items to enable them self-reliant during the marriage ceremony.
Meanwhile, the items to be distributed include 500 milling machines, 600 pumping machines, 500 motorcycles, 200 vehicles, and 100 grinding machines. He concluded.