Organised Labour said it has not reached an agreement with the Federal Government on its demands following the removal of subsidy on petroleum products.
The Labour Centre said all its demands have been harmonised and presented to the government for deliberation.
President of the Trade Union Congress(TUC) Festus Osifo said this when he appeared on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television.
He was joined on the show by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero on Tuesday.
Osifo said the items would be addressed at the June 19 meeting between the labour and government team.
The TUC President said: “We have not reached any agreement with the government. We have presented our demands to them and we expect that by our next meeting, we will harmonise, the government will tell us what they can do and we will also bring our own data to the table during the meeting.
“When we meet we are going to define each of those items and a timeline will be put on them. After the meeting on June 19, the timelines of each items are going to be revealed.
Some of the demands of labour included reversal to the old pump price of N195 per litre; the increase of minimum wage from N30,000 to N200,000; tax holiday for employees in the private and public sector that earn less than N200 000; introduction of premium motor spirit allowance for those earning less than N200, 000; provision of mass transit for all categories of the populace and provision of subsidy for food items among others.
The NLC served a strike notice, the day after President Bola Tinubu, in his inauguration address, declared that “fuel subsidy is gone.”
The presidential announcement led to a knee-jerk reaction from petrol marketers, who immediately shut down filling stations and hiked product prices.
But after a meeting with the government, the NLC and TUC shelved its planned strike.
Lack Of Synergy Between Law Enforcement Agencies Frustrating Fight Against Illegal Migration — NIS
AdminThe acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola on Tuesday, said the lack of synergy among law enforcement agencies and state actors was hindering the effort of the service to curb the smuggling of migrants in and out of the country.
Adepoju said this at the African International Conference on transnational organised crimes, held at the African Center of Excellence, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Adepoju who was represented by the deputy acting Comptroller General of NIS, Kemi Nandap, said the activities of organised criminal groups posed a great risk to the lives and safety of the smuggled migrants if not curbed.
The NIS boss urged the stakeholders to come together and fight the menace of irregular migrants.
“Despite the constant effort made by different countries to curb smuggling of migrants, the problem persists due to factors like differences in the legal system, language barrier, lack of accurate and relevant data and lack of synergy and sufficient information exchange among law enforcement agencies or state actors.
“Lack of synergy between the state actors is a very painful one because it should be avoidable. If we all want to achieve the same goal, we should be able to work together, cooperate and collaborate.
“There is, therefore, the exigency to strengthen the exchange of information. It is relevant for us to share data and essential for us to promote International cooperation among ourselves.”
Speaking on the theme; ‘Multi-Dimensional Threats of Himan Trafficking: Child Labor; Forced Labour; Baby Factory; Organ Harvesting’, the Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, harped on the need for the need to recognise the enormity of human trafficking in Nigeria, calling on parents to dissuade their children from embarking on irregular migration.
“Recognising the enormity of human trafficking in Nigeria and the ability to tackle same is very important. The internet has no geographical boundary. Traffickers are now able to access a wider pull of potential victims through it.
“The family, community and society should also dissuade their children from embarking on irregular migrating from Nigeria to other parts of the world.”
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Simeon Bamire who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administrative, Prof. O.M.A Daramola while declaring the conference open, promised that the University was going to establish a liaison office for the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The Chairman, Independent and Corrupt Practices and Other related Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, has described corruption as a dream killer that must be fought to a standstill by the youth.
The Chairman, represented by Alhaji Alli Goni Gujba, Board Member, ICPC, said this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the maiden edition of the Commission’s inter-schools debate for tertiary institutions in the FCT and Nasarawa State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institutions participated in the debate included Veritas University, Baze University, Bingham University, University of Abuja, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa and College of Education, Zuba
The ICPC boss described the youth as the leaders of tomorrow, who needed to fight corruption with great rigour for them to achieve the desired goal.
He said that, “for this to effectively happen, both the older generation and the youth themselves must take steps to provide an enabling environment, both physically and intellectually, to encourage this progressive ideal.
“You must realise that corruption is a dream killer and if you do not fight it to a standstill at your level, it will kill your future dreams.
“Corruption is often erroneously viewed as an adult problem, yet the seeds of this societal virus are planted in the early stages of a person’s life.
“One of the holy books admonishes us to train a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he shall not depart from it.
“I therefore urge you to determine in your heart that you will not give the evil seeds of corruption and value degeneration a conducive environment to germinate.”
He said that the youth had the capacity to shape the future of the country with determination by deliberately shunning corrupt practices.
According to him, “it is indeed a truism that no nation can grow and develop faster than its level and standards of education.”
Owasanoye noted that the deficiencies of the society were magnified by the fact that the youth are starved of the appropriate ethical and cultural values necessary to become model citizens.
He urged the youth to take the advantage of the debate platform to reshape the society
“This inter-schools debate is one of the several platforms ICPC created to encourage capacity building, ethical reorientation, behavioural change and positive value rejuvenation, especially amongst the youth,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, charged the youth to contribute their quota towards a Nigeria free of economic and financial crimes, urging them to “Do the Right Thing Always”.
Bawa, represented by Chidinma Amanambu, Assistant Commander, EFCC, Head Media Academy, Karu, charged them to contribute their quota towards a Nigeria free of economic and financial crimes.
“The youths are the future of our country and any opportunity to engage their minds in activities that will be beneficial to nation building is a welcome one,” Bawa said.
He expressed concern over the prevalence of cyber crimes among students of tertiary institutions, adding that “this is an illegal activity and not a good narrative as it affects the image of our country.”
He urged the youth, especially students, to shun the act and use the advantages provided for them by the institution of learning positively
“Institutions of learning are the fertile ground where students nurture and imbibe the virtues of integrity, honesty, punctuality and decency as future leaders,” he said.
Paulinus Okwelle, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), in his remarks, called for concerted effort to build a culture of integrity and rid the education system of corruption.
“We commend you for your efforts to tackle corruption in our educational institutions. By addressing this topic, you have demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges we face and the critical need for change.
“Tertiary institutions are important in shaping the future of our country. They should be indicators of knowledge, innovation and integrity, but corruption threatens to undermine the foundations on which these institutions are built,” he said.
Deputy Programme Director, Step Up Nigeria, Feranmi Iyanda, said that the event was a testament to the unwavering commitment of the youth to create a better and corruption-free future for Nigeria.
Iyanda urged the students to have the responsibility to champion anti-corruption efforts, not only within their educational institutions but also in all facets of our society.
“I believe wholeheartedly in the power of our youth to shape the future of our nation, and this is what drives the work we do at ‘Step Up Nigeria’.
“Your passion, energy and innovative ideas hold the key to transforming our society into one that is characterized by integrity, transparency, and good governance.”
Spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has described the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket as a fraud which has destroyed the country's political system.
Featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Baba-Ahmed lamented that Nigerians have allowed politicians to poison their faith using religion.
Baba-Ahmed said, “We had a Muslim president for eight years in this country. The North has never been as bad as it. It did nothing to the North.
“What did El-Rufai do for the Muslims? He demolished their houses on the very last day he was leaving, 95 percent of the houses he demolished belonged to Muslims. So of what value has the Muslim-Muslim ticket been to them?
“Muslim-Muslim ticket is a fraud; politicians have poisoned our faith; the earlier we open our eyes the better. They are destroying our political system by bringing faith into it.
“They are deceiving the people into believing that the faith of the people into thinking that the faith of a politician represents a plus or minus to you, it doesn’t.
“For all you know, you could be a Muslim and not pray five times a day, you could be a Christian and have horrible habits.”
President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Economic Council (NEC) led by Vice President Kashim Shettima to begin the process of working on interventions to ameliorate the impact of subsidy removal on Nigerians.
Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, stated this after leading some major oil marketers on a courtesy call on President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.
Addressing correspondents after the meeting, he said the marketers were in the presidential villa to express solidarity with the president for his bold decision to end subsidy payment.
He noted that Tinubu’s action showed his determination and courage to remove the hemorrhage that had bedeviled the country for decades.
The governor said that while there would be some discomfort on the part of the people, the move would eventually pay off as there can be no gains without pain.
The marketers announced their intention to donate 50 to 100 mass transit buses as a way to help the success of the initiative, hoping that other well meaning corporate bodies can do the same.
State Governors on Wednesday expressed strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to end fuel subsidy payments in the country and other early policy initiatives of the administration.
The governors, under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, expressed their support to President Tinubu during the first meeting the President was having with them at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The state chief executives, who took turns to speak at the meeting were led by the NGF Chairman and governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who expressed happiness with the President’s subsidy-removal decision, all-inclusive leadership and statesmanship.
President Tinubu had earlier called on the governors to collaborate with the Federal Government in tackling the menace of poverty in the country, saying the level of impoverishment was unacceptable.
The President advised the political leaders to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains of the people.
“We can see the effects of poverty on the faces of our people. Poverty is not hereditary, it is from the society. Our position is to eliminate poverty. Set aside partisan politics, we are here to deliberate about Nigeria and nation-building,’’ he said.
President Tinubu stated that the nation should be seen as one big family.
“We are a family occupying one house, and sleeping in different rooms. If we see it that way and push forward, we will get our people out of poverty. A determined mind is a fertile ground for delivering on results,’’ he added.
The President said good governance would safeguard the future of democracy.
“Present in this room is our diversity in culture and politics, but we are one nation. The unity and stability of the country rest upon us.
“We are in a democracy and we have to nurture the democracy. It is a hard-earned system and not easy to manage. If anyone thinks it is easy, look at other nations that are over a hundred years in democracy.
“We have managed ourselves very well to have a democracy. We have campaigned and arrived at our present destination. We must work for our people,’’ President Tinubu told the governors while assuring them that he would maintain an open-door policy.
The President said he was prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that will improve the livelihood of Nigerians.
“What do we do in the face of crushing poverty? What do we do with our development goals? We took the bull by the horns by removing the elephant in the room before the nation sinks.
“We need synergy to fight other vices like corruption. We are trying to get smugglers out of the way. How do we work together to galvanize the economy, and put resources in place? We must think and perform.
“After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account,’’ he noted.
President Tinubu said the education sector must be improved as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury:
“How do we address the unacceptable level of poverty? How much are we investing in education, which is the only tool against poverty? I am ready to collaborate with you.’’
The President also drew attention to the security problems in some states, admonishing the governors that all efforts should be put in place to tackle the security situation, without thinking it’s only for those facing it.
The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRasaq, thanked the President for the invitation to deliberate on the challenges of poverty and security, promising that the governors would support the Federal Government in meeting the targets of human development.
“The NGF will follow the tradition of working constitutionally and harmoniously with you,’’ he said.
The meeting, which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and new Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, had 22 governors and two deputy governors from Edo and Niger States, in attendance.
The governors made suggestions highlighting the plight of citizens in their states, assuring the President of their support in proffering solutions through the National Economic Council.
Susan Louise Lorincz, a White woman who fired through the door and killed a Black woman was arrested on Tuesday,6th June 2023 in Florida.
According to a statement issued by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office early on Wednesday morning, Susan who is 58 years of age was charged with manslaughter with a handgun, as well as violence and two charges of assault. She was also charged with culpable negligence and battery.
Ajike Owens, a 35-year-old mother of four, was shot and died on Friday night, ending a 2-and-a-half-year dispute between the neighbours. They resided in the gentle hills south of Ocala, a city in north Florida that serves as the horse capital of the state.
The sheriff stated that this was “simply a killing” in a Facebook video that was broadcast late on Tuesday night.
“Now many of you were struggling to understand why there was not an immediate arrest,” the sheriff said. “The laws here in the state of Florida are clear. Now I may not like them. I may not agree with them. But however, those laws I will follow.”
According to the sheriff’s office’s footage, Lorincz was wearing shorts, a black shirt, and a jacket as two investigators and a deputy escorted him down a corridor. The woman walked with her hands behind her back.
Evidence showed that, over time, Lorincz had become angry over Owens’ children playing in a field close to her apartment.
On Friday night, Lorincz got into an argument with the children and “was overhead yelling at them by a neighbor.”
The office said that Lorincz threw a roller skate at Owens’ 10-year-old son during the fight and struck him in the toe. The youngster and his 12-year-old brother then went to Lorincz to speak to her, but when she answered the door, she threw an umbrella at them.
When they informed their mother what had happened, “Owens went to Lorincz’s house, knocked on the door many times, and ordered Lorincz to come outside. Then, one more shot was fired by Lorincz through the door, wounding Owens in the upper chest.
“At the time she was shot, Owens’ 10-year-old son was standing beside her,” the sheriff’s office noted.
Deputies responding to a trespassing call at the apartment Friday night found Owens suffering from gunshot wounds. She later died at a hospital.
When questioned by the sheriff’s office, Lorincz claimed she acted in self-defense and that Owens was trying to break down her door. “Lorincz also claimed that Owens had come after her in the past and had previously attacked her,” the office continued.
But “detectives were able to establish that Lorincz’s actions were not justifiable under Florida law” and she was arrested, the office said.
The manslaughter charge Lorincz is facing is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, the office noted.
..PDP kicks says action unlawful, insensitive, callous
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has ordered the immediate termination of all employment in the State Civil Service made by the last administration in the last year.
The Governor’s directive which was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, issued Wednesday in Makurdi, had among others also ordered the reversal of all promotions to the rank of Permanent Secretary made by the outgone administration from January 2023, directing that all those affected revert to their previous positions.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, however, condemned the sacking of the civil servants describing it as unlawful. insensitive and callous.
The Governor in the statement had said, “All recent appointments into the State Civil Service made by the outgone administration from May 2022 to date are hereby nullified with immediate effect.
“All those who have retired but are yet to vacate their offices or duty posts either because of extension or contract appointment are to proceed on retirement forthwith. All Civil Servants due for retirement but are yet to tender their letters of retirement or notice of retirement should do so forthwith and proceed on retirement immediately.
“All Civil Servants and or persons appointed Permanent Secretaries from the month of January 2023 to date should revert to their previous positions forthwith.
“And all the postings and transfers made in the state civil service from October 2022, to date are hereby nullified. The affected staff should revert to their former ranks, stations or offices with immediate effect.”
But briefing the media on the development in Makurdi, the acting State Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Isaac Mffo who noted that the action of the Governor was unacceptable as the affected civil servants were lawfully employed, called for a reversal of the directive.
According to the acting Chairman, “the affected civil servants were given lawful appointments into the state civil service having fulfilled all statutory requirements and until this directive was entitled to all the rights, privileges and protections guaranteed them under the labour laws of the state.
“This is to say that loss of such rights, privileges and protections cannot be at the whim of anyone, no matter how highly placed, including the governor, but can only be for reasons prescribed under the same laws, which do not include the action taken by Governor Alia.
“The insensitivity in the Benue State Governor’s action becomes more glaring when viewed against the backdrop of the untold hardship which Nigerians were subjected to under the recently expired Buhari regime in the forms of catastrophic economic mismanagement and the insecurity that directly threatened the country’s sovereignty.
“Governor Alia, being a direct offshoot of the cruel and visionless Buhari regime, should be threading cautiously as Governor of Benue State so as not to aggravate the pains and sufferings inflicted on the people of the state by that regime.
“Perhaps the Governor needs to be reminded that to the eleventh hour of his tenure, outgone President, Muhammadu Buhari made appointments into the federal civil service which President Tinubu has inherited and is working with.
“PDP observes sadly that by this latest sack order, Governor Alia has continued by the wrong footing of his administration so far, by executing weighty actions without following due process of consultations and interactive engagements needed to input into those actions necessary public content and connect as should obtain in a participatory democracy such as ours.
“We condemn all the misguided, arbitrary and unpopular actions so far taken by Governor Hyacinth Alia and we call on all who mean well for Benue State to do the same. This arbitrary sack order on Benue civil servants and those issued earlier to heads of Agencies and Parastatals in the state only opens the gateway to possible litigations which will not be in the interest of the administration and the state at large.
“Governor Alia should, therefore, without delay rescinds the sack order he has issued to the thousands of civil servants in the state, as to do so will be to save his administration and the state as a whole the ill wind which the action is bound to generate which will surely do no one any good.”
AHEAD of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, former Senate Minority leader and an aspirant for the position of Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has said that contrary to sponsored media report alleging that his colleagues have withdrawn their support for him, members of the Stability Group and new Senators-elect are still solidly behind his ambiton.
The former Akwa Ibom State Governor has also advised those peddling the unfounded romour to stop the propaganda because no Senator has withdrawn his support for him.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Jackson Udom, described the news item as “unfounded, false and a calculated attempt to smear the seamless relationship between the former Minority Leader and his distingushed colleagues who are very much in support of his aspiration. They should stop the propaganda against Senator Akpabio because no Senator has withdrawn his support from him”
The statement read, “as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Akpabio had described the parastatal under his ministry as a cesspool of corruption and NOT the National Assembly.
“He made this remarks whilst justifying the Forensic Audit of the Commission which was ordered by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Infact, he decried a situation where few individuals would corner huge contracts in the agency under the guise of giving them to the lawmakers without the knowledge of the lawmakers.
“There was never a time whether in public or in his closets that he described the National Assembly, which he is a very proud member, as a cesspool of corruption. Those peddling and sponsoring such unfounded allegations are doing so for political gains. Any organized campaign of calumny against Akpabio will surely fail.”
Memories and emotions went high on Wednesday during the valedictory session of the House of Representatives, as Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila officially dissolved the 9th assembly.
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, the Majority Leader of the House, had moved a motion to commence the valedictory session, while Rep Ndudi Elumelu, the Minority Leader seconded the motion.
Gbajabiamila, in his valedictory speech, said: “I will miss all of you and miss this house, you have enriched my life and I cannot express how much you have impacted the house.
In an emotion-laden speech, Gbajabiamila said the joint efforts in nation-building by members were to ensure that the dreams of the nation’s founding fathers did not die.
He said, “We have come, we have seen and while we are yet to conquer, my enthusiasm to serve remained undiminished.”
According to him, it has been the honour of his life to serve the people of the country.
“I thank my constituency and I express gratitude to my colleagues for the privilege to serve.”
He said since he assumed office, the house had changed drastically in such a manner he had not witnessed, adding that the change came with speed as witnessed in the last four years.
He said the 9th House of Reps had governed well with some interventions, including COVID-19 pandemic, Police Reform Bill, Electoral Acts Amendment Bill, Constitutional Review, among others.
According to him, “We have worked to take advantage of social and economic transformation that benefit us; we have left our mark on every sector of our national life.”
He said the House was able to introduce discipline on the Appropriation Act that now commenced from January to December of every year.
According to him, the 9th House of Reps has ended and the 10th will commence.
“I urge you to ensure that you are not found wanting by man or God in the final judgment.”
Also, Rep. Julius Ihovhre (APC-Edo), said he would forever cherish the friendship he made in the 9th assembly, adding that such a relationship would last forever.
He commended the speaker for leading the house well and perfectly and demonstrating that he could manage a diverse group of people.
“In your new roles as the Chief of Staff to the President, the challenges you will face are more than here, we plead with you not to abandon the spirit of excellence,” he said.
He said Nigeria required the kind of leader with a sense of mission while urging Gbajabiamila to ensure the Federal Government paid attention to basic education.
Rep. Luke Onofiong (PDP-Akwa-Ibom) said members had made relationships that would last forever and commended his constituency for giving him the privilege to serve.
He commended the speaker for accommodating members and relaxing the rules to give new members a voice, noting that the speaker was gentle enough to accommodate their errors.
He urged the house to take the judiciary seriously with salary review.
Rep. Yusuf Gadgi (APC-Plateau) on his part said, “In my constituency, Muslims are 30 per cent while Christians constitute 70 per cent but they have always sent me here and for using me as a good example of how Nigeria should behave.
“What I want to say is the message of forgiveness, I want, on your behalf and other members, to forgive one another. In this assignments, we must have offended one another.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that his comment on forgiveness generated some uproar, as members grumbled endlessly.
Unperturbed, Gagdi said “Irrespective of the grumbling, what is right is right and people must learn to forgive others”.
Rep. Aisha Duku (APC-Borno) expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the first woman to represent her constituency.
“Mr Speaker you have blessed me to bless others, I have changed the perspective of politics in my area because this is the first time that a Fulani woman and a Muslim will come out from that area.
“I have been able to enlighten people and bring out the women to vote, which hitherto they had not.
“I have participated in Bills assented to by the president and today they are laws, I commend my committee as the Chairman, House Committee on INEC, for supporting me.
Duku said she was now a better Nigerian, as she travelled to a lot of places in the country but her only regret was that no gender bill was passed.
In attendance at the session of the 9th assembly were former speakers, House Leaders such as Gali Na’abba, Patricia Etteh, Mulikat Akande and some former clerks of NASS.
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Ballard Partners, an international governmental affairs firm has appointed Alhaji Lai Mohammed, immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, as Managing Partner of its first office in Africa.
In a statement issued by the firm and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, Mohammed is to serve as Managing Partner of its newly opened Abuja office and its satellite office in Lagos.
With its headquarters in Washington, Ballard Partners specialises in all aspects of governmental and public affairs, including legislative and executive agency advocacy.
In the statement, Brian Ballard, the firm’s President and founder said they were opening their first African office in Nigeria to expand the firm’s international footprint to three continents.
He said the opening of the office, would also help in building upon the important work they had done on behalf of African nations and companies in Africa and the U.S.
On the choice of the former minister, Ballard said that Mohammed “has a long record of public service and is one of the most respected officials in the country.
Adding that “his outstanding reputation and exceptional experience will be invaluable to our firm”.
Ballard recalled that since the advent of Nigeria’s fourth republic in 1999, Mohammed played key roles in the political life of his country as Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of Lagos.
He added that Mohammed was also the National Spokesperson for the Opposition for over a decade (2005-2015) and a candidate for the Governorship of Kwara State in the 2003 General Elections.
The statement also reflected the former Minister’s happiness in accepting the international job.
“I am very pleased to join Ballard Partners and to open the firm’s first office in Africa,”
“Ballard Partners has an impeccable reputation internationally and is well known for its success representing African countries and American firms in Africa.
The opportunities in Nigeria are substantial and I look forward to helping the firm’s clients achieve their objectives,” Mohammed was quoted as saying.
Born in Oro, Kwara state, Mohammed graduated with second class upper honors with dual degrees in modern European languages (majoring in French) and law.
He was called to the Nigerian bar in 1986.
The former Minister has also been awarded several diplomas in different parts of the world including Diplomes d’Etudes Francaise 3ieme Degree in both Dakar, Senegal and Vichy France.
A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday ordered that a 33-year-old teacher, Emmanuel Okoriko, be remanded in a correctional centre for alleged armed robbery.
The police charged Okoriko, who lives in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue with armed robbery and attempted culpable homicide.
However, Magistrate Roseline Iyorshe did not take his plea for want in the jurisdiction.
Iyorshe adjourned the matter until July 26, for further mention.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Jonah Uletu told the court that the case was transferred from ‘B’ Division Police Station, Makurdi to the State CID, Makurdi on May 25, via a letter dated the same day for proper investigation.
Uletu said the letter stated that Kelvin Ikwue reported at the ‘B’ Division Police Station on May 23 that his father, Adakole Ikwue was attacked by Okoriko with a screwdriver.
He said that Okoriko stabbed Ikwue in the neck and stole his Samsung Galaxy phone worth N165,000.
The prosecution said that the victim was receiving treatment at the Bishop Murray Hospital, Makurdi.
The offence, Uletu said, contravenes the provisions of section 1(1)(2)(a)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004 and 327 of the Penal Code, Laws of Benue, 2004.
Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State has accused the factional National Publicity Secretary of the party, Abayomi Arabambi and the factional Legal Adviser of the party, Oyelekan Akingbade, of trying to secretly change the party’s legal representatives at the state election tribunal.
According to the party, the duo have been moving around the tribunal, to try and substitute the party’s legal representatives illegally, particularly in cases where it won elections and the All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenging its victory.
Citing petition no:EPT/LAG/HR/16/2023 in which Sanusi Olanrewaju Ismail Adedimeji and APC as petitioners are challenging LP’s victory in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency (with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), LP and Wande George as respondents), the party alleged that Arabambi filed a motion at the tribunal through an affidavit dated June 5, 2023 seeking to change LP’s counsel.
“The attention of Labour Party Lagos State has been drawn to clandestine moves being made by the expelled former Acting Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mr. Abayomi Arabambi and his ally the suspended former Legal Adviser, Mr Samuel Oyelekan Akingbade where the duo have been going around the Tribunals handling Labour Party matters, especially where we won elections and the APC is challenging the victory of our Party to change the Labour Party legal representatives illegally and fraudulently supplanting them with their APC moles as the legal counsel for the labour party.
“A clear evidence to buttress the above assertion is in the petition no:EPT/LAG/HR/16/2023 between Sanusi Olanrewaju Ismail Adedimeji and APC as petitioners (contesting Labour Party victory in Amuwo Odofin federal constituency) versus INEC, Labour Party and Wande George as respondents.
“In this matter, Mr Arabambi filed a motion at the Tribunal via an affidavit dated 5th June 2023 deposed to by himself at the Tribunal seeking to change Labour Party counsel from Tope Alabi Esquire to B. A. Ayeni Esq, who is unknown to the Party. This was done by Mr Arabambi based on the letter of engagement issued to B.A. Ayeni by Mr. Akingbade where he illegally signed as the Legal Adviser to the Party,” said the state Publicity Secretary, Olubunmi Odesanya, in a statement.
Odesanya maintained that Arabambi remains expelled from the party, while Akingbade stands suspended, adding that both cannot represent the party in any capacity.
The Publicity Secretary noted that the party is aware that Arabambi and Akingbade are working in connivance with some former members of the State Working Committee, adding that the identifies of these individuals would be made public soon.
She called on elected members and all the candidates of the party whose cases are pending in the tribunal to be watchful, and urged them to monitor proceedings.
“We want the whole world and indeed the Obident family to see how devilish and mean these characters and charlatans can descend to in a bid to satisfy their APC paymasters.
“Furthermore, it is on record that Mr. Arabambi stand expelled from the Party and as such is no longer a member of Labour Party. In like manner, Mr Akingbade stands suspended from the Party and therefore cannot and do not have any legal authority to represent the Party in any capacity whatsoever.
“We also have it on good authority that this mission by these conscienceless traitors is with the active connivance of some former members of the state working committee of the Party here in Lagos. The identities of these saboteurs within the Party will be made public soon.
“Labour Party Lagos State is by this putting all our elected members and by extension all the candidates whose cases are pending in various Tribunals to be vigilant and be watchful and be on the lookout for the activities of these enemies of Labour Party masquerading as “members” within and without.
“We also urge all candidates to monitor the proceedings in the Tribunals closely so as to be able to detect these nefarious activities of these morally debased characters on time,” Odesanya added.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday sought assistance from the European Council to fight insecurity, poverty and other challenges facing Nigeria.
The president, according to a statement by his Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, called on the European Union to come to Nigeria and Africa’s aid as they struggle with security and economic woes.
In a phone conversation, Tinubu called on the President of the European Council, Mr Charles Michel, to assist the country and Africa in strengthening its security and economic development to fight poverty in the country.
The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union.
Tinubu said as part of his administrative priority, he would do all it takes to address poverty and insecurity in Nigeria.
He urged the EU to take a crucial look at insecurity around Lake Chad and coastal areas, promising to collaborate with the body and other member states.
Meanwhile, Michel congratulated Tinubu again for his emergence as president in Nigeria’s last election, pledging the commitment of the council towards building a strong partnership and cooperation with Nigeria based on mutual respect.
He urged the Nigerian government to continue working with the EU, saying Nigeria is a crucial part of the EU and the international community.