The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday granted the request of the Federal Government and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, to settle out of court an appeal challenging his removal from office.

The decision of the court followed information that the two parties in the suit have intensified efforts to reach an amicable settlement of all issues in the dispute.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2019 removed Mr Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria during the pendency of a charge against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

However, at Thursday’s proceedings in the appeal, counsel to CJN, Dr Ogwu Onoja, SAN, informed a three-member panel of the Appeal Court that the two parties were involved in discussions on a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

Mr Onoja informed the court that the parties had an engagement up until Wednesday and expressed optimism that the discussion would bear fruitful results.

He subsequently appealed to the appellate court for a one-month adjournment for final settlement of the matter.

Counsel to federal government, Tijani Gazali confirmed the submission of Onoja and requested that the matter be shifted for a possible amicable settlement.

“My Lords, I wish to humbly confirm the information. It is our position to settle the matter out of court,” he said.

Justice J. O. Oyewole, who presided over the proceedings, directed them to file terms of settlement for adoption when eventually agreed upon.

Justice Oyewole held that the terms of settlement must be documented and filed before the adjourned date for the court to adopt as its judgement in the matter.

He subsequently adjourned until Nov. 4 as the return date for the two parties.

Mr Onnoghen was prosecuted in 2019 by the federal government on false declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal(CCT) he was pronounced guilty and removed from office.

He was also made to forfeit the undeclared assets to the federal government.

Mr Onnoghen not satisfied with the judgment of CCT appealed, praying the Court to set aside the judgment that removed him from office and ordered the forfeiture of his five bank accounts.
NAN

The National Examinations Council, NECO, has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.

The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.

Mr Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.

The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.

He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.55 per cent.

Mr Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.

He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.

“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.

The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.

” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.

” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.

“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.

” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,” he said.

He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.

Mr Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.
NAN

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the deployment of four new Police Commissioners to oversee Commands in Abia, Lagos, Ebonyi, and Akwa-Ibom State.

The newly appointed Commissioners are CP Danladi Nda (Abia State Command), CP Olanrewaju Ishola Olawale (Lagos State Command), CP Anthonia Adaku Uche-Anya (Ebonyi State Command) and CP Festus Eribo (Akwa-Ibom State Command).

These deployments reflect the IGP’s mission to reposition the Police Force, maximize human resources, and enhance security across the country.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Egbetokun charged the new Commissioners of Police to demonstrate diligence in their duties and develop innovative strategies to address security challenges in their respective areas.

He also encouraged them to support the ongoing police reform plans, which will contribute to the progress of the Nigeria Police Force and the nation’s growth.

This move is reminiscent of previous redeployments, such as the 2023 election duty redeployment of senior police officers, including AIG Abutu Yaro and CP Okon Effiong. The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring effective policing and maintaining public safety.

On the other hand, the IGP has mandated the immediate transfer of Police Commissioners to different areas.

This tactical decision is designed to improve the Police Force’s performance and guarantee successful law enforcement.

Naija News understands that the transfers will involve the following adjustments: CP Olatunji Disu will lead the Police Force in the Federal Capital Territory, with CP Peter Opara moving to Delta State to become its new head. At the same time, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi will become the leader of the Police Force in Rivers State.

Canada has announced its decision to reduce the issuance of international student permits for the upcoming year.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government also announced stricter regulations on foreign workers to decrease the influx of temporary residents within the nation.

Naija News understands that this decision follows a series of recent measures introduced to manage the unprecedented surge in immigration levels, which resulted in Canada’s population surpassing 41 million earlier in the year.

The Canadian government attributed the rapid increase in immigration to the strain it places on the housing sector, job market, and social services.

“It is a privilege to come to Canada. It is not a right,” Immigration Minister Marc Miller told a news conference on Wednesday.

In the year 2025, the Canadian capital intends to allocate 437,000 study permits to international students, a decrease from the current year’s figure of 485,000 and a significant reduction from the over 500,000 issued in 2023.

Furthermore, the government is implementing new restrictions on work permits for the spouses of certain international students and foreign workers. Additionally, there will be an increase in the scrutiny of applications for travel visas to address a rise in fraudulent or rejected asylum claims.

It has been announced that the number of temporary residents will be capped at five percent of the population, a reduction from the current figure of 6.8 per cent as of April.

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has attributed the ongoing conflict between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery to alleged inconsistencies in government policies and fraudulent actions.

During a media briefing at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos on Wednesday, Ajaero voiced his dissatisfaction with the ongoing dispute, stating that such conflicts are unwarranted in a deregulated market that should be promoting competition and consumer choice.

The NLC President sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu‘s administration for attempting to influence Dangote’s business operations, specifically its pricing, which he referred to as fraudulent interference.

He highlighted that it is unfair for the government to demand that Dangote’s locally produced petroleum products be sold at the same price as imported products, especially considering that local production eliminates added costs like foreign exchange and landing fees.

Ajaero said, “In a truly deregulated market, there should be no interference in how private sector entities like Dangote operate. Imposing restrictions or dictating prices goes against the principles of a free market.

“For a locally produced product, with no reliance on imported dollars or landing costs, they’re demanding he sells it at the same price as the imported ones. That’s both fraudulent and unacceptable.

“What you’re witnessing is a mix of fraud and policy inconsistency. Nigerians were led to believe that the sector had been deregulated, and in a deregulated market, competition and choice should prevail. So why is there now an attempt to control how much Dangote should sell his product for?

“When the Port Harcourt refinery becomes operational, both NNPC and Dangote should be able to sell freely. But trying to dictate Dangote’s pricing is dishonest.

“This is the time for Nigerians to speak out. We were told that deregulation would put the private sector in charge and limit government interference in business. Now, the government is trying to regulate how private businesses should price their products.

“They expect him to sell at the same price as the imported product, even though it was produced locally without the additional landing costs. That’s outright fraud.”

This standoff between NNPCL and Dangote has ignited public debate, raising concerns over the government’s role in shaping the competitive dynamics of the energy industry.

The Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, has alleged that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle stole over ₦70 billion from the state government as governor.

Governor Lawal decried that despite evidence made available to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), not much has been done by the commission to recover the loot.

In an interview with TVC, on Wednesday, Lawal noted that he was surprised that security agencies cleared the former governor of the state to be minister despite allegations against him.

He disclosed this while reacting to a question on why EFCC and security agencies have not taken action on the allegations of banditry involvement and looting of Zamfara’s treasury by Matawalle.

Lawal said, “In May last year, 2023, there was this allegation of misappropriating over ₦70 billion. And when we took over, we realized that that ₦70 billion was a child’s play compared to what we have. And all these information are before the EFCC. And I wonder how this guy was cleared by the security operatives before he’s confirmed as a minister.”

He added that Matawalle, as a father of 41 children, owes his children a duty of keeping a good legacy. He challenged him to clear his name.

“And the same thing I will say, if I were him, I will still face the EFCC to say that, look, let me clear my name. You know, this is a father of 41 children. For goodness sake, what kind of legacy is he going to leave for his children when you have been accused of misappropriating this amount of money? So he should have come out clean, face the EFCC, clear his name, and then come back and continue to do whatever he wants to do.

“Honestly, that would have been more honorable. But look at it, we are still waiting to hear from the EFCC. The case has been ongoing for over a year now. And this is people’s money. We need this money in Zamfara with all the challenges we are facing, with financial constraints. At least let’s have some of this money back into Zamfara so that we can work for the people of Zamfara State,” Governor Lawal stated.

Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, the running mate of the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, stated that neither he nor the LP is surprised by the current economic turmoil in Nigeria, as they had cautioned citizens against allowing the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take power in 2023.

The Vice Presidential candidate was quoted to have said this at the inaugural meeting of the LP Interim National Caretaker Committee, in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement issued by the committee, in Abuja, yesterday. 

Baba-Ahmed who represented Peter Obi, at the event, said the Labour Party is ready to repeat and surpass the feat of 2023 in 2027 by producing a majority in the National Assembly and winning the presidential seat in 2027.

He said, “We didn’t have a crisis. We managed a transition which was a bit bumpy and that was it. I tell you, no other political party of our size could do that in the time and manner that we did.

“We are the political party who went all the way to the Supreme Court claiming our 10 million votes. They were only able to give us 6 million votes.

“So we are a force to contend with in Africa. What we’ve done has never been done before. When PDP came they had the military. We had nothing.

“We started, it was organic, It was us. It was Nigerian people. It was obedients, and we defeated two existing political parties to the best of us of our submission in the courts.

“What is more, we are buoyed by the fact that what we warned Nigerians of the failure of APC, the dangers of APC is happening. They are failing more on the Nigerian economy.

“They are destroying the security of Nigeria. Every day in the news you report it, our citizens are abducted. They are killed in hundreds of villages.

“We warned Nigerians this was going to happen. Desperate people took the victory of the Labour Party. What did they do with it?
“Our currency value again destroyed. Security destroyed. Hunger in the land. Fuel removal of subsidies managed very very poorly, aggravated corruption continued lies and lies and lies”

“The former Federal lawmaker also clarified the leadership tussle in the party stressing that no governor removed Julius Abure, but the constitution of the party removed him because his tenure elapsed. He called on Abure and his team to sheath their swords and join hands with the Caretaker Committee to rebuild the party.

“Listen, my friend, no governor unseated, Abure, the constitution on unseated him, Abure time elapsed. Nobody unseated. As of today, Abure is our good friend and a loyal member.

“We want him back in the fold, we have roles for him to play. Likewise, all members of the former NEC and NWC, are welcome to come and join us. And continue to build the Labour Party. They are welcome”

Earlier, Chairman of the Labour Party National Caretaker Committee, Senator Nenadi Usman reassured members of the party of her Committee’s determination to rescue the party from the current challenges as well as restore and rebuild it to provide a veritable alternative platform for Nigerians.

She appealed to party members and supporters to make the necessary sacrifices for the party to take its pride of place in the political process.

He specifically called for sacrifice from members of the Caretaker Committee urging them to carry out their assignment with integrity in the interest of the party and the nation at large.

She promised the readiness of the Committee to lead the party to a path of reconciliation within the short time of its assignment.

Usman said, “My brothers and sisters, we are on a rescue mission, not just for the Labour Party, but I tell you for our dear nation Nigeria.

“The interest this committee has generated extends beyond party lines. The number of telephone calls I have received not just from Labour Party members, but people from other political parties who told me that if we get this thing right, we will walk together. So we have a huge task.

“Our party by the grace of Almighty God will become a platform for all disenfranchised and unhappy Nigerians. For people who are not happy with the way things are going, we are going to be the platform for them by the grace of God. Therefore, we must view this significant national assignment”

Earlier, deputy governor of Abia State Ikechukwu Emetu who represented Governor Alex Otti charged Committee Members to work for the growth of the Labour Party and shun acts that can be detrimental to the interest of the party.

Secretary of Committee, Senator Darlington Nwokocha said the committee works hard within its time frame to produce elected Ward, LGA, States and National Officers for the party.

He said, “We have started already, it is something we are working hard to achieve. The organs of the party at all levels will come on board soon, depending on the elasticity of what we are doing, but we want to do a good job, we will do the proper sensitization, advocacy, consultation, consensus building and so many other legitimate things from the grassroots to the top, to making sure that the proper people are being put in place of leadership, elected from the ward to local government, to states and the national convention.

That the Committee has hit the ground running by swearing Committee Members and setting up essential subcommittees to drive its affairs and mandate.

The chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Saturday governorship election have been strengthened after nine political parties unanimously collapsed into the party in Edo State.

The Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Sam Arase, announced on behalf of the Assembly of Registered Political Parties in Edo State that the parties prefer the APC candidate and are confident of victory.

The parties include the Social Democratic Party of Nigeria (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Peoples Party (APP), Accord (A), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Action Alliance (AA), and National Rescue Movement (NRM).

The parties demand a violence-free election and urge Edo citizens to come out en masse and vote for APC.

The parties mandated their members to work towards the enthronement of the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as the next governor of Edo State.

Seventeen parties are vying for the Edo State governorship, scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2014, with a winner expected to emerge after voting procedures.

Okpebholo and other governorship candidates in the state would be hoping to succeed the outgoing Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, who supports the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo.

Former Nigerian international, Taribo West believes that Augustine Eguavoen always fails with the Super Eagles when it matters the most because he lacks “grace.”

Taribo West argued that Eguavoen lacks a certain grace that is essential for achieving success with the Super Eagles despite possessing strong coaching techniques.

Eguavoen, who also serves as the Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director, took charge of the senior men’s national team after the deal with the proposed German coach, Bruno Labbadia, fell through. This marks Eguavoen’s fourth stint in leading the team.

During his previous coaching stints, Eguavoen achieved a third-place finish at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations and led the team to win all three group games at the 2021 AFCON, but were eliminated in the round of 16 by Tunisia with a lone goal.

Despite his efforts, Eguavoen’s tenure has seen some near misses, such as narrowly failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and facing challenges in major tournaments.

Taribo West acknowledged Eguavoen’s tactical prowess in bringing out the best in the players but noted that consistent results have been elusive.

“Anytime Eguavoen leads the team, he brings a certain touch, taking the team back to those glorious days”, Taribo West, who is the founder of the Shelter in The Storm Miracle Ministry, said on Brila FM’s ‘No Holds Barred with Ifeanyi Udeze.

“In major tournaments, where you expect them to cross the line, something always happens. What Eguavoen is lacking is only grace.

“The team will play well, but the results won’t favour them.”

He added, “I don’t see why we go for foreign coaches when we can invest more in our local coaches.”