Supreme Court affirms Ifeanyi Ubah’s election as senator

The election of Ifeanyi Ubah as the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District has been upheld by the Supreme Court. 

The lawsuit filed by Chief Chris Uba and Dr Obinna Uzor challenging the election of Ifeanyi Ubah was struck out by the Supreme Court on grounds of the Federal High Court in Abuja where the case began, lacking the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the case. 

Justice Sylvester Ngwuta who read the lead judgement said the lawsuit ought to have been heard at the federal high court in Anambra, because the cause of action emanated from the state and not the FCT.

Reacting to the Supreme Court's judgement which upheld the Court of Appeal's ruling on the case,Ubah said he can now focus on his official duties.

He said; 

“I thank the Justices of the Supreme Court for standing for truth and justice. This has once again shown that our justices cannot be intimidated. It is time to settle down to deliver quality representation to my constituents."

Senate introduces Infectious Disease Control Bill

The Infectious Disease Control Bill was introduced in the Nigerian senate today May 5, under a new name “National Health Emergency Bill”. 

The bill sponsored by the Chairman Senate Committee on Communicable Diseases and Primary Healthcare, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North) scaled its first reading on Tuesday. 

Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, reportedly made a demand for a gazetted copy of the Bill while also pointing out that it was generating controversies in the House of Representatives.

He said; 

“I rely on Order 41 of the Senate Standing Rule. As a senator, I am entitled to know the details of this Bill.

“We want to have copies of the gazetted copies. There is controversy over the same Bill in the House of Representatives.

“We don’t want to have the same issue here. We need to be guided to avoid any backlash. I need to read it and prepare ahead of time.”

The Secretariat of the Senate was subsequently directed to make copies of the Bill available to all Senators by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan. He said Senators must have the bill before its second reading next week. 

Lawan said; 

“The copies are ready and everybody will get a copy. We are not taking the second reading immediately. That will be done next week. So, members will have the time to read the contents of the Bill.”

Governor Ayade appoints 19-year-old as personal assistant on technical affairs

Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, has appointed 19-year-old Louis Okon as his Personal Assistant on Technical (Data Management) Affairs, making him the youngest political appointee in Nigeria. 

Okon was amongst the additional 427 aides appointed by Governor Ayade in Calabar on  Monday. Those appointed include chairmen and members of boards of agencies as well as special assistants.

Confirming his appointment, Louis took to his Instagram page to thank the Governor and his wife, Dr. Linda Ayade.

“Earlier today, the Governor of Cross River State, Sir Ben Ayade @sirbenayade, through his Chief Press Secretary, announced me as Personal Assistant on Technical (Data Management) Affairs," Okon said.

“It is indeed a great honour to me to serve my State and work under His Excellency in this capacity. I am humbled as I prepare to resume work as perhaps the youngest political appointee in our country at age 19yrs. Indeed, my appointment reemphasizes His Excellency’s belief in the youth, and his determination to create a youth inclusive administration and to bring us to the fore of affairs as he seeks to develop our dear State. As I prepare to serve, I am particularly thankful to God Almighty, the Executive Governor and Her Excellency, @drlindaayade for this opportunity, and to Cross Riverians at large. I will always be grateful” he added.

Louis Okon is the first of two children to Barr & Mrs Orok Okon from Duke Town in Calabar South local government area of Cross River State.

He holds a Diploma in African Studies, Writing & Rhetoric & Entrepreneurial Leadership from AFRICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Participated in the Sustainable Development and Social Entrepreneurship Session of the Yale Young Global Scholars Program,Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; July 2018.

 

Court of Appeal reinstates Ifeanyi Ubah after being sacked as Senator

A Court of Appeal in Abuja has reinstated Ifeanyi Ubah as Senator representing Anambra South senatorial district after being sacked by a federal high court. 

The judgement was delivered after Senator Ifeanyi Ubah filed an appeal, challenging his sack from the National Assembly. A three-man panel of the court led by Justice Stephen Adah, was unanimous that the judgement delivered by Justice Bello Kawu was a nullity on grounds that the originating process was incompetent having not been signed by a lawyer as required; the judgment was given without jurisdiction.

The panel which also held that Ifeanyi Ubah was denied fair hearing by the FCT High Court, stressed that the Court was without the requisite territorial jurisdiction to have entertained the case.

A perpetual injunction restraining the Clerk of the Senate and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from acting on the April 11, 2019 judgment was issued by the Appeal Court, after it was voided for being a nullity. 

Appeal Court returns Oshiomhole as APC National Chairman

A court of appeal sitting in Abuja has restrained APC from executing the judgement of a federal capital territory high court which ordered the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as national chairman of the ruling party.
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On March 4, Danlami Senchi, a judge of the federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Abuja, had ordered the suspension of Oshiomhole pending the determination of a suit filed by one Oluwale Afolabi.
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Afolabi had challenged the continuous stay of Oshiomhole in office despite his suspension by the Edo chapter of the APC.
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But on Monday, Abubakar Yahaya, chairman of the three man panel of judges, ordered a stay of execution pending the hearing of an application filed by Oshiomhole.
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Oshiomhole in his appeal, asked the court to set aside the suspension order.
At the resumed session, Wole Olanipekun, counsel to Oshiomhole, prayed the court to grant a motion ex parte staying the order of the lower court.
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He said “time is of the essence” and the matter should not be left until tomorrow because “between now and tomorrow is like eternity.”

President, V.P, Governors, Deputy Governors to lose immunity

Sitting Presidents will no longer enjoy immunity in criminal matters if the alteration being proposed to the 1999 Constitution by the Senate sails through, TheNation is reporting.
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Also to lose immunity is the Vice President, Governors and their deputies in the impending alteration.
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This followed the second reading of a Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to qualify criminal liability for certain public officers under Section 308” sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.

Court suspends Oshiomhole as APC chairman

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi, Abuja has restrained Adams Oshiomhole from acting as the National Chairman of APC.
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Justice Danlami Senchi, in a ruling on an application for interlocutory injunction on Wednesday held that Oshiomhole should cease to occupy the position pending the determination of the substantive suit.
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Justice Senchi was of the view that the APC was wrong for retaining Oshiomhole as its National Chairman even when he is under suspension as a member of the party.
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The judge ordered Oshiomhole to stop parading himself as the National Chairman of the party and directed the party to cease acknowledging him in that regard.
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Justice Senchi restrained the party from allowing Oshiomhole to access the party secretariat henceforth.
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Comrade Adams Oshomole has been in the eye of the storm lately, as he was recently suspended by his party at his Ward, Local Government and State levels. .
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It was on this premise the injunction application was grounded. Allegations that triggered his suspension include; alleged Highhandedness, Misappropriation of funds and Disregard for the rule of law.

Bill seeking immunity for Nigerian lawmakers passes second reading

A bill seeking immunity from prosecution for serving members of both states and federal legislature has passed a second reading at the House of Representatives.

The bill sponsored by Representative Odebunmi Olusegun, seeks to alter Section 308 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. It was supported by majority of the lawmakers who insisted that it is important to safeguard the sanctity of the National Assembly.

Other lawmakers who opposed the bill said it is coming at a time of increased violent attacks across the country and when there are calls for the withdrawal of immunity from governors.

Commenting on the controversial bill, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila said he would only support the bill if it is proposed to take effect from 2023.

The bill which lawmakers are expected to push out to Nigerians for public hearing, will translate into an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as immunity only covers the President, Vice President, Governors and their Deputies.

Kaduna House of Assembly Speaker resigns

Hon. Aminu Abdullahi Shagali, the Kaduna House of Assembly Speaker has resigned from the position. 

The lawmaker representing  Sabon-Gari Constituency in the Assembly tendered his resignation before commencement of plenary session on Tuesday morning. This reportedly came amid alleged plans by some members of the assembly to impeach him.

The house immediately elected Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani as the new Speaker, while Mukhatar Isa Hazo was elected as a new Deputy Speaker of the house.

Senate confirms Captain Nuhu as Director-General of NCAA

The nomination of Captain Musa Shuaibu Nuhu as the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has been confirmed by the Nigerian Senate. 

Nuhu was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday February 18, following a report from the Senate Committee on Aviation which screened him. 

The committee’s chairman, Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West) who presented the report said the nominee has the prerequisite knowledge and there was no petition against his nomination.

Supreme Court sacks Bayelsa Governor-Elect a day to his swearing in

The Supreme Court has sacked the governor-elect of Bayelsa State, David Lyon, and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo, less than 24 hours to their swearing in.
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In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Ejembi Ekwo, the court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (#INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Mr Lyon.
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The Apex Court also ordered a fresh certificate be issued to the governorship candidate with the highest votes cast and wide geographical spread in the governorship election held on November 16, 2020.
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Mr Lyon was sacked for presenting a running mate with a fake certificate in the said election.
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With this judgment, the governorship candidate of PDP, Diri Duoye, will likely become the next governor of #Bayelsa.

Kingsley Obiora confirmed as CBN Deputy Governor by Senate

Dr. Kingsley Isitua Obiora has been confirmed as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by the senate. 

Obiora was confirmed by the Nigerian senate after a report from the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, following his nomination by President Buhari. 

The appointments of  Zikrullah (Sikiru) Olakunle Hassan as the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa as the commission's Executive Commissioner-Operation, Inspection and Licensing,  Nura Hassan Yakasai as the commission's  Executive Commissioner-Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance and Sheikh Momoh Suleman Imonikhe as  Executive Commissioner, Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library, were also confirmed by the senate. 

The Upper Chamber also confirmed the appointments of part-time members of the commission and they include Mrs Halimat Jibril (Niger State), Abba Jato (Borno State), Garba Umar (Sokoto State), Ibrahim Ogbonnia Amah (Ebonyi State), Sadiq Oniyesaneyene Musa (Delta State) and Mrs. Akintude Basirat Olayinka (Ogun State).

Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, reportedly appoints daughter as her Special Assistant

Pauline Tallen, Nigeria's Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, has reportedly appointed one of her daughters, Violet Osunde, as a Special Assistant in her office.

Premium Times reports that Mrs Osunde who was a senior executive assistant with the National Databank Management Department of the National Pension Commission, was offered her appointment letter in November last year.

According to the report, on November 14th 2019, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Ifeoma Anagbogu, through the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics Department, reportedly addressed a letter to Osunde, informing her of appointment to serve as a special assistant to the Minister. The letter with reference FMWASD/PS/128/VOL.II/302 reads in part

“I am directed to inform you that a request has been made to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for your release to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to serve the Honourable Minister’s special assistant. Other correspondences on the subject have been forwarded to appropriate offices.

“As you are aware of Honourable Minister’s itinerary for the coming week, you are expected to travel with her and accompany her to various sessions, therefore you are directed to formally request for release from your organisation to serve as special assistant to the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.”

Osunde who was at the time still serving with the National Pension Commission, accepted the offer and in her response, allegedly applied for a four-year leave of absence through the head of the databank management department to the National Pension Commission’s head of human capital management department.

Premiumtimes reports that her letter which was dated November 15th with reference number TECH/NDMD/DMU/2019/574 reads in part

“I wish to inform management that I have been appointed as the special assistant to the honourable minister of women affairs. Consequently, I wish to humbly request to be granted leave of absence for a period of four years effective December 1, 2019, to December 1, 2023, to enable me carry out my duties as required under the ministry of women affairs.

Accordingly, if approved, to ensure all tasks assigned are completed as expected, I will make certain that all assignments are duly concluded and handed over appropriately before my departure.”

Following some reactions from some Nigerians who frowned at the development, the Minister who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Anagbogu, said there is nothing wrong in what she has done.

“As long as I do not pay from my salary, my hourable minister and even me, has the right to choose whoever will give us support and enable us to achieve our mandate. Even if it is that man on the street and I found out he is useful to me I can use him as my aide. I am being very factual and honest with you, what is the big deal in appointing one’s son or daughter as an aide?”Anagbogu said

When reached for for his reaction, the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kola Ologbodiyan said the Minister's action shows that the Buhari-led administration is morally bankrupt.

“Well, we have not confirmed that story but if it were so, it borders on moral bankruptcy, which is a system that has been established by this administration. President Buhari’s administration is about absurdities; they have no respect for morality and they are very divisive. They also don’t care about the feelings of Nigerians and that can only account for why a serving minister will use her daughter as a special assistant.” he said

Court reaffirms Ubah’s sacking as senator

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in the Bwari area of Abuja has reaffirmed the sack of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
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The judge, Justice Bello Kawu, in a ruling, declined Ubah’s request to set aside the earlier order issued in a judgment delivered by the court on April 11, 2019.
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Senator Ubah was the lawmaker representing Anambra South district in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
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The judge ordered that Mr Obinna Uzoh of PDP, who had challenged Ubah’s victory in the February 23 poll, be recognised as the winner of the election.
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Among other claims, the PDP candidate alleged that his YPP counterpart presented a forged National Examination Council (#NECO) secondary school certificate to #INEC, which enabled him to contest the senatorial election.

Breaking: Supreme court sacks Ihedioha as governor of Imo state, declares APC's Hope Uzodinma winner of election

The Supreme Court has annulled the election of Emeka Ihedioha as the governor of Imo state. The seven-member panel of justices today held that hedioha was not duly elected as governor.

The apex court declared Hope Uzodinma of the APC as the winner of the March 9th 2019 governorship election. 

In the lead judgement which was read by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the apex court ordered that the certificate of return issued to Ihedioha be immediately withdrawn and a fresh certificate of return should be issued to Uzodinma. The court also directed that Uzodinma must be immediately sworn in as Governor.

Bill Seeking Six-Year Single Term For President, Governors Fails

The house of representatives has rejected a bill seeking to provide for a single term of six years for the president and governors.
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The constitutional amendment bill seeks to also provide for an unlimited tenure of six years for members of the national assembly and state houses of assembly.
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The bill, sponsored by John Dyegh from Benue state, was rejected after it was called up for second reading at Tuesday’s plenary session.
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During the debate on the bill, most of the lawmakers kicked against it, arguing that there is nothing wrong with the system Nigeria currently operates.
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But a few lawmakers including Sergius Ogun from Edo state argued it would save the country the funds used to conduct elections every four years.
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“This bill intends to also save the money being spent in elections for second term. It will save this country and our democracy,” Ogun said.
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Haruna Bello from Kano state also kicked against the bill, saying it will fuel the speculation of tenure extension for President Muhammadu Buhari.
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“There is a speculation for tenure extension for the president. Bringing this motion now will make our adversaries think this is an attempt to achieve that,” he said.
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“By the time you allow the room for six years, you will shut down the door for appraisal of someone’s term after four years. We should maintain our four years.”
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The bill was subsequently voted against when Idris Wase, deputy speaker, who presided over the session, put it up for vote for second reading.

Senate seeks payment of stipends to unemployed Nigerians

The Nigerian Senate has urged Federal and state governments to declare state of emergency on the rising cases of unemployment in the country. .
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The Senate also asked the federal government to initiate a sustainable unemployment fund to pay stipends to Nigerians who could not secure employment. .
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This was part of the senate resolutions after consideration of motion sponsored by former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, titled “Escalating rate of unemployment in the country”. .
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Leading his debate, senator Ekweremadu lamented that the large number of graduates from higher institutions of learning in the country yearly without jobs was a “time bomb waiting to explode”. .
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The lawmaker, who quoted Minister of labour and productivity, Chris Ngige that unemployment rate will reach 33.5% by 2020, said it was dangerous to the country’s existence. .
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“Any nation with such number of unemployed but employable youths is only sitting on a keg of gun powder. The most pressing demand on the hand of every legislator and public officer is the rising number of curriculum vitae and application for employment from constituent Nigerians. .
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A situation where every school graduate has to queue up for job only in government offices is an indication of the breakdown of private sector which is the major driver of world economies. .
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Unemployment is one of the major reasons why insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery, Cybercrimes and other vices are on the increase. .
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These energies and potential talents that are lying idle and wasting away are usually misdirected toward many unprofitable and harmful ventures and lifestyles,” he said.