Our Reporter

A federal High Court in Abuja will begin hearing a suit by the All Progressives Congress (APC), and one other, accusing Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki of lying about his academic credentials on November 16.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed picked the date yesterday following an application by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Akin Olujinmi (SAN).

Justice Mohammed reminded parties that the suit was filed on July 14 and being a pre-election case, has a life span of 180 days, which will end in January 2021.

He urged lawyers to cooperate with the court so the case can be determined before the expiry date.

The plaintiffs claimed, in their writ of summons, that Obaseki forged his university certificate which he presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to aid his qualification for the governorship election.

They also claimed there were discrepancies in the subject Obaseki claimed he passed in his West African Examination Council (WAEC) exam and in his testimonial.

Read Also: PDP admits error in Obaseki’s certificate

The plaintiffs want the court to declare that Obaseki’s claim in his INEC form EC9 at column C, sworn to on June 29, 2020, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court Registry, to the effect that he obtained from the University of Ibadan in 1979, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Classical Studies, is false and contrary to Section 31 (5) and (6) of the Electoral Act, 2010.

They also want the court to declare that Obaseki lied on oath when he swore to an affidavit on June 29, that he worked in Afrinvest Limited from 1994 to 2014 when he retired.

The plaintiffs also want a declaration that Obaseki ‘is disqualified from contesting election to the office of Edo State Governor for non-fulfilment of the constitutional requirement of Section 182(1)(j) of the Constitution of Nigeria and upon presenting false/forged certificate to INEC contrary to Section 31 (5) and (6) of the Electoral Act, 2010’.

Our Reporter

ENUGU State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has appealed to men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to renew their commitment towards securing lives and property by returning to their duty posts.

Ugwuanyi made the appeal when he visited the Senior Police Officers Mess on Agbani Road, Enugu, to address and commiserate with them over the death of private citizens and security personnel.

The governor, who described the mayhem as ‘an unusual and challenging period for the police force’, noted that it was needless and ‘an ill-wind that blew no one any good’.

He said: “The government has set up a panel of inquiry to determine the deaths and other damages. We earnestly await the panel’s recommendations as we are committed to implementing same to soothe the pains of victims.

“I implore you to renew your commitment to securing lives and property, as was the case before the protests.”

Read Also: Ugwuanyi visits defunct SARS office

Police Commissioner Ahmad Abdurrahman, thanked Ugwuanyi for his humility, responsibility, concern, care and love.

He also hailed the governor for finding it necessary and expedient to visit men and officers of the command over the unfortunate fallout of the #EndSARS protests.

The police boss said the visit signified that ‘we are under a very comfortable hand and care’. He, therefore, urged officers to pray for the governor and extend ‘our love, dedication and patriotism to him to enable him comfortably discharge his responsibilities’.

Our Reporter

IMO State Governor Hope Uzodimma has promised to restore the accreditation of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) Orlu which was lost years back.

He also promised that his government will do its best to provide the needed facilities that will enable the Teaching Hospital be of service to students and carter for the people’s health needs.

Governor Uzodimma addressed reporters after inspecting facilities at IMSUTH, Imo Foundation and Ochiedike Medical and Dialysis Centre in Owerri on Wednesday.

Read Also: #ENDSARS: Imo panel laments lack of petitions

At IMSUTH, the governor inspected the maternity, prenatal, gynaecology and neurology wards, and others.

Governor Uzodimma said the visit was partly to identify the needs and requirements for accreditation.

He also appealed to doctors rendering skeletal services at IMSUTH to continue as the government would soon upgrade its facilities to enable students graduate and provide adequate medical services for the people.

 Nsa Gill, Calabar 

FORMER Managing Director of Tinapa Business Resort Bassey Ndam has lamented that Cross River State recorded more destructions in the violent aftermath of the #EndSARS protest than any other state.

Ndam, who was a Commissioner for Lands, said: “With meagre resources at the state’s disposal, it is only now that the terrible picture of the magnitude of devastation in Calabar, Akpabuyo and Bakassi is emerging.”

He, however, believes the state can still come out stronger. “I believe all hands must support the governor in the middle of very stormy waters. This is not a time for distraction, finger pointing and blame game, as such can only dissipate energy that should be used to rebuild and restore our shattered infrastructure.

Read Also: ‘Cross River owes no verified pensioner’

“It is easy to sit in a chair, with the benefit of hind sight, and pontificate on what anybody should have done. But when events are unfolding at a fast pace, and the fog of war descends, then we must accept the decisions made for what they are, learn from our mistakes and move on.

“I urge media practitioners to be more circumspect and constructive about their headlines; this is not the time to add fuel to an already raging fire…”

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has presented a budget of N143.65 billion to the House of Assembly for the 2021 fiscal year.

The budget of economic recovery and consolidation projected a recurrent expenditure of 39.5 per cent (N56.77 billion) and a capital expenditure of 60.5 per cent (86.88 billion).

Obiano said: “This budget is based on realistic projections of all sources of revenue, both external and internal, taking into consideration the state’s revenue and expenditure trend.

“It will drive the budget theme and help to sustain our past achievements. It will also ensure that we maintain our status as a hub for business and a destination for new investments”.

The governor said N46.7 billion was projected as expectation from federal allocations and N36.6 billion from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He added that taxes and levies would not be increased in the coming year.

Read Also: Flood displaces 5,000 in Anambra – Obiano

Obiano said N200 million was budgeted as compensation for persons who had proven cases of gross human rights violation, torture and death against the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Speaker of the Assembly Uche Okafor lauded Obiano for the early presentation, saying good attention was given to human and infrastructural development.

He promised that the seventh Assembly would continue to contribute to the state’s peace, unity and progress by enacting quality laws, effective representation as well as timely and responsible oversight.

 Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

DELTA State has approved the development and management of the Lander Brothers Anchorage, Asaba, to the Abuja Boat Club, Commissioner for Information Charles Aniagwu has said.

Aniagwu, who addressed reporters after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting yesterday, said the upgrade of facilities at the Anchorage will cost N524 million.

Read Also: Okowa relaxes curfew in Delta

He added that the council also approved additional works on the Beneku Bridge to increase its height by two meters at N1.2 billion.

The commissioner added that completion of the DLA road, Asaba, and tarring of some adjoining streets was also awarded at N448.5 million.

 Nsa Gill, Calabar

THE Cross River State government has said all verified pensioners have been paid.

The clarification followed Monday’s protest by about 100 pensioners who blocked a major highway, causing a temporary gridlock.

Commissioner for Local Government Affairs Mrs. Stella Odey, who addressed the protesters, promised that genuine pensioners will be paid once they undergo screening and are captured in the payroll. She said the periodic screening became imperative following the discovery of ghost pensioners in the payroll.

According to her, no verified pensioner is owed. She, however, urged the protesters to cooperate with government by submitting themselves for screening.

Read Also: Cross River judiciary and arrogance of executive power

The commissioner hinted that workers manning the pension board were directly drawn from the local governments as demanded by the pensioners

She said: “The governor is passionate about pensioners; we have not owed their pension for one day. We have not owed any pensioner, as I speak to you.

“If you have not been screened, you cannot be paid. That is why we say come and do screening, so that we can capture you as a pensioner. Do you know that government has been paying so many ghost pensioners? That is why we are doing screening.”