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Tag: assembly

  • Edo Assembly threatens criminal action against ex-speaker

    Edo Assembly threatens criminal action against ex-speaker

    The new leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly has threatened to institute criminal action against a former Speaker of the assembly, Hon Elisabeth Ativie, over refusal of Ativie to return her official vehicles.

    It said claims by the former Speaker that the vehicles were given to her by former governor Adams Oshiomhole were untrue as there was no evidence to show that Oshiomhole and the leadership of the House took such decision.

    Hon Ativie who represents Uhunmwode constituency served as Speaker for 84 days after the impeachment of Hon Victor Edoror.

    Ativie stepped down as a result of political pressure for balance of power in the state and Hon Justin Okonoboh emerged as Speaker while she became Deputy Speaker.

    Last week, both the Ativie and Okonoboh were impeached but Ativie has refused to return her official vehicles.

    Ativie had through her lawyer, Olayiwola Afolabi, written the Assembly that the vehicles were given to her by former Governor Oshiomhole as compensation for relinquishing   her position as Speaker.

    She stated in the letter that she has sold one of the vehicles, a Prado Jeep 2016 model.

    Current Speaker of the Assembly, Hon Kabiru Adjoto, in a letter to Counsel to Ativie’s, lawyer, said the signature in the letter purportedly written to Ativie by Oshiomhole was not genuine.

    Speaker Adjoto  in the letter signed by the clerk of the House, Mr James Omoataman, pointed out that the leadership of the House warned of severe consequences of parading such document.

    Adjoto said original documents of the vehicles were still in possession of the House.

    The letter reads in parts, “As your client will recall,the said vehicles were purchased for the use of the office of the Speaker when your client occupied the office. Consequently, when she became the Deputy Speaker, the official vehicles were left with her office whilst alternative arrangement were made for the office of the Speaker.

    “Despite the clarity of the above, your client deliberately skewed the words used in the purported letter from the former governor claiming that the former governor wrote to say the vehicles were given to her, which is far from the truth.

    “Further, the original documents of the vehicles are still in the possession of the House of Assembly till date which means that title to the vehicles were never transferred or intended to be transferred to your client contrary to your client’s assertions.

    “Accordingly, I hereby reiterate my instruction and demand your client’s immediate return of the vehicles attached to the office of the Deputy Speaker which are still in her possession. Finally, if your client maintains that she indeed sold one of the vehicles, the Lexus Jeep 2016 model, then we expect that your client will furnish us with the details of sales.

    It warned further that “the House expects to receive all the said vehicles or the vehicles that have not been sold, together with the details of the alleged sale of the Lexus jeep as enumerated not later than 2 days from the date of receipt of this letter. Failure to do so will attract the necessary legal action, both civil and criminal against your client”.

  • PDP kicks as Kano Assembly flouts court order

    PDP kicks as Kano Assembly flouts court order

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the leadership of the Kano State House of Assembly of impunity and recklessness for flouting a Supreme Court judgment.

    The court, in a July 12 judgment, sacked an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, Hayatu Sallau (Kura/Garun Mallam constituency), from the House of Assembly.

    The judgment was an affirmation of a November 27, 2015, judgment of the Court of Appeal, which sacked Sallau.

    Consequently, the Supreme Court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw Sallau’s Certificate of Return and issue same to Abdullahi Mohammed of the PDP.

    It also ordered Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly to swear in Mohammed.

    But the Speaker has ignored the verdict by refusing to swear in the PDP legislator-elect.

    A statement yesterday by PDP’s spokesman Dayo Adeyeye said INEC had complied with the judgment by issuing a Certificate of Return to Abdullahi Mohammed.

    The statement reads: “From the judgment of the Supreme Court, it is clear that the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly is under obligation to swear in Abdullahi Muhammed of the PDP without delay.

    “However, 26 days after the judgment, and more than two weeks after INEC issued his Certificate of Return, the Speaker is yet to comply with the court judgment.

    “In a lawless and barbaric display of impunity, the Speaker has refused to swear in our candidate. We call on the governor of Kano State, federal attorney general, and well meaning Nigerians, to prevail on the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly to obey the rule of law and perform his constitutional duty by swearing in Abdullahi Mohammed without further delay.”

    The party vowed to explore all available legal options to bring the Speaker to book for violating the constitution.

  • Assembly amends LASIEC law ahead of Saturday’s election

    Assembly amends LASIEC law ahead of Saturday’s election

    The Lagos State House of Assemble yesterday amended the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Law 2015 to aid smooth election.

    Majority Leader Sanai Agunbiade, who brought the motion for amendment, said it was to ensure that LASIEC has enough room to do its job.

    Some of the sections amended include Sections 28 and 62(i).

    Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said the essence of the bill was to create more legislative participation; ensure level playing field for parties in election.

    House Committee on Finance Chairman Lanre Ogundimu said the amendment would create clarity and remove any ambiguity in the law.

    House Committee on Health Chairman Segun Olulade said the amendment would help settle electoral issues with special focus on time and dates of election

    The bill had an accelerated passage.

    Agunbiade recommended its accelerated passage in accordance with Section 101 of the Constitution which empowers houses of assembly in the country to regulate their proceedings and standing order which empowers them to abridge the time for bills passage.

    Obasa directed the Clerk of the House Alhaji Azeez Sanni, to send a clean copy of the bill to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for assent.

    Meanwhile, Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday urged the electorate to appreciate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s transformation agenda by voting for the party in Saturday’s local government election.

    Its Chairman, Dr Henry Ajomale, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the party would continue to improve the citizens’ lives.

    Ajomale said: “I urge the residents to come out en masse on Saturday and vote for APC. They have seen the good work Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is doing. This election time is the time we must show him that we appreciate his development and transformation agenda. This will make him to work more to develop Lagos for the benefit of all of us. We need to win in all the local government areas and local council development areas.’’

    APC South-West Women Leader Mrs Kemi Nelson said voting for the party had many benefits.

    “July 22 is the election; I am calling on our people to come out in their numbers and vote for APC. APC is a tested and trusted party. We stand to benefit a lot if we vote for APC,’’ she said.

    Mrs Yinka Oladunjoye urged the residents to use the election to determine their leaders at the grassroots.

    “We have to be part of this election because we all have a stake. It is an opportunity to determine who leads us. This administration has been working; APC is working and will continue to work. Come out and vote for APC so that we can experience more prosperity in Lagos State,’’ Oladunjoye said.

  • Unite against flooding, Assembly urges ministries

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged the state Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Urban Planning and Physical Development to join forces against flooding.

    This was part of its resolution yesterday sequel to a motion by Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu and 10 other lawmakers.

    The House advised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to direct the ministries to remove structures that are blocking drainages.

    They urged the ministries to ensure that canals and drainages are dredged and de-silted regularly.

    The state government was also urged to comply with the state masterplan especially for Lekki.

    It was also tasked to create a rescue team for any emergency as well as ensure cooperation amongst the relevant ministries in motoring infractions of environmental laws.

    The Ministry of the Environment in particular was urged to publicise state emergency lines 767 and 112, for people to know what number to call during emergencies.

    Addressing the lawmakers earlier, Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare blamed the flood on natural and human causes.

    According to him, “natural cause comes in form of climate change, and this affected places such as London, Suleja and other places. There was high tide at the sea that made the level of the water to rise.

    “The flood affected places such as Lekki, Victoria Island and Lekki-Epe Expressway. But the water receded within 12 hours. We have been embarking on tree planting to reduce climate change in the state.

    “Man-made is caused by people, who build houses on drainages. We saw people sand-filling to build houses on Osborne Phase 2. People also build houses by the Lagoon against the law,” he said.

    Adejare said further that there are illegal dredging all over the state and that machineries have been put in place to correct all these, adding that drainages channel water to the Lagoon but when they are blocked the water comes back.

    He said that the ministry does massive clearing of drainages before, during and after rainy season.

    The commissioner stressed that it would take time before drainages are properly cleared, and that a lot of advocacy is being done through the print and electronic media to inform the people about the need to prevent flooding in the state.

     

     

  • Assembly insists on council chief’s suspension

    Assembly insists on council chief’s suspension

    •Protesters demand implementation of resolution

    The Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday insisted on the suspension of Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman Habeeb Aileru by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    House Committee on Public Accounts chairmen Bisi Yusuf told members that Aileru was still occupying his seat despite the lawmakers’ resolution.

    This, he said, necessitated a protest by residents, calling for the implementation of the resolution.

    Last week, the House called for the suspension of Aikeru for alleged disobedience of council laws and of the governor’s directives.

    During their protest at the House, some youths from the council led by Mr Tajudeen Yusuf urged the lawmakers to expedite action on Aileru’s suspension.

     

  • Why Lagos Assembly seeks mid-year review of 2017 budget

    Why Lagos Assembly seeks mid-year review of 2017 budget

    The Lagos State House of Assembly is to embark on mid-year review of the 2017 budget of the state. It will also include the last quarter of 2016, The Nation can authoritatively report.

    This was a resolution the House passed at plenary at the weekend sequel to a motion co-sponsored by seven lawmakers in the House.

    The major sponsor of the motion is the Chairman of House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Rotimi Olowo and others including: Hons. Sanai Agunbiade, Majority Leader; Olumuyiwa Jimoh, Deputy Majority Leader; Oduntan Omotayo, Deputy Chief Whip; Adefunmilayo Tejuoso (Mushin 1) and Bayo Osinowo (Kosofe 1).

    While moving the motion, Olowo observed that the state government has embarked on a lot of infrastructural development in the 57 local councils of the state as provided in the N812.9 budget estimate for 2017 and that it is their opinion that to make projection for 2018 budget it is imperative to look at the budget estimate and performance of the budget for the last quarter of 2016 and half year of 2017 “to ensure that the budget performed holistically and that all the MDAs were adequately funded and have performed appreciatively.”

    Speaking with our correspondent, Olowo said,  “the exercise will give us an insight into the budget projection for 2018 in as much as Lagos State is considered to be the sixth economy in Africa and that means we are expecting over N1trillion budget in 2018, but this will be predicated on the performance of the budget in the period under review through which we will make introspection and project for what will happen for the remaining part of the year.

    “We are going to do what I call trend analysis and comparative analyses of what they did last year and previous years to be able to know what we are going to do for the second leg of the year and project into what we can do in 2018,” Olowo said.

    According to him, with the decline in the money coming from the federation account it means the state have to do something to compensate for the decline so as to meet up with the anticipated N1t budget for 2018.

    “To be able to meet that target we have to start running at ensuring that all those observed anomalies are corrected now so that by the time we get to December it is going to be like a child’s play for us to achieve the set target and be able to project over N1t budget in 2018,” he said.

    Olowo said the exercise is going to have a positive impact on the 2018 budget “because everybody is going to be working tirelessly to ensure that they meet their revenue target.

    “We want to make 2018 budget a feasible and workable one as against being dreamers. Our budget must be feasible, physical, practicable and based on precedence and this year January to December will be part of the precedence.”

  • Assembly seeks council boss’ suspension

    Assembly seeks council boss’ suspension

    Lagos State House of Assembly has called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to suspend Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Sole Administrator Habib Aileru for alleged misappropriation of funds. The lawmakers also accused him of disobeying local council laws and the governor’s directives.

    The House passed the resolution yesterday after listening to the complaints of Committee on Public Accounts Chairman, Bisi Yusuf, about Aileru’s misdemeanour as contained in the state’s Auditor- General’s report. The committee is working on the report.

    According to Yusuf, there is a directive that sole administrators must not embark on new projects but should settle outstanding debts to make take-off for elected council administration seamless.

    But Aileru allegedly embarked on new projects instead of settling outstanding debts and has within three months increased the council’s debts from N285million to N406million.

    “Against the directive of the governor that collection of revenue by local councils should not be contracted out, Aileru singlehandedly appointed a contractor to collect revenue for Oriade LCDA, without the involvement or knowledge of the management of the council, even when he was cautioned he said he can do and undo.

    “The Council Manager wrote him severally to disengage the contractor but he refused and the contractor is still collecting revenue and nobody knows where the revenue is paid into. A total of about N17.8million Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the council has been diverted to only where Aileru knows”, Yusuf said.

    The committee, he said, recommended that Aileru be suspended so that he does not incur more debt, adding that he should be investigated and prosecuted, if found wanting.

    Other lawmakers also condemned Aileru’s attitude and called for his suspension.

    The Appropriation Committee Chairman, Rotimi Olowo, called for Aileru’s arrest, saying: “he has changed the structure of the appropriation law.”

    A member of the Public Accounts Committee, Adefunmilayo Tejuoso, said “He has turned Oriade LCDA to his personal business like a sole ownership business, he does things without the knowledge of the Council Manager, he does not know what the law or what the governor’s directives are, he has failed as a Sole Administrator and he should go back to school. The money he misappropriated is too much to be overlooked and it is all in the Auditor-General’s report.”

    Committee on Information Chairman Tunde Braimoh decried putting misfits in position of responsibility, saying: “he should be dealt with to erase the notion in some quarters that we are running a paddy-paddy government”.

  • Assembly sensitises districts, royal fathers to Yoruba language use

    In furtherance of its quest to enact a law that will make teaching and learning of Yoruba language compulsory in all  schools in Lagos State, the Lagos State House of Assembly, through its Committee on Education, embarked on a tour of the six education districts.

    The aim of the tour was to sensitise stakeholders in the six education districts on the desirability of the law and the need to ensure its implementation.

    The Committee, led by its Chairman, Hon Lanre Ogunyemi, met with stakeholders that cut across associations and proprietors of private schools, heads of public schools, school-based management committees, parent-teacher forum, tutors-general/permanent secretaries and obas/chiefs among others in the education districts visited.

    Hon Ogunyemi revealed at the meetings that the tour was ordered by the Speaker of the House, Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa who observed the need for engagement with the grassroots as a follow-up to the public hearing earlier held with stakeholders in the education sector.

    Hon Ogunyemi said his committee has also met with Central Associations and Proprietors of Private Schools before the commencement of the tour.

    The bill has scaled through second reading and is at public hearing stage. Ogunyemi said the National Policy on Education provides for a child to learn the language of the environment they live in.

    The intendment of the national policy, according to Ogunyemi, is to foster unity, cohesion and mutual co-existence in any part of the country we may find ourselves.

    He also noted that the United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) set aside February 21 of every year as World Indigenous Language Day to promote the resuscitation of languages that are virtually going into extinction the world over.

    The House of Assembly, according to him, held a stakeholders’ meeting last year which was attended by prominent dignitaries from the Southwest where a communique was issued, part of which was that the House of Assembly should come up with a law as a way of further strengthening the stipulation of the National Policy on Education.

    The sensitisation tour, he said, will give opportunity to all to make inputs, suggestions and criticism where necessary before the bill becomes law.

    The stakeholders attended the meetings in large number and made useful contributions to the committee, which is expected to turn in its report on the public hearing to the House of Assembly soon.

  • Edo Assembly clears Obaseki’s nominees

    Edo Assembly clears Obaseki’s nominees

    Edo State House of Assembly has cleared the 18 nominees sent to it by Governor Godwin Obaseki for appointment as commissioners.

    Those cleared were Yekini Idaiye (Akoko Edo), Ohonbamu Paul (Egor), E. Agbale (Esan Central), Emmanuel Usoh (Esan North-East), Magdalene Ohenhen (Esan South-East) Amiolemen Osahon (Esan West) Joseph Ughioke (Etsako Central), Mika Amonokha (Etsako East), Mariam Abubakarý (Etsako West) and Osagie Inegbedioný (Igueben).

    Others were Erimona Oye  (Ikpoba-Okha), Prof. Yinka Omoregbeý (Oredo) Osaze Osemwegie-Ero (Orhionmwon), Monday Osaigbovo (Ovia North-East), Christopher Adesotu (Ovia South-West), Jimoh Ijegbai (Owan East), Okun Reginald (Owan West) and David Osifo  (Uhunmwode).

    They were cleared ýeight days after their names were submitted.

    Majority Leader, Mr. Foly Ogedengbe, who submitted report of the House Committee on Rules Business and Government House said the nominees were screened and considered fit to become commissioners.

    Speaker Justin Okonoboh stated that those selected had the requisite qualifications to carry out the duties that would be assigned to them.

  • Obaseki submits Commissioner- nominees’ list to Assembly

    Obaseki submits Commissioner- nominees’ list to Assembly

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has sent the names of his commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly for confirmation.

    This was contained in a letter Governor Obaseki sent to Speaker Justin Okonoboh and dated June 19.

    According to the letter, the 18 nominees are from each of the local government areas in the state.

    They are Yekini Idayi (Akoko-Edo), Paul Ohonbamu (Egor), Hon Christopher Adesotu (Ovia South West), Mrs. Magdalene Ohenhen(Esan South East), Emmanuel Usoh (Esan North East), Mr. Jimoh Ijegbai (Owan East), Mr. Joseph Ugheoke from Estako Central, Mariam Abubakar from Estako West, Mika Amanokhai from Estako East and Monday Osaigbovo from Ovia North East

    Others are Mr. Osazee Ero from Orhionmwon, David Osifo from Uhunmwode, E. Agbale(Esan Central), Mr. Osagie Inegbedion (Igueben), Prof. Yinka Omoregbe (Oredo), Reginald Okun, Edorodion O and Mr. A. Osahon.

    Okonoboh directed the nominees to send 30 copies of their curriculum vitae to the office of the Majority Leader, Hon Foly Ogedengbe.