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Tag: Ekweremadu

  • World Cup: Don’t give up on Super Eagles, Ekweremadu urges Nigerians

    Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has urged Nigerians not to give up on Super Eagles after their Saturday loss to Croatia in ongoing World Cup competition in Russia.

    Ekweremadu made the call in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu, on Sunday in Abuja.

    The Eagles went down 0-2 in their first match in Group D, which also has Argentina and Iceland.

    The deputy president of the senate expressed optimism that the team would get better as the tournament progressed.

    “No doubt the team made costly mistakes and Nigeria is in a tight corner after the loss to Croatia.

    “However, I am sure that the players and coaching crew have picked some lessons.

    “The technical crew might have to rethink the team’s formation.

    “Maybe, also, we stand to gain more from the players in their natural wings.

    “I am an optimist. It is not over yet for the Super Eagles in Russia, especially given their traditional resilient spirit.

    “I have no doubt also that they understand that they bear the expectations and hopes of over 180 million people on their shoulders.

    “But, we owe them total support and prayers,” he said.

    The Super Eagles will meet Iceland on Friday in their next group game.

    Iceland had played a one-all draw with Argentina in their opening encounter, leaving Nigeria at the bottom of the group at the moment. (NAN)

  • Saraki, Ekweremadu call for sustained prayers

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy yesterday congratulated Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the month-long Ramadan.

    The duo called for sustained prayers for peace in the country.

    Saraki said that in spite of Federal Government’s appreciable efforts in combating the challenge of insecurity, it is imperative for Muslims to utilise this period to pray fervently for peace and unity in the country.

    “We have just ended a month long fast thus paving way for the Eid-il-fitr celebrations. These two periods are such times that Allah enjoined us to ask for his blessings. We should therefore seize the opportunity to pray for the country and its leaders,” Saraki said.

    He said despite numerous challenges in the country, ‘’hope is not lost”, adding that, “only tolerance, stronger sense of patriotism and love for one another will help the country surmount her present socio-economic challenges.”

    Ekweremadu urged Muslims to continue to pray for the nation, especially towards the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    He also enjoined Muslim faithful to remain true to the teachings of Islam imbibed during the fast even after the holy month.

    He said: “I congratulate our Muslim Ummah for successfully observing the Ramadan and prayers, with its life-enriching lessons in the virtues of love, forbearance, unity, patriotism, self-sacrifice.

    “In the last one month, I observed the piety and the spirit of giving associated with the month and, therefore, urges our Muslim brothers and sisters to remain their brother’s keeper till eternity so as to make the society better for it.”

  • Saraki, Ekweremadu, Dogara, Atiku, preach sacrifice, love, others

    SENATE President Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have urged Muslims to project Islam through the good examples of prayers, love, tolerance and peaceful disposition at all times.

    They congratulated Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the month-long Ramadan fast and called for sustained prayers for peace.

     

    Saraki seeks prayer for peace, unity

    Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations, said in spite of Federal Government’s appreciable efforts in combating the challenge of insecurity, it is imperative for Muslim faithful to utilise this period to pray fervently for peace and unity in the country.

    “We have just ended a month long fast, thus paving way for the Eid-el-fitr celebrations. These two periods are such times that the Almighty Allah enjoined us to ask for his blessings. We should therefore seize the opportunity to pray for the country and its leaders,” Saraki said.

    He called on Nigerians to use the season to promote national integration, saying: “Eid-el-fitr is a time of love and goodwill. It gives us a message to love all and hate none.”

     

    Remain true to Islamic teachings, Ekweremadu tells faithful

     

    Ekweremadu also congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the successful conclusion of the Ramadan fast, urging them to continue to pray for the nation, especially towards the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    He also enjoined Muslim faithful to remain true to the teachings of Islam imbibed during the fast even after the holy month.

    “I congratulate our Muslim Ummah for successfully observing the Ramadan Fast and prayers, with its life-enriching lessons in the virtues of love, forbearance, unity, patriotism, self-sacrifice.

    “In the last one month, I observed the piety and the spirit of giving associated with the month and, therefore, urge our Muslim brothers and sisters to remain their brother’s keeper till eternity so as to make the society better for it.

     

    Dogara felicitates with Muslims

    Dogara felicitated with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid El Fitr celebration.

    Dogara, in his Sallah message, enjoined them to sustain the lessons of Ramadan and replicate same in their daily lives for a better society.

    The Ummah should not be carried away by only the pageantry of the Sallah celebration, he said.

    Instead, they should use the occasion for sober reflection and extend gestures and hands of support to the needy in the society as well as to pray against the current security and economic situation of the country.

     

    Atiku:  reinforce fear of Allah

    In a goodwill message released by his media office yesterday, to mark the end of the 30-day Ramadan fasting period, Atiku said the event should reinforce the fear of Allah in the hearts of believers.

    He urged Muslim faithful to sustain the virtues of sacrifice beyond the Ramadan period, adding that the fasting period makes believers appreciate the impact of hunger and enable them to be more committed to the hardships of millions, who cannot feed themselves.

     

     

     

  • Ekweremadu to lawyers: help sustain democracy

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has urged lawyers to help foster development, integration and sustainable democracy.

    He spoke while delivering a keynote address at the annual law week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja branch.

    Its theme was: The legal profession as a catalyst for national development, integration and sustainable democracy.

    Ekweremadu recalled that Chile, a South American country, once found herself in similar circumstances as Nigeria.

    He said lawyers, led by the likes of Gabriel Valdes, rose to the occasion in the 1980s to reunite the country.

    “They rallied good men and women from various political divides and came up with a new code of political conduct, instituting a permanent government of national unity,” he said.

    Ekweremadu also recalled that at the end of the World War II in 1945, West Germany was torn apart by sectarian disagreements between the Catholics and Protestants, especially over alleged roles played by each under Hitler’s Third Reich.

    “The lawyers and other like minds also rose to the occasion by bringing the two religious communities together to form one political party, the Christian Democratic Union. They firmly stabilised not only West Germany, but also the Republic of Germany.

    “It is a thing of pride for me as a lawyer to note that the legal profession in our country also continues to play a notably critical role in not only the struggle for independence, but also the integration efforts of the country.

    “It is easily recalled that many early legal professionals lived and practiced outside their places of origin.

    “Some members of the Bar, who graduated to the Bench, also became Chief Judges of states outside their regions.

    “Justice Kalu Anya once served as the Chief Judge of Borno State, while Justice Alfred Obi-Okoye became the Chief Judge of Plateau State. Justice Lawrence Anoliefo served in the Benue State Judiciary. The current Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra   is from Edo State,” he said.

    He noted that lawyers were the only set of professionals that refer to themselves as friends.

    “We see ourselves, not just as colleagues, but also as friends and brothers and sisters. This has impacted national integration in great measure, for the friendship and brotherhood and sisterhood of the Bar and Bench, make us strong.

    “Importantly, this appellation comes with responsibilities- knowledge, integrity, research, patriotism, hard work, commitment, and indeed, an all round excellence. It comes with obligations to the society, court, and client.

    “The lawyers deploy their learnedness to the full advantage of the client to ensure he or she obtains justice and to the court to do justice by laying bare the facts and putting the other party on notice. Lawyers are torchbearers of rule of law and fortresses of democracy and democratic values,” Ekweremadu said.

    He said the NBA had shown capacity to resolve internal crisis to ensure fairness and justice, which he described as very critical to national integration.

    “Following the fallout of the NBA presidential election of 1991, the association began the rotation of national offices.

    “This has brought about the peace and stability, which the association enjoys at the national level till today,” Ekweremadu said.

    Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN), who was represented by Mr. Pius Imoistikeme Oteh, believed lawyers were leaders by virtue of their training.

    He said: “By virtue of our training and social standing, lawyers are naturally leaders in our respective communities and other social and official settings.

    “In line with the ideals of the NBA, I, therefore, urge you to use the advantage of that privilege to work as individuals and as a collective towards a more stable and just future for our country.

    “The Unity Bar, by virtue of its unique positioning in our nation’s capital, has an additional responsibility to foster national unity, not only in its internal affairs, but also through the adoption of equitable and objective positions on all issues of national interest.”

    Malami said lawyers were privileged to live in an era of Nigeria’s political evolution where old assumptions of untouchable privileges as well as immunity from the law and due process were increasingly being challenged “as we take steps to gradually cleanse our country and steer it away from the old ways of doing things”.

    “The implication is that legal practitioners must equally elevate their individual and collective standards of discipline and accountability in order to rise above the new standards of societal scrutiny,” he said.

    According to him,  a disciplined and properly regulated Bar ensures greater prosperity for all through better remuneration and increased patronage by clients who seek not only quality work, but also high ethical standards.

    “As we gradually inch towards the 2019 general elections, let me use this opportunity to remind us all that our individual and collective actions as professionals, either in the advice we give to our clients; in the manner in which we pursue our matters before the courts and the tribunals as well as our public comments on topical issues of the day, will have significant bearing on the growth and sustenance of our democracy.

    “I trust that all members of the Unity Bar will continue to stand on the side of justice and collective national interest.

    “Let me assure you that my office will continue to liaise with the Judiciary and other stakeholders to drive the necessary reforms required to improve the conditions and speed of legal practice in the FCT and Nigeria.

    “We look forward to your support and contributions to this crusade in order to achieve our overall collective objective of a humane and efficient judiciary supported by a highly professional, ethical, socially-conscious and yet, prosperous Bar,” Malami said.

    The branch chair, Princess Franchesca Frank-Chukwuani, said the law week was an annual tradition of every NBA branch.

    “It is time when branch members come together to interact and proffer possible solutions to national issues,” she said.

    She thanks NBA president Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) for his support and commitment to the Branch and for accepting their invitation to chair the event.

    The showcase session with the theme: Achieving best practices within the confines of the law was chaired by chief Chris Uche (SAN), with Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Director-General Prof. Adedeji Adekunle (SAN) as lead speaker.

    Chief Solomon Awomolo (SAN) chaired the session on Achieving credible elections: challenges and imperatives. He was represented by his wife, Mrs. Victoria Awomolo (SAN). Mr. Chibudom Nwuche was the lead speaker.

    The session on restructuring had the Director-General, National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP),  Dame Julie Okah-Donli, as chairman and Sam Amadi as lead speaker.

    Justice Chima Nweze of the Supreme Court chaired the session in honour of the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello.

    Its topic was: Emerging issues and challenges in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

    The law week ended with a dinner at the Trascorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

  • Secondus, Ekweremadu laud PDP primary

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu have congratulated the party for holding a credible primary. Secondus said the hitch free and transparent primary was a consequence of the party’s rebranding and repositioning project.

    Secondus said the real winner is democracy and not any individual, adding that the PDP family in Ekiti would be healthier after the primary.

    In a congratulatory message  to Governor Ayodele Fayose and other leaders and members of PDP in Ekiti State after the primary, the chairman charged them to note the pre- primary understanding that there will be no winner or loser.

    In a statement by  Ike Abonyi, Secondus commended those who made the primary a success, particularly Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and his team. He also commended Prince Dayo Adeyeye for not only accepting the result, but commending the process as free, fair and credible.

    Secondus assured members and supporters of the party that the era of impunity and imposition of candidates in the party is gone.

    He charged members of the party desiring to fly the flag of the party at any level to return to the grassroots and market themselves because in a rebranded PDP, ticket is not given in party offices, but by the people on the field.

    The PDP leader warned the APC  not to create any nuisance in their frustration ahead of the July election as available intelligence shows that the opposition is trying to disrupt the peaceful election.

    Secondus urged PDP members to remain vigilant and not relent until the final success is achieved in July.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu also congratulated the Ekiti State chapter of the PDP, for the peaceful primary that produced  Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as the governorship candidate.

    He empahsised that more important than the result was the process, noting that the PDP had, once more, showcased the growing internal democracy in the party.

  • Workers’ Day: Ekweremadu supports upward review of minimum wage

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, has called for an upward review of the national minimum wage, in order to improve the living standard of Nigerians.

    He made the call in his goodwill message to mark the 2018 International Workers’ Day.

    In the message issued on Tuesday in Abuja by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr Uche Anichukwu, the deputy senate president said Nigerians workers had made a lot of sacrifices.

    He said: “I salute the Nigerian workers for their immense sacrifices, resilience and patriotism, which have kept Nigeria going.

    “They have also not relented even in the face of untold challenges and hardship.

    “However, we must take the necessary steps to lighten their burdens, especially in the face of excruciating economic realities and in line with the anti corruption crusade.

    “It is becoming more difficult for workers to survive on N18, 000 minimum wage. It is absolutely less than a living wage.

    “The take-home pay has left most workers stranded on the road as it is becoming very difficult for an average worker to take care of essential
    needs, especially in the absence of basic amenities.

    “Therefore, I support workers’ demand for a new minimum wage and the ongoing negotiations initiated by government to that effect.

    “Even if the workers cannot have exactly the N66, 500 new monthly national minimum wage, which they currently demand, they should
    have at least N50,000 as the new monthly minimum wage,” he said

    Ekweremadu also reiterated that it would be difficult to wage a successful war against graft in the absence of a reasonable wage for the workers.

    “A new, reasonable, and realistic minimum wage is central to the war against corruption, because we cannot in good conscience expect that the
    citizens will wholeheartedly fight corruption on an empty stomach.

    “That is why the basic responsibility of any government is the welfare and security of the citizens and their property, so that they are not tempted
    to resort to self-help.

    “The Nigerian workers deserve a better deal”, he added.

  • Ekweremadu selling off undeclared assets in U.S., London, says presidential panel

    THE Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIPRPP) has accused Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu of engaging in clandestine sale of his assets in the United States (U.S.) in a purported bid to render useless the order of forfeiture being sought against him.

    The SPIPRPP made the allegation in a counter-affidavit it filed on March 26, 2018 and deposed to by Yohanna Shankuk of the law firm of Festus Keyamo (SAN).

    The panel had recently applied ex-parte to the Federal High Court, Abuja for an interim forfeiture order on some 22 property allegedly owned by Ekweremadu in Nigeria and abroad, but which he allegedly refused to declare.

    Rather than allow the court hear and decide the ex-parte application, Ekweremadu challenged the court’s jurisdiction, claiming among others, that the SPIPRPP was an illegitimate body.

    The panel, in responding to Ekweremadu, filed a counter affidavit, in which it claimed that Ekweremadu, in a desperate bid to avoid forfeiting the properties, has already sold two of his three undeclared properties in Kissimmee, Florida, United States of America.

    It accused the deputy Senate president of employing delay tactics to frustrate the suit.

    The panel said the property, which were bought in 2008 for $200,000 each, were put on the market in January and sold for $150,000 to the same buyer on February 20 2018.

    It wants the court to restrain Ekweremadu from further selling the 22 property identified in the motion pending before it.

    It equally urged the court to grant its reliefs to enable the panel investigate and identify the alleged buyers.

    SPIPRPP’s move against Ekweremadu was said to have been informed by a petition by a retired judge, Justice Innocent  Umezulike.

    In the petition dated March 23,2018,  the retired judge alleged that he was moved by civic responsibility to lodge a complaint to the panel to the effect that the life style of Ekweremadu and the massive property he had acquired were not justified by his source of income.

    The judge urged the panel  to investigate him (Ekweremadu).

    Part of the petition reads: “In sum, from 1999 till date,  he has been in the realms of public office without any break to engage in any personal business.

    “Thus, his emoluments in the past 18 years are easily ascertainable from revenue mobilisation allocation and fiscal commission.

    “Prior to his entry into public office in 1999, he was not a successful lawyer,  he lived in the dirt of high density suburb of Enugu at No:17, Mike Ejeagha Street, Abakpa -Nike, Enugu.

    “Curiously, in a space of 18 years, the suspect has amassed and stashed billions of naira in cash and choice properties strewn in major cities in four continents of the world.”

    He added that the cash is locked up in the vault of two banks.

    The judge to who the case is assigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja could not conduct any proceedings in the case yesterday.

    Justice Binta Nyako adjourned to June 5 for hearing.

     

  • Ekweremadu selling undeclared assets in U.S, London – Panel

    The Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property (SPIPRPP) has accused the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, of engaging in clandestine sale of his assets in the United States in a purported bid to render useless the forfeiture order being sought against him.

    The SPIPRPP stated this in a counter-affidavit filed on March 26 and deposed to by Yohanna Shankuk from Festus Keyamo’s chamber.

    The panel had recently applied at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for an interim forfeiture order on 22 properties allegedly owned by Ekweremadu in Nigeria and abroad, but which he allegedly refused to declare.

    However, Ekweremadu has challenged the court’s jurisdiction, claiming among others, that the SPIPRPP was an illegitimate body.

    The panel filed a counter affidavit and claimed that Ekweremadu in a desperate bid to avoid forfeiture of the properties has already sold two of his three undeclared properties in Kissimmee, Florida.

    It accused the deputy Senate president of employing delay tactics to frustrate the suit.

     

     

  • Assets recovery: FG asks court to stop Ekweremadu from further selling off properties 

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, has been asked to stop the Deputy senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu from further selling off his properties, which are already subject of litigation.

    The Federal government in a counter affidavit in reply. to the Deputy Senate President’s motion on notice told the court that Ekweremadu in a desperate bid to avoid forfeiting the properties to the Federal government has already sold two of his three alleged undeclared properties in Kissimmee, Florida, United States of America.

    The counter affidavit dated and filed on 26 March 2018 was deposed to by Yohanna Shankuk, a clerk in the Chambers of Festus Keyamo,SAN.

    The FG accused Ekweremadu of employing delay tactics to frustrate the suit and also said the properties were bought in 2008 for $200,000 each and have been put on the market in January and sold for $150,000 to the same buyer on February 20 2018.

    The Federal government also further prayed the court to grant the application to enable the Special Presidential Investigation panel for the Recovery of Public Property, SPIP,  chaired by Okoi Obono-Obla to also investigate the alleged buyers.

     

    Also, it was revealed that the petition that nailed the Deputy Senate President was written by a retired Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Justice Innocent Umezulike.

    In the petition dated March 23,2018 the retired CJ said that he was impelled by civic responsibility to lodge a complain to the SPIP to the effect that the life style of Ekweremadu and the massive property he had acquired are not justified by his source of income.

    He therefore called on the panel to investigate him (Ekweremadu).

    The retired CJ said in the petition that,” In sum,  from 1999 till date,  he has been in the realms of public office without any break to engage in any personal business. Thus, his emoluments in the past 18 years is easily ascertainable from revenue mobilisation allocation and fiscal commission.

    “prior to his entry into public office in 1999, he was not a successful lawyer,  he lived in the dirt of high density suburb of Enugu at No:17 ,Mike Ejeagha street,  Abakpa -Nike,  Enugu.

    “Curiously, in a space of 18 years, the suspect has amassed and stashed billions of naira in cash and choice properties strewn in major cities in four continents of the world. The cash is locked up in the vault of sterling bank PLC and UBA”  the CJ stated.

    Justice Binta Nyako has however adjourned the matter  to June 5, 2018 for hearing.

  • Senate invasion: Saraki, Ekweremadu visit injured sergeant-at-arms

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki yesterday visited a female Sergeant-At-Arms, Mrs. Sandra Davou, who was injured on Wednesday as she and her colleagues struggled to stop thugs who invaded the Senate from making away with the mace.

    A statement yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary to Saraki, Sanni Onogu, said the Senate President was accompanied on the visit by his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

    The statement said Mrs. Davou, who lives in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is presently recuperating after she was treated and discharged from hospital.

    Saraki was quoted to have said the visit was meant to thank and show appreciation to Mrs. Davou and her colleagues for their hard work, commitment and courage.

    The Senate President, who was away in Washington on official assignment at the time the incident occurred, was quoted as saying: “I was told that a few of our staff were injured during the invasion of the Senate last Wednesday, including Mrs. Sandra, who is very committed and hardworking.

    “She was taken to the hospital and discharged and we felt that for the sacrifice they made by putting their lives at stake beyond the call of duty for our democracy, we have to come and appreciate her.

    “I keep on emphasising that what really defines a democratic nation is the parliament and the moment the parliament is not there, democracy does not exist.

    “So, what she and her colleagues have done fills us all with gratitude and therefore we have come here to thank her and show that we really appreciate what she and her colleagues did.”

    The statement added that Senators Isa Hamma Misau and Baba Kaka Garbai, who were also part of the visit, hailed Mrs. Davou and her colleagues who had put up a spirited fight to prevent the invaders from gaining access to the Senate chamber.