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  • Updated: Senate begins Emefiele’s confirmation

    The Senate on Tuesday began the process of confirmation of Mr. Godwin Emefiele as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for second term in office.

    This followed the listing of the request of President Muhammadu Buhari for the confirmation of Emefiele as governor of CBN on the Order Paper.

    Marked “Executive Communication” and listed against the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, it reads “Renewal of the appointment of Godwin I. Emefiele as Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria.

    “That the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-in-C on the renewal of the appointment of Godwin I. Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with Section 8(1) and (2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007.”

    Lawan moved that the request of the C-in-C be referred to the appropriate committee for consideration.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, referred President Buhari’s request for the confirmation of Emefiele to the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other financial institutions for further legislative action.

    A source said that the committee, chaired by Senator Rafui Adebayo Ibrahim, is expected to accord the screening of Emefiele accelerated consideration due to its urgency.

    He said that Emefiele’s first term in office as CBN governor would expire on June 2, 2019.
    Asked about the alleged “flood of petitions” trailing the reappointment of Emefiele, the source noted: “the petitions for whatever they are worth will be considered by the committee.

    Read Also: Emefiele’s reappointment: Vote for continuity

    “It is the duty of the committee, apart from considering the request of Mr. President for the confirmation of the reappointment of the CBN governor as referred, to also look at whatever petitions against the nominee.

    “If the committee fails to consider petitions against the nominee, any Senator has the right to raise the issue at the committee of the whole when the report of the committee will be considered.

    “I will, however, tell you that it is not abnormal for petitions to be written against a nominee for appointment. It does not end at writing petitions.

    “The appropriate committee will consider the merit or otherwise of such petitions. If a petition is found to be frivolous, the committee will make its recommendations accordingly.”

    Saraki read President Buhari’s letter re-nominating Emefiele for second term as CBN governor.

  • Court issues warrant of arrest for Kwara commissioner

    An Ilorin Magistrate court in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital on Tuesday ordered the arrest of Commissioner of Commence and Cooperatives, Deacon Tunde Agboola.

    The court’s order was borne out of the failure of Agboola to appear before the court on allegations of causing bodily harm, and attempted culpable homicide on a broadcast journalist in the state.

    The broadcast journalist, Alhaji Abdullahi Adisa-Akodudu, was on March 28 reportedly attacked and beaten to coma by suspected hoodlums over a land dispute in llorin metropolis.

    The incident, it was gathered, occurred at the lrewolede Housing Estate, along Yidi road in llorin.

    The suspected hoodlums were said to have then demolished two structures on the disputed land.

    Adisa-Akodudu, who was the chairman of House Owners Association of the estate for over 13 years, is said to be the rightful owner of the land.

    The journalist was later found in a pool of his blood after sustaining several injuries on his head and leg.

    Speaking with reporters in Ilorin, counsel to the plaintiff, Yahaya Abdulrasheed Alajo, said that it was the first time that the case came up in court for mentioning.

    Read Also; Court jails two siblings for internet fraud in Kwara

    “The case was actually mentioned. We expected the accused persons to take their pleas today, but the first defendant, who is the commissioner, did not show up in court.

    “For that reason, the court could not go ahead with the case. Attempts were made to serve him court notice but he was evading service of the summon.

    “So, the court ordered that the warrant of arrest and he be arrested to make him appear in court on adjourned date on June 18, 2019.

    “The incident is that complainant here, Adisa Akodudu complained before the court that all defendants brought before the court harassed him, beat him and caused bodily injury on him and that attempts were made on his life, an offence under the law.

    “The accused were brought before the court on allegations of conspiracy, causing bodily injury and making attempts on his life, which is culpable homicide punishable with death.

    “The matter is about a fight over a piece of land, which had been earlier assigned to our client.

    “The people thought because they are in government and they think they can do and undo.

    “They brought thugs, including the commissioner. Our client believed that it’s in the court that he can get justice, and that’s why he was in court.

    The lawyer added: “First defendant, who is the commissioner, was not in court today, all other four defendants, who are staff of Housing Corporation.

    “He was not in court despite the fact that he was aware of the case. On several occasions, the court orderly made attempts to serve him hut he refused service.

    “So, court saw this as an affront on the court and ordered his arrest before the adjourned date”.

    Exasperated Magistrate Abdulraheem Alege frowned at the failure of the commissioner to appear in court.

    He then adjourned the case till June 18th.

  • Bindow asks for forgiveness, says governing Adamawa has been tough

    Governor Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow has reiterated that leading Adamawa State has been a difficult task and he believed he might have wronged some people from whom he needs forgiveness.

    Giving what could be termed valedictory speeches at separate events in Yola, Bindow asked that he be forgiven of all his wrongs in the spirit of the current Ramadan season.

    Bindow who has been the state governor since 2015, failed his reelection bid in March and will, therefore, be quitting government this month.

    At a ceremony in the Banquet Hall of the Government House where he launched the new Adamawa State Health Insurance Scheme, Bindow said, “I do know, of course, and many have acknowledged that Adamawa is a complex state to govern. It has not been easy, but I have tried my best these past years.”

    The governor who performed the launching ceremony with his deputy, Engr Martins Babale, said one of the dearest things he would miss after handing power over on May 29, would be the working relationship with the deputy.

    “He has been a wonderful person to work with, he has been like an elder brother, he has been my mentor from whom I have derived much value,” he said of Martins Babale.

    Bindow had earlier described the state Commissioner of Health and driving force of the state’s new health insurance policy, Dr Fatima Atiku Abubakar, as an iron lady who had brought much purpose and success to health delivery in the state.

    Read Also: 7 reasons why Bindow lost Adamawa’s gov poll

    Earlier on Monday, while inaugurating the state chief judge of the Customary Court, James Balami, Governor Bindow had got many thinking when he said the ceremony might mean the last time in his life that he would meet with most of the people in attendance.

    “I may be seeing most of you for the last time. Not just because I am leaving government but as a mortal, one could die any time,” he said.

    Adding that the overall interest of Adamawa State had always been his focus, Bindow expressed the hope that the incoming government would do its best for the general good of the people of the state.

  • Ambode commissions Bariga jetty, ferries, Ilaje road

    Lagos state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday commissioned the world-class Bariga Waterfront Jetty and Ferries as well as the Ilaje road in Somolu local government.

    In his address at the event which took place at the Bariga Waterfront Jetty, Ambode said the projects are in line with his administration’s policy of developing an efficient integrated transport model which will ease the traffic on Lagos roads.

    He said the projects have also solved the problem of cultism and incessant cult clashes, crises and other security issues previously associated with the area.

    The governor commissioned five transport ferries and the Ilaje road , saying the three projects are part of the grand plan to decongest roads by getting more of people to use the waterways transportation.

    Of the five new ferries four are passenger ferries while one is a car barge which can move cars to the other jetties as may be required by people who want to drive in the other locations.

    The jetty has a 150-car parking lot where people can park their cars comfortably and get on a ferry taking them to other parts of the State.

    Ambode said, “The new Ilaje road will serve as a very good access road to the Jetty as well as opening up this community. The Bariga Jetty will serve as a terminal where people in this part of our State can access ferry services and easily get to other jetties at Ikorodu, Marina, Falomo and Badore in Ajah.”

    The governor said the thinking behind the projects is inclusion; “an inclusion where every resident of our State has a say, feels the impact of government in their lives and is given the opportunity to realise their dreams.

    “When we assumed office four years ago, we set out on a mission to make every community economically livable. This has been the guiding principle behind spreading our different projects across the State.

    “When we first started on this project, the initial brief was to upgrade the roads in this community. But after a proper assessment of the community, it was clear that there was a bigger opportunity to improve the lives of our people and security situation here, make Bariga a transport hub and connect the community to other parts of the State through water transportation.

    “The delivery of this road, the jetty and our new ferries signify our commitment to the people of Lagos State to continuously provide the critical infrastructure that will improve their standard of living and also be an impetus to increase the socio-economic activities of this axis.

    Read Also: I’m politically wiser now, says Ambode

    Assuring that the provision of comfortable, safe and reliable ferry services for the residents of Bariga and environs will no doubt bring about an improvement in journey times that would lead to greater productivity.

    “With these projects, our State is firmly on track with our goal of establishing an integrated transport management system. These facilities will continue to impact positively on the lives of Lagosians as we strive to address traffic gridlock, reduce travel time, improve road connectivity and abate flooding.

    Ambode whose tenure ends on 29th of this month assured that the next administration will continue along these lines and build on the progressive strides the State has recorded in the last 20 years under successive administrations.

  • Return of Zainab, Abubakar from S/Arabia a great relief to Nigerians – Senate

    The Senate said on Tuesday that Nigerians felt great relief when Zainab Aliyu and Mr Ibrahim Abubakar returned from Saudi Arabia where she was detained for four months by that country’s authorities.

    The Senate said this following a Point of Order by Sen. Kabiru Gaya at plenary on Tuesday.

    Zainab Aliyu, a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano, and Ibrahim Abubakar, were arrested in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking in Dec. 2018 when she was arrested at the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina because Tramadol, a banned drug was allegedly found in her bag.

    Zainab, however, claimed it was planted in her luggage by unknown persons.

    Similarly, Abubakar was arrested in that country for alleged drug-related offence.

    While referring to Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rule, Gaya said he deemed it necessary to thank President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate, and all who contributed to their release.

    He said: “I want to appreciate the Senate for supporting us during the motion I raised for the release of Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar.

    Read Also: Residents groan as army shut down all petrol stations in Geidam

    “Zainab, and Ibrahim, a 75-year old Imam in Kano have returned from Saudi Arabia and joined their families.

    “I thank President Buhari, Nigerians on social media, and all those that worked to ensure their release.”

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said their release was “a great relief to Nigerians in all parts of the country”.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mustapha Sulaiman, who confirmed the release of the two, said that theirs was the result of intense diplomatic engagements between the Nigerian government and that of Saudi Arabia.

  • Tribunal fixes May 22 to hear application seeking to stop Buhari’s inauguration

    The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, has fixed May 22 to hear an application seeking an order to restrain Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) or any other Justice from swearing-in Muhammadu Buhari as president on May 29.

    Chief Ambrose Owuru, Candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and his party, who are before the tribunal challenging their alleged exclusion from the Feb.23 presidential election brought the application for consideration on Tuesday.

    Justice Zainab Bulkachua, President of the Appeal Court, leading four other justices adjourned hearing on the application on account of non-proper service on the respondents.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and All Progressive Congress (APC) are respondents in the matter.

    “The application filed by the appellants/applicants and all other interlocutory applications are hereby adjourned until May 22 for hearing.

    “It is hereby ordered that all exchanges of processes and filing of respondents’ briefs are done within the period specified.

    “The sitting on the petition filed by the Chief Ambrose Albert Owuru and the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) is hereby adjourned until May 22’’, Bulkachua held.

    The applicants had brought the application pursuant to Sections 1 (2), 6 (6) 139, and 239 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    The applicants had also relied on Sections 26 (4) (5) and 138 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

    They are praying for an order restraining the first respondent (Buhari) from presenting himself on May 29 or any other date for swearing in or taking of oath of allegiance and oath of office as president.

    Read Also: I am upset with the level of poverty in Nigeria – Buhari

    Owuru and the HDP are also seeking an order restraining the CJN or any other justice in that stead from swearing-in or administering the oath of allegiance and oath of office on May 29 or any other date on Buhari.

    They are praying the tribunal to activate those orders pending the determination of their petition contesting the alleged invalidity of the substituted and questioned presidential election of Feb.23.

    The applicants predicated the application on the ground that they had filed a petition on March 3 challenging the validity of the election and the return of the first respondent as winner of the election.

    They had raised the other ground to hinge in the fact that pleadings had been concluded among parties and petition fixed for pre-trial hearing session following services of hearing notice to all parties which commenced May 8.

    The other ground of the application, according to the applicants, stems from the frantic ongoing preparation for the inauguration of the first respondent in spite of the pending petition.

    “A restraining order by this court is appropriate to preserve the subject matter of this petition and prevent the first respondent foisting a fiat accompli and state of helplessness on the court and render the petition nugatory.

    “The law is settled that once the question of the validity of Election of any person is challenged as to whether he is validly elected or not, the person is not competent to take office or assume the seat of power until the matter is dealt with’’, they claimed.

    However, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Counsel for the president, informed the panel of his application seeking an order to dismiss the entire processes filed by the appellants, adding that their actions were laughable and incompetent.

  • I didn’t present fake WAEC result to INEC, says Abdulrazaq

    Kwara state Governor-elect Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Tuesday denied falsification of his West African Examination Council (WAEC) certification presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a requirement to contest the 2019 governorship election in the state.

    Mallam Abdulrazaq added that he graduated from the Government College, Kaduna, Kaduna state and graduated in June 1976.

    One Adekunle Abraham (claimant) had instituted a case against the governor-elect (defendant) in a Kwara state High Court alleging presentation of fake WAEC result to INEC.

    In his writ of summon Mr. Abraham said “that Governor-elect Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has given false information about his result and that is what he deposed to in an affidavit.”

    He also asked for an order of the court that Abdulrazaq is not the qualified candidate for the election. Those are our prayers before the court.”

    The case came up for mention on Tuesday, but counsel to the defendant Lawal Jimoh told the court he was still within the stipulated time.

    He added that he was served May 2nd, adding that the time elapsed June 2nd this year.

    Already, Mr. Jimoh added that he had filed a memorandum of appearance.

    Speaking with reporters on the alleged perjury, by his client Jimoph: “One Abraham Adekunle took the governor-elect to court in respect of the credentials submitted to INEC, saying they were forged.

    “We were served on May 3rd this year and we have one month to file our defence. We are still within the time limits. Our time elapses June 2nd. Immediately we were served on May 2nd, we filed our memorandum of appearance on the matter. We are ready for the matter.

    “Governor-elect did not present fake WAEC result to INEC to contest the 2019 governorship election. He attended Government College, Kaduna and of course, he wrote his WAEC 1976. The records are there. They are
    clear. I am very sure.”

    Read Also: APC expresses support for AbdulRazaq

    Also speaking Counsel Oludele Lawrence Ola said: “In accordance with the Electoral Act, any person who is reasonably believed that information deposed to in an affidavit by a candidate to an election is false has the locus standi to institute an action prior to election either at the Federal High Court or High Court of the state.

    And it is upon this ground that the claimant in this case has filed this action.

    “Actually this case is slated for mention today because defendant is yet to file their statement of defence, though, they have filed a memorandum of appearance. The court said they are still within the time to file their defence.

    “The defendant deposed to an affidavit that he got a West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate dated 1976 and based on our findings, it is a cock and bull story. As a matter of fact, it is perjury. The WAEC result in question is the one the governor-elect submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) while filing the commission’s form.”

    Presiding judge adjourned the case till June 10th, 2019 for mention.

  • BREAKING: Election tribunal urged to stop Buhari’s inauguration

    The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) has been urged to halt the May 29 planned swearing-in of President Muhammadu Buhari for his second term.

    The request is contained in motion filed before the tribune by the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and Ambrose Owuru, identified as the party’s presidential candidate.

    HDP and Owuru also seek to restrain the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad from administering the oath of office and allegiance on the president.

    Read Also: Buhari praises Osinbajo for driving Social Investments Programmes

    They want the tribunal to halt the planned inauguration pending the hearing and determination of their petition, challenging the outcome of the last presidential election.

    The five-man tribunal, headed by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, has adjourned to My 22 for the respondents – Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – to respond.

    Details shortly…

  • Tribunal: PDP, Ashiru seek recount of Kaduna governorship ballot

    The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections in Kaduna State, Isah Ashiru, on Tuesday, filed an application seeking for a recount of the votes cast during the March 9 poll.

    Ashiru’s Counsel, Elisha Kurah (SAN) submitted the application to the Justice I. M Bako-led tribunal that commenced pre-hearing session on Tuesday in Kaduna.

    Justice Bako, however, adjourned the session to May 25 to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the two other respondents in the petition time to respond to the PDP’s application on votes recount.

    Kurah who spoke to Journalists shortly after the adjournment of the session urged the Tribunal to order the INEC for the recount of the votes cast during the governorship election.

    “ We filed an application requesting to recount the votes cast during the election.

    Read Also: Presidency to PDP: Stop your smear campaign against Judiciary

    “It is very crucial as we are alleging which is supported by the evidence we have that most of the results declared were phantom votes.

    “ They were back up by votes in the ballot boxes. So we want a complete recount of the votes cast in the governorship election.

    “ We are expecting that the results would show that the PDP actually won the election.

    “But votes were just inflicted randomly just to make the APC have the semblance of winning,“ Kurah said.

    Counsel to PDP, Ibrahim Bawa (SAN), told newsmen that he also filed application seeking that certain paragraphs of the respondents responses to our application be stroked out for lack of merit.

    Meanwhile, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, Counsel to Gov Nasiru El-Rufai in a separate interview with newsmen said “the petitioners of the PDP and its candidate, Isa Ashiru have four highly contentious applications.

    “And we intend to oppose the applications on their merit. And the tribunal has given us a new date for us to come and argue the applications. So, the matter is adjourned for hearing of all the pending applications.

    “We have a preliminary objection that the petition is not competent. They (PDP and Ashiru) have an application that they want the tribunal to direct that the ballots be counted one after the other in open court, and we intend to oppose those applications.“

    Mustapha added: “The Electoral Act is in our favour, the Kaduna people have spoken, they picked Malam El-Rufai and nothing is going to change that.

    “We are here to defend the mandate the people have given to the governor. We intend to convince the tribunal that the petition lacks merit and it should be dismissed.“

  • UI hijab crisis: Court fixes June 25 for hearing of preliminary objection

    An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan on Tuesday fixed June 25 for hearing of preliminary objection in a fundamental human right suit filed by Muslim parents of female students of University of Ibadan (UI) International School Ibadan (ISI)’s over the school’s refusal to allow their children wear Hijab on their uniform.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the preliminary objection was filed by Mr Tunde Olutayo, one of the respondents in the matter.

    Other respondents in the suit are the University of Ibadan, School Principal, Mrs Phebean Olowe, the Chairman, Board of Governors, Prof. Abideen Aderinto and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) and three others.

    Olutayo, through his counsel, Mr Jide Owoyemi, also filed an application for extension of time to allow him file his processes and urged the court to grant it.

    In his response, Counsel to the applicants, Mr Hassan Fagimite, told the court that he was not opposed to the application for extension of time.

    Fagimite, however, said that he was recently served with the application for extension of time and the preliminary objection and was yet to respond to it on point of law.

    He told the court that he intends to respond to the processes of all the respondents at the same time.

    Justice Laniran Akintola granted the application for extension of time and adjourned the hearing of the preliminary objection till June 25.

    Read Also; UI hijab crisis: Out-of-court settlement fails

    It would be recalled that ISI had banned female Muslims students in the school from wearing hijab on their school uniform and the female Muslims student protested against the decision as a violation of their fundamental human right.

    NAN reports that some Muslim parents instituted legal action against the institution on behalf of their children and they include: Taofeek Yekinni, Idris Badiru, Sikiru Babarinde, Muideen Akerele, Abdur-rahman Balogun and nine others.

    The applicants counsel, Fagimite, in his originating summon had said that the action of the school authority violates the applicants’ right to freedom of thought, religion and right to education as contained in section 38 (1)(a) and 42(1)(a) of the constitution.

    He urged the court to declare the continuous refusal of the authority of ISI to allow the female Muslim students wear hijab on their school uniform as wrongful and unconstitutional.