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Tag: recall

  • PDP elders seek Hembe’s recall

    PDP elders seek Hembe’s recall

    Iorwase Hembe, the embattled House of Representatives member, representing Konshisha/Vandeikya Federal Constituency in Benue State, is facing another battle of his life as elders of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), want his seat declared vacant.

    The elders from his federal constituency also want him recalled as they scheme for another by election. Reason: Hembe’s alleged engagement in anti-party activities.

    Hembe, a former chairman, House Committee on Capital Market, recently had a running battle with the Director General of the Capital Market, Ms .Etteh,who accused him of corruption, an allegation wver which he is facing trial before an Abuja High Court on corruption charges.

    In a four-page petition against Hembe, jointly signed by Engr. Edward Ujege, Dr. Mathias Byuan, Amb. Awuhe Ikyongo and 47 other PDP elders from Konshisha/Vandeikya federal constituency, addressed to state chairman of PDP in Makurdi, which was obtained exclusively by The Nation, the elders stated: “Hembe has violated the constitution of the PDP, Article 58 (1) (f)2012 as amended, which provides that the part shall have the power s to discipline any member who engages in anti-party activities, and section 68(1)(g) of the constitution as amended .

    This section according to the PDP chieftain, provides that a person whose election into the House was sponsored by political party and has become a member of another political party before the expiration of the period, for which he was elected, shall vacate his seat.

    They alleged further that Hembe, who was elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP, worked for Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as chairmanship and councillorship candidates respectively during the last local government polls in Benue State.

    The petition further claimed that Hembe also organised a ACN rally in his Mbatser/Mbagusu council ward in Konshisha Local Government area on November 7, 2012 which was video-taped and attached to the petition against him to the State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP.

    The Nation gathered that very soon, the party in the state might raise a panel to investigate Hembe and push for deciplinary actions against him.

    However, the state publicity of the PDP, Hon Godwin Ayihe refused to comment on the matter as he did not pick his call nor reply text messages sent to him by this correspondent.

    Hembe’s phone lines were also switched off just as the security man at his NUJ Secondary School, Makurdi residence told our correspondent that he had gone to Abuja.

     

     

  • Lawal thrilled by Eagles recall

    Lawal thrilled by Eagles recall

    ADANA Demirspor midfielder Raheem Lawal has said he is excited to be recalled by Nigeria for next month’s friendly against Venezeula.

    Lawal last played for Nigeria in June against Rwanda at home and has since been left out of the national team as coach Stephen Keshi insisted he sort out his club future before he would be reconsidered.

    He has now settled down at Turkish second division team Adana Demirspor after he quit Spanish club Atletico Baleares before his contract there had ran out. The former U-20 and Olympic team star told MTNFootball.com he has received a call to be part of the Eagles to take on Venezuela in Miami, United States of America, on November 14. “I am happy that I am back in Eagles. I have been informed about this and I thank God for it,” he said. “I will continue from where I stopped with the team. I am really excited and I thank God.” Lawal has been in superb form for his Turkish lig 1 side since his debut earlier this month and even scored a rocket of a goal last weekend.

  • Plot to stop Salami’s recall thickens

    Plot to stop Salami’s recall thickens

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) may urge President Goodluck Jonathan to allow the recall of Court of Appeal President Isa Ayo Salami. He will, thereafter, go on retirement, sources said yesterday.

    The Federal Government is sticking to the August 18, 2011 letter from the NJC, which recommended that Justice Salami should either go on suspension or retirement.

    Our correspondent learnt that the NJC, last Thursday, decided to resolve the crisis in the Appellate Court “to move forward”.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “In line with the exercise of its powers, as in sections 153, 158 (1) and paragraph 21 (9) of the third schedule to the 1999 Constitution and Section 238 (5), the NJC actually decided to recall Justice Salami but he will thereafter proceed on retirement.

    “Justice Salami is expected to withdraw all the suits in court against either the NJC or the government before these decisions can be effected.

    “But the NJC Chairman, Justice Maryam Aloma-Mukhtar, is expected to discuss with President Goodluck Jonathan these options. This is the case because NJC wrote the President last year, recommending either the suspension or retirement of Justice Salami.

    It was learnt that Justice Mukhtar could not discuss the resolutions of the NJC with Justice Salami as expected last Friday.

    Another source, however, said: “Actually, Justice Salami was at the CJN office, but he could not have an audience with Justice Aloma-Mukhtar because she was trying to clear her desk to travel out of the country the same day.

    “But Justice Salami will be briefed on the options after the Sallah break.

    “I think the NJC is trying to resolve the matter amicably without any conflict with the Executive.”

    A senior government official, who pleaded not to be named, said the government’s position is for Justice Salami to proceed on retirement. “The government may not be disposed to his reinstatement,” he said, adding:

    “That is a grey area which the NJC and the Executive would have to address. Do not forget that the same NJC asked the President to suspend or retire Justice Salami. That letter is still subsisting whether it was an error on the part of NJC or not.”

    As at press time, it was gathered that some anti-Salami forces might file a suit today before a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop either the NJC or the Federal Government from recalling the PCA.

    It was learnt that the plot to stop Justice Salami from coming back to office was hatched last Thursday immediately the NJC’s decisions got leaked.

    It was gathered that some counsel have been engaged to stop Justice Salami, until he attains the statutory retirement age next year.

    “The anti-Salami forces have not given up. They have sharply disagreed with the NJC. They want Salami retired instead of being recalled,” a source, who also pleaded not to be named, said.

    “The suit will be filed on Monday. The essence is to put fresh legal hurdles before Justice Salami so that the NJC and the President will not take subjudicial actions,” he said.

    Justice Salami was suspended from office by the NJC on August 18, 2011.

    Although the NJC later reversed itself, issues surrounding the reinstatement of Justice Salami attracted a spate of litigations.

    The last of such cases was on October 2 when the NJC said President Goodluck Jonathan has no disciplinary power over any Justice of the Court of Appeal or its President.

    The Council also claimed that the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dalhatu Adamu, cannot be reappointed after three months without its consent or approval.

    The NJC made the submission in a written address submitted to the court through its counsel, Usman Isa Kana and Co.

    The council is one of the defendants (3rd in particular) in a matter filed before a Federal High Court by 11 plaintiffs for themselves and on behalf of registered Trustees of the Centre for the Promotion of Arbitration.

    The plaintiffs are Mr. Jitobo Akanike; Mr. Idris Musa; Mr. Allens Agbabiaka; Mr. Ibrahim Bawa; Princewill Akpakpan; Mr. Obruche Ayeteni; Mr. Nosa Ihaza; Mr. Timothy Odumosu; Mr. Stewart Salomi; Engr. Egogo Lawrence; and Maxwell Adeniran.

    Through its lawyer, Usman Isa Kana, the NJC told a Federal High Court that President Jonathan has no disciplinary power over any Justice of the Court of Appeal or its President.