The Nation Newspaper

Tag: sacks

  • Appeal Court sacks Obong of Calabar

    OBONG of Calabar Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V lost his stool yesterday. The process that enthroned him as the Calabar monarch was nullified by the Court of Appeal sitting in the Cross River State capital.

    The court also ordered that a fresh selecting process that accommodates the participation of all qualified applicants, including Otu, be conducted.

    It is in line with the principle of natural justice, the appellate court held.

    Yesterday’s development was the latest episode in the litigation crisis that has plagued the stool since 2008, when a contender to the Obongship stool, Etubom Anthony Ani, approached the court to seek redress.

    Ani felt he was wrongfully disqualified from the selection that brought Otu to the throne.

    Ruling on January 30, 2012 in suit No. HC/102/2008, brought by Ani, Justice Obojor Ogar of a Calabar High Court voided the process that brought Otu to the throne.

    Justice Ogar called for another selection.

    The conclave of Etuboms, chaired by Etubom Cobham Mkpang Boco, in early February 2012, organised a fresh selection process for Otu and Ani and Otu emerged amidst controversies.

    The decision of the Calabar High Court was appealed by one Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok and two others in a case with Suit No: CA/C/97/2012 in which Otu was joined as the 6th respondent.

  • Military sacks Egypt President Morsi

    Military sacks Egypt President Morsi

    Egypt’s military last night deposed President Mohammed Morsi, the country’s first democratically elected president.

    They installed Adly Mansour, the head of the country’s highest court, as an interim leader, replacing Morsi, who swept into office in an election organised by the military last year after a popular uprising ousted long-standing President Hosni Mubarak.

    Head of Egypt’s armed forces Gen. Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi said the military was fulfilling its “historic responsibility” to protect the country by ousting Morsi. the Western-educated Islamist leader elected a year ago. Morsi “did not achieve the goals of the people” and failed to meet demands to share power with opponents who thronged the streets of Cairo and Tahrir Square, Gen. El-Sisi said.

    Those crowds erupted as the announcement was made on Egyptian television shortly after 9 p.m. Ahead of the statement, troops moved into key positions around the capital, closing off a bridge over the Nile River and surrounding a demonstration by Morsi’s supporters in a Cairo suburb.

    El-Sisi said the country’s Constitution had been suspended and new parliamentary elections would be held. Mansour, the news Head of State is the head of the country’s Supreme Constitutional Court.

    At the final hour, Morsi offered to form an interim coalition government “that would manage the upcoming parliamentary electoral process, and the formation of an independent committee for constitutional amendments to submit to the upcoming parliament,” he said in a posting on his Facebook page. He noted that hundreds of thousands of supporters and protesters had packed plazas around the country, and he urged that his countrymen be allowed to express their opinions through the ballot box.

    “One of the mistakes I cannot accept — as the president of all Egyptians — is to side with one party over another, or to present the scene from one side only. To be fair, we need to listen to the voice of people in all squares,” the statement read.

    Morsi, a U.S.-educated religious conservative, was elected president in June 2012. But his approval ratings have plummeted as his government has failed to keep order or revive Egypt’s economy. The chaos, including open sexual assaults on women in Egypt’s streets, has driven away tourists and investors, while opponents say Morsi’s rule was increasingly authoritarian.

    As the troops fanned out Wednesday evening, Morsi was said to be working from a complex belonging to the country’s Republican Guard, across the street from the presidential palace, according to Egyptian state media.

    In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the United .States government — Egypt’s leading ally — could not confirm reports of a coup. Psaki said the United States is not taking sides and urged all parties to come to a peaceful resolution to the “tense and fast-moving” situation.

    An aide, Essam El Haddad, said in a Facebook posting that a coup was under way and warned that the generals risked bloodshed by moving against Morsi.

    “Today, only one thing matters. In this day and age, no military coup can succeed in the face of sizable popular force without considerable bloodshed,” wrote El Haddad, who works in the office of the assistant to the president on foreign relations. “Who among you is ready to shoulder that blame?”

    “In a democracy, there are simple consequences for the situation we see in Egypt: The president loses the next election or his party gets penalized in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Anything else is mob rule,” he added.

    But Naguib Abadeer, a member of the opposition Free Egyptians Party, said what was under way “is not by any means a military coup. This is a revolution.”

    “The people have decided that Mr. Morsy was no longer the legitimate leader of Egypt,” he told CNN.

  • PDP sacks Obasanjo’s men, replaces Ogun State Exco

    PDP sacks Obasanjo’s men, replaces Ogun State Exco

    Loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the National Executive Committee of the PDP and the Ogun State chapter ,yesterday, came under a fresh assault from the party leadership.

    The Bamanga Tukur led National Working Committee (NWC) sacked the Southwest Zonal officers ,the notable ones being Engineer Segun Oni, national vice-chairman, and Chief Bode Mustapha, national auditor. The national secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola ,had earlier been sacked by a court.

    Mustapha’s office was immediately locked up and all the staff attached to him sent packing. He was replaced with Alhaji Fatai Adewola Adeyanju.

    Besides, the PDP leadership recognised the the Dayo Soremi –led executive committee which is loyal to Chief Buruji Kashamu as against the Dipo Odujirin faction which enjoys Obasanjo ‘s support.

    The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said:”The Peoples Democratic Party is to rectify its records by deleting the name of Chief Bode Mustapha as National Auditor and replacing the same with Alhaji Fatai Adewole Adeyanju.”

    The party, he added, will ” organize a fresh Southwest zonal congress at which access is to be given to delegates elected at congresses conducted by or under the supervision of the Soremi-led Ogun State Executive and accept the candidacy, for offices zoned to Ogun State, of only the persons nominated at the said congresses for the said offices.”

    It set up a 17-member caretaker committee to run the zonal affairs of the party pending the conduct of the state congresses.

    The committee is headed by an aide to the national chairman, Chief Ishola Filani as zonal chairman.

    Other members of the committee are:-

    • Chief Pegba Otemolu – Zonal Secretary

    • Adedeji Doherty – Organizing Secretary

    • Rasak Adekonla Akanni – Auditor

    • Bolaji Jeje – Youth Leader

    • Orimolade Olanrewaju – Treasurer

    • Olawunmi Oshinmoluke Yuba – Woman Leader

    • Banji Obasanmi – Financial Secretary

    • Barrister Shola Oludipe – Legal Adviser

    • Lawal Waheed Olatunde – Publicity Secretary

    • Emmanuel Oladejo – Ex-Officio

    • Olalekan Abubakar – Ex-Officio

    • Seun Adesanya – Ex-Officio

    • Samiu Babatunde – Ex-Officio

    • Prince Tope Ademiluyi – Ex-Officio

    • Tunde Olowofoyeku – Ex-Officio

    • Prince Omoniyi Alo – Ex-Officio

    The PDP said its decisions were informed by the three separate judgments of a Federal High Court nullifying the elections of the affected officers way back in 2012.

    It said: “Following protracted dispute on the Ogun State and South West Zonal Exco of the Party, a series of suits were filed on the matter, amongst which include FHC/L/CS/1248/2011, FHC/L/CS/282/2012 and FHC/L/CS/347/2012.

    “The National Working Committee of the party met on 14th February 2013 and gave careful consideration to the issues and decided that, in line with respect to the rule of law which is a cardinal principle of the present administration, the PDP as a law abiding party, will immediately comply with the said judgment. This is all the more so that same has not been set aside or reversed by any superior court”, the party emphasised.

    Oyinlola’s office was also locked during the week on the instruction of the party’s national chairman. His portraits were removed from the party’s secretariat and all the staff attached to his office sent packing.

    The leaders of the party from the Southwest had, on Wednesday, met at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja with members of the NWC in attendance.

     

  • Court sacks APGA national chair Umeh

    Court sacks APGA national chair Umeh

    An Enugu State High Court presided over by the state Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, yesterday ordered Chief Victor Umeh to stop parading himself as national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The court said, “his tenure actively ended on December 2, 2010.”

    But Umeh said he was not losing sleep over it as the judgment did not come to him as a surprise.

    Umeh, who spoke to reporters immediately after the judgment, was optimistic that it would be vacated by the Court of Appeal.

    The judgment followed a case filed by a former Udi Local Council Chairman of the party, Jude Okoli, praying the court to determine, among other issues, whether by virtue of the proper interpretation of section 18: 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the APGA constitution, the defendant, Umeh, should remain the national chairman after four years in office without a re-election.

    Coming by way of originating summons, the petitioner invited the court to declare that the continued stay in office by Umeh as the national chairman after four years without a valid convention announced by the National Executive Committee of the party is illegal, void and ultra vires the APGA constitution.

    Delivering the court’s judgment, Justice Umezulike, rebuffed the objections of the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter and that the petitioner, Jude Okoli, lacked locus standi to institute the matter having been expelled from the party for violence and anti-party activities.

    The court also rejected the defendant’s argument that the non-joinder of the APGA renders the suit defective as well as the claim that having earlier instituted a similar action in court, “the instant case amounts to an abuse of judicial processes.”

    Justice Umezulike, sparing ample time to dissect the issues formulated for determination, held that the court should not retreat in terror at the mere mention of domestic business of a political party.

    He said: “Unless a political party conducts its business in strict observance of the rule of law, the court can be invited to interpret the law which is its exclusive business as in the instant case.”

    He, therefore, ruled that the defendant’s occupation of the office of national chairman of the APGA is a contravention of the party’s constitution, insisting that the question as to whether he ought to resign at least two months prior to the national convention for a re-election becomes academic.

    Umeh, who was not in court yesterday, said the judge’s intention was to kill APGA.

    The embattled chairman said his petition against Justice Umezuluike to the National Judicial Council was yet to be decided and urged the NJC to expedite action on it.

  • Amaechi sacks commissioner for Jan 1 fire

    The New Year Day fire at a dump site in Gambia Street, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has led to the sack of the Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Wogu.

    He was replaced by Omunakwe Dickson, whose name will be sent to the House of Assembly for confirmation.

    The Ministry of Special Duties oversees the fire service stations. Many residents have complained of lack of modern fire fighting equipment.

    Fire fighters from the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) eventually put out the fire, but Government House sources said the complaint of lack of water angered Amaechi, who described the attitude of the firemen as shameful.

    The sacked commissioner yesterday, in a telephone interview, said he had taken his sack in good faith.

    He thanked Amaechi for giving him the opportunity to serve the state.

    Wogu denied the claims of lack of water, noting that four of the fire station’s trucks were sent for refurbishing and that he called the oil companies for assistance.

    He said: “It is not true that lack of water caused the inability of firemen to respond to the distress calls by victims of the fire at Gambia Street as being insinuated by some people.

    “I have not been told of the reason for my removal. That is the way I heard it too. I went to my village in Omuma for New Year Day celebration and had to rush back to Port Harcourt, when I heard about the fire and moved to the scene for thorough assessment.

    “While leaving my village, I called the firemen to move to the scene, but I was told the trucks were bad.

    “Four of the trucks are being refurbished by the contractor. I then contacted the oil companies and Agip assisted in putting out the fire.

    “The available drivers could not drive the two trucks with eight gears.

    “The two trucks with regular gears had clutch and brake problems and were being repaired.

    “Governor Amaechi asked me for a report on the incident. He told me to bring it to him yesterday.

    “I was working on the report, when some of my colleagues, who were at the swearing-in of the six permanent secretaries, phoned me and told me about my removal.

    “I put in my best in serving my state.

    “I am surprised that some people are accusing me of dereliction of duty.

    “I am very grateful to His Excellency, for giving me the opportunity to serve.

    “I have taken my removal in good faith. No ill feelings.”

  • Association sacks executive

    The five-man caretaker committee of the Animo Timber Buyers’ Association in Ondo State was at the weekend dissolved.

    In a statement, Mr. Innocent Obaji (Owo), Mr. Ozoemena Ughauze (Ogbese), Mr. Ndubuisi Nnamani (Akure) and Mr. Linus Okafor, who spoke on behalf of members of the association, said: “The caretaker committee, Chief Stephen Okeke, a former chairman of the association and member of the board of trustees, held office for more than seven years without holding any election after the expiration of the first tenure. Members of the committee elongated their tenure against the constitution.

    “They also merged the association’s purse with that of its Ekiti State chapter without the knowledge and approval of the general meeting.

    “No section of our constitution empowers the trustees, patrons, executive committee members or the general meeting to enter into any alliance or fusion with the Animo Timber Buyers’ Association in Ekiti State or any other organisation.

    “The committee refused to render accounts throughout its period in office. When some members demanded it, they were threatened and intimidated. The association makes millions of naira on the daily sale of tickets and the matter is now a subject of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “At the recent general meeting of the association, Okeke, Anthony Okafor, Emmanuel Nwatu, Lawrence Onwurah and Albert Anizoba were removed from office. The Interim Secretary of the committee was mandated to write a letter to them intimating them of the development and directing them to handover the association’s property under their care.”

     

  • Oshiomhole sacks 41 school inspectors, perm sec

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday sacked 41 Zonal Inspectors/ Chief Inspectors of Education and Local Government Education officers for non-performance and negligence of duty.

    He demoted the deputy headteacher of New Era College, Mr. S.E Akhabue, from Grade Level 15 to 14 for “being a perpetual late-comer” to work.

    The governor said the decisions were the outcome of a performance assessment.

    He said the administrative details of the change in the school inspectorate would be made known soon.

    Oshiomhole had been paying surprise visits to public schools in the last two weeks and had complained of absenteeism and neglect of duty by teachers.

    Addressing the affected inspectors yesterday at the Government House, Oshiomhole said: “It is obvious from what I have seen today and from what you have told me that you have all breached your basic duties, which is to monitor schools and file basic reports, which should include reports on those present and absent, so that the government can take steps to assist those who want to work to remain and those who do not want to work to go home.

    “The state government has lost millions of taxpayers’ money because of failure in your duties. You are guilty of negligence of duty and even abandonment of your duties. I believe that most times, you do not even go to work. We do not need this type of Zonal Inspectors of Education, Chief Inspectors of Education and Local Government Education Inspectors.

    “The days are gone when people do not do their jobs. It is shocking that you know you were supposed to write reports, yet failed to do so.

    “I am happy that parents and guardians are returning their children and wards to public schools as a result of the massive investment we have made in the education sector, yet you, who should ensure that teachers work, do not do so.

    “Only those willing to work will keep their jobs. Everybody must be accountable. I am accountable to Edo people; the House of Assembly is accountable; so if we are accountable, who are you not to be accountable.

    “If teachers do not teach, we have no future. It is a new Edo and everyone must work to justify their pay. I have a duty to remind you that when you have abandoned your job, you have also lost it.”

    Akhabue, who was demoted by a Grade Level during an unscheduled visit to the school by the governor, was found guilty of perpetually getting to the office late.

    It was learnt that when the governor visited New Era College, the attendance register showed that Akhabue often resumed at 9:55am.

    Also yesterday, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Caro Edo-Osagie, was sacked for negligence.

    In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Louis Odion, she was directed to hand over government’s property in her care to her immediate subordinate within 24 hours.