Television Nigerian

On Wednesday, Ustice Mohammed Madugu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Bwari revoked his previous ruling that found Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Victor Ike-Oye, the immediate former chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in contempt.

Otunba Camaru Ogidan and Alhaji Rabiu Mustapha, the applicants, requested that Justice Madugu revoke the order.

Recall that on November 9, 2023, the court found that Yakubu and Oye had disregarded his prior decision from May 10, 2023, which required them to acknowledge Chief Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of the APGA, and therefore were found guilty of contempt of court.

On July 11, 2024, the INEC head, through his attorney Ahmed Mohammed, told the court that he had recognized Njoku as the National Chairman of the APGA, in accordance with the order.

However, Oye disregarded the ruling and filed an appeal, requesting a stay of the lower court’s order and delaying his scheduled sentencing, which the court subsequently rescheduled for January 22, 2025.

The top court recognized Sly Ezeokenwa as the National Chairman of the APGA in a ruling on November 27, 2024, prior to the rescheduled sentence date.

When the case was brought up for hearing on Wednesday, Michael Ajara, the applicants’ attorney, pointed out to the court the Supreme Court’s ruling on the topic from November 27, 2024, and stated that his clients had made the decision to drop the complaint.

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In a brief decision, the court dismissed the previous committal order, granted the application, and dismissed the matter.

“Being law-abiding, our clients have since expressed their willingness to abide by the Supreme Court judgment on the issue,” Ajara explained in reference to his clients’ stance.

They told us to withdraw this case because they didn’t see any reason to pursue it further, and we did just that.
The judge agreed with us after observing the rationale behind our actions.

Chief Njoku, who was present in court with a few high-ranking officials from his new party, the National Rescue Movement (NRM), praised Justice Madugu for the way he handled the matter.

He said the judge was a brave and hardworking guy who showed guts when it counted most.

According to Chief Njoku, who officially took over as the National Chairman of the NRM on Tuesday, the judge in this case displayed extraordinary bravery given the current state of affairs in Nigeria.

“We pray that God will be with him.” If he hadn’t been so brave, I might have ended up behind bars.

“We are grateful that our case was heard by a judge who possesses integrity, conscience, and the courage to act when called upon,” Njoku continued.

It was learned that during the second quarter of this year, the federal government will start implementing the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) throughout the country’s ports.

Pius Ukeyima Akutah, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), made this announcement yesterday in Ibadan.

The topic of Akutah’s speech was The Future-Transition from Nigerian Shippers Council to Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) during the Five Year Strategic Management Retreat in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to the NSC scribe, the Council’s 2025 budget is primarily based on the 1% freight stabilization fee, and it intends to start collecting it as soon as the NPERA Bill is approved by the president.

“With great honor, I welcome you to this transformative management retreat,” he said. As the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) evolves into the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), we are starting a crucial journey today to determine its destiny.

The development of a thorough five-year strategy plan for 2025–2029 that aims to develop the maritime industry through increased productivity, flexibility, and innovation is greatly aided by this retreat.

According to him, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has a strong history of tenacity and influence, upholding the rights of shippers, encouraging ethical business practices, and promoting competition in our ports.

“The Council has accomplished several noteworthy things in the last year, such as signing the Minimum Standards of Conditions of Service for Workers in the Shipping Industry; holding the 17th International Maritime Seminar for Judges and releasing the Operational Manual for Inland Dry Ports; launching the Online Registration Portal for customers and providers of regulated port services; creating the Confirmation of Reasonableness of Demurrage, Freight Rate, and Charter Party Fees (CRD) Portal and the E-Regulatory Process Portal (ERPP); establishing a Leadership Development Program to enhance institutional capacity through succession planning and recovering billions of naira through strong complaint handling procedures.

These successes demonstrate our steadfast dedication to providing value to stakeholders and guaranteeing a smooth transition to NPERA.

“Notably, the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) is set to be implemented in the second quarter of this year under the direction of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, laying the groundwork for improved revenue generation and operational oversight.”

“The 1% freight stabilization fee is strategically anchored on the Council’s 2025 budget, with plans to commence its collection upon Presidential assent to the NPERA Bill,” he stated.

Four strategic priorities will be the focus of this retreat: enhancing operational efficiency to ensure a smooth transition to NPERA; promoting transparency and fairness through predictable regulatory policies; strengthening stakeholder engagement to promote inclusivity and collaboration; and advancing sustainability by balancing environmental responsibility with economic growth.

He claims that this retreat “is not just a planning session but a collaborative platform for crafting actionable solutions and building a solid framework for regulatory excellence.” We can create a more competitive, inclusive, and sustainable marine industry by combining our knowledge, ingenuity, and commitment.

Each Directorate has a distinct responsibility as outlined in the program, which emphasizes the practical approach necessary for NPERA’s successful implementation. Let’s take advantage of this chance to mold a future of creativity, quality, and advancement,” Akutah stated.

The wife of former Nigerian deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Beatrice Ekweremadu, was released from prison in the United Kingdom.

The development was revealed on Wednesday by a former adviser to Mr. Ekweremadu.

In March 2023, a UK court found Mr. Ekweremadu, his wife, and a physician guilty of organ trafficking.

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They were convicted of helping a young guy travel to Britain with the intention of exploiting him following a six-week trial at the Old Bailey.

His wife received a four-year, six-month prison sentence, while Mr. Ekweremadu received a nine-year, eight-month sentence.

Indeed. She is now free. The former staffer, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “She is currently in Nigeria.”

According to the UK court’s ruling, Beatrice has not yet served out her four-year, six-month jail sentence.

Whether she received a pardon in the European nation is still unknown.

“I don’t possess that knowledge. However, her departure signifies her final departure. The former aide declared, “She will not return to the UK.”

The Nigerian government’s plan to begin oil extraction in Ogoniland has drawn criticism from a coalition of Niger Delta civil society organizations, who say it is unacceptable in the absence of more extensive community involvement and redress for historical injustices.

The organizations denounced the government’s strategy of interacting with a small number of Ogoni leaders while excluding the larger community during a meeting Tuesday at the Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria headquarters in Port Harcourt.

The group stressed how fundamentally unfair it is to resume oil production in Ogoniland without resolving the region’s long-standing environmental, social, and economic problems.

They cited the results of the 2011 UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland, which showed that decades of unregulated oil extraction had severely contaminated the land, water, and air.

The coalition, which included the following demands: Shell be held responsible for environmental degradation and human rights violations in the region; a review of the military trial and execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni activists; their exoneration; the release of the confiscated Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Bus sculpture; and a halt to oil extraction plans in Ogoniland until meaningful consultations are held with the Ogoni people and the environment is fully remediated.

President Bola Tinubu assigned National Security Advisor (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu the responsibility of spearheading talks with important parties in Ogoniland, a region rich in oil in the Niger Delta, in order to resume oil production there on Tuesday.

During a meeting with Ogoni leaders, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, at the Aso Villa in Abuja, the President gave the order.

Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was also in attendance.

Tinubu stressed that the region’s sustainable development, justice, and peace will be the main priorities of his administration.

He called on the Ogoni people to set aside their previous grudges and work together for peace, advancement, and a better environment.

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Tinubu stated, “We cannot in any way rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past going forward,” according to a statement released by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. If we stay furious, we won’t be able to repair the wounds.

“We need to collaborate with mutual trust. Return home, continue consulting, and show others love.

“By returning to Ogoniland with peace, progress, and a clean environment, we must make this journey worthwhile.”

In order to carry out this task, he asked the Rivers State Government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and NNPCL to collaborate with the Office of the National Security Adviser.