A Federal High Court in Abuja has voided the impeachment of Phillip Shuaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment on Wednesday, ordered his reinstatement to office on the grounds that the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in purporting to impeach Shuaibu.
Shuaibu, who was in court, shed tears of joy upon hearing the judge’s pronouncements.
Justice Omotosho held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and does not constitute a gross misconduct.
The judge ordered the IGP to provide him with needed security to enable him resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure.
Justice Omotosho set aside the appointment of another deputy governor in the place of Shuaibu.
Details shortly.
BREAKING: Court nullifies Phillip Shuaibu’s impeachment as Edo Deputy Governor
BREAKING: Court nullifies Phillip Shuaibu’s impeachment as Edo Deputy Governor
Yobe Police crack down on kidnapping ring, rescue victim, nab suspects
The Yobe State Police Command, on Tuesday, said it successfully rescued a kidnap victim and apprehended the perpetrators.
Details regarding the identity of the victim and the circumstances leading to the abduction are still emerging.
According to a statement released by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, the rescue mission took place in Kasda hamlet near Yauro Village in Jakusko LGA, where the victim was rescued and two AK-47 rifles were recovered. The suspects, Adamu Dimdo, 23, and Idi Dimdo, 25, were apprehended.
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The victim, Mallam Adamu Adamu, 18, is said to had been kidnapped from Basari in Zaki LGA, Bauchi State, and held captive in Kasda, Jakusko LGA, Yobe State, while ransom negotiations were reportedly underway.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed that the principal suspect, Babawuro Audu, 45, a notorious gunrunner and mastermind behind numerous kidnap activities, abductions, and robberies in Yobe and neighbouring states, remains at large.
The statement further details that other members of the kidnapping syndicate managed to escape during the raid. However, a manhunt has been launched to apprehend them, with Abdulkarim assuring the public that “the full wrath of the law will be brought upon those involved.”
The rescued victim is currently undergoing medical examinations and is expected to be reunited with his family soon.
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NULGE replies Fayose, says it’s not surprised since he ran LGAs like personal business
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ekiti State branch, on Tuesday, vehemently criticized former Governor Ayodele Fayose for his recent comments on local government workers.
Fayose had expressed opposition to the Supreme Court’s judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, alleging that most council officials were absent from work and only interested in collecting money.
Fayose stated, “Go to the council on Wednesday or Friday, and you will not find 10 per cent of the staff of the local government in the office. They don’t come. My name is Ayo Fayose and I want them to dispute this.
“They don’t come to work. When you make moves to bring them to book, both NULGE and all leaders of the local government will go and beg the governor. They will be telling you, we will not vote for you. This is the way we operate at the local government.”
Responding, NULGE President Oluseyi Olatunde dismissed Fayose’s claims as mischievous and untrue, stating that council workers in Ekiti State are productive and have contributed significantly to the state’s developmental progress.
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He said the former governor’s remarks were not surprising since he operated the local governments under his tenure as a personal business empire.
Olatunde accused Fayose of lacking understanding of local government operations and deliberately impoverishing council workers during his tenure as governor.
Fayose’s policies, including using three federal allocations to pay a month’s salary, resulted in unpaid salaries and arrears of up to nine months, despite the state receiving bailout funds.
NULGE called on Fayose to withdraw his statement and tender an unreserved apology to council workers.
Olatunde said, “The statement is not the true picture of local government practice in Nigeria and in Ekiti State in particular.”
“It is a mere fallacy cooked up by Fayose and his like who are opposed to the realities of the local government autonomy.
“We call on Fayose to humbly withdraw the vexatious statement and tender unreserved apology to the council workers who he had discredited, blackmailed and portrayed in bad light in the eyes of right thinking public.
“Council workers in Ekiti State are very productive and this is evident in the various developmental progress made so far by all the councils, including the Local Council Development Areas created in the state.
“The leadership of NULGE is not surprised at the negative outburst of Fayose who, during his time as governor of Ekiti State, ran the councils like his private business and reduced the office of the council chairman to that of a puppet.
“Not that alone, he impoverished local government workers through his obnoxious policy of using three federal allocations to pay a month’s salary, which resulted in unpaid salaries accumulating in arrears of nine months, despite the huge bailout funds the state received from the Federal Government.
“In no way did Fayose use the funds to bail local government workers out of the huge financial mess he plunged us into. We are grateful to President Bola Tinubu, the judiciary and well-meaning Nigerians who fought for the local government autonomy.”
This development highlights the ongoing debate on local government autonomy and the role of state governments in managing local government funds.
The Supreme Court’s judgment has sparked intense discussions on the effectiveness of local government administration in Nigeria.
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Medical, dental consultants deny receiving bribes, accuse NBS of attempt to dent doctors’ image
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has denied a report by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which accused Nigerian doctors and other medical professionals of receiving bribe from patients before treatment.
It also said the allegation is aimed at denting the image of Nigerian doctors and other medical professionals.
DAILYPOST recalls that recently a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), stated that 42 percent of health workers received bribes to speed up the procedure and 15 percent also took bribes to make the finalisation of the procedure possible.
The report titled, “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends Third survey on corruption as experienced by the population”, was presented by the Data, Analytics and Statistics Section of the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, while the survey implementation, fieldwork, data preparation was done by the NBS.
MDCAN, in its reaction, said the NBS’s report is false and is an attempt to denigrate, dent the image and reputation of members of the noble profession before the public in the country.
The association in a press statement signed by the President Prof. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed made available to journalists in Jos the Plateau State Capital on Wednesday, dismissed the allegation of bribe taking.
Adding that even though Nigerian doctors are among the least paid in the world, they are hard working and will not condescend so low to demand for bribe from patients before treatment.
The Association argued that the report is like giving a dog a bad name purposely to hang it and was done in a bad taste because they are not the only workers that work in health institutions either public or private.
According to him, “To us this unfounded allegations is baseless and totally unacceptable.
“We are demanding for a total retraction of the so call report which is meant to portray Nigerian doctors in a bad light.”
He also demanded that, NBS should avail them access to the methodology and the geographical area they have covered to warrant this conclusion.
“These are some of the issues we felt that their conclusion is grossly unfair to Nigerian doctors despite our hard work and resilient to remained in the country to practice.
Mohammed explained that in most health institutions in the country, doctors are the minority, stressing that the patients and their relatives come to the health facilities to see the doctors, but doctors hardly constitute up to 20 to 30 percent of the population of workers in most of the health institutions.
He further explained that by the time the patients are seeing the doctors in their consulting rooms with face-to-face contact for the first time, they would have gone through layers of other health and non health workers.
“Where then will the doctors be discussing and demanding bribe with the patients as alleged by NBS.
MDCAN also argued that there is no place that do not have bad eggs, but to labelled the hard working and long-suffering Nigerian doctors who shunned greener pastures abroad to stayed back to serve in the country and be painted with allegation of bribery is unfair and very unfortunate.
MDCAN for stated that, it is important that if there are people that are demanding and taking bribes from patients and their relatives in health facilities in the country, such group of health workers or non-health workers must be identified so that they will be punished by relevant authorities.
The association added that there are different groups of trained health professionals like doctors, nurses, midwives, laboratory scientists Pharmacists working in hospitals as well as non health professionals.
MDCAN further explained that in hospitals, there are also different cadere of staff ranging from the security personnel stressing that if any group is desirous of conducting such an important research they should have stratified the different categories of workers instead of lumping them as doctors, nurses and midwives.
“All what we are doing in the country is sacrifice, it is not that we can not move out for greener pasture , but we decided to be patriotic and remained in the country despite so many challenges.
“We are the one that shoulder the responsibilities of those doctors who have left the shore of this country. To wake up one day and labeled Nigerian doctors as corrupt and bribe taker is discouraging.
“As law abiding citizens, we want to give NBS the benefit of doubt so that they can also avail to us their methodology and raw data.
“If we discovered that their methodology is right and have significant samples and proportion of Nigeria covered that allowed them to arrived at this conclusion, we can now look inward to see how we can make amend,” he stressed.
The statement maintained that, if the methodology and sample size are not enough to make this far-reaching conclusion, they will, seek for retraction of the report so that they can tender a written apology in both print and electronic media.
Medical, dental consultants deny receiving bribes, accuse NBS of attempt to dent doctors’ image
UI students protest electricity rationing, tuition hike
The students of the University of Ibadan have staged a protest to express their grievances over the schedule of 10 hours of electricity supply on campus and a hike in tuition.
The protest started in the late hours of Tuesday and has continued on Wednesday with the students baring placards at the front of the university gate.
On Tuesday, an internal memo was addressed to the Chief Engineer (Electrical) by the Director of the Works and Maintenance Department, O.A Adetolu, that electricity should be rationed and made available to students for 10 hours daily.
The memo reads, “Effective immediately; the vice chancellor has approved a 10-hour daily electricity supply on campus as follows. Day time: 8 am – 2 pm, Night time 10 pm – 2 am. Kindly adhere to the approved schedule.”
The students’ union president, Aweda Bolaji, in a voice clip obtained by our correspondent, stated that the recent policies by the management were not satisfactory and an inconsiderate action.
He said,” The injustice that has been melted upon us as students of the University of Ibadan is getting too much. The university cannot ration electricity to students in this 21st century. On this basis, if you are a student, join students massively as we demonstrate peacefully against the injustice that is being melted by both the miserable government and unconscionable management.”
Bolaji in a statement also sought the reversal of the new electricity schedule and tuition increment.
“There will be neither lecture nor transportation within the school premises on the 17th of July, 2024. The Mass action will continue on July 17 starting from 5 am. The Union officials will make available all union resources, including the Aluta Jet and Public Address System, and the Student Union officials must be present to join the mobilization effort towards this.
“The School authority in association with maintenance must withdraw the memo on electricity rationing, dated 16th of July, 2024, and in addition, there must be constant power supply within the school effective immediately.
“There must be a total reversal of all fees and not a reduction. Those who have paid must be refunded The Students’ Union condemns the ongoing victimization of three Students of the University of lbadan; Aduwo Ayodele, Olamide Gbadegesin and Nice Linus, who embarked on a peaceful protest on the 13th of May 2024 and such, call for an end to the victimization,” Bolaji said.
FG mandates MDAs to remit 5% contractors’ retention fees to CBN
The Federal Government through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has mandated all FG-owned Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to remit five percent retention fees deducted from contractors’ payments at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
A memo signed by the Accountant General of the Federation, OluwaToyin Madein, tagged OAGF/CAD/026/Vol.V/896 said the move became necessary following complaints over non-payment of retention fees by MDAs upon completion of projects by contractors.
The memo dated June 27, 2024, was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; all ministers, Special Advisers, Service Chiefs, Foreign Missions among others, and obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday.
The According reports that a retention fund is a form of security provided for any construction contract as limited security for the due performance of the contractor’s obligations under the contract.
At the completion of the project, the contractor gets a percentage of the total fund, and when a final certificate indicating that the contractor has fulfilled all obligations the remaining balance is paid to him.
The retention fund constitutes a 5 per cent deduction from the total contract sum kept in a separate account by the ministry and paid to the contractor after six months of the completion, verification and certification of the project(s).
Upon completion, the contractor applies through the procurement department of the ministry which then writes to the permanent secretary for consideration and approval to the Ministry of Finance for payment
In 2022, contractors that have executed contracts with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development appealed to the ministry and the Federal Ministry of Finance to resume the payment of their retention funds
The ministry then cited a lack of funds.
Speaking in the memo, the OAGF said, “Following the incessant complaints from contractors over non-payment of their retention fees by Ministries, Departments and Agencies and further to the Treasury Circulars, Ref. Nos. OAGF/CAD/026/V.III/116 -TRY/A9&B9/2017, it has become necessary to issue these guidelines.
“The five percent (5%) retention fees deducted from contractors’ payments shall henceforth be remitted to the retention fees account domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The purpose is to safeguard the funds, pending the expiration of the six (6) months defect liability period, after which the MDA could apply for the payment of the money to the contractors).
“MDA shall in their request for payment, prepare and attach a schedule of executed contracts as of 31st December on which retention fee has been deducted in line with the relevant contract agreements, using the attached format.
“The completed schedule must be certified by the Accounting Officer and the Director/ Head of Finance and Accounts and forwarded to the Sub-Treasury of the Federation.
“Henceforth, MDAs requests for fresh funds for payment of retention fees to contractors will no longer be entertained.
“Furthermore, compliance to the provisions of this circular will henceforth be verified during inspections carried out by the Treasury Inspectorate Department.”
‘UNIMED in ruins’ – Group demands sack of Vice-Chancellor, Prof Fatusi
A group, the Coalition of Ondo State Indigenes Against Corruption, COIAC, has called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to shine a searchlight on the alleged unethical activities of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences, UNIMED, Ondo town, Prof Adesgun Fatusi.
During a protest at the Governor’s Office, the group disclosed that the university, under the leadership of Fatusi, has been gasping for survival over alleged corruption and highhandedness.
According to the protesters, being stakeholders in the state, they would not allow the institution to be left in ruins.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Feyi Emmanuel said that due to the
urgency of the issue, they came all the way from Ondo town to Akure, the state capital, to express their displeasure over the state of the university and to inform the governor over the development.
While emphasising that the institution at present was in a sorry state, Emmanuel said, “UNIMED is our institution of pride in Ondo State. It is the foremost leading institution in the country in the field of medicine and other relevant medical courses.
“We are sorry to report that an institution Prof. Fatusi inherited has become a sorry state. The institution needs to be rescued from the grip of Fatusi. Prof. Fatusi’s only mission is to leave the school in ruins.
“Our demand is simple. Fatusi must go. He has wrecked and crippled the institution financially. Mr. Governor, we urge you to urgently intervene and sack Fatusi.
“He has rendered our people jobless by ensuring that 70 percent of UNIMED staffers are non-indigenes. We demand that the financial status of UNIMED be investigated because we know UNIMED is in bankruptcy. UNIMED council members are all contractors. He is an administrative vampire and lacks managerial ability.”
Reacting to the development, the spokeswoman of the institution, Isaac Oluyi, described the allegations as spurious and attributed them to the handiwork of detractors who lacked understanding of how universities work all over the world.
“This is the first specialised university of medical sciences in Nigeria that has grown by leaps and bounds under Professor Adesegun Fatusi with visible evidence in terms of accomplishments.
“We invite the whole world to come and see for themselves. Results do not lie. The footprints of Professor Fatusi in terms of remarkable achievements are there even for a blind man to see.
“How can anybody say that a university ranked as the 4th best university among the state-owned universities in Nigeria under Fatusi is in ruins? This is completely laughable!”
‘UNIMED in ruins’ – Group demands sack of Vice-Chancellor, Prof Fatusi
Central Africa: Fresh facts emerge in case involving alleged spy, Martin Figueira
Fresh facts have emerged over the recent arrest of Martin Joseph Figueira, a Belgian national of Portuguese origin in Zemio by the Central African Defense and Security Forces.
During subsequent interrogations and investigations, it was revealed that the man, Figueira, had been employed by a non-governmental organization operating in the Central African Republic.
Figueira was allegedly involved in espionage activities.
Following his arrest, a judicial inquiry was opened by the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Bangui to investigate the case.
The investigation suggested that Martin Figueira was collecting information and had connections with various rebel groups that were compromising security in several Central African regions.
Military expert, Sylvain Nguema, in a statement said correspondence between Figueira and CPC spokesman Mohamadou Bello Saïdou indicated that Figueira had been in communication with Central African armed groups.
“In an audio message, Figueira promised to send Bello 100 euros, apologizing for not being able to send more at that time.
“In another conversation, Figueira informed Bello that he had not been able to buy a smartphone in Portugal but found a shop in Bangui with a wide selection of simpler phones. He then asked the rebel spokesman who could come to his hotel to collect the phone.
“The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected.”
Central Africa: Fresh facts emerge in case involving alleged spy, Martin Figueira
Police foils attempt to raze Delta INEC office
Police operatives in Delta State on Tuesday foiled an attempt by some unidentified youths to destroy an area office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Warri.
According to reports, the young men, armed with weapons and containers filled with substance suspected to be fuel, chanted war songs and made moves to force their way into the local INEC premises, while its officials were out for delineation of electoral units and wards, in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.
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Political sources hinted that while the Warri indigenous Urhobo and their Ijaw counterparts were in support of the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on the delineation of electoral units and wards in the Warri federal constituency, the Itsekiri were alleged to have opposed the exercise.
Recall that INEC officials had last Wednesday visited Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State for the commencement of the wards/units’ delineation.
The commission’s officials visited Oporoza, the traditional headquarters of the Gbaramatu Kingdom and began a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency.
The post Police foils attempt to raze Delta INEC office appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
48,000 farmers to get free fertilizer in Kebbi
No fewer than 48,000 farmers are to benefit from free fertilisers as well as agricultural implements provided by the Kebbi State Government.
The state governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, announced this on Tuesday at the launching of agricultural inputs by the State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, Kebbi State Cares Coordinating Unit.
He said the exercise is under the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fadama III Implementing Unit
“This was in fulfillment of my campaign promises, assuring that under my administration no farmer would be left behind.
“100 trucks of assorted fertilizers would be distributed to the people of the state free, and 110 trucks of fertilisers would also be distributed to the Local Government Areas in the state free-of-charge”
The governor then urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs given for mass food production.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Abba Sani-Kalgo, highlighted the importance of the programme and commended Gov. Idris for the support and assistance to the ministry.
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