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No Harm Must Befall Our Daughter, Rivers Government Warns Akpabio

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No Harm Must Befall Our Daughter, Rivers Government Warns Akpabio

The Rivers State government has warned that Joy Nunieh, the immediate past acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), must not suffer any harm during to the ongoing probe of the agency.

The state government said this in a statement issued by Paulinus Nsirim, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, on Tuesday.

Nunieh has in the last few days engaged in a war of words with Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, over the forensic audit of the NDDC ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The state government said it is disturbed by recent developments concerning the NDDC probe and cautioned all parties involved to exercise caution.

It also vowed to protect Nunieh despite political affiliation, saying she is a citizen of the state.

The statement partly read: “The Rivers State Government has viewed with concern the recent developments at the NDDC in which the name of our daughter, Dr Joi Nunieh, the immediate past acting Managing Director of the commission, has been dragged into.

“We hereby call on those involved in the ongoing investigation of the NDDC to ensure that Dr Joi Nunieh does not suffer any harm in the course of their undertaking.”

“We wish to state categorically that the Rivers State Government will never support any action that will prevent or jeopardise the laudable intentions of President Muhammadu Buhari to positively reposition the NDDC and fulfil the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the Niger Delta.

“However, we wish to state that while we are not interested in identifying with the present unfolding drama in the NDDC; we will not, however, fail to protect our daughter from actual harm or perceived danger.

 

“The state owes it as a duty to protect her citizens from danger no matter their political affiliation, and we cannot fold our arms and watch anyone harm her or indeed any Rivers citizen. We advise those involved in the present altercations in the NDDC to thread with caution in their actions and utterances.”

Akpabio had in an interview with Arise TV on Saturday said Nunieh was removed from office due to insubordination to authority, adding that she did not possess the required academic qualification to head the NDDC.

The minister also alleged that Nunieh had temper issues with four of her ex-husbands.

But the former NDDC boss responded in a separate interview with the same medium, saying that Akpabio is attacking her because she stopped corrupt practices at the agency.

She also revealed that she slapped tbe minister for allegedly making sexual advances at her.

NAF’s First Female Helicopter Pilot Dies Eight Months After Decoration

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NAF’s First Female Helicopter Pilot Dies Eight Months After Decoration

Tolulope Arotile, the first female helicopter pilot of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has died eight months after she was decorated by Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.

Arotile, who graduated in 2017 as the best flight student from the Starlite International Training Academy in South Africa, died from injuries sustained in an accident at the Nigerian Air Force base in Kaduna State.

“It is with great sorrow that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) regretfully announces the unfortunate demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, who died today, 14 July 2020, as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at NAF Base Kaduna,” the statement read.

“Until her death, ‪Flying Officer Arotile, who was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, was the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Service. During her short but impactful stay in the Service, late Arotile, who hailed from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, contributed significantly to the efforts to rid the North Central States of armed bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.

“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf of officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the family of late ‪Flying Officer Arotile over this irreparable loss. We pray that the Almighty God grants her soul eternal rest.”

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Supreme Court throws out LASG, Ekiti suits challenging virtual court sitting

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Supreme Court throws out LASG, Ekiti suits challenging virtual court sitting

The Supreme Court has thrown out suits by Lagos and Ekiti State Government challenging the move by the National Assembly to amend the Nigerian Constitution to provide for virtual proceedings in courts.

It explained that the action had become imperative since virtual court sitting is not unconstitutional as of present in the country and that the sitting was in accordance with the practice direction by heads of courts in states.

However, the Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour-led seven-man panel of the apex court in an anonymous judgment on Tuesday struck out the suits on the ground that there was a presumption of regularity in favor of virtual sitting in courts.

The panel held that the suits filed by both states seeking an interpretation of the Constitution to determine whether or not virtual court proceedings and sitting is constitutional was premature since the National Assembly was still in the process of amending the Constitution or enact a law to that effect.

The apex court panel ruled that judges nationwide may continue to conduct virtual proceedings when necessary pending such times when the National Assembly concludes its ongoing constitutional amendment to accommodate virtual hearing.

In his ruling, Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour said that all parties should maintain status quo until such times when the National Assembly comes out with a position on virtual hearing.

He held that virtual hearing can only be challenged when the National Assembly has passed its pending Bill seeking to include virtual sitting in the Constitution.

“Just let us wait for the National Assembly whether what they will come up with go against the practice direction issued by Chief Judges of the states and the National Judicial Council (NJC) on virtual sitting.

“As at now, virtual siting is not unconstitutional. Honourable Attorney General (referring to Onigbajo), go and tell your Chief Judge to ask the judges to continue to sit virtually if it is convenient for them,” he said.

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Lagos Government draws Plan Ahead Third Mainland bridge closure

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Lagos Government draws Plan Ahead Third Mainland bridge closure

As part of Lagos State Government’s plans for unavoidable gridlock that may begin hitting Lagos once Third Mainland bridge goes under closure for planned maintenance of the bridge, the state government has begun working in progress by pre-planning for movement of both motorists and commuters that may be affected during the stipulated period that the bridge would be partially shutdown.

It explained that the need to safeguard the lives and properties of all residents of Lagos during the repair works necessitated the strategies geared towards protecting millions of commuters that use the infrastructure on a daily basis and ease traffic gridlock during the rehabilitation that is billed to take six months for completion.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said that the strategies are in line with government commitment to ensure seamless outine maintenance billed to start from Friday 24th July 2020 to Sunday 24th January 2021.

Oke-Osanyintolu, through a statement released to newsmen on Tuesday by LASEMA’s Head, Public Affairs, Nosa Okunbor, said that strategies were mapped out after meeting with relevant stakeholders in readiness for the partial closure of Lagos Third Mainland Bridge, which is one of the longest in the continent.

He noted that LASEMA, alongside other first responders, has all been placed on high alert, for the upcoming task in line with the proactive emergency management the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration and that the Agency has mapped out strategies for deployment of its highly trained and efficient staff and the tactical application of its equipment to ensure all-round safety of Lagosians on land and water during the period of partial closure of the infrastructure.

“As part of its tactical moves, the DG said LASEMA has earmarked Ebute Ero and Ilaje as strategic locations for its Ambulances and will mount its Rescue Boats in conjunction with the Lagos State Waterways Authority, on all waterways of Lagos.

“The Marine Unit will mount a 24-hour watch over the waterways with Jet Skis fully deployed, particularly between the peak periods of 6:30 a.m and 7:00 p.m, as a lot more passengers will be advised to travel through alternate routes and the waterways, while the partial closure of Lagos Third Mainland Bridge lasts,” the statement read.

Oke-Osanyintolu who encouraged residents to use water transportation during the repair works noted that the agency, in collaboration with the Lagos State Safety Commission, and Lagos State Waterways Authority, had put out workable safety strategies to protect Lagosians during the six months rehabilitation exercise. 

The LASEMA boss, however, advised all boat operators to abide by the guiding rules by ensuring all passengers are properly registered on the passengers manifest, use genuine life jackets among others.

The Guild had reported that in preparation for the repair works, Federal and Lagos State Governments had released traffic management plans and alternative routes to ensure seamless execution of the project.

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Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters, Convicts Another

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Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters, Convicts Another

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibadan Zonal Office has secured the conviction of two internet fraudsters, namely: Rasak Olayinka Balogun and Ayodeji Oluwaseun Olatona, who all pleaded guilty to separate one-count charge of criminal impersonation.

The offence runs contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.

Balogun was sentenced to seven months jail term by Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Olatona had his date with Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, who sentenced him to six months imprisonment.

Apart from his jail term, Balogun was ordered to restitute $4,000 to his victim, one Mantonia Duncan, and also forfeit his laptop, Samsung Galaxy S8 phone and iPhone 11 Pro Max to the federal government, while Olatona will restitute $500 (Five Hundred United State Dollars) to his victim and forfeit his iPhone 7 to the Federal government.

In a similar development, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, convicted one Timilehin Awojoodu of criminal impersonation, but reserved his sentence till July 21, 2020. Besides the conviction, the judge ordered Awojoodu to restitute the sum of $2,500 (Two Thousand, Five Hundred United States Dollars) to his victim and forfeit his iPhone 7 and Infinix Hot 7 phone to the government.

Supreme Court dismisses Alaibe’s appeal against Diri

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Supreme Court dismisses Alaibe’s appeal against Diri

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State, Timi Alaibe, challenging the primary that produced Governor Duoye Diri.

A five-member panel of justices, presided by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour dismissed the appeal after it was withdrawn by Alaibe.

The panel had earlier called the attention of Alaibe’s counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), to the fact that the issue borders on the internal affairs of a political party. Alaibe had earlier approached a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt challenging the process leading to the PDP primary election in the state after disagreeing with the election of 3-man delegates. Shortly after the court declined jurisdiction, he (Alaibe) withdrew the case, participated and lose out to Diri. After losing out in the primaries, Alaibe proceeded to the Federal High Court, Owerri, seeking a nullification of the primary election which Governor Duoye Diri won.

However, after the case was dismissed, Alaibe moved to the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri. In May, the Appeal Court dismissed his appeal, seeking the conduct of fresh PDP governorship primary election in the state. Dissatisfied with the decision of the Appeal Court, Alaibe approached the apex court where he prayed the court to declare him the duly elected Governor of Bayelsa State.

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American court denies Hushpuppi bail

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American court denies Hushpuppi bail

Alleged international fraudster, Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi, was on Monday denied bail by a court in the Northern District of Illinois.

The self-acclaimed ‘Billionaire Gucci Master’, who has over 2.5 million followers on Instagram, will remain in detention until his trial later this year over money laundering allegations, the court said.

Hushpuppi will be transported to Los Angeles by the United States Marshals Service, and will not be allowed to stay with his girlfriend’s uncle in Homewood, Illinois. His trial is slated to be held in Los Angeles where the case was filed, rather from Chicago where the investigation is being handled, Forbes reports.

Throughout the hearing, Hushpuppi’s lawyer denied that his client was a flight risk or a danger to the community, repeatedly rejecting the allegations made against his client by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s affidavit posted earlier this month.

The primary allegation levelled by the FBI is that Abbas was part of a network that made “hundreds of millions of dollars” from business email compromise frauds and other scams.

Assistant United States Attorney Melody Wells, a prosecutor in the Chicago district attorney’s office, convinced the court that Abbas is a flight risk, describing his “significant” financial assets, “deep ties to foreign countries” and a lack of ties to the United States.

Wells said Abbas had the “perfect recipe to flee the charges that he faces here.”

Hushpuppi had sought to live with a girlfriend’s relative in Illinois, but this was queried by the prosecutor, arguing that he had up to this point “never visited” the girlfriend or their child in the US.

“There is no evidence that he has ever even met this ‘Uncle’ who would be the third-party custodian under these circumstances,” Wells said.

The court ruled that there was “more than enough justification to order that the US Marshall bring Abbas to California as soon as possible to answer the complaint there.”

Ruling that Abbas had “A great incentive not to continue to respond to these proceedings here,” as he is “facing a long sentence”.

 

Source: The Punch

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Industrial Court President, Justice Kanyip appoints Vacation Judges

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Industrial Court President, Justice Kanyip appoints Vacation Judges

Sequel to the declaration of 2020 Annual vacation by the Court, the Hon. President, His Lordship, Hon. Justice Benedict Kanyip, Ph.D, FNIALS has graciously appointed Four (4) Judges to serve as vacation Judges from 27th July 2020 to 25th September 2020.

While Their Lordships, Hon. Justice Z. M. Bashir and Hon. Justice I. J. Essien will serve in Abuja and Lagos Judicial Divisions respectively from 27th July 2020 to 26th August 2020; Hon. Justice Ibrahim Galadima and Hon. Justice N. C. S. Ogbuanya will also serve in Abuja and Lagos Judicial Divisions respectively from 27th August 2020 to 25th September 2020.

Hon. President, Hon. Justice Kanyip had earlier stated that there will be no normal Court sitting during the vacation period except for urgent applications where the rest of a case may be destroyed if not heard by a vacation Judge only.

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Over 4m Nigerians Have Applied For N-Power Batch C Jobs – FG

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Over 4m Nigerians Have Applied For N-Power Batch C Jobs – FG

Federal Government has said over four million persons have so far applied for the 2020 N-Power Batch C recruitment.

This is according to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq.

In a series of tweets on her handle on Sunday, adding that her Ministry will ensure the successful transition of the N-Power beneficiaries.

According to her, since the portal was opened about sixteen days ago, Nigerians have responded positively.

“My team and I continue to interface with stakeholders to ensure a successful transition for the N-Power,” the tweet read. “It has been 16 days since the portal opened and we have received 4.48 million applications to date.”

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JUDGMENT: Industrial Court affirms SSACGOC as Rightful Labour Union for Senior staff Federal Housing Authority

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JUDGMENT: Industrial Court affirms SSACGOC as Rightful Labour Union for Senior staff Federal Housing Authority

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja has declared Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies – SSACGOC as the rightful labour union to unionise the senior staff of the Federal Housing Authority, restrained the Federal Housing Authority, its officers, staff, agent or privies from stopping the union from exercising its jurisdiction within the bounds of the law.

The claimant’s, SSACGOC had approached the Court via originating summons sought for the determination whether, by the provisions of the Constitution of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government Owned Companies, the claimant is the right union to organize the senior staff of the Federal Housing Authority.

Counsel for the defendant, D.T Najime Esq submitted that the Constitution guarantees the right of every person to freely associate and belong to any Trade Union, that the rights are qualified in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) that the claimant is not the only Trade Union engaged in organising members of the agency.

In the Judgment, the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Rakiya Haastrup held that the freedom to join a trade union or choose which union to join is limited to the unions empowered to operate within a clearly defined jurisdictional scope.

“The law is trite that where the words used in a statute are clear and unambiguous, they must be given their ordinary meaning unless such interpretation would lead to an absurdity and injustice.

“I have done extensive reading of the Constitution and Code of Practice of SSASCGOC, & Federal Housing Authority Act relied upon by the claimant. By Section 4(2) of Exhibit 4B, it is clear that the provisions relate in particular to the defendant (Federal Housing Authority) and it’s capacity as a statutory corporation. Again, Rule 3(i) of Exhibit 1A is to the effect that any senior staff of the defendant shall become a member of the claimant (SSASCGOC).

“I think the provisions are clear and unambiguous as it concerns senior staff of the defendant and the right union they should belong to, which is the claimant (SSASCGOC) herein.

“I need to point out here that whilst noting that the right of a worker to decide which union to join is not absolute, that right must, however, be exercised within the limits of the Trade Unions Act Cap T14 LFN 2004.”

The Court held that it is in the interest of public order that the right union be allowed to unionize workers who belong to that union as its members, and as prescribed by law.

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