The leadership of the Ondo state House of Assembly has suspended two lawmakers for unruly behavior.
The affected lawmakers are the Deputy Speaker of the house, Iroju Ogundeji, and another member of the House, Adewale Williams.
Ogundeji is one of the lawmakers who dissociated themselves from the impeachment process of Ondo deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi
Details later…
Source: The Punch
His Lordship, Hon. Justice Nelson Ogbuanya of the National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos has ordered Equinox Intl. Resources Ltd to pay its former Human Resources and Administrator Mr. Abe Babalola the sum of N52, 000.00 unpaid balance of May Salary; N480, 000.00 Four Months salary, and One hundred and twenty thousand naira salary in lieu of notice with the sum of N1,000,000.00 as general damages within one month.
The Court held that in periodic employment of this kind, an employer who decides to terminate an employee within a new month is liable to pay for the full salary of that exit month and not the fraction of the days the employee worked in the month.
From facts, the Claimant- Mr. Abe Babalola was employed as the Head of HRA with six (6) months probationary period, and within one year, the firm terminated his employment on the ground of economic crunch and restructuring.
He further averred that at the point of the termination, he was owed some arrears of salary; including 7 days he worked in September before the termination and has not been paid salary in lieu of notice as stipulated in the offer of appointment, including general damages for the financial hardship occasioned by the unduly delayed payment.
However, the firm admitted owing the balance of N52, 000.00 as the balance of May salary but contended that it does not owe any salaries that the Claimant has abandoned his duty post during those months claimed, which amounts to constructive resignation of his appointment without notice.
The Defendant maintained that the Claimant is not entitled to any notice or salary in lieu of notice because he was dismissed for various infractions contended that the suit is underserved, and prayed the court to dismiss it with substantial cost.
In response, Counsel to the claimant, C.M Ohamuo Esq., (with J.O Muonye) argued that by the contention of the Defendant’s counsel that the Claimant’s employment was not confirmed after the six-month probationary period, the Claimant is still entitled to some payment for two weeks’ notice.
Counsel submitted that having completed the 6-month probationary period, the Claimant became a permanent staff and should be so regarded unless the court holds otherwise.
After careful consideration of the submissions of both counsel, the trial Judge, Justice Nelson Ogbuanya held that the employment relationship between the parties was terminated by the Defendant and not by the Claimant under any purported constructive resignation/abandonment of duty.
“I find nothing in this exh.CA2 to support the Defendant’s allegation of abandonment of duty by the Claimant and no evidence was presented at the trial in this regard. I find that the Defendant did not exercise any disciplinary measure in form of a query against the Claimant for his alleged abandonment of work and there was no evidence of any attendance record justifying the allegation.
“I find that there was no pending issue of gross misconduct that arose between the parties prior to this suit. And as such, there is also no evidence of any compliance with the rule of natural justice, denoting that the Claimant should have been confronted with such allegation and be given opportunity to defend himself, before any such allegation of misconduct can be granted to ground a dismissal. Not doing so, constitutes a flagrant breach of natural justice rule of fair hearing.”
Furthermore, on claimant claim for a fraction of September, Justice Ogbunaya held thus:
“I took out an opportunity to review the principle underpinning payment of salary in periodic employment, and came to the conclusion that pro-rata payment of salary is not applicable to workers in periodic employment, but only applicable to daily paid workers.
“Consequently, in my considered view, in a periodic employment of this kind, an employer who decides to terminate an employee within a new month is liable to pay for full salary of that exit month and not the fraction of the days the employee worked in the month. I so hold.
Lastly, Justice Ogbuanya also awarded the sum of N1,000,000.00 (one million naira) as general damages against the Defendant for the wrongful withholding of claimant accrued salaries thereby exposing him to undue financial difficulties, with the sum of N500, 000.00 costs of action within 1 month.
Source: Industrial Court
The Kogi State Government has inaugurated Justice Henry Olusuyi as the Chief Judge of the state.
The swearing-in ceremony was held on Wednesday in Lokoja, the state capital.
Justice Oluseyi was sworn in at 10:35 am after taking his Oath of Office.
In attendance are Governor Yahaya Bello, the state Deputy Governor, Edward Onaja; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole and other top government functionaries.
This comes five days after Governor Bello approved Olasuyi’s appointment in an acting capacity.
The position became vacant following the death of Justice Nasir Ajanah on June 29.
Meanwhile, Governor Bello has approved the appointment of Bayo Olowosegun as the acting President of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal.
Mr Olowosegun’s appointment also followed the demise of the former occupant of the office, Shaibu Atadoga, who died on June 22.
Source: Channels Television
Six candidates are vying to become the next head of the World Trade Organization — an institution which faced mammoth challenges even before the pandemic-driven global economic crisis struck.
The window to enter the race slams shut on Wednesday, in a speeded-up contest to replace the outgoing WTO director-general Roberto Azevedo — the Brazilian career diplomat who is stepping down one year early at the end of August.
The six candidates in the running are from Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Moldova, Nigeria and South Korea.
The new chief must revive stalled trade talks, lay the ground for the 2021 ministerial conference — one of the WTO’s major events — and thaw relations with Washington.
The United States, which has threatened to leave the WTO, has blocked the organisation’s dispute settlement appeal system since December, and wants China moved up from the developing economies category.
In a surprise move in mid-May, Azevedo, 62, announced that he would end his second four-year term early for personal reasons, forcing the Geneva-based WTO’s 164 member states to come up with a successor in just three months instead of the usual nine.
Rather than an election, the procedure for selecting the next WTO boss relies on finding consensus, with candidates gradually being eliminated in turn.
A vote is possible as a measure of last resort, but that scenario has never occurred.
In 1999, when countries could not decide between two runners, both candidates each served a three-year term.
The next incumbent faces a tough task, with the WTO caught in the middle of rising tensions between the United States and China.
“If the process of choosing the next director-general is heavily politicised, that could block things up,” a diplomatic source told AFP.
If a consensus cannot be reached in time, one of the four deputy directors-general will take the reins in September on a caretaker basis.
The six candidates are South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee; Kenya’s former foreign minister Amina Mohamed; Mexico’s former WTO deputy director-general Jesus Seade Kuri; former Nigerian foreign and finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Egyptian former diplomat Hamid Mamdouh; and former Moldovan foreign minister Tudor Ulianovschi.
Of the directors-general since the WTO was created in 1995, three were from Europe, while one each came from Oceania, Asia and South America.
There has never been a WTO leader from Africa and the continent fancies its chances this time, even though there is no regional rotation principle at the global trade body.
However, African nations have so far failed to convene around a single candidate.
Expecting the contest to come in 2021, the African Union had given early official backing to three figures, among them Mamdouh, a veteran former senior WTO official.
Mamdouh, 67, who is also a Swiss national, was the only one to declare his candidacy.
Nigeria’s decision to stand Okonjo-Iweala against him has triggered a legal dispute with the African Union.
Nonetheless, “Nigeria’s candidate is gaining ground within Africa,” said a diplomatic source.
Okonjo-Iweala, 66, who chairs the board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said she was receiving “tremendous support”.
“I’m sure the African Union will make a decision to choose and support the candidate that merits it,” she told reporters in Geneva at a virtual press conference in late June.
The former World Bank number two insisted that the WTO — which has never had a female leader — must choose is next chief based on ability.
“I hope that the WTO director-general will be elected first and foremost on merit. And then, if it happens to be a woman or an African, that is also good,” she said.
Kenya’s sports minister Mohamed, 58, has also previously served as chair of the WTO general council and first ran for the post in 2013. She threw her hat in the ring just before nominations closed, meaning there are three women and three Africans in the contest.
Yoo, 53, is the other female candidate.
The youngest contender is 37-year-old Ulianovschi, while Seade, at 73, is the oldest. He has led posts at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Source: Channels Television
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has extended the closing date of tax debt payments in the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by FIRS Director of Communications, Abdullahi Ahmad, the agency moved its waiver of penalty and interest window on tax debts owned by individuals and businesses from June 30 to August 31st, 2020.
He noted that the agency’s boss, Muhammad Nami, approved the extension as a “follow up to a number of palliative measures devised by the FIRS to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Nigerian economy.”
According to him, the move is to support tax-paying individuals and business entities in the country.
“Taxpayers are advised to note that there will be no further extension of this palliative measure. Tax debtors are therefore enjoined to liquidate their outstanding tax liabilities on or before 31st August 2020 in order to enjoy a waiver of accumulated penalties and interests,” Nami was quoted as saying.
FIRS Chairman explained that the extension applies to tax auditing, investigation and desk review assessments, approved instalment payment plans under Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) yet to be fully liquidated.
Nami also asked concerned individuals and businesses to contact their respective Tax Controller or the nearest FIRS Regional Debt Management Office for further enquiries.
Source: Channels
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has tested positive for Covid-19, Equity News can confirm.
Bolsonaro himself announced the result, speaking on Brazilian TV channels Tuesday. “Everyone knew that it would reach a considerable part of the population sooner or later. It was positive for me,” he said, referring to the Covid-19 test he took Monday.
“On Sunday, I wasn’t feeling very well. On Monday, it got worse when I started feeling tired and some muscle pain. I also had a 38-degree [Celsius] fever. Given those symptoms, the presidential doctor said there was suspicion of Covid-19,” Bolsonaro said, adding that he then went to hospital where scans of his lungs “came back clean.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Bolsonaro told CNN affiliate CNN Brasil that he had been treated with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as he awaited the result of his fourth Covid-19 test in four months. Hydroxychloroquine, though enthusiastically boosted by both Bolsonaro and US President Donald Trump, has not been proven as an effective treatment for Covid-19.
Bolsonaro nevertheless credited the controversial antimalarial drug for his well-being on Tuesday. “I am feeling very well. I believe that the way they administered the hydroxychloroquine on, the effect was immediate,” he said.
He also acknowledged the life-threatening risk posed by a virus that he has in the past dismissed as a “little flu.” “We know the fatality of the virus for those of a certain age, like me, above 65, as well as for those with comorbidities, diseases, other issues. In those cases the virus could be decisive and lead to death – everyone knew that.”
Source: CNN Television
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent to the Senate, the list of 11 nominees he’s requesting their confirmation as new judges of the Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
A statement signed by the special assistant to the President of the Senate, Ezrel Tabiowo stated that the request was made in a letter read during plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
The letter reads: “In accordance to Section 256(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed names of eleven (11) nominees as Judges of the High Court of the FCT, Abuja.
The nominees are: Abubakar Husseini Musa (Adamawa State); Edward Okpe (Benue State); Babashani Abubakar (Borno State); Emuesiri Francis (Delta State); Jude Ogho (Delta State); Josephine Enobi (Edo State); Christopher Opeyemi Oba (Ekiti State); Mohammed Idris (Kano State); Hassan Maryam Aliyu (Kebbi State); Fashola Akeem Adebowale (Lagos State); and Hamza Muazu (Niger State).
However, the Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda, while relying on Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules objected to the absence of a nominee from the FCT.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central), while coming under the same point of order, explained to the contrary that the FCT already has Judges on the bench of the FCT High Court.
“What is being done by the National Judicial Council at the moment is to fill existing vacancies on the bench of the FCT Judiciary.
“What will become an issue is if you take list of the over 40 Judges of the FCT and any particular state is missing, that is when it becomes an issue.
“A major criterion is to ensure that states that do not have anybody on the bench are given priority. I just wanted to clarify that FCT has Judges on the bench of the FCT”, the lawmaker explained.
In a related development, the President also requested the upper chamber to confirm the appointment of three members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
“In compliance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and pursuant to Section 1(2) and (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act LFN 2004, I write to request for confirmation by the Senate, the following three nominees for appointment as members of the Code of Conduct Bureau. The curriculum vitae of the nominees are attached herewith.
They are: Barr. Ben Umeano (Anambra State – South East); Hon. Johnson Abonaema (Edo State – South South); Olayinka Babatunde Balogun (Ogun State – South West).
Also to be confirmed is the appointment of Umar Garba Danbatta, as Executive Vice Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for a second term of five (5) years.
According to President Buhari, the nominee’s appointment is in accordance with the provision of Section 8(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
Meanwhile, the confirmation of the nomination of Idahagbon Williams Omoregie for appointment as Commissioner of the Federal Civil Service Commission was referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service.
The Senate President also referred the nominations of Usman Mahmud Hassan as Commissioner of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission to the Committee on National Planning and Economic matters; Tella Adeniran Rahmon as Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission to the Committee on INEC; Suleiman Sani as Career Ambassador; and the appointment of 41 Non-Career Ambassadors to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The Committees are expected to submit their reports to the Senate in two weeks.
Source: The Punch
Justice Mohammed Garba of the Federal High Court, Benin on Tuesday adjourned till July 14, 2020, the N700 million suit bothering on money laundering filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and four Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains.
The four PDP top members in the suit are the PDP zonal vice-chairman, Chief Dan Orbih; the Edo State chairman of the party, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi; former Edo State deputy governor, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, and one Mr. Efe Anthony.
Justice Mohammed Garba of the Federal High Court, Benin on Tuesday adjourned till July 14, 2020, the N700 million suit bothering on money laundering filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and four Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains.
The four PDP top members in the suit are the PDP zonal vice-chairman, Chief Dan Orbih; the Edo State chairman of the party, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi; former Edo State deputy governor, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, and one Mr. Efe Anthony.
In Suit No. FHC/BE21C/ 2016, EFCC had filed an eight-count charge against the five accused persons for allegedly receiving public funds illegally to the tune of N700 million for the purpose of the 2015 general election.
During its last sitting on Thursday, June 18, 2020, the court validated the corruption charges against the defendants and adjourned the case to July 7, 2020, for further hearing.
Counsel to the first defendant (Ize-Iyamu), the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Charles Edosomwan (SAN) told Justice Garba that his client, could not make it to the court as he was currently indisposed.
Edosomwan, a former Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice pleaded with the trial judge to allow him to present the certificate of his ill health as certified by his medical doctor to the court.
The court adjourned the case to July 14, 2020 for hearing after entertaining the counsel’s submission.
The five defendants are being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency for conspiring among themselves to commit the offence in March, 2015, alleging that they took possession and control of the funds without any contract award.
Source: The Punch
The acting chairman of Economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu , has been suspended. Equity News can confirm.
A source told Equity News reporter that Magu has been suspended by Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, pending when a decision will be taken on him.
Details Later…
The United States said on Monday it would not allow foreign students to remain in the country if all of their classes are moved online in the fall because of the coronavirus crisis.
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