Fed/State Govt Relations should lead to development - Tambuwal
Bar Aminu Tambuwal has stated that his government will initiate mechanisms that will make Inter-governmental relations among the variou teirs of government development oriented .
The former Speaker of the Federal House of Reps said this in Akwanga , Nasarawa State, yesterday when he met PDP delegates from the state. He observed that Nasarawa State 's geographical location will be fully maximized for the benefit of Nasarawa people and Nigeria .
"The time has come for us to convert the closeness of Nasarawa State to the seat of power into real economic and developmental gains for the people of the state. I am here today to tell you that the privilege of proximity to the seat of power will give you the reward of deserved gains under my leadership "
Tambuwal regretted that the state is currently under tension and that the current Federal Government seems not to have solution . He said that his government will do everything possible to ensure that peace reigns all over Nigeria .
"Our Strength as a Nation lies in our diversity and we must use it to become one of the greatest countries of the world . I am that leader that will make Nigerians proud on the International scene " he said.
On his part , the Nasarawa State PDP Chairman, Hon. Francis Inokila , stated that Tambuwal's antecedents recommend him for National leadership .
" Your antecedents recommend you for National leadership . Your former colleague who is here with us , has confirmed that you are one dependable Nigerian who always seeks the common good and Who is focused on the National interest ", he said.
Tambuwal also met with will the Benue State delegates at Markudi last night, in continuation of his quest to clinch PDP Presidential ticket for 2019 tge Presidential elections .
By Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia
Can a judge continue proceedings in absence of the defendant's lawyer in a criminal matter without offending Section 349 (1)a,b,(2)(3) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 ?
It is no more secret that Counsel to Olisa Metuh who is still on a sick bed at National Hospital Abuja , did not appeal on Thursday and Friday proceedings of the Court .
But , the law in Section 349 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 , stated what the Court should do in a case where a defendant lawyer did not appear in the Court which centred on reaching out to the defendant for the purpose of allowing him get another legal practitioner by himself or legal aid inline with the above cited Act .
It is of note that Justice Abang refused to submit to the above cited section regards the absence of the legal representation of the defendant .
Let's look at the what the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 said :
Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 :
Section ( 349) (1) where a defendant charged before the court is not represented by a legal practitioner , the court shall :
(a) inform him of his rights to a legal practitioner of his choice ; and
(b) enquire for him, whether he wish to engage his own legal practitioner , or a legal practitioner engage for him by way of legal aid .
(2) where the legal practitioner who had appeared on behalf of the defendant cease to appear in court in two consecutive sessions of the court , the court shall enquire from the defendant if he wishes to engage on his own another legal practitioner or a legal practitioner engaged for him by way of legal aid .
(3) Where the defendant wishes to engage another legal practitioner of his choice, the court shall allow him reasonable time but not exceeding 30 days to do so .
.................................
Despite the provisions sections 349(2) &(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act , Justice Abang today unilaterally closed the defence of Olisa Metuh and foreclosed him from offering any more defence in his matter .
The point is that the issue is not really about Olisa Metuh as a person , but what seems to a deliberate effort to undermined the system .
Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia ©2018
Abuja , Nigeria
I have been briefed by my lawyers that Justice Mojisola Dada of Lagos State High Court Ikeja granted the oral plea of counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to declare me wanted because of my failure to appear before the court today. I have expressly stated before that I am not afraid of arraignment but must be arraigned through due process of the law.
It must be noted that I, through my legal counsel, challenged the jurisdiction of the Lagos State High Court to hear the forgery charge filed against me by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on ground of, inter alia, the charge being an abuse of process. I filed an application before the court that this present charge is an abuse of process because a similar charge on the same subject matter, transactions and issues is ongoing at the Federal High Court Lagos Division between the same parties, in charge no FHC/l/565c/2015. The last hearing of the charge at the Federal High Court was this week, May 22nd 2018.
Furthermore, my legal counsel had at the last court hearing on April 25th 2018 notified the court that I had challenged the Jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division and that the prosecuting counsels which are the EFCC has equally filed their brief at the Appellate Court. The judge subsequently adjourned the hearing to today, May 24th 2018.
At the court hearing today, my defense team, also, notified the judge that both parties have filed and exchanged their briefs at the Court of Appeal and a date has been fixed for hearing of the substantive appeal and prayed the Honourable Judge to defer to the Court of Appeal to decide the appeal which is on the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit. Again, my legal team notified the trial court that I had appealed against the order of bench warrant of 9th February 2018 to the Court of Appeal and as well filed a motion for stay of execution of the order of bench warrant.
However, the judge failed to grant the prayers of my legal counsel and quickly granted the plea of the prosecuting counsel to declare me wanted without recourse to due process of the law or listen to the submissions of my counsel on why an order declaring me wanted should not be made.
Declaring me wanted was done in bad faith and is simply to embarrass my personality, defame me and malign my character aimed to distract me from my daily activities in ensuring that Innoson Vehicles continues to produce durable made in Nigeria vehicles.
Recall also that the same Judge had issued a bench warrant against me, while I had challenged the jurisdiction of her court to hear the suit and I also wrote a petition to the National Judicial Council to investigate the circumstance leading to issuing a bench warrant against me and ordering my arrest. In the course of this case, I had filed a motion that the judge recuse or disqualify herself from further conduct of the proceedings which she failed to hear and insisted I must be brought to court against laid down judicial authorities.
Finally I want to expressly state that I am not afraid of arraignment but must be arraigned through the due process of the law. Meanwhile, I have also appealed against the order declaring me wanted and as well filed a motion for the stay of its execution.
Cornel Osigwe
Head, Corporate Communications
Innoson Group
Nzuko Umunna an Igbo Think Tank organization proudly felicitates with the Igbo Nation on the success of the just concluded restructuring summit held at Awka. With the Ekwueme Square 2018 declaration, Ndigbo through the instrumentality of its Apex sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo made their demand open with great sense of direction. We see this initiative as a step in the right direction as this necessary call for the urgent restructuring of the country has been replicated across the various regions of the country with the apparent unworkability of the status quo.
We commend the exemplary leadership of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, in particular the host Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who showed great leadership and patriotism by hosting the world class summit, other South East Governors, the Deputy senate president, Prof Ike Ekweremadu and Distinguished Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for leading members of the National assembly to the historic program, clergies, the planning committee of the summit headed by the erudite Prof. Charles Soludo, leaders of the various Igbo organizations who put in enormous efforts and resources to ensure the success of the summit. Your sacrifices are great prices you pay to ensure a fair, just, inclusive and restructured Nigeria for us all.
We are strongly optimistic that all hands would be on deck in consolidating the gains of this summit and sustaining efforts towards the eventual restructuring of the country.
Nzuko Umunna equally extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who attended the summit especially the guests from various regions of the country who came to express their solidarity and support to our demand. That the summit massively attracted the leaders and people of other regions from the Middle Belt, South West and South-South shows that we share similar position on the problems we face and the solutions we proffer to the past and recent happenings that threaten the very existence of our country Nigeria.
Finally, Nzuko Umunna use this opportunity once more to call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to feel the pulse of the people, listen to their demands and expedite necessary actions towards the restructuring of the country as this remains the irreducible minimum in ensuring a united Nigeria and an environment for massive economic development across the various regions of the country. We also seize this medium in appreciating the church for the peaceful protest conducted against herdsmen killing and we send our condolences to the families of victims all over the federation.
Signed:
Paschal Mbanefo
General Secretary
Ngozi Odumuko
Convener
LABOUR MINISTER TO JOHESU: OBEY COURT ORDER
The Honourable Minister of labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige has urged the striking members of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) to obey the order of the National Industrial Court directing the five Health unions, Medical & Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwifes (NANNM), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professional, Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospital Research Institutes and Associated Institutions operating under the acronym to call off strike within 24 hours and return to negotiation.
The Minister who made the appeal today in Abuja said information from field officers of the Ministry of Labour and Employment indicate that the unions were yet to comply with the court order.
“Information from our various field officers indicate that JOHESU is yet to obey the order of the National Industrial Court which directed it to call off strike within 24 hours and return to negotiation with effect from 17th may 2018.
“It is important to remind all of us that Nigeria is a constitutional democracy with all rights and freedom fully protected under the rule of law. Therefore, disobedience to court orders is an anarchic resort to self-help which will neither benefit the unions nor the nation at large. Orders of court no matter how adverse must be obeyed until set aside.
“I hereby appeal to the leaders and members of JOHESU to comply with this order and direct their members nationwide to return to duties immediately. This is in view of the imperative of the rule of law as well as give and take upon which every fruitful social dialogue is anchored.”
The Minister further noted that a high level Federal Government body has been meeting on daily basis since the commencement of the strike to find an amicable resolution of the contending issues, majorly, the review of the CONHESS Salary level for the five unions.
“I therefore wish to inform the leadership of JOHESU that their primary employers, the Federal Ministry of Health, other members of the Federal Government Negotiating Team and my Ministry as the Chief Conciliator are ready for the prompt resumption of negotiations as well as speedy resolution of this trade dispute.”
The Minister recalled that he signified his intention to refer the matter to the National Industrial Court during the last Wednesday, May 16th 2018 negotiation but was prevailed against, not knowing that other concerned Nigerians had already gone to court before the Ministry could send its referral instrument to that court.
The Minster also Informed that Government was still open to negotiation, as such JOHESU should avail itself of this window and not push government to take decisions that will erode all her gains in making workers happy since the coming of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
May Day : Workers are the engine room of our Nation - Chris Azubogu
... Calls for synergy among stakeholders towards improvement of workers welfare and service delivery
The member representing Nnewi North /South /Ekwusigo Constituency in Federal House of Representative , Hon Chris Emeka Azubogu while facilitating with the Nigerian workers on the Worker's Day celebration today , stated that " Nigeria Workers are the engine room of our Nation 's Economy" .
According to the Nnewi , Anambra State born Engineer ,we should lay emphasis on policies that strengthen relationship among stakeholders towards improvement of workers' welfare and productivity .
" With synergy among stakeholders, there will be improvement on workers welfare and service delivery which will benefit our economy and her people " he said .
Workers with poor welfare incentives , will generate poor result which will end up reducing supposed economic growth with poor productivity "
The Anambra State born Federal Lawmaker went further to add " I therefore call for more efforts from all the arms and tiers of the Government of our country , to consider workers welfare as priority "
Private employers of labour must also improve their relationship and working conditions of workers so that we all can March together towards achieving all-round improved growth result " Azubogu said .
Azubogu also stated that " Our Challenge in Parliament is not only to create law for improvement of worker's welfare , but also to create Parliamentary Policy interventions that will produce enabling environment for Job creation for our youthful population "
" As I facilitate with our workers today , I see our working population taking the lead in kick starting new economic narrative of our Nation as the engine room of our Nation's economy that they are " Azubogu concludes .
The attempt to recall the Senator Dino Melaye of Kogi West flopped on Saturday following a low turn-out for the signature the verification. Results announced by INEC at the end of the exercise showed that only 18,742 signatories to the recall petition were verified out of the 189,870 signatories on the petition.
BY NANAPR
The attempt to recall the Senator Dino Melaye of Kogi West flopped on Saturday following a low turn-out for the signature the verification.
Results announced by INEC at the end of the exercise showed that only 18,742 signatories to the recall petition were verified out of the 189,870 signatories on the petition.
The verified signatories fell well below the requirement of the law that 50 per cent and one of the signatories must be verified before the recall process can continue.
Consequently, the embattled Senator Melaye who is in the hospital owing to the drama that followed his arrest has survived the recall attempt.
Here is how the verification exercise turned out in the seven local government areas in the senatorial district, which has 351,146 registered voters.
KOTON KARFE LGA:
TOTAL NUMBERS OF REGISTERED VOTERS – 46,727.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES ON THE PETITIONS – 24,459.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES AT VERIFICATION – 2,566.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES VERIFIED – 2, 335.
KABBA BUNU LGA:
TOTAL NUMBERS OF REGISTERED VOTERS – 59,319
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES ON THE PETITIONS – 27,910
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATORIES AT VERIFICATION – 2,151
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNAT7S VERIFIED – 2,085.
IJUMU LGA :
TOTAL NUMBERS OF REGISTERED VOTERS – 46,810.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURE ON THE PETITION – 24,389.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES AT VERIFICATION – 2,811.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES VERIFIED – 2,664.
YAGBA EAST :
TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS – 35,329.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURE ON THE PETITION – 18,229.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES AT VERIFICATION – 3,580.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES VERIFIED – 3,506.
MOPA AMURO LGA :
TOTAL NUMBERS OF REGISTERED VOTERS – 18, 350
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES ON THE PETITION – 9,173.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES AT VERIFICATION – 729.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATARIES VERIFIED – 710.
There was violence in Mopa Amuro towards the end of the exercise. Six polling units were reportedly affected. As a result, the exercise in six out of the 10 wards in the LGA were cancelled.
YAGBA WEST LGA:
TOTAL NUMBERS OF REGISTERED VOTERS – 35,506
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES ON THE PETITION – 19,444
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES AT VERIFICATION – 4,221
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATORIES VERIFIED – 3,729.
LOKOJA LGA:
TOTAL NUMBERS OF REGISTERED VOTERS – 109,105
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES ON THE PETITION – 66,266.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES AT VERIFICATION – 4,810.
TOTAL NUMBERS OF SIGNATARIES VERIFIED – 3,763.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier assured the people that it was only concerned with transparency in the exercise and could not be held responsible for the poor turnout of petitioners.
The INEC Federal Commissioner in-charge of Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa states, Alhaji Mohammed Haruna, made the statement in Lokoja shortly after the end of the exercise.
Haruna said that the main concern of INEC was to ensure transparency in the process, insisting that the organisation was neutral in the bid to recall Melaye from the Senate.
“Turnout is not our problem; turnout is the problem of parties concerned, ours is to ensure transparency,” Haruna said.
Commenting on insinuations that INEC might tamper with the wish of the people, the commissioner said that nothing like that would happen, stressing that the agency had no interest in who won or lost in the matter.
“Nothing untoward will happen, I assure you . Whatever happened at the polling units is what INEC will announce,” he stated.
Commenting on the mix up in the list of petitioners, Haruna said that mistakes in such exercise was normal but gave an assurance that the mistakes would be corrected.
He lauded the peaceful conduct of the people before and during the exercise.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in Koton Karfe and Lokoja, the people conducted themselves well, although the turnout was poor.
During the exercise, there was no case of malfunctioning of card reader machines while security personnel adequately manned the polling centres.
Credit Sahara Reporters
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