Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen has rejected the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)’s judgment against him and has filed an appeal challenging the ruling.
Earlier in the day, Thursday, CCT convicted Justice Onnoghen after he was found guilty of refusing to declare his assets from June 2005 at the time he became a Justice of the Supreme Court up to December 2016.
Although Onnoghen reportedly resigned a few weeks after his trial at the tribunal began, the chairman of the tribunal, Dalnadi Umar said that he should be removed immediately.
He was also stripped of all benefits attached to former offices he held in addition to losing funds in five bank accounts traced to him and was barred from holding public office for ten years.
For alleged failure to attend official functions, the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, is angry with chairmen of 12 local governments in the state and has notified the state House of Assembly of his intention to suspend them.
In a letter to the Speaker of the House of Assembly titled: “Notice of suspension of the chairmen of 12 local government councils chairmen,” the governor said that his intended action is based on Section 64 (3) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018.
“I hereby serve you notice of the suspension of the following 12 local government councils chairmen for security reasons for approval and ratification.”
The affected chairmen are Philemon Kingolo (Okrika), Tom Aliezi (Emohua), Daniel E.O. Daniel (Abua/Odual), Tony Phimoore (Degema), Lahteh Loolo (Khana) and Paul Kobani (Gokana).
Others include Ben Eke (Ahoada East), Samuel Nwanosike (Ikwerre), Philip Okparaji , Paul L. Paul (Andoni), Christian Nwaiwu (Omuma) and Erasmus Victor (Ogu/Bolo).
The governor informed the state Assembly that in accordance with proviso (a) to Section 64 (3) of the Rivers State Government Law of 2018, he had directed the vice chairmen of the mentioned local government councils to act during the period of the suspension.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again intervened in the retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) with the sum of $254.8 million even as it also injected the sum of CNY 34.8 million in the spot and short-tenored forwards segment of the inter-bank foreign market.
According to the apex bank’s Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okorafor, the intervention, like in previous sales, was for requests in the agricultural and raw materials sectors.
He said that the Chinese Yuan was for Renminbi-denominated Letters of Credit, adding that the CBN is happy with the performance of the Naira against other major currencies around the globe.
Okorafor said that the stability in the market had continued to attract genuine investors and boost trade even as he assured that the Bank management would be committed to ensuring that all the sectors of the forex market enjoy access to the needed foreign exchange.
Meanwhile, $1, today, Thursday, exchanged forN360 at the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment of the foreign exchange market, while CNY1 exchanged at N55.
All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and party state chairmen from the North Central geo-political zone have endorsed the two candidates of the party for the leadership positions of the ninth National Assembly.
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong disclosed this to newsmen after a closed-door meeting of stakeholders from the zone today, Thursday, at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
Speaking to newsmen, the governor said: “a meeting of governors and the party chairmen from North Central today resolved to go along with the decision of the party’s endorsement of Senator Ahmed Lawan as Senate President and Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila as the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 9th National Assembly.
“Since it was a party affair, our decision was in line with the wish of the party and that is why we the governors and state chairmen of our party from the zone are in support of the decision of the party.”
When asked what the zone stands to gain in the power sharing formula, Gov. Lalong said, “we are still deliberating. We have not exhausted the positions with respect to zoning. Our decision and position are only on two issues, while the rest delibrations are ongoing. There is going to be a continuation of our meeting in respect of positions to the North Central with both Mr. President and the party.”
The meeting which lasted for more than one hour had in attendance, Governor Lalong, his Niger State counterpart, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Almakura and Benue State APC governorship candidate, Barrister Emmanuel Jime.
APC State Chairmen in attendance were Engr. Jibrin Imam of Niger State, his Kogi State counterpart, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, Nasarawa State’s Philips Shekwo, Chief Letep Dabang of Plateau State, Comrade Abba Yaro of Benue State, as well as the FCT’s Abdullahi Usman.
President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed not to allow merchants of evil and death to overwhelm Nigeria.
“Under my watch, the nation will triumph over them – terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and the like.”
The President, in his Easter message to the nation today, Thursday, called on Nigerians not to lose hope of a brighter and greater future for the country when we do the right things in love.
“Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. I enjoin all Nigerians to intensify prayers for peace and security to return to all parts of the country.”
President observed that Nigeria is currently gripped with gloom over unfortunate killings, kidnappings and violence, as seen in the recent tragic incidents in some states of the federation.
He stressed the need for the citizens to reinforce the bond of brotherhood and good neighbourliness that citizens of a cohesive country must share.
He said that Nigerians must not allow the few bad elements in the communities to put asunder the communal tendencies and chords of unity.
“I know from my regular interactions with security chiefs, state governors, victims and members of communities caught up in the unfortunate cycle of violence, that Nigerians are united against the evil minority.
“This administration will do all it takes to adequately equip and motivate our armed forces and other law enforcement agencies to enable them successfully confront these security challenges.”
President Buhari said that he did not take the import of his re-election for granted, especially the expectations of majority of Nigerians towards providing adequate security, fixing the economy and fighting corruption.
“The obligation of this administration as we prepare to take governance to the Next Level, is to continue to provide dedicated and honest leadership, where every citizen irrespective of religion or ethnic origin, feels secure to live, invest and prosper; where public office holders are accountable; and law breakers are brought to justice.”
The President rejoiced with all Nigerians, especially Christian brethren on the glorious occasion of the celebration of Easter 2019.
According to him, Easter is the most important feast in the Christian calendar and represents God’s redemptive mission over humanity, the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair and good over evil.
He said that the Christian festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ is also a time to emulate the virtues of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, humility, courage and endurance, which Christ embodied and remarkably demonstrated during His earthly ministry.
“Let us use this auspicious season to show love to our neighbours, and cater to the needs of the less-privileged in our midst.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the new Minimum Wage of N30,000 with effect from today, April 18, 2019.
“This makes it compulsory for all employers of labour in Nigeria to pay to their workers the sum of N30,000. And this excludes persons who are employing less than 25 workers, persons who work in a ship which sails out of jurisdiction and other persons who are in other kinds of regulated employment which are accepted by the Act.
“It also gives the workers the right, if you are compelled by any circumstance to accept salary that is less than N30,000, to sue your employer to recover the balance and authorises the minister of labour and any person nominated by the minister of labour, or any person designated by the minister of labour in any ministry, department or agency to on your behalf take action in your name against such employer to recover the balance of your wages.
“It also ensures and mandates National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission and the Minister or Labour, to be the chief and principal enforcers of the provisions of this law. And this law applies to all agencies, persons and bodies throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Announcing the assent of the Present to the bill making it a law today, Thursday , the senior special adviser to the president on National Assembly matters, Senator Ita Enang said: “the effective date for the commencement of the law is 18th of April, 2019, as Mr. President has assented to. It has been assented to today and it takes effect today, except such other provisions as are contained in the Act. But the enforcement and the right to start the implementation of the provisions commences today (Thursday), including such steps that are to be taken gradually under the provisions of the Act.”
Senator Enang said that President Buhari will celebrate with workers on May Day, adding that the President has shown workers the love he has for them “and we are marching as we will march with the Nigerian workers.”
Asked if it the new minimum wage covers the National Youth Service Corps, Senator Enang said: “it covers all persons covered by the Act.”
The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has sacked the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, siezed all his Co controversial Dollar accounts and banned him from holding public office for 10 years, Gavin found him guilty of false declaration of assets.
The three-man panel led by Danladi Umar, ruled today, Thursday that Onnoghen breached the provision of CCT Act section 36; and that the defendant falsely declared his asset by hiding five accounts listed in the charge.
The embattled Justice Onnoghen had earlier resigned his position as CJN.
The 69 year old former President of Peru, Alan Garcia died in a hospital in Lima, today, Wednesday, after shooting himself as police arrived at his house to arrest him in connection with a bribery probe.
Garcia was said to have shot himself in the head after police arrived at his home to arrest him in connection with a bribery investigation, the interior ministry said.
The country’s Health Minister, Zulema Tomas confirmed the incidence in broadcast, saying: “Garcia, 69, underwent emergency surgery at the Casimiro Ulloa hospital and suffered three cardiac arrests.”
Local TV channel America reported that Garcia was in a coma and showed images of his son, supporters and lawmakers arriving at the hospital, where police in riot gear stood by.
Garcia was one of nine people a judge ordered to be arrested in connection with an investigation into bribes distributed by Odebrecht, the Brazilian construction company.
Described as a skilled orator who led Peru’s once-powerful Apra party for decades, Garcia governed as a nationalist from 1985 to 1990 before remaking himself as a free-market proponent and winning another five-year term in 2006.
He had denied wrongdoing involving Odebrecht and blamed his legal troubles on political persecution.
“Others might sell out, not me,” Garcia said in broadcast comments on Tuesday, repeating a phrase he has used frequently as his political foes became ensnared in the Odebrecht investigation.
Interior Minister Carlos Moran said at a news conference that Garcia had told police he needed to call his attorney after they arrived at his home in Lima to arrest him.
“He entered his room and closed the door behind him.
“Within a few minutes, a shot from a firearm was heard, and police forcibly entered the room and found Mr. Garcia sitting with a wound in his head,” Moran said.
In 2018, Garcia asked Uruguay for political asylum after he was banned from leaving the country to keep him from fleeing or obstructing the investigation, while Uruguay rejected the request.
Garcia would have been the third former president in Peru to have been jailed in the Odebrecht case.
Ollanta Humala spent nine months in pre-trial detention in 2017 to 2018 and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was arrested without charges recently.
A fourth former president, Alejandro Toledo, is fighting extradition from California after a judge in Peru ordered him jailed for 18 months in connection with Odebrecht in 2017.
However they have all denied wrongdoing in connection with Odebrecht.
In Peru, criminal suspects can be ordered to spend up to three years in jail before trial if prosecutors can show they have evidence that likely would lead to a conviction and the suspect would likely flee or try to interfere in the investigation.
President Martin Vizcarra said on Twitter that he was “consternated” by Garcia’s death, and sent his condolences to his family members.
After months of dilly dallying, the Senate has finally passed the petroleum industry governance bill (PIGB).
Also passed at its plenary today, Wednesday, were the bills on National Health Insurance (NHIS) Act, 2003 (Repeal and Re-enactment) 2019 and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) act 2010 (amendment) bill 2019.
President Muhammadu Buhari had initially rejected the bills saying that they had legal, constitutional and drafting issues after which the senate set up a technical committee to review the bills.
However, the bills were being passed today after Ahmad Lawan, Senate leader, moved a motion and referred for the committee of the whole for consideration.
After the technical committee effected corrections, the senators considered the clauses of each of the bills and passed them.
Reacting to the bill’s passage, Senate President, Bukola Saraki said the action of the senate on the NHIS bill is to ensure that Nigerians have basic healthcare even as he congratulated the chairman of Senate Health Committee, Senator Lanre Tejuoso; and all those who worked on the bill.
“It is a massive achievement towards achieving universal coverage in the country.”
On the passage of the INEC bill, he said, “it’s a great day for our democracy, as today; we passed a new and much-improved version of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Amendment Bill.”
Other bills passed by the senate are the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (amendment) bill 2019 and the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism bill 2019, National Research and Innovation Council bill 2019, Stamp Duties act (amendment) bill 2019 and National Agricultural Seed Council bill 2019.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has insisted that he won the recently concluded Presidential election in accordance to stored election results in a server by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Atiku gave an indication that he will call Microsoft, IBM and Oracle experts to testify that he defeated President Muhammadu Buhari by over 1.6 million votes.
He gave the server name as INEC_PRES_RSLT_SRV2019 and its unique Mac address as 94-57-A5-DC-64-B9 with Microsoft Product ID 00252-70000-0000-AA535.
In his fresh response to the reply of INEC to his petition, Atiku said that he will also tender INEC’s training manual on elections, a printout of the votes of candidates from smart card readers and a printout of the forensic audit report on INEC’s server as evidence.
Atiku, who is former Nigerian Vice-President claimed that he polled a total of 18,356,732 votes to defeat President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who he said scored 16,741,430 votes.
However, INEC’s Director of Information and Communications Technology, Chidi Nwafor, in his witness statement on oath attached to the reply, specifically denied the “server results” which the PDP and Atiku claimed.
He said that all the results were collated manually and were never transmitted electronically.
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Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen has rejected the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)’s judgment against him and has filed an appeal challenging the ruling.
All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and party state chairmen from the North Central geo-political zone have endorsed the two candidates of the party for the leadership positions of the ninth National Assembly.
President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed not to allow merchants of evil and death to overwhelm Nigeria.
Justice Walter Onnoghen
The 69 year old former President of Peru, Alan Garcia died in a hospital in Lima, today, Wednesday, after shooting himself as police arrived at his house to arrest him in connection with a bribery probe.
After months of dilly dallying, the Senate has finally passed the petroleum industry governance bill (PIGB).
