A Federal Government-owned University, Modibbo Adama University (MAU) in Yola, the State Capital, has dismissed three professors in its employment for alleged plagiarism. The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Abdullahi Tukur, who spoke at the Pre-Convocation press briefing in Yola to mark the 28th Convocation Ceremony for the 2022/2023 academic session of the University, said that the three dismissed professors were found wanting and were therefore sacked. “The academicians were found guilty by an internal investigative panel set up by the University council.”
He said that stiff measures await any erring staff and student who may want to breach the rules and regulations guiding the institution.
Professor Tukur called on the Federal Government to review the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy, describing it as a huge challenge militating against operations of Public Universities in the Country.
Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, has vowed to flush out those with fraudulently degrees from the civil service. Professor Tahir Mamman, who made this known while receiving the report of an inter-ministerial committee on illegitimate academic degrees, said: “it is possible that some are carrying fake certificates in public and private organisations and need to be flushed out.” “It is sad that someone who should come out of a Nigerian institution with a 2:1 or 2:2 is now parading an international certificate of first class. “The ministry is determined to take steps to sanitise the system,” the minister said The Federal Government had asked the committee to investigate the activities of over 100 private universities and their counterparts in Benin Republic, Togo and other countries. A media report had given details of how some degree mills took advantage of the laxity in the Nigerian system to get away with their actions. The minister expressed sadness over the discoveries of large amount of certificate fraud during the investigation, saying that the ministry would collaborate with relevant agencies to instil sanity in the education sector and rid it of fake tendencies. “We can’t afford to have the integrity of our education swayed by a few people.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the names of at least 58 former governors allegedly involved in the misappropriation, embezzlement or laundering of approximately N2.187 trillion over a span of 25 years. This amount does not include properties seized worldwide or those currently being investigated, which amount to billions of Naira. The amount of N2.2 trillion that was looted is similar to the combined budgets of Lagos State and the South-East states for 2024, totaling N2.25 trillion and N2.29 trillion respectively. This figure exceeds the budgets of the North-Central states and North-East states for 2024, which are N1.89 trillion and N1.60 trillion, by several billion. The EFCC is currently investigating, probing, and prosecuting 58 ex-governors from various regions of the country. Since the restoration of civilian government on May 29, 1999, there have been at least 170 governors serving in the 36 states of Nigeria. The 58 ex-governors who are currently or have previously faced investigations by EFCC, with alleged amounts in question, consist of: Lte Abubakar Audu (N10.966 bn), TA Orji and sons (N551 bn) Yahaya Bello (N80.2 bn) Chimaroke Nnamani (N5. 3 bn) Sullivan Chime (N450 million) Kayode Fayemi (N4bn) Ayo Fayose (N6.9 bn) Abdullahi Adamu (N15bn) Danjuma Goje (N5bn) Aliyu Wamakko (N15 bn) Sule Lamido (N1.35 bn) Joshua Dariye (N1. 16 bn) Timipre Sylva (N19.2 bn) Saminu Turaki (N36bn) Orji Uzor Kalu (N7. 6bn) Bello Matawalle (N70 bn) Lucky Igbinedion (N4. 5 bn) Musa Kwakwanso (N10bn) Peter Odili (N1000 bn) Jolly Nyame (N1.64 bn) James Ngilari (N167 m) Abdulaziz Yari (N84 bn) Godswill Akpabio (N100bn) Abdul fatah Ahmed (N9 bn) Ali Mode-Sheriff (N300bn) Willie Obiano (N43 bn) Ibrahim Dankwambo (N1. 3bn) Darius Ishaku (N39bn) Ramalan Yero (N700m) Achike Udenwa (N350m) Rochas Okoro ha (N10. 8bn) James Ibori (N40 bn), DSP Alamieyeseigha (N2.655bn) Gabriel Suswam (N3. 111bn) Samuel Orton (N107bn) Murtala Nyako (N29bn) Rashid Ladoja (4.7bn) Christopher Alao-Akala (N11. 5 bn) Abdulkadir Kure (N600m) Babangida Aliyu (N4bn) Abubakar Audu (N10bn) Idris Wada (N500m) Ibrahim Shekarau (N950m) Adamu Aliero (N10bn) Usman Dakingari and wife (N5. 8bn) Attahiru Bafarawa N19. 6bn) Jonah Jang (N6. 3bn) Aliyu Doma (N8bn) Tanko Al’Makura (N4bn) Boni Haruna (N93bn) Bindow Jibrila (N62bn) Adamu Muazu (13bn) Isa Yuguda N212bn) Mohammed Abubakar (N8. 5bn).
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obong Akpabio has called on the Nigerian media practitioners to set a climate change agenda by giving special attention to reporting climate change issues. Akpabio’s advice was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh to commemorate this year’s World Press Freedom Day. Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration: “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,” Akpabio charged the media to make conscious efforts in engaging in aggressive education of the people about the environment and the negative effects of climate change. “The theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day is in sync with the global attention accorded to issues of environment and as the conscience of the society, it behooves the media to be deliberate in their reportage of climate issues. “Environment and climate are life and we must be part of the conservation of the environment for humanity to thrive before we talk about politics and related issues.” The Senate President said that the world is faced with the issue of global warming, and that Nigeria is not immune from it. He said that the media could do more in public enlightenment and education for the understanding of every citizen. Akpabio celebrated the Nigerian journalists for their sacrifices despite working under inclement conditions, promising that the 10th National Assembly will always stand for a free press in the country. “On behalf of the Senate and the National Assembly, I wish to congratulate all media practitioners, especially those who have put their lives on the line in pursuit of truth and justice. “The 10th National Assembly is committed to all that will strengthen press freedom and we will not condone anything that may trample on the rights of journalists.”
The embattled ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of what he called trial by ambush. Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are facing trial on a 26-count charge brought before a Lagos high court, presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi.
At the sitting today, May 3, his counsel, Olalekan Ojo, complained that he had just received more documents (additional proof of evidence) from EFCC filed yesterday, asking the court to adjourn sitting to enable him study them. According to him, the prosecution keeps dumping documents on us at every sitting, saying: “this is a trial by ambush.” Ojo was expected to continue cross examining one of the two witnesses presented by the EFCC, John Ikechukwu Ayoh, and on his part, Adeyinka Kotoye, lawyer to Omoile, also accused EFCC of trying to ambush the defence team. But counsel to EFCC, Oyedepo explained that the additional proof of evidence was part of the documents retrieved from the phone of John Adetona, a former aide to Emefiele, who was listed as a witness and were served in preparation for the testimony to be given by Adetona before the court. “The witness (Adetona) whose device the documents were printed from has not given evidence before the court. “In preparation for his testimony which is not coming up today or May 9, the prosecution rather than waiting for the defence to formally place a demand for the hard copies, the prosecution team printed the documents out. How does that amount to prosecutorial unfairness?” He asked the judge to order the defence team to complete the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, as the new documents do not affect the continuation of cross-examination of the witness.
The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has said that he is the first executive Governor of Osun State to practice both Islam and Christianity. Governor Adeleke, who spoke in a media chat at the public enlightenment tagged: IPADE IMOLE, second edition, held in Ilesa, said: “I go to the mosque and church to worship God. I believe that we worship the same God and there must be no room for religious bigotry and dichotomy.” The governor said that he would soon become Alhaji and Prophet, assuring that all religions would be taken care of in his administration. He assured both Christians and Muslims in the state that no religion would be neglected in the delivery of dividends of democracy. The Governor promised Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, that he would involve them positively in his administration and make their work easier. He asked them to be objective and truthful in their reportage, saying that he has done a lot in the area of infrastructure development, Workers’ welfare, pensioners, education, women affairs, health sector, cooperative and empowerment, among others. He promised to continue in the effort to change the face of the state, even as he flagged-off dualisation of Ilesa-brewery Akure express road and fly-over at roundabout, Ilesa.
”And once charges are in court, it’s no longer the agency (Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) that will arrest. It is the court that will issue summons against Yahaya Bello. “And when Yahaya Bello does not appear, then EFCC will apply to the court for a bench warrant to bring him to come and answer charges. These are the steps he has to take.” This is the verdict of the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, while featuring on Arise Television interview program today, May 3. Aondoakka, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), advised the EFCC not to disregard the rule of law while carrying out its duties. ”The EFCC ought to take orders from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the enabling law. And the only people that interpret the enabling law are the judges. ”In this case, the only order EFCC will follow now is the order made by the trial judge of Kogi High Court, which gave directions on how EFCC will proceed to arraign Yahaya Bello. The former number one law officer in the country insisted that the EFCC made a fundamental error in the first place by including Yahaya Bello in a charge relating to events predating his tenure as governor. According to Aondoakka, through legal recourse, Bello sought to enforce his fundamental human rights based on the flawed charge brought against him by the EFCC. ”I think the controversy was unnecessary in case of Yahaya Bello. Because some of the details that are coming up are unnecessary. ”There was an ongoing case with Yahaya Bello to enforce his fundamental human rights. It was based on one particular case, which the EFCC amended a charge and included him. That is charge number 5502022, pending before the federal high court in Abuja. ”At the accusation in that charge, I think there was an error by EFCC. The error was that he was being roped there because he was governor, but they referred 2015. In 2015, the man said, I was not even a governor. I was a governor in 2016. ”That was a premise he went to enforce his fundamental rights before a state high court, which the state high court and the federal high court have concurrent jurisdiction to enforce fundamental human rights. ”When he enforced the fundamental right, there was interlocutory order restraining EFCC not to arrest him pending the hearing of the case. “Then the second aspect of the judge, the Kogi High Court say that if you want to have any additional charges to file against Yahaya Bello, don’t arrest him, but file him the charges in court. ”And so once charges are filed in court, the agency cannot arrest. It is the court that will issue the summons and serve on Yahaya Bello. And it’s the court that will now, if he doesn’t show up, the court can issue a bench warrant for his arrest. ”So I’m thinking, and it’s the most wise thing to do in this matter, is to follow the order of the court, the Federal High Court. I don’t even see it necessary to appeal the order because I see the order being well-balanced.” Making a reference to the recent judgment delivered by Justice Modipwe, which clarified the legal standing of the case, Aondoakka said that the judgment emphasized that Yahaya Bello should not be arrested or detained, and instead, the court should issue summons for him to appear regarding the pending charge. The former Attorney General urged the EFCC to adhere to the court’s directives and legal procedures, saying however that Yahaya Bello, like any other citizen, is subject to the law. He advised EFCC to follow the prescribed legal procedures outlined by the court and affirmed that Bello, despite his status, must be treated in accordance with the law.
The Commander General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa has announced that in the upcoming mass wedding in the state, 50 women have been allocated for journalists to have their loved ones participate if they desire. The Commandant General, who spoke to newsmen today, May 2, said that the board has decided to extend the invitation to interested members of professional groups and trade unions. The last mass wedding recorded about 1,800 couples. Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa said: “we have allocated 50 slots to journalists and other members of the media who are interested in participating in the mass wedding program.” He said that the board would also include legal practitioners and health workers in the next exercise. The Commandant General said that the essence of the mass wedding program is to entrench moral values in society and reduce immorality among young men and women. Sheikh Daurawa called on Hisbah personnel across the 44 local government areas of the state to re-commit themselves to the job or resign. He reminded them that Hisbah management has since provided written guidelines to help operatives understand their roles and responsibilities. He said that the Hisbah board has collaborated with Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (YUMSUK), Amine Kano College of Islamic Legal Studies, Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education and the Department of Islamic Studies at Bayero University, Kano (BUK) to establish a Hisbah Academy. He said that when established, the Hisbah Academy would be an institution where formal knowledge and skills pertaining to Hisbah work would be taught and certificates would be awarded to its graduates.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Adeyemi Adaramodu, has made it clear that the issue of minimum age for admission of students into Nigerian’s universities has no place in law of the country. Speaking yesterday, May I, in an interview with journalists, Senator Adeyemi said that the statements making the rounds on the increase of the age limit to 18 years are individual viewpoints. According to him, any adjustments to the age limit would require proper legislative procedures, whether they involve lowering or raising the limit. “Comment on the minimum age requirement for admission is not a law,” the lawmaker said. “So it is just an opinion. It’s not a law. By the time the Senate resumes, whoever wants to bring that one out to make it a law, will now bring it and then the procedures will take place. “You can bring whatever to the floor in form of a bill. When you bring it, there’s going to be public hearing. “All the stakeholders will sit down and talk about it. The parents, teachers, legislators, civil society organisations, even foreign organisations. “We will sit down and talk. Even if they say that the minimum age should be 30 or 12, we will all discuss it in an open forum. So it’s still a comment which cannot be taken to be the law.” Only last week, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, had said that the government is thinking about changing the minimum age for entering universities to 18 years old.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike has said that part of the measures to tackle insecurity in the nation’s capital city is the acquisition of drones. He said that it is part of the administration’s procurement process to have drones. The minister, who received in audience today, May 2, a delegation from the Consulate General of Hungary, led by the Consul General, Endre P. Deri on a courtesy visit, said that he had handed the details of the acquisition of the drones to security people who are in charge. “I will let them have a discussion with your people so that they will identify the type of drones that will be effective and efficient in our own area and how we intend to use them, which areas we intend to use them. “So, I will let them have a contact with your people. “I can tell you that the issue of security for us is a priority, in terms of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Wike said that the FCT is safer now, having been able to address security challenges it faced in the recent past. He said that there is an ongoing process for the procurement of more security equipment for the security agencies which Hungary can key in. “Security has been an issue but by the grace of God, we’ve been able to reduce the level of insecurity. “You can attest to the fact that Abuja is safer now because of the way we have been able to tackle the issue.”
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