The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has called for a decentralized policing and reinforcement of the federal police to help combat the nation’s security challenges.
“I still hold my view that in addition to the central police, which we have today, we need other levels of policing. States, local governments, and possibly other major institutions should be able to have their own police that is well coordinated.” The Deputy Senate President spoke on Friday in Abuja while decorating one of his newly promoted security aides, Mr. Uchenna Igwebuike, with the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Ekweremadu, who commended the Police for rewarding hard work through the promotion, observed that Nigeria could no longer afford to do the same thing continually and expect a different result.
He said that unitary police, which the country currently operates, is out of tune with a federal arrangement.
“First of all, let me say that I am happy with this promotion. It shows that hard work pays and this is the reward for hard work. The officer has showed exemplary dedication to his work; he has been a true professional. So, he deserves this promotion and I also believe that the sky is his limit in his chosen profession.
“But, in the interim, we need to ensure efficiency in the central policing we have. We need to ensure that they are equipped, trained, and motivated to do the work they have been constitutionally empowered to do, while we explore modalities to work out the decentralized policing system for our country in tandem with all federal institutions all over the world.” [myad]
The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has made it clear that he is not President Muhammadu Buhari’s sycophant even as he took a swipe on the Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that threatened to expel him from the party for criticizing the new price of fuel introduced by the Federal Government.
He accused Governor Nasir El-Rufai of engineering the sack threat, and declared that he is in no way intimidated by the threat.
Senator Sani, who has been having a running battle with the governor over what he termed anti people policies, said he remained a 100 percent supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari, but that he is neither a sycophant nor a hypocrite who will not speak his mind when there is the need to do so.
Reacting to the threat through his Special Adviser on Politics and Ideology, Suleiman Ahmed, the senator described the threat as mere hallucination, dismissing the state APC as a tool in hand of the governor.
“It will be interesting for the general public to know that even the so-called state headquarters of the APC is a building owned by a top PDP chieftain in the state.
“The press conference and threat of expulsion made by one Tanko Wusono of Kaduna APC against comrade Senator Shehu Sani for objecting to the increase in pump price of petroleum products stands unambiguously condemned. Kaduna APC as it exists today is simply an extension of El-Rufai’s government.” [myad]
The American University of Nigeria will host the 99th Biannual Conference of the Association of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (AULNU).
Formerly, the Committee of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (CULNU), the Association changed its name at its 98th conference at Covenant University, Ota. In 2012, CULNU awarded AUN the Best Digital Library Services in Nigeria, while the American Library Association bestowed the award for Innovative International Library Projects in 2013.
Announcing the event, the Assistant Vice President of Digital Services at AUN, Julius Ayuk Tabe, said that the 99th biannual promises to be a momentous occasion for the University, which joined AULNU at the university’s inception in 2005.
The three-day conference begins with arrivals on Sunday, May 22, followed by a meeting of the Association’s executives on the same day. Day two begins with registration formalities and a courtesy call on the AUN President, Dr. Margee Ensign, who will give the keynote speech, “The Use of E-resources in a Development University,” at the opening of the conference.
Ayuk Tabe said that the choice of AUN as host is timely and a reflection of the reality on ground. “AULNU obliging us now is a bold statement attesting to the improved security situation in Nigeria’s northeast. We have decided to justify their confidence in us and to showcase our award-winning institution.”
Other highlights of the meeting will include a paper on “Management of Nigerian University Libraries: Challenges and Prospects,” by the former librarian at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Alhaji Inuwa Dikko, and a goodwill message by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Julius E. Okojie. The conference will be formally opened by the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, HE Muhammed Umar Jibrilla. [myad]
Civil society Organisation (CSO) under the umbrella of Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria alongside Nigeria Unemployed Youth Vanguard and 35 others in Nigeria have described the current nation-wide strike by factional Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as epileptic.
Speaking at a conference on the state of the nation on Friday in Abuja, its National coordinator, comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, the group condemned in strong terms, the strike action by the factional NLC led by Waba, calling for immediate suspension of her actions or face the wrath of the ordinary Nigerians which he described as unpatriotic and offensive to Nigerians.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress genuinely is not protesting the subsidy but because of the faction in it, Waba is seeking for recognition that he may be know by Nigerians. We do not have to toll the part of cheap popularity to the detriment of our people,” the group said.
The group promised to mobilize a one million man solidarity march in Abuja and major cities in Nigeria in support of government decision that removed oil subsidy. [myad]
A top senior officer in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede has taken over the mantle as acting Comptroller-General of the service.
He took over from Martins Abeshi.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Abeshi has since handed over to Babandede who until now in charge of Operations and Passport Directorate in the NIS.
Ekpedeme King, the NIS spokesperson, confirmed the development. [myad]
Amina Ali Nkeki who was the first Chibok girl to be rescued out of 219 of them that were abducted in April 2014 was received on Thursday by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. She came with her new baby, mother, sister and governor of Borno Sate, Kashim Shettima. [myad]
Another Chibok schoolgirl abducted by Boko Haram more than two years ago has been found, less than 48 hours after the first one, Amina Ali Nkeki was found around Sambisa forest in Borno State.
The Nigerian army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman said Thursday that the girl had been rescued, though he did not give details.
He promised however that the details would soon be made available.
The first of the 219 abducted students – 19-year-old Amina Ali – was found on Tuesday with the four-month-old baby she gave birth to in captivity.
Amina Ali was received on Thursday at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, by President Muhammadu Buhari. [myad]
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restored the sacked Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Momoh Jimoh Lawal, to office.
Delivering judgment on the matter on Thursday, the Presiding Judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, ordered the 1st to 5th defendants to “immediately vacate the different offices they now purportedly occupy by reason of the purported impeachment and removal of the Speaker and other Principal Officers”.
Justice Dimgba directed Momoh Jimoh Lawal and the other Principal Officers (2nd to 9th plaintiffs) to immediately resume their duties in their different offices as they were never impeached and/or removed.
Justice Dimgba also ordered the DSS, the NSCDC and the House “to immediately restore the security details of the 1st plaintiff (Lawal) and other Principal Officers purportedly impeached or removed by the illegal acts of the 1st to 5th defendants”.
Momoh Jimoh Lawal and nine other Principal members of the House had challenged their purported removal from office by the Hon. Umar Imam-led group of the House on February 16, 2016.
They said due process was not followed in their removal.
Other plaintiffs in the suit were Honourables Aliyu Akuh (Deputy Speaker), Kolawole Matthew, Osiyi Godwin,Sunday Shigaba, Ndako Idris, Oluwatoyin Lawal, Musa Jimoh, Victor Omofaye and the Peoples Democratic Party.
The defendants were Honourables Umar Imam, Friday Sani, Lawal Ahmed, Bello Abdullahi and John Abah.
Others included the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Kogi State House of Assembly.
The Judge further restrained the 7th to 9th defendants from further barricading the complex of the House of Assembly and preventing the plaintiffs from accessing the hallowed chambers to conduct their legal and legitimate duties as legislators validly elected to represent their various constituencies.
The court declared that the purported impeachment of the leadership of the House on February 16, 2016 by the 1st to 5th defendants is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void, having regard to the provisions of Sections 90, 91, 92 (2)(c), 95 (1), (2) and 96 (1) (2) of the Constitution; Rule 3(1)(2) Standing Rules of the KSHA and the proclamation of the KSHA dated February 16, duly signed by the Speaker pursuant to Rule 4(2)(3).
More so, the court declared that the election of the 1st to 5th defendants as leaders of the House was unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.
According to Justice Dimgba: “A careful perusal of Chapter 5, Part 2 (Comprising Sections 90 to 129) of the Constitution does not reveal any provision that deals with the resignation of a Speaker of the House of Assembly.
“But it is important to assert that whether or not a resignation has occurred at any material time is not an issue of law, but an issue of fact. Facts are proven by evidence, not by declaration and the rule remains that he who asserts must prove” the court stated.
“I note that the 1st to 5th defendants have not provided any evidence before the court to buttress this claim of resignation.
“This evidence could have been in the form of a duly authenticated record of proceedings of the KSHA of February 15, 2016 showing the resignation of the speaker and the orderly transition of power to the 1st to 5th defendants.
“Such evidence could also be in the form of a duly authenticated resignation letter from the 1st plaintiff as speaker. All of this the 1st to 5th defendants have failed to do.” [myad]
The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic (PDP), Olisa Metuh, Thursday, vomited in his car as he arrived in court for continuation of his trial, even as he counsel immediately applied to a Federal High Court in Abuja for the release of his passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
Justice Abang on Thursday reluctantly adjourned Metuh’s trial and the hearing of his fresh motion seeking the release of his passport till May 23, after his lawyer, Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN), complained that his client’s condition worsened overnight.
Etiaba told the judge that Metuh was rushed to hospital at about 1am on Thursday following a sudden change in his condition.
He said he read Metuh’s text message about the overnight development on Thursday morning but insisted that the defendant must attend the day’s proceedings.
He said he met Metuh at the court’s car park on Thursday and realized that the PDP’s spokesperson had vomited in his car.
“Waking up this morning, I read a text from the first defendant (Metuh) informing me that he was rushed to the National Hospital by 1am. My lord, I read that text this morning when I woke up and I responded that whatever it is he must be in court.
“I drove in this morning and he (Metuh) was at the car park in his car. On getting there I realized that he had vomited profusely and his brother-in-law Mr. Andy, narrated how he was rushed to the hospital last night.
“On getting to the hospital, they met a lady doctor who said the nurses were on strike but they administered injection and drugs to him.
“They also gave him a room but he was advised that since they had given him medical attention that he should go home because the injection administered to him would make him to sleep.
“He was also informed that because of the strike, the only available room was not cleaned up. He was advised to come back to the hospital by 8am. He was only here based on my advice.
“Our application this morning is for an adjournment. But for the reason that the 1st defendant is very weak, there is need to report back to the hospital because he cannot stand trial.
“I therefore plead with my lord to indulge us because this is a life threatening-situation. The defendant needs to stay alive to face his trial. This is a passionate appeal.”
Destra Investment Limited’s lawyer, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN), supported the application for adjournment.
Prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, described Etiaba’s submission as an “oral affidavit” but that he would not oppose the application for adjournment since it had to do with the defendant’s health.
Justice Abang in a bench ruling also said the issues raised by Etiaba were merely “sentimental” as there was no evidence apart from the lawyer’s oral submission to back the ill health claim.
The judge said the defendant ought to have invited the doctor who attended to Metuh in the hospital to give evidence on oath with respect to the defendant’s ill health.
But the judge said notwithstanding the failure of the defendant’s lawyer to adduce tenable evidence, he would adjourn the case because “the court is also human”.
He adjourned till May 23 but with a directive that the trial would proceed day to day in line with provisions of section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015
Justice Okon Abang had ordered Metuh to deposit his passport with the court’s registrar as part of the bail conditions granted him on January 19, with respect to his ongoing trial before the court.
Metuh, by his motion filed on May 16, seeks orders directing the court’s registrar to release his passport to him and to permit him to travel to the United Kingdom for five weeks to get treatment.
He said in the application that his decision to seek treatment abroad was informed by the advice of a neurosurgeon in the National Hospital, Abuja following the injury he allegedly sustained after falling from a chair at the national secretariat on April 26.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Metuh and his company, Destra Investments Limited, on seven counts, including alleged fraudulent receipt of N400m from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014 to fund Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential campaign ahead of the 2015 poll.
Other counts preferred against Metuh include alleged money laundering offences involving cash transaction of $2m without passing through a financial institution. [myad]
The Federal Government of Nigeria has classified the former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki as a threat to national security
Through its witnesses and its lawyer, Mr. T. D Kabiru, who led the witnesses in evidence, the Federal Government said on Thursday that Dasuki is being held because he constituted threat to national security.
Addressing the point raised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the government insisted that it would be dangerous to Dasuki, who is being held owing to his involvement in the over $2bn arms funds scam.
The government called two witnesses to oppose a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed before the ECOWAS Court by Dasuki, seeking his release from the custody of the DSS.
It said that given his pivotal role in the $2bn scam and the calibre of top politicians that had been fingered in the alleged fraud, Dasuki was also being kept in custody for his own safety.
It said that with the quantum of arms and ammunition alleged to be illegally kept in the ex-NSA’s home in Abuja and recovered by security operatives, there was the general apprehension that he possessed more, which the state had yet to discover.
It argued that Dasuki’s detention was justified based on the intelligence and security report in the disposal of the nation’s security agencies, and that national security superseded individual’s security.
The lawyer said, “the position of the defence, which is not controverted by the applicant, is that the arms and ammunition recovered during the search (at Dasuki’s home) are not the only arms and ammunition in the possession of the applicant.
“There is fear that he has more. There is intelligence report that some are yet to be recovered. That we fear he has more is a ground to hold him. There are ongoing investigations which are revealing fresh facts concerning him.
“The right of an individual cannot supersede the security of a country when there is intelligence report to suspect the conduct of the individual.”
Dasuki was re-arrested on December 29, 2015 by the operatives of the Department of State Service shortly after he was released on bail from Kuje Prisons, Abuja, with respect to his ongoing trial on three separate sets of charges.
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The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has called for a decentralized policing and reinforcement of the federal police to help combat the nation’s security challenges.
