An Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, has been awarded the sum of N40 million as general damages, against the Police Service Commission (PSC) which retired him him in 2016.

The National Industrial Court, which ordered the PSC today, July 3, to pay Mbu the money, said that the payment was to compensate Mbu for his unlawful retirement before he attained the mandatory age of 60 years.

The presiding judge, Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae, said: ”I hold that the claimant’s premature retirement through a press release on July 2, 2016 is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect.”

The court, in addition, set aside the purported retirement and declared that the claimant remained an officer of the Nigeria Police Force ( NPF), until he attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 on May 10, 2018.

The court ordered the defendant to pay Mbu his salaries, allowances and entitlement from July 2, 2016 when he was retired until May 10, 2018 when he ought to have retired having attained 60 years.

The judge ordered that the sum of N750,000 be paid to the claimant as cost of the suit, saying that failure of the defendant to comply with the orders of the court within 30 days will attract a 10 per cent interest per annum.

The court, however, declined the relief of promotion to the position of a DIG and reinstatement sought by the claimant.

This, the court explained cannot be sustained as the claimant had reached the mandatory retirement age on May 10, 2018 when the suit was pending.

From facts, the claimant, Mbu instituted the suit against the commission over his alleged compulsory retirement on July 2, 2016, when he was the commandant of the Police Staff College.

In his statement of facts, he stated that he was born May 10, 1958, and joined the police on Dec. 11, 1985, and had not reached the mandatory retirement age of 60, nor had he spent 35 years in service before he was retired in 2016.

The claimant had therefore sought, amongst other reliefs, an order of the court to invalidate his retirement, which he claimed was done via a press release as he was never served statutory notice of retirement.

He also sought for an order of the court directing the defendant to pay his salaries, allowances and other entitlements from July 2016 to 2018, when he would have been due for retirement.

He also sought for payment of his terminal benefits, N500 million as general damages and N20 million as cost of the suit.

The defendant on its part through processes stated that the claimant was not retired through press release, but that he was pulled out from the force in a ceremonial event.

The defendant averred that promotion in the force is not automatic and that the claimant did not meet some of the requirements for promotion.

According to the defendant, the reorganisation in NPF at the time of the claimant’s retirement followed due process and the claimant was not the only person affected.

The court, in its judgment said that although the defendant abandoned it case by failing to show up in court to conduct its defence, the action did not exonerate the claimant from the burden to proof his case.

The judge submitted that pleadings are not synonymous to evidence as the defendant was never in court regardless of several hearing notices served.

Obaseki-Osaghae in addition stated that the defendant was deemed to have abandoned its case as the claimant’s submissions were not contested.

She said that the claimant having proven his case on its strength through credible evidence without relying on the weakness of the defendant’s, was entitled to some of the reliefs he sought.

Source: NAN.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured the business community of his government’s commitment to policy consistency and better business climate to attract investment.

The President, who spoke today, July 3, when he received in audience, delegation of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), at the Presidential villa, Abuja, welcomed the SPDC’s offer for more investments in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

He said that such investments are needed now more than ever, to enable Government meet its obligations.

The President said that attracting fresh investment was a promise he made personally to Nigerians. “Whatever it takes, I will fulfill that promise to Nigerians.”

President Tinubu reiterated that Nigeria is ready for business, assuring the Shell management and other investors of his administration’s willingness to maintain an open-door policy and address their concerns.

“We are open for business. We are serious. I give you the assurance of consistency in policy.”

The President also assured that his government is removing all forms of bottlenecks in order to ensure that Nigeria becomes an attractive investment destination.

Addressing the President earlier, the leader of the delegation, Ms Yujnock applauded what she described as “incredibly strong start” of the Tinubu presidency.

She expressed optimism that the bold steps taken by the government would renew Nigeria’s pride of place as an investment destination.

Yujnock said that SPDC is willing to ramp up investment in the country, especially in the areas of gas and deep-water assets by pumping in billions of dollars.

She said that Nigeria remains a strategic investment country for the company in view of the long history between the two entities and the prospects held by the county’s oil and gas sector.

Leaders of the three major tribes in Kogi State: Igala, Egbira and Okun have risen against the rising political violence as the State prepares for the November 11 governorship election.
A communique issued after a meeting in Abuja, of the leaders of the three tribes, repeatedly appealed to political gladiators to ensure peaceful campaigns.
The communique was signed by the President of Ebira People’s Association (EPA), Dr. Godwin Oyibo; the President of Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA ( Alhaji Amodu Abubakar Sadiq and the President of Okun Development Association (ODA),
Barrister Mokikan Femi.
The communique specifically appealed to the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to use his position as chief security officer of the State to ensure the maintenance of peace and peaceful electioneering campaigns.
Full text of the communique is reproduced hereunder:

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF EMERGENCY MEETING OF KOGI COALITION OF UMBRELLA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (KOCUDA) HELD ON 29TH JUNE, 2023 AT THE TOP VIEW HOTELS, ABUJA
We, the leadership of KOCUDA, the umbrella socio cultural and development organizations in Kogi State held an emergency meeting of the body on the 29th day of June, 2023 at Top View hotels Abuja. Present at the meeting are the Presidents of Ebira People’s Association (EPA), Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA) and Okun Development Association (ODA) The meeting was called to review the gradual but very disturbing resurgence of violence in Kogi state ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election.
Concerns
In the course of its proceedings, the meeting among others things, expressed the following concerns in the recent happenings in Kogi State:
1. The disturbing wave of violence and the threat it poses to peace and harmony in Kogi State in the last two months.
2. The forum expressed worry over accusations and counter accusations of intimidations and harassments of individuals, members of political parties and innocent citizens. It was stressed that all citizens of Kogi State, irrespective of their places of residence in the state, reserves the right and should be allowed to participate in the democratic process without fear of any attack.
3. These incipient civil disturbances and infractions as being recorded in the state in recent time portends no small danger to a united Kogi state as it does not only undermines the democratic process, jeopardizes the safety and well-being of citizens, threatens the stability and progress of the state but reverses the gains which the current administration of the state has made in the areas of peace and security of lives and property.
4. Political violence is not known in human history to leave behind any good in its wake. In addition to stalling fundamental principles of democracy, it engenders cycle of fear, intimidation and socio-exclusion.
5. The ensuing chaotic atmosphere ahead of the November 11 2023 governorship election will only stifle open dialogue, free expression, and peaceful resolution of conflicts, all of which are crucial for a thriving democratic society.
Calls:
In view of the foregoing, the meeting was compelled to make the following calls:
1. All political parties and their leaders in Kogi state should prioritize the cause of peace far and above their personal or political interests in their activities. We enjoin political leaders and their supporters in the state to demonstrate their avowed commitment to peaceful coexistence, respect for human right, mutual understanding, and adherence to the rule of law.
2. We call on the Governor of Kogi state, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Chief Security Officer of the state, to do all within his legitimate powers to arrest the situation so that it does not degenerate further.
3. The relevant security agencies in the state are charged to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring that further infractions and violence are prevented and culprits are dealt with in accordance with the law.
4. Our revered traditional rulers, religious and community leaders are urged to rise to the occasion and assert their respected positions towards a peaceful conduct of the forthcoming November Governorship election.
5. Going forward, we enjoined all component clubs and associations in all parts of Kogi state to replicate these same calls in their various district/regions and places with a view to driving home this message of peace and peaceful co-existence that have hitherto defined life in Kogi State.
Conclusion
The meeting came to a close with a passionate appeal to key stakeholders in Kogi Politics and by extension all Kogites to eschew any act that could endanger the peaceful coexistence of citizens of the state, adding that no one’s political interest is worth more than the peace of our dear state.
Signed
Dr. Godwin Oyibo
President, Ebira People’s Association (EPA)
Signed
Alhaji Amodu Abubakar Sadiq
President, Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA)
Signed
Barrister Mokikan Femi
President, Okun Development Association (ODA)