Ebonyi High Court Asks Gov Umahi, Deputy To Remain In Offices

March 10, 2022

A High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has asked Governor David Umahi and his deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, not to vacate their offices.

The order followed an Ex Parte motion filed by Governor Umahi and his deputy, over a Federal High Court judgment on March 8, ordering them to vacate their offices for defecting from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The order asking Umahi and his deputy, not to vacate their offices, was made by Justice Henry Njoku today, March 10.

Recall that Justice Njoku had on February, 28, in a suit No HAB/13/2022 dismissed a suit seeking to sack Gov Umahi and his Deputy from offices for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

The suit was filed by Senator Sunny Ogbuorji who contested governorship on the platform of the APC in 2019, and his running mate, Justin Ogodo Mbam.

The plaintiffs had asked the Court to order Umahi and his deputy to vacate their offices having defected from the PDP on which platform they were elected as Governor and deputy and relinquish the positions for them, having came second in the governorship election.

But barely seven days of Justice Njoku’s ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in another suit, on Tuesday sacked Umahi and his deputy for defecting to the APC.

But delivering ruling on a motion ex-parte motion brought before the Court by Barrister Roy Umahi, Counsel to the defendants (Umahi and his deputy), today, Justice Njoku maintained that his earlier judgment which came before that of the Federal High Court remains valid and subsisting.

He said: “an interim order of this Honourable Court for seven days (7) subject to renewal is hereby granted, in view of its judgment in Suit NO HAB/13/2022 delivered on 28th Day of February, 2022 being a judgment in view, and having precedence over any subsequent contrary judgment.

“The applicants hereto, Engr David Umahi and Dr Kelechi Igwe shall accordingly remain and not removed from office as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.”

Justice Njoku also called on all parties to obey the Court orders and refrain from abusing judicial process.

Domestic Airlines Groan As Scarcity Of Aviation Fuel Bites

Editorial staff

March 9, 2022

Report reaching us at the Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that only few of the airlines are currently getting regular supplies from aviation fuel marketers.

It was gathered that the price of the Jet A1 has been fluctuating between N580 and N600 per litre in the last few days, compare to the N450 it was being sold before.

An official of one of the domestic airlines, who does not want to be named, said: “the price of jet A1 touched N600. The high cost of aviation fuel, which account for almost 40% of airline’s cost of operations, has been one of the reasons the airline operators recently increase the cost of tickets. The least ticket for an hour flight currently goes for N50,000.

A statement from Ibom Air read: “we have encountered a situation where aviation fuel is scarce and therefore unavailable at almost all our flight destinations. This has significantly impacted our flight schedule.

“We sincerely apologize to all our passengers affected by the current situation. At this time, we have no indication when the issue will be resolved, however, we are working with our fellow airlines and fuel suppliers to find a solution. Our passengers and the public should please be informed. We will give an update once we have further information,” the airline said.

Arik Air also said: ”Nigeria airlines are currently experiencing acute scarcity of jet A1 and this situation is having serious impact on our operations. The commodity is not readily available across the country and where available goes for between N590 and N625 per litre. On Tuesday March 8, 2022 we had to delay most of our flights across the network while a few others were cancelled. There is no certainty as to what the situation will be in the coming days. We are appealing to our esteemed customers to please bear with us as we engage the oil marketers and other stakeholders on ways of resolving the current jet fuel situation”.

Dana Air had also cried out about the crippling effect of the Jet A1 scarcity on their operations. The airline management said: “the aviation fuel crisis is taking a new turn and has continued to have effect on our operations in the last few weeks.”

Speaking on the causes of the scarcity and current high price, the Chief Executive Officer of Cleanserve Energy, Chris Ndule said the current price of crude oil in the international market has affected the prices of all petroleum products.

Ndule said: ”it is not only aviation fuel price that has increased. Other petroleum products prices have also increased.

“This is partly due to the current price of crude oil in the international market which is going for between 110 to 125 dollars per barrel. The raging war in Ukraine has affected international trade. For instance, I was to bring in some shipment of Jet A1. But my foreign partner decided we should hold on and watch the international shipping routes.

“The current exchange rate of the Naira to the dollar has also affected the prices of petroleum products. The Naira is currently being sold for 580 Naira to the dollar in the parallel market. This added to other logistics will definitely add to the cost of landing of Jet A1.”

The Cleanserve Energy CEO however said that there is hope the price of aviation fuel might come down as Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), has imported some aviation. This NNPC importation might bring down the price and also mitigate availability of aviation fuel.”

I’ll Give PDP Bloody Nose, I’ve Assembled 17 Senior Advocates – Embattled Ebonyi Gov

Editorial staff

March 9, 2022

The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has made it clear that he is ready to fight the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the finish over the court judgment that sacked him as governor for defecting from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Umahi, who addressed over two thousand members of the ruling APC in Ebonyi State at a solidarity rally that took place today, March 9 at the Udensi roundabout, staged to declare their support and loyalty to him, said that he has mobilized over seventeen Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to Appeal the judgment of the Federal High court sitting in Abuja. The SANs are being led by justice Inyang Ekwo, wherein he was sacked for defecting from the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling APC.

Umahi said he has no regrets in defecting to the ruling APC and threatened to engage in battle with the opposition party, the PDP in Ebonyi State, especially for trying to distract his administration.

“I’m still the Governor of Ebonyi State and I’m still working. I said the lawyers of PDP are the ones doing forum shopping and I’m going to write against the lawyers to NBA to discipline them because the judge was misled. The blame was not on the judge. The blame is on the PDP lawyers who misled the judge.

“And I’m using the opportunity to let Nigerians know that nobody castigated the judge and we will not and because the matter was not before any judge.

“Today, we have appealed the judgment. We have done three things; we have done the appeal at Enugu, and when I say that, we have two judgments, I say that the judgment in Ebonyi state, which has equal powers with that of Abuja. We said we will obey the judgment in Ebonyi State. We will appeal the judgment of Abuja. We didn’t say we will disobey otherwise we would have not have appealed.

“We are before the Appeal Court of Enugu state and that of Abuja. We have also filed a stay of execution. So, we are still the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.”

Second Niger Bridge Gulps N400 Billion, To Be Commissioned In October – Presidency

Editorial staff

March 8, 2022

Ongoing construction of 2nd Niger Bridge

The Presidency has revealed that so far the resumed work on the second Niger Bridge in the Southeast has gulped a total sum of N400 Billion. This is even as the Presidency announced that the bridge will be ready for commissioning by President Muhammadu Buhari in October this year.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who spoke today, March 8, after inspecting the progress of work on the bridge along with senior government officials, confirmed that work on the Bridge has so far gulped over N400 billion and that the administration is satisfied that the project would finally be delivered in October.

Professor Gambari said that out of the N400 billion already spent, the previous administration committed N10 billion into the project, adding that contrary to insinuations, the project is being funded 100 percent by the Nigerian government.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who led the Chief of Staff on the inspection tour announced that there would be power disruption around the bridge head for two weeks in April this year to enable the Transmission Company of Nigeria to relocate and realign the transmission lines to pave the way for the completion of the ring roads connecting the bridge from all routes.

The minister also announced that with the completion of concrete work on the bridge, making it possible for a walk from the beginning to the end of the 1.6 kilometres stretch, the minor alignments on the structure would be wrapped up before the end of April.

Speaking on whether there would be tollgate at the Second Niger Bridgehead, Fashola said that his priority is to complete the road before delving into the suitability or otherwise of the road for tolling.

The minister said that although there is a Federal Executive Council approval for the tolling of 12 highways in the country, the decision on tolling the 2^nd Niger Bridge head is yet to be made by the federal government.

He said that there are ongoing to be construction of facilities that have the semblance of toll gates at the bridgehead.

Speaking to the presidential entourage, which also included the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, Dr. Uche Orji, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, Lars Richter, said that the level of work on the bridge, which they started in earnest in 2018, had reached 93 percent.

Richter said that despite the difficult terrain where the bridge is situated, the company deployed a special technology to stabilise the ground for the construction work to progress in earnest and provide environmental safety for all the communities around the area.

It will be recalled that the 2^nd Niger Bridge, which was officially started in 2014 by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, however gathered much steam in 2018 when the project was given adequate and sustained funding by the Buhari government.

Women Cannot Be Relegated For Long, They Are Proving It, Buhari Swears

Editorial staff

March 8, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has looked into his crystal ball and said that women can no longer be deprived for too long, as they consistently prove that they can hold their own on all fronts, and in all fields.

President Buhari, on the International Women’s Day today, March 8, said that though women are not where they should be yet in different spheres of endeavor, but that “they are coming fast.”

He gave the example of the women in the current administration, who have performed wonderfully as Ministers, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Executive Directors, Executive Secretaries, and many others.

According to President Buhari, “women are pulling their weights, and making it impossible for anyone to downplay their essence.”

The President said that the celebration, under the hashtag #Break the Bias, and the theme; Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow, is an opportunity to reflect on the vital roles women play in society, homes, governance, the professions, and in all walks of life.

Buhari rejoiced with women and mothers, around whom the tranquility of homes and society revolves, praying to God to grant them peace, joy and satisfaction, as they celebrate today and always.

We’ve Released N10 Billion On VIP’s Wing Of State House Clinic, Presidency Tells Senate

Editorial staff

March 8, 2022

Permanent Secretary in the State House, Tijanni Umar has said that the Federal Government has since 2021, released the sum of N10.06 billion to the contractors for the ongoing work on the Presidential (VIP) Wing of the State House Clinic, in the Presidential Villa, scheduled to be completed by December 2022.

According to Umar, the N416.6 million budgeted for the project in 2020 and N1.06 billion in 2021, have already been paid in full.

The Permanent Secretary, who was briefing members of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs today, March 8, during an oversight inspection visit, said that out of the N20.8 billion budgeted for the project in 2022, the Federal Government has paid N8.5 billion.

Umar recalled that in line with due process, President Muhammadu Buhari has granted approval to engage Messers Julius Berger Plc to review and develop the concept design and proceed with the construction of the project as a turnkey contract.

”Accordingly, on 29th July 2021, the company was instructed to proceed with the review of the concept design and other site works simultaneously, based on which a roadmap/timeline for the construction of the facility was developed.

”In furtherance to this, the site was handed over to M/s JBN on 23rd August, 2021 which proceeded to undertake necessary and extensive site survey and other ancillary works paving the way for the ground breaking and foundation laying that was performed by the Chief of Staff to the President on 1st November, 2021.

”It is instructive to note that the schedule of payment plan which is linked with the work plan that was negotiated with the company in line with the advice of the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning outlining milestones at which the client is expected to effect regular periodic payment for work done in order to sustain the momentum of work and to deliver/commission the project by 31st December, 2022 is yet to be fully aligned.”

Earlier the leader of the committee, Senator Danjuma La’ah, expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work on the project.

”For the remarkable steps so far reached on the project site, I am highly impressed.

The Senator, who described the progress of the work as fantastic, commended the contractors, Julius Berger Plc and the management of State House for complying with the time schedule for the completion of the project.

”We will take it as a point of duty to keep a tab on this project until it is completed.”

Senator La’ah recalled that when he assumed the leadership of the Committee, he had pledged that the Senate would ensure that the clinic is properly equipped to provide world class medical services to principal officers in the Presidential Villa.

Members of the Senate Committee who inspected the project are Senators Istifanus Gyang (PDP- Plateau North) , Mpigi Barinada (PDP-Rivers South-East), Tofowomo Nicholas (PDP-Ondo South), Nmachi Ama (PDP-Ebonyi South), Gershon Basset (PDP-Cross River South), Bulus Amos (APC-Gombe South), Dimka Ayuba (APC-Plateau Central), Frank Ibezim (APC-Imo North APC) and Halliru Jika (APC-Bauchi Central).

The regional manager of Julius Berger Nigeria, Oliver Berger, who took the lawmakers through the projects, assured them that the project which is situated on an area of 2800sqm will be completed on schedule.

Stakeholders Rise Against Extinction Of Yoruba Language, Endorse Millionaire Contest

Editorial staff

March 8, 2022

Stakeholders in the Southwest Yoruba speaking area, including education commissioners, leaders of Yoruba language practitioners’ associations and book publishers have risen against the extinction of Yoruba language in the area.

The stakeholders, who converged on Ibadan gave the go-ahead to the proposed annual Yoruba language millionaire contest among secondary schools in the region, as a means of reclaiming the youths from the grip of foreign language, and representing the language as a tool for regional and national development.

The success of the programme being organised by the Yoruba World Centre in conjunction with Oodua Investment Company Limited and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission necessitated the meeting of the stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, the Director General of DAWN Commission, Seye Oyeleye, said that the time to save Yoruba language is now, and tht all should work towards its revival.

The Group Managing Director of Oodua, Adewale Raji, said also that the focus of the Group has always been looking for way to bring all-round development to the region even as the Coordinator of the Yoruba World Centre, Ogbeni Alao Adedayo, unveiled the programme.

It is about the Yoruba Language Millionaire Contest to which all the stakeholders agreed.

Modalities and plans were advised to be put in place immediately, and a day for the inauguration of the programme that will bring all the Yoruba speaking states together be announced soonest.

In attendance were the Commissioner of Education, Oyo State, Dr Rahman Abdu-Raheem, his colleagues who were ably represented by top Directors: Mr Adebayo Adeyemi, Director of Special Duties and Innovation (Lagos), Mrs Bamidele Makinde, Director of Education Support Services (Ogun) and Mrs Tola Adeniyi of School Services (Ondo). Also present were the President of Egbe Akomolede ati Asa (the Yoruba secondary teachers Association), Aare Omowumi Faleye; President of YSAN (Association of Yoruba Language Lecturers in Universities), Professor Dele Orimoogunje and his Deputy, Dr Adeola Faleye; President of Yoruba Lecturers Association in Colleges of Education, Dr Soji Aderemi Fajenyo; Professor Dele Layiwola of Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan; Professor Adedotun Ogundeji of Yoruba Language Centre, University of Ibadan; Mrs Labake Owolabi of Centre for Yoruba Language Engineering (CEYOLENG), Dr Tunde Odunlade of Tunde Odunlade Arts Gallery, Mrs Folakemi Bademosi, Director of Publications, University Press Limited, and Mr Emmanuel Abimbola, Executive Secretary of Nigerian Publishers Association.

US Bans Russian Oil, Gas, As UK Moves To Eliminate Russian Oil From Its Markets

Editorial staff

March 8, 2022

The United States of America has banned the importation of Russian oil as part of the measures to punish Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. The ban will also be applied to Russian liquefied natural gas and coal.

The ban was announced today, March 8 by President Joseph.

The ban is part of Washington’s strategy to try to freeze the world’s second-largest energy exporter out of global markets and isolate Moscow economically for its military offensive in Ukraine.

Report has it that oil prices surged past $130 per barrel on Tuesday.

The United Kingdom also said that it would begin phasing out the importation of Russian oil and oil products, with the goal of eliminating them from British markets by the end of 2022.

A French official said the European Union, which relies more heavily on Russian energy, is not expected to join the U.S. and the U.K.

In December, Russian oil accounted for less than 5% of total U.S. oil imports, making the U.S. far less dependent on Russian energy than its European counterparts.

“The decision today is not without cost here at home,” Mr. Biden said Tuesday. “Putin’s war is already hurting Americans at the gas pump. Since Putin began his military buildup on Ukrainian borders, just since then, the price at the gas pump in America went up 75 cents. And with this action, it’s going to go up further. I’m going to do everything I can to minimize Putin’s price hike here at home.”

IGP Accuses His Officers Of Using “Accidented Vehicles” To Abuse Judicial Processes

Editorial staff

March 8, 2022

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has accused his men and officers of stockpiling vehicles recovered from crime scenes or vehicles thereby committing what he called “gross abuse of administrative and judicial processes.”

The police boss, who ordered immediate evacuation of all impounded, accidented and unregistered exhibit vehicles from Police Stations nationwide, said that the order is predicated on the incessant embarrassing and unprofessional manner in which these vehicles are stacked within police facilities causing nuisance and disgusting sight at Police Stations.

He frowned at the practice of stockpiling vehicles recovered from crime scenes or vehicles which their ownership is being contested or in doubt, in police premises with stringent requirements and cumbersome processes for the rightful owners to reclaim them.

Usman Alkali warned that such an act would no longer be tolerated as it is tantamount to gross abuse of administrative and judicial processes.

The IGP emphasized that heads of police stations and formations should embark on due process to carry out the needful evaluation and release such vehicles in these categories, on bond, to their owners.

He stressed that the directive is part of efforts being put in place by his administration to ensure conducive working environment for its personnel in order to set in motion such required strategies to combat crime and criminality in the country.

He assured that decongesting the Police Stations and facilities nationwide would be of great operational advantage to the Force in effectively dispensing its policing responsibilities and giving succour to the owners of such exhibit vehicles.

The Inspector-General of Police called on all concerned members of the public to approach various Police stations/formations for the recovery and claims of their vehicles, with valid proof of ownership and proper means of identification.

We Will Continue To Tackle Security Challenges In Southwest – OPC President

Editorial staff

March 7, 2022

President of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Wasiu Idowu Afolabi has made it clear that the group would continue to tackle any form of security challenge in the Southwest.

He stressed that the organisation would readily collaborate with the government to confront insecurity whenever it is invited to do so.

“We realise that if we cannot keep our environment peaceful, we too cannot live in peace. As a result, OPC is ever-ready to play its traditional role of tackling any threat by anybody to security anywhere in the South-West.”

The OPC President spoke today, March 7, when members Board of Trustees (OPC-BOT), Honourable Wale Oshun, at the weekend led members and national executives of the organisation on a courtesy visit to the widow and family of its late Founder Dr. Frederick Fasehun,

The group said that it has become necessary to pay Mrs. Fasehun a courtesy visit in order for her to bestow her blessing on the newly constituted OPC-BOT.

While apprising her with the BOT’s plans to sustain the organisation, especially at this critical state of the nation’s life, Oshun, during the visit of Sunday 6th March 2022, observed that Mrs. Fasehun must be given due credit and recognition as a co-traveller with her husband during the struggle to enthrone democracy in Nigeria.

Welcoming the visitors to her home in Okota area of Lagos, Deaconess Iyabo Fasehun thanked Oshun and the other trustees for remaining steadfast and supportive of the organisation after the death of its Founder.

She however enjoined OPC members everywhere to operate in love for one another as that was the basis for her husband founding the organisation.

She said, “It was the love for the Yoruba race and Nigeria that made my husband found the Oodua People’s Congress to demand for the rights of every man and woman of Yoruba origin, as well as to ensure social justice for all Nigerians.”

While commending the new OPC executive and BOT for sustaining the legacy of Fasehun who died on December 1, 2018, she described the group as a pacesetter, recalling that it was after it was founded in 1994 that other regional and self-determination organisations sprang up.

Furthermore, Deaconess Fasehun said OPC must educate members to eschew violence, and that it must leverage on its huge size to remain united and lead by example.

Mrs. Fasehun, who last October adorned Afolabi with the insignia of office as OPC President, urged members of different factions to return to the mainstream under him, as this would be the wish of the late Founder who in his lifetime had appointed him Deputy President of the congress.

Fellow BOT member and former OPC Secretary, Bashorun Adesokan, said that the contribution of Fasehun to the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria could never be over-emphasised, and that history would be kind to the Founder for the role he played.

Ogundimu said: “The spirit of the Founder of OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, can never die. It lives on in the group and in Mama as evident in the way Mama carried on to uphold the legacy of her husband.”

Among those who joined in the visit are the former Chief Whip in the House of Representatives, Oshun is Chairman of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) and also Chairman of the newly-constituted OPC BOT.

Others are Bashorun Kunle Adesokan and Comrade Jubril Ogundimu, the Secretary-General, Comrade Bunmi Fasehun, and the General Officer Commanding, Comrade Babatunde Adewale.

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