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Legislative Corner With Vitalis UTSA, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (2025)

04/04/2025

COURT RESTRAINS SEN. NATASHA AND SP. AKPABIO FROM GRANTING INTERVIEWS.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has barred parties in the suit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and three others from granting press interviews on issues relating to her six months suspension.

Nyako issued the order on Friday following a complaint by Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), a lawyer to Akpabio, that the plaintiff was moving from one television house to another, granting press interviews on issues relating to her case, currently pending before the court.

In a ruling, Justice Nyako said there shall be no press interviews by all parties and their lawyers as regards the subject matter of the case.

Justice Nyako also barred parties and their lawyers from engaging in the streaming of the proceedings in the case on social media.

At the day’s proceeding, counsel to the Senate President, Ogunwumiju, had complained that the plaintiff ( Natasha ), was moving from one television house to another, granting press interviews on issues relating to her case, currently pending before the court.

He claimed that Natasha has been to the BBC and CNN to speak on the issue.

Ruling, Justice Nyako said there shall be no press interviews by all parties and their lawyers as regard the subject matter of the case.

Justice Nyako, who noted that the case was sub-judice, also barred parties and their lawyers from engaging in streaming of proceedings in the case on social media.

Counsel to Natasha, Jibril Okutepa, told the court that the case was coming up for the first time, having been transferred from another court, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

Okutepa said parties have filed and exchanged all relevant documents, except one, and prayed the court to grant a consolidated hearing of all pending applications along with the substantive suit.

He noted that time was of the essence because his client’s suspicion was for a limited period. He added that his client was desirous of expeditious determination of the case.

Counsel to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Charles Iyoila and Paul Daudu, who represented the Senate, did not object to Okutepa’s application that the substantive case should be heard with the objections raised by the defendants.

Ogunwumiju and Umeh Kalu (SAN), who represented Senator Neda Imasuem – Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct – objected to Okutepa’s application.

Justice Nyako ruled and held in favour of Okutepa, saying the court would hear all pending applications, including preliminary objections along with the substantive suit.

She subsequently adjourned till May 12 for a hearing.

Natasha is, by the suit, challenging the decision of the Senate to suspend her for six months over alleged misconduct.

The plaintiff is contending, among others, that she was not accorded fair hearing before the Senate took the decision to suspend her.

29/07/2024

PRESIDENT TINUBU SIGNS N70,000 MINIMUM WAGE BILL INTO LAW

President Bola Tinubu has signed the minimum wage bill into law, ending months of deliberations between government authorities, labour unions, and the private sector.

He signed it at the State House in Abuja on Monday days after the National Assembly National had passed the Minimum Wage Act, 2019 to increase the National Minimum Wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000.

A National Assembly delegation led by the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio and some members of the House of Representatives were around to witness the ground-breaking event.

Following the signing, the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters Basheer Lado said the move is a promise kept.

“The signing of the minimum wage bill into law by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is both a promise kept and a demonstration of his people-centric governance model,” he said in a statement. “Tinubu promised to pay a living wage to Nigerian workers during his electioneering campaigns and he has kept that promise.”

President Tinubu’s move followed months of talks with labour unions which insisted on a new minimum in the wake of the fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira – both steps ballooning the cost of living.

Labour unions had initially proposed ₦494,000 as a new minimum wage with the government offering ₦60,000. After a series of negotiations, the workers demanded ₦250,000 while the government shifted grounds to N62,000.

But on July 18, the Federal Government and the unions reached a consensus figure of ₦70,000.

“We are happy to announce today (Thursday) that both the organised labour and the Federal Government have agreed on an increase on the N62,000 minimum wage. The new national minimum that Mr President is expected to submit to the National Assembly is ₦70,000,” the Minister of Information Mohammed Idris told State House correspondents after a meeting between government officials, and labour leaders.

The ₦70,000 will also be reviewed every three years. After the truce, President Tinubu immediately transmitted the bill to the National Assembly for passage. The lawmakers wasted no time in doing that, passing the bill in one day.

While labour had also insisted on a better deal for workers owing to the hike in the cost of living, Tinubu who swept to power in May last year had promised that his government would only pay what is sustainable.

“You have to cut your coat according to the available cloth. Before we can finalise the minimum wage process, we have to look at the structure,” Tinubu insisted after meeting labour leaders.

The new law comes as the cost of living soars in Nigeria. The country’s inflation figure has hit 34 per cent in June, 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

17/07/2024

COURT REINSTATES SHAIBU AS EDO DEPUTY GOVERNOR!

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has reinstated Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, months after he was impeached by the state assembly.

In the Wednesday judgment, Justice Omotoso declared the impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly as illegal, unconstitutional, null, and void.

The court held that the said impeachment was in gross violation of the provisions of both sections 188 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The judge held that the impeachment was in gross violation of the Constitution.

Aside from restoring Shaibu, the court also ordered that his salaries and allowances should be paid to him from April when he was impeached as the deputy governor of the state.

The court issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Edo State House of Assembly from stopping Shaibu from performing the functions of his office.

Justice Omotosho also ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to restore his security details.

Meanwhile, the Edo State House of Assembly has appealed the judgement of the High Court and has filed a motion for a stay of ex*****on pending appeal.

Wednesday’s verdict came about three months after the lawmakers impeached the embattled 54-year-old as the state’s deputy governor.

In a move that was seen as the culmination of the long-drawn battle between him and Governor Godwin Obaseki, the lawmakers after investigations said they found Shaibu guilty of disclosure of government secrets.

The seven-man panel set up by the Edo State Assembly therefore recommended his impeachment on that ground.

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The assembly then upheld and approved the recommendation of the seven-man panel and subsequently impeached him as the state’s deputy governor.

Eighteen out of 19 members present at plenary voted for Shaibu’s impeachment. Only one abstained from the headcount and voting process, ending the process.

Immediately after his sack, Shaibu faulted the lawmakers and claimed his impeachment was a threat to the country’s democracy.

“This is not just an attack on me as an individual but on the democracy that we hold dear,” he said

“It is a dangerous descent into dictatorship and a threat to the foundation of our democracy. Let it be clear that this impeachment was hatched because of my ambition to contest the Edo State 2024 governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. An ambition that is a legal right to all citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Hours after Shaibu’s impeachment, Obaseki picked 37-year-old Omobayo Godwins as his deputy to see out his tenure which ends in November. The Chief Judge of Edo State Justice Daniel Okungbowa swore him in around 1:40 pm on the same day.

Shaibu and Obaseki had been in months of battle which has seen accusations, counter-accusations, apologies, and court cases, all of which were believed to be the aftermath of the duo’s strained relationship owing to Shaibu’s plans to contest the Edo State governorship poll.

He contested the PDP governorship primary and declared himself a winner in a parallel poll. However, businessman Asue Ighodalo was declared as the party’s flag-bearer for the exercise.

17/07/2024

SENATE SACKS NDUME AS CHIEF WHIP AS APC ASKS HIM TO RESIGN

The Senate, on Wednesday, announced the removal of Senator Mohamed Ali Ndume (Borno South) as Chief Whip.

When put to voice vote by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, members of the APC Senate Caucus endorsed Ndume’s removal as Senate Chief Whip during plenary.

Ndume was replaced by Tahir Mungono (Borno North).

This comes amid his recent criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.

In a letter addressed to the Senate Caucus by the national leadership of the ruling party, the APC asked Ndume to resign his membership of the APC and join any opposition party of his choice.

The letter was signed by the party’s national chairman, and Secretary, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Barrister Ajibola Bashiru.

Daily Trust had reported how some loyalists of Tinubu plotted to get Ndume suspended.

Sources at the National Assembly told Daily Trust that the pro-Tinubu Senators were planning to not just strip Ndume of his position but equally suspend him like Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central).

Ningi, also a ranking senator from the North, was suspended for three months in March this year, for granting an interview to the BBC Hausa in which he alleged that N3.7 trillion in the national budget for the 2024 fiscal year was not tied to any projects or locations.

Ndume had in an interview with newsmen at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja last week said, “Mr. President is not in the picture of what is happening outside the Villa. He has been fenced off and caged. So many of us won’t go through the backdoor to engage him.

“Now they have stopped him from talking and he doesn’t have public affairs managers, except his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, who writes press statements. Nigerians are getting very angry.

“The government is not doing anything about the food scarcity and it needs to do something urgently. We don’t have food reserve. There is unavailability of food. Food crisis is the worst crisis that any nation can encounter. If we add that to security crisis, it will be severe.”

But his submissions triggered series of reactions from the pro-Tinubu camp as Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) and the ruling APC both knocked the Borno lawmaker, describing his statement as derogatory.

Our correspondent gathered from impeccable sources that three of the four senators plotting Ndume’s suspension and ouster as the Chief Whip are from the South West – Ekiti, Ogun and Lagos, while another Senator from Kogi is also part of the agenda.

It was learnt that Akpabio is in a fix, considering that Ndume was the Director-General of the Stability Group which worked hard to make him President of the Senate in June 2023.

It was, however, hinted that some Northern senators were waiting for the cat to be let out of the bag during plenary before they would take a position.

A source said, “But of course, you know the Northern Senators will rise against another plan to destabilise their caucus, barely a few months after Ningi was suspended.”

However, some stakeholders from the North under the aegis of Concerned Northern Forum (CNF), in a statement on Tuesday signed by Mallam Abdulkadir Kura, said, “It is on record that Ndume is a critical stakeholder of the ruling APC, and a close ally of President Tinubu. Therefore, if he can take such a bold step in saying the truth about the economic and social reality on the ground, then the Southern Borno Senator need to be celebrated by all and sundry. So we stand by him.

“Ndume has spoken the minds of the average Nigerians who have been under serious economic hardship since the removal of the fuel subsidy and other anti-people policies of the present administration.

“This is not the first time Senator Ndume has criticised or challenged policies of the federal government. He consistently did so during the past administrations of Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari. Such criticisms led to positive changes by the listening governments at that time.

Source: Daily Trust

17/07/2024

RIVERS STATE ASSEMBLY CRISIS!

The faction of the Rivers Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalaye Fubara, has described the move to stop the governor from spending the state’s revenue as unfounded, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.

The speaker of the faction, Mr Victor Oko-Jumbo, said at a sitting of the assembly in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that such a move was illegal and unpopular.

It would be recalled that the Martins Amaewhule-led faction passed a resolution on Monday, stopping the governor from embarking on further expenses from the 2024 budget.

The Amaewhule-led faction, loyal to former governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, held that the seven-day ultimatum given to the governor to represent the 2024 budget had elapsed

Oko-Jumbo meanwhile, said that the 2024 budget of the state was validly presented and passed into law under the leadership of the then speaker, Edison Ehie.

He said that Amaewhule and 24 others seized being members of the ceased assembly after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Oko-Jumbo urged members of the public to disregard any action taken by the Amaewhule-led faction, saying that they are no longer lawmakers.

“Their seats have long been declared vacant, that declaration is in line with the provisions of the constitution.

“We urge INEC to expedite action in the conduct of a by-election to fill the vacancies,” he said.

Source: Tribune News

16/07/2024

House of Representatives, National Assembly

Press Statement
For Immediate Release

---
House of Representatives Announces the Passing of Rep. Ekene Abubakar Adams

Abuja, FCT | Tuesday, July 16, 2024 – The House of Representatives is saddened to announce the passing of a dear member of the 10th Assembly, Rep. Ekene Abubakar Adams (LP, Kaduna), who died early Tuesday, at the age of 39.

Rep. Adams was a dedicated public servant, passionate sports administrator, and kind philanthropist who, until his demise, chaired the House Committee on Sports. He was a first-term member of the House of Representatives, representing the good people of Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

The dear departed lawmaker was a kind and gentle humanitarian, loved by all who knew him. His dedication to the development of grassroots sports in Nigeria was unwavering, and his contributions to the House will be deeply missed.

The House of Representatives extends heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, constituents of our dear colleague, as well as the good people and Government of Kaduna State.

May God grant his family and loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss, and may his soul find rest in the bosom of the Almighty.

Signed:

Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr.
House Spokesman /
Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs

15/07/2024

More analysis on the Local Government Autonomy from Reps Spokesman, Rep. Akin Ritimi!

Read and watch!

12/07/2024

SENATE CONFIRMS HASHIMU ARGUNGU AS PSC CHAIRMAN.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (Rtd) as Chairman of the Police Service Commission and Onyemuche Nnamani and Fredrick Taiwo Lakanu as Secretary and member respectively.

The confirmation followed the consideration of a report submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs on the confirmation of the Police Service Commission, Senator Abdulhamid Ahmed representing Jigawa East.

The immediate past President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, however, pointed out that the Nigeria Police Force has suffered a manpower shortfall of 20,000 recruits in the last two years, owing to a supremacy tussle between the PSC and the leadership of the Police force over recruitment of constables.
The Nigeria Police Force had been mandated under the Buhari administration to recruit 10,000 police officers annually over six years.

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, expressed disappointment that it took the Supreme Court intervention to resolve the matter, expressing the belief that the confirmation will halt further collision between the Police and the PSC.
Argungu was appointed as PSC Chairman by President Bola Tinubu on June 10.

He replaces a former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who was appointed to the position by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2023.
Tinubu also appointed Onyemuche Nnamani as Secretary of the Commission and DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd) as Member.

Source: Nigerian Senate

11/07/2024

PRESIDENT TINUBU WELCOMES SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT AFFIRMING CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

President Bola Tinubu welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of local governments.

The President states that a fundamental challenge to the nation's advancement over the years has been ineffective local government administration, as governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent.

The President emphasizes that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.

"The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us. This country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgement, our people - especially the poor - will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.

"My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today's judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people. This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people," President Tinubu states.

President Tinubu notes that the provision of some essential amenities and public goods, such as the construction and maintenance of certain roads, streets, street lighting, drains, parks, gardens, open spaces, and other residual responsibilities, including community security, has tottered owing to the emasculation of local governments.

The President affirms that the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of local governments as regards financial autonomy, and other salient principles, is of historic significance and further reinforces the effort to enhance Nigeria's true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.

President Tinubu commends the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.

The President states that his administration remains committed to protecting the principles of the charter governing citizens, institutions of government, arms, and tiers of government in furtherance of building an efficient and performance-driven governance system that works for every Nigerian.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

July 11, 2024

11/07/2024

BREAKING NEWS!
Financial Autonomy To The 774 Local Government Councils In The Country: Supreme Court Orders Immediate Direct Payment Of LG Allocations
Justice Agim ordered the immediate compliance of the judgement, stating that no state should be paid monies meant for Local Governments.
In a landmark judgement on Thursday, the apex court ordered the Federal Government to immediately start the direct payment of local government funds to the latter’s exclusive accounts.
In its lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court scolded the decades-long refusal of the state government on financial autonomy for local governments.
Justice Agim noted that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.
He dismissed the preliminary objections of the defendants (state governors).
The apex court directed that Local Government allocations from the Federation Account should be paid directly to them henceforth, and not to state government coffers.
Justice Agim pointed out that the state governors’ retention of the monies meant for the Local Governments truncates the latter’s activities.
Justice Agim ordered the immediate compliance of the judgement, stating that no state government should be paid monies meant for Local Governments.
There are 774 local government areas in the country but the efficiency of the third tier of government has been hampered by the weight of some controlling and overbearing governors who have been accused of mismanaging funds meant for the administration of local governments.
In the last few months, calls for local government autonomy have increased in Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu also supported the calls. In May, the Federal Government, through the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, sued the 36 state governors over alleged misconduct of local government funds.
Currently, the Federal Government gets 52.68%, and states get 26.72%. In comparison, LGs get 20.60% of the country’s monthly revenue allocated by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) which operates under the Presidency, and disbursed by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
Interestingly, LG funds are paid into a joint account operated by state governments and local governments in their domains.
In the suit filed by AGF, the Federal Government sought an order preventing the governors from arbitrarily dissolving democratically elected councils. The suit by the AGF was on 27 grounds.
The 36 state governors, defendants in the suit, opposed the AGF for instituting the case.
But Justice Agim said the AGF has the right to institute the suit and protect the constitution.

10/07/2024

Senate approves Dr. Adepoju as NASRDA, DG

The Senate on Tuesday approved the nomination of Dr. Adepoju Olumide as Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

President Bola Tinubu had earlier sent for approval the appointments of new Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) for three agencies under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology.

Presenting the report of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology on the screening of the nominee, Dr. Olumide Adepoju, Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Aminu Iya Abbas, said the Committee had vetted thoroughly the nominee and found that he met the qualifications required for appointment as the Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio presided over Tuesday’s session to confirm the appointment, and the lawmakers’ confirmation of Dr. Olumide Adepoju commended the Committee on Science and Technology for speedy screening.

Source: Nigerian Senate

Legislative Corner With Vitalis UTSA

04/04/2025

29/07/2024

17/07/2024

17/07/2024

17/07/2024

16/07/2024

15/07/2024

12/07/2024

11/07/2024

11/07/2024

10/07/2024

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