Bauchi

Former Bauchi State Governor Adamu Mu’azu has gone to court to challenge the 10-year ban on him from holding public office.

In a suit filed by his lawyer Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) at Bauchi High Court, Mu azu is claiming that the state executive has no power to set up a judicial commission of inquiry without the approval of the House of Assembly in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution.

According to Mu azu, the move which contravened Section 128 and 129 of the Constitution, was inconsistent with the provisions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act, Criminal procedure of the Northern Nigeria as applicable in Bauchi State and the Public Act 2004.

Mu azu said the defendants lacked constitutional power to investigate matters bordering on criminal allegations levelled against him.

He said the commission did not avail him fair hearing when it ordered that he should be served through publications in newspapers despite that he had been out of the country since July 2007.

Mu azu asked the court to set aside the findings and recommendations of the commission, restrain the government and its agents from implementing  the report.  

The defendants are the governor Isa Yuguda,

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice”, Chairman of the Commission, Justice Vitrus Sanga and the five members.

Besides being banned, Mu azu was also ordered to refund N1. billion which he allegedly misappropriated to the state coffer.

                                 Lagos

In reaction to a report credited to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) that no more than four newspaper companies pay their employees regularly,  while others owe arrears, the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has told journalists they should stop working when being owed.

In a statement yesterday made available to newsmen, NPAN accused NUJ of being  consistently cowardly in mentioning those companies that are actually owing journalists, saying that it is ready to wade into the matter only if NUJ can “name the newspaper companies that are not living up to the employment contracts obligation, primary of which is the payment of their workers including journalists”.

“The Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, (NPAN) whose members own and publish newspapers and magazines which employ journalists, naturally feel concerned about these allegations even in their un-substantial form.  As such it is quite prepared to investigate the allegations and act accordingly, depending on its findings, in the interest of both  the employee journalists and the newspaper companies”, NPAN posited.

Oyo

The Oyo State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEN) has seized some substance suspected to be cannabis (Indian hemp) with a street valve put at over N8 million.

The drug was allegedly discovered in a bungalow at Adewolu village in Egbeda local government  area of the state.

The state commander of the agency, Mr Sulaiman Jadi stated this recently while addressing reporters on the activities of his command in his office at Onireke area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

He said the hard drug, which was parked in 421 bags, was discovered following a tip-off to the command on the activities of some yet to be arrested drug dealers in the area.

On how the command got the information that led to the discovery, Jadi explained that his men received a tip-off and mounted a three-day surveillance on the bungalow until the arrival of the Indian hemp dealer who is said to be on the run.

Ogun

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-West governors net in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Wednesday, ahead of a meeting of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) on the state of the nation.

The president’s health is believed  to have topped the agenda of the meeting held at Obasanjo’s hilltop residence.

Sources said they may have also discussed the Ijebu-Ife mayhem in which a senior police officer and scores of others were killed.

A source said they may have adopted a position to be canvassed at the NEC meeting billed for Abuja.

Obasanjo is chairman, PDP’s Board of Trustees (BOT) and the governors are members of NEC.

Governor Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Olagunsoye Oyinlola  (Osun), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo) and Segun Oni (Ekiti) were in attendance.

Oyrilola told reporters that the meeting lasted for two hours because Obasanjo was preparing pounded yam for them. 

Daniel said the governors were on a “yuletide visit” to Obasanjo.

Sokoto

Sokoto State Governor  Aliyu  Wawakko has called on religious leaders, traditional rulers and citizens of the state to pray for the ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua and the peace and stability of the country.

He said there was no cause for alarm as available credible information in the state of health of the president indicates that he is improving  fast.

The governor advised those wishing the president bad to be weary of the wrath of their creator.

“They are playing with God by arrogating to themselves the powers of life and death”.

Wamakko, in a statement by Special Assistant on Press Abuybaka Mohammed Dan Gusau, said it was disheartening that rather than praying for the quick recovery of the president,.

“Some Nigerians are nursing uncharitable thoughts of this resignation and succession”.

He appealed to Muslims to offer special prayers during this week’s Juma, at prayers and Christians during church service on Sunday.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar has also called for prayer for the president’s speedy recovery.

He said this while receiving a delegation of the Muslim Ummah of the South-West of Nigeria (MUSWEN) in his palace.

Oyo

Coalition of non-governmental organisations, the Medical Support Group (MSG), has urged Inspector-General of Police Ogbonna Onovo to order the immediate release of the chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Council, Ogun State, Mr Tunde Oladunjoye.

Oladunjoye, who was on Tuesday invited along with the Ajalorun of Ijebu-Ife, Oba A.A. Oguntayo, and one Chief Duduymi, has been held by the police.

He arrived in Abuja on Tuesday about 8:10 am aboard a Virgin Nigeria airplane to honour a police invitation over last Saturday’s violence which rocked Ijebu-Ife. Scores of people were killed during the crisis, including the Area Commander of Ijebu Division.

The others had gone the previous day aboard an Arit airplane, while the two others were allowed to go, Oladunjoye was detained after giving his statement at the force C.D Head- quarters, Area 10, Abuja.

In a statement by the group’s Director of Organisation, Nathaniel Igbimo, he wondered why Oladunjoye was being held.

He said the police’s action may further exacerbate the tensed situation.

Ondo

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has approved the payment 50 per cent of the monthly basic salary to workers for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The government in  a statement by the commissioner for information, Mr Ranxi Akerele, said the gesture is part of government’s welfare package for the workers to appreciate their contributions to the successes recorded in the outgoing year and to motivate them for the challenges ahead.

The Commissioner said: “Mr Governor’s gesture, the first of its kind in the history of Ondo State, is another way of demonstrating that the present administration realises the prominent position occupied by the workers in the task of building a new Ondo State.

He expressed the hope that the gestures of the government would motivate and elicit commitment, loyalty and hardwork in the workers.

Meanwhile, the Head of Service, Mr Ajose Kudehindu, has, in a circular yesterday urged heads of ministries departments and agencies to urgently implement the governor’s directive.

Ekiti

Ekiti State Government has pleaded with the leaders of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to resolve the internal crisis rocking the state chapter of the union.

The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Gboyega Oyewole, said in a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday that the government remained committed to the conclusion of negotiation with the union and improve the welfare of the judicial workers.

Oyewole, who said the government has restrained itself from interfering in the internal crisis of JUSUN added,  it has never been the attitude of the government to interfere in the internal affairs of any trade union even when there is palpable division within such union”.

He urged politicians to desist from misinforming the public.

Oyewole said “for the avoidance of doubt, the state government has shown  enough commitment to the resolution of the judiciary workers’ industrial action by being one of the first states to committee to look into JUSUN demands.

“The committee, which is already looking into the financial implication of the new salary structure for the judiciary staff, is headed by the state Acting Chief Judge, Justice Silas Oyewole.

Ogun

Commercial banks at Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, have suspended their operations because of incessant robbery attacks.

The banks have not been attending to customers since December 7, due to worsening security situation.

The latest suspension of banking operations is the second  in one month.

Some of the bank officials who pleaded anonymity said that they were living  in tear because of the likelihood of attack by armed robbers

They said they felt their lives were no longer safe, adding that in the circumstance they had no option but to suspend operation indefinitely.

Newsmen report that customers, who trooped to the banks for withdrawal, were turned back by security men.

It was learnt that the decision by the banks not to open for business until further notice was reached at a meeting held by officials of the banks last week.

The officials had resolved that the closure would continue until insecurity was addressed by the relevant  authorities.

Sources told journalists that the bank officials were also planning to march to the governor’s office in Abeokuta to stage a protest.

Efforts to get police comments were unsuccessful as the officers approached said they were still mourning the death of their area commander.

FCT

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) needs wider power and financial independence to win the battle against corruption. Its Chairman Justice Emmanuel Ayoola (rtd) said Wednesday.

Speaking at a public hearing on a bill for an Act to amend the ICPC (Establishment) Act 2000 organised by the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, National Ethics and Values in Abuja, Ayoola said the National  Assembly should give more powers to ICPC to stem corruption in the private sector

Create new criminal offences and allow the agency to seek, receive, publish and disseminate information on corruption.

According to him, this will only be subject to review of  certain restrictions regarding respect of rights and the reputations of others and for protection of national security, public order or public health or morals in the amended ICPC Act.

He said the existing acts have greatly limited the committee on drugs,  Narcotics and Anti Corruption which  faulted ICPC on its proposal of N300 million in the 2010 budget to build an academy.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Sola Akinyede, queried why the amount was inserted in the N2.235 billion 2010 budget for the commission, when N270 million was appropriated and released for the project in the 2009 financial year.

Plateau

The Pioneer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Solomon Daughep Lar, has warned politicians against heating up the polity by debating over the health condition of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Speaking to journalists in Jos Wednesday, Chief Lar said it was baseless for anyone to argue over the outcome of Mr President’s illness, stressing  that it amounts to playing God. “None of us is God.  So, why are we debating over what we as humans, do not have power to do?.   We should be praying for Mr President to recover quick enough to return to the country and continue his national assignment”, he said.

The elder statesman expressed concern over comments by politicians especially  political office holders who have chosen to fly to Saudi Arabia to see Mr President rather than remaining on their duty posts.

He told them to desist from their unwarranted visits.

According to him, such visits are not helping matters.

He said: let everybody remain on his or her duty post, be you governor, minister, senator or council chairman”.

The first civilians governor of Plateau State noted that Yar Adua is not the only president who has fallen ill in office and wondered why Nigerians are trying to make politics out of his health problem.

Lar recalled that Fidel Castro of Cuba and Sharon of Israel fell ill in office  but their countries remained intact until their presidents recovered. He added that Yar’Adua should not be different since he is not a super human.