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Stakeholders Hail Rivers High Court Amended Law

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Stakeholders in the state have hailed the Rivers State High Court (Amendment Law 2014) as proposed by the State House of Assembly.
At a public hearing held last Wednesday at the Ministry of Justice Auditorium, Port Harcourt, the stakeholders made up of  lawyers, traditional rulers and politicians, submitted that the amendment had become necessary to salvage the judiciary and move the state forward .
They lamented that justice administration and adjudication has suffered in the past months over the politicization of the judiciary in the state.
The bill sought  to amend the Rivers State High Court  Law of 2001. Section 40 of the principal law was amended to have a new sub-section 2 which reads thus, “ Where the office of the Chief Judge is vacant and it is impracticable to appoint an acting Chief Judge or a Chief Judge, the Chief Registrar shall assign cases to any judge and perform other administrative duties until an acting Chief Judge or a Chief Judge is appointed”.
The law sought  to fill the  void created by the logjam over the appointment of Justice Peter Agumagu, even when the court had ruled that such powers reside in the governor.
Making submissions on the bill, Senator representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, Magnus Abe,  pointed out that all  extra appendages attached should be expunged.
For him, the conditions should be explicit to avert legal knots in the future.
Also speaking, member of the National Assembly representing Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Dakuku Peterside submitted that the amendment had become necessary since the society is dynamic.
“ The constitution envisages a situation where laws can be made and amended “, he said.
He pledged the support of members of the National Assembly to  the new bill, while adding, “ the bigger picture of what we are doing here today is for the administration of justice…We totally  agree with amendments proposed and we cannot continue to obstruct the administration of justice, and if we don’t do it, our people will suffer.”
He went on to argue that “ the core reason is because there is intent to create mischief by some judicial institutions”.
A legal practitioner, Udu Eyiba had earlier commended the vision of the  House of Assembly for coming to the rescue, adding that laws are for man and not man for law. “
He further pledged the support of lawyers to the bill, saying it was timely.
A traditional ruler, Chief Vincent Chuku said the amendment had long been awaited, emphasizing that the absence of a Chief Judge could lead to a break down of law and order.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC) and former House of Representatives member, Igo Aguma, in his opinion, said the bill and the action of the House shows that democracy was growing.
He argued that the doctrine of separation of powers provides for each arm to intervene during a logjam.
“What is going on now in Rivers State is healthy…It will enhance our democratic culture, but while that is going on, the business of the ordinary man should not suffer,” he said.
Aguma maintained that the law is what is needed now to stabilize the state, and flayed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has supported the call for an administrative judge as recommended by the National Judicial Council(NJC).
Similarly, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms had welcomed the amendment, arguing that citizens cannot continue to suffer in accessing justice while the crisis continues.
Boms stressed that, ‘ the hiatus in the judiciary cannot continue. We have a Chief Judge who has been illegally suspended.
“In the case where the situation becomes difficult, ‘’ he observed, the amendment becomes necessary to enable lawyers and judges carry out their duties.
He added, ” the assignment of cases is not a judicial function but rather administrative”.
Speaking earlier, Deputy Speaker, House of Assembly,  Leyii Kwanee who represented the Speaker, said the House was rising to its duty to salvage the judiciary, and expressed hope that the inputs will go a long way to make the law effective.
Explaining why the House was embarking on the amendment, Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Barrister Golden Chioma held that since the law was made by the House, it was only the House that can amend it and not the National Assembly as claimed in some quarters.
He further stated that the public hearing is to “add flesh” to the amendment by getting the views of the public on the bill.

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NAFDAC Alerts Nigerians To EU Ban On Dex Soap

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The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has alerted Nigerians on the ban on Dex Luxury Bar Soap (No 6 Mystic Flower), by the European Union (EU).
The notification is contained in a public alert with No. 012/2024, signed by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, and issued to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
“The product does not comply with the cosmetic products regulation; it also contains Butyphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetic products due to its risk of harming the reproductive system.
“It also causes harm to the health of unborn children and may cause skin sensitisation.
“It is as a result of the defective nature of the product that the EU banned it.
“The products is not in NAFDAC database; importers, distributors, retailers and consumers are to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain,” she said.
NAFDAC boss urged marketers and consumers to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the product, stressing that product’s authenticity and physical condition must be carefully checked.
She enjoined members of the public in possession of the product to discontinue sale or use, and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

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Communities, Volunteers Ready To Face Upcoming Floods – Red Cross

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The Country Manager of the British Red Cross in Nigeria, Karsten Voigt, says communities and volunteers are ready to face the challenges expected with the upcoming floods.
Voigt said this at the sidelines of the 56th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Lagos Branch.
The Tide’s source recalls that the British Red Cross donated resilience items to some communities in December 2023, to help mitigate the effects of flooding.
The items included cash, rain boots, rain coats, mosquito nets, handheld flashlights, solar powered lights with radio, USB chargers and a bridge to link the communities.
The communities that benefited included Agboyi 1, Agboyi 2, Agboyi 3 and Odo Ogun in Kosofe Local Government Area of the state.
Voigt said the Red Cross had measured the impact of the project in the communities and noticed that a lot of progress had been made.
According to him, apart from the cash and items given to the communities, simulation exercises have also been carried out to prepare the volunteers ahead of the floods.
“We have seen that people used the cash to address immediate needs they have after floods.
“Many households have used part of the cash to build up businesses.
“The solutions we have given to them are not only addressing their immediate needs after the disaster but actually building family income for their future,” he said.

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Nimet Forecasts Three-Day Sunshine, Thunderstorms

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and thunderstorm from Monday to Wednesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released yesterday in Abuja, forecasts sunny skies on Monday with a few patches of cloud over the northern cities and prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba later in the day.
According to the forecast, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the North Central region with prospects of morning thunderstorm over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kwara States.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi and Benue States.
“The southern region is expected to be cloudy with spells of sunshine with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos States.
“ In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Ekiti, Ogun, Imo, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Lagos and Bayelsa States,” it said.
NiMet also anticipated sunny skies on Tuesday with few patches of cloud over the northern states with prospects of isolated thunderstorms envisaged over parts of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba and Kaduna States during the afternoon and evening hours.
It envisaged the North Central region to be sunny with patches of cloud during the morning hours.
The agency also envisaged isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Kwara and Niger States, later in the day.
“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South, with chances of morning thunderstorm over parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
“In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa States ,” it said.
It predicted a sunny atmosphere on Wednesday, with patches of cloud over the northern region, during the forecast period.
“Sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the North Central region with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Plateau, Kogi, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory and Benue States, during the afternoon/evening periods.
“ Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia.”
Other states to experience cloudy atmosphere, are “Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States, later in the day.”
NiMet urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede rains in areas where thunderstorms were likely to occur.
The agency also urged airline operators to get updated weather reports and forecasts from its office for effective planning in their operations.

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