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NSCDC Can’t Regulate Varsities’ Security Depts, Court Rules
A Federal High Court in Abuja has voided the directive by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to universities to register their security departments with it, failing which the institutions would be shut and their Vice Chancellors arrested.
In a judgement, yesterday, Justice Evelyn Maha, held that the NSCDC was not empowered by any law to regulate activities of the security department of any university in Nigeria.
Justice Maha held that if the National Assembly wanted the NSCDC to have control over activities of universities and their security departments, the Legislature would have made law to that effect.
The judgment was on a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1032/2019 filed by the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and its Vice Chancellor.
The plaintiffs claimed that sometime in August, 2019, the NSCDC wrote a letter to the University of Calabar, a statutory body established by the University of Calabar Act 1979, demanding that the university should register its security department as a Private Guard Company or the NSCDC will enter the university and arrest the Vice Chancellor and the institution’s other staff for ostensibly breaking the law.
On receiving the NSCDC’s letter, the institution asked its lawyer, Emmanuel Umoren to write a reply to the letter, which he did.
Upon its receipt of the university’s reply, the NSCDC issued a 14-day notice for the university to obey the directive, failing which it will close down the school and arrest its staff.
The threat made the university to sue in a bid to determine its rights as a body created by statute vis a vis the directive from NSCDC.
Defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Minister of Interior and NSCDC.
In the judgment delivered on February 20, 2020, a certified true copy (CTC) of which was sighted in Abuja, yesterday, Justice Maha granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
The judge struck down Paragraph 25 of the Private Guards Companies Regulation (PGCR), 2018 which gave the NSCDC powers to compel persons generally carrying on security work to register as private guards companies.
She held that the portion of PGCR was ultra vires the powers donated by the National Assembly to the Minister of Interior (NSCDC’s supervising minister) under the Private Guard Companies Act.
Justice Maha proceeded to declare that the 1st plaintiff’s (UNICAL’s) security department, by its nature and being an apparatus of an organisation established by an Act of the National Assembly, University of Calabar Act, 1979, does not fall within the jurisdictional scope and or category of persons and/or bodies to be regulated by the 3rd defendant and cannot therefore be required and or compelled to be registered and/or licensed by the 3rd defendant.
She also declared that the 2018 Private Guard Companies Regulations (PGCR) do not confer authority on the 3rd defendant to regulate the activities of University of Calabar.
The judge further declared that the Private Guard Companies Act, Cap P30, LFN 2004, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, Cap N146, LFN 2004 would have been amended by the National Assembly to enable the defendants, especially the 3rd defendant regulate activities of the 1st plaintiff, if it was the intention of the Legislature.
Justice Maha granted an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants jointly and severally, whether by themselves or through their officers and members from embarking on any action against the 1st plaintiff’s security department, including but not limited to sealing up the 1st plaintiff under the guise of purportedly enforcing the provisions of the Private Guard Companies Act, Cap P30, LFN 2004, the Private Guard Companies Regulations 2018 and therefore disturbing the 1st plaintiff and its security department in the discharge of its lawful duties.
The judge equally granted an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants jointly and severally, whether by themselves or through their officers and or agents, from embarking on any action against the plaintiffs including but not limited to the arrest and prosecution of the 2nd plaintiff and any other officer or staff or agent of the 1st plaintiff under the guise of purportedly and unlawfully enforcing the provisions of the Private Guard Companies Act, Cap P30, LFN 2004, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, Cap N146, LFN 2004, the Private Guard Companies Regulations 2018, and therefore, disturbing the 1st plaintiff and its security department in the discharge of their lawful duties.
“A declaration is hereby made that Paragraph 23 of the Private Guard Companies Regulation, 2018, is null and void and of no effect and struck out,” the judge held.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
