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Uduaghan, Lawmakers Differ On New Bill

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The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei, along with 28 other members of the Assembly, has incurred the wrath of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for overriding his veto of the anti-kidnapping law.

Impeccable sources who confided in our reporter revealed that the romance between the legislators and the governor went sour last Wednesday when the House took the initiative to override the veto of the governor on the bill, which prescribes the death penalty for kidnapping. The House unanimously passed the bill in November last year but it was vetoed by the governor.

The “Delta State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Terrorism Bill, 2012,” had last year generated controversy and bad blood between the legislature and the executive over the blatant refusal of the governor to asset to the bill.

Uduaghan had condemned the bill, saying that the death penalty was outdated, and proposed life sentence instead. That was ignored by the House, which then decided to override the veto.

At that day’s plenary, after the governor’s very lengthy letter was read out on the floor of the House by Mr. Ochei, the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole, chaired by the Speaker.

Dissatisfied with the explanation given by the governor for his veto, the legislators relied on section 100 sub-section 5 of the 1999 constitution, as amended. The section empowers the legislature to override the governor by a two-thirds majority.

A motion for the override of the veto was moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Monday Igbuya and immediately seconded by Mr. Joseph Oshevire.

The lawmakers swiftly voted to override the veto with 26 of the 29 members of the House, effectively making the bill the new law of the state.

Following the overwhelming vote, the Speaker directed  that the Clerk of the House to list the law in the state High Court, as it had taken effect from Wednesday, April 17, 2013.

Investigations revealed that 28 members of the House, excluding the Speaker, jointly sponsored the bill that was rejected by the governor. Surprisingly during the voting, the member representing Warri North constituency, Mrs. Irene Imilar, dramatically took her leave while the member representing Aniocha South constituency, Mrs. Amaechi Mrakpor, was absent.

Angered by the decision, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Ajuyah, condemned the House, stressing that the death sentence is no longer fashionable world-wide.

At a press conference in Asaba, Ajuyah said his ministry had proposed two bills recommending stringent measures against kidnappers and armed robbers to enhance the administration of criminal justice in the State.

In his own reaction, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, said, “My fear is that this does not end up being a ‘dead letter law’ because as the governor of Edo State said lately, all those he has condemned to death are still waiting to be put to death as the country does not have any more public executioners.”

It would be recalled that Uduaghan, while reacting to a question posed to him during an interactive session, noted that there is already a death penalty.

“Every kidnapper is an armed robber. So, I don’t know why we are talking today of death penalty for kidnappers. Why do I have to sign another law for kidnappers? So, why this unnecessary debate about Uduaghan not agreeing to sign the death penalty for kidnappers and all that?”

Mr. Ochei had also some time ago expressed confidence about the proposed law. “There is no way the bill will not scale through. If by the time the bill is ready and the governor does not give assent, there is a constitutional provision of what to do and I am sure he cannot discountenance the opinion of 28 members of this House. So, I don’t want to pre-empt what it will come out as if the bill is passed into law. There is a process, the next process. If it is not assented to, you are asking me this question, then I can tell you, yes, we can invoke section 100 of the Constitution but until that time comes, I think it will be too hasty to say.”

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Ex-Women Affairs Minister, Tallen Felicitates Tinubu’s Wife @ 63

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Former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen, has felicitated First Lady, Sen. Remi Tinubu on the occasion of her 63rd birthday.
Tallen, who congratulated the President’s wife in a statement on Friday in Abuja, eulogised the First Lady, who she described as “a rare gem and rare gift to the nation.”
She prayed for more years of God’s exceeding grace on Mrs Tinubu, describing her as extremely humane, an epitome of humility and an indispensable strong pillar of support to her husband.
Tallen said, “Your Excellency, on this milestone and auspicious occasion of your 63rd birthday, I join millions of your well-wishers across the globe, especially the womenfolk, to celebrate with you, while thanking God for His exceeding grace upon you, while wishing you the best that life can offer in the many decades ahead.
“As a wife, mother, fervent preacher of the gospel, as well as an iconic political leader, who exemplifies the struggle for women in politics, you will remain a veritable source of inspiration and pride for women for generations yet unborn.
“Indeed, we could not have asked God for a better First Lady at this time, considering your rare track record of achievements, as your life has been a gift, not just to Nigerian women after your breaking of many barriers for women and setting a perfect example for young girls over the years.”
The former Deputy Governor of Plateau and one-time Minister of State, Science and Technology, said that the people of Plateau would remain eternally grateful to Mrs Tinubu, particularly for her recent visit to the state and donation of a whooping sum of N500 million to families of crisis victims in the state.
She said that through her Renewed Hope Initiative, as Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs Tinubu has demonstrated her empathy, humanity and philanthropic gesture by pursuing the well-being of others with unquantifiable compassion and zeal to help the less privileged, the challenged and those in need.
Tallen, therefore, prayed for long life, good health, increased grace and wisdom for the First Lady and her entire family.

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Tani Olorun Not Against Out-Of-Court Settlement, Says Lawyer

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The legal team of embattled Isese advocate in Ilorin, Kwara State, Abdulazeez Adegbola, alias Tani Olorun, has said they are open to an out-of-court settlement of the case of criminal defamation brought against him by the police.
Tani Olorun’s lead counsel, Ademola Bank, disclosed this in an interview with The Tide source.
Tani Olorun is standing trial on five counts of alleged criminal conspiracy, inciting public disturbance, disturbance of public peace, criminal defamation of character, and intentional insult before a Kwara Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin.
In a separate case, he is also standing trial before the Kwara Upper Area Court sitting in Ilorin, alongside the Oluwo Nla of Tede, Chief Ademola Olawoore.
The offence, according to the prosecution, was contrary to sections 97, 210, 392, and 114 of the Penal Code Law of Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview with our source in Ilorin on Saturday, Tani Olorun’s lead counsel, Bank, said, “If an agreement for an out-of-court settlement comes up, why are we not to agree? The court allows it, the law allows it, and wisdom allows it. The law does not frown on it, the court does not frown on it, and wisdom does not frown on it. Parties can agree to an out-of-court settlement at any time. If it comes, so be it, if the situation allows it.”
He was, however, silent on whether the agreement for an out-of-court settlement would come from the defendant, saying, “It is the situation that dictates it. If it comes from the parties, we will not stand against it. The lawyer will not stand against it. No lawyer will oppose any bid for settlement by parties; it is for peace to reign.”

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I’m Not Afraid Of Appeal – Gawuna

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the March 18 governorship election in Kano State, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, has said he is unafraid of the appeal challenging his victory at the tribunal.
The Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had, last Wednesday, declared the APC candidate winner of the election and sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The three-man panel ordered a certificate of return to be issued to Gawuna and the withdrawal of a certificate of return presented to Yusuf.
The court noted that ballot papers of 165,663 votes were not stamped or signed and, therefore, were invalid and deducted the 165,663 votes from Yusuf’s total.
Speaking with BBC Hausa in an interview while commenting on the tribunal judgment, Gawuna said, “I am grateful to Allah for our victory in the Kano State election, which was affirmed by the court today (Wednesday). I thank Him for His will, which chose us to lead. I also thank our lawyers and the general public for their prayers and support.”
He noted that the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) was initially declared the winner of the election but believed that Allah had already decided the outcome, saying they had the right to challenge the results in court, and they did so.
Gawuna said that anyone who believes that nothing happens without Allah’s will will never worry or take governance as a do-or-die affair, stressing that whatever happens to them, they believe it is the will of Allah.
According to him, “We are not intimidated or afraid, because we know that whatever happens is for the best. Allah never makes mistakes.”

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