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Author: Day Break

Rivers: Wike dragged to Court for building multi-million Naira quarters for judges
A group under the aegis of CLUB-401 has dragged the Rivers State Government to court over the building of multi-million Naira homes for Judges in the State.
CLUB-401 in the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt said the action of the Governor was a bad precedent because it violates the rule of Separation of Powers as enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
The group also questioned the purchase of vehicles for members of the National Assembly, the building of hostels and auditorium for the Nigerian Law School in Bayelsa State, the building of quarters and offices of Federal establishments and hosting of conferences for professional organizations; all with Rivers State funds.
The suit is also asking the Court to make declarations that Governor Nyesom Wike should stop spending funds that are not appropriated for in the budget on the things that have no economic value for Rivers State.
The suit reads in part; that; “the Court should make a declaration that the principles of Separation of Powers and Rule of Law as provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, it is not within the powers of the Governor of Rivers State to build houses for retiring or retired Chief Judges and Presidents of the Customary Court of Appeal of Rivers State outside the budget of the Judiciary as contained in a duly approved Appropriation Law of Rivers State and contrary to all extant Laws for the benefit of retired judicial officers in Nigeria and public officers in Rivers State such as the Pension Rights Judges Act.
Given the Federal system of government established under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, “A declaration that in view of the Stateral system of government established under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1an 999, it is ulta vires for the Governor and Government of Rivers Staye to build structures with Staye funds in other States other than for use as liaison office or as investment for economic profit.
Attorney General of Rivers State, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Council of Legal Education of Nigeria are all defendants in the matter.
The suit is yet to be fixed for hearing.
In September, 2020, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike handed over some finished blocks of duplexes to accommodate Judges in the state.
Governor Wike also announced that N150 million has also been handed to Judges who opted for cash payments to build their own houses.
January 29, 2021
US court gives Dangote’s ex-mistress 20 days to respond to lawsuit
The Miami-Dade County Court in Florida, United States of America, has given a 20-day ultimatum to Autumn Spikes, the embattled ex-mistress of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, to respond to a lawsuit he filed against her.
According to the court summons served on Spikes, failure to respond to the suit before the expiration of the ultimatum could lead to her losing the case, money, wages, and property.
Dangote had filed the suit on January 22, demanding the sum of $5 million from Spikes, alleging that she had defamed his character and blackmailed him by sharing a viral video clip showing her seated beside him while lying down on the same couch, with part of his buttocks exposed.
A copy of the court’s ‘civil action summons’ which was served on the African-American lady on Thursday, said she had ‘20 calendar days’ from the day she was served to file her response, warning her of the consequences of failing to respond to the suit filed by the billionaire businessman.
The summons reads in part:
“A lawsuit has been filed against you. You have 20 calendar days after this summons is served on you to file a written response to the attached Complaint with the clerk of this Court.
“A phone call will not protect you. Your written response, including the case number given above and the names of the parties must be filed if you want the court to hear your side of the case.
“If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case, and your wages, money, and property may thereafter be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements.
“If you do not know an attorney, you may call an attorney referral service or a legal aid office listed in the phone book.”
The messy fight between Dangote and his secret mistress of over 10 years became public knowledge when, on January 1, Spikes released the video on her Instagram page with the handle, @allorounda1, after he reportedly ended the affair.
The video must have irked Dangote who said she had breached the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), he had with her prior to calling off the affair. He went further to sue her for libel and defamation of character.
Spikes again took to her Instagram page to say that the billionaire had ‘insulted’ her by offering her a ‘paltry’ sum of $15,000 for her to keep quiet over their affair.
She added that Dangote had “pressured and influenced” her to sign the NDA and offered to pay her $2,500 every month as palimony to keep her from exposing details of their affair.
January 29, 2021
President Buhari assures the new service chiefs of his prayers and support
President Muhammadu Buhari, has assured the newly appointed service chiefs of his prayers as they lead the fight against terrorism, especially in Nigeria’s North-Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
He also advised the service chiefs to give responsibilities to trusted hands, while charging them to be loyal and patriotic.
The Special Adviser to President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, stated this in a piece on Friday, titled, ‘Inside PMB’s First Meeting With New Service Chiefs’.
Adesina said the President assured the new service chiefs of his prayers and support, adding that “victory comes from the divine powers”.
But human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has argued that no level of prayers can win the Boko Haram war, noting that the Federal Government must equip the military to function optimally.
The new service chiefs are Major-General Leo Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao as Chief of Air Staff.
The new service chiefs met with the President on Wednesday at Aso Villa in Abuja and Nigerians expect them to hit the ground running very fast.
Adesina in the piece quoted Buhari as telling the service chiefs, “You know the stage we were in 2015, and you know the stage we are now, and the undertakings we made.
“In terms of equipment and other logistics, we are doing our best, and will do more. Give officers you can trust command, and support them. Respect seniority and intellectualism, but also use people who can deliver, those who show courage and leadership qualities.
“I will be praying for you. I assure you of that.”
January 29, 2021
FG govt plan to reintroduce toll gates, as 12 highways set for concession
The Nigerian government is set to reintroduce toll gates on Nigerian roads as 12 highways have been earmarked for concession to private companies.
This was made known on Friday in Abuja by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, while receiving the Outline Business Case Certificate of Compliance for 12 pilot federal highways billed for the concession which signifies the return of the toll gates as concessionaires will have to recoup their investments.
The Minister said that the 12 earmarked roads were under the ministry’s Highway Development Management Initiative, adding that the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission would hand over the certificate to the ministry at the FMWH headquarters in the FCT.
The 12 highways in the pilot phase include the Benin-Asaba, Abuja-Lokoja, Kano-Katsina, Onitsha-Owerri, Shagamu-Benin and Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga highways.
Others are the Kano-Shuari, Potiskum-Damaturu, Lokoja-Benin, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Ilorin-Jebba, Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta, and the Lagos-Badagry-Seme Border highways, which have a combined 1,963km stretch.
A document on the objectives of the HDMI presented by Fashola indicates that the initiative would attract sustainable investment and funding in the development of road infrastructure in the country.
The document also stated that the HDMI would maximise the use of assets along the right-of-way and develop other highway furniture.
According to the ministry, the targets are to develop an ecosystem along the federal highway network by bringing multi-dimensional resources of skills, finance, technology and efficiency into national highway governance.
January 29, 2021
Tension as Sule Lamido lambasts Tinubu, Fashola over attack on Fulanis in Southwest
A former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has criticised the All Progressives Congress’s National Leader, Bola Tinubu, saying he has remained indifferent over the alleged attack on Fulanis in the southwestern region of Nigeria, despite his support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency in 2015.
He stated this in Kano while receiving 27 newly elected local government chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party in Jigawa at his office on Thursday, Vanguard reports.
Lamido lamented that Fulanis are being persecuted in the country, especially the southwestern part, because they are Buhari’s tribe.
The former governor also criticised the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, his counterparts in transportation and labour ministries, Rotimi Amaechi, and Chris Ngige for not defending Fulanis in their region despite being with President Buhari.
He said, “They are reading Fulani through Buhari, who is also of the Fulani tribe. They failed to understand that it is not every Fulani that supports Buhari. I am a Fulani by tribe but did not vote for Buhari.
“What the Fulanis are going through in this country is unfortunate. We are being persecuted, abused, endangered, called names, just because Buhari is from us. This is not fair. This is unjust.
“Why have those from the South, who brought Buhari to power in 2015, failed to defend his people in their region? Where are the Tinubus, Fasholas, Amaechis, Ngiges, Soyinkas, Rochas, where are all these, why can’t they protect Buhari’s people?”
Lamido also stated that Fulanis, like other Nigerians, have the right to live in every part of the country, alleging that the tribe is now facing persecution, especially in the hands of Yorubas.
It will be recalled that Governor Rotimi Akeredelu of Ondo State recently issued a seven-day ultimatum to Fulani herders, to quit the state forest reserve. Akeredolu had cited the rising cases of insecurity in the state.
Also, in Oyo State, a Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, more popularly known as Sunday Igboho, issued an ultimatum to Fulanis to leave the state or face severe consequences.
Lamido reaffirmed his stance that Buhari would not hand over power to Tinubu in 2023, alleging that the romance that existed between the president and the APC national leader was over.
“Buhari used Tinubu to become Nigeria’s president. Likewise, Tinubu used Buhari to fulfil his political desire. So, it is a mutual interest that has been fulfilled. So, the agenda has been concluded.
“The southerners used Buhari to attain their political goals. Those goals are political and economic goals, such as appointments and infrastructure, which is now happening there.
“They just used Buhari because he is the main attraction and appeal in the country. That is why they used him to lead the coalition because there was no material except Buhari in the legacy party. He is the only material that could be sold easily in the country from the legacy parties.
“So, it is now over. It was a mutual arrangement and all desires had been fulfilled by both parties,” he said.
January 29, 2021
BREAKING: Buhari writes National Assembly, seeks confirmation of Service Chiefs
President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly, seeking confirmation of the recently appointed service chiefs.
According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Babajide Omoworare, Mr Buhari’s letter to Senate President Ahmad Lawan was dated January 27.
The presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, announced the appointment of the service chiefs on Tuesday.
Those appointed include Lucky Irabor, a major general, as the Chief of Defense Staff.
Others are Ibrahim Attahiru, a major general, as Chief of Army Staff, Auwal Gambo, a rear admiral, as Chief of Naval Staff and Isyaka Amao, an air vice marshal, as Chief of Air Staff.
They replace the immediate past service chiefs led by Gabriel Olonisakin, the then chief of defence staff.
The resignation of the last set of service chiefs follows cries by Nigerians for their sack. This was due to rising insecurity in the country.
Read the full statement by Mr Omoworare below.
BUHARI SEEKS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S CONFIRMATION OF SERVICE CHIEFS
January 29, 2021
15 Corps members test positive for COVID-19 in Niger
Fifteen members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have tested positive for COVID-19 in Niger state.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Muhammed Makusidi disclosed this while speaking after a meeting with the Governor on measures to prevent spread of COVID-19 in the state.
According to him, out of the 16 active cases in the state, 15 are NYSC members.
Makunsidi said the state has recorded a total of 695 confirmed cases spread across 22 out of the 25 local Government Areas and 14 deaths.
In a related development, Governor Abubakar Sani- Bello has declared those who don’t use face masks will face a mobile court and pay a fine of N5,000.
January 29, 2021
COVID-19: Lagos records zero infection as NCDC confirms 864 new cases
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has reported 864 new coronavirus infections in the country.
The health agency disclosed this via its verified Twitter account on Thursday night.
The centre also confirmed the nation’s death toll to now stand at 1,547, adding that Lagos State recorded zero infection.
NCDC disclosed that FCT recorded the highest toll with 129 cases, followed by Anambra, 87.
NCDC tweeted, 864 new cases of COVID19Nigeria;
FCT-129
Anambra-87
Rivers-82
Benue-80
Oyo-76
Plateau-61
Kaduna-54
Delta-51
Nasarawa-38
Kwara-36
Edo-32
Katsina-26
Kano-24
Taraba-18
Ogun-14
Sokoto-11
Gombe-10
Jigawa-7
Akwa Ibom-6
Cross River-6
Zamfara-5
Bauchi-5
Osun-4
Ekiti-2
“127,024-confirmed cases
100,853-Discharged
January 29, 2021
Northern Govs agrees to accept COVID-19 vaccine first
Governors of the northern part of the country under the auspices of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) have unanimously agreed to take the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine when it finally arrives in the country for mass inoculation against the deadly virus.
This was made known on Thursday at a webinar on the safety and efficacy of vaccines organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) by the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong.
Lalong who was represented by the Secretary to the Plateau State Government (SSG), Professor Danladi Atu, said: “we the Northern Governors have agreed to take the first doses of the vaccines”.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Engineer Abubakar Gambo Umar, said that the seminar was organised to sensitise the general public and provide answers to all the issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and its vaccines.
A team of medical experts also gave their opinions about the COVID-19 vaccines, its efficacy and safety in the wake of the outbreak of the second wave of the pandemic which has claimed many lives.
January 29, 2021
UN suspends official over alleged harassment, inappropriate behaviour
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Thursday, announced the suspension of its Envoy on Technology, Fabrizio Drummond, over allegations of harassment and inappropriate behaviours.
The suspension of the 57-year-old, who hails from Chile, came six days after his appointment as the UN’s first-ever technology envoy.
Speaking at a news conference in New York, Guterres said he placed Drummond on leave pending ongoing investigation by the organization into the matter.
“The allegations are being investigated, and that’s the right thing to do, and we decided that the precautionary measure to be taken for now should be that he goes on leave.
“So, I hope that the investigation will be quickly conducted
January 29, 2021