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BREAKING: Supreme Court strikes out Bayelsa suit against Rivers on Soku oilfield
The Supreme Court has struck out a suit against Rivers filed by the Bayelsa Government over the disputed Soku oilfield.
The court said Bayelsa was liable to abuse of court processes by asking it to make judicial pronouncements on a matter that the Court of Appeal had yet to adjudicate on.
Bayelsa approached the Supreme Court after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered it to refund the 13 percent derivation it had received over the years from the disputed Soku oilfield to Rivers.
The Special Assistant, Media to Rivers Governor, Kelvin Ebiri, in a statement, said at the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, Justice Ngwuta, who led a panel of seven justices, wondered why Bayelsa decided to file a suit at the apex court bypassing the Court of Appeal.
Ngwuta observed that Bayelsa jumped the gun insisting that the apex court could not make pronouncement on a judgment that was given by a Federal High Court when the appellate court had not entertained the matter.
He explained the Supreme Court lacks the jurisdiction to make orders on on a matter directly coming from the High Court and asked to take its grievances to the Court of Appeal.
The Bayelsa State government through its Lawyer, Kemsauode Wodu, applied for a formal withdrawal of the suit and it was struck out by the Supreme Court.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had while delivering judgement in a suit filed by the Attorney-General of Rivers State against the National Boundary Commission, had declared that the Soku oilfields belonged to Rivers.
Ekwo noted the failure and refusal of the National Boundary Commission to rectify the admitted mistake in the 11th edition of the administrative map of Nigeria since 2002, which erroneously showed St Batholomew River instead of River Santa Barbara as the interstate Boundary between Rivers and Bayelsa States ,was a breach of commission’s statutory duty and a flagrant disobedience of the order of the Supreme Court contained in its judgment delivered on October 10, 2012.
The judge explained the continued reliance on the said defective 11th edition of the administrative map of Nigeria by the other government agencies/statutory bodies, particularly, the Revenue Mobilisation , Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Accountant General of the Federation in the computation of revenue accruable to Rivers from the Federation Account resulted in the continued unjust denial of derivation funds accruing from the Soku oil wells situate within Rivers State to the detriment of the state government.
Ekwo directed that notice be served of the decision of the Court on the RMAFC and the Accountant General of the Federation.
The judge said the National Boundary Commission (NBC) could not unilaterally delineate boundaries between Rivers and Bayelsa after the Supreme Court judgment on the matter and also dismissed an objection to the suit raised by the NBC.
October 27, 2020
Gov. Ganduje presents N147.9bn budget for 2021
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state on Tuesday, presented the 2021 budget of N147.9 billion to the state House of Assembly for approval.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ganduje said that the budget tagged ‘Budget for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Development’ will focus on education and infrastructure development.
He said that N74 billion of the budget was for capital expenditure, representing 55.5 per cent, while N72.2 billion was for recurrent expenditure, representing over 40 per cent.
Ganduje said that the total recurrent revenue for the state for 2021 was estimated at N106 billion.
He said that the amount included N24 billion Internally Generated Revenue(IGR), N52 billion from federation account and N28 billion Value Added Tax (VAT).
According to Ganduje, over N37.8 billion, representing 25 per cent of the budget is allocated to the education sector, while N11.8 billion is allocated to the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
He said N25.5 billion was allocated to the health sector, while the Ministry of Environment was allocated N1.1 billion.
“We proposed N2.5 billion for the information sector, over N9 billion for water resources, N5.2 billion for judiciary, while religious affairs was allocated N557 billion.
“The budget reflects our vision for diversification of sources of revenue with a view to laying solid foundation that will guide the administration to pursue its development objectives.
“Also to enable us built on our operational principles, aspirations and priorities geared towards the continued leadership position of the state,” he said.
Alhaji Abdulazeez Garba-Gafasa, Speaker of the house, promised that the lawmakers would speedily consider and pass the budget.
He, however, said that the lawmakers would properly scrutinise the budget and follow due process before its passage.
The speaker pledged that the house would continue to work together with the executive for the development of the state.
October 27, 2020
Catholic Archdiocese Condemns Use Of Ethnic, Religious Sentiments To Derail Protest
The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has condemned the hijacking of the peaceful protests across the country, saying that those who have brought in ethnic and religious sentiments are only aiming to derail the march to a new Nigeria.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins, condemned the fact that the protests which started off peacefully, have degenerated into uncontrollable violence across the country.
“We have witnessed an unimaginable level of vandalism and looting of both public and private properties and business not only in the Lagos but also in many other parts of our country.
“This was a sad departure from and a wicked hijack of the peaceful protests that our young people had been embarking on.
“To make matters worse, we have seen people making social media postings trying to incite ethnic and religious sentiments in order to shift focus away from a noble cause spearheaded by the young.
“Yorubaland, in general and Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, in particular, has been a melting pot of people from all parts of Nigeria and indeed, from all parts of the world.
“This has been a source of strength for our country and the Church. We urge all that see such video clips and similar postings to ignore them and resist the urge to circulate them. It is very significant that some State Governors as well as many eminent Nigerians and respected groups have denounced such divisive messages,” the statement read in part.
The archbishop, therefore, called on the young people to not to allow the use of the same “old tactics of political entrepreneurs” to cause division among them and make them lose focus.
He urged them to be wise in their discernment of messages that employ ethnicity or religion in a way that excludes rather than bind people together.
According to the archbishop, the consequences of allowing such narratives to fly are too grave and the price to pay are too high and it is in the best interest of everyone to embrace harmony and peaceful co-existence so that all may live peaceably and comfortably wherever they choose to live in the country.
October 27, 2020
BREAKING: Gov Sanwo-Olu approves full reopening of Lagos markets
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the full resumption of markets in the state.
All food and non-food markets can now operate every day and at their usual hours.
Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr Wale Ahmed, made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday.
He said Sanwo-Olu’s decision was to enhance trade and mitigate the hardship of recent times to ensure that residents can recover fast.
The government advised traders and market operators to continue to observe safety protocols to prevent a possible resurgence of COVID-19.
Markets were shut nationwide at the peak of the pandemic.
Their operating hours and days were later rationed after coronavirus cases dropped significantly.
October 27, 2020
School Re-opening: NSSG approves the re-opening of tertiary institutions in the state.
By Abel Leonard/Lafia
Nasarawa state government says tertiary institutions in the state are safe to resume after ensuring the provision of the basic covid 19 guide line as announced by the presidential Task force PTF for the re-opening of schools.
This was contained in a press release from the ministry of education science and technology signed by the permanent secretary Mr. Usman Abu for the commissioner.
The release said the governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdulahi Sule has approved the re-opening of all tertiary institutions including state owned and private institutions in the state with effect from Monday 26th October, 2020..It is In this regard, the ministry of Education Science and Technology, has directed all the authorities of the various institutions in the state to ensure maximum compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols within their respective campuses.
According to the release, all returning Students will therefore undergo temperature checks and protocols before being allowed into the schools compound, adding that’ officials from the Ministry of Education Science and Technology will embark on monitoring visits to ensure adherence by the institutions.
However, it is on this note that the ministry has directed all tertiary institutions to commence academic activities without delay in view of all the academic sessions lost already.
October 27, 2020
Gov. AbdulRasaq kicks off action against open defecation
Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq on Monday, flagged -off a decade of action against open defecation in the state to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) project.
The governor, who spoke at the inauguration of the Committee on Kwara Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (KW-WASH) in Ilorin, said that the flag-off of the campaign, tagged “Clean Kwara”, coincided with the fifth anniversary of the SDGs.
He said that the project was a key part of the goal six of the SDGs bordering on general access to safe and affordable drinking water, adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all as well as end to open defecation by 2030.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, said that the goal included paying special attention to the needs of women, girls and the vulnerable. AbdulRasaq said that the campaign had become necessary due to the appalling condition of access to water and sanitation services in the state.
“For instance, a national survey published in 2018 ranked Kwara 30th among the 36 states of the federation in access to basic water and sanitation services. We were also ranked 22 in terms of access to basic water supply services.
“Going by that report, we are in the bottom three nationwide in access to sanitation services and among the states with highest prevalence of open defecation, and the poorest in the North Central zone.
“We established that more than 75 per cent of our schools have no access to potable water, while 20 per cent have disused or non-functioning water hand pump.
“A similar study by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on SDGs on public toilets and services at our motor parks showed that 95 per cent of the latrines are dry pit, while five per cent are pour-flush.’’
AbdulRasaq, however, said that his administration had made moves to address the gap in the health sector, especially with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We saw this huge gap and that has led to the rehabilitation of several water works that had long collapsed. However, we are not there at all. This is why we are so passionate about Kwara under us keying into various national initiatives.
“With more proactive initiatives being undertaken to improve our state’s ranking on SDG 6.0, the urgency has prompted the need for our administration to declare a state of emergency on open defecation.
“The state of emergency was also extended to the entire WASH sector through SDG 6.0 WASH initiative in Kwara,’’ he said, adding that the inauguration of the committee on KW-WASH was a call to action and commitment to reform the water sector. In his remarks delivered virtually, the Minister of Water Resources, Mallam Suleiman Adamu, commended Kwara State for being listed among the frontrunner states that have taken all the initiatives to launch the campaign at the state level.
This, Adamu said, was a clear demonstration of the kind of political commitment needed to reverse the appalling position of the state in open defecation practice and lack of access to basic sanitation services
October 27, 2020
Gov Ikpeazu declares Tuesday public holiday to clean up Abia State
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state has declared Tuesday 27th day of October, 2020 as a public holiday to enable citizens participate in cleaning upstate, ABN TV reports.
This according to the government is following the littering of the state after the #EndSARS protest in Aba and Umuahia the state capital.
The time of this exercise is between 8.00am to 3:00pm.
In a statement signed by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr. ACB Agbazuere, Abians are advised to come out with packers, brooms, wastebaskets, and other kits with take part in the exercise.
“In view of the wanton destruction of property and other infrastructure during the #EndSARS PROTESTS and littering of debris all over the state, Abia State Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has approved the general cleaning of our major cities of Aba and Umuahia,” he said.
Agbazuere added, “Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) and all ASEPA staff are to fully mobilize and deploy every equipment.
“Abians including electricians and welders are called upon to come out with brooms, packers, bin bags, and join in this cleanup exercise.
“Takeoff point for Aba will be ASEPA office, opposite NEPA, Aba. While takeoff point for Umuahia will be School Road Primary School, Umuahia.
“Consequently, the Governor has declared Tuesday 27th day of October, 2020 a public holiday to enable everyone to participate in the cleanup exercise”.
October 27, 2020
#EndSARS: Rinu Oduala, Temitope Majekodunmi join Lagos Judicial panel to represent youths
Two leading lights of the End SARS protests, Rinu Oduala and Temitope Majekodunmi, have joinned the Lagos Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims.
The body constituted by the state government was announced on October 15.
The duo were nominated and voted for by youths in online voting.
Movement Nigeria, a coalition of protest groups, announced their selection in a statement.
Oduala, a brand strategist and an advocate for social justice, has been at the forefront of the agitation.
Temitope, an administrator and transformational leader, has been advocating for an end to police brutality in Nigeria.
The representatives are tasked with listening to the submissions of survivors, interrogating the accused personnel, determining the veracity of all claims, recommending punishments for the guilty and appropriate compensation for the victims.
Sittings will take place on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm at the Lagos Court of Arbitration – 1A, Remi Olowude Street, Maruwa Roundabout, Lekki – Epe Expressway, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
“We hereby invite everyone who has been impacted, or been a victim of harassment, extortion or brutalization by members of the Nigerian Police Force SARS unit, and the Lekki Toll Gate shooting to take advantage of this opportunity for justice”, the statement read.
On Tuesday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu welcomed the representatives to the panel.
“Well done to the youths in Lagos for coming together to select Rinu Oduala & Majekodunmi Temitope to join the Lagos Judicial Panel On SARS as part of our commitment to justice and compensation for victims of Police brutality. Proceedings are public, follow @LagosSarsPanel”, he tweeted.
October 27, 2020
#ENDSARS: Panel begins sitting, assures justice for youth I’m the state.
Abel Leonard/ lafia
Nasarawa State Judicial panel of Inquiry to look into the activities of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has begun sitting to receive complaints from the public.
The commission gave interested petitioners two weeks to file in their cases and same two weeks to respondents to submit their responses .Proper sittings by the Commission for court hearings is expected to resume in a month’s time.
The commission is sitting at the headquarters of the state ministry of Justice, Lafia and has the following terms of reference : to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality and related extra judicial killings, to evaluate evidence and draw conclusion on validity of complaints and recommend compensation and other remedial measures. It has six months to submit its report.
Chairman of the commission, Justice Badamasi Maina (rtd) at this inaugural sitting appealed to #ENDSARS youths to stop further protests in the interest of peace and development of the country. He urged them to lodge their complaints at the various tribunals setup by state governments to address issues raised by them.
Justice Maina(rtd) stated, “the youths are justified and legally entitled to express their grievances at the current state of affairs, however, peaceful protest cannot continue indefinitely else, they become violent and defeat the purpose for which they are made. “Even if you support the agitation of the #EndSARS protesters, you will surely detest the mode the protests have taken, where roads and streets are blocked, vehicles and houses destroyed and innocent persons molested, far worse than the FSARS activities, to the extent that even victims of FSARS are affected”.
While commending youths in the state for not partaking in the protest, the Commission’s chairman enjoined them to take advantage of the judicial inquiry to channel their grievances and related issues to it for redress. He assured the public of their commitment to ensure justice, adding that the people would not be disappointed. He also urged those appearing before the commission to be precise in their submissions, avoid unnecessary arguments and legal technicalities to enable the Commission do justice to the matter and conclude its assignment in good time.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Abdulakarim Kana thanked members of the commission for accepting to serve in that capacity and assured them that the ministry would give them all the necessary support to succeed. Kana disclosed that if not for the proactive measures taken by the state government to avert the protest, the state would have witnessed unrests similar to what happened in other states. According to him, the SARS phenomenon was different in Nasarawa State.
“While other states are condemning the action of SARS, we in Nasarawa State are commending them for serving the people in the most difficult times. It is only the SARS personnel who were able to tackle the bad guys who were terrorizing the people”.
The Justice commissioner regretted that the #EndSARS protest was hijacked by hoodlums and appealed for calm among the youths as the government was putting in place measures to engage them on useful ventures.
October 27, 2020
BREAKING: Looters Invade a private warehouse in Niger State
Report coming from Madalla town in Niger state has it that, youths numbering in hundreds, have besieged a private warehouse, operated by a Lebanese in the area.
Sources from the area told Daily Trust that the facility previously known as Madalla floor mill located off Abuja/Kaduna highway, has been surrounded by the youths around 9:30 am on Tuesday morning.
They succeeded in gaining access to the facility by scaling the fence.
Madalla floor mill facility, now moribund, was converted to a warehouse recently where businessmen from Suleja and other areas, store their goods.
The services were extended to corporate organizations, government, and also politicians.
Goods believed to be for emergency intervention were reportedly kept during the COVI-19 lockdown.
It was gathered that by 10 am, youths had started taking goods out of the facility, amid shooting into the air by security personnel deployed to the scene.
October 27, 2020