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  • AGF faults Kogi, 18 States’ suit querying legitimacy of EFCC, ICPC, NFIU

    AGF faults Kogi, 18 States’ suit querying legitimacy of EFCC, ICPC, NFIU

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi has faulted the suit filed by 19 States including Kogi, querying the constitutionality of the laws establishing the nation’s anti-corruption agencies.

    In a counter-affidavit to the suit, the AGF argued that the National Assembly validly enacted the laws establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

    The AGF urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that issues raised by the plaintiffs have already been resolved before now by the Court of Appeal and the apex court.

    Fagbemi also argued, in a notice of preliminary objection, that the Supreme Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case because the grievance of the plaintiffs is what only the Federal High Court could adjudicate on.

    He argued that the complaints of the plaintiffs are against the the Federal Government of Nigeria and its anti-corruption agencies, but not against the Federal Republic of Nigeria to warrant the invocation of the apex court’s jurisdiction.

    In the counter affidavit, deposed to by an official of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the AGF, who is the sole defendant on the suit, said all the facts deposed to by the plaintiffs in the affidavit in support of the amended originating summons are false, misleading and do not reflect the correct position in relation to the subject matter of this suit.

    “The plaintiffs’ suit, inter-alia challenges all the anti-corruption laws/statutes in Nigeria and in particular the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) guidelines, issued on the 23rd of January, 2023 to strengthen the fight against money laundering, terrorism and related matters.

    “The NIFU Guidelines was issued by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) pursuant to its powers under Section 23(2), 3(s) & 1(d) of the NFIU Act, 2018 to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing.

    “The Guidelines was necessitated by the result of analysis by the unit (NFIU) on the negative impact of cash flow from public accounts on the discharge of its mandate of combating money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing.

    The National Assembly exercises its legislative powers under the Nigerian Constitution with regards to corruption and abuse of office and upon any convention or treaty.

    There is no need to seek the concurrence of sub-national whereas (in this case) the National Assembly is acting pursuant to its legislative powers under the Constitution.

    The National Assembly does not need the ratification or concurrence of the plaintiffs’ Houses of Assembly to pass the EFCC Act, ICPC Act, NFIU Act, the Proceed of Crime (Recovery and Management) or any anti-corruption Act or statute into Law.

    EFCC Act, ICPC Act, NFIU Act are enforceable against any person in Nigeria, including the officials of the plaintiffs and those of Local Government Councils.

    The EFCC and ICPC have recovered several misappropriated funds and property of the states and have returned same to those component states.

    The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation (defendant herein) has the powers to prosecute any person, including the officials of the plaintiffs if investigation reveals that the person committed an economic crime.

    The investigation to expose commission of economic crime by EFCC, ICPC and the NFIU is not an interference with the powers of the plaintiffs’ government or the state House of Assembly.

    “The NFIU Act not only empowers NFIU to make Guidelines, but also to strengthen existing measures of combating money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) which is the intendment of the guidelines;

    “The issue surrounding the powers of the NEIU to make Guidelines affecting the States has been finally determined by the Court of Appeal in the judgement in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/822/2022 delivered on the 21st day of May, 2024, in a suit instituted by the plaintiffs and other states of the Federation wherein they challenged similar Guidelines before the Federal High Court in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/563/2019 and lost.

    “The Court of Appeal, affirmed the decision of the trial Federal High Court against all the plaintiffs in that suit, including these present plaintiffs, who have not appealed further.

    “The decision of the Court of Appeal is binding on all persons and authorities, including the instant plaintiffs.

    “The NFIU Guidelines was issued to the reporting entities, that is financial institutions for compliance. Reference to the tiers of government and other public officials is merely for their attention and noting;

    “The claims by the plaintiffs are not in conformity with the principles behind the guidelines initiated by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) aimed at curbing corruption and the menace of Money Laundering/Terrorism Financing in Nigeria and also to bring more fransparency in every’sector of the Nigerian economy in line with global best practices.”

     

  • Flood displaces over 2m people in Kogi

    Flood displaces over 2m people in Kogi

    The Kogi State Government has said ravaging flood has submerged over 200 communities and displaced over two million people in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this on Monday at Kotonkarfe in Kogi Local Government Area of the state, saying, a major “humanitarian crisis is brewing in the state.”

    He said the communities in the nine local government areas affected by the water flood include Kogi, Lokoja, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah and Ibaji, Igalamela and Omalla.

    The state government called on the Federal Government and international donor agencies to come to the aid of the state to cushion the attendant hardships.

    “The National Emergency Management Agency cannot afford to wait any longer, as the state is already overwhelmed.

    “We are in emergency situation at the moment. This is sad. The flood disaster here is devastating and over 200 communities have already been submerged and close to two million people displaced.

    “As we speak, nine of the 21 Local Government Areas in the state are affected which is almost 50% of the number of Local Government Areas.

    “We have opened about 68 IDP camps but they can’t hold that massive population. Schools, hospitals and other infrastructure have been destroyed completely,” he said .

    He added that the aged, women and little children were in distress. He however said no life was lost yet because of early warning alert and enlightenment plan.

    The state government stressed further that huge resources were being spent daily, but they were inadequate, calling on the federal government, non-governmental organisations and philanthropists to come to its aid.

    The commissioner noted that the government had set up a flood disaster response team under the leadership of the deputy governor of the state, assuring the victims of the government’s support in the face of the natural disaster.

     

  • Ododo increases Kogi workers’ minimum wage to N72,500, with a year-long tax break

    Ododo increases Kogi workers’ minimum wage to N72,500, with a year-long tax break

    In a move aimed at improving the welfare of civil servants, Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has approved a new minimum wage of N72,500 for workers in the state.

    This surpasses the federal government’s national minimum wage by N2,500.

    This approval was announced during a ceremony held at the Government House in Lokoja on Monday, where the state’s Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, led by the Head of Service, Elijah Avenemi, was in attendance.

    The new wage takes immediate effect.

    In addition to the wage increase, Ododo also announced a significant tax relief for workers in Kogi State. For the next one year, no Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax or any other deductions will be applied to civil servants’ salaries. This relief is part of the governor’s commitment to easing the financial burden on workers.

    Speaking at the event, Ododo emphasized his humble background and the responsibility he feels to uplift the people of Kogi State.

    “I come from a humble background and understand the challenges faced by ordinary people. By God’s grace, I am in this position to serve, not to oppress. The resources of Kogi State belong to the people, and I am here as your chief servant, to ensure they are distributed fairly across all sectors,” Ododo stated.

    He also acknowledged the efforts of labour leaders in conducting staff audit screenings during the previous administration, which helped eliminate ghost workers and ensure that genuine civil servants receive their rightful salaries.

    Ododo called on civil servants to continue supporting his administration, assuring them that prompt payment of salaries remains a top priority.

    Earlier, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Gabriel Amari, praised the governor for his worker-friendly policies, describing him as the most labor-friendly governor in the state’s history.

    Amari also assured the governor of the workers’ commitment to their duties and their continued cooperation with his administration in achieving his plans for the state.

     

  • EFCC storm Kogi Govt Lodge to arrest ex-gov, Yahaya Bello

    EFCC storm Kogi Govt Lodge to arrest ex-gov, Yahaya Bello

    The media office of the former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has alleged that EFCC operatives on Wednesday night laid siege at the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to  arrest the ex-governor.

    The team’s Media Director, Ohiare Michael, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, alleged that the anti-graft officers shot sporadically in the air in the bid to carry out their aim.

    The statement reads: “It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.

    They have been shooting sporadically.

    “It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily, but the commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount an attack on the Kogi Government facility in Asokoro.

    “We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.

    “Tonight’s attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation.

    “The EFCC had no question to ask Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.

    “This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they are fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption.

    “This action reflects much more than a fight against corruption. We will keep Nigerians posted.”

    The anti-graft agency had filed a 19-count money laundering charge against Bello before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

  • Edo PDP guber candidate, Ighodalo queries why INEC wants to use officers from Kogi, Imo for September 21 election

    Edo PDP guber candidate, Ighodalo queries why INEC wants to use officers from Kogi, Imo for September 21 election

    Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate in the Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo has rejected the deployment of electoral officers from Imo and Kogi States to supervise the poll.

    Ighodalo made this disclosure in an interview saying that he does not have confidence in the capacity of electoral officers the states to conduct a free and fair election.

    “We are hearing rumours that INEC wants to come to our election with officials from Imo and officials from Kogi.

    “We will please implore INEC that we in Edo State want fresh officials from places that have run electoral processes that are free and fair and not places where polls have been questioned.

    “I will please appreciate if INEC doesn’t bring Kogi officials or Imo officials into Edo State.”

    On why he doesn’t want officials from the two states, he said:

    “Question marks have been placed on the processes in those two states. Edo State people are peace loving, they know light from darkness, so they don’t want any process that is going to be subverted or subversive.

    “We want a level-playing field so that the wishes of the people of Edo State is realized on September 21.”

  • Commotion as Supreme Court delivers judgment in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi governorship election dispute

    Commotion as Supreme Court delivers judgment in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi governorship election dispute

    There was commotion at the Supreme Court on Friday as the apex court delivers judgment in the governorship election disputes in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi.

    The court had fixed today, Aug. 23 for the final judgment of the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship poll conducted in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    However, lawyers, litigants, journalists and supporters of different candidates found it difficult to access the courtroom as police officers and private security guards from Halogen Security, restrained everyone from going into the courtroom.

    NAN reports that at about 1pm, accessing the court had become difficult as many journalists were denied entrance into the courtroom.

    The development resulted in commotion at the premises of the court as supporters of candidates in the elections struggle to have access into the courtroom at all cost.

    A five-member panel of the court is presided over by Justice Garba Lawal.

    The panel is to is deliver judgment in the petitions filed by the APC governorship candidate in Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva; PDP candidate in Imo, Samuel Anyanwu and Murtala Ajaka of Social Democratic Party (SDP)’s candidate in Kogi by 2pm.

    They are challenging the election  victory of Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa (PDP); Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo (APC) and Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi (APC) respectively.

  • Ododo presents 11 cars to judges in Kogi

    Ododo presents 11 cars to judges in Kogi

    Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi, on Tuesday, presented additional 11 cars to judges in the state.

    Ododo, while presenting the cars to the state Chief Judge, Justice Josiah Mejabi, at Muhammad Buhar Square, Lokoja, promised to deliver the last batch very soon.

    The governor, represented by the Head of Service, Mr Elijah Evimemi, said that the gesture was a proof of his administration’s priority for the welfare of judicial officers in the state for optimum service and results.

    “The issuance of the 11 vehicles is in fulfillment of my promise to the judiciary on the day of the swearing-in of newly-appointed judges in July to add more cars to the arm.

    “That day, this government gave out 14 vehicles and today, we are giving out 11 more to our hardworking judicial officers in the state.

    “We hope to supply more soon so that it can go round all our judges and magistrates operating in the state,” he said.

    Ododo urged the judicial officers to reciprocate government’s gesture by doing justice to all and sundry seeking their service in court rooms.

    Responding, the chief judge thanked the governor for keeping to his promise to the judiciary by donating utility vehicles to the judicial officers in the state.

    Mejabi said that the vehicles would go a long way in assisting them in the performance of their duties of adjudication on matters concerning the unity and peaceful coexistence of Kogi residents.

    He described Ododo as people’s governor, based on the people-oriented policies and programmes being implemented and felt by citizens.

    “I can openly say here that his administration is an inclusive one that is characterised with fairness and justice.

    “Ododo is a man of his words. His words are followed by actions. I believe he will soon donate the last batch of the vehicles to us so that all the judicial officers will have theirs,” he said.

    The chief judge expressed the hope that after being through with the health sector, the governor would look at the renovation of courts to make them more conducive.

  • Kogi LG chairman escapes from kidnappers den

    Kogi LG chairman escapes from kidnappers den

    The police in Kogi have said that the caretaker chairman (CTC) of Kabba/Bunu local government area, Mr Zacchaeus Dare-Michael, has escaped from his kidnappers’ den.

    Dare-Michael was on Friday reportedly kidnapped by some gunmen on the Kaba-Okene road while on his way home.

    He was said to have been abducted alongside some of his aides.

    Confirming this, the Kogi Police Command’s spokesman, Williams Ovye-Aya, said” I can confirm that the chairman graciously escaped from kidnappers in the early hours of Saturday.

    “Our Divisional Police Officer in Kabba has confirmed that to me.

    “It’s the work of God that the chairman was able to escape from his abductors

    “We give God the glory that he has returned to his family hale and hearty.

    “All the same, our officers and men are already trailing the kidnappers to arrest them and rescue other people in their possessions, ” he said.

    A family friend who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said: “I heard that the chairman is back home.  I am yet to visit his family house.”

  • FG shuts down illegal gold mine in kogi

    FG shuts down illegal gold mine in kogi

    The Federal Government has shut down an illegal gold mine site in Yagba East Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State.

    The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, stated that the move was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to combat illegal mining and reposition the sector to boost Nigeria’s economic profile.

    In a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori on Friday in Abuja, the operation was carried out by the Mining marshals in Iyeh Odogbe, Isanlu community of Yagba East LGA.

    According to Tomori, the operation involved dislodging illegal miners whose activities had prevented lawfully authorised miners with licenses covering four cadastral units from accessing the site for 16 years.

    He said that reports indicated the nefarious activities have gone unhindered for more than 20 years.

    He said that the operation, led by Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, also resulted in the arrest of seven suspects leading various groups of illegal miners in the area.

    Tomori said that the site workers have been given five days to completely vacate the site, as operations to effectively secure the area and ensure its full recovery for lawful mining activities would continue in earnest.

    The Federal Government, on July 12, announced the arrest of eight Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining at Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, within Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

  • Police officer in detention over alleged robbery, car theft

    Police officer in detention over alleged robbery, car theft

    The police in Kogi has confirmed the arrest and detention of a Police Officer, Insp Aminu Mohammed, for  alleged robbery and car theft.

    The Spokesman, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, confirmed this to NAN on Tuesday.

    ”Mohammed, a crime officer with the “C” Division at 200 Unit, Lokoja, is cooling his heels at the A Division of the command.

    “Already, the State Commissioner of Police (CP) Bethrand Onuoha, has ordered investigation into the involvement of the inspector in the crimes labeled against him,” Ovye-Aya said.

    A reliable source told NAN that Muhammed was in police net for  robberies around his duty station, in Lokoja metropolis.

    “The stolen car was found in the workshop of the policeman’s panel beater, Arome Moses, who was already working on changing the car colour at Ochadamu village.

    “Those who know the vehicle and were aware of the robbery incident that occured in the owner’s house on June 14, quickly raised an alarm upon sighting the car.

    “An alarm was raised and the panel beater was arrested by policemen of the Quick Response Unit (QRU) attached to the Police Area Command, Idah.

    “On interrogation, the panel beater spilled the beans, and the officer was invited and apprehended.

    “The car plate number had already been changed to an Abuja number just as a car dealer’s receipt was backdated to 2020 and presented by the officer as evidence that he bought it,” the source said.