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Tag: Lawmaker

  • Protest rocks Enugu over detained LP lawmaker-elect

    Protest rocks Enugu over detained LP lawmaker-elect

    Protesters on Monday stormed the International Conference Centre, venue of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Enugu, to protest the continued detention of a lawmaker-elect, Barrister Bright Ngene.

    The Labour Party lawmaker-elect is the winner of Enugu South Urban 1 House of Assembly seat.

    An Enugu South Magistrate’s Court, presided over by E. D. Onwu, on July 28, 2024 sentenced Ngene to seven years’ imprisonment over alleged community development fund scandal.

    But at the NBA conference venue, the protesters, who described themselves as constituents and friends of Ngene chanted freedom songs and displayed placards with inscriptions: “NBA Please Save Our Democracy”, “Enugu State Judiciary Must be Independent from Executive”, “Oppression is injustice, free Barr Bright Ngene”, “NBA, It’s Bright Ngene today. It could be any Lawyer Tomorrow”, “Injustice to one Lawyer is injustice to all Lawyers”,among others.

    The protesters said they decided to embark on the peaceful protest as a last resort to call the attention of the NBA members to the plight of their colleague, Barr Ngene, who they alleged was wrongly convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment by an Enugu State Magistrate’s Court.

    Addressing journalists, spokesperson of the protesters, Mr. Benedict Kachukwu said, “As you can see, we are here, these are friends of Barr Bright Ngene, who was unjustly incarcerated.

    We are here to register our peaceful protest to tell the world what has been happening in Enugu state for the past one year and since the 28th of July 2024, Hon Bright Emeka Ngene that won the House of Assembly seat Enugu South Urban has been unjustly incarcerated.

    “Charges that were put on him were baseless, judicial process was not followed and in less than two weeks judgement was dispensed. And the man has been in detention since then till now.

    “Efforts to get the matter to the High Court has proved abortive because somehow judges are now recusing themselves from the case. The Chief Judge has refused to assign the case to a new judge.

    “So ever since then till now this man, Hon Bright Ngene has been in detention for no just cause. All because he won an election, an election he won on a free ground where the people of Enugu South Urban 1 have given him their mandate freely.

    “Somehow he has reaffirmed the decision of the mandate of the people on the 16th of August 2025 where he won overwhelmingly again even from detention.”

    Kachukwu said they were at the NBA conference venue to plead with the NBA to look into the matter so that judicial process will be followed.

  • 3 Katsina PDP lawmakers defect to APC

    3 Katsina PDP lawmakers defect to APC

    Three members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State have resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The lawmakers are Rep. Balarabe Dabayi (Bakori/Danja Constituency), Rep. Aliyu Iliyasu (Batsari/Safana/Danmusa Constituency), and Rep. Salisu Majigiri (Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency).

    Their defection was announced during a plenary session, where Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, formally declared them as the newest members of the APC.

    In their separate letters of resignation, read by the speaker, the lawmakers cited the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP as the reason for their departure.

    The highlight of the event was the presence of Katsina State Governor, Umar Dikko Radda, who attended in a show of solidarity.

  • Zamfara lawmaker, Aminu Daji is dead

    Zamfara lawmaker, Aminu Daji is dead

    A member of the Zamfara House of Assembly, Aminu Daji, is dead, an official has said.

    The assembly’s Public Relations Officer, Bello Madaro, confirmed the death to newsmen in Gusau on Wednesday.

    NAN reports that Daji represented Kaura Namoda South Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

    Madaro said that the lawmaker died in his Gusau residence on Tuesday, following a brief, undisclosed illness.

    “Until his death, the lawmaker was the Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Humanitarian Affairs,” Madaro said.

  • Lawmaker’s murder: Police blame escape of suspects on operational lapses

    Lawmaker’s murder: Police blame escape of suspects on operational lapses

    The Anambra Police Command has attributed the escape of two suspects detained in connection with the murder of the late lawmaker in the state, Justice Azuka, to “operational lapses”.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed this at a news briefing in Awka on Friday.

    “As the substantive Commissioner of Police, I consider it a priority to ensure the re-arrest of these suspects and implement stringent measures to prevent such a security breach in the future.

    “I have duly briefed the Force Headquarters on the current situation and the steps taken, including activating operational strategies to apprehend the suspects and initiate disciplinary action against officers whose lapses contributed to their escape,” he said.

    Orutugu said that the unfortunate incident occured two days before he assumed office as the CP on February 10.

    Accordding to him, upon receiving intelligence regarding this case on February 18, I deemed it necessary to brief residents of the state and the general public, affirming the command’s commitment to keeping residents informed about the evolving security situation in the state.

    “Recognising the gravity of the development, I personally took measures to ensure a meticulous investigation aimed at uncovering the circumstances surrounding the case.

    “Findings from our investigation confirm that the incident took place on February 8 in Obosi.

    He said that two suspects on the run included Ikemefuna Ossai from Delta and Chinedu Okoli from Imo.

    The CP said that the suspects were among the 11 suspects in police custody that were paraded by the command before their escape.

    Orutugu said that the two suspects  were not the principal actors in the crime, but served as drivers for the gang.

    Accordding to him, the duo were assisting operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, toward apprehending one Tochukwu Akolisa from Anambra.

    He said that by their statement, Akolisa was one of the receivers or buyers of stolen vehicles and belongings of their victims.

    “During an operation to catch him, he attempted to flee upon sighting the police operatives who were accompanied by Ossai and Okoli.

    “In the course of this operation, Akolisa was shot in the leg and taken into custody.

    “However, in the ensuing confusion, the two suspects managed to escape from a vehicle.

    “Despite an immediate pursuit by police operatives, they abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush.

    “Unfortunately, all the efforts to catch them have so far been unsuccessful,” the police chief said..

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the late lawmaker was kidnapped on Dec. 24, 2024 in Onitsha.

    His decomposing body was later found by joint security force on February 6 at the Second Niger Bridge.

    He was buried on February 15.

  • No Delta Assembly PDP lawmaker defecting to APC – Majority Leader

    No Delta Assembly PDP lawmaker defecting to APC – Majority Leader

    The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the Delta House of Assembly, on Wednesday said that none of the assembly members was warming up to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Majority Leader of the House, Mr Emeka Nwaobi said this in Asaba, while reacting to the allegation that 10 out of the 22 members of the assembly were planning on joining the APC.

    Nwaobi said that all the 22 PDP members in the House were irrevocably committed to the thrust of the party, and their loyalty to the PDP unquestionable.

    He, however, disclosed that five out of the seven APC members in the assembly were already indicating interest to join the PDP, adding that their defection plan was already in the pipeline.

    Similarly, the Speaker, Mr Dennis Guwor, advised residents of the state, particularly PDP faithful, to discountenance such allegation.

    According to him, members of the party are solidly loyal to the party’s idea in the House.

    ”There is no doubt that the 22 members of the PDP in the state house of assembly are intact. There is no indication anywhere that any member of the party is planning to join any other party.

    “Rather, there is strong indication that no fewer than five out of the seven members of the APC in the House are already warming up to join the PDP.

    “So let me use this forum to inform them that the umbrella is wide enough to accommodate as many that are interested in joining us,”  he said.

  • Edo lawmaker faults police, ESSC, over release of kidnapped traditional ruler

    Edo lawmaker faults police, ESSC, over release of kidnapped traditional ruler

    The Member, representing Igueben in Edo House of Assembly, Eugene Inegbebohon has faulted claims by the Police and the State Security Corps, ESSC, that they rescued Chief Friday Ehizojie, the traditional ruler of Udo-Eguare kingdom in Igueben Local Government.

    It would be recalled that the traditional ruler was kidnapped by gunmen on Feb. 3 along with five others on a lonely path leading to the community.

    The traditional ruler regained freedom on Friday, Feb. 7.

    The Edo State Police command had disclosed that the traditional ruler was rescued unhurt by operatives of the command.

    However, barely two days after the police statement, the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, Mr Friday Ibadin also claimed that the traditional ruler was rescued by the operatives of the corps.

    Inegbebohon, during plenary on Monday, debunked the claims of the police and Edo security outfit, saying that the community paid ransom for the release of their king.

    “Mr Speaker, it is interesting to know that during the trying period, I personally informed the security agencies of the kidnapping of the traditional ruler.

    “The information was for them to see what they could do but at the end of the day, they did nothing.

    “None of them knew how the traditional ruler came back home, but only for them to come out now and start claiming the glory and taking pictures with him after his release, ” he said.

    According to him, some people even went to the social media to claim that they are the ones that rescued him.

    “How do you rescue a person from kidnappers’ den without the culprits being apprehended?

    “Did they just walk in there to bring the traditional ruler home? If they know the kidnappers they should show us.

    “Mr Speaker, I make bold to say that even though they would not want to agree, it took the grace of God for my people to raise the ransom that brought back our king home.

    “So, Mr Speaker, nobody should claim that glory that they rescued him. It is wrong,” he added.

    He commended his colleagues for their sympathy during the trying period.

    He also thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo for the swift response and logistics support for security agencies during the period.

  • LG elections: We won’t go against Sule’s choice of candidates – Nasarawa lawmaker

    LG elections: We won’t go against Sule’s choice of candidates – Nasarawa lawmaker

    Mohammed Garba, member, representing Toto/ Gadabuke Constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly says they will not reject any candidate chosen to contest the forthcoming LG polls in Toto LGA .

    He said that the stakeholders of APC) in the LG have agreed to work with any chairmanship aspirant picked out of the three names submitted to Gov. Abdullahi Sule ahead of the November 2 polls in the state.

    Garba, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, stated this while briefing newsmen in Lafia on Saturday.

    He said that Sule had asked the stakeholders to forward the names of three persons to him to choose the flag bearer of  the party, if consensus failed.

    According to him, the statutory stakeholders of APC in the  LGA met on Friday, assessed and screened the CV’s of the five chairmanship aspirants.

    ” We have done justice by selecting the best three aspirants out of the five aspirants we have,” he said.

    Garba said that the stakeholders have agreed, during Friday’s meeting, not to go against the choice of Sule.

    “We are going to fully support the chosen one and ensure his victory at the polls.

    He said, ” Today’s briefing was necessitated by the follow up meeting held by APC statutory stakeholders of Toto LG  to choose the consensus candidate.

    “The Governor and the party have directed that stakeholders of each local government should to select consensus candidates for the chairmanship positions.”

  • Wike threatens to unseat lawmaker in 2027

    Wike threatens to unseat lawmaker in 2027

    Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has threatened to unseat an unidentified lawmaker for criticising his successes as the FCT Minister.

    Wike made the threat during the inauguration of the construction of Mabushi Bus Terminal, Phase I, in Abuja on Monday.

    He said that he overheard somebody, a lawmaker in the National Assembly in Arise TV in the morning, castigating the successes being recorded in FCT.

    The minister said that the lawmaker particularly criticised the rot in schools and the absence of quality hospitals in the territory.

    “You, as a legislator, what have you done?  How many bills have you sponsored for us to improve our education and health sector?

    “I challenge that legislator. If you are very popular, in 2027 come and run under Abuja, we will fail you.

    “Do you think that what happened last time will happen again? It will not happen again.

    “Luckily for me, I am the FCT Minister now. So that is my territory and I’m not afraid,” he said.

    Wike further said: “With all due respect, what you don’t know, you don’t know, what you know you know.

    ”The good thing for you is to tell people you don’t know when you don’t know, then people will educate you.

    “The Honourable Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud and my humble self, have not been in office for more than 11months and the person is angry that people are praising us.

    “If you don’t want or you are angry about that, go and hang yourself in a transformer.

    “If we have done well; we have done well. If we haven’t done well; we haven’t done well. I’m proud to say that in the short time that President Tinubu has appointed us, we have done well.”

    The minister warned that if the unidentified lawmaker was angry with the praises they were receiving for doing a good job, “by next year, your blood pressure level will go very high.

    “This is because the praises you would see would be too much.” he said.

    In a related development, Sen. Ireti Kingibe (LP-FCT), who appeared on Arise TV on Monday complained that she was being sidelined in the running of the FCT.

    Kingibe particularly claimed that her constituency was being marginalised, adding that there was no clean water for the residents of Abuja.

    She also said that roads being constructed across the FCT were not addressing the needs of the majority of the people, namely healthcare, water, education and security.

  • Delta Assembly recalls suspended lawmaker

    Delta Assembly recalls suspended lawmaker

    The Delta House of Assembly on Thursday in Asaba recalled its member, Mr Matthew Omonade (APC-Ughelli North I), after 29 days of suspension.

    The recall was announced during plenary by the Speaker, Mr Dennis Guwor, following an adoption of the report by the ad-hoc committee set up to investigate Omonade.

    Recall that the assembly had on May 14 suspended the lawmaker over alleged gross misconduct.

    “The house has, therefore, lifted the suspension following the adoption of the recommendations of the committee.

    “He is expected to resume plenary and other legislative duties on the next sitting day,” Guwor said.

    Earlier, the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi (PDP-Aniocha North), who chaired the committee, said after a thorough investigation, it recommended that Omonade be sounded a note of warning against future occurrence.

    He said the committee also recommended that the recalled lawmaker be made to study the rules of the house.

    According to the committee’s recommendations, Omonade should know that laws are universal and can be domesticated in any state or country without anyone being accused of plagiarism.

    Nwaobi said since he had remorsefully apologised to the governor, speaker and the entire house, the committee recommended that the suspension be lifted.

    In their various submissions, Mr Oboro Preyor (PDP-Bomadi) and Mr Austine Uroye (PDP-Warri South I) supported the committee’s recommendations.

    The recommendations, unanimously adopted by members via a voice vote, were seconded by the minority leader, Mr Edafe Emakpor.

    The house also approved Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori’s request to review and implement a new tariff regime for the 8.5 Megawatts Asaba Independent Power Plant (IPP), operated by Messrs Bastanchury Power Solutions.

    The governor’s request was contained in a letter read during plenary by the speaker.

    In the letter, Oborevwori explained that the upward review of the electricity tariff from N31.74 per Kilowatt to N75 per Kilowatt became necessary due to the current economic realities.

    He said this would enable the company to sustain its services to the state.

    Oborevwori, however, noted that the state government, through the Ministry of Energy, recommended a reviewed amount of N63 per Kilowatt, inclusive of VAT, hence the need for the house’s approval.

    The majority leader moved a motion for the assembly to receive the governor’s letter for consideration.

    Leading the debate, Nwaobi said it was no longer news that the economic situation informed the governor’s request and, therefore, urged the house to give it speedy approval.

    The motion, which was unanimously adopted by the assembly, when put to a voice vote by the speaker, was seconded by Mr Oboro Preyor (PDP-Bomadi).

  • Why I moved for creation of additional state constituencies – Plateau lawmaker

    Why I moved for creation of additional state constituencies – Plateau lawmaker

    Mr Nanbol Daniel (LP-Langtang North Central), Member, Plateau State House of Assembly, has explained why he moved the motion for creation of additional state constituencies in the assembly.

    Daniel said on Sunday in Jos, that the people of the state would have better representation if more constituencies were created out of the current 24.

    The lawmaker said that the creation would further help in meeting the current legislative demands of Plateau.

    He said the constituencies should be reviewed from 24 to 40 members, to reflect equity in the number of federal constituencies in Plateau.

    Daniel stated that since the inception of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had not reviewed the number of constituencies in the state.

    According to him, it is a constitutional duty of INEC to do a periodic review of constituencies, noting that Plateau has been long overdue in view of its growing population.

    The lawmaker stated that Section 91 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provided that a State House of Assembly shall consist of three or four times the number of seats that it has in the House of Representatives.

    “It is provided that a House of Assembly of a state shall consist of not less than 24 and not more than 40 members.

    “Section 112 of the Nigerian Constitution also provides that the INEC shall divide every state of the federation into such number of state constituencies as is equal to three or four times the number of federal constituencies within that state.

    “More so, Section 114 provides that INEC shall review the division of every state into constituencies at intervals of not less than ten years.

    “And may alter such constituencies in accordance with the provisions of Section 114 to such extent as it may consider desirable in the light of the review,” he explained.

    Daniel therefore, urged the state’s lawmakers, National Assembly members, and Plateau Government, to start and sustain the processes for the upward review and creation of additional state constituencies.

    NAN