TheNewsGuru

Tag: NASS

  • Judiciary must give justice to NASS, House Plateau Lawmakers – Ex-Speaker Manswat

    Judiciary must give justice to NASS, House Plateau Lawmakers – Ex-Speaker Manswat

    Ex-Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon Istifanus Mawnsat has asked the judiciary to serve justice to the members of the Plateau State House of Assembly and the National Assembly who were unjustly removed from their seats by the Court of Appeal.

    Speaking in an interview following the judgment of the Supreme Court that faulted the Court of Appeal’s judgment, Mr Mawnsat said it was incumbent on the judiciary to give justice to the expelled lawmakers given the pronouncement of the Supreme Court that a great act of injustice had been done them.

    He said:

    “Given the doctrine that where there is injustice, there should be a remedy, I think that the ultimate thing that those who were unjustly removed need to do is to confirm from the courts what is the remedy for the injustice meted on them.

    “The injustice meted out on them at the lower courts is not our statement, it is the statement of the Supreme court because going by the letters and statement and wordings of Justice Okoro he did agree that his worry, regret and concern is that for those who were unjustly relieved of their positions by the miscarriage of justice at the lower courts.

    “It is a confirmation that there was injustice. The bench and the bar ultimately desire to give justice.

    “Since it has been established that there was injustice at the lower courts, in this case, in the appeal court, the question is what is the remedy?

    “Because when you don’t have a remedy for an injustice it means that justice has not been served.”

    Noting the irony of people who were rejected in the polls taking over as representatives of the people in the legislature, he said:

    “The Senatorial Election in the Southern Zone, PDP won in five local governments, APC won in one. There are 33 electoral wards, PDP won in 32, APC won in one. So, what is the moral justification for a person who won in one out of 33 wards to come and stand before you as somebody representing you. The question people will ask is who are you?”

     

  • NASS: Seven months after, Akpabio still in legislative school as Abbas embarks on massive reconstruction of HoR

    NASS: Seven months after, Akpabio still in legislative school as Abbas embarks on massive reconstruction of HoR

     

    … distribution of rice by lawmakers, a new phenomenon laced with Tinubu’s ‘renewed hope’ agenda

    … Akpabio should allow the opposition to breath

    Seven months after inauguration of the National Assembly, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio is still grappling with the rudiments of legislative business.

    His counterpart in the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas has embarked on massive reconstruction of the House of Representatives.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG in this short analysis will look at the federal legislature with emphasis on some minuses here and there.

    Apparently, the Senate President is a thorough bred and seasoned administrator after being a governor for eight years and an uncommon minister for almost four years.

    He also had the opportunity of managing a state assembly for solid eight years but in legislative business, the senator really needs to understand that it’s a different world entirely.

    The Senate President is a first among equals and this is the major reason why he has to first and foremost understand that there are other 108 lawmakers who must understand his body language.

    Body language in this sense simply means understanding the fact that his fellow lawmakers are his equals on the floor of the Senate.

    Pointers such as how is he relating with his fellow lawmakers in the opposition parties and his ability to showcase his body language in a manner that his colleagues will understand that it’s one Senate.

    To a reasonable extent, Akpabio has tried all within his reach as a leader but there are still many hiccups.

    The opposition in the Senate is still uncomfortable with his style of leadership and this is not the hallmark of the uncommon governor toga that he wore all through his eight years in Akwa Ibom Government House.

    Rubber Stamp Uniform:

    It took less than three months after inauguration that Nigerians decorated the ninth Assembly as a rubber stamp federal legislature.

    Just one comment from the then Senate President that President Muhammadu Buhari can never be wrong and before one could say Jack Robinson, the uniform of rubber stamp was properly placed on the ninth Assembly.

    At the end of it all, the many mind blowing revelations of the Buhari’s administration confirmed the uniform of rubber stamp the Senate wore all through the last four years.

    Akpabio knew he has a lot to learn and immediately after inauguration he sent all senators back to school to learn more about budgetary processes and other essential ingredients needed to have a well grounded Senate.

    But comments like let the poor breath and messages sent to the emails of lawmakers have no commonality in the legislature.

    Give and take, he is doing his very best to be a good student of the legislature but the manner the 2024 budget was speedily endorsed may end up giving Akpabio’s Senate a fresh name.

    HoR:

    In the House of Representatives, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has embarked on massive reconstruction works in the House to ensure there are no leakages.

    As a former lecturer and a seasoned lawmaker who understands the nitty gritty of legislative business, Abbas allowed the opposition to have a refreshed breath from the stench Ex-Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila left behind.

    From day one, Speaker Abbas had a focus on how to place Nigerians first above petty politics that has been associated with the Nigerian federal legislature.

    To this end, legislative business is conducted in an atmosphere without rancour. He has not failed at anytime to bare it all to the executive arm government without making his point clear.

    The opposition is working to ensure that policies that will not benefit the generality of Nigerians are not imposed as it will have a spiral effect.

    Abbas knows when to draw the dagger and when to sheath it and this has made both opposition lawmakers and his party members to adore him.

    He is not given to praise singing rather he tells it as it’s without necessarily hurting his immediate constituency. Abbas refused to celebrate his last birthday because too many Nigerians are hungry.

    The lawmaker in him has made it possible for the House to wade into national issues that has yielded positive results for Nigerians.

    Abbas’s massive reconstruction efforts are yielding results that will endure till 2027.

    Distribution of ‘renewed hope’ rice:

    This tenth HoR will go into history clothed with the distribution of rice in quantum as displayed by lawmakers after an Edo federal lawmaker revealed that the rice were actually ‘renewed hope’ rice.

    The Senate has denied ever receiving truck loads of the essential commodity but at least some Nigerians celebrated this last yuletide in fanfare.

    The danger ahead over this essential commodity is that it must continue or is not going to be funny.

    Speakers have their different styles of leadership. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal had a unique style. All lawmakers from every part of Nigeria had a beautiful pact with him.

    Dimeji Lawal had a style of carrying all lawmakers along but did not stifle opposition. Femi Gbajabiamila made attempts to kill opposition in Nigeria.

    Yakubu Dogara was a diplomatic lawmaker. Great at trouble shooting and mean to a fault.

    The Late Ghali Na’Abba was a friend to all but fought the executive arm of government all through his administration.

    Abbas knows what it takes because a very reasonable part of him is enmeshed in the legislature after spending years schooling himself in the legislature. Experience they say is the best teacher. Tajudeen Abbas is experienced.

    Conclusively, Akpabio should allow opposition breath in the Senate. It’s a well known fact that where opposition is gagged no meaningful development can take place like we saw from 2015-2023.

    Abbas should ensure that his reconstruction efforts do not vanish into the thin air after two years in office.

    End

  • NASS New Media Forum Hails Chief Kayode Odunaro @ 62

    NASS New Media Forum Hails Chief Kayode Odunaro @ 62

    The National Assembly New Media Forum has congratulated Chief Kayode Odunaro – Chief of Staff to the Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation and senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Adeola Olamilekan.

    The Forum also commended him for his immense support and contribution to the growth of Online Media Forum in particular, and journalism profession in general.

    The Forum in a statement endorsed by the Exco and signed by the Chairman, Clement Nwabuko and the General Secretary, Oriri Peter stated that as Forum members, we are proud to be associated with you as a dependable ally who has worked hard to ensure that the Online Media Forum occupies its pride of place in the scheme of things in National Assembly.

    Therefore, as you begin another cycle of life today, we pray God Almighty to grant you more blissful years in sound health and grant you wisdom and vision to excel in all your future endeavours.

    Be rest assured that the Forum will continue to give you all the necessary supports you require to discharge the duties of your office robustly.

    Congratulations oncemore and happy birthday celebration.

    With regards from members of the National Assembly New Media Forum.

  • How Saraki plotted with Dogara, Ekweremadu to seize NASS leadership – Femi Adesina

    How Saraki plotted with Dogara, Ekweremadu to seize NASS leadership – Femi Adesina

    Femi Adesina has disclosed how ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki plotted to seize the leadership of the National Assembly in 2015.

    Adesina, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari said Saraki plotted with former House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and ex-Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

    He said Saraki worked with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers to get the necessary figures because most senators of the All Progressives Congress, APC, were not with him.

    Adesina disclosed this in his book “Working with Buhari: Reflections Of A Special Adviser, Media And Publicity (2015 – 2023).”

    The former presidential spokesman, however, said Buhari was unhappy with Saraki and Dogara’s emergence as leaders of the National Assembly.

    Adesina wrote: “Unknown to the party leadership, Senator Bukola Saraki, a former Kwara State Governor, and Hon. Yakubu Dogara, from Bauchi State, had plotted to seize the leadership of the National Assembly.

    “To get the necessary figures, Saraki was in league with the PDP, his former party, as a significant number of APC senators were not with him.

    “We were in the President’s living room at Aso Drive, preparatory to driving to the International Conference Centre (ICC) for the meeting with APC legislators, when we saw on television that the Senate had already been convened, and election was in progress.

    “The requisite constitutionally required number had been made up by renegade APC members and the PDP.”

  • Resolution of political logjam: Rivers Assembly to re-screen resigned commissioners

    Resolution of political logjam: Rivers Assembly to re-screen resigned commissioners

    There seems to be a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel as Rivers State House of Assembly led by Hon Martin Amaewhule has invited for screening the nine commissioners who resigned their positions last.

    Recall that the political logjam that recently engulfed the oil rich state took a fresh dimension as President Bola Tinubu waded into it to avoid its escalation.

    This was contained in a Monday statement by the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly Emeka Amadi.

    Recall that part of the 8-point peace agenda signed by Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike included the reappointment of the commissioners who resigned.

    Read statement below:

    Public Announcement The Rivers State House of Assembly hereby invites the following Commissioner -nominees for screening and confirmation as Members of the Rivers State Executive Council.
    1. Zacchaeus Adangor SAN DSSRS
    2. ⁠Dr. Jacobson Mbina DSSRS
    3. ⁠Dr. Gift Worlu
    4. ⁠Mrs Inime Chinwenwo- Aguma DSSRS
    5. ⁠Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke FNSE DSSRS
    6. ⁠Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom DSSRS
    7. ⁠Dr. George-Kelly D. Alabo FNIQS DSSRS
    8. ⁠Hon. Isaac Kamalu DSSRS
    9. ⁠Engr. Austin Ben Chioma

    Date: Wednesday 17th January, 2024
    Time: 10 am
    Venue: Hallowed Chamber, Rivers State House of Assembly, Legislative Quarters, Off PH/Aba Expressway, Port Harcourt.

    “Nominees are to come along with 40 sets of Curriculum Vitae (CV), photocopies of their credentials and their originals.”

    The move came months after the nominees resigned their positions as commissioners in the Fubara cabinet owing to the political impasse between Wike, the immediate past governor of the state, and Fubara.

  • OrderPaper unveils insightful policy review on Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly

    OrderPaper unveils insightful policy review on Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly

    OrderPaper, Nigeria’s foremost independent parliamentary monitoring organisation and policy think tank that bridges the gap between people and parliament, is thrilled to announce the release of its highly anticipated Quarterly Policy Review (QPR) for Quarter 4, 2023, titled “A Peep into Nigeria’s Tenth National Assembly.”

    This comprehensive resource delves into the key legislative developments, policy decisions, and impactful events that have shaped Nigeria’s legislative landscape during the final quarter of 2023 with a specific focus on the 10th National Assembly!

    As the nation grapples with diverse governance challenges and opportunities, “A Peep into Nigeria’s Tenth National Assembly” provides an expository perspective on the intricate workings of the newly formed legislative machinery.

    Speaking on the release, Mr. Oke Epia, Founder and Executive Director, OrderPaper Nigeria, recommended the QPR to everyone everywhere. He said: “We are pleased to present the culmination of our extensive research and analysis on the 10th assembly of Nigeria. This Quarterly Policy Review (QPR) reflects our commitment to fostering informed and productive discourse around the legislature and shaping evidence-based policies for the benefit of citizens whether individual or corporate.

    “As Nigeria navigates the dynamic landscape of governance under the nascent President Bola Tinubu administration and the new 10th National Assembly, we have offered this unique knowledge product as our modest contribution to democratic strengthening. The didactic contents and deeply insightful perspectives of this work will benefit all stakeholders of the democratic project, including policymakers, business leaders, development partners, civil society leaders, and citizens alike. Friends of Nigeria at home and abroad, who have interest in the affairs of the country and are desirous of a compact guide to understand and interface with the Legislature and the general policy-making landscape, will find this work an immensely useful companion.”

    Key Highlights of QPR, Q4 2023
    Below are some key highlights of this QPR:
    Leadership composition: This work details the composition of the leadership of the tenth National Assembly, from the Senate to the House of Representatives, including the majority and minority caucuses.

    Legislative milestones: This work presents significant resolutions and other legislative initiatives that have been deliberated and enacted so far to give valuable insights into the nation’s evolving legislative landscape.

    Political Dynamics: This knowledge product provides a nuanced understanding of the political dynamics within the tenth National Assembly, shedding light on the partisan structures, alliances, and external forces that shape the work and outputs of the assembly.

    GESI Analysis: The QPR offers an in-depth analysis of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) mix of the tenth National Assembly showing female and youth representation in graphic details.

    Emerging Trends: Users of this work will uncover the emerging trends and dynamics within the tenth National Assembly, shedding light on the direction of Nigeria’s legislative agenda.

    Future Outlook: “A Peep into Nigeria’s Tenth National Assembly” doesn’t just review the past; it also offers insights into the anticipated trajectory of the assembly.

    About OrderPaper Nigeria
    OrderPaper Nigeria is the country’s foremost independent parliamentary monitoring organisation and policy think tank that bridges the gap between people and parliament. Our vision is to be the most authoritative organisation of choice and reference for parliamentary reporting, advocacy, and public policy advisory in Africa. Our mission is to provide simple and reliable parliamentary data that empowers citizens to take action and enable informed decision-making by public and private entities.

    OrderPaper is the convener and secretariat of the Nigeria Network of Parliamentary Monitoring Organisations (NNPMOs). As a public trust, OrderPaper Nigeria serves as a trusted resource hub for policymakers, analysts, and citizens alike.

    About the QPR Series
    The Quarterly Policy Review (QPR) is an OrderPaper specialised knowledge product produced every quarter to focus on sector-specific governance and policy issues.

    It serves as an indispensable resource for policymakers, business leaders, academics, civil society, development partners, and citizens interested in understanding and engaging with Nigeria’s policy ecosystem.
    It is the leading resource for in-depth policy analysis and legislative tracking providing unparalleled insights into Nigeria’s governance, legislative processes, and socio-political developments.

    To access and download the full Q4, 2023 QPR on Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly for FREE, visit https://orderpaper.ng/a-peep-into-nigerias-10th-assembly/

    Oputah David M
    Senior Program Executive
    (Editorial and Business Development)

  • Reprieve as Ministry issues Bill of Quantity for FG’s palliatives to NASS constituency

    Reprieve as Ministry issues Bill of Quantity for FG’s palliatives to NASS constituency

    Reprieve has come for majority of members of the National Assembly who came under public scrutiny over the controversial Federal Government’s palliatives given to lawmakers for distribution to their respective constituencies and the constituents who became agitated since the plan was revealed.

    This is as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has started issuing bill of quantity to succesfull contractors who are going to carry out the procurement for onward distribution to the federal constituencies.

    The bill of quantity was sighted by reporters and it showed that the palliative consists of: “62 parboiled long grain rice with golden standard e enriched with vitamins – and minerals e Free from fat e; Stone free e, Not contaminated in any way and in Poly propylene | Laminated Bag

    It all started to when a member of the House of Representatives from Edo State, Hon. Dekeri Anamer had in a viral video on social media, told his supporters to demand, from their representatives and senators, the whereabouts of the bags of rice as approved by President Tinubu for each of the 360 House members, and 109 senators.

    The delay in conclusion of the procurement process have created crisis which saw lawmakers both in the Senate and House been accused wrongly of not distributing the items which majority of the constituents have been waiting for the Ministry of Agriculture to conclude the process and empower the contractors to distribute.

    Some of the contractors who spoke to reporters said the move by the Ministry will help douse tension, correct ongoing misinformation and ensure that the long wait by many constituencies who have not received their palliatives are addressed.

    Most federal constituencies whose contractors decided to supply the palliative after the award letters have helped in seeing some few constituencies receive their palliative while a greater majority was waiting for their own hence, creating the conflicting information and misinformation that led to some lawmakers been accused wrongly.

    The N300 million worth palliatives since being made public by the Edo lawmaker has generated intense controversy and confusion in the polity.

    The Senate had debunked claims that each of its members had taken stock of FG’s palliative items for their constituents.

    The chairman of the Senate committee on media and public affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, said he had yet to receive any palliative items from the federal government.

    Similarly, the House of Representatives Spokesperson, Akin Rotimi had debunked the claims and said the procurement process is at different stages, depending on the constituency, but to be clear, no legislator has been given any money for palliatives.

    However, Olusegun Dada, the special assistant on social media to President Bola Tinubu on his official X handle on Thursday, confirmed the distribution of palliative items worth N200 million to senators and palliative items worth N100 million to House of Representatives members.

    Again, the House said the rice palliative released by President BolaTinubu to members for distribution to their constituents is not missing.

    Deputy spokesperson for the House, Philip Agbese had in a chat with newsmen blamed bureaucratic bottlenecks from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for the delay being experienced by target beneficiaries of the President’s palliative.

    He said: “Indeed, the President released palliatives to lawmakers through the Ministry of Agriculture. Lawmakers have accepted that they are expecting the rice. Some have received; some are yet to receive the rice because of the bureaucratic process ongoing in the ministry.

    “I think the Ministry of Agriculture has their own contractors and because of the various distances from one state or constituency to the other, not everybody has received, but some lawmakers have received.”

  • Additional 47 federal universities not needed now – ASUU

    Additional 47 federal universities not needed now – ASUU

    Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan (UI) branch, has decried the move by the National Assembly to create additional 47 federal universities.

    UI ASUU Chairman, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, stated this in an interview in Ibadan on Tuesday on the sidelines of its scholarship awards to some indigent students.

    Akinwole expressed concern over the planned creation of additional federal universities when government was still struggling to fund the existing ones.

    According to him, the Federal Government is still battling to maintain the quality of the 52 universities it currently has.

    “Thinking of adding 47 more universities, we begin to wonder what is the objective. The objective cannot be noble at all.

    “If it is noble, you will see the seriousness in the way government is handling the existing ones,” Akinwole said.

    He noted that since government had continually seen university education as the cheapest, it had shown little or no interest in paying salaries and allowances being owed universities.

    “Perhaps the House of Representatives and the federal government should answer the question: ‘Why are they establishing 47 new universities when they have not taken care of the ones we have?” he queried.

    The ASUU chairman described the removal of tertiary institutions from IPPIS as mere ‘noisemaking’, as there had been no letter to that effect to the universities.

    “No letter, as we speak, has been communicated, either to the bursary or the heads of the institutions.

    “All we have been seeing is so much motion without movement,” Akinwole said.

    He also said that government had not paid them four months’ salaries as being claimed.

    He said the salary adjustment that was included in 2023 had yet to be effected, adding that academic staff members in universities were still earning salaries as approved in the negotiated document of 2009.

    He, therefore, urged the government to always effect its policies before making pronouncements.

  • Court to deliver judgment in Rivers Assembly speaker’s suit against Fubara, NASS

    Court to deliver judgment in Rivers Assembly speaker’s suit against Fubara, NASS

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, reserved judgment in a suit filed by the Rivers House of Assembly’s Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, against Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, National Assembly (NASS) and others until Jan. 22.

    Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter for judgment after counsel for the parties presented their arguments for and against the case.

    The Rivers House of Assembly and Amaewhule are 1st and 2nd plaintiffs in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023.

    In the amended originating summons dated Dec. 7, 2023 but filed Dec. 11, 2023 by their team of lawyers including Ken Njemanze, SAN, Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, among others, the plaintiffs sued the NASS, Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

    Also joined in the suit include House of Representatives Speaker, House Deputy Speaker, House Majority Leader, House Minority Leader, Clerk to NASS as 6th to 10th defendants.

    They also sued Governor of Rivers, Attorney-General of Rivers, Commissioner of Finance, Accountant-General of Rivers, Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and Rt. Honourable Edison Ehie, who is also listed as Rivers Assembly’s Speaker in the suit, as 11th to 17th defendants respectively.

    The plaintiffs sought an order of injunction restran‘ng the 1st to 10th defendants (NASS) from entertaining any request from the 11th defendant (Fubara) to take over the performance of the functions of Rivers Assembly, including its role to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Rivers in respect of matters that are within its constitutional and legislative competence.

    AN ORDER OF MANDATORY INJUNCTION compelling the Inspector General of Police (whether by himself or by officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force under his command) to provide and continue to provide adequate Security and protection for the 1* Plaintiff under the leadership of the 2” Plaintiff as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for the purpose of transacting the business of the 1% Plaintiff.

    They sought an order of injunction restraining Gov. Fubara from impeding or frustrating the assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership as its speaker.

    They equally sought an order restraining Fubara including the 12th, 13th and 14th defendants from withholding any amount standing to the credit of Rivers Assembly in the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, including salaries and emoluments due and payable to the speaker, deputy speaker and other members of the house as well as to the clerk, deputy clerk and other members of staff of the assembly.

    Alternatively, they sought an order of injunction restraining them from denying the assembly of the due funds for running its affairs including the payment of salaries, allowances, emoluments and meeting its financial obligations no matter how described, among other 11 reliefs.

    Upon resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Omotosho granted the application for joinder filed by Ehie.

    Ehie, who also listed himself as speaker of Rivers Assembly, was joined in the suit as 17 defendants and the court made an order deeming all processes filed by him as being properly filed.

    Plaintiffs’ lawyer, Njemanze informed the court that contrary to the insinuation, he did not file any motion of discontinuance of the case.

    “We are ready to proceed on the substantive matter but we have a motion pending. It is a motion filed on 15 day of December, 2023. We are asking for the restoration of status quo as at November 29, 2023,” he said.

    The senior lawyer said that pursuant to the order of the court made on Dec. 11, 2023, the plaintiffs amended the originating summons in the suit in which they sought 11 reliefs and raised six questions for determination.

    He said the 26-paragraph affidavit was deposed to by Amaewhule, the 2nd plaintiff.

    He also said that on Dec. 15, 2023, a motion on notice was filed, seeking an order to restrain Fubara, A-G, finance commissioner, and the accountant-general from continuing the demolition and destruction of the house of assembly complex in Port Harcourt.

    “We are saying that they want to deter us from performing our constitutional duties despite the order my lord made ex-parte,” he said.

    He said they ignored the order even after it was extended.

    “In this situation, you have the power to discipline all the parties,” he said.

    Justice Omotosho then said he read online that the issue had been settled.

    But Njemanze responded this: “As at the time we came, the House of Assembly was performing its work, but now, they are being interfered with.”

    The lawyer, who informed the court that only about four members passed the state’s budget, urged the court to grant their prayers

    On his part, counsel for the 1st to 10th defendants (NASS), Dr Joshua Musa, SAN, said he filed a counter affidavit on Dec  14, 2023.

    According to him, the counter affidavit is a counter by nomenclature because our position is that the circumstances for the invitation of National Assembly to take over the assembly has not arisen.

    “We are not opposing the originating summons having regards to the documents presented.

    “An invitation to take over at this stage is an invitation for constitutional mischief, which we will not support,” he said.

    K. A. Imafidon, who appeared for Gov. Fubara, told the court that his client instructed them to withdraw all that they filed in the suit

    “We have a motion on notice seeking to dismiss the plaintiffs’ suit dated on 11 and filed 12 Dec. 2023. We also filed a motion on notice dated and filed on Dec. 11 to set aside the interim. orders made in this suit on the Nov 30.

    “We have a counter affidavit in opposition to the plaintiffs’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction dated Dec 12 and filed same day, etc

    “We sought to withdraw them and urge the court to grant our prayer,” he said.

    M. O. Ojo, who appeared for Ehie (17th defendant), however prayed the court to stand down the matter on the grounds that the information he had was that the parties had settled their differences.

    He pleaded with the court to grant his request to allow his senior take over the matter.

    The judge, however, cautioned counsel against drawing conclusion based on what is read or seeing on social media.

    “it is the fact before the court that the court will place its decision on. It is the way parties conduct thier matter that will determine the position of the court.

    “This is a court of record. It is this record that will be transmitted to Appear Court and Supreme Court. I must base my decision on what you are doing here,” he warned.

    Omotosho, who said he had  gone through the court file and I had not seen any notice of discontinuance of the case, however granted Ojo’s plea.

    Upon resumed hearing, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN:, who now announced appearance for Ehie, said he did not come earlier because of the information that the matter was to be withdrawn since President Bola Tinubu had intervened.

    “I owe my lord that duty to inform my lord that the understanding they have is that the 2nd plaintiff, in particular, is to withdraw the action,” he said.

    Aladedoye notified that the 2nd plaintiff even attended the meeting convened by the president where the decision was taken.

    The judge then asked if there was a term of settlement before the court.

    “If that was the position, why did you move the motion for joinder,” he said.

    Moving his motion, Aladedoye said a notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court was filed on Dec 18, 2023.

    According to him, the preliminary objection prays for an order striking out the suit for want of jurisdiction.

    Besides, he said a counter affidavit was also filed We also filed on Dec 18 in response to the amended originating summons with one exhibit.

    The lawyer urged the court to dismiss the suit.

    “I have a question for plaintiff. Do you think we can stil continue with this matter in view of the submission of counsel for the 17th defendant that the president had settled the issue?” Justice Omotosho asked Njemanze.

    Responding, Njemanze said he was aware that President Tinubu invited all the parties, excluding the NASS and its members (1st to 10th defendants), to a meeting.

    “And at that meeting, it was agreed that the 11th defendant (Fubara) and his supporters shall withdraw all pending suits.

    “Secondly, it was also agreed that the plaintiffs shall withdraw the notice of impeachment against the governor.

    “The notice of impeachment has been withdrawn and the assembly is sitting fully but the governor has failed to withdraw the suit he, as governor, filed at Rivers State High Court.

    “What we are supposed to do under the agreement, we have done. If tomorrow, I am instructed to withdraw, I will do so. We are for peace,” he responded.

    Then the judge asked Aladedoye: “Who is the 17th defendant and on what capacity did you file this suit?”

    The senior lawyer responded thus: “As at the time your lordship adjourned on 7th day of Dec., 2023, and up until Mr President convened the meeting, the 17th defendant was the speaker of Rivers Assembly.

    “It was after the intervention of the president and the stakeholders in Rivers that it was resolved that the parties should restore status ante bellum.

    “And it was in line with that that the 17tj defendant resigned, even as member of the House of assembly on the strength of the understanding they had.

    “That resignation was based on the agreement parties had and he ceased to be the speaker on the basis of the understanding they had with President of Nigeria.”

    The judge, who was unhappy with the development, said: “The motion for joinder was moved on 8th of January, 2024 as speaker, even when he (Ehie) has ceased to be.”

    He described the act as move to mislead the court.

    Aladedoye, however, clarified that when Ojo appeared before the court on the last adjourned date, he did inform that the parties had settled the matter.

    NAN

  • Share Tinubu’s rice now – MURIC sends strong warning to lawmakers

    Share Tinubu’s rice now – MURIC sends strong warning to lawmakers

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on members of the National Assembly (NASS) to ensure proper distribution of thousands of bags of rice and other foodstuffs recently given to them for sharing by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    MURIC said this in a statement issued on Friday, by its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola in Abuja.

    “Each of Nigeria’s 109 Senators allegedly received N200 million worth of foodstuffs while their 360 counterparts in the House of Representatives were given N100 million worth each.

    “Although a honourable member of the House from Edo was seen in a video gone viral displaying a warehouse filled with thousands of bags of rice, some senators and reps are still denying that they collected palliatives from the president.

    “We see this as an attempt to mull or trivialize the Federal Government’s efforts at ameliorating the sufferings of the hoi polloi. Some of our lawmakers are causing confusion.

    “How can only one lawmaker openly show his constituents thousands of bags of rice while the rest keep mum? How can the reps admit collecting massive palliatives while senators deny receiving anything. Is the Senate filled with saboteurs and confusionists,” Akintola said.

    He added:“MURIC demands urgent and immediate clarification from the leaderships of both Senate and the House of Representatives. Where are their spokespersons? They must speak up before it is too late. Delay is dangerous. Nigerians are hungry. This is the kind of thing that provokes the people. Procrastination is the thief of time. Anarchists look for lacuna like this to spread their tales of horror in order to incite the masses against government.

    “We appeal to the remaining members of the House who have received the palliatives to quickly begin the sharing among their constituents.  We also remind them to add publicity to the exercise. This release of a humongous number of bags of foodstuffs deserves an equally aggressive information outflow.

    “There are too many enemies of progress out there spreading falsehood and the only way to silence them is to spread information about positive acts of government whenever it happens.

    “Meanwhile we appeal to the good Nigerian people to exercise a little patience while the logistics are being sorted out by the lawmakers. This is definitely no fault of the government. Tinubu and Shettima have done what they should do by rolling out palliatives. The rest is in the hanhuman ds of our lawmakers.”

    “MURIC will like to assure Nigerians that we will not stop calling out the lawmakers until they distribute what they have received. We are not just here for Allah-given fundamental rights of Muslims alone. We are also here for the welfare of every single Nigerian regardless of creed, ethnicity or gender.

    “Our vision of Nigeria is that of a nation where people live together in peace and harmony, a nation in which no one is oppressed, where every citizen enjoys Allah-given fundamental human rights regardless of class, creed, or ethnicity.

    “We remain oppressed until those golden principles of Islamic liberation theology are actualized, namely, freedom of worship for all, emancipation for the oppressed, justice for the persecuted, jobs for the jobless, food for the hungry, healing for the sick, clothing apparels for the naked and shelter for the homeless”.