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Tag: Suspension

  • Macron’s aide suspended for hitting street protester

    Macron’s aide suspended for hitting street protester

    An aide to President Emmanuel Macron was put on two weeks compulsory leave after he was seen hitting a street protester in demonstrations in Paris in May, the French president’s spokesman said on Thursday, a decision deemed too soft by opposition leaders.

    Labour unions hold demonstrations every year on May Day in France, which often lead to police intervention.

    A video, shared on social media, showed a man wearing a police helmet hitting a demonstrator with other policemen.

    He was later recognised as a member of the French presidency staff.

    “The collaborator, Alexandre Benalla, had been given permission to witness the demonstrations only as an observer,” Bruno Roger-Petit said in a filmed statement.

    “Clearly, he went beyond this … he was immediately summoned by the president’s chief of staff and given a 15-day suspension. This comes as a punishment for unacceptable behavior,” he said.

    A judiciary source told Reuters the Paris prosecutor had launched an investigation into the matter on Thursday after being made aware of the incident.

    Several opposition leaders voiced criticism over Benalla’s punishment, arguing it was too lenient.

    “This video is shocking. Today, we have the feeling that in Macron’s entourage, one is above the law. It is obvious that Macron has to speak up about this,” Laurent Wauquiez, president of conservative opposition party Les Republicains told Europe 1 radio.

     

    Reuters/NAN

  • Omo-Agege messages House over suspension resolution [Full statement]

    It has been brought to my notice that on Tuesday 10th July, 2018, the House of Representative purportedly resolved to suspend me, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, APC, from the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for 180 legislative days. The said resolution was made pursuant to a certain Ad-hoc Committee investigative report presented by Hon. Betty Apiafa (PDP or CUPP) on my alleged involvement in an incident that occurred in the Senate Chamber which led to the removal of the Senate’s mace by some persons on April 18, 2018.

    Without much ado, I state without equivocation whatsoever that the purported House resolution is just an act of utter lawlessness by one ordinary first among equals in the Senate who prides himself as a most intolerant dictator. The Urhobo people that I represent with honour in the Senate do not respect oppressors or dictators. To this extent, I will never ever bow down to a lawless emperor. Instead, I visit all the contempt, scorn, and disdain in this world upon the supposed resolution, especially its originator, knowing that the very good men and women of that most Honourable House did not willfully make such a manifestly inoperable and laughable resolution. Very soon, one would soon receive similar disrespectful resolutions from the Kwara State House of Assembly or Local Government Legislative Houses in Kwara State where he prides himself without justification as a demi-god and now seeks to do so on the national stage. Before then, I must ask those who were deceived to make this so-called resolution and the emperor in the Senate who lacks the civilized mind, wisdom and capacity to manage ordinary democratic dissent to eat the worthless resolution or better still, shove it.

    With humility, I am a good student of constitutional law unlike the one who knows nothing about the law yet misuses our legislative processes and instruments to violently violate my rights as a Senator of the Federal Republic duly elected by my people to represent them in the Red Chamber just like him. Not being a member of the House of Representatives, I cannot be subjected to any form of investigation or disciplinary action by the House. Very importantly, by the clear letters and living spirit of Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the National Assembly has no power whatsoever to investigate any alleged crime. The removal of the Senate’s mace was described in the Senate as a “heinous crime”. For this reason and much more, it is a matter now under an active criminal investigation by the police. Usurping the constitutional functions of the police, Hon. Betty Apafia ignored this fact and elected to submit a so-called report on this incident and inflicted incalculable harm on my person thereby. There must be consequences for this.

    Furthermore, it has been decided in a plethora of judicial decisions that legislative houses cannot suspend their members. Some of these cases are: Hon. Danna v. Bauchi House of Assembly, Dinno Melaye & Ors v. Speaker House of Representatives, Sen. Ali Ndume v. Senate President, Hon. Abdulmumin Jubril v. Speaker, House of Representative and, of course my recent case, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege vs The Senate President. And in this instance, the matters are already before a court of competent jurisdiction and therefore subjudice. It is elementary that parties are not supposed to take steps to force fait accompli on a court that is already seised of issues between such parties.

    But some would rather turn the Senate to a Banana Republic by arrogating to themselves powers they do not have and acting with disgusting lawlessness and brazenness. The irony is that some of these same people were allowed to enjoy the full benevolence that our legal system provides by remaining ‘unsuspended’ or ‘unremoved’ from their legislative positions when they had challenges with the law. Even much more ironical is that these same intolerant dictators often dare to unjustly accuse our dear President Muhammadu Buhari of some fairy dictatorship!

    In all, let me say that if they ever assumed that I will be a victim of the travesty of justice, violation of our constitution, and untrammeled impunity being piped from the Senate by a dictator, they are dead wrong. My people and I will lose nothing as a result of this sickening dictatorship in the senate. This is a fight the Senate dictator and drummer must lose. He has bitten more than he can chew. Our Constitution and constitutionality will surely prevail in this.

     

  • Senate invasion: Omo-Agege berates Saraki, Reps over fresh suspension moves

    The lawmaker representing the Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has carpeted the House of Representatives for approving his suspension over alleged involvement in the invasion of the Senate chamber and mace snatching.

    Omo-Agege described the resolution for his suspension by the House as an act of lawlessness.

    The senator stated this in a statement he personally signed entitled, ‘My Advice to the House of Representatives on its Purported Resolution to Suspend Me: Eat It or Better Still, Shove It.’

    Recall that the Senate had on April 12, 2018, suspended Omo-Agege for 90 legislative days for dragging the chamber to court over the amendment to the Electoral Act 2010 which seeks to reshuffle the sequence of polls during general elections.

    Omo-Agege had, however, dismissed the suspension and attended plenary on April 18. The lawmaker’s emergence at the chamber had occurred at the same time when suspected thugs invaded the Senate chamber while plenary was ongoing and made away with the mace.

    President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, while inaugurating a joint National Assembly investigative panel which had the Senate’s Deputy Majority Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah and Rep. Betty Apiafa as co-chairmen, had noted that there were reports that those who attacked the Senate were led by a serving senator.

    The House had last week considered the report by the panel, which indicted Omo-Agege, and approved the recommendation that the senator be suspended for 180 legislative days.

    Na’Allah has yet to lay the report before the Senate.

    Omo-Agege, in his reaction, dismissed the resolution by the House and accused Saraki of being a dictator.

    The statement read in part, “Without much ado, I state without ‘equivocation’ whatsoever that the purported House resolution is just an act of utter lawlessness by one ordinary, first among equals in the Senate, who prides himself as a most intolerant dictator. The Urhobo people that I represent with honour in the Senate do not respect oppressors or dictators.

    Omo-Agege described himself as “a good student of Constitutional Law, saying he was “unlike the one who knows nothing about the law yet misuses our legislative processes and instruments to violently violate my rights as a Senator of the Federal Republic duly elected by my people to represent them in the Red Chamber just like him.”

    He stated, “Not being a member of the House of Representatives, I cannot be subjected to any form of investigation or disciplinary action by the House.”

    The lawmaker pointed out that with Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, the National Assembly had no power whatsoever to investigate a crime.

    He said, “The removal of the Senate’s mace was described in the Senate as a ‘heinous crime.’ For this reason and much more, it is a matter now under an active criminal investigation by the police. Usurping the constitutional functions of the police, Hon. Betty Apafia ignored this fact and elected to submit a so-called report on this incident and inflicted incalculable harm on my person thereby. There must be consequences for this.”

    Omo-Agege noted that there were several judicial decisions that legislative houses could not suspend their members, while matters of his suspension by the Senate and National Assembly’s investigation of the mace theft were before the court, making the action by the House subjudice.

    He said, “It is elementary that parties are not supposed to take steps to foist fait accompli on a court that is already seized of issues between such parties. But some would rather turn the Senate into a Banana Republic by arrogating to themselves powers they do not have and acting with disgusting lawlessness and brazenness.

    “The irony is that some of these same people were allowed to enjoy the full benevolence that our legal system provides by remaining ‘unsuspended’ or ‘unremoved’ from their legislative positions when they had challenges with the law. Even much more ironical is that these same intolerant dictators often dare to unjustly accuse our dear President Muhammadu Buhari of some fairy dictatorship.”

    The lawmaker added, “In all, let me say that if they ever assumed that I will be a victim of the travesty of justice, violation of our Constitution, and untrammelled impunity being piped from the Senate by a dictator, they are dead wrong. My people and I will lose nothing as a result of this sickening dictatorship in the Senate. This is a fight the Senate dictator and drummer must lose. He has bitten more than he can chew.”

    Reacting, Saraki’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, said senators who believed in the Senate President’s leadership would respond to Omo-Agege.

    Olaniyonu said, “Ordinarily, I don’t reply senators out of respect, for the fact that they are my principal’s colleagues. That is why you have not seen me replying all the diatribe from Senators Abdullahi Adamu, Senator Ali Ndume and him. At the right time, their colleagues will reply to them. It is out of deliberate respect for them that I, as the spokesman for the Senate President, will not be seen to be exchanging hot words with his colleagues. That is one of the ethics of the Office of the President of the Senate under Senator Bukola Saraki.”

    Also responding to Omo-Agege, a senator loyal to Saraki dismissed the Parliamentary Support Group in the Senate, which has Adamu, Ndume and Omo-Agege as part of its membership, as a group of aggrieved lawmakers.

    The senator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the lawmakers had been attacking Saraki for personal reasons.

     

  • SEC files preliminary objection against suspended DG’s suit

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Thursday adjourned until Oct. 24 hearing of the preliminary objection filed by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in the suit instituted against it by its suspended Director-General, Mounir Gwarzo.

    Justice Sanusi Kado, adjourned the suit after listening to submissions of counsel and ordered that hearing notice be served on the Attorney-General of the Federation who has no legal presentation in court.

    Gwarzo was suspended in November 2017, over alleged financial misappropriation.

    When the case came up for mention, the claimant counsel, Adetayo Adeyemi, told the court that all the defendants had been served with originating processes.

    Chris Uche (SAN), SEC’s counsel,said he had filed memorandum of conditional appearance and served the claimant’s counsel with preliminary objection.

    Chinedu Achumie, counsel to the Minister of Finance, acknowledged that they had been served by the claimant, but were yet to reply.

    Adeyemi acknowledged that SEC counsel had served them with preliminary objection, but they were yet to reply as they were served on Wednesday.

    The claimant is seeking a declaration that his appointment as D-G of SEC is valid, legal and subsisting.

    A declaration that the Administrative Panel of Inquiry set up by the Minister of Finance was biased, partial and against the principle of natural justice.

    The suspended D-G is also seeking an order of the court to set aside the report of the Administrative Panel of Inquiry that indicted him.

  • Senate invasion: Reps approve 180 days’ suspension for Omo-Agege

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday endorsed the recommendations of a joint ad hoc committee of the National Assembly, which recommended the immediate suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege for 180 legislative days.

    The joint committee was constituted to investigate the invasion of the Senate chamber on April 18 and subsequent stolen of the mace.

    The committee’s 10-point recommendation was adopted after Rep. Betty Apiafi (Rivers-PDP), Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, laid the report at the Tuesday’s plenary session.

    The legislators also called for the immediate prosecution of Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central) and six other suspects on charges of treasonable felony, assault occasioning harm, conspiracy to steal and actual theft of the mace.

    They resolved that Omo-Agege should also be prosecuted for incitement and breach of peace inside the Senate chamber and contempt ex-facie.

    At its Committee of the Whole, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Lasun Yusuff, the lawmakers urged the National Assembly management to review the existing security operational procedure.

    This, they resolved would enable the Sergeant-at-Arms to take the lead in providing security in the complex.

    Also, the House recommended special compensation for five members of staff who did their best to retrieve the mace, but were overpowered by the invading thugs.

    It also commended the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, for refusing to be intimidated by the invasion and upholding his oath of office.

    Recall that Omo-Agege was suspended by the Senate for 90 days in April.

    This followed his comments at a press briefing that the proposed amendment of the 2010 Electoral Act to change the sequence of elections set by INEC was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Although, he later apologised for his comments, the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges recommended his suspension for 181 legislative days.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki recommended its reduction to 90 legislative days.

    After his suspension, thugs believed to be working for him invaded the Senate and made away with the Mace, the symbol of authority. Omo-Agege, however, denied any involvement with the incident.

    He later challenged his suspension in court and the Federal High Court in Abuja subsequently nullified the action, directing that he should be allowed to resume.

    On May 16, he turned up in the senate and signed the attendance register at about 10.30a.m before proceeding to the upper legislative chambers just as the Senate was going into a closed-door session.

  • NCAA suspends FirstNation Airways indefinitely over alleged licence infraction

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has announced the suspension of the Air Operators Certificate of FirstNation Airways indefinitely.

    The NCAA said on Sunday that the suspension was conveyed to the airline via a letter with reference no. NCAA/DG/CSLA/RM/1-06/18/2304 dated May 11, 2018, and signed by the Director-General, Capt. Muhtar Usman.

    According to the NCAA, the airline has acknowledged the receipt of the letter.

    In a statement signed by the General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, the regulator stated that the suspension was sequel to the flagrant and continuous violation of the terms and conditions of the issuance of its AOC by the carrier, thereby carrying out unauthorised and illegal operations.

    Adurogboye stated that when the AOC of FirstNation Airways expired, the airline did not have at least two airworthy aircraft capable of servicing its approved schedule as required by Part 9.1.1.6(b) (2) (ii) of Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (Nig.CARS), 2015.

    He said, “Consequently, the airline’s Air Operators Certificate was, upon renewal, restricted to non-scheduled operation (charter) only. However, FirstNation Airways embarked on scheduled operations with continuous advertisement of its services and sold tickets at its check-in counters in Lagos and Abuja airports.

    “The NCAA had earlier notified the airline that it was investigating these violations. Subsequently, by a letter dated 31st of August 2017, the airline was directed to stop the illegal operations forthwith, warning that failure to desist would lead to a suspension of its operating authorisation.”

    He added that upon further investigation, it was discovered that the airline had disregarded all warnings and continued with the unauthorised and illegal operations in violation of its AOC terms and conditions of issuance.

    Adurogboye stated, “This is contrary to the provisions of Part 9.1.1.4(d) of the Nig.CARS 2015, which provides that ‘each AOC holder shall at all times continue in compliance with the AOC terms and conditions of issuance, and maintenance requirements in order to hold that certificate’.

    “The authority has therefore determined that, pursuant to Section 35(2),(3) (a) (ii) and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006, FirstNation Airways is no longer fit to operate air transport business under the authority of the AOC. Accordingly, the airline’s AOC has been suspended indefinitely with effect from the 11th of May, 2018, when it received the notice.”

    According to Adurogboye, in addition, the operators of the airline are expected to return the AOC to the NCAA’s Director of Operations and Training within seven days of receiving the letter.

    He added that anytime the airline demonstrated ability and willingness to comply with the extant regulations, the NCAA would review its suspension and restore the AOC to enable it to commence operations.

    FirstNation Airways had in August 2017 switched temporarily from offering scheduled flights to charter services, following a reduction in its fleet size.

    Usman, who disclosed the development to journalists at the time, said the airline’s non-scheduled status would remain so until it improved its aircraft fleet to at least two and meet the requirements for scheduled services.

  • Senate appeals court ruling nullifying Omo-Agege’s suspension

    The Senate has filed a notice of appeal and a stay of execution on a High Court judgement nullifying the suspension of a senator, Ovie Omo-Agege.

    Olu Onemola, an aide to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, made this known Thursday evening.

    “The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Coram Nnamdi Dimgba .J. in a judgment delivered today, the 10th May, 2018 in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/314/18 between Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege V. Senate & 2 Ors held that the Senate and the Senate President who where the 1st and 2nd Defendants in the suit filed by Sen. Ovie Omo Agege can punish erring members of the Senate. The Court also held that all reliefs of the plaintiff are not grantable as they could not be supported by the processes filed by the plaintiff.

    “However, relying on Relief 8 which is the Omnibus prayer, the Court held that the suspension was not in accordance to law, the Senate and the Senate President promptly filed a Notice of Appeal and a Motion for Stay of Execution of the same Judgement on the 10th of May, 2018,” he wrote.

    A stay of execution is a court order to temporarily suspend the execution of a court judgment or another court order.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court gave the ruling nullifying the suspension on Thursday.

    Dimgba said the Senate’s decision regarding the suspension, as well as the pattern adopted by the National Assembly, was constitutionally defective.

    He said the Senate has no power to suspend a senator for more than 14 days.

    Omo-Agege was suspended for 90 days by the Senate after he accused his colleagues of working against President Muhammadu Buhari by amending the electoral act.

    The Senate said the suspension was not because of Omo-Agege’s comments on the election re-oreder but for his move of approaching the court over the matter.

    That was also frowned at by the judge who said it was an abuse of the Senate’s powers.

    “Access to court is a constitutional right which cannot be taken away,” Dimgba said.

    Meanwhile, the embattled senator in a reaction to the ruling said it is victory for Nigeria’s nascent democracy and not necessarily against the senate or its leaders.

  • Suspension: Court ruling victory for democracy – Omo-Agege

    Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial district, Ovie Omo-Agege on Thursday said the judgement of the Federal High Court nullifying his suspension from the Senate is victory for democracy.

    Recall that the Senate had on April 13, suspended the senator for 90 legislative days over his comment that the amendment to the Electoral Act 2010 seeking the re-ordering of the general elections was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

    However in his ruling on Thursday, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, in a judgment that lasted an one hour, held that while the National Assembly had the power to discipline its erring members, the premise on which Omo-Agege’s suspension was anchored was illegal.

    In a statement released by his media office, Omo-Agege said his victory should be seen as a plus to Nigeria’s nascent democracy and not necessarily against the Senate.

    Read full statement below:

    IT’S VICTORY FOR DEMOCRACY

    1.0. Today’s judgment by Hon. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba rightly nullifying the suspension of the Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is consistent with our firm position that the Senate as a foremost national institution should live consistently by example and set the pace in legislative best practices. We are grateful to His Lordship, and indeed the entire judiciary, for affirming once again that ours is a democracy guided by the rule of law and constitutionality.

    2.0. We want the good people of this great nation to appreciate this victory for what it is. It is not a victory against the Senate, as there is no war against that great institution. Rather, given his fine understanding of the law, Sen. Omo-Agege believes that there are rare moments that demand the intervention of our courts to enrich the law and our constitutional experience.

    3.0. Today’s positive judgement is therefore not necessarily for or about him as an individual. It is about ensuring that no lawmaker is removed arbitrarily from serving his or her people. It is about ensuring that constitutionality, legality, good conscience and due process are the cornerstones of public leadership actions and decisions.

    4.0. For their increasingly amazing support, Senator Omo-Agege is very grateful to the good people of Urhobo Nation whom he has the great honour of representing in the 8th Senate. He remains absolutely committed to their fine values of justice, honour and humility in service. His special gratitude also goes to his wonderful family, friends, and well-wishers for their prayers and overwhelming support. Above all, this victory belongs to God and to Him we give the glory.

     

    Signed:

    Prince Efe Duku

    For: The Office of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

  • NCC suspends COSON’s operations license

    NCC suspends COSON’s operations license

    The ongoing crisis rocking Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), became more intense when the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) suspended the operating license of the collecting society.

    In a letter, the Director-General of NCC Afam Ezekude, on Thursday instructed the Tony Okoroji-led COSON to stop from negotiating and collecting royalties on behalf of copyright owners until further notice.

     

    “The suspension is consequent upon the continued failure and/or refusal of your organisation to carry out the directive of the Commission issued vides letter reference NCC/DG/132/1/66 dated 19th February 2018.

     

    “In view of the foregoing, you are to henceforth desist from negotiating and granting copyright licenses, collecting royalties on behalf of copyright owners, or otherwise performing any functions of a collective management organisation, except directed by the commission,” the NCC letter read in part.

    Ezekude in the letter added that the refusal of COSON to comply with the NCC directive will attract sanctions.

     

    Reacting to the suspension, COSON board called for calm of members of the commission. They also promised to ensure that the license is lifted soon.

     

    “We have just been informed of the suspension of the operating licence of COSON. This situation has been brought upon the society by the intransigence of Chief Tony Okoroji, acting in concert with some individuals who have benefited from using artists royalties to fester their own nests.

     

    “We advise both members of COSON, and our licensees not to panic. The legitimate board will work with the NCC to ensure that normalcy is returned in the shortest possible time and that the suspension of the licence is lifted,” COSON board said.

  • AGF, Malami declares Senate’s suspension of Omo-Agege illegal

    The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Mr Abubakar Malami, (SAN) told the Federal High Court Abuja on Monday that the suspension of Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege was unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful.

    Malami, who is the 3rd defendant in the ongoing suit brought by Omo-Agege challenging his suspension from the Senate, made his position known through his counsel, Mr Dayo Apata.

    Apata, who doubles as the Solicitor-General of the Federation, in his submission, said that the role of the AGF was to defend and protect the constitution, adding that he had to react to any issue that had to do with the constitution.

    “According to Section 4(8), 39, 40 of the Constitution and Articles of the African Charter on Human Rights, all the actions of the senate relating to the suspension of the plaintiff (Omo-Agege) are unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful.”

    The solicitor-general urged the court to hold that the senate’s actions were unlawful.

    Mr Mahmud Magaji (SAN), counsel to the Senate and the Senate President, in his submission, urged the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the senator had himself, participated in the suspension of other senators.

    “The plaintiff is not an ordinary senator but a lawyer and a member of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

    “He has participated in several committee meetings leading to the suspension of other senators such as Ndume, so he who lives by the sword, should die by the sword.

    “He who has participated in the suspension of his colleagues cannot now run to the court for protection.

    “He swore to an oath to be bound by the rules of the senate, including the standing orders,” Magaji said.

    Mr Alex Iziyon (SAN), counsel to Omo-Agege in his submission, prayed the court to consider what had been done by the senate as an affront to the dignity of the court.

    Iziyon argued that the court had the powers to pull down what has been done by the senate.

    He said this was on the grounds that while the matter was still pending in court, the senate went ahead and slammed the 90 legislative days suspension on his client.

    Having listened to submissions from all the counsel, the judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, adjourned the matter until May 10 to deliver judgment.

    Earlier, the court refused an application by Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and Sen. Bala Ibn Na’allah, Chairman and Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and other Petitions.

    The senators had applied to be joined as parties in the suit but the court refused on the grounds that they were not necessary parties in the suit.

    Mr Paul Erokoro (SAN), counsel to both senators, had urged the court to allow them to be joined as parties by virtue of the fact that they were chairman and vice chairman of the committee.

    “They are necessary parties in this suit because it is the report their committee produced that the plaintiff seeks to impugned and set aside.

    “Moreover, whatever decision the court takes will affect them and members of the committee because their personal conduct is being questioned,” Erokoro said.

    Omo-Agege, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District, filed the suit to challenge his suspension from the senate.

    He asked the court to among other reliefs, grant an order restraining the defendants, their servants, agents, privies or officers from interfering with his rights and privileges as a senator.