S’Court: 11 justices scale NJC hurdle, await Tinubu’s nod.

S’Court: 11 justices scale NJC hurdle, await Tinubu’s nod.

The National Judicial Council has picked 11 Justices that will fill the vacant positions at the Supreme Court.

The constitution prescribes 21 Justices for the apex court but the court currently has 10 Justices, following the retirement of Justice Musa Dattijo in October.

Last week, ir was reported that the NJC screened 22 candidates shortlisted by the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

However, on Wednesday, the NJC uploaded the names of the successful candidates on its website.

Among the shortlisted candidates is Justice Haruna Tsammani from Bauchi State, who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court that affirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 presidential poll.

Also on the list is Justice Moore Adumein, from Bayelsa State; Justice Jummai Sankey (Plateau); Justice Chidiebere Uwa (Abia); Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (Imo); Justice Obande Ogbuinya; Justice Stephen Adah(Kogi); Justice Habeeb Abiru (Lagos); Justice Jamilu Tukur; Justice Abubakar Umar (Kebbi) and Justice Mohammed Idris( Niger).

The NJC is expected to forward the names to the President for approval before Friday.

Meanwhile, the NJC also recommended the appointment of Justice Mohammed Ahmed Ramat to the Court of Appeal.

Also, Justice Joel Agya and Justice Umar Abubakar were recommended as the Chief Judge of Taraba and Kebbi states, respectively.

Similarly, Kadi Mukhtar was recommended for appointment as the Grand Kadi Sharia Court of Appeal in Kebbi State.

Justice A. O. Femi-Segun; Justice Alfred Yakubu; and Justice Tajudeen M. Abdulganiyu were recommended to be appointed as Presidents of the Customary Courts of Appeal of Ogun, Taraba, and Oyo states.

Furthermore, Amaebi Orukari and Akinyemi Ayodele were recommended to be appointed as High Court judges in Bayelsa and Ogun states, respectively.

A statement by the NJC spokesperson, Adesoji Oye, on Wednesday, said, “All recommended candidates to the Supreme Court bench would be sworn in after the approval of their recommendation by President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, and the subsequent confirmation of their appointment by the Senate.

“The various Heads of Court recommended would also be sworn in upon the approval of their appointment by their various state governors and subsequent confirmation of same by their respective state Houses of Assembly.

FG votes N50bn for student loan.

FG votes N50bn for student loan.

The Federal Government had voted N50bn in the 2024 budget for the implementation of its student loan scheme.

This was contained in the details of the 2024 budget appropriation.

Meanwhile, details of how the loan scheme, unveiled by President Bola Tinubu in June, would be implemented remains sketchy.

But the President gave the assurance that the loan scheme would kick off January.

 It was reported that Tinubu, who spoke at the 29th National Economic Summit in November, insisted that the student loan scheme was a more sustainable model for funding tertiary education and increasing citizen’s access to higher education

“By January 2024, the new students loan programme must commence. To the future of our children and students, we are saying no more strikes.

“To address long-standing issues in the education sector, a more sustainable model of funding tertiary education will be implemented, including the Student Loan Scheme scheduled to become operational by January 2024.

“Human capital is the most critical resource for national development. Accordingly, the budget prioritises human development with particular attention to children, the foundation of our nation,” Tinubu had said.

Since signing the Bill into law in June, many Nigerians have criticised its introduction, describing it as a ploy for the introduction of tuition fees in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, for instance, noted that if the government was sincere in its intentions, the proposed student loan should be made a grant instead of a loan.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejoh, had said the student loan scheme would commence in September. This, however, did not happen.

According to the student loan law signed by the President in June, the funds for the scheme would be domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria and managed by an 11-person special committee chaired by the CBN governor.

According to Section 5 of the law, members of the committee include the ministers responsible for education and finance, or the latter’s representatives, and the Auditor-General of the Federation.

Other members are the Chairman, National Universities Commission, a representative of the Forum of University Vice-Chancellors, a representative of the Forum of Polytechnic Rectors and Forum of Provosts of all Colleges of Education in the country.

Also, a representative of the Nigeria Labour Congress, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association and a representative of the Academic Staff Union of Universities are members.

On Wednesday, a high-ranking ASUU official told newsmen that the union had not been briefed on the details of the scheme’s implementation.

The official, who spoke off the record, noted that the leadership of ASUU was against the idea of a loan and wanted grants for indigent students instead.

The Chairman of ASUU at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, who spoke to our correspondent, said, “We don’t have any information. No details except the fact that the minister said it’s starting January 2024.”

Similarly, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Dr. Anderson Ezeibe, said, “We do not have any information. No details.”

The Director of programmes at Reform Education Nigeria, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, urged the government to be more transparent in the implementation process.

“Initially it was announced that the implementation would commence by September 2023. The government remained silent until the President came out again to say that the implementation could kick-start by January 2024.

“I think it is high time for the government to be open and transparent about the implementation process. We know that a certain amount has been allocated but we need more details and information. It is not just about announcing dates, we need information about the committees put in place and all,” Oluwatoyin said.

Ogun plans home for gender-based violence victims.

Ogun plans home for gender-based violence victims.

The Ogun State Government on Wednesday said it would provide a befitting accommodation for victims of gender-based violence in the state.

Governor Dapo Abiodun made this known in his office at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, when he received his wife and other women, who were on a roadshow as part of activities for the 16 Days’ Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in the state.

Abiodun, who acknowledged that gender violence had become pronounced among males and females in the country, pledged that the state government would provide a befitting building to serve as a shelter for people that have been sexually harassed or subjected to other forms of molestation in the state.

The shelter, he said, would save them from the stigma usually associated with the problem.

He added that the government would also work towards instituting Gender-Based Violence Trust Fund to finance the welfare of victims.

“You want us to ensure that we have a befitting shelter, and you made a case for that, and you emphasised the fact that people abused in the house or at home cannot go back home. There are those who do not have anywhere else to go back to. There is a lot of stigma associated with those who are abused.

“I believe that we have identified somewhere previously, but I am told that it may not be befitting.

“By this, I am now instructing the Secretary to the State Government to work with the Ministry of Housing to identify either a building; if they can’t find one, we identify a parcel of land and we will construct a befitting building to serve as the needed shelter for those persons who have been subjected to all kinds of sexual harassment,” the governor said

Policy reforms key to development, says NBA Chair.

Policy reforms key to development, says NBA Chair.

There is a need to create a favourable environment for businesses and investments to thrive, Lagos Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olabisi Makanjuola, has said.

The subject, he said, will form the theme of the branch’s annual Bar dinner.

At a briefing in Lagos, Makanjuola, a partner at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, said the dinner is scheduled to be held on December 15 at the Queens Park Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Its theme is: “Creating a favourable environment for business and investment in Nigeria through legal policies and reforms.”

The keynote speaker is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Adekunle Sonola.

The chairman said: “Legal policies and reforms are key to economic development.

“So, we decided to bring the Managing Director of one of our finest banks in Nigeria to share experience with us on how businesses can stay afloat in a challenging economy.”

Popular comedian Kiki will be the compere, while the dinner will feature a special guest artist.

Makanjuola said the dinner, which will be free to members, is fully sponsored through funds raised by the planning committee, headed by Mr. Adeleke Alex-Adedipe.

He said the dinner was made free for the first time in fulfilment of part of his campaign promises.

“The annual law dinner is rooted in the finest traditions of the legal profession.

“It is expected to bring together legal practitioners, judges and industry helmsmen to network, celebrate and enjoy some fine dining.

“Lawyers work a lot, and they deserve to play and rest after a good year of working hard.

“This year’s dinner will be free of charge to all our members. However, interested members are required to have registered via the portal of the branch.

“The requirement to attend this dinner is that you must have paid your branch dues as of March 31. For colleagues who have not paid branch dues, we’re so sorry, you will not be able to attend.”

He said non-members can attend by paying a token of N20,000, adding that limited spaces are available.

COP28: NDDC seeks partnerships on Green Innovations.

COP28: NDDC seeks partnerships on Green Innovations.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed determination to embrace clean energy sources through practical approaches, nature-based solutions and green innovations.

Speaking during a side event at the Climate Change Conference, COP28 in Dubai, the NDDC managing director, Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission was leveraging the key sectors of the energy transition plan, to develop new green skills and create new jobs.

Ogbuku in a statement signed by the NDDC director of corporate affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said that significant investments, partnerships, and collaboration were required to succeed in such a direction.

He said: “Our gathering at COP28 is a reminder of the urgent need for several and collective actions to address the issues of climate change.

“Sustainable development for the Niger Delta region is underscored by the high vulnerability of the region to the impacts of climate change and environmental pollution.

“The high exposure of the region to sea level rise, storm surges, coastal erosion, and river flooding, compounded by increasing human-induced pressures on coastal areas made the region one of the most impacted by climate change in Africa.”

Ogbuku observed that the vulnerability of the region was further aggravated by oil spillages, gas flaring, and environmental degradation.

He said: “While the Niger Delta region is a critical ecosystem, rich in natural resources, and a significant contributor to the global economy, this vast resource is intricately interwoven with compounding climate change and environmental issues. These resources have the leveraging capacity for the transition to a low carbon, climate-resilient development pathway.”

Read Also: NDDC begins construction of 18km Owaza-Uzuaku road in Abia

The NDDC boss said that the commission would explore the four major themes of COP28, namely, technology and innovation, inclusion, frontline communities, and finance.

He explained that NDDC was participating at the climate change conference to leverage the spirit of the themes to seek partnerships in green innovations and finance to fast-track green initiatives aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees centigrade by 2030.

Ogbuku said: “NDDC is determined to mainstream climate considerations in our operations and our development planning and implementation. Our theme at this Side Event, ‘Green Innovation for Climate-Resilient Development in the Niger Delta Region: A Credible Approach for Net-Zero Target’, shows our commitment to the national and international direction for carbon neutrality.”

Court of Appeal relocates Kogi Gov Election Petitions Tribunal to Abuja.

Court of Appeal relocates Kogi Gov Election Petitions Tribunal to Abuja.

Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the President of the Court of Appeal, has relocated the Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal from Lokoja to Abuja.

A statement by Mr David Umar Mike, Secretary of the Tribunal, said that its sittings would now be at the National Judicial Institute on Umar Yar’Adua Way.

It urged litigants to take note of the change in venue.

The statement was silent on the reason behind the relocation, but a top source at the tribunal said the step was necessitated by “security reasons.”

The source said that members of staff of the tribunal had been attacked on several occasions in Loloja.

“Just last Monday, tribunal officials were attacked on the way to the office.

“Armed men just pounced on the officials. They robbed them of everything. They took away all the documents that were in the car.

“Copies of petitions and personal belongings, official receipts, processes like subpoena, official stamps, were all stolen.

“Generally, thugs are frustrating the job and the lives of our officials are at stake, making it difficult to work there,” the source said,” the source said.

NAN reports that the All Progressive Congress won the Nov. 11 off-cycle election, with the Social Democratic Party coming second.

(NAN)

President Tinubu Emphasizes Cooperation with Benin Republic for West African Economic Prosperity.

President Tinubu Emphasizes Cooperation with Benin Republic for West African Economic Prosperity.

In a meeting at the State House in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu stressed the need for cooperation between Nigeria and Benin Republic, citing it as crucial for economic prosperity in West Africa. President Tinubu described the two nations as "conjoined twins held together at the hip."

During the meeting with President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, President Tinubu expressed concern about the lack of synergy between the countries, hindering mutual development. He highlighted the importance of developing common economic principles and priorities to foster prosperity.

"We are one. What is affecting us is a lack of synergy. We must have common economic principles and priorities. The economic programme you are developing through inter-ministerial collaboration is welcomed by me," President Tinubu stated.

President Talon sought the support of President Tinubu in improving trade relations between Benin Republic and Nigeria, particularly ahead of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit. He emphasized the importance of stronger trade ties, focusing on the free movement of people and goods between the two countries.

"Benin has started implementing a national development plan which includes enhanced integration between Nigeria and Benin Republic. Our development plan includes taking into account what investments are required in Benin to enhance our integration with Nigeria in trade terms," President Talon explained.

The leaders discussed the challenges of smuggling and agreed to coordinate efforts to protect each other's interests as they work towards greater economic integration. President Talon proposed the establishment of an inter-ministerial technical committee to prepare a draft document for both legislatures.

President Tinubu expressed his readiness to support private sector interests to facilitate prosperity in both countries and commended President Talon's leadership approach. The meeting concluded with a commitment to making history together in enhancing bilateral cooperation.