Abiodun swears in three new judges, two perm secs.

Abiodun swears in three new judges, two perm secs.

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, sworn in Mr. Martins Akinyemi as a judge in the State High Court, Mrs. Bolanle Awoyemi and Mr. Adeniyi Lawal as judges in the Customary Court of Appeal.

The governor charged the newly sworn-in judges in the state to be the last hope of the common man.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Abiodun described justice as one of the most important moral values in the sphere of law and politics.

The governor also noted that justice exists to establish law, order, and truth as it enhances the well-being of individuals through equal access to justice.

“Justice is one of the most important moral values in the spheres of law and politics. It exists to establish law, order, and truth because it enhances the well-being of individuals through equal access, advocating for justice, and promoting policies that address systemic barriers,” he noted.

Abiodun noted that the new judges have demonstrated unwavering dedication, integrity and a profound understanding of the intricacies of the judicial system.

The governor said the new judges must not only rise above temptations and trials but be honest in all ramifications adding that that he was confident that the tradition of integrity, diligence, industry and excellence that has been the hallmark of the state judiciary will not only be continued but also enhanced.

In a similar development, Abiodun also swore in two new permanent secretaries with a promise to make the state civil service a reference in the comity of civil service in the country.

The two permanent secretaries are Engr. Muritala Adekunle and Engr. Olufisan Osiyale.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Executive Chambers, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta on Tuesday, Abiodun noted that his administration in the last years, positioned the civil service to be vibrant and result-oriented.

He said: “As a very responsive and responsible government, working assiduously with determination, we are therefore positioning the civil and public service to be vibrant and result-oriented towards the successful implementation of our Building Our Future Together agenda.

“By our vow principles of governance that solely predicate on inclusive leadership, we consider the civil service as the prime partnership of great value and significance. Therefore, we should continue to hold you in the highest esteem and treat you with the utmost respect and respect that you deserve.”

The Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, congratulated the newly appointed permanent secretaries, imploring them to work harder to justify their new positions.

I’m alive, legendary fuji musician Kollington Ayinla refutes death rumour.

I’m alive, legendary fuji musician Kollington Ayinla refutes death rumour.

Legendary fuji musician, Kolawole Rasaq Ilori, famously known as Kollington Ayinla, has refuted death rumours circulating about him on social media.

The 75-year-old fuji musician on Tuesday addressed his health status at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos.

The report Kollngton Ayinla was battling undisclosed ailments and in critical health conditions have been making the rounds on social media on Tuesday.

However, in a two-minute nineteen-second video shared by LagosGist (@LagosGist) on Tuesday, Kollington expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support during his recent illness.

Additionally, he thanked the CMD of LASUTH, Adetokunbo Fabanwo, and the hospital management for their care.

Above all, he thanked God for divine healing and thanked all his fans who have assisted him.

He said he is alive because of God, the governor, LASUTH and others.

“I want to thank Lagosians. I want to thank the government of Lagos State Government and the management of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and the team under the leadership of Adetokunbo O. Fabanwo. It is only God that can save life but I want to appreciate him and the team because I would have gone to the great beyond.

I give it to the LASUTH. They are king for taking care of me. They deserve my salutations. LASUTH, you are king. They said I was dead, but I’m here speaking alive from the LASUTH now,” Kollighton Ayinla speaks in Yoruba in the short video clip.

Kollington, born August 1949 hailed from Ilota, a town on the outskirts of Ilorin, Kwara State, and he is also known by the aliases; Baba Alatika, Kebe-n-Kwara, and Baba Alagbado.

Kollington and his late friend and competitor, Ayinde Barrister dominated the Fuji music scene for decades, helping to popularise the genre.

Between the mid-1970s and late ’80s, Kollington ranked with Barrister as the leading star of Nigerian Fuji music.

As the popularity of Fuji grew, the market became big and the competition between Kollington and Barrister waned.

In 1983, both men stood side by side as mourners at the funeral of Apala star, Haruna Ishola.

Exhibit legitimate means to boost Ekiti’s rating in WAEC, NECO – Oyebanji tells Schools’ Principals.

Exhibit legitimate means to boost Ekiti’s rating in WAEC, NECO – Oyebanji tells Schools’ Principals.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has charged the principals overseeing the affairs of secondary schools across the state to use more legitimate commitments that would ensure better rating for the state in public examinations in the country.

Oyebanji said he would never relent in promoting the welfare of Principals and teachers to live quality and comfortable lives commensurate to the services they render in the process of building the human capital resources available to the state.

Oyebanji spoke on Tuesday, during the opening session of the three-day biannual Southwest Bloc’s Meeting of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), held in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye, reminded the principals that high rating for Ekiti in West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) remained a veritable yardstick to appraise the qualities of teachers being paraded by the state.

“Ekiti State is a Land of Honour and Fountain of Knowledge. Education is the major industry in Ekiti State, so we must make it thrives. You should also know that the overall performance of your students in external examinations is a direct reflection of of the qualities of principals and teachers.

“I, therefore, implore you to use all legitimate methods to ensure your students excel in their examinations. I also advise you to prevail on the parents to fulfil their own obligations toward their children”.

Harping on the need for the citizens to key into the policy of his government to promote education, Oyebanji advised the principals to partner private organisations and alumni associations to boost Infrastructures in schools.

“Education is a key to success in life. Ekiti State Government holds the principals of Secondary Schools in high esteem. This was demonstrated through the appointments of Principals as Tutors-General in the state.

“As of now, three former Principals are occupying the post of Tutors-General in the State. This appointment encourages other Principals to be diligent and hopeful of getting to a higher level before retirement”.

Oyebanji stated that State Government would not relent in fulfilling the agenda of putting machinery in place for more investment in the education sector, saying this reflected in the huge amount earmarked to the sector in the 2024 appropriation law.

“Government through the Adolescence Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) had injected over N2 Billion for massive renovation and upgrade of schools throughout the state to making leading environment more conducive and interesting for both teachers and students.

“Other areas of intervention in the Secondary Schools included provision of science equipment, training of Teachers in ICT, perimeter fencing to secure the schools, provision of Information and Communication Technology gadgets in schools implementation of outstanding financial benefit of promotion, payment of WEAC fees, Distribution of JAMB forms deserving students and Regular payment of Running Grants”.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, appealed to teachers not to be disillusioned by challenges confronting their profession, assuring that the current government shall continually celebrate and reward them commensurately .

She revealed that the state government had expended a sum of N2.2 billion for renovation of structures in schools, while improvements have been made on ICT facilities and laboratories, saying high provision to education sector in the 2024 budget would spur more development in the sector.

Aderiye reminded the principals that the expectations and demands of Nigerians from them are high, describing them as the engineroom of education being executors of government’s policies and programmes at the secondary cadre of education .

She said: “Nigerians are expecting a lot from you because you are familiar with the policies that affect education. You are the executors and the engineroom . Put more efforts to ensure that education doesn’t suffer any degrade”.

The Commissioner urged the principals to get themselves acquainted with ICT and e-learning skills, saying the facilities are strategic to the survival and improvement of the sector under this 21st century.

Speaking at the event, the ANCOPPS Chairman, Southwest Bloc, Pastor Abraham Ojetunde, stated that the meeting, would afford them the opportunity to cross-fertilise ideas on how to uplift education sector across southwest that was widely respected as the hub of eggheads in Nigeria.

Ojetunde, who doubles as the President of Oyo chapter of ANCOPSS, added that the body should always maintain decorum, civility and intellectualism while handling any issue with the government and make education paramount to protect the future of the country.

In his submission, the ANCOPPS President, Ekiti Chapter, Mrs Adekemi Olukowade, applauded the current government for prioritising regular payment of running grants, WAEC registration fees to candidates, and for appointing principals as Tutors-General, among other giant strides undertaken to rejig the education sector.

Tinubu receives Blinken at State House.

Tinubu receives Blinken at State House.

President Bola Tinubu in closed-door on Tuesday talks with United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Blinken who arrived at the State House at about 06:53 pm local time on Tuesday was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, ushered into the President’s diplomatic room for a bilateral meeting.

Although the senior US official is visiting Tinubu for the first time since the latter assumed the Presidency eight months ago, it would be his second visit to the seat of power since November 2021 when he met President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nigeria is Blinken’s third destination in his week-long whistle-stop tour which began in Cabo Verde through Ivory Coast and is scheduled to end in the Central African state of Angola.

Visiting a port in Praia, Cape Verde’s capital, that was expanded through US government assistance, Blinken remarked that the US was “all in” for Africa.

“We see Africa as an essential, critical, central part of our future,” he said.

.

According to the US State Department, his visit is part of a bid to forge a united front with key African democracies as crises engulf the world.

In Abidjan, Blinken met Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, before heading to Abuja to see Nigerian President Tinubu.

The two West African powers, one Anglophone and one Francophone, have largely shared the US stance on arming Ukraine and, more recently, US support for Israel in its war with Hamas.

In 2022, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, and Ivory Coast, as well as Kenya in East Africa, joined the United States in a United Nations vote to condemn Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

This is in sharp contrast with another continental power, South Africa, which the US has accused of allowing arms shipments to Russia and which most recently pushed a genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice.

Consequently, Blinken will not visit South Africa but he will visit Angola, which played a crucial role in mediating to end unrest in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ogun Speaker, Oluomo impeached.

Ogun Speaker, Oluomo impeached.

The Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, was on Tuesday impeached by 18 out of 26 members of the legislative arm during the house sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mrs Bolanle Ajayi (APC-Yewa South).

Oluomo, representing Ifo State Constituency was impeached over allegations of gross misconduct, highhandedness, lack of focus and transparency, financial misappropriation and pursuit of selfish interests.

The erstwhile speaker was reportedly at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto Abeokuta attending the swearing-in of customary court judges a few metres away to the assembly complex, Governors Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta when his colleagues moved against him.

The Assembly also elected Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda) as the new speaker.

There were also reports of shootings by some security officers loyal to Oluomo who our correspondent gathered tried to stop the impeachment.

Adegoke Awoso (APC-Yewa North 1), moved the motion for the impeachment of Oluomo while it was seconded by Ademola Adeniran another APC lawmaker representing Sagamu Constituency II.

Adeyanju, popularly called Awoso had reportedly entered the assembly chamber with the mace in the company of other lawmakers

Recall that the impeached speaker is standing trial over financial misappropriation of N2bn.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had in September 2022 filed an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and stealing against Oluomo, and three other staff members of the legislative arm.

The charge was filed by the EFFC’s Lagos Head of Legal Monitoring Unit, Rotimi Oyedepo, at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta.

The Speaker had however maintained his innocence saying that he would eventually be vindicated of the fraud charges.

Speaking to newsmen after being elected as the new speaker, Elemide said the people of the state should expect the best from him.

“We are law-abiding legislators. We want the world to know that there has been a change in leadership.

“18 members signed for me to be the speaker. People should remain calm. We are in the custody of all the authorities of the house. We are saying that the new leadership will support the governor.

“The governor does not know anything about this impeachment,” he said.

Also speaking to newsmen, Mr Damilola Soneye (APC-Obafemi Owode), noted that the office of the speaker is meant to be first among equals.

“The speaker was impeached due to gross misconduct which includes high handedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance and poor leadership style, financial misappropriation and inciting members against themselves,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, also visited the assembly complex to ensure law and order.

This is just as Awoso alleged that policemen shot at the tyre of his car while claiming to be searching for guns said to be in his car.

He said “The police shot at my tyre, they said they were searching for arms which a member claimed was in my car and by the time they searched everywhere including the engine, they found nothing. I am embarrassed to have been treated with such disrespect and disdain as if one is a common criminal”.

The Commissioner for police, however, said that he was at the Assembly to ensure law and order.

Alamutu said, “We are here to ensure law and order and we also picked up the information that arms were kept inside one of the cars at the Assembly Complex but it has been searched and nothing of such was found”.

The house has adjourned sitting for a week.

The Clerk and the Deputy Clerk, Mr Deji Adeyemo and Mrs Funmilayo Adeyemi were also at the plenary.

FG, states, LGs share N1.12trn December revenue.

FG, states, LGs share N1.12trn December revenue.

....FG got N383.872 billion.

....States got N396.693 billion.

....LGs got N288.928 billion.

....Oil producing states got N57.915 billion as 13% derivation.

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total sum of N1,127.408 trillion in December 2023 Federation Account Revenue with the Federal Government, States, and Local Government Councils.

This is contained in a communiqué issued by the FAAC at its January 2024 meeting, chaired by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein.

Bawa Mokwa, Director (Press and Public Relations) in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, said on Tuesday in a statement that the N1,127.408 billion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N363.188 billion, distributable value-added tax (VAT) revenue of N458.622 billion, electronic money transfer levy (EMTL) revenue of N17.855 billion, and exchange difference revenue of N287.743 billion.

 

He pointed out that the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was $473,754.57.

According to the communiqué, total revenue of N1,674.230 billion was available in December 2023. Total deductions for the cost of collection were N62.254 billion; total transfers, interventions, and refunds were N484.568 billion.

Gross statutory revenue of N875.382 billion was received for December 2023. This was lower than the N882.560 billion received in November 2023 by N 7.178 billion.

The gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in December 2023 was N492.506 billion. This was higher than the N360.455 billion available in November 2023 by N132.051 billion.

The communiqué stated that from the N1,127.408 billion in total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total of N383.872 billion, the State Governments received N396.693 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N288.928 billion.

A total sum of N57.915 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

From the N363.188 billion in distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N173.729 billion, the State Governments received N88.118 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N67.935 billion. The sum of N33.406 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

The Federal Government received N68.793 billion, the State Governments received N229.311 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N160.518 billion from the N458.622 billion distributable value-added tax (VAT) revenue.

The N17.855 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) was shared as follows: the Federal Government received N2.678 billion, the State Governments received N8.928 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N6.249 billion.

The Federal Government received N138.672 billion from the N 287.743 billion exchange difference revenue. The state governments received N70.336 billion, and the local government councils received N54.226 billion. The sum of N24.509 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

In December 2023, companies’ income tax (CIT), excise duty, petroleum profit tax (PPT), value-added tax (VAT), and electronic money transfer levy (EMTL) increased significantly, while oil and gas royalties decreased substantially. Import Duty and CET Levies decreased marginally.

Court adjourns Saraki’s suit against EFCC, ICPC, others.

Court adjourns Saraki’s suit against EFCC, ICPC, others.

A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned two separate suits filed by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, said the adjournment was to await the report of the Court of Appeal on application for stay of proceedings filed by the ex-lawmaker.

Upon resumed hearing, Saraki’s lawyer, Tunde Afe-Babalola, SAN, informed that he had a pending application for stay of proceedings filed on July 30, 2021..

He said all the parties had been served and that they were ready to proceed.

The judge then asked whether the motion for relisting had been taken.

“Yes, we filed a stay at the Court of Appeal,” he responded.

But the EFCC’s counsel, Christopher Mshelia, who said he was not sure if the commission had been served, said he was not ready for today’s hearing.

Ekenma Okafor, who appeared for Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), said his client had not been served.

“I remember on one of the sittings, the counsel appearing for the applicant had given the court his word that he is withdrawing their appeal.

“We are surprised with this development,” Okafor said.

 Afe-Babalola, who said he was not aware of Okafor’s information, said the important thing was that the motion was pending.

“If you had filed a stay at the Court of Appeal, why did you also file a stay here?

“If I grant you stay here, have I not done their duty at the Court of Appeal?” the judge asked.

Justice Ekwo, therefore, said he would give Afe-Babalola a date to enable him to sort himself out at the Court of Appeal and report back.

The matter was then adjourned until April 18 for report of proceedings at the Court of Appeal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Ekwo had, on Jan. 25, 2023, struck out the suits for lack of diligent prosecution.

After the suits were struck out, Saraki file an application to relist the cases.

The motion on notice seeking an order of re-listing the suits was dated Feb. 1, 2023 and filed Feb. 3, 2023 by Sunday Onubi from Afe Babalola & Co Law Firm.

It was reported that Saraki, the applicant, had filed the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/507/2019 and FHC/ABJ/CS/508/2019 at the FHC.

In the suits, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and State Security Service (SSS) are 1st to 3rd defendants.

Others are EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and CCB as 4th to 6th respondents respectively.

The ex-senate president had filed the suits following the EFCC’s decision in 2019 to probe Saraki’s earnings between 2003 and 2011 when he was governor of Kwara.

The anti-graft commission was reported to have seized some of his houses in the Ikoyi area of Lagos then.

However, Saraki, on May 10, 2019, filed the two separate suits before retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo to challenge the action of the EFCC.

Justice Taiwo, who was the presiding judge then, ruled on an ex-parte application filed along with the substantive suits.

The judge ordered the anti-corruption agency (4th respondent) and the other five respondents to the suits to stay action on the probe pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the applicant.

The order was granted after Sunday Onubi, Saraki’s lawyer, moved the application, on May 14, 2019.

The court had directed the parties to maintain the status quo by suspending the probe.

But the EFCC later applied that the judge should recuse himself and the matter be transferred to another court.

Justice Taiwo sent back the case file to the chief judge and the matter was reassigned to Justice Anwuli Chikere for adjudication.

When the matter came up on July 14, 2021 before Justice Chikere, EFCC Counsel, Chile Okoronkwo, complained that Taiwo’s order had hindered the agency “from performing its duty for about two years now.”

The lawyer, who stated that Saraki continued to hinge on the order of the court any time he is invited, urged the court to vacate the order.

But the suits were reassigned to Justice Ekwo following the retirement of Chikere.(NAN)