Category Nigeria News

The House of Representatives on Tuesday voted against a bill seeking rotational presidency in the country.

During plenary presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, the lower chamber also rejected six other constitution amendment bills after they failed to scale 2nd reading.

They include: A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to remove from Independent National Electoral Commission, the Powers of Registration and Regulation of political Parties in Nigeria and Transfer same to the Office of the Registrar General of Political Parties and for Related Matters (HB. 2227) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and Hon. Francis E. Waive)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for the Principle of Rotation of the Offices of the President and the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria among the Six Geopolitical Zones of the Country, Namely: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West and for Related Matters (HB. 2291) (Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu)

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A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for Establishment, Independence, and Functions of the Office of the State Auditors-General for Local Governments and the Federal Capital Territory Area Councils, to Strengthen Fiscal Oversight, Promote Accountability and enhance Good Governance at the Grassroots and for Related Matters (HB.2288) (Hon. Julius O. Ihonvbere)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for the Number of Judges of the Federal High Court to be not less than one hundred or such other Number as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly and for Related Matters (HB.2279) (Hon. Julius O. Ihonvbere)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to expand the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to include Admiralty Jurisdiction, including Shipping and Navigation on the River Niger, River Benue and their effluents, and on such other Inland Waterways as may be designated by an Act of the National Assembly as International Waterways, all Federal Ports, and Carriage by Sea and for Related Matters (HB.2280) (Hon. Julius o. Ihonvbere)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Empower the National Judicial Council to Fix and Review, in conjunction with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Salaries, Allowances, and other Emoluments of Judicial Officers and Staff of the Judiciary, and for Related Matters (HB.2281) (Hon. Julius o. Ihonvbere)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Create Ughelli East Local Government Area in Delta State and for Related Matters (HB.2248) (Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive)

The bills were initially lumped together, and put to vote as the lawmakers voted against them.

A Kano State High Court on Tuesday dismissed a motion filed by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear an 11-count corruption charge brought against him and seven others.

Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, who presided over the matter, ruled that the preliminary objections raised by Ganduje, who is a former governor of Kano, and his co-defendants were “incompetent” and lacked merit.

She affirmed the court’s jurisdiction to hear the charges, which include allegations of bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of naira.

“The charges before this court are competent. The power to investigate criminal matters does not reside solely with the police. The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission is equally empowered under the law,” Justice Aliyu stated.

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The judge emphasised that the trial would proceed even in the absence of Ganduje and the six other defendants.

She also summoned the sixth defendant, Lamash Properties Limited, and adjourned the case to July 30 and 31 for hearing.

The defendants include Ganduje’s wife, Prof. Hafsat Umar, and other individuals and companies: Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Safari Textiles Limited, Lasage General Enterprises Limited, and Lamash Properties Limited.

Counsel for the state, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, in response to the preliminary objections, had urged the court to dismiss all applications, describing them as “deliberate attempts to frustrate the trial”.

“We submitted that the objections lack legal foundation and urged the court to allow justice to take its full course,” Adedipe said.

Ganduje’s legal team, led by Lydia Oluwakemi Oyewo, had filed a preliminary objection dated November 18, 2024, seeking to quash the charges and halt the trial on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction.

In similar motions, counsels for the third, fifth, sixth, and eigth defendants—Chief M. N. Duru, SAN, Mr. Muhammad Shehu, Mr. Abubakar Ahmad, and Mr. Faruk Asekome respectively—each filed preliminary objections between September and October 2024, all challenging the legitimacy of the charges and the competence of the court.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has condemned the recent spate of attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in various parts of the state.

Recently, the insurgents launched attacks on the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, Marte, Chibok, Gwoza, and Kala Balge, among other communities.

Zulum also expressed sympathised with the families of the victims, including those affected by the tragic explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram Attacks Military Base, Kills Two Teachers In Borno

In a statement by his spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, the Borno governor reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, military, and other security agencies to contain the security challenges.

“These acts of terror are deeply condemnable. The recent tragic loss of our education workers, gallant troops, and innocent civilians is a painful reminder of the challenges we continue to face.

“I am more determined than ever to support the military, security agencies, and our volunteer forces in the fight to end terrorism and insurgency in our state,” Zulum stated.

The governor recalled his recent visit to Gwoza, where he engaged with military personnel and the Izge community, as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce resilience and ensure the protection of lives and property.

“The recent surge in attacks will not deter our resolve to tackle the scourge of the 16-year-long insurgency. I urge the people of Borno to remain resilient and prayerful. This is a partial eclipse — and we shall overcome it, Insha Allah,” he assured.

He extended his thoughts and prayers to the families of the fallen troops, innocent civilians, and all citizens of Borno State during this difficult period.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed June 27 to deliver judgment on the suit filed by the suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, challenging her suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the court to challenge her suspension by the Senate, led by Godswill Akpabio, over allegations of misconduct, based on allegations of bias by one of the parties in the suit.

In her motion, she joined the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem, as defendants.

When the suit, which was reassigned to Justice Binta Nyako, following the withdrawal of Justice Obiorah Egwuatu, from the matter, was called on Monday, counsel for the suspended senator, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), told the court that the plaintiff had filed all the documents to be relied on in the matter, in line with the directive of the court at the last hearing.

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Counsel for the Senate, Paul Daudu (SAN), and that of the Senate President, Ekwo Ejembi, told the court that they had also filed their various documents to be relied on in the matter but drew the attention of the court to a motion for disobedience to the order of the court against the plaintiff.

The two senior lawyers representing the second and third defendants in the suit said the plaintiff had responded to their motion.

They both alleged that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan disobeyed the order of the court when she, on March 27, posted a satirical letter of apology to the Senate President on her Facebook page and published it in some national dailies.

The plaintiff’s counsel, Michael Numan (SAN), confirmed the receipt of the motion and reminded the court of a motion for disobedience of the court order against all the defendants filed earlier.

The Senate on Tuesday asked the military to urgently redeploy personnel and advanced equipment to Borno and Yobe states following a resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram terrorists in the area. 

This resolution followed renewed insurgent attacks in the North-East region, including the killing of over a dozen soldiers in Marte town of Monguno Local Government Area on Monday, May 12, and a subsequent assault early Tuesday on Gajiram, the headquarters of Nganzai LGA.

In a motion raised by the Senate chief whip, Tahir Munguno, lawmakers noted that while two-thirds of Borno State’s local government areas were once under Boko Haram control, collaborative efforts between the Nigerian military and civilian Joint Task Force had successfully reclaimed the territories.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram Attacks Military Base, Kills Two Teachers In Borno

The restored peace, however, had led to a relocation of tactical command to the North-West, where the military is combating kidnapping and banditry.

Expressing concern over the militants’ evolving tactics, Munguno highlighted the use of modern technologies by the group, including drones, and an increase in the deployment of improvised explosive devices, which have led to high civilian and military casualties, disrupting transportation networks.