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Court to determine validity of Olukoyede’s appointment as EFCC chairman, June 19
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Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned till June 19, for judgment in a suit seeking the sack of Mr Ola Olukoyede as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC).
The judge fixed the date for judgment after lawyers representing parties adopted and argued their briefs of arguments for and against the suit.
An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr Victor Opatola, had last year dragged President Bola Tinubu to court, over the appointment of Olukoyede.
Opatola, in the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, is specifically challenging the validity of his appointment on the grounds that he did not meet the years of service required by law for the office of chairman of the anti-graft agency.
The President of Nigeria, National Assembly, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Olukoyede are first to fourth respondents respectively, in the suit marked: HC/ABJ/CS/1403/2023.
Adopting his brief on Thursday, Opatola urged the court to discountenance and dismiss the objections and prayers of the defendants and grant the reliefs sought in the suit.
However, the respondents argued otherwise, praying the court to dismiss the suit for lacking in merit.
Olukoyede, who was represented by Olumide Fusika (SAN, challenged the legal authority of the plaintiff to institute the suit in the first place.
Besides, Olukoyede claimed that he is eminently qualified to occupy the office of EFCC Chairman, having served as Secretary of the Commission, a grade Level 17 position, which is higher than the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police, a grade Level 14 position.
He accordingly asked the court to dismiss the suit.
After listening to all parties in the suit, Justice Egwuatu subsequently adjourned to June 19 for judgment.
Amongst the issues Opatola raised for determination are: Whether by the true construction and interpretation of Section 2 (1) (a) of the EFCC Act 2004, Olukoyede, who has not fulfilled the conditions of the Act can be validly appointed as EFCC chairman.
He also asked the court to determine whether by the true construction and interpretation of Section 2(1)(a) of the EFCC Act 2004, the person appointed to the office of the chairman of the EFCC can be said to be above the rank of assistant commissioner of police or its equivalent.
“Whether by the true construction and interpretation of Section 2(1)(a) (iii) of the EFCC Act 2004, the interpretation of subsection (iii) should be read disjunctively of subsection (ii) of the act in a manner that Olukoyede, who was appointed to the office of the chairman of EFCC can be said to have 15 Years of cognate experience in any field outside the government security or law enforcement agency.
“Whether by the true construction and interpretation of Section 2(1)(a) (ii)(iii) of the EFCC Act 2004, the National Assembly can validly confirm the appointment of Olukoyede who has not fulfilled the provisions of the law.”
Opatola also prayed the court to make further declarations upon the determination of the above questions.
“A declaration that pursuant to Section 2(1)(a) (ii)(iii) of the EFCC Act, the appointment of Olukoyede to the office of the EFCC chairman is illegal and void.
“A declaration that pursuant to Section 2(1)(a) (ii)(iii) of the EFCC Act, any confirmation of the 4th defendant’s appointment made by the National Assembly is void and of no legal consequence.”
The counsel also asked the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Assembly from confirming the appointment of the fourth respondent.
He further prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the fourth defendant from holding office as chairman of EFCC.
News
Canada announces recruitment of nurses, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists from Nigeria, other nations
Canadian authorities have announced the recruitment of nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and social workers from Nigeria and other parts of the world.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), on Monday, announced, “Canada is looking for skilled health care and social service professionals—nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and social workers—to fill shortages in our health care system and provide essential services to Canadians!.”
The IRCC said Nigerians and other foreign nationals who have the training, credentials, and experience in health care and social services can explore its “immigration pathways and build your future in Canada.”
The categories of skilled people needed to meet Canada’s growing economic needs and emerging industries include STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—health care, skilled trades, defence and cybersecurity, critical minerals, and education.
Highlighting the benefits that come with working in Canada, the IRCC said, “Canada offers many benefits to top international talent, including exciting career opportunities with a wide range of employers and a safe, stable communities where prospective employee and family can thrive.”
Other benefits include access to high-quality education and training opportunities, as well as communities with dedicated services that support French-speaking newcomers, among others.
News
Nigerian Council Of Legal Education Bans Atiba University From Offering Law For 10 Years
The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has imposed a 10-year moratorium on the Atiba University, Oyo State, over deficiencies in its facilities and violations of regulations governing legal education.
The decision was contained in resolutions adopted at the Council’s Third Quarter Hybrid Meeting held on August 13, 2026, at the headquarters of the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, Abuja.
In a statement signed by Aderonke O. Osho, Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration, and posted on the Council’s official page on Monday, the Council said the moratorium followed its finding that Atiba University’s facilities were “inappropriate and inadequate” for the establishment and operation of a Faculty of Law.
It also said the university violated its admission policy by admitting and graduating students without obtaining the requisite approval.
“The Council also approved a ten-year moratorium in respect of Atiba University, Oyo State, following its finding that the institution’s facilities were inappropriate and inadequate for the establishment and operation of a Faculty of Law,” the Council said.
It added that the institution had admitted and graduated students without obtaining the requisite approval.
“The Council further found that the institution had violated its admission policy by admitting and graduating students without obtaining the requisite approval,” it stated.
According to the Council, the 10-year moratorium was imposed as a regulatory measure to ensure compliance with prescribed standards for legal education.
The Council said the decision was also aimed at reinforcing adherence to the regulatory framework and protecting the quality, integrity and standards of legal education in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Council approved five universities to commence the study of Law from the 2026/2027 academic session.
The institutions, each approved with an initial admission quota of 50 students for their 100-level intakes, are Amadeus University, Amazi, Abia State; Akwa Ibom State University; European University of Nigeria, Abuja; Oduduwa University, Ipetu-Modu, Osun State; and Peaceland University, Enugu.
The Council, however, declined to grant approval to Maranatha University, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, to commence a Law programme, citing “numerous deficiencies” identified during its verification exercise.
It also approved upward reviews of admission quotas for several universities.
Bowen University, Ajayi Crowther University and Topfaith University had their quotas increased from 50 to 100 students for the 2026/2027 academic session.
North-Eastern University’s quota was increased from 50 to 75 students, while Elizade University’s was raised from 70 to 120. Chrisland University’s quota was also increased from 50 to 70 students.
Joseph Ayo Babalola University’s quota was raised from 50 to 100 students, while Olabisi Onabanjo University’s was increased from 170 to 220, with both changes taking effect from the 2027/2028 academic session.
The Council said the decisions followed reports from its Facilities Verification and Accreditation Panel after visits to the affected universities.
News
Oby Ezekwesili Reveals ‘Only Achievement’ Recorded Under Tinubu
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has admitted that President Bola Tinubu’s government has achieved some headway in stabilizing the foreign exchange market by following standard market forces.
During a discussion on News Central Television, Ezekwesili pointed out that this single positive step has unfortunately failed to improve the day-to-day living standards of ordinary citizens.
She emphasized that the general populace is yet to experience the tangible benefits of the administration’s broader financial overhaul.
In her view, the country remains in a difficult position as severe poverty persists and the cost of living continues its upward trend.
“The only thing that, as I said at the beginning, we can give to them is that they are getting a handle on macroeconomic stability. So, for example, the volatility we have with foreign exchange rate is quieter because they are abiding by market principles for foreign exchange policy.
“Then you look at inflation. Inflation, even though they use the methodology to crash it in terms of the numbers, but the real thing is that the cost of living for the average citizen is still pretty high,” she stated.
The former minister also criticized how the administration has managed inflation, arguing that the dramatic surge in commodity prices could have been avoided through better policy coordination.
She stressed that broader economic indicators must be analyzed alongside the core structural hurdles currently burdening the Nigerian economy.
Furthermore, she pointed to sluggish productivity levels as a primary barrier holding back sustainable economic expansion, job creation, and household income growth.
Ezekwesili concluded by linking the nation’s ongoing financial struggles to foundational policy misalignments that have neglected to unlock productivity and genuine economic opportunities.
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