ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

A pro-democracy organisation, the Advocates of Social Justice for All (ASJA), has warned Civil Society Groups and critics of National Assembly over the controversial N110 billion reportedly spent on the procurement of official vehicles and support allowances for lawmakers in 2023, to stop undermining the institution of the Parliament.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, had penultimate Wednesday, declared that the sum of N40bn used to procure 360 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for Members of the House of Representatives, and 109 SUVs for Members of the Senate; and the sum of N70bn used for support allowances for the newly inaugurated Members of the 10th National Assembly, as appropriated for in the 2022 supplementary budget, did not meet the standard procurement laws.

Declaring the appropriation and expenditure of the total sum of N110bn by the National Assembly as “unlawful”, Justice Yellim Bogoro ordered the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, “to ensure that all future procurements or expenditure of public funds by the National Assembly comply strictly with due process requirements and are also guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and value for money.”

Two weeks after the judgement, the Plaintiff in the matter, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), in a statement, insisted that Members of the National Assembly must refund the said N110bn to the Federal Government coffers.

But in a statement issued on Monday, ASJA questioned the recent judgment of the Court which reportedly declared the expenditure unlawful, arguing that the ruling raises significant constitutional issues concerning the operational autonomy of the legislature.

The statement signed by Dr. Torkuma Asongo, the Executive Director, the group maintained that the National Assembly, as an independent arm of government, possesses the constitutional authority to make budgetary provisions necessary for the effective discharge of its legislative responsibilities.

According to the group, the procurement of official vehicles for federal lawmakers should not be interpreted as an act of extravagance, but rather as a necessary measure to enable legislators effectively carry out oversight functions, constituency engagements, committee assignments, and other official duties across the country.

“The National Assembly remains one of the critical institutions of democracy, and its Members require adequate operational support to effectively discharge their constitutional mandate. Official vehicles for lawmakers should be regarded as essential tools for legislative work rather than luxury items,” the statement read.

The group also criticised the call by SERAP for the refund of the funds, describing the move as premature and potentially capable of generating unnecessary institutional tension.

It argued that, rather than exerting public pressure on the legislature, concerned parties should allow the judicial process to run its full course, including any appellate proceedings.

ASJA further emphasised the importance of upholding the doctrine of separation of powers, cautioning against actions that could undermine the independence and integrity of the legislature.

“The principle of separation of powers is fundamental to constitutional democracy. While accountability and transparency remain essential, care must be taken to ensure that the constitutional independence of the legislature is not eroded through undue interference or public sensationalism,” the group warned.

ASJA urged civil society organisations and other stakeholders to approach issues concerning the National Assembly with objectivity and restraint, noting that sustained efforts to delegitimise the parliament could weaken democratic institutions and diminish public confidence in governance.

The group therefore called for continued respect for the National Assembly as the country’s foremost representative institution, insisting that strengthening democratic institutions remains essential to Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

South African police will beef up security nationwide ahead of a June 30 deadline set by fringe anti-illegal immigration groups for undocumented foreigners to leave, law enforcement authorities said on Monday.

The country, one of Africa’s largest and most industrialised economies, has been on edge following weeks of sometimes violent xenophobic unrest that has left at least two people dead.

Small but organised groups have issued an ultimatum for undocumented migrants to exit or face consequences, a demand with no legal force.

“The South African Police Service has elevated its operational readiness across all provinces, with comprehensive deployment plans in place to protect communities, critical infrastructure and key public spaces,” acting police minister Firoz Cachalia said.

He stressed the right to peaceful protest but warned: “Criminality, intimidation, violence, the destruction of property and any attempt to undermine public safety will not be tolerated”.

The military would secure strategic sites such as airports and stand ready to assist police if needed, said Defence Minister Angie Motshekga.

“Indeed, if, and I hope it is not going to reach that point, called upon by the police to support, we will, but basically ours is around the key points,” she said.

South Africa, a longstanding magnet for migrant labour, faces joblessness above 30 per cent and a history of periodic anti-foreigner violence, fuelled by claims migrants drive crime and steal jobs.

Past flare-ups have been deadly: 62 people were killed in 2008 riots, with further outbreaks in 2015 and 2016.

Violence in 2019 saw armed mobs descend on foreign-owned businesses around Johannesburg, leaving at least 12 people dead — 10 of them South African citizens.

The latest tensions come ahead of local government elections scheduled for November 4.

During the voter registration at the weekend, gunmen shot dead four people linked to political parties in separate incidents.

Two of those killed were affiliated with the opposition Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, which is headed by ex-president Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s leader between 2009 and 2018.

The third, a Democratic Alliance ward candidate, was shot in the Western Cape, while an African National Congress ward councillor was killed in the Eastern Cape.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

No fewer than 25 people have been reportedly killed following an attack by suspected bandits on Kawel community in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In a telephone interview with Channels Television’s correspondent, the Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Samuel Amalau, confirmed the attack, saying the assailants stormed the community at about 12 a.m. on Monday and opened fire on residents.

He said the attackers also invaded a primary health care centre, where four persons were killed.

Earlier, a youth leader in the community, identified simply as Tula, disclosed that as many as 30 people were killed in the attack.

However, the local government chairman said the casualty figure so far confirmed by the authorities stands at 25.

Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while efforts are ongoing to verify the full extent of the attack.

The attack occurred three months after at least 20 security operatives and vigilantes were reportedly killed when heavily armed bandits ambushed a joint patrol team in Wanka and surrounding communities of the Garga area of Kanam in the state.

The Kanam Development Association (KADA) had in a statement signed by its Secretary, ND Shehu Kanam, and Chairman, Garba G. Aliyu, said the victims included 12 security personnel, among them two senior military officers, and eight vigilante members who were assisting security forces to protect the communities.

According to the statement, the patrol team—made up of military personnel and local vigilantes—was travelling in two vehicles on routine security operations across the communities of Garga, Kyaram and Gyambau when they were suddenly ambushed by hundreds of heavily armed bandits on their way to Wanka at about 2:00 p.m.

The association had added that after the ambush, the bandits reportedly stormed the Kyaram community, where they looted properties worth millions of naira and rustled a large number of cattle belonging to residents.

It also warned that the incident was not isolated, stressing that communities around Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and neighbouring settlements located along the borders of Plateau, Taraba and Bauchi states had endured persistent attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling for the past three to four years.

Channels TV