News

Crisis Looms in NASS over tenure elongation plot

Published

12 months ago

February 16, 2024

The National Assembly, administrative staff members are reportedly devising strategies to oppose legislative backing for extending the retirement age of its outgoing Clerk and over 200 senior staff by an additional 5 years beyond the existing service scheme’s provisions.

The genesis of the conflict stemmed from recent revelations that the Senate is considering a bill to extend the retirement age of civil servants in the nation’s Parliament and State Houses of Assembly.

This move has sparked discontent among staff anticipating senior positions soon to become vacant.

The proposed bill seeks to extend the retirement age of National Assembly Staff from 60 to 65 years and from 35 to 40 years of service, whichever comes first. Notably, if the bill is passed, the current Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Tambawal Magaji, could remain in office until the age of 65.

However, this initiative has faced staunch opposition from parliamentary staff and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), chaired by Bature Musa. The union contends that such an extension would contradict established rules and regulations governing the Public Service, where retirement is set at 60 years of age or 35 years of service.

The union also argues that passing the bill would hinder career progression for its members, primarily serving the interests of management staff. Moreover, they assert that it would contravene the Federal Government’s policies on youth development and empowerment, potentially depriving unemployed youths of job opportunities.

In response to the proposed bill, the PASAN has vehemently rejected it, urging the National Assembly management to focus on implementing existing welfare packages for staff. The union has also threatened industrial action if the legislators proceed with the bill.

While some members of the Assembly management deny the Clark’s involvement in the proposed legislation, others argue that it aims to preserve institutional memory and provide experienced staff an opportunity to continue serving.

Several attempts had been made by the two Chambers of the National Assembly to extend the retirement age of parliamentary staff of the National Assembly since 2017.

The Union argued that the controversial Bill if passed, will bring stagnation on the career progression of her members, thus would serve only the interest of the management staff, especially those who are due for retirement from service.

It averred that the passage of the Bill will contravene the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and would run contrary to the Federal Government‘s policy on youth development and empowerment.

The Union advanced its argument by illustrating that perpetuating persons who have served the nation for 35 years or attained 60 years of age will not make room for employment of Nigerian youths some of whom graduated for more that 10 years without gainful employment.

Consequently, the Union in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate and the Rt. Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives denounced the Bill and threatened industrial action should the legislators go ahead to pass the Bill.

It said the Union’s position led the two Chambers to discontinue action on the Bill which was respectively sponsored by Sunday Akon in the House and Senator Stella Odua in the Senate during 9th Assembly.

Presently, the Management led by the current Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Sani Tambawal is pushing for it again.

The Bill has passed in the House of Representatives and presently before the Senate for concurrence. The Senate after taking the first reading of the Bill some weeks ago reversed itself and listed it for concurrence on Wednesday 14, February, 2024.

Despite the controversy, the fate of the bill remains uncertain as it awaits the Senate’s concurrence. Staff members opposing the bill have called on the Senate to reject it, emphasizing the pressing need to address youth unemployment and implement workers’ welfare measures.

News

Sultan declares Friday first day of Sha’aban

Published

4 hours ago

January 31, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs has announced that there were no confirmed reports of the sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of Sha’aban 1446AH.

The announcement done in collaboration with the National Moon Sighting Committee, is significant for Muslims in the country being the month that precedes Ramadan.

In a release signed by the Wazirin Sokoto, and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, the committee stated that no moon sighting reports were received from various committees nationwide.

“As a result, Thursday, January 30, 2025, will be observed as the 30th day of Rajab 1446AH.

“His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has accepted the report and officially declared Friday, January 31, 2025, as the first day of Sha’aban 1446AH.

“The announcement is significant for the Muslim community, as Sha’aban is the month preceding Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam.

“The declaration ensures uniformity in the Islamic calendar, guiding religious observances across Nigeria”, it added.

The Sultanate Council also urged Muslims to follow official announcements regarding Islamic dates and to prepare spiritually for the upcoming month of Ramadan.

News

Abolishing Death Penalty, Nigerians Will Decide – Deputy Speaker

Published

5 hours ago

January 31, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has said that the decision to abolish death penalty in Nigeria rests with the people.

Kalu who stated this during a visit by officials of the Death Penalty Project and the British High Commission to his office in Abuja on Thursday, stressed the need for open discussions and collaboration among stakeholders, as opinions on the issue vary widely.

He noted that over 130 countries have already abolished the death penalty, either in law or practice. However, in Nigeria, capital punishment is still allowed for crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and treason.

The Deputy Speaker said that the number of death row inmates highlights the need for reforms in the criminal justice system. As chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, he said the committee has been studying the moral, ethical, and practical aspects of the death penalty.

While no bill on the matter is currently before the House, Kalu stated that the committee is considering it, and a proposal could be brought forward soon for debate and public input.

Kalu said, “Internationally, there is a growing trend toward the abolition of the death penalty, with over 130 countries having abolished it in law or practice. This shift reflects a global understanding that justice must incorporate rehabilitation and restorative practices rather than solely punitive measures.

In November 2024, the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee approved a resolution for a global moratorium on executions, aiming for full abolition, which was adopted on December 17, 2024, marking the tenth resolution since 2007 advocating for a moratorium, with support increasing from 104 states in 2007 to 130 in 2024, while opposition has declined. Notably, Nigeria abstained from the recent vote among 22 abstaining states. This trend indicates a strong movement towards the universal abolition of the death penalty. Within the African Union, 48 of 55 countries are now abolitionist in law or practice, with only Egypt and Somalia carrying out executions in 2023.

“The African continent is advancing towards the abolition of the death penalty more rapidly than any other region, with six countries having eliminated the death penalty for all crimes or for ordinary crimes in just the past four years (since July 2021).

We are willing to collaborate with you and have further engagements as we know that aligning our laws with international best practices enhances Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage.

“There’s no bill before the House of Representatives at the moment to address this issue as we speak, but there’s an intention for us to have conversations around it. I’m trying to give it legal framework by presenting it as a bill. We are considering presenting it before the parliament for debate, for us to know whether or not is what our society needs at the moment. It will pass through various stages of public hearing to allow the public make contribution on this subject matter. We are positive that our willingness to engage further on this discussion will send a clear message that we are committed to upholding human rights and ensuring that our criminal justice system reflects fairness and proportionality.”

The Deputy Speaker however stated that as further discussions are ongoing, the goal is not to diminish the seriousness of capital offenses but to create a justice system that is equitable, effective, and respectful of human rights.

“We owe it to our citizens to ensure that their rights are protected and that our laws reflect the highest standards of justice. I urge you all to support us as we take significant steps towards reforming our criminal justice system towards creating a Nigeria that embodies fairness, respect for human rights, and a commitment to justice for all,” Kalu added.

Earlier, leader of Delegation and Co-founder/Co-Executive Director of The Death Penalty Project, Saul LeurFeund, said the visit was to seek the collaboration of parliament on the potential abolishment of death penalty in Nigeria.

He said, “We’ve seen great progress, Zimbabwe abolished death penalty on new year’s eve. I had the pleasure of being here last August on the invitation of the British high commission .

“It will be helpful to have conversation around death penalty in Nigeria. It will be helpful to bring partners together to discuss potential abolishment, to see if we can change discussion around death penalty. So we want to bring our experience and to discuss with you, the possibility on how the Constitution can be amended and anything we can do to provide technical support”.

News

Police Arrest Gang Targeting Bank Customers, Stealing From Cars

Published

5 hours ago

January 31, 2025

Naijablitznews

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have nabbed several members of a four-man syndicate that specialises in robbing bank customers.

The syndicate also uses locally fabricated master keys to gain unauthorised access to their victims’ vehicles.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, the gang targets bank customers across Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states.

The arrested members include Mustapha Bukar, 42; Mustapha Abubakar, 47; and Habibu Tijjani, 30. The fourth member, who is the gang leader, is currently at large.

“The modus operandi of the suspects involves monitoring bank customers who withdraw substantial amounts of money with the intention of robbing them. They utilise locally fabricated master keys, known as ‘Chori,’ to gain unauthorised access to their victims’ vehicles and properties.

“On January 28, 2025, operatives from the State Intelligence Department (SID), acting on credible intelligence, apprehended the syndicate, which specialises in targeting bank customers across Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states. A thorough investigation revealed that on January 27, 2025, at around 5 pm, the suspects observed a 43-year-old businessman (name withheld) leaving FCMB Bank in Bauchi after withdrawing a substantial sum for his business operations.

“The suspects followed him to his residence, positioning their vehicles strategically as they awaited his exit, intending to rob him of his funds. Upon realising he was being followed, the victim contacted his family to open the gate and secure his vehicle. He then informed the police about the suspicious activities, which led to the apprehension of three suspects.

“During the investigation, all apprehended suspects confessed to their involvement and provided crucial information that will aid in the capture of the ringleader, who is still at large,” the statement partly read.

The statement added that items recovered from the suspects included three locally fabricated master keys and two Toyota Honda saloon vehicles.

It also noted that the suspects specifically targeted individuals who had withdrawn money from banks, trailing them to their destinations.

“Once the victims parked their vehicles, the suspects used the fabricated keys to unlawfully access the cars. The suspects indicated that Honda vehicles are particularly susceptible due to weak locking mechanisms.”

The State Commissioner of Police, Auwal Muhammad, urged residents to exercise vigilance when leaving banks, avoid parking in isolated areas, refrain from carrying large sums of money in public, and report any suspicious activities near banks, financial institutions, or residential areas to the police.