News
Encroachment: Court restrain Wike, FCDA, others from Abuja Centenary City
By Francesca Hangeior
Justice Inyang Ekwo, of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday restrained the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) from intruding into the Centenary Economic City Free Zone along Airport Road, Abuja.
In a judgment, Justice Ekwo also made an injunction order restraining the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Arab Contractors (OAO) from further encroaching on the site.
Justice Ekwo also made an order nullifying and setting aside in its entirety, all executive actions, steps, decisions, and administrative controls, including the forceful encroachment of the premises by OAO at the instructions of the minister, FCTA, and FCDA without the prior consent of the plaintiffs and the overriding approval of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA).
The judge held that the encroachment contradicted Sections 4 and 13 of NEPZA Act Cap N107 LFN 2004, provisions of Section 5 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and therefore, was unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful, void, and of no effect whatsoever.
He also made an injunction order restraining them from exercising any executive or regulatory control on the zone, “which occupies the land, measuring 1,264.78 hectares with beacon coordinates: PB57-PB59, PB60-PB69, PB70-PB79, PB80PB89, PB90-PB99, and PB1000-PB104, located at Airport Road, Wawa District, Cadastral Zone E24, FCT, Abuja.”
“An order is hereby made directing Arab Contractors (OAO) Nigeria Limited, to immediately vacate the portion of the Centenary Economic City Free Zone, which it illegally occupies at the instructions of the 5th, 6th, and 7th defendants against the provisions of Sections 4 and 13 of NEPZA Act, without the express approval of the NEPZA,” he added.
Justice Ekwo, therefore, ordered Arab Contractors to pay to the plaintiffs, the sum of N100 million only for the forceful invasion and destruction of the plaintiffs’ master plan of the zone, designed by Eagle Hills Properties LLC, of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at a cost of 35 million dollars.
The judge, who ordered the company to pay a N50 million general damages, also directed the firm to pay N5 million as cost of the action.
He equally ordered an interest on the entire judgement sum at the rate of 10 per cent per annum, commencing from the time of the delivery of the judgement till the entire judgement sum is fully liquidated by construction firm.
News
LET THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE BE*
The hurriedly written press statement by the embattled Patrick Osadebamwen and OCHIAKA UGWU recently impeached as Exco of the FCT Council of the NUJ is really sad, appalling and completely unwarranted.
It is a brazen attempt by them to usurp the powers of the National Secretariat of the Union.
Article 5(9c, d) of the NUJ Constitution is so unambiguous that does not need any interpretation.
Article 5 sub section 9(C) states inter alia; “The Credentials Committee at the National level shall act independently of the President, National Secretary and any other National Officers, while the Credentials Committee at the State Council level shall be independent of State officers of the Union but shall be responsible and answerable to the National Secretariat.
5 (9d) The Credentials Committee at the State Council level shall be nominated by the State Congress subject to the approval of the National Secretariat.”
From the constitutional provisions, it is clear that the Committee is not in any materia particula answerable to any ‘Executive’ Committee member of the Council but the National Secretariat. And not to the already impeached Patrick-led Exco.
It is more worrisome that this so-called cut and join chairman is oblivious of the constitution he swore to defend. What do you expect of a place -holder chairman?
More importantly, since the National Secretariat has communicated with the Committee to go ahead with its mandate, the outgoing ‘Executive’ Committee has no locus standi in the matter whatsoever.
It is also an irony to note that the outgoing Chairman and Secretary could shamelessly claim that our respected former Chairman of Council, Mr AMOS DUNIA took over proceedings of the Extraordinary Congress. Both officers are obviously having selective amnesia. It’s appears they forgot how they came cap-in-hand to beg former leaders to come to their rescue. What can be farther than the truth. Whereas, members were told at the beginning of the Monday Extraordinary Congress that the Committee of elders and former Chairmen of Council, mandated MR. DUNIA to conduct the affairs of the Congress following the VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE passed on the Patrick Osadebamwen-led Executive by the Congress the preceding Saturday.
It is really shameful that an Executive that was saved from being disgraced and booted out of office can still have the temerity to openly and outrightly dish out tissues of lies to the public. What a shame!
The question to ask remains, if Patrick Osadebamwen and OCHIAKA UGWU who has indicated interest in contesting the election, now want to act and take decisions on behalf of the National Secretariat.
Members are aware of the antics and game being played to cover up shady deals perpetrated these past six years and we are watching.
We say NO to the attempt to usurp the constitutional role of the National Secretariat by Patrick Osadebamwen and OCHIAKA UGWU.
Enough is enough!
News
#EndBadGovernance Protest: Reps Minority Caucus Demands Justice, Compensation for Victims Arrested
News
NNPCL Debunks Video Claiming Sale Of Adulterated At Keffi Flyover Outlet
-
News23 hours ago
Court halts CBN, AGF from freezing Kano LG funds
-
Foreign23 hours ago
US election: Netayanhu opens up on Trump’s victory
-
News23 hours ago
Despite hunger govt jacks up cost of meter
-
Entertainment23 hours ago
S3xtape: Nigerian actress invites Engonga for unfettered quality balling
-
Foreign22 hours ago
White House race: Factors that worked against Kamala Harris
-
Foreign22 hours ago
US election: Kamala Harris finally concedes election to Trump
-
News23 hours ago
READ what Ghanaian celebrities are saying about Trump
-
Foreign22 hours ago
Republican Regains Control Of The Senate