News
Akpabio replies Falana over Padding allegation

*Says, Senate suspended Ningi and not him
By Francesca Hangeior
Senate President, God swill Akpabio, has exonerated himself from the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi from the Red chamber.
Ningi, the senator representing Bauchi Central senatorial district, was suspended by the Senate on March 14, 2024, following an interview he granted BBC, where he accused the Senate leadership of padding the 2024 federal budget.
Right activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, counsel to Ningi, had in a letter to the Senate president, asked Akpabio to immediately lift the suspension placed on him (Ningi).
Akpabio, through his counsel, Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN, said: “We have carefully read through your analysis of the facts and circumstances leading to your client’s suspension from the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and, are unable to find reason in your verdict of our client’s sole culpability in the said suspension.
“The decision and resolution to suspend Senator Ningi was that of the Senate sitting in plenary and not that of Senator Akpabio.
“In addition to the above and contrary to the contents of your letter under reference, our client was at no time your client’s accuser, prosecutor and judge.
“Our client’s role at the session of the Senate that led to your client’s suspension was and remains the statutory role of a Legislative House Presiding Officer, which role equally includes pronouncing the majority decision of the Legislative House at the end of debate and voting.
“Permit us to mention your attempt at drawing our client’s attention to legal authorities and pronouncements of our courts of record on the unconstitutionality of suspending members of Legislative Houses, which attempt we dare say was unhelpful, due to your failure or refusal to make available the relevant particulars of the said court decisions in your letter.
“You may wish to provide these legal authorities which you have alluded to, bearing in mind that every decision of a Court emanates from its peculiar facts, circumstances and extant Laws.
“In as much as it may not be necessary to canvass herein all the remedies available to our client, in response to your threats of a court action and petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC, it is important we mention that legislative proceedings are guided by rules and that certain privileges enure to legislators for their actions in the course of legislative sessions.
“Furthermore, our client though a lawyer by profession does not sit and preside over the sessions of the Senate, as a lawyer, or in the discharge of his services as a legal practitioner.
News
Just in: Lagos LG chairman slumps during APC meeting

The Chairman of Bariga Local Government Area of Lagos State, Kolade Alabi, on Wednesday, suddenly slumped at the All Progressives Congress stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s Secretariat in Ikeja, the state capital.
According to The PUNCH, Alabi, who is the state chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, was addressing party members when the sad incident occured.
Fortunately, he was immediately revived and rushed away to the hospital in an ambulance for further treatment.
Details shortly…
News
Multiple video evidence against Nnamdi Kanu

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, admitted a video recording allegedly showing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu issuing inflammatory directives which the prosecution claims incited acts of terrorism across the South – East region of the country.
The Wednesday proceedings resumed with the continuation of the testimony of the second Prosecution witness, an operative of Department of State Services (DSS) codenamed PWBBB.
In the video played in open court, Kanu was seen addressing his followers in what he called, “the blessed land of Biafra”, wherein he announced the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), urging followers to defend their land against what he referred to as “Fulani domination.”
He warned political leaders in the region against compromises and issued a directive forbidding the presence of fulani herdsmen, saying, “No Fulani parading as herdsman shall be allowed in our land. If you are an agent of the Fulani, turn your way this evening.”
The device was admitted as evidence alongside a certificate of compliance, despite objections from the defence.
They were marked as Exhibits PWA and PW1, respectively.
The court also admitted a letter dated June 17, 2021, authored by the former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, which accused Kanu of terrorism, murder, and incitement to violence.
The letter, addressed to the DSS, was tendered without objection and marked as Exhibit PWF.
Reading from the document, the witness, who was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN alleged that Kanu’s broadcasts were followed by coordinated attacks on police stations and correctional facilities, resulting in loss of lives and property.
He quoted the petition as saying Kanu had instructed that security operatives be “brought down” and their weapons seized.
News
Just in: Security and Exchange Commission declares PWAN as PONZI scheme, cautions Nigerians

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has alerted the public on the activities of Property World Africa Network (PWAN), which holds itself out as a real estate investment company and solicits funds from the public for investment purposes through PWAN MAX.
In a statement on Tuesday, the SEC said PWAN/PWAN MAX are not registered either to solicit investments from the public or operate in any other capacity within the Nigerian capital market.
The SEC said investigations revealed that PWAN’s operations exhibit the typical indicators of a fraudulent Ponzi scheme, including the promise of unusually high returns and failure to honour withdrawal requests from subscribers.
“Accordingly, the public is strongly advised to be wary about investing with PWAN/PWAN MAX, as any person who places such investment with these entities, does so at his/her own risk.
“The commission similarly reminds potential investors of the need to verify the registration status of investment platforms via the commission’s dedicated portal: www.sec.gov.ng/cmos before transacting with them,” the SEC said.
(The Guardian)
-
News4 hours ago
Real cause of Herbert Wigwe’s helicopter crash revealed
-
News23 hours ago
Tension As Lawmakers Warn of Public Revolt Over Insecurity
-
Politics6 hours ago
Ughelli North PDP Holds Crucial Meeting
-
News22 hours ago
Edo Speaker, Two Other Lawmakers, Formally Join APC
-
News11 hours ago
Tinubu presents N1.78 trillion FCT budget to NASS
-
News11 hours ago
2027: Why Obi should reject VP slot — Tinubu’s aide
-
News22 hours ago
Rep Raises Alarm After Deadly Attacks In Borno, Says Boko Haram Is Returning Stronger
-
News11 hours ago
Nnamdi Kanu wanted more states for Biafra – DSS