News
Kano rejects tribunal order, retains suspended anti-graft agency boss
Four days after the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja ordered the suspension of the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-corruption Commission, Muhyi Magaji, the Kano State government has yet to replace him as ordered by the CCT.
The CCT made the suspension and replacement of Magaji, following his arraignment last Thursday by the Code of Conduct Bureau for alleged abuse of office.
The CCB accused Magaji of conflict of interest, false asset declaration and accepting bribes.
The CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, in a ruling, directed the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, and the Secretary to the State Government to suspend Magaji and replace him with“the most appropriate officer to take over as acting Chairman of the Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission pending the hearing and determination of the case against the defendant/respondent before this tribunal.”
However, checks by The PUNCH on Monday indicated that Magaji was still in office.
A reliable source at the headquarters of the Kano anti-corruption agency told our correspondent on condition of anonymity that Magaji was still in office.
“Our chairman, Muhuyi Magaji, is still the chairman of the agency. As I am talking to you now, he is in his office,” the source said.
According to the source, the decision by the state government not to replace him might not be unconnected with the appeal Magaji lodged against the ruling of the CCT.
“As you are aware, the chairman has appealed against the ruling a day after the ruling of the CCT,” the source said.
When contacted, the Director General, Media and Publicity to the Kano State Governor, Sanusi Tofa, said the state government could not replace Magaji because it appealed the ruling of the CCT.
“The reason why the chairman was not replaced is because the state government appealed the ruling,” Tofa said.
The CCB had on November 16, 2023, arraigned Magaji before the CCT on 10 counts bordering on alleged conflict of interest and false declaration of assets, among others.
Magaji, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts and was admitted to bail in the sum of N5m with two sureties.
But Magaji had, in a motion filed by his lawyer, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), challenged the competence of the CCB to prosecute him.
He contended that a Kano State High Court presided over by Justice Farouk Adamu had on August 28, 2023, restrained the CCB from interfering in the affairs or taking any step in connection with the functions, duties, and affairs of his client until the matter was dispensed with.
He restated that in the Kano matter, CCB was the second defendant and that the court directed parties to maintain status.
In the notice of appeal dated and filed on Friday, April 5, 2024, Magaji urged the appellate court to set aside the CCT’s ruling.
He argued that the CCT erred in law when it denied him the right to a fair trial, fair hearing, and right to be presumed innocent, by making an order directing him to step aside as the Chairman of PCACC.
News
NECO accredits more foreign schools for SSCE, BECE
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has given accreditation to more foreign schools to write the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, disclosed this in a statement.
The newly accredited schools are in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea.
“NECO Accreditation Team visited the Schools to assess their readiness to write the SSCE and BECE.
“The Accreditation Team inspected classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, workshops, examination halls and sport facilities to determine their adequacy and suitability for NECO Examinations.
“After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full SSCE and full BECE accreditation status,” the statement said.
The statement added that the accreditation of additional foreign schools is a testament to NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and assessment beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for students worldwide to benefits from its expertise, thus contributing to the advancement of education in Africa and beyond.”
In another development, the statement disclosed that candidates are participating in the on-going NECO SSCE External in Diffa, Niger Republic.
“The UNHCR School, Diffa, Niger Republic is the first NECO SSCE External Centre outside Nigeria.”
NECO examinations are now written by candidates in Benin Republic, Togo, Cote’ d’Ivoire, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Saudi Arabia.
News
Guardiola suffers worst defeat of career as Tottenham hammer Man City 4-0
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, suffered the worst defeat of his managerial career as they lost 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night.
The Premier League champions were already on a run of four consecutive defeats ahead of the visit of the North London side.
James Maddison scored twice in the first half to set Spurs on their way to a sensational win.
Pedro Porro drilled in a third, before Brennan Johnson got on the scoresheet late in the game.
The result leaves City in second place with 23 points. They could go eight points behind Liverpool by the end of this Game Week.
Guardiola takes his men to Anfield next weekend.
News
FUOYE Re-Marks Exam Papers of Student Failed By Lecturer Over Sex-for-Grade Scandal, Secures Justice
The Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, has cleared a female student, Ramota Olahanloye, to graduate following the re-marking of her final-year examination scripts.
Olahanloye had alleged that a lecturer, Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia, demanded sexual favours from her, and when she declined, he deliberately failed her in two final-year courses.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser on Media to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Wole Balogun, the university confirmed that Olahanloye’s allegations were investigated, and her scripts were re-marked.
“The young lady’s scripts were re-marked, and she performed fairly better than the scores initially awarded by Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia,” the statement read.
According to Balogun, the university management approved Olahanloye’s revised results, which qualified her for graduation.
“The university management has given executive approval for her results to be processed. She has since commenced her final clearance from relevant units of the university,” the statement added.
Balogun also disclosed that Agbegbedia had been sanctioned by the institution for his misconduct.
Olahanloye expressed her joy over the resolution of the case, saying, “I am happy that I have gotten justice, and I really appreciate the university Vice-Chancellor for setting up the committee that investigated the matter.
“I was shown my entire results, including the graduation list with my name on it. I have started my clearance as a graduating student of the university, and I am truly happy.”
Her father, Rasaki Olahanloye, also lauded the university for its commitment to justice.
“I can confirm to the world that FUOYE has served justice to my daughter. I was shown her upgraded results after her scripts were re-marked, and it is clear that she passed.
“The university fulfilled its promise to ensure fairness, and I appreciate the VC, Prof. Sunday Fasina, and the committee members for ensuring my daughter gets justice,” he said.
-
Metro21 hours ago
BusinessDay Journalist Finally Regains Freedom From ‘One-Chance’ Kidnappers In Abuja
-
Metro21 hours ago
Police recover stolen SUV after gun duel with robbers in Abuja
-
News21 hours ago
FG insists Rivers State funds is intact was never stopped
-
News19 hours ago
Igbos to boycott Arise TV over Abati’s uncouth statement
-
News3 hours ago
Simon Ekpa: FG’s attempt to extradite self acclimated freedom fighter may hit brickwall
-
News21 hours ago
Again, Dangote Refineries complains over Naira – Crude oil initiative, slams NNPCL
-
News12 hours ago
NUJ-FCT Elections: Comrade Ike To Flag-Off Campaign With Free Medical Checks, Treatment
-
News21 hours ago
Why Cameroonian Authorities Detained Five Nigerian Pastors – Sources