News

UNIABUJA yet to comply with court order reinstating 21 staff

Published

6 months ago

May 2, 2024

One year after 21 staff members of the University of Abuja, UNIABUJA, got a judgment from the National Industrial Court, Abuja, ordering the institution to reinstate them, the institution is yet to comply with the judgment, an investigation by Vanguard has revealed.

The 21 workers were part of the 32 that were disengaged by the management of the institution in 2016.

The workers were non-teaching senior staff employed by the university in February 2008. Three of the workers are now dead.

They said: “We were legitimately employed after due process in February 2008. Thereafter some of us transferred our services to the university from our former employers while others were confirmed after the two-year probationary period.

“Along the line in 2015, there was an industrial dispute between the University of Abuja union leadership and the then management of the former Vice Chancellor, Prof.Michael Adiukwu.

“Coincidentally in the same 2015, the Federal Government issued a circular to federal universities to stop sending the names of teachers in their staff schools to the government for salaries but followed the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU.

“We sent a delegate to Benin to meet with the then Council Chairman now of blessed memory, General Samuel Ogbemudia and narrated our matter to him. He listened to us and reasoned with us with a letter to the management not to tamper with our jobs. As we were exploring that avenue, the national body took the Federal Government to NICN.

“Rather than listening to the Council Chairman, the management set up a committee for the disengagement of staff school teachers that same year when the matter was already in Court and the judgment came in December 2016. Meanwhile, we did not see any letter of disengagement let alone signing it.

“All of a sudden, we just discovered that our salaries were stopped in January 2017 but we continued our work and they even provided buses to carry our students. They sent students to us for teaching practice.

“In 2017, the Federal Government issued a circular to all VCs of federal universities to stop further action concerning staff school teachers pending the determination of the matter in court. In the same 2017, the federal government issued another circular to all VCs that the implementation of the court judgment would start on January 1, 2018.

“Rather than recall us, the University of Abuja only took those staff in Basic 1-6(whose salaries were not stopped and redeployed them to other departments in the University and left us from Basic 7-9 alone languishing in pain. We went to the NICN in two groups in 2021and the first judgment came in our favour on March 23, 2023,” one of the affected workers told Vanguard in confidence.”

News

Legal Questions Arise Over Elon Musk’s Immigration History Amid Calls for Citizenship Revocation

Published

6 hours ago

November 9, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

Elon Musk, a citizen of the United States could be at risk if it is proven that he misrepresented facts during his immigration process, according to legal experts. This debate comes I the middle of calls for the revocation of his citizenship, fueled by Musk’s vocal support for Donald Trump and his controversial remarks on immigration.

Musk, originally from South Africa, moved to Canada before settling in the U.S., where he eventually became a naturalized citizen, but reports recently alleged that he may have worked in the U.S. without proper authorization in the 1990s.

According to ‘The Washington Post’, Musk was admitted to Stanford University in 1995 on a student visa but did not enroll, instead working on the startup that became Zip2. Court records and former associates cited by the “Post” suggested that he lacked proper work authorization during this period.

But Musk has debunked these claims, as he said that he was in the U.S. legally on a J-1 visa, which later transitioned to an H1-B visa. However, a 2005 email cited in a defamation case reportedly revealed Musk admitting that he applied to Stanford because he “had no legal right to stay in the country.”

Legal experts indicated that working without authorization and misrepresenting such actions during the immigration process could constitute grounds for revocation of citizenship under U.S. law.

The Legal Framework

The U.S. law permits the revocation of citizenship if it was obtained through “concealment of a material fact or willful misrepresentation.” Violations such as unauthorized work can be flagged during multiple stages of the immigration process, including green card and naturalization applications.

Amanda Frost, a professor of immigration law, explains that misrepresenting visa violations could lead to denaturalization. “If a person violated the terms of a visa and later failed to disclose that during the naturalization process, their citizenship could be deemed ‘illegally procured,’” she stated.

Stephen Yale-Loehr of Cornell Law School adds that while such cases are legally valid, they are rarely pursued unless the violations are deemed material.

Potential Outcomes and Implications

If evidence of wrongdoing were uncovered, Musk would not face immediate deportation but could be subjected to a lengthy legal process. Criminal penalties for making false statements during naturalization include up to five years in prison.

However, legal experts note that such cases often hinge on whether the alleged violations would have materially affected the individual’s eligibility for a green card or citizenship. Immigration attorney Greg Siskind believes it’s unlikely that Musk’s actions, if proven, would have prevented his eventual naturalization.

Political and Public Backlash

The controversy has reignited debates about immigration enforcement and denaturalization. Under the Trump administration, efforts to revoke citizenship increased significantly, with thousands of cases investigated and dozens referred for deportation.

Musk, a high-profile immigrant, has faced criticism for his frequent comments on immigration issues, with many accusing him of promoting divisive narratives. His extensive ties to government contracts and national security projects also add a layer of scrutiny to his case.

Calls for Musk to release his immigration records under the Freedom of Information Act remain unanswered. Meanwhile, legal analysts emphasize that any action against Musk would depend on clear evidence and prosecutorial discretion.

This unfolding situation underscores the complexities of immigration enforcement and the potential implications for high-profile figures.

News

Family Head Regrets Obtaining NDA Form for Late Lt General Lagbaja

Published

6 hours ago

November 9, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

The head of the family of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, has expressed deep regret over his decision to obtain the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) admission form for the deceased.

Pa Tajudeen, the younger brother of the late COAS’s father, revealed that if he had foreseen the tragic outcome, he would not have facilitated his nephew’s entry into the military.

He said: “Had I known that obtaining the NDA form for him would lead to this, I wouldn’t have done it.

“However, we accept it as destiny. Everyone must face death, but this loss has hit us hard. Taoreed was more than a nephew to me; I regarded him as one of my own children”.

The grieving family head recounted the late General’s contributions to their hometown of Ilobu in Osun State, highlighting projects such as a borehole in his father’s compound and other communal initiatives.

“He gave us hope and brought pride to the family. His death is a great loss, but we give thanks to God,” Pa Tajudeen added.

The late General’s death has also sparked suspicions within the family. Some relatives allege that he may have been a victim of diabolical forces linked to a land dispute in Ilobu. In 2023, tensions arose when the Nigerian Army proposed establishing a hospital in the community, reportedly leading to conflicts over land ownership.

Despite the tragic circumstances, the family expressed gratitude for Lt. General Lagbaja’s life and legacy, while grappling with the shock of his untimely demise.

News

Tinubu Leaves For Saudi Arabia Tomorrow For Arab-Islamic Summit

Published

9 hours ago

November 9, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, will be departing the country Abuja on Sunday for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, which will focus on the current situation in the Middle-East.

Naijablitznews reports this was contained in a statement by presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday said the Summit will commence on Monday, November 11, 2024.

“It is being held at the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and follows last year’s summit in the same Saudi city.

“During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to address the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, emphasising Nigeria’s strong call for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.

“Nigeria will also advocate for renewed efforts to revive the two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace in the region,” he said.

He noted that key officials including the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, would accompany the President.

Other members of the entourage are the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Mohammed Mohammed.

He noted that after the conclusion of the summit, President Tinubu would return to Abuja.

It could be recalled that Tinubu had departed Nigeria on Wednesday, October 2, for a two-week working vacation in the UK as part of his annual leave.