Connect with us

News

Court Dismisses Delta Govt’s Suit To Stop EFCC, ICPC From Probing State Spending

Published

on

The Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has upheld the powers of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and that of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute officials of the Delta State Government who allegedly engage in corrupt acts.

Justice Folasade Olubanjo held that the sister organisations whose core mandates are basically the same do not in any way violate the principle of federalism and separation of powers embodied in the Constitution.

The court gave the judgment in the suit filed by the Attorney General of Delta State challenging the powers of the two anti-corruption agencies to investigate the state government’s finances and invite Delta State officials for interviews in the course of investigations.

The State Government had asked the court to among other things declare that by virtue of the provisions of Section 120, 121, 122, 123 & 125 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), no authority or person other than the state government, the state house of assembly, and the auditor-general of the state has the constitutional mandate to exercise power or control over the funds standing to the credit of Delta State in the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other state public funds.

Advertisement

The state also asked the court to make a declaration that the provisions of Section 128 of the Constitution empowers only the state house of assembly to the exclusion of the defendants to conduct or direct investigation into the disbursement of public funds for the purpose of exposing corruption, inefficiency or waste of public funds.

The state also insisted that by virtue of the provisions of Section 125 of the constitution, only the auditor-general of Delta State has the power to receive financial statements and annual accounts from the accountant general of the state.

In her judgment, Justice Olubanjo disagreed with the plaintiff and held that Nigeria practices cooperative federalism; and as such the fight against corruption is a function of both the states and the Federal Government.

The judge also noted that the issues before the court had been settled in a plethora of appellate decisions, among which is the Supreme Court judgment in AG Ondo State vs AG Federation & 36 others.

Advertisement

She accordingly dismissed the suit for lack of merit.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Deputy Speaker receives over 3,000 fresh defectors to APC in Abia

Published

on

 

By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has received over 3,000 new members from different political parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State.
The mass defection occurred in Akwete, Ndoki in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia state, during an empowerment programme by Rep. Chris Nkwonta, member representing Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on Saturday.
Addressing a gathering from Ukwa East and Ukwa West Local Government areas, Kalu disclosed that an influx of new defections to the party is imminent.
The Deputy Speaker said the defection was a reflection of the people’s gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has shown commitment to the development of Igbo’s, especially through the creation of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
He said that the establishment of the Commission will essentially cater for the infrastructure needs of the region.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that Rep. Nkwonta, who is the  chairman House Committee on South East Development Commission recently defected to the APC from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Kalu said: “The President has tried for Ndigbo. He is still trying for Ndigbo. He is the only man that remembered Ndigbo after 54 years that a promise of reconstruction, reconciliation and rehabilitation was made to Ndigbo. He came with the spirit of equity and fairness. He is a leader who believes in development. He signed the bill into law so that the damage caused by the civil war will be rebuilt. As the leader of our party, he has asked us to galvanize the grassroots and bring them closer to the politics of development that he is bringing to the Igbo land.
“For taking this decision to join APC, it shall be well with you. APC has come closer to the people. On behalf of our party, we welcome you. We know who you are and what you are capable of doing. When these caliber of people left PDP and other parties and joined the APC, what again is left? The parties have collapsed. Everybody is here. We will empower you to empower others”.
Kalu who was also honored with a chieftaincy title of “Enyioha of Ukwa Kingdom” urged the people to continue to support the government of the President Tinubu, assuring that Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Abia as a State and indeed, Igbo land will be benefit from more democracy dividends.
Some of the decampees included the former Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and former member, House of Representatives, Rep. Emeka Stanley.
Continue Reading

News

Just in; Chief of Staff to Kwara Gov is dead

Published

on

Prince AbdulKadir Mahe, the Chief of Staff to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, is dead.

He passed away on Saturday morning, December 28, 2024.

He will be buried today at his home on Moro Street, Adewole Estate, Ilorin, after the Asr prayer.

The governor and others have sent their sympathies to his family and loved ones.

Advertisement

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye confirmed the development also confirmed in a statement.

The statement said: “In total submission to the will of Allaah, we regret to announce the passing of the Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Prince AbdulKadir Mahe.

“He died this morning, December 28, 2024, as has been destined by Allaah.

“The late CoS will be buried today at his residence on Moro Street, Adewole Estate, Ilorin, after the Asr prayer.

Advertisement

His Excellency deeply mourns the death of Prince AbdulKadir Mahe, a perfect gentleman, community leader, urbane public servant, and a statesman.

“The governor commiserates with the Emir of Ilorin, Alh. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the immediate family of Prince AbdulKadir; government establishments; and cabinet members.

“We ask for the understanding of everyone at this mournful period as the government and family mourn the quintessential public servant.

“We pray that Allaah accept his return, ease his accounts, admit him to al-jannah Firdaus, and uphold his family upon goodness

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

BLACKOUT as TCN Announces Power Outage In Abuja

Published

on

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced planned power outages in certain areas this weekend to allow for maintenance work on its transmission equipment.

According to a statement by the General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, the exercise is aimed at ensuring better service delivery.

On Saturday, December 28, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Gwagwalada and nearby communities will experience a temporary power outage. This is to allow engineers to perform maintenance on a 60MVA transformer and related switchgear at the Gwagwalada Transmission Substation.

Similarly, on Sunday, December 29, 2024, power will be interrupted in several areas, including Wuye, EFCC, Federal Medical Centre, Coca-Cola, Idu Railway Station, Citec, and Life Camp. The outage will occur from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. as engineers carry out work on another 60MVA transformer at the Kukwaba Transmission Substation.

Advertisement

In the statement, TCN apologized for the inconvenience caused by the outages and sought the understanding of affected customers. It emphasized the importance of the maintenance work to ensure the power equipment functions optimally. “TCN apologizes for the inconvenience this may cause, especially during the end-of-year season. However, it is important that maintenance is carried out as scheduled for optimal performance of power equipment,” the statement read.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News