News
Justice Kekere-Ekun appears before Senate for screening
*** Vows to tackle corruption
By Francesca Hangeior
The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has vowed to enforce a zero-tolerance policy on corruption in the judiciary.
She emphasised that integrity and strictness are central to her judicial approach.
Kekere-Ekun, who appeared before the Senate for screening, assured lawmakers that, once confirmed, she would prioritise the speedy handling of petitions before the courts.
Responding to questions from the senators, the Acting CJN promised to ensure that the judiciary remains insulated from external influence. Additionally, she committed to advocating for better welfare and infrastructure for the judiciary.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also highlighted the need for strengthening national institutions and ensuring better behavior from the populace, especially during elections. She stressed that such improvements would help reduce the tendency to contest election results in court.
Meanwhile, the Senate has commenced the screening of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Before the screening began on Wednesday, Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved a motion to reorder the legislative agenda, allowing the screening of Kekere-Ekun to be the first item on the day’s business. The motion was seconded by Deputy Minority Leader Senator Oyewumi Olalere (PDP, Osun West).
Kekere-Ekun, accompanied by other Supreme Court and Court of Appeal justices, arrived at the Senate Chamber at 12:30 PM.
Senator Bamidele invoked Order 12 of the Senate’s Standing Orders to permit her and her entourage to enter, which was seconded by Senator Olalere.
The Acting CJN was led into the Chamber by Senator Basheer Lado, Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters.
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu wrote to the Senate, seeking the confirmation of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The President’s letter, read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was submitted upon the Senate’s return from its annual recess, which began in July.
By Francesca Hangeior.
The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Tinubu has directed the FCT Administration through the Federal Capital Development Authority to refurbish the former Ministry of Agriculture building for the newly created Ministry of Livestock.
The minister stated this following an inspection tour of the ministry’s building in the Central Business District of Abuja, and the ongoing construction of the Kugbo International Market along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, on Wednesday.
Wike, while addressing journalists after the inspection, described the project as “an emergency work” and said the FCTA would invite companies to assess the building and give quotation for the project.
He added that an integrity test had been conducted on the building, which came back “okay”.
“Well, it is the former Ministry of Agriculture, and we have a directive from Mr President to go and immediately refurbish the place and furnish it for the new Ministry of Livestock, and that is why we went there to see things for ourselves. We will get some companies to come and look at it, and quote for it. It is an emergency work because the creation of the Ministry of Livestock is a welcome development, and you can see people are happy, waiting for it to start.
“We are bringing some companies to look at it, and then we will take the best, or what do we call it, the most responsive builder that we know that the government will afford to handle. But don’t be in a rush, what is important is that we have gone there to see for ourselves, and the job will soon start,” he said.
The minister also said he had directed the Department of Development Control to demolish buildings obstructing a road corridor leading to the Kugbo International Market from Mpape.
Noting that the market was constructed under a Public Private Partnership, Wike added that the administration will also liaise with the investor to make the completed first phase of the project affordable to traders, to dissuade roadside trading in the FCT.
“This is an investment that should be encouraged, as an international market of this standard. There are a lot of problems, there is encroachment, and I have directed the Development Control to immediately demolish anything that will cause an impediment. This is a road corridor, and we will not allow that, and the Development Control Director is here, he has been ordered to move in with his men to demolish whatever is an obstacle.
“Somebody invested his money. But that is not why we should allow traders to be on the road, we must take into cognisance all of those things. An investor must also make profits. I mean, we are not running a socialist economy. People should know, that when you invest your money, you don’t expect that the investor will just come, open it for you, and then you pack in for free, nobody does that, and we should not encourage that. And that is not why I will allow people to sell on the road.
“Anyway, we will not also allow the investor to take advantage of that, and then people cannot afford it, no. We will look into that, we will do the costing and we will ask the MD and Chief Executive of Abuja Investment Company to sit down with the investor, to see what agreement we can reach. And we can put our stake to see that people get allocations there,” he stated.
By Francesca Hangeior.
Popular social critic, Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has expressed fears for his safety after his home address was leaked online.
In a recent video, VDM revealed that he discovered his current residence in a cease and desist letter shared on social media.
The controversy stems from a legal letter issued by Mrs. Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjueyi Atsepoyi, the wife of Mr. Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi, popularly known as Mr. Jollof.
The letter, which has circulated widely, contains a threat of legal action against VDM in response to allegations he made against Mrs. Atsepoyi.
VDM clarified that while the letter was not sent directly to him, it was addressed to him or his legal representatives.
However, he raised concerns about the public disclosure of his address, claiming that it has now put him in danger.
In the emotional video, VDM said, “I can no longer go home, my current address has been compromised. I have to start looking for another house. I am living in a hotel, and I am scared to even go home to pick up my clothes.”
This incident follows another controversy involving VDM, who previously leaked an audio recording in which Nigerian cross-dresser Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have paid EFCC officials N15 million to have money laundering charges against him dropped.
The viral audio stirred significant reactions on social media, further elevating the public attention surrounding VDM.
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