News
Senate threatens Works Minister, HoS, others with arrest warrant
The Minister of Works, David Umahi; Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack; Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and others have been threatened with the issuance of a warrant of arrest by the Senate for failing to appear before its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
Other chief executives who also risked the warrant of arrest are those of Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company and Sally Best Properties Limited.
The arrest threat was a sequel to the complaint of the chairman of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), about the refusal of the chief executives to honour invitations sent to them on petitions against them.
In a motion moved through Order 42 of the Senate’s Standing Rules, Senator Imasuen lamented that several invitations were sent to heads of the affected agencies to appear before his committee for explanations or defence on petitions filed against them by aggrieved Nigerians or corporate bodies were ignored.
He then requested the Senate to mandate his committee to issue a warrant of arrest against the recalcitrant chief executives.
Responding to the request, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said: “You already have the power as provided for by Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution. Please use it by issuing warrant of arrest against any head of agency refusing to appear before the public petition committee.
“Appearances of the invited people before the committee are very important for justice and fairness on issues raised against them in the petitions before the Senate through the Public Petitions Committee.”
After securing the mandate of the Senate on the issuance of warrants of arrest against heads of the affected agencies, Senator Imasuen told journalists that a list of the affected agencies would be released at the appropriate time, which he did on Sunday through a statement.
In the statement, he said: “Fresh letters of invitations have been sent to heads of the affected agencies, upon which warrant of arrest would be issued if any one of them fails to appear.”
He added that aside from the warrant of arrest to be issued against heads of the affected agencies, his committee would, this week, expeditiously treat a petition filed by Mr Onyebuchi Obioha on withholding of her daughter’s result by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, based on an alleged vindictive report written against her by the examination supervisor.
News
There’s No Leadership Vacuum Despite Tinubu, Shettima’s Absence – Presidency
The Presidency on Wednesday said that the absence of President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the country does not create any leadership vacuum.
While Tinubu departed for the country on October 2, 2024, for a two-week working leave, Shettima left Abuja on Wednesday for Sweden on a two-day visit to represent Nigeria in bilateral engagements with the Scandinavian nation.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the two leaders “are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away”
Onanuga also noted that all state organs are functioning as usual.
The statement reads, “It is important to note that the President and Vice President are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away. There is no leadership vacuum in the country.
“President Tinubu left the country on 3 October and is on a two-week working vacation. During this time, he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires.
“The vice president departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.
“All state organs are functioning as usual. The Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministers, and Service Chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government.
“We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country. President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth ll.
“We have also experienced it during this administration. Between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Vice President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit.
“After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. President Tinubu returned home on 8 May. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.
“The Constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president in the country at all times to fulfil his duties.”
News
New Tax Bills Not To Merge Govt Agencies, Cause Job Losses – FIRS
News
Parents Of 2-year Old Boy Killed By NDLEA Demand N2b Compensation
-
Opinion22 hours ago
NCC, Starlink tariff feud rattles telecom industry
-
News23 hours ago
Rivers Assembly Boots Fubara’s Key Allies, Declares Seats Vacant Over 152-Day Absence
-
News20 hours ago
Reps Condemn Inhumane Treatment Of Super Eagles In Libya, Call For Investigation
-
Politics23 hours ago
PDP Govs Broker Truce, Instruct All Members to Revert to Status Quo
-
News23 hours ago
PDP Governors Shoot Down Rebellion, Pledge United Front
-
News18 hours ago
Ugochinyere in hot soup, faces recall as Constituents insist he’s pursuing only personal matters
-
Metro18 hours ago
SAD! Many Reportedly k!lled, Hospitalised As Petrol Tanker Explodes
-
News24 hours ago
Peter Obi Abandons Convoy, Intervenes As Police, Lorry Drivers Clash On Kogi Highway