News

Osun seeks joinder as S’Court reserves ruling in EFCC lawsuit

Published

1 month ago

October 23, 2024

Three out of the 19 states challenging the constitutionality of the laws that established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Tuesday, informed the Supreme Court of their intention to withdraw from the suit.

Anambra (ninth plaintiff), Adamawa (16th plaintiff) and Ebonyi (18th plaintiff) separately made an application of withdrawal before the court.

The Attorney General of Anambra State, Prof Sylvia Ifemeje, informed the court of her intention to withdraw from the suit, having filed a motion of withdrawal on October 20.

Also, the Attorney General of Ebonyi State, Ikenna Nwidagu, said “My Lord, I filed a notice of withdrawal dated and filed October 21. My Lords, we pray this honourable court strike out the name of the 18th plaintiff.”

The Attorney General of Adamawa State, Afraimu Jingi, said “My Lord, I have filed a notice of withdrawal of suit dated October 14. I am praying this court to allow me withdraw from the suit.”

Unanimously, the seven-man panel of the Supreme Court presiding over the matter granted their requests and struck out their names from the suit, as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, did not oppose.

With their withdrawal, Kogi, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Oyo, Benue, Enugu, Plateau, Cross River, Ondo, Niger, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, and Imo states remain in the suit.

Meanwhile, Osun State Attorney-General, represented by Oluwole Jimi-Bada, told the court he filed a motion to be consolidated in the suit.

The Kogi State counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN), who is the first plaintiff), urged the court to grant all their reliefs.

He stated that that the EFCC was not well founded, stressing that the commission was a product of convention.

“The crux of our suit is the decision of this court. The counsel that represented the appellant in that suit by the rules of this Court Order 4 will be called to address this court. He participated in the bill that birthed the EFCC and ICPC together.

“Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) told this court that it was the convention of the UN that reduced this into law. Section 12, that provision was never followed.

“This fact was not an issue with the case of AG Ondo Vs AG Federation. So there is a specific provision for bringing a convention in. You cannot just be talking about Items 7 of 8.

“We are also challenging the foundation of those laws that created Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, EFCC, etc. in order not to create a constitutional crisis,” he said.

He argued that the EFCC and others were products of convention and not well founded.

“It (EFCC) was never meant to be a law that would be all over the country. It was made to protect our resources from going out of this country. We pray your lordship to allow this suit and award heavy cost in favour of the plaintiff on record,” he said.

The AGF (defendant), in his response, urged the apex court not to deviate from the previous judgment it delivered on same matter which was previously brought before it, stressing that the court had to strike out the suit in its entirety.

He said, “I adopt and rely on my processes and urge your Lordship to strike out the plaintiff’s originating summon.

“In respect of the case of Joseph Nwobike, it is noted that Nwobike’s case in action or inaction of the former AGF Kanu Agabi (SAN) has no place at all in this case.

“The UN Convention may have expired but we did not do it because the UN convention asked us to. Section 15 sub-section 5 says ‘The state must abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.’ There is no indication that your lordship should deviate from what you already said.

“This suit should be struck out from its stems, branches and roots. I urge your lordship to dismiss the suit.

“The implication your lordship if you grant the relief of the plaintiff is that the public will say the Supreme Court is supporting corruption.”

After the parties made their arguments, Justice Awani Abba Aji announced that the suit would be reserved for judgment at a date to be communicated to the parties.

Nasarawa and Ogun states with separate request were also joined in the general suit.

Nineteen state governments had come together to contest the constitutionality of the laws that established the EFCC in the country, although Nasarawa and Ogun specifically challenged the NFIU cash withdrawal limit guidelines.

The state governments argued that the Supreme Court, in Dr Joseph Nwobike Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria, held that it was a United Nations convention against corruption that was reduced into the EFCC Establishment Act.

They held that in enacting the law in 2004, the provision of Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was not followed.

They argued that in bringing a convention into the Nigerian law, the provision of Section 12 must be complied with.

According to the plaintiffs, the provision of the constitution necessitated the majority of the states’ houses of Assembly agreeing to bringing the convention before passing the EFCC Act and others, which was allegedly never done.

The argument of the states was that the law, as enacted, could not be applied to states that never approved of it, in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian constitution.

News

Trump set to sign Executive Order to flush out transgender personnel from US military

Published

42 minutes ago

November 25, 2024

Naijablitznews

President-elect, Donald Trump, is set to sign an executive order that would remove all transgender members from the United States military.

It was learnt that the development has intensified concerns within the LGBTQ+ community.

The report claimed that the state officials had stated that transgender personnel would be discharged on medical grounds, deeming them “unfit” to serve.

Recall that during Trump’s first term as president, he introduced a similar policy that prohibited transgender individuals from joining the armed forces while allowing those already enlisted to remain in their roles.

After Trump left office, President Joe Biden had overturned the military ban in his first week as president in 2021, issuing an executive order to restore transgender individuals’ right to serve openly. However, with Trump’s potential return to the White House, transgender rights in the US may face renewed challenges.

However, the current proposal, as reported, would extend to removing all transgender service members, regardless of their current status. It is anticipated that the executive order will be issued on Trump’s first day in office, January 20 next year.

If signed, Trump’s new directive could be broader and more contentious than the policy he implemented during his first term. What would be its impact on transgender personnel serving in US military.

Reports indicated that approximately 15,000 transgender individuals are actively serving in the US military.

This is coming amid moves by US congress to stop irst transgender lawmaker from using female restrooms and bathrooms in her new workplace.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson had expressed his support for the policy that tends to disregard transgender ideologies in the legislative arm.

“All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings — such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms — are reserved for individuals of that biological sex,” the speaker said in a statement last Wednesday.

“It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol. Women deserve women’s only spaces,” he added.

The move to prevent McBride from using the women’s facilities in the House was first initiated by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who on Monday introduced a resolution to ban trans women from using women’s bathrooms inside the complex.

Mace said the resolution was “absolutely” in response to McBride, a Delaware Democrat, being elected to the House.

She took her anti-trans crusade even further on Wednesday, announcing a bill to ban trans people from using bathrooms that align with their gender in all federal buildings across the country. Neither of the resolutions have been brought to a House vote.

It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol. Women deserve women’s only spaces,” he added.

Mace said the resolution was “absolutely” in response to McBride, a Delaware Democrat, being elected to the House.

News

PHOTO: Courtesy visit to Priesthood Orphanage by Just Friends Club of Nigeria Founder

Published

3 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Naijablitznews

Dr. (Mrs) Blessing Echenwo, left, founder of Priesthood Orphanage, Karamajiji, Abuja and Mrs. Maria Cardillo, a member of Just Friends Club of Nigeria, during the visit of the club to the orphanage in Abuja…recently

News

Just in: NYSC Releases Batch ‘C’ Corps Members Call Up Letters

Published

4 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Naijablitznews

The National Youth Service Corps has announced the release of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream I call-up letters for prospective corps members.

The corps made the announcement in a series of post on its official X (former Twitter) handle on Monday.

It said orientation camp for the stream is expected to start on November 27, 2024 and closes on December 17, 2024.

According to the post, “some prospective corp members posted to Lagos will have orientation in Ogun and Osun.

“While some of those posted to Zamfara will have in Kebbi and Sokoto etc”

The corps, however, advised prospective corps members to print and sign an addendum, which will be submitted during registration at the orientation camp.

Tips to guide Deployed Prospective Corps Members

Do not travel to the Orientation Camps at night. Break your journey when necessary.
Report on your scheduled reporting date.
Apply for spelling error and name rearrangement on your dashboard.
After documentation in the Camp, you cannot change your Date of Birth, Date of Graduation, Course of Study and Passport Photograph.
Do not report to the Camp if there is any discrepancies in your course of study or with the Date of Graduation on your Statement of Result and your Call-up Letter. Contact your Institution to sort it out.
ATTENTION TO ALL 2024 BATCH ”C” STREAM I MARRIED FEMALE PROSPECTIVE CORPS MEMBERS

All married female Prospective Corps members (PCMs) who are deployed to States where their husbands are not domiciled should report to the nearest NYSC Orientation Camp for their State of Deployment to be changed.

They are to report during the period of Registration at the Orientation Camps with the copies of their marital and other relevant documents as evidence. Once the change is made it will reflect on theirM dashboard for reprinting.