Rep Ikwechegh vs Uber Driver, Case Adjourned Until November 8th, 2024

Published

3 hours ago

October 30, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The magistrate, Kuje Magistrate Court, Abubakar Umar Sai’id has adjourned the case between Alex Mascot Ikwechegh and Uber driver to November 8, 2024.

Ikwechegh was recently caught on camera assaulting a Bolt driver.

A viral video showed Ikwechegh slapping the driver who delivered an item to the lawmaker in his Abuja residence. The incident happened last Sunday evening.

Many Nigerians condemned the development as the video of the incident went viral on social media.

The lawmaker was later arrested and questioned by the police for the action for which he later apologised on Tuesday

State of the Nation: Governors, Traditional rulers meet at Aso Rock

Published

3 mins ago

October 30, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Governors and traditional rulers under the auspices of National Council of Traditional Rulers are currently meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Although the agenda of the meeting holding at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, was not immediately made public, sources said they are discussing the situation of the country with a view to putting in measures that will alleviate hardship in the land.

Daily Trust gathered that the governors are trying to get feedback from the traditional rulers in order to frame policies and take decision in the overall interest of Nigerians.

Among those cited by Daily Trust were the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak (Kwara), and other state governors including, Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Dapo Abiodun, (Ogun), Seyi Makinde, (Oyo), Agbu Kefas, (Taraba), Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, (Gombe), Uba Sani (Kaduna).

Some of the prominent traditional rulers at the event are the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Oni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar.

News

Reps Urge Reps Federal, State Govt To Adopt Measures To Control Flooding

Published

4 mins ago

October 30, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…summon Environment Ministry, NEMA, Hydrological Services Agency on measures in place

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has charged the federal and state governments to adopt control measures to mitigate the impact of flood disasters in 22 states, including the Federal Capital Territory.

The House also directed the Federal Government through its relevant ministries and agencies to collaborate with state governments to enhance their disaster preparedness capabilities and ensure the quick deployment of rescue teams, relief materials, and medical assistance where needed.

The House called on the Federal Ministry of Environment and state governments to activate evacuation protocols for communities along flood plains and ensure that affected populations have access to temporary shelters, medical services, and other forms of support.

The lawmakers further summoned the Federal Ministry of Environment, National Emergency Management Agency, and Hydrological Services Agency to appear before its committee to explain what precautionary measures are being implemented to safeguard lives and property in the predicted flood zones.

These resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the “Urgent need for precautionary measures to mitigate predicted flood risks in 22 states and the FCT”, by Rep. Oluwaseun Whingan, member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Lagos State, on Wednesday at plenary.

Rep. Whingan referred to a report on the October 14, 2024, concerning the prediction of five days of heavy rainfall, which may lead to flooding in 22 states and the FCT, attributed to the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment.

The lawmaker said communities along the flood plains of Rivers Donga, Benue, and Ogun, in States such as Osun, Delta, Cross River, Anambra, Taraba, Nasarawa, and Kebbi, among others are at the risk of severe flooding.

He said, “The House is concerned that the predicted heavy rainfall and resulting floods could have devastating impacts on vulnerable communities, leading to displacement, loss of property, destruction of infrastructure, and potential loss of lives if adequate precautionary mechanisms are not put in place to protect citizens in these areas.

“The House is also concerned that despite early warnings, there may not be sufficient proactive measures such as timely evacuations, provision of temporary shelters, and support systems for affected communities. This increases the risk of severe humanitarian consequences if these warnings are not addressed through urgent action.

“We are aware that flooding is a recurring issue in Nigeria, often exacerbated by inadequate drainage systems, lack of preparedness, and insufficient coordination among agencies responsible for disaster management. It is crucial that relevant authorities immediately implement strategies to mitigate the predicted disaster, including evacuation plans, provision of relief materials, and ensuring post-flood recovery efforts are coordinated effectively.”

The House adopted the motion which enjoyed overwhelming support as members voted in support of it.

The House it urged the Federal Ministries of Works, Housing and Water Resources to carry out an immediate assessment of drainage systems and waterways in flood-prone areas and work to reduce blockages that could worsen flooding.

The House also mandated its Committees on Environment, Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, and Water Resources to ensure ongoing monitoring and post-flood rehabilitation efforts, ensuring that affected communities receive long-term support in rebuilding infrastructure and livelihoods.

News

Rivers verdict: Fubara Must Cough Out Illegally Spent Funds -Coalition

Published

2 hours ago

October 30, 2024

Austin Ojomah

As reactions continue to tlood in over the judgement of Federal High Court, Abuja, on the Rivers State fund; the National Democratic and Change Coalition (NDCC) has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to cough out all monies spent without appropriation to the state cofers.

The Coalition, while expressing satisfaction over the ruling, said the people of Rivers have been vindicated, and the long awaited justice has been served to the Governor.

Recall that, a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, barred the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), from disbursing further monthly allocations to the Rivers State Government, citing alleged constitutional violations by Governor Fubara.

In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik found that Governor Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to a four-member House of Assembly breached constitutional protocol.

The court order further restricts the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, and the state’s accounts at Zenith Bank and Access Bank from releasing any funds to Fubara.

Reacting via a press release Wednesday afternoon, signed by John Uloko Esq,
President of the Coalition, the group hailed Justice Abdulmalik, for holding that, since January 2024, Rivers State has received and spent allocations based on an “illegitimate” budget, thereby describing it as a “constitutional aberration.”

The statement said, “the NDCC, made up of a group of lawyers, has always been of the view that what is going on in Rivers State is a theatre of the absurd that persistently violates the constitution, stands logic on its head and even defies mathematical reasoning to the extent that four members were allowed to constitute themselves into a House of Assembly that is meant to have 32 members”.

“We, therefore, commend Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja for holding that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.

“This ruling is a victory for democracy and will teach rogue governors the bitter lesson that the Constitution of the Federal Republic must be respected and the sanctity of our democratic institutions upheld irrespective of their political desperation. Operating an illegal State Assembly of four men by any Governor is something everyone should condemn in totality and welcome the court’s judgment.

“In the wake of this judgement, NDCC urges Governor Fubara to immediately reverse all his decisions and actions based on the illegitimate Assembly since they all suffer the same defect as the budget the court threw out.

“The Governor must also strongly consider refunding all the Rivers States’ funds illegally expended from January to date.

“We further advise Governor Fubara to urgently do the needful by resubmitting the state’s budget to the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly for due process to be followed so that governance is not truncated and the people plunged into more misery than they have already endured from the Governor being absorbed in his political sabre-rattling.

“Finally, Governor Fubara must allow Rivers State to breathe by stopping all the unnecessary squabbling that has served no useful purpose”, the Coalition added.