News

AGF asks police to transfer case file of end to bad governance protesters to his office

Published

11 hours ago

November 2, 2024

Following the national outrage that greeted the collapse of four teenagers in court today, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called for the case-file of the minors that were arraigned for participating in the EndBadGovernance protest.

The AGF, in a statement he made available to newsmen Friday night, ordered the Nigeria Police Force to transfer the case-file to his office before Saturday.

He further directed the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) to immediately put machinery in motion to ensure the matter which was adjourned till January next year, is brought forward.

The Justice Minister said there were issues that his office would need to look into to enable him make an informed decision regarding the trial of the defendants.

He, however, stressed that it was not within his powers to vary the court order that remanded the protesters in detention centers.

The statement, which was personally signed by the AGF, read: “It has just come to my notice that the police have arraigned those arrested in connection with the endbadgovernance violent protest in court for various offences including treason.

“There are some issues my office will need to look into regarding the matter to enable me take an informed decision.

“I am aware that the court has remanded the defendants in detention centres and adjourned the case to January.

“It is not within my power to vary the order of the court remanding the defendants in detention centres and adjourning the case to January.

“I have, however, directed the Nigeria Police to transfer the case-file to my office and hand over same to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) tomorrow, Saturday 2nd November, 2024.

“I have further directed the DPPF to immediately put machinery in motion for consideration of the court to bring the adjournment date forward (an earlier date).”

It will be recalled that police had on Friday, arraigned 72 persons that included minors, before the Federal High Court in Abuja for participating in the recent nationwide protest.

The 10-count charge against the defendants bordered on treason.

Four minors who were cited as defendants in the case collapsed before the charge could be read to them in court, a development that prompted their exclusion from the trial.

News

Nigerian born Badenoch emerges leader of UK’s Conservative Party

Published

6 mins ago

November 2, 2024

Austin Ojomah

Ex-UK secretary of state for international trade Kemi Badenoch on Saturday emerged as the leader of the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom.

Kemi Badenoch, 44, representing North West Essex in the British parliament, contested for the Conservative Party’s leadership on Thursday, October 31.

Badenoch, at the close of voting, in a statement, thanked supporters of her “Renewal2030” campaign promise of returning the party to 10 Downing Street, after a historic loss for Keir Starmer’s Labor Party.

Polls have closed for the Conservative Party leadership contest. I want to thank all our party members who have taken the time to listen to pitches from all of the candidates, turned up to our Hastings and hosted us in your associations and in your homes.

The Conservative Party is much more to me than a membership organization. It is a family. Thank you to all who voted, especially those who supported me,” she wrote. on her X handle.

She will now replace Rishi Sunak who quit after the party’s poor showing in July’s general election.

News

SAD! Uduaghan’s deputy, Prof Amos Utuama is dead.

Published

15 mins ago

November 2, 2024

Austin Ojomah

Prof Utuama, a two-term Deputy Governor, served under the administration of former Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan.

He was born on June 5, 1947, Utuama served as Deputy Governor to former Governor Uduaghan from May 2007 to May 2015.

It was reliably gathered that the ex-Deputy Governor died in Warri at the age of 78 after a protracted illness.

More later…

News

BREAKING: FG Releases Funds For NASU Salaries, Retirees’ Benefits

Published

4 hours ago

November 2, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

After strike, the Federal Government has released funds to settle outstanding salaries owed to members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities and pay benefits to retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme.

In a statement on Saturday by Bawa Mokwa, Director, Press and Public Relations, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation confirmed that payments to NASU members have commenced, with many already confirming receipt.

The statement read, “The Federal Government has released funds for payment of withheld salary of Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities.

According to the OAGF, the Federal Government has also released funds for payment of benefits to retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector.

“The OAGF said payments to the Non-Academic Staff of Federal Universities had commenced and many have confirmed receipt.”

The OAGF reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers and retirees.

On Monday, the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU embarked on an indefinite strike over its four months of withheld salary.

Since then, activities have been grounded in universities across the country.

In an earlier interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the National President of SSANU, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, stated that university executives, including vice-chancellors, bursars, and registrars, did not receive salaries for four months.

He said as a result, the universities would remain completely shut down until the payments were made.