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Jubril Fatai: Bereaved Family Of Slain Lagos Baale Of Lotu Demands Speedy Justice

Published

2 hours ago

February 6, 2025

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The family of the Baale of the Lotu community in the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Chief Jubril Adebayo Fatai who was brutally killed in a land dispute, has expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in the trial of the suspects involved in the shooting.

The family renewed their call for speedy justice on Thursday, February 6, 2025 while also appealing to Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions to do everything within its power to ensure that the trial is not delayed or influenced and those linked with the gruesome murder of their patriarch are smoked out and made to face justice as soon as possible.

The late chief was allegedly gunned down on July 15, 2023, in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, reportedly in the presence of his wife, Ejiro Jubril, and teenage daughter, during a land dispute.

Media reports had earlier stated that a certain police inspector, Dikko Usman was directly involved in the matter and that the inspector was promptly dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and charged to court for his involvement in the murder.

A report published by PUNCH Metro on August 6, 2024, revealed that an advisory signed by the DPP Deputy Director, Sunmonu Tunde, on behalf of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, also named Omotola Adeboyejo and Wasiu Agbaraojo as suspects to be prosecuted for conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

The advisory read in part, “Facts in the duplicate case file reveal that one Chief Fatai Jubril Asalu was shot at on July 15, 2023, at Museyo community, Ajah, and died as a result of the gunshot injuries to the head as indicated in the Medical Cause of Death Certificate dated August 23, 2023, issued by one Dr. O.O. Onayemi, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

Despite the detailed DPP advisory and court charges listing the suspects, the family expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the case, blaming the DPP for the delay.

The grieving family added, “The case has been stuck in the magistrate court for nearly a year. We understand that only the DPP can transfer it to the high court for a proper hearing. We’ve been pursuing this matter since last year.

“We initially postponed the burial, hoping to get justice first. However, due to the prolonged delay, we had to proceed with the burial in December 2024, especially since the hospital we used has now been converted into a Federal Medical Centre.

“We faced numerous challenges before securing a burial warrant. The case has been left stagnant at the magistrate court, which claimed it was waiting for the DPP. According to our lawyer, only the DPP can instruct the court to transfer the case to the high court.

A family source confirmed that the family feared the brutal murder of the Lotu chief might be overlooked, urging both the public and authorities in the state justice department to step in and ensure justice is served.

He said, “We are afraid this matter will soon be forgotten. My brother was killed in broad daylight, in front of his wife and teenage daughter. What’s stopping them from moving the case to the high court?”

It is recalled that in July 2023, in a rare show of solidarity with the family of the deceased, members of the community including youths, elderly women and men led a protest rally, blocking major arteries of the Ibeju-Lekki express road and bearing placards with different inscriptions such as ‘We want Justice for Asalu,’ I cry for Help.”

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Reps Move to Transform Micheal Okpara University to Conventional University

Published

14 minutes ago

February 6, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

A Bill seeking to transform the already existing Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike into a conventional university, has has passed through second reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday at plenary.

The proposed legislation titled, “Bill seeking for an Act to Establish the Michael Okpara University, Umudike to make Comprehensive Provisions for its Due Management and Administration and for Related Matters,” was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu and six other lawmakers.

Leading the debate on its general principles, one of the co-sponsors, Rep. Kelechi Nwogu recalled that the University was established in November 1992 as a specialised University for Agriculture and related sciences pursuant to the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act, Cap F22, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He said however, that there is need to transform the university into a conventional university to expand its mandate.

According to the lawmaker, a conventional university status would encourage interdisciplinary research, enabling more collaborations between agriculture and other fields such as engineering, health sciences, and social sciences.

Explaining further, He said integrating agricultural studies with engineering could lead to innovations in mechanized farming, while partnerships with health sciences could enhance research into nutritional science and food security.

He expressed optimism that transitioning Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, into a conventional university would bring diversification of academic programs, enhanced research opportunities, increased funding, and improved global recognition.

He said, “As an institution primarily focused on agricultural sciences, MOUAU has already contributed significantly to Nigeria’s agricultural development. However, broadening scope of the university to include diverse disciplines would amplify its impact across multiple domains. Some of the advantages include – One of the most immediate advantages of becoming a conventional university is the ability to offer a wide range of academic programs. Transitioning to a conventional university would allow the institution to introduce programs in fields such as Arts, Medicine, Law, Social Sciences and Humanities. This diversification would attract a larger and more varied student population, ensuring that MOUAU becomes a hub for learners from different academic and cultural backgrounds.

“By offering programs in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and environmental sciences, the university could prepare students for the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. This expanded academic scope would also make the institution more appealing to prospective students who might otherwise choose other universities. Such interdisciplinary research could address complex global challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, and public health crises.

“Conventional universities often have access to a wider range of funding sources compared to specialized institutions. By expanding its academic offerings, MOUAU could attract funding from organizations that support disciplines outside agriculture. For example, grants for research in Technology, Medicine, and Social Sciences could complement existing funding for agricultural studies. (d) Improved Global and Local Recognition: The transition to a conventional university would likely elevate MOUAU’s status in global and local rankings. Universities that offer diverse academic programs are often ranked higher because of their broader impact on education and society.”

Thereafter the Bill was put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who presided over the session, it was passed and referred to the Committee on University Education.

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Parliamentary Oversight of Security Agencies, A Legislative Imperative – Speaker Abbas

Published

25 minutes ago

February 6, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasized the crucial role of parliamentary oversight in ensuring security agencies adhere to the rule of law and uphold human rights.

Speaking at a two-day workshop in Abuja, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Abbas, represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, underscored the legislature’s responsibility in monitoring security institutions to ensure they effectively safeguard citizens.

He stressed that maintaining a balance between security operations and accountability is essential for fostering public trust in government institutions. Given the technical nature of the security sector, he noted that lawmakers must be equipped with the necessary knowledge to scrutinize security activities and align them with national objectives.

Acknowledging Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, Abbas called on lawmakers to leverage their legislative powers to support security agencies in overcoming these issues. He encouraged his colleagues to familiarize themselves with the newly developed legislative oversight manual, which offers guidance on navigating the complexities of security governance.

Additionally, the Speaker urged continuous evaluation of existing oversight mechanisms, advocating for both routine assessments and targeted investigations into security operations to identify and rectify inefficiencies or abuses.

He commended the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for its efforts in strengthening the National Assembly’s institutional capacity and assured that the legislature remains committed to maximizing these resources for national benefit.

He said, “As we are all also aware, Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution empower the National Assembly to conduct investigations into the performance of any individual or body charged with executing laws enacted by this esteemed institution. The words of our Constitution in this respect are clear and unambiguous in subjecting everybody and institution to the control of the peoples’ representatives. By extension, this constitutional mandate therefore places upon us a significant responsibility to ensure that our security agencies operate within the framework of accountability and transparency while safeguarding the lives and properties of our citizens and protecting the territorial integrity of our nation.

“Legislators are not only engaging in debates but are also actively taking legislative actions on a variety of security-related issues. This shift underscores the importance of parliamentary involvement in ensuring that security services operate effectively and within the bounds of law. The oversight of security services is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that these institutions fulfill their primary mandate: to protect the populations they serve. Effective oversight mechanisms help to guarantee that security services adhere to the rule of law and uphold human rights while executing their duties. This balance is essential for maintaining public trust and legitimacy in governmental institutions.

“Our current capacity in this regard falls short; we must bridge this gap if we are to fulfill our constitutional obligations meaningfully. We cannot afford to remain stagnant; we must actively seek out opportunities for education and training that will enhance our understanding of this complex field as our current capacity in this regard falls short of what is needed. To meaningfully fulfill our constitutional obligations, we must bridge this gap. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders involved, ensuring that we are well-prepared to engage with and oversee the security sector effectively.”

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Eha-Amufu College Upgrade: Melubari Confers With Reps Nnamchi, Fulata

Published

2 hours ago

February 6, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Chairman of the Governing Council of Eha-Amufu College of Education, Prince Melubari Akekue, on Wednesday met with Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi and Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata to discuss the Bill for upgrading the college to a University of Education.

The Bill which was being sponsored by Professor Nnamchi, has already passed its second reading in the House and is now awaiting a public hearing to organized by the House Committee on University Education.

Prince Akekue expressed his gratitude to Professor Nnamchi for his support and noted that the upgrade would significantly boost the institution’s intake, which has declined in recent years.

He also sought Professor Nnamchi’s assistance in reviving the Igbo studies department, which is at the risk of being closed due to low enrollment.

In response, Professor Nnamchi offered to establish a scholarship programme for students from his constituency interested in studying Igbo Language at the institution.

The meeting with Hon. Fulata, Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, was also productive, as he pledged to expedite the public hearing process once funds are released by the National Assembly.

This development is a significant step towards enhancing the institution’s status and promoting education in the region. Eha-Amufu College of Education, established in 1981, is a federal government higher education institution located in Enugu State.