Nedu Echianu's Blog

A Federal High Court in Owerri on Monday sacked the member-elect for Nkwerre/Nwangele/Njaba/Isu federal constituency of Imo State, Ugonna Ozurigbo. Ozurigbo had, last Wednesday, resigned his position as the Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly. Justice P.A. Rigime, who delivered the judgment, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a Certificate of Return to Kingsley Echendu of the Peoples Democratic Party. Neither PDP nor its candidate was a party to the suit. The court said that Harrison Nwadike, who is the plaintiff, was the “rightful winner” of the All Progressives Congress primary election in the federal constituency. Nwadike had taken his party, APC, and INEC to court over the submission of Ozurigbo’s name as the candidate of the party. Nwadike, who prayed the court to declare him as the APC’s rightful candidate, contended that automatic tickets were unknown to the Constitution. The court, in its judgment, agreed with the petit

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja signed the 2019 Appropriation Bill of N8.92 trillion. The president submitted the budget of N8.83trillion to the Senate but it was increased by about N90 billion by the Upper House, bringing the amount to N8.92trillion. The dignitaries who witnessed the ceremony at the mini-conference hall of the president’s office, included the Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives,Yakubu Dogara. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari also witnessed the signing of the budget. Others at the event were the ministers of Finance (Zainab Ahmed), Budget and National Planning (Udoma Udo Udoma), Information and Culture (Lai Mohammed) and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen. Danjuma Goje, The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang and his counterpart

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Monday described children as Nigeria’s most important treasure as a nation. Saraki in a message to mark the 2019 Children’s Day, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, felicitated with Nigerian children and urged leaders at all levels to recommit to the continuous empowerment of the Nigerian child.  “Today, our nation celebrates its future — our children; our most important national treasure.,” Saraki said. “As we do so, we recommit ourselves to ensuring that all Nigerian children are empowered to aspire to achieve greatness. “On this Children’s Day 2019, we remember Leah Sharibu, and all other young Nigerian children who will be commemorating this symbolic day without their loved ones. We commit them into our prayers, and continue to call for their unequivocal release.” He noted that the 8th National Assembly worked assiduously to provide for primary healthcare fund in the budget as well

This Zambian lady says so much about Nigerian men that will make us (Nigerian men) blush, take a look...

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu has confirmed that the commission is currently investigating the Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha.  Magu said although the information is already in the media, that what is known about the case in the media is a very sketchy detail compared to what the commission has.  According to him, the commission is being careful not to divulge the details so as not to jeopardise or interfere with the process of the inquiry.  Magu gave the confirmation during an interview with Channels Television in the United Kingdom. While responding to a question on whether the commission was investigating the Imo state Governor.  Vanguard

Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered that upcoming musician, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, be remanded in prison custody. The judge made the remand order on Monday morning shortly after the musician was arraigned before him on 11 counts, bordering on credit card fraud. Naira Marley had pleaded not guilty to the cyber fraud charges pressed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The judge adjourned till May 30 to take the bail application filed by the defence counsel, Taiwo Oreagba, on behalf of his client.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has clarified that none of its staff was involved or arrested in the suspected fraudulent ATM transaction involving some alleged swindlers and workers in a filling station located at Kubwa, on the outskirts of Abuja. The NNPC in a release by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ndu Ughamadu, explained that the station in question was engaged to NNPC Retail, its downstream subsidiary, on cash-and- carry basis which meant that the company paid for products before supply was made to the station. The Corporation noted that by the nature of its contractual terms with the company, the firm operated the station with its Staff independently stating that the workers of the station arrested in the said transaction were not staff of the Corporation. On the reported fraudulent transfer of the sum of N950, 000 by the suspects to NNPC Account, the Corporation said it was impossible to effect such transfer since all sale

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has lauded the Super Falcons for lifting the 2019 WAFU Cup following their soul-lifting display in the finals of the game last Saturday in Abidjan.   Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, said the country cannot but be proud about the patriotism and resilience of its female national team.  He stated that even though the victory came after a hard fight, the Super Falcons have once again re-enacted their dominance in the sub-region.  “Your courage, discipline, team spirit and above all, patriotism have brought joy and fulfillment to all football lovers across the country. “You have done us proud by remaining a source of inspiration to the younger generation. You have amply demonstrated once again that any worthy goal is achievable if pursued with focus, zeal, commitment and organization. Your success is our success. Congratulations!” While commending the c

Nigeria’s 36 governors have risen against new financial regulations which seek to end their control of local government finances. Governors, under the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), however, said they were angered by the new directive which they described as unconstitutional. In a statement by NGF’s head of media, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, on Sunday, the governors said the agency is going beyond its brief. The statement said the governors have sent a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, seeking his intervention. The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, signed off the letter in which governors expressed “dismay and angst at this brazen attempt by the NFIU to ridicule our collective integrity and show total disregard for the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended.” The NFIU, which was excised from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), set June 1, 2019, as the takeoff date of the new order. The ord

Outgoing Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, said on Monday that he had grown wiser politically, having spent four years in office. Ambode was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to pay what he called, ‘Thank you visit’ to President Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari had visited Lagos last month to inaugurate some projects initiated by the Ambode administration. Ambode had lost his re-election bid after he failed to win the primaries of his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress, last year. Political forces in Lagos State were said to have opted for the eventual winner, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who went ahead to win the governorship election last March. Responding to a question on lessons he learnt in office, Ambode stated, “You see, every politician learns every day. “The fact remains that I came in as a technocrat, so I used to call myself a techno-politician. But I think I am wiser now. “I am more of a politician than a technocrat.”

The African Action Congress has announced the suspension of its National Chairman and presidential candidate in the 2019 general election, Omoyele Sowore; and eight others, including its Deputy National Chairman (South West), Ogunlana Rotimi Jacob, for a period of six months over alleged anti-party activities. Consequently, Dr. Leonard Ezenwa, erthswhile National Secretary has been appointed acting National Chairman, while Abayomi Francis Olufemi has been named Deputy National Chairman. A member of the AAC National Executive Committee, Mazi Okwy Ibeh, who read the resolution of the party to journalists in Abuja, premised the party’s decision against Sowore, Publisher of Saharareporters; and his executive, on alleged anti-party activities, corruption and failure to call for the statutory national Executive Committee Meeting. He said the allegation bordered “particularly on inflow of illegal foreign funds into the party and personally retaining same in contravention of Section 2

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has announced that he would not seek re-election into the Senate in 2023, noting that God had been kind to him, raising him to address enormous challenges faced by his people. He spoke on Sunday at an event to mark his 57th birthday and to appreciate God and his constituents for his re-election and triumphs. Ekweremadu recalled how he became the Chairman of his age grade association at age 10, and served as President-General of Mpu Town Union, pioneer elected Chairman of Aninri LGA, Chief of Staff of Enugu Government House, Secretary to Enugu State Government, fourth term Senator, third term Deputy President of the Senate, and the first Nigerian Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament”. He, however, observed that it had not been all rosy as he had also faced serious political challenges and persecutions. “We are assembled here today to mark the awesomeness of God in my life and to thank you all for standing by me over yet

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has asked workers to disregard the call by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for a one- day national protest on Monday.  Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige Ngige made the call in a statement issued by Mr Nwachukwu Obidewe, his Special Assistant on Media, in Abuja on Friday, saying the directive by the NLC President, Mr Ayuba Waba, that workers protest on Monday, May 13, 2019, was unlawful.  “The calling out of workers on a flimsy and selfish excuse of non-inauguration of the board of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) with Comrade Frank Kokori as the Chairman did not constitute a trade dispute as contained in the Labour Act.  “The issue in question is political. It is about the exclusive right of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make an appointment. “This is clearly outside the purview of the Trade Union and Trade Disputes Act, hence imperative for workers to go about their norm

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will,  on June 11, re-arraign a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, and two others charged with N650 million fraud. Akinjide and the others will appear before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court in Lagos. She was first arraigned on Jan. 16, 2018, before Justice Sule Hassan alongside two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ayo Adeseun and Olarenwaju Otiti, on an amended 24-count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering. They, however, pleaded not guilty, and were granted bail. Trial began before Hassan, with witnesses testifying, but midway, the case was transferred to Aneke. When the case came up on Friday before Aneke, the defendants mounted the dock. Messrs Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), O.F.A Adeosun and Akinola Oladeji appeared for the first, second and third defendants, respectively, while Mr U.U. Buhari announced appearance for the prosecution. Ayorinde prayed t

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A MEETING OF THE CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE (CWC) OF NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC) HELD ON THURSDAY 9th MAY, 2019 AT THE AUDITORIUM OF PASCAL BAFYAU LABOUR HOUSE, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, ABUJA An emergency meeting of the Central Working Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress comprising all the Presidents and General Secretaries of the affiliate unions of the Nigeria Labour Congress and members of the National Administrative Council of the Congress held on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Labour House, Abuja. The meeting reviewed the circumstances surrounding the recalcitrance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, to inaugurate the board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) after the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to do so, and entreaties from the Organised Labour to inaugurate. The meeting reviewed the decision of the Congress Delegates Conference – the highest decision-making organ of the NLC – in February

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Friday struck out four appeals filed by ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in relation to his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal. The three-man bench led by Justice Stephen Adah, in the four unanimous judgments, held that three of the appeals had become academic since the trial had been concluded by the CCT. One of the appeals was ruled to be incompetent. But delivering judgment on the appeal challenging the January 23, 2019 ex parte order made by the CCT for the suspension of the ex-CJN, Justice Adah, who read the lead judgment, held that the order was issued in breach of the appellant’s right to fair hearing. President Buhari had acted on the order to suspend Onnoghen and had sworn in Justice Tanko Muhammad as the acting CJN on January 26. Justice Adah noted that the order was not only made when the defendant had yet to be arraigned before the CCT, but it was also obtained in a manner “shrouded in sec

`Game of Thrones’ actress, Sophie Turner, is set to take her husband’s name and will be addressed as Sophie Jonas. Turner got married to Joe Jonas on May 1 at Nevada, Las Vegas. According to Pop Sugar Magazine, their marriage certificate states that Turner wishes to use the name, Sophie Belinda Jonas, but she will continue to use her initial surname ‘Turner’ for now. “With this, Turner will join her sisters-in-law, Priyanka Chopra and Danielle Jonas, when she swaps surnames. Priyanka took Jonas as her surname after marrying Nick in 2018 and Danielle followed suit in 2009 after marrying Kevin. Although Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas got married on May 1, they are still planning to have an official ceremony in France during summer. NAN

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex and wife of Prince Harry, has been delivered of a baby boy. The duchess had the baby on Monday at 14:45 GMT. “I’m just over the moon,” the new father, Harry, said. “Meghan and baby are doing well,” he added. Noting that the royal couple had yet to determine which names to give their newborn, Harry celebrated Meghan, exulting, “I’m incredibly proud of my wife.”

The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Saturday said he defeated and retired four political godfathers in Kaduna State, saying the feat could be replicated anywhere, including Lagos State. El-Rufai, who argued that godfathers existed only on paper or in the minds of the people, said the key to defeating them was in going directly to the people. He, however, admitted that defeating godfathers required time and hard work. The Kaduna State Governor spoke in Ikoyi, Lagos, at an event organised by the Bridge Club tagged, “An evening with His Excellency Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State.” In his main speech, El-Rufai had encouraged the club members, who are businessmen, not to shy away from politics, saying it was more important than making money as bad politics could mess up their businesses. El-Rufai said Nigeria had permanently remained a country of potential because good and competent people had distanced themselves from politics. However, du

Nigerian Celebrity Couple, Patrick and Ireti Doyle are officially back together. The broadcaster made this known on Monday via an emotional note he shared on his Instagram handle@#Patrick Doyle on Monday promising to make up for all his mistakes. “I have been more undeserving of the affection of this uncommon woman. “Have I taken her love for granted,you bet I have why? because like most men,I am prone to being a jerk. ”I cannot count how many times she has had to pick up the slack when I failed in my duties as a husband and father. ‘She has a great sense of responsibility,the rock of our family. “Without a doubt,she’s the most generous woman I know,a dependable friend,a loyal Ally and the most loving and sensual woman ever”he wrote. Patrick wrote that he had  been less than worthy of her affection lately  and was deservedly put in the proverbial ‘dog house” “As usual,she has with compassion released me from the dog house and reinstate me as Master of their home”,he

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja has warned that Nigeria's leaders are making the country "uninhabitable", causing young people to migrate illegally to Europe. Cardinal John Onaiyekan said that if he were the president he would resign. He criticised officials for focusing only on their own lives - building mansions and travelling the world. The 75-year-old cleric said he felt ashamed when he saw trafficked Nigerian women soliciting on the streets of Rome and other Italian cities. Cardinal Onaiyekan was speaking to the media ahead of a church gathering to address migration, taking place in the Nigerian capital on Tuesday. There are huge risks involved in making the journey to Europe across the Mediterranean In February, President Muhammadu Buhari won re-election in Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer where about a quarter of the working age population is unemployed. Many thousands of Nigerians have attempted the dangerous journey across the Sahara

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has urged Nigerians to stand united in prayers in the Holy month of Ramadan. He said the nation’s challenges, though many, were surmountable if prayers and the right attitudes were applied. Ekweremadu made the call in his goodwill message to the Muslim Umah at the start of Ramadan Fast. He said: “At Ramadan, let the nation unite in prayer, for the spirit of unity, love, forgiveness, justice, and peaceful co-existence to prevail in the nation, for with these, we can easily surmount other challenges. “Importantly, I urge our Muslim brothers and sisters to also offer special prayers for members of our armed forces and security agencies, who are grappling with enormous security challenges at the moment”. He wished the Muslim faithful a spiritually rewarding month of Ramadan.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has recovered 214 landed properties in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Kogi, Adamawa, Oyo states and in different cities across the country between 2015 and 2018. The real estate was recovered from over 70 individuals and seven firms who were prosecuted for various financial crimes, including money laundering. A breakdown of the recoveries showed that 179 properties were recovered through interim forfeiture court orders. Thirty-five of the properties have been finally forfeited to the commission while two, including a hotel belonging to Ima Niboro, former spokesman to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, were returned voluntarily. Other prominent Nigerians who lost their properties through court forfeiture orders include a former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke; ex-National Security Adviser, Dasuki Sambo; former minister, Iyorchia Ayu; the late Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh and a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Ma

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has expressed anguish over the death of the Mother of Senator Dino Melaye, Deaconess Comfort Melaye, who he  described as a worthy matriarch who bequeathed her generation with Godly and respectable children. Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the late Madam Melaye would be remembered for her philanthropy, good nature and exemplification of the core Christian values. He urged Senator Melaye and all members of his family to take solace in the fact that their mother lived a good life and left a legacy of true and humane values in all her children.  Saraki said: “On behalf of my family and the entire 8th Senate, my heart goes out to Senator Dino Melaye and his family in this moment of grief.  “I pray that the Almighty grants our departed mother eternal rest, and her family and loved ones, the strength and fortitude to bear this significant loss.”

Comfort Melaye, the mother of the lawmaker representing Kogi West senatorial district, Senator Dino Melaye, is dead. The lawmaker announced the death of his mother on Twitter on Thursday night. Melaye did not, however, give details of the death. He wrote, “With total submission to the will of the Almighty God, I on behalf of the Melaye’s announce the passing into Glory of our beloved mother. “Deconess Comfort Melaye. We thank God for Godly life she lived. I love you my mother and Friend. We shall surely meet again. “You are still alive because you live in me. I know you will never leave me my dependable mother, sister and best friend. “You were more than just a mother. You gave your tomorrow for my today. Mummy the cloud is without form, but I take solace in the fact that we shall see again.” Daily Post