Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 21st August, 2024
1. Tinubu Sets Up Portal To Screen Government-sponsored Delegates For COP 29
President Bola Tinubu has taken a fresh step to ensure that the delegation of the Nigerian government to the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Azerbaijan is not bloated.
To achieve this aim, President Tinubu has directed the establishment of a new portal to streamline the number of government-sponsored delegates for the conference.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, during a briefing at the State House on Tuesday.
Ngelale explained that the newly launched platform, called the Climate Accountability and Transparency Portal, is expected to save Nigeria over ₦10 billion during the 11-day conference.
He said the portal will ensure that only delegates directly involved in climate-related activities are sponsored by the government.
The portal will be developed in collaboration with the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), headed by Director-General Nkiruka Maduekwe. It will serve as a transparent platform, listing all government-sponsored attendees from various ministries, departments, agencies, and the legislative branch.
2. FG Forms 10-Member Committee To Implement Supreme Court Ruling On LG Autonomy
The Federal Government has established a 10-member committee tasked with enforcing the Supreme Court’s ruling on July 11, 2024, which granted financial autonomy to Local Governments across Nigeria.
This was revealed on Tuesday in Abuja by Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information & Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
According to Imohiosen, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who inaugurated the Inter-Ministerial Committee, will serve as its chair.
The committee members include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; the Accountant General of the Federation; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance; the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission; a representative of state governors; and a representative of local governments.
3. NLC President, Ajaero Turns Down Police Invitation, Gives Reason
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has turned down the invitation from the Nigeria Police Force.
Ajaero, on Tuesday, explained that he turned down the invitation due to other engagements.
The NLC President revealed his stand through a letter from his lawyers, Falana and Falana Chambers.
Naija News had earlier reported that the Nigeria Police Force summoned Ajaero over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime.
However, a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police by Ajaero’s lawyers said the invitation came late.
4. Court Orders Yahaya Bello To Surrender Himself For Arraignment
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to produce himself for arraignment.
Naija News recalls that Bello has been embroiled in a prolonged legal dispute with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, regarding his arraignment.
The EFCC subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest, declaring him wanted, after repeatedly failing to comply with court orders to surrender himself for arraignment.
However, Bello, in a letter through his team of lawyers led by Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, requested that since he was alleged to have committed the offence when he was the state governor, it is proper for the case to be held in Kogi State.
He maintained that only the Lokoja Division of the high court has the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the allegations raised against him by the EFCC.
In a unanimous judgment by Justice Ken Amadi on Tuesday, the court restrained Bello from taking further steps in the charge unless he is arraigned.
The court also allowed the appeal filed by the EFCC against the judgment of Hon. Justice Isah Abdullahi Jamil of the Kogi State High Court in a fundamental rights case filed by Bello in February 2024.
The court found that the appeal by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, on behalf of the EFCC is meritorious and described as scandalous the judgment of the lower court when it held that the purpose of the case instituted at the trial Court was to shield the Yahaya Bello from his criminal trial.
5. Stop Colluding With Wike, APC To Destroy The Party – Edwin Clark Fires PDP National Chairman, Damagum
National leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, has accused the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Illiya Damagum, of colluding with enemies to destroy the party.
Clark, in a letter on Tuesday, addressed to Damagum, particularly accused the acting PDP National Chairman of colluding with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to work for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in destroying the PDP.
The Ijaw leader also faulted the reconciliation committee set up by the PDP leadership.
According to him, Damagum himself is at fault for taking the party’s NWC to court on the defection of the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The elder statesman also specifically called for the expulsion of Wike from the party, saying the FCT Minister is not above the law.
6. NLC Threatens Nationwide Shutdown Should Police Arrest, Detain Joe Ajaero
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) leadership has warned that it is prepared to embark on a fresh strike across the country in response to any attempt to arrest or detain its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by operatives of the Nigeria Police.
Naija News reports that this declaration was made at the union’s headquarters on Tuesday morning, following an immediate emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) to deliberate on the police’s request to invite the NLC President in light of allegations concerning the financing of terrorism.
During the meeting, the NEC decided that Ajaero would accept the police’s invitation but emphasized the necessity for the union’s legal counsel to request additional time for Ajaero to be presented before the law enforcement authorities.
Deputy President of the NLC, Comrade Ado Kabiru Sani, has urged the nation’s workforce to be prepared for further instructions if the police’s actions do not align with the union’s expectations regarding Ajaero’s detention.
7. Court Of Appeal Rules Philip Shaibu Remains Edo State Deputy Governor
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has dismissed the appeal filed by the Edo State House of Assembly, thereby affirming that Comrade Philip Shaibu remains the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
The appellate court upheld the earlier ruling by the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified Shaibu’s impeachment and ordered his immediate reinstatement.
This development follows Shaibu’s controversial impeachment on April 8 by the Edo State House of Assembly, where he was accused of perjury and leaking government secrets.
However, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had ruled that the impeachment process did not follow due process, and as a result, ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement to his position.
In its decision, the Court of Appeal warned that any person aside from Shaibu who attempts to parade themselves as the Deputy Governor of Edo State would face legal consequences.
Additionally, the court set aside the appointment of Omobayo Godwins, who had been named as Shaibu’s replacement following the impeachment.
The court also directed the Inspector General of Police to provide Shaibu with the necessary security to ensure he resumes his duties as the Deputy Governor of Edo State until the end of his tenure.
8. FG Considers Out-Of-Court Settlement With Onnoghen Over Removal As CJN
The Federal Government has expressed its intention to resolve the legal dispute involving former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, amicably.
Onnoghen, who was removed from office in 2019 after being convicted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on charges of false asset declaration, is challenging the decision through an appeal filed with the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
Tijjani Gazali, counsel representing the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), revealed the government’s stance during a court hearing on Tuesday.
Gazali, who serves as an acting director of civil litigation at the Ministry of Justice, informed the court that efforts were being made to resolve the issues raised by Onnoghen through dialogue rather than prolonged litigation.
Onnoghen, who was present in court, is seeking to overturn the CCT’s judgment, arguing that he was denied a fair hearing and that the tribunal chairman was biased.
He also contends that the National Judicial Council (NJC) is the only body with the authority to discipline a judicial officer, not the CCT.
Gazali explained that the case file had only recently been transferred to the Ministry of Justice following the death of the former counsel handling the matter, Aliyu Umar, in 2020.
As a result, he requested an adjournment to allow time for proper briefing.
Onnoghen’s counsel, Chris Uche, did not oppose the adjournment but urged the court to expedite the hearing.
9. They No Longer Supply Us – IPMAN Blames NNPCL For Petrol Scarcity
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has blamed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the current fuel scarcity affecting many cities in Nigeria.
IPMAN, through the chairman of the Ore Depot, Shina Amoo, submitted on Tuesday that the NNPCL failed to supply petrol to its members.
Amoo said the failure of the NNPCL to make the product available is responsible for the scarcity of petrol across the nation. He added that the national oil company, as the sole importer of petroleum products, has not provided sufficient supplies to IPMAN for the past three years, leading to a dire situation for its members.
Naija News reports the IPMAN official made the allegation during his appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief.
It would be recalled that the NNPCL had, through its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said the current fuel scarcity was caused by distribution challenges and the scarcity would be resolved by mid-week as the company was making efforts to resolve the situation.
However, Amoo lamented that the NNPCL has been sidelining IPMAN in favour of other groups such as DAPPMAN and MEMAN which has made its members turn to private depots for supply.
He said previously, it took a week to load products, but now, the process drags on for three to five months.
10. Nigeria’s Future Lost If PDP Loses Rivers – Wabara
The chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has opined that Nigeria’s future is lost if the party loses Rivers State.
Naija News reports that Wabara made this known amid the crisis rocking the Rivers chapter of the party, especially between the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor and Minsiter of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Speaking on Tuesday when the PDP BoT members visited Fubara at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Wabara said the members were in the oil-rich state in search of peace and unity of the PDP.
The former Senate President expressed concern that the party might lose Rivers State if they are not careful.
According to him, if that indeed happens, then the future of Nigeria will be truly lost, with no abiding hope in Nigerians anymore.
Wabara further applauded Fubara for his resilience and wisdom despite the crisis rocking the party leadership in the state.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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