News
Zamfara govt succumbs, withdraws orders shutting NTA, FRN, others
Zamfara State Government has withdraw its order shutting down five broadcast stations in the state, with an apology to those affected.
The government had earlier ordered the closure of some media houses in Gusau, the state capital, for providing coverage for a political rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The affected media stations are the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)’s Pride FM, Gamji TV, and FM, Al umma TV.
This is coming after the state governor, Bello Matawalle, had announced a total lockdown in Anka, Bukkuyum and Gummi LGAs of the state following the resurgence of bandit attacks.
Matawalle also ordered the suspension of political meetings and activities in the affected communities.
Speaking on the issue, Abdullahi Shinkafi, chairman of the state committee on prosecution of banditry and related offences, apologised to the media during a press conference on Monday.
Shinkafi said the government was angered by the alleged violation of the executive order.
He said the “illegal political gathering” led to a security breach, adding that “the police has confirmed that one man was shot dead and 18 others injured during the event”.
Shinkafi said the government’s action attracted reactions and criticisms from various organisations and agencies.
He said the government had withdrawn the order given to the commissioner of police to arrest and prosecute personnel seen around the affected media organisations.
He said the government had also withdrawn the security forces deployed in the media houses to allow the personnel to resume their work.
He urged the media organisations and all journalists to respect the state laws and support the government in its effort to tackle banditry and kidnapping.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), on Monday, described the closure of the stations as “unlawful” and “unconstitutional”.
President and General Secretary of the NGE, Mustapha Isah and Iyobosa Uwugiaren, respectively said no state government had the right to shut any media house.
“While the NGE doesn’t even want to go into the illegality of the ban on political activities in that state, our primary concern here is the unlawful and unconstitutional action of the state governor against the affected stations for carrying out their constitutional and social obligations – of reporting events and keeping the citizens informed of political developments in the state,” the NGE said.
“In fact, the shut stations would have been accused of unprofessional misconduct if they didn’t cover that rally. We are also encouraged by the fact that the regulatory agency of broadcasting, the NBC, has also condemned the unlawful action of Governor Bello Matawalle.
“The media reserves the right to cover all events, whether or not they are banned. No state government reserves the right to shut down any media house, in spite of their perceived infractions.”
News
Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality
Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality
The Supreme Court has dismissed the suit by 16 states challenging the constitutionality of the acts establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and two others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the other agencies are the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
In the lead judgment by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court resolved the six issues raised for determination in the suit against the plaintiffs.
The court held that the laws establishing the anti-corruption agencies were validly enacted by the National Assembly within its legislative competence.
It faulted the claim by the plaintiffs that the EFCC Act, being a product of the United Nations convention on corruption, ought to be ratified by majority of the state houses of assembly.
Delivering judgement on Friday, Justice Abba-Aji ruled that “the EFCC Act, which was not established from a treaty but a convention, does not need the ratification of the houses of assembly.”
News
Executive Secretary FCDA Hadi Ahmad suspended indefinitely
Executive Secretary FCDA Hadi Ahmad suspended indefinitely
Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, has been suspended indefinitely.
His suspicion was on the order of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister, Lere Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday evening.
No reason was given for the suspension.
Ahmad was directed to hand over to the Director, Engineering Services in the FCDA.
The statement read: “The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, has been suspended indefinitely.
“According to a statement on Thursday, by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, the suspension of Engr Hadi Ahmad is with immediate effect.
“The suspended Executive Secretary has consequently been directed to hand over to the Director of Engineering Services, Engr in the FCDA.”
News
Just in: Rivers, Anambra high court judges suspended for one year
Just in: Rivers, Anambra high court judges suspended for one year
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended two state high court for over acts of professional misconduct.
The NJC named the affected judges as Justice G. C Aguma of the High Court of Rivers State and Justice A.O Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court.
They were both suspended for the period of one year without pay and thereafter placed on watch list for two years.
The decision was taken at the 107th Meeting of the NJC chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun on 13 and 14 November 2024.
A total of five serving judicial officers were sanctioned for various acts of misconduct.
The Council also recommended two Heads of Court for compulsory retirement over falsification of age.
The duo of the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, were recommended for compulsory retirement for falsification of their ages.
The Council considered the Report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, empanelled six committees for further investigation.
Twenty-two cases were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were sub judice.
The Council also empanelled a committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.
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