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NASS must urgently effect LG autonomy — Ahmad Lawan

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Former President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan

NASS must urgently effect LG autonomy — Ahmad Lawan

A former president of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, has said that local government financial autonomy is a must.

This is as he urged the 10th National Assembly to as a matter of urgency effect judgment by the Supreme Court on local government financial autonomy.

Mr Lawan made the call during the 10th Senate retreat of the committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution taking place in Kano.

He said the local government are currently in comatose and must be resuscitated, noting that their non functional system could be attributed to the current level of insecurity in the country.

According to him, “I believe the Local Government financial autonomy is a must. The Supreme Court gave a judgment. This 10th National Assembly should give effect to that judgment. States should mind their business and deal with resources that are purely theirs.

“Our Local Government must be resuscitated. At the moment, they are in comatose, collapsed and completely docile and inefficient. In fact, in many states they don’t even exist in practical sense.

“And many of us could attribute the present level of insecurity in Nigeria to the collapse of local government system in Nigeria. Give them the opportunity to serve. If we feel the capacity is not there, let our Professors, present lawmakers and others who deserve to work for a local government should go back and serve at that level if that will make things go better,” Lawan said.

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He also advocated that constitutional roles be assigned to the traditional leaders or monarchs to find lasting solutions to issue of security bedeviling the country.

According to him, “I believe that our royal fathers have roles to play, especially when it comes to dealing with the security issues across the country. I don’t think we are realistic. We appear we just call them or address them and say we have issues please go and help. Can’t we give them the advisory role, official or formal role that will make them do better and even hold them accountable,” the former Senate President, Senator Lawan said.

Speaking while declaring the retreat open, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin cautioned the committees members of the constitution amendment to be very careful in their decision which should reflect the best interest of all Nigerians.

According to Jibrin, the committee would sincerely work in synergy with stakeholders to make sure the outcome of the exercise meet the yearning and aspirations of the people of the country.

He vowed to work with critical stakeholders including executive arm of government, state governors and state assemblies to come up with a robust report to be presented to the Senate for further actions.

“The Senate is ready to come up with a report, bearing in mind that any decision taken would have bearing on Nigerians,” he said.

Mr Jibrin said decisions taken by the committee would have positive effect on Nigerians and generations to come.

Earlier, the chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin reiterated it call for prompt transmission of the National Assembly’s resolution on the proposed amendments to the State Houses of Assembly to allow it to effectively fulfill it responsibilities.

NASS must urgently effect LG autonomy — Ahmad Lawan

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Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality

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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.”

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Executive Secretary FCDA Hadi Ahmad suspended indefinitely

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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.”

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Just in: Rivers, Anambra high court judges suspended for one year

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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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