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Edo Govt dares AGF, says LG chairs remain suspended

Published

12 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Governor Monday Okpebholo

Edo Govt dares AGF, says LG chairs remain suspended

The brewing constitutional crisis in Edo State took a dramatic turn on Monday, as Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Edo State House of Assembly insisted on the suspension of all 18 local government chairmen.

On Friday, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo High Court had issued a mandatory injunction, declaring the suspension null and void and restraining the state government and other parties from meddling in local government operations until the substantive case is heard.

President Bola Tinubu’s government had secured a landmark Supreme Court judgment affirming the financial and administrative independence of local councils.

But the gains of Local Government autonomy suffered setback when the Edo State Government masterminded suspension of Local Government chairmen.

The crisis begun when Governor Okpebholo issued a 48-hour ultimatum for local council chairmen to submit their financial statements directly to him.

Following their refusal, the governor petitioned the state assembly to suspend the chairmen, citing “gross misconduct” under Section 10(1) of the Edo State Local Government Law (2000).

The Edo Assembly subsequently suspended the chairmen and their deputies for two months.

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State government officials also contradicted statements from the Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

The AGF recently reaffirmed that only local councillors—not governors or state assemblies—hold the constitutional authority to suspend or remove elected local government officials.

Yet Edo officials, including Barrister Emwanta of the governor’s administrative panel, dismissed this.

Appearing on Channels Television, Emwanta declared that “the Constitution has placed local governments under state control, and that remains the law,” accusing the Supreme Court of overstepping its bounds.

“Financial autonomy is about giving them access; but that does not mean state governments do not have control over how they use that money. The Supreme Court cannot amend the constitution,” he insisted.

Kassim Afegbua, another panel member, took aim at the AGF’s authority.

“Lateef Fagbemi might be the law officer of the federation, but he does not represent the constitution of the country and he does not represent other laws made validly under the provisions of the constitution by the Edo House of Assembly,” he said.

The governor’s spokesperson, Fred Itua, echoed this: “The decisions by the Edo State House of Assembly, vis-a-vis, the Governor of the State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, are entirely justified…It is essential to note that the apex Court is both a court of law and a policy court, and while it has the power to make policy decisions, it cannot exercise this power when the Constitution is clear on a matter.

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“The House of Assembly has the powers to oversight the activities of the Governor, and similarly, the Governor has the right to exercise oversight over local government chairmen. The current constitutional construct recognizes a two-tier federal design. It is clearly stipulated in the Constitution.”

But PDP chieftain, Hon. Ose Anenih, described the unfolding events as “a shocking rebellion against the rule of law and the President’s authority.”

“As a Niger Delta man, I commend President Tinubu’s bold strides toward restructuring, particularly his efforts to strengthen local government autonomy,” Anenih said.

“It is bewildering to see an APC governor—one of his own—leading this insurrection against both the Judiciary and the Presidency. How can a state openly defy a Supreme Court ruling, dismiss the Attorney General’s directives, and undermine the President’s flagship policy? This is an unexplainable affront not just to the rule of law but to the President’s leadership. The Governor’s dance-steps or should I say missteps indicate that there is clearly a drummer hiding in the bushes, with an agenda different from the President’s.”

Anenih warned of the dangers posed by such blatant insubordination, adding: “The Edo State Government is setting a dangerous precedent. When elected officials decide which court orders to obey and which to ignore, we edge closer to anarchy. I appeal to President Tinubu, Chief Fagbemi, the security forces and even the Judiciary to intervene before this crisis spirals out of control. The words and actions of Edo officials are already stoking tensions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.”

Edo Govt dares AGF, says LG chairs remain suspended

Related Topics:AGF Edo govt Featured LG chairs

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Abuja: After pleading guilty, cybercrime suspect begs to change plea

Published

10 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Trends Admin

Abuja: After pleading guilty, cybercrime suspect begs to change plea

There was a mild drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja as a suspect begged to retake his plea after pleading guilty to the two-count charge read to him.

The suspect, Adun Adewale, also known as “Coachbanter,” was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on alleged cybercrime offence against Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the I-G had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2024, sued Adewale as sole defendant.

In the charge filed on Dec. 17 by A.A. Egwu, the defendant was alleged to have, sometime in 2024, intentionally sent video recording by means of computer system and network through his Tiktok username: “@brodabanter_backup_page” and handle “CoachBanter.”

Adewale was alleged to have said in the said video, “Police IG Egbetokun busted for colluding with notorious cartel moving cash from CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) vault via Abuja, Lagos airport.”

The statement he knew to be false, “for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order.”

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The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

In count two, he was also alleged to have sent a video through his Tiktok username accusing Egbetokun of victimising police officers to shield members of a cartel notorious for hauling suspicious new bank notes from the CBN.

The statement, which was said to be false, was contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Upon resumed hearing, the I-G’s counsel, Victor Okoye, told the court that the matter was slated for the arraignment of the defendant and that he was ready to proceed.

After count one was read to Adewale, he pleaded guilty.

When the registrar read count two, the defendant said: “I pleaded guilty with reason.”

“What is the reason?” Justice Nwite asked.

Adewale explained from the dock that he saw the post somewhere and he forwarded it to his page.

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His lawyer, O.A Olaleye, therefore, prayed the court for a stand down in order to confer with his client.

Although Okoye opposed the application, the judge stood down the matter in the interest of justice.

After the court reconvened, Adewale’s lawyer told the court that he had discussion with his client and Adewale told him that he (defendant) did not understand the charge read to him.

Based on this premise, the lawyer prayed the court for the charge to be read again for his client to take his plea.

But Okoye vehemently opposed the application.

He argued that before Adewale took his plea, he was asked if he understood English Language and he responded in affirmative.

The prosecutor said besides, the defendant was represented by a lawyer.

He said the law is clear that when a defendant understands the charge read to him, it does not behove on the lawyer to persuade the defendant to change his plea.

Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until Dec. 30 for the parties to address the court on the position of law in such instance.

Abuja: After pleading guilty, cybercrime suspect begs to change plea

(NAN)

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Eight dead as truck crashes into passenger vehicle in Abia

Published

10 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Trends Admin

Eight dead as truck crashes into passenger vehicle in Abia

Eight people have been confirmed dead while two others were injured in an accident involving a loaded trailer and Sharon Volkswagen vehicle along the Bende-Ohafia Road of Abia State.

The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the crash involved a trailer carrying chippings which hit and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 persons on board in a statement by the Sector Commander, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoma, on Monday in Umuahia.

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According to FRSC, the crash occurred on Sunday along the Mmuri River axis of the road in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.

“At the time of the crash eight persons had died including a woman standing by the roadside and three were injured.

“The injured victims were taken to the hospital while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue,” she said.

Ezeoma said that preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding.

Eight dead as truck crashes into passenger vehicle in Abia

(NAN)

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FG repatriates 403 stranded Nigerian migrants from Niger Republic

Published

10 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Trends Admin

FG repatriates 403 stranded Nigerian migrants from Niger Republic

The federal government has successfully repatriated 403 Nigerian migrants stranded in the Niger Republic, according to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).

The returnees arrived on Saturday, including 165 males, 56 females, and 182 children and infants. Their return was facilitated through a coordinated multi-agency effort involving the Nigerian Mission in Niamey and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

This operation marks the second batch of voluntary returns from the Niger Republic within the week, following the repatriation of 310 individuals on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. In total, 713 Nigerians have been returned to the country in the past week.

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At the reception ceremony, Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, represented by the Kano State Coordinator, Mrs. Lubah Liman, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reintegrating the returnees into various initiatives under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Ahmed praised the seamless collaboration among agencies that ensured the operation’s success.

He highlighted the federal government’s dedication to the safe and dignified return of Nigerians stranded abroad and stressed the importance of multi-agency cooperation in tackling migration challenges.