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Edo deputy gov: Again, Shaibu wins at Appeal Court
Edo deputy gov: Again, Shaibu wins at Appeal Court
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on Tuesday, affirmed the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which reinstated the impeached deputy governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu.
Reacting to the development, Shaibu described the decision of the Court of Appeal as a victory for democracy and judiciary.
The appellate court had dismissed the appeal filed before it by the Edo State House of Assembly over the judgement of the lower court, which nullified the impeachment of Shaibu.
Shaibu, who expressed gratitude to God, the people of Edo State and Nigerians, said: “I am grateful to God and to Edo people as well as Nigerians for their prayers. Everywhere I go, people tell me they are praying for me.
“So the prayers of Nigerians have been answered by the dismissal of appeal filed by the State House of Assembly and by the grace of God, I am going to win all the cases against me.
“I am the one that is being oppressed and intimidated by anti-democratic forces. This judgement is victory for democracy and judiciary because the judiciary has become the hope of the oppressed, the common man.
“By the Grace of God, that arm of government will continue to flourish. The victory is for Edo people. I am so excited.
“This is the main case because the Edo State House of Assembly purportedly impeached me. The appeal has been dismissed and I am happy about it.”
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Shaibu’s new party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State also expressed joy over the judgement, noting that the victory was a testament of what it called the insensitivity of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s absolute disregard to due process and the 1999 constitution (as amended).
A press statement by the APC state publicity secretary, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, read, “The APC, Edo State chapter heartily congratulate the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu on his victory in respect of the baseless, unmeritorious appeal filed by the PDP led government and the toothless and ineffectual House of Assembly of Edo State over the resounding judgment of the Federal High Court.
“This victory is a testament of the insensitivity of Governor Godwin Obaseki to due process and absolute regard to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which he swore to uphold.
“The APC Edo state chapter is proud that today, the Deputy Governor of the state has found it worthy to trace his political fame back to the party which has helped to galvanized and repositioned him as an icon of modern democracy which he has doggedly and gallantly fought for in Nigeria.
“While you journey through the remaining part of your tenure as an APC Deputy Governor, the party offers it sincere accolade of support and encouragement to doing that which you are well known for, that is upholding the genuine tenent of democracy which is sacrosanct in civilized climes.
“Once again, the evils of your previous party, the PDP shall not affect your track record of profound political achievements which resonate within and outside Edo state,” he added.
Efforts to get a member of the State House of Assembly to comment on the judgement yielded no result but a top government official said the state government was looking at the judgement and will make a decision on the next action to take.
Edo deputy gov: Again, Shaibu wins at Appeal Court
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
News
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
The Federal Government has defended its decision to borrow to address budget deficits, despite surpassing revenue targets in 2024.
Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu clarified this position during a session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance, Budget, and National Planning. The meeting focused on the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Last week, the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion loan request to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit in the 2024 budget partially.
During the session, key agency heads, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari, Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji, presented their revenue reports.
The agencies reported exceeding their 2024 targets.
- Customs Service: Generated ₦5.352 trillion by September 30, surpassing its ₦5.09 trillion target for the year. For 2025, the agency projects ₦6.3 trillion, with a 10% increase planned for 2026.
- NNPCL: Achieved ₦13.1 trillion in revenue, exceeding the ₦12.3 trillion projection for 2024. Kyari announced a ₦23.7 trillion revenue target for 2025.
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- FIRS: Surpassed multiple tax collection goals, including ₦5.7 trillion from company income tax against a ₦4 trillion target. Education tax collections also exceeded expectations, reaching ₦1.5 trillion compared to a ₦70 billion target.
Overall, ₦18.5 trillion of the ₦19.4 trillion 2024 revenue target had been achieved by September, indicating the goal will be exceeded by year-end.
Despite these surpluses, the government insists borrowing remains essential to cover budget gaps and support vulnerable populations.
Bagudu explained, “Even with agencies exceeding revenue targets, borrowing is necessary to address deficits and boost productivity, particularly for the poorest. This aligns with Agenda 2050, which aims for a GDP per capita of $33,000.”
Edun also reiterated that loans were critical for adequately funding the budget.
The committee, led by Senator Sani Musa, questioned the rationale behind the borrowing and demanded further transparency. The Immigration Service was specifically asked to provide documents regarding an “unacceptable PPP arrangement” before the end of the week.
The session underscored the government’s balancing act between increased revenues and fiscal challenges requiring external borrowing.
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
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