Tinubu didn’t authorise my dismissal – Sacked UNIZIK VC – Newstrends
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Tinubu didn’t authorise my dismissal – Sacked UNIZIK VC

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Bernard Odoh

Tinubu didn’t authorise my dismissal – Sacked UNIZIK VC

Bernard Odoh has broken his silence on his removal from office as the vice-chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU) in Anambra State.

Odoh had emerged as the seventh substantive vice-chancellor of the university on 29 October.

However, his appointment, recruitment processes and academic profile were greeted by controversies which prompted his dismissal.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu sacked Odoh as the university’s vice-chancellor on Wednesday, 20th of November.

Tinubu also dissolved the university’s Governing Council for “illegally” appointing “an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.”

Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to Mr Tinubu on Information and Strategy, announced the dissolution in a statement on Wednesday.

The director of the Federal Ministry of Education’s press and public relations unit, Boriowo Folashade also announced the sacking of the vice-chancellor and the dissolution of the institution’s Governing Council in a separate statement on Wednesday.

But, reacting in a statement on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Charles Otu, Mr Odoh suggested that Mr Tinubu did not authorise his removal and the dissolution of the Governing Council.

“Already, the greatest question mark on the integrity of the purported letter is the fact that it never emanated from the President or Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation who issued the council members with appointment letters.

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“It was rather strangely endorsed, not by a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, perhaps on behalf of the Honourable Minister, but by a Public Relations Director. This obviously casts strong doubts on the genuineness and intents of the said letter,” he stated.

The university professor was replying to the press statement from the education ministry even as Mr Onanuga, the special adviser to Mr Tinubu on Information and Strategy, also issued a similar statement.

Mr Odoh claimed that the ministry was engaging in an alleged usurpation of powers, given that only President Tinubu has the power to sack him or dissolve the Governing Council.

He stressed that it was improper for the ministry to accuse the Governing Council of breaching procedures and lawful directives without formally inviting them for questioning regarding the appointment of the vice-chancellor.

He contended that despite a “mountain of evidence,” the ministry had continued to insist that the “council unilaterally appointed” him as the vice-chancellor of the institution.

Mr Odoh also said some lawsuits challenging his emergence as vice-chancellor were still pending at the National Industrial Court in Awka and that the ministry announced his sack even when the court was yet to deliver its judgement.

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“Why is the ministry now desperately trying to also usurp the powers of the courts of competent jurisdictions in our land before whom are multiple lawsuits on this matter by running into a conclusion without evidence?

“Even when the vice-chancellor has made his academic credentials public, why is the ministry still referring to him as ‘unqualified?’” he said.

He stressed that contrary to the ministry’s claim, there had not been any crisis in the university.

“It can even be safe to conclude that the Ministry, ostensibly working for some fifth columnists, may want to ignite or spark crises with its highly dictatorial treatise,” he said.

‘You violated the university’s Act’
Mr Odoh accused the education ministry of violating the extant provisions of the University’s Act by announcing his removal for a second time.

“Top among the many other flaws in the purported ‘sack letter’ is the fact that even the Council’s Chairman, who was duly appointed with a letter, has not been officially or formally communicated about this purported dissolution,” he said.

The sacked vice-chancellor suggested that despite his removal, he would not vacate office until the court ruled otherwise.

“We would wish to maintain that hence parties have remained in court, let the issues be expeditiously tested and established by the relevant provisions of our laws,” he said.

“The general public and particularly members of the university community are advised to go about their lawful and legitimate businesses as they have always maintained.”

Tinubu didn’t authorise my dismissal – Sacked UNIZIK VC

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Lagos to shut Independence Bridge-Marina road for two months, divert traffic

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Lagos to shut Independence Bridge-Marina road for two months, divert traffic

 

Lagos State Government says it will shut and divert traffic for emergency repairs on the Independence/Mekwen Bridge (inbound Marina/CMS route) for two months.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the emergency repair of the bridge would take place from Wednesday March 19 to Monday May 26, 2025.

He said the section of the road from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) through Bonny Camp Bridge down to Independence Bridge would be closed to vehicular movement.

“Similarly, the Bonny Camp Underpass Bridge service lane inbound Independence Bridge would not be available for motorists.

However, the service lane from Ahmadu Bello Way to Ozumba Mbadiwe will be open to traffic,” the statement read.

“Motorists heading to Victoria Island from Ahmadu Bello Way are advised to use Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue inbound Akin Adesola Street, and proceed to Falomo Roundabout, then link Obafemi Awolowo Road to access Ring Road to continue their journeys.

“Motorists from Ahmadu Bello Way heading to 3rd Mainland Bridge should go through Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue inbound Akin Adesola Street, then link Alfred Rewane Road to Osborne Road, and connect to Ring Road to reach their destinations.

“Motorists heading to Inner Marina and CMS from Ahmadu Bello Way will be diverted to Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue inbound Akin Adesola Street to connect Falomo Roundabout, then link Obafemi Awolowo Road to access J.K. Randle Road/King George V Road to reach their desired destinations.”

According to the commissioner, motorists heading to Ahmadu Bello Way from Inner Marina/CMS will have through-traffic access.

Osiyemi said the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will manage traffic flow along the affected routes for the duration of the project.

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Ex-England star John Fashanu sues police for £100k after arrest in Nigeria

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Ex-England star John Fashanu sues police for £100k after arrest in Nigeria

Former England international John Fashanu is suing Nigerian police for £100,000 after his arrest on multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy, threat to life, intimidation, and trespassing.

The 62-year-old denies the allegations, which stem from a land dispute involving investors who agreed to pay over £500,000 for his 22-acre plot.

According to The Mirror, Fashanu was arrested after questioning contractors building a fence on his land.

Fashanu claims he, his wife Vivian, and their lawyer were subjected to “arrest, detention and inhuman treatment” for “about three hours” on December 16.

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He further alleged police violated his rights with “subsequent intermittent constraints of his personal liberty” and a “gross unconstitutional violation.”

His lawyer, Mr. Chigbu, confirmed, “All three have perfected their bail conditions. They have all met the requirements to be admitted on administrative bail by police.”

John Fashanu, who played for Norwich City, Wimbledon, and Aston Villa, was a key figure in Wimbledon’s 1988 FA Cup triumph and earned two England caps.

 

Ex-England star John Fashanu sues police for £100k after arrest in Nigeria

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DSS, NIA probe Natasha Akpoti’s attendance at IPU meeting

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

DSS, NIA probe Natasha Akpoti’s attendance at IPU meeting

Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies have launched an investigation into how Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central attended the recent Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York without official nomination.

According to a report by Premium Times, officials from the Department of State Service (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are reportedly examining the circumstances surrounding her attendance, including who facilitated her participation, how she obtained accreditation, and whether her presence was intended to embarrass the Nigerian government.

The investigation follows concerns that the senator did not receive official clearance from the Nigerian Senate to represent the country at the IPU event on March 11.

According to the IPU’s regulations, participation is generally restricted to official delegates nominated by their respective national parliaments, with details submitted in advance for accreditation. While some individuals may attend as observers, this typically requires explicit approval from both the IPU and the home country’s delegation.

At the meeting, Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns about her recent suspension from the Nigerian Senate, describing it as a politically motivated move aimed at silencing her. She also made allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In response, IPU President Tulia Ackson stated that the organization would investigate the matter while also considering the Nigerian Senate’s perspective.

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However, Nigerian delegate Kafilat Ogbara, who chairs the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, challenged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims, presenting a letter from Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. The letter stated that the senator’s suspension was due to violations of Senate standing rules rather than retaliation for her statements against Mr. Akpabio.

During a plenary session last Thursday, Mr. Bamidele questioned the legitimacy of Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the IPU event, emphasizing that the IPU operates based on established protocols.

“So, if for any reason one of our colleagues, who was not even supposed to be there, found her way to the place, sat on the seat meant for Nigeria, and spoke for herself rather than for Nigeria, you know, that’s another issue altogether,” he stated.

Similarly, Jimoh Ibrahim, chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Activities, issued a statement on Friday asserting that Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan had no official authorization to represent Nigeria at the IPU meeting.

Sources indicate that the DSS and NIA’s inquiry is examining whether Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan obtained unauthorized credentials or was assisted by external facilitators in securing her participation. Investigators are also looking into whether her presence violated IPU regulations or Nigeria’s parliamentary protocols.

Additionally, the probe aims to determine if her statements at the meeting misrepresented Nigeria’s official position and whether any individuals or organizations played a role in facilitating her attendance without the government’s knowledge.

It remains unclear how the security agencies will act once their findings are concluded.

 

DSS, NIA probe Natasha Akpoti’s attendance at IPU meeting

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