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I Didn’t Break Into A Radio Station, I Sneaked In – Wole Soyinka Speaks At 90

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Professor Wole Soyinka on the occasion of his 90th birthday celebration has explained why he broke into a Radio Station during the military era in Nigeria which seemingly fueled the political public unrest in the then Western Region and aftermath of it, directly or indirectly led to the Nigeria-Biafra Civil war that ended with millions of people including children and women killed.

Wole Soyinka who is known to be the founder of Pyrates Confraternity, a group also known to be the first Secret Cults in Nigeria was charged with armed robbery for breaking into the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation studio in Ibadan during the heady days of the Western Region’s political crisis in 1965.

Wole Soyinka who was said to be fully armed, was alleged to have asked the man in the studio to use his own (Soyinka’s) recording, asking the premier  to get out.

Wole Soyinka received the Nobel Prize for Literature from King Gustaf of Sweden on December 1986 as the first Africa Noble Laureate in Literature.

As part of activities to mark his 90th birthday celebration, at the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, Professor  Wole Soyinka was awarded the Gold Medal “for his contribution to the development of world literature”. The award wast presented to him by Margarita Al, President of the World Organization of Writers (WOW).

Professor Wole Soyinka in a statement on Monday,  said he did not envisage that he would live up to 90 years.

Soyinka stated this at the 2024 edition of his International Cultural Exchange Programme, held at his ARI residence,Ijegba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Noble Laureate said he decided to be a writer to correct some anomalies from stories he listened to while growing up.

Giving the reason he broke into a radio station during the military era, Soyinka said: “I never broke into a radio station, but sneaked in. The radio station was holding on to something that belonged to the people, and I decided to retrieve it. If that item had been played, it would have demoralized the people and established the culture of brutality.”

Wole Soyinka condemned Nigerians for always criticizing the State, but refused to examine themselves.

According to him, crimes like kidnapping and robbery, among others, are not because of poverty or inequality, but selfishness and the desire to live a luxury life.

The 2024 Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme drew students from different parts of the country who participated in an essay competition on national and international topics.

The Ogun State Government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, awarded scholarships to nine students who excelled in an essay competition marking Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday.

The competition was part of the 2024 Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme, which aims to promote education, cultural exchange, and leadership.

Celebrating Wole Soyinka at 90, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a statement he personally signed said in quote thus: “I am pleased to join admirers around the world in celebrating the 90th birthday of Nigeria’s iconic son and the world-renowned Professor Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde, famously known as Wole Soyinka.

Tomorrow, July 13th, will be the climax of the series of local and international activities held in his honour.

To underscore the literary giant’s global relevance, a symposium and poetry reading were held in Rabat, Morocco, on 9 July. The event was organised by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA).

Professor Soyinka, the first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize in 1986, deserves all the accolades as he marks the milestone of 90 years on earth. Having beaten prostate cancer, this milestone is a fitting testament to his ruggedness as a person and the significance of his work.
It is also fitting we celebrate this national treasure while he is still with us.

I am, accordingly, delighted to have the honour to announce the decision of the Federal Government to rename the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, as The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.

We do not only celebrate Soyinka’s remarkable literary achievements but also his unwavering dedication to the values of human dignity and justice.

Our paths crossed during our just struggle for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

When faced with a trial in absentia and death sentence by the military regime at home, he galvanised opposition in exile through NALICON and NADECO. His global stature made him the face of our struggle to validate June 12 and restore democracy in Nigeria.

Today, I join the world to celebrate his profound influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists who have been inspired by his work. I celebrate him for giving us the spark to fight and confront military dictators in our country.

I celebrate him for his enduring spirit and for teaching us that literature and drama can be used as a powerful tool to challenge the status quo.

I wish Professor Soyinka an incredibly happy 90th birthday. May he continue in good health to find creative fulfilment in the next decade leading up to his centennial.

May he continue to inspire us all to build a nation where people are free from oppression and our teeming youths can live up to their dreams without being a wasted generation”, President Bola Tinubu words end in quote.

No Evidence Emefiele Is ‘Sick’ – Court Refuses Ex-CBN Gov Abroad Medical Trip

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Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has refused to grant medical leave application filed by former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele on the ground that there is no evidence that the former apex bank Governor is plagued with any ailment.

The Court on Tuesday thereafter refused to release his international passport to travel to the United Kingdom for medical trip.

Details of the court proceeding as made available by the Public Relations Unit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in its news release few minutes ago are presented verbatim below:

“Justice Hamza Mu’azu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 dismissed the application of a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele for a leave of the court to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for medical examination, stating that there was no evidence to show that the defendant is plagued by any ailment.

Emefiele had through his lawyer, Labi-Lawal on Monday, July 8, 2024 filed an affidavit seeking the release of his passport to enable him embark on a UK medical trip, which was opposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC through its prosecution counsel, Muhammad Abbas Omeiza.

Omeiza, through a counter-affidavit, told the court that there was no medical report before it that showed that the defendant was plagued by an ailment, and if there was, no evidence was advanced by the defence to show that it could not be treated locally in Nigeria.

The prosecution counsel in addition noted that Emefiele deposited his passport with the court as part of the fulfilment of his bail conditions, arguing that releasing it to him would amount to the court varying his bail conditions.

Arguing also that Emefiele was a flight risk, the prosecution counsel noted that “the defendant has co-conspirators all over the world.

One Anita and Tony are all aides of the defendant who are currently in the UK. The defendant might be tempted to jump bail because he is standing trial in three different courts.”

In response, the defence counsel dismissed the prosecution’s arguments as speculative, noting that the EFCC can issue an international red alert on Emefiele to enable his arrest if he made the foreign medical trip and refused to come back.

In dismissing the application on Tuesday,, Justice Mu’azu held that there was no medical report indicating that
Emefiele was plagued by any ailment and that the fact that he is standing trial in three different courts was fatal to the application.

“It is an exercise of the court’s discretion to allow the defendant to go on a medical trip. The defendant through his counsel undertook an affidavit to produce him in court, and his offences are bailable and where there is need for the court to grant him the application to travel, the court should do so, but as it is, I failed to see any letter of medication in the defendant’s applications.

“As it stands, I cannot exercise my discretion to allow the defendant to travel out of the shores of the country, moreover he is also standing trial in three other courts, therefore the application has failed, and hereby dismissed,” the judge held.

The EFCC is prosecuting Emefiele on 20-count amended charges bordering on conferment of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretences to the tune of $6,230,000.00 (Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United States Dollars)”.

Kenya Replaces All Police Officers In Mukuru After Dozens Of Killed, Dismembered Female Bodies Found

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Kenya Police authority has redeployed all police personnel in Mukuru area within the country capital, Nairobi, following the discovery of dozens of bodies mostly female wrapped in a rubbish bags and dumped into a sea of Mukuru slum which is very close to one of the country’s police stations.

Police chiefs said they were pursuing possible links to cults, serial killers or rogue medical practitioners in their investigation but the discovery has since endangered tension and caused anger among the citizens in the country.

Kenya last month experienced wide spread unrest following bloody protest over tax hike in which scores of the demonstrators were killed by security operatives after some of the protesters broke into the Kenya Parliamentary building.

Videos posted online showed onlookers gathered at the dumpsite where numbers of bodies were found in the landfill in Mukuru slum in Nairobi on July 12, 2024.

Details of the happening is presented verbatim as reported by AFP international news agency.

“Kenya’s under-fire police on Sunday pledged a “transparent” investigation into the shocking discovery of eight mutilated female bodies dumped in a Nairobi garbage site.

But tensions were running high at the crime scene in the Mukuru slum area in the south of the Kenyan capital, as police briefly fired tear gas to disperse a crowd of angry residents, an AFP journalist said.

Police chiefs said they were pursuing possible links to cults, serial killers or rogue medical practitioners in their investigation into the macabre saga, which has horrified and angered the nation.

The mutilated and dismembered bodies, trussed up in plastic bags, were hauled out of a sea of floating rubbish in an abandoned quarry in Mukuru.

The discoveries have thrown another spotlight on Kenyan police and added more pressure on President William Ruto, who is struggling to contain a crisis over widespread anti-government protests that saw dozens of demonstrators killed.

Acting national police chief, Douglas Kanja said six corpses were found in Mukuru on Friday and more body parts were retrieved on Saturday, with preliminary investigations revealing that all were female.

“They were severely dismembered in different states of decomposition and left in sacks,” Kanja told a press conference, describing it as a “heinous act”.

He said police were committed to conducting “transparent, thorough and swift investigations” adding that they aimed to wrap up their inquiries in 21 days.

Kanja, who was appointed only on Friday amid the fallout over last month’s protest bloodshed, also said that all officers at the police station located near the quarry had been transferred.

Kenya’s police watchdog, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), on Friday had said it was investigating whether there was any police involvement in the dumped bodies, noting that the dumpsite was just 100 metres (yards) from the police post.

The IPOA also said it was looking into claims of abductions of demonstrators who went missing after last month’s protests.

But it did not make any link to those missing and the dumped bodies.

Trouble briefly erupted when locals tried to take a bag they had hauled out of quarry to the police station, but were met with volleys of tear gas, the journalist said.

MohamedAmin, the head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, said the ages of the victims ranged from 18 to 30 and that all had been killed and butchered in the same manner.

“Are we dealing with a cult that is associated with criminal activities, are we dealing with serial killers?” he said at the press briefing alongside Kanja.

“We even could be dealing with rogue medical practitioners.”

Kenya was left reeling last year by the discovery of mass graves in a forest near the Indian Ocean coast containing the bodies of more than 400 members of a doomsday sect, one of the world’s worst cult-related massacres.

On Monday, self-proclaimed pastor #Paul Nthenge Mackenzie went on trial on terrorism charges, along with 94 co-defendants, over the deaths, accused of inciting his followers to starve themselves to death in order to meet Jesus.

He and the other accused also face charges of murder, manslaughter and child cruelty in separate cases over what has been dubbed the “Shakahola forest massacre”.

The country’s law enforcement services are already under scrutiny over the protest deaths, with rights groups accusing police of using excessive force.

Kanja took up his post only this week after national police chief, Japhet Koome resigned in the face of public fury over the alleged police brutality.

A total of 39 people were killed and more than 630 injured during the unrest, Kenya’s national rights commission said earlier this month.

Kenyan police are often accused by rights groups of using excessive force and carrying out unlawful killings or running hit squads, but few have faced justice”, AFP report ends in quote.

NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Opioids Hidden In Shoes’ Soles Onboard To EU, UK, US, Cyprus

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Men of the Nigeria National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA have intercepted some kilograms of cocaine and opioids concealed in soles of shoes and clothes at International Airport in Lagos State while being shipped to Europe, Cyprus, United States of America, USA and  United Kingdom, UK.

According to news statement made available by the NDLEA Spokesperson Femi Babafemi on Sunday, the anti drugs operatives also burst tramadol pills hidden inside custard containers, laughing gas warehouse in VGC area in Lekki and recovered 11,096 kilograms of illicit drugs in Edo, Borno, Ogun and Katsina states during raids.

NDLEA statement reads verbatim below thus: “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids such as tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, ketamine injection, among others concealed in soles of shoes, clothes and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus.

While no less than 250 grams of cocaine going to Cyprus was hidden in soles of custom-made shoes, over five kilograms of opioids heading to the US and UK were discovered by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, DOGI, in clothes and other household items meant to be shipped through some courier firms in Lagos.

In the same vein, a consignment of 440 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis coming from Canada to Lagos was equally intercepted by operatives in one of the logistic companies.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Edo state on Wednesday 10th July 2024 intercepted a vehicle marked Abuja GWA 273 DD at Ewu junction, Esan Central Local Government Area following credible intelligence.

The luggage of one of the occupants, Aminu Abdullahi, 32, was searched and found to contain custard containers, where 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg were buried in the custard powder.

In his statement, the suspect claimed the drugs were bought in Onitsha, Anambra state and he was taking them to Mararaba area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to sell.

In another operation, operatives on Thursday 11th July raided the Ohen forest, Abudu area of Edo and destroyed 5,429.751kg of cannabis on 2.918 hectares of farmlands where four suspects: Godday Ariye, 37; Friday Okafor, 59; Obinna Nwosu, 48; and Yusuf Adamu, 27, were arrested.

Similarly, 300 kilograms of the same substance were recovered from Uzzeba Obi camp in Owan West Local Government Area when NDLEA officers raided the location on Saturday 13th July.

In Ogun state, operatives on Tuesday 9th July, recovered a total of 2,865 kilograms of cannabis at Afami Ibese while the suspected owner, Umar Ibese is currently at large.

At least, 2,455 kilograms of materials for the production of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance (NPS), were recovered from a warehouse in #Konduga town, Konduga Local Government Area, Borno state on Tuesday 9th July when NDLEA operatives in a joint operation with men of the Nigerian Army raided the area.

The following day, Wednesday 10th July, operatives in Katsina state arrested a 54-year-old Sabo Sule with 47kg cannabis in Katsina town.

In Lagos, operatives on Monday 8th July raided a warehouse in VGC, Lekki where they recovered 148 cartons of non-medical nitrous oxide popularly called laughing gas; 108 cartons of fast gas cylinder; 134 pieces of balloon and 109 cartons of infusion charger, among others. A female suspect, Suliyat Abdulsalam was arrested in connection with the seizure.

With the same zeal, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students of Saint Louis Grammar School Senior, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo state; students and staff of Infant Jesus Model Secondary School, Oron, Akwa Ibom state; students and teachers of Ede High School, Ede, Osun state; students of Government Day Secondary School, Kalga Gari, Daura, Katsina state; and students of Rehoboth Secondary School, Okpuno Awka, Anambra state, among others.

While commending the officers and men of Edo, Borno, Ogun, Katsina, Lagos, and FCT Commands as well as those of DOGI for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired) noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities while he charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the current tempo”.

Donald Trump Narrowly Escape Death With Gunshots Injuries

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Former United States of America President and Republican Presidential candidate in the forthcoming USA general elections, Donald Trump narrowly escaped death on Saturday when a gunman shots severally into his campaign rally at Butler in Pennsylvania causing the face of the politician to be filled with bloodstains.

Donald Trump was seen being helped off the stage with thin streaks of blood on his face by US Secret Service members after shots were fired while he was onstage at the campaign rally.

The 20-year-old male who took position at the rooftop outside the campaign ground that shot at former US president Donald Trump during a Pennsylvania rally is alleged to be Thomas Matthew Crooks, according to The New York Post.

Videos posted online and residents testimones indicated that the shooter was positioned on a building rooftop just outside the venue where former President Donald Trump was holding his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

We gathered that the shooter positioned 50 metres away on a rooftop, according to passersby who drew the attention of security operatives to the direction of the shooter.

Donald Trump was shot in the right ear during the campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, sparking panic and streaking the Republican presidential candidate’s blood across his face

Earlier, Security Officials say they were doing DNA testing of the person who fired shots at former President Donald Trump, because the suspected shooter did not have ID.

According to ABC News’ Aaron Katersky: “The authorities are saying tonight that they are confident that there are no additional threats.”

While former President Donald Trump was speaking at his Pennsylvania rally, someone can be heard screaming “he’s got a gun.” We then hear someone scream “he’s on the roof, he’s got a gun.” Immediately after, the sound of gunshots begins.

As the gunshots continue, a person continues to warn people “he’s on the roof, don’t go over there”, according to videos posted online by residents who witnessed the moment the gunshooting started with the videos showing the actions in real time.

Both the gunman and a rally attendee were saaid to be dead following the incident, according to the Butler County district attorney.

The Trump campaign said in a statement on Saturday evening that Trump was “fine” and that he is “being checked out at a local medical facility.” Donald Trump Jr. also told ABC News that his father is “in good spirits” as he remains under medical observation.

A suspected gunman and one audience member are dead, the AP reported, citing Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger. Another spectator is in a serious condition.

President Joe Biden denounced the violence during remarks on Saturday night and said in a statement earlier that he’s “grateful” Trump is safe.

Trump and Biden are locked in a close election rematch, with most opinion polls showing the two evenly matched.

Trump is due to officially receive the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention that kicks off in Milwaukee on Monday.

Supreme Court Ruling Will Be Able To Make The Poor Hold Local Leaders Accountable – Tinubu

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Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that poor people can now hold their local leaders accountable following the Supreme Court judgement on Thursday that prohibited state governments from dissolving democratically elected local government area councils and control the councils’ funds and allocations.

President Tinubu in a press statement signed and made available few hours ago by the Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, said the clog in the wheel of progress for Nigeria advancement over the years has been ineffective local government administration, stating, the grassroot governance is nearly absent in Nigeria.

The statement reads in quote: “President Bola Tinubu welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of local governments.

The President states that a fundamental challenge to the nation’s advancement over the years has been ineffective local government administration, as governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent.

The President emphasizes that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us. This country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.

“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people. This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people,” President Tinubu states.

President Tinubu notes that the provision of some essential amenities and public goods, such as the construction and maintenance of certain roads, streets, street lighting, drains, parks, gardens, open spaces, and other residual responsibilities, including community security, has tottered owing to the emasculation of local governments.

The President affirms that the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of local governments as regards financial autonomy, and other salient principles, is of historic significance and further reinforces the effort to enhance Nigeria’s true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.

President Tinubu commends the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.

The President states that his administration remains committed to protecting the principles of the charter governing citizens, institutions of government, arms, and tiers of government in furtherance of building an efficient and performance-driven governance system that works for every Nigerian.

We had reported that the Nigeria Supreme Court of Justice has ruled that state governments have no power or authority to dissolve democratically elected Local Government Area Councils or set up caretaker committee inline with the spirit, purpose and intent of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution.

The Supreme Court on Thursday also ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governments to control the funds or allocations of local government area councils. Stating that Federal Allocations should be paid directly into Local Government Area Councils’ accounts, putting an end to agelong practice of councils’ allocations received through state governments.

The judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim on Thursday, the apex court declared that it is unconstitutional for State Governments to withhold and utilise allocations meant for Local Government Areas without transferring the funds to them, as mandated by Section 162 (3) of the Constitution. 

The Supreme Court ruled that the Federal  Government must pay funds allocated to Local Governments directly to the respective Local Government Areas, which are to be managed by democratically elected officials. 

A seven-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Garba Lawal passed the judgement after hearing the case in which all the 36 state governors were made the defendants by the Federal Government.

Last month, the Supreme Court had reserved its judgement in a lawsuit brought by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) to call for local governments’ autonomy in the country.

The suit filed by Fagbemi seeks full autonomy for the local government areas in the country.

The government asked the apex court to ban state governors from arbitrarily dissolving democratically elected local government councils.

The Nigerian Government also asked the apex court to stop the governors from maintaining joint accounts with local governments, describing it as unlawful and in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.

The Federal Government also wants the Supreme Court to prohibit governors from forming Caretaker Committees to manage local governments in violation of the Constitution’s recognised and protected democratic system.

The Federal Government also sought an injunction prohibiting governors, their agents, and privies from receiving, spending, or tampering with funds released from the Federation Account for the benefit of local governments in states without a democratically elected local government system.

According to the suit, Nigeria as a federation, was created by the 1999 Constitution, as amended, with the President as Head of the Federal executive arm, swearing on oath to defend and give effect to sections of the Constitution.

The apex court had earlier given 36 defendants seven days to file their defence and also given the AGF two days to file his reply upon receipt of the governors’ defence.

­

The Supreme Court judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim on Thursday described the agelong practice by governors as a violation of the 1999 Constitution.

The Supreme Court thereafter barred all state governors in Nigeria from dissolving democratically elected Local Government councils in the country.

The suit by the AGF was on 27 grounds.

­A careful analysis of the Supreme Court rulings indicated that the apex court  orders the Federal Government to henceforth withhold allocations to Local Governments governed by unelected officials appointed by the Governor.

The apex court barred the Federal Government from further paying Local Government allocations through the State Governments since the practice has been abused by Governors.

Close watchers said that the 774 local government areas in the country always experience undemocratic practices from state governments over the years.

According to them, efficient governance at the level of the third tier of government has been hampered by the overbearing influence of state governors.

“Funds meant for local governments in the Federation Account are paid monthly to them through their respective state governments. But against expectations, the governors of the states retain the funds in joint accounts in the respective states and only release to the local governments what they wish.

The local governments in each state have no say in the use of the funds in the joint accounts controlled by the respective state governors”, the close watchers said.

The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had instituted the suit at the Supreme Court, seeking an order to better guarantee the independence of the local governments.

In the suit marked: SC/CV/343/2024, the federal government urged the court to issue an order prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.

The plaintiff also prayed the Supreme Court to make an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them from the Federation Account in line with the provisions of the Constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.

Immediate compliance ordered as the Supreme Court  declared any action contrary in above as illegal and a breach of the Constitution of Nigeria

Meanwhile, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP has commended the Supreme Court of Nigeria for its landmark judgment barring state governors from withholding funds meant for local government administrations.

A statement signed by the CNPP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, notes that for far too long, governors have usurped the powers and resources of local governments, stifling grassroots development and perpetuating poverty.

“This judgment marks a new dawn for local government autonomy and a significant blow to the impunity and recklessness of state governors in the last two decades.

The CNPP sees this ruling as a significant step towards decentralizing power, promoting grassroots development, and enhancing the overall quality of life for Nigerians.

We believe that this judgment will go a long way in addressing the issues of poverty, inequality, and social injustice that have plagued our nation for decades.

We urge all stakeholders to respect and implement this judgment, and we demand that governors who violate this ruling be prosecuted after leaving office. It is time to hold our leaders accountable for their actions and ensure that the rule of law is upheld.

The CNPP calls on the Federal Government to ensure the immediate release of funds due to local governments directly to their respective accounts and to monitor their utilization to prevent further abuse.

We also urge civil society organizations and the media to join us in holding governors accountable for their actions.

This judgment is a testament to the power of the judiciary in upholding the constitution and protecting the rights of the people. We commend the Supreme Court for its courage and commitment to justice.

The CNPP calls on governors who are yet to conduct local government elections to end the unconstitutional practice of appointing caretaker committees and immediately allow for the conduct of free, fair, and credible local government polls in their states or forfeit the local government allocations until a democratically elected local government system is in place.

This ruling is a resounding victory for democracy, national development, and the long-suffering people of Nigeria”, CNPP stated.

State Govt Has No Power To Dissolve LGA Councils, Control Allocations – Supreme Court

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Nigeria Supreme Court of Justice has ruled that state governments have no power or authority to dissolve democratically elected Local Government Area Councils or set up caretaker committee inline with the spirit, purpose and intent of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution.

The Supreme Court on Thursday also ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governments to control the funds or allocations of local government area councils. Stating that Federal Allocations should be paid directly into Local Government Area Councils’ accounts, putting an end to agelong practice of councils’ allocations received through state governments.

The judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim on Thursday, the apex court declared that it is unconstitutional for State Governments to withhold and utilise allocations meant for Local Government Areas without transferring the funds to them, as mandated by Section 162 (3) of the Constitution. 

The Supreme Court ruled that the Federal  Government must pay funds allocated to Local Governments directly to the respective Local Government Areas, which are to be managed by democratically elected officials. 

A seven-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Garba Lawal passed the judgement after hearing the case in which all the 36 state governors were made the defendants by the Federal Government.

Last month, the Supreme Court had reserved its judgement in a lawsuit brought by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) to call for local governments’ autonomy in the country.

The suit filed by Fagbemi seeks full autonomy for the local government areas in the country.

The government asked the apex court to ban state governors from arbitrarily dissolving democratically elected local government councils.

The Nigerian Government also asked the apex court to stop the governors from maintaining joint accounts with local governments, describing it as unlawful and in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.

The Federal Government also wants the Supreme Court to prohibit governors from forming Caretaker Committees to manage local governments in violation of the Constitution’s recognised and protected democratic system.

The Federal Government also sought an injunction prohibiting governors, their agents, and privies from receiving, spending, or tampering with funds released from the Federation Account for the benefit of local governments in states without a democratically elected local government system.

According to the suit, Nigeria as a federation, was created by the 1999 Constitution, as amended, with the President as Head of the Federal executive arm, swearing on oath to defend and give effect to sections of the Constitution.

The apex court had earlier given 36 defendants seven days to file their defence and also given the AGF two days to file his reply upon receipt of the governors’ defence.

­

The Supreme Court judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim on Thursday described the agelong practice by governors as a violation of the 1999 Constitution.

The Supreme Court thereafter barred all state governors in Nigeria from dissolving democratically elected Local Government councils in the country.

The suit by the AGF was on 27 grounds.

­A careful analysis of the Supreme Court rulings indicated that the apex court  orders the Federal Government to henceforth withhold allocations to Local Governments governed by unelected officials appointed by the Governor.

The apex court barred the Federal Government from further paying Local Government allocations through the State Governments since the practice has been abused by Governors.

Close watchers said that the 774 local government areas in the country always experience undemocratic practices from state governments over the years.

According to them, efficient governance at the level of the third tier of government has been hampered by the overbearing influence of state governors.

“Funds meant for local governments in the Federation Account are paid monthly to them through their respective state governments. But against expectations, the governors of the states retain the funds in joint accounts in the respective states and only release to the local governments what they wish.

The local governments in each state have no say in the use of the funds in the joint accounts controlled by the respective state governors”, the close watchers said.

The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had instituted the suit at the Supreme Court, seeking an order to better guarantee the independence of the local governments.

In the suit marked: SC/CV/343/2024, the federal government urged the court to issue an order prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.

The plaintiff also prayed the Supreme Court to make an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them from the Federation Account in line with the provisions of the Constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.

Immediate compliance ordered as the Supreme Court  declared any action contrary in above as illegal and a breach of the Constitution of Nigeria

Meanwhile, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP has commended the Supreme Court of Nigeria for its landmark judgment barring state governors from withholding funds meant for local government administrations.

A statement signed by the CNPP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, notes that for far too long, governors have usurped the powers and resources of local governments, stifling grassroots development and perpetuating poverty.

“This judgment marks a new dawn for local government autonomy and a significant blow to the impunity and recklessness of state governors in the last two decades.

The CNPP sees this ruling as a significant step towards decentralizing power, promoting grassroots development, and enhancing the overall quality of life for Nigerians.

We believe that this judgment will go a long way in addressing the issues of poverty, inequality, and social injustice that have plagued our nation for decades.

We urge all stakeholders to respect and implement this judgment, and we demand that governors who violate this ruling be prosecuted after leaving office. It is time to hold our leaders accountable for their actions and ensure that the rule of law is upheld.

The CNPP calls on the Federal Government to ensure the immediate release of funds due to local governments directly to their respective accounts and to monitor their utilization to prevent further abuse.

We also urge civil society organizations and the media to join us in holding governors accountable for their actions.

This judgment is a testament to the power of the judiciary in upholding the constitution and protecting the rights of the people. We commend the Supreme Court for its courage and commitment to justice.

The CNPP calls on governors who are yet to conduct local government elections to end the unconstitutional practice of appointing caretaker committees and immediately allow for the conduct of free, fair, and credible local government polls in their states or forfeit the local government allocations until a democratically elected local government system is in place.

This ruling is a resounding victory for democracy, national development, and the long-suffering people of Nigeria”, CNPP stated.

Confirm Testing 2

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Hurricane Beryl Kill 8, Topple Trees On Houses, Knock Out Power In USA

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Millions of residents in some parts of United States of America, USA maybe experiencing difficulties due to outage of electricity when Hurricane Beryl slamming as Category one hit south-east Texas and Louisiana, knocking out power for nearly three million people and killing 8 persons  on Monday.

It was gathered that the Hurricane Beryl made landfall in the US near the city of Houston, killing people and knocking out power to millions.

At Harris County, a Houston Police Department employee, Russell Richardson, 54, was said to have drowned after attempting to drive through high water on his way to work, according to Houston police.

Another person died in a house fire that is believed to have been sparked by lightning, Houston’s mayor said, according to BBC report.

BBC added in its report that three people were also killed in Montgomery County. Officials say one man was killed when a tree fell on him while he was driving a tractor, and two homeless people died when a tree fell on their tent, reports KHOU.

Local reports indicated that estimated 2.3 million customers in Texas were without power as of Tuesday morning, with some cuts also reported in Louisiana and Arkansas.

CenterPoint Energy, a Texas-based utility provider, had said it planned to restore power for at least one million customers by the end of Wednesday.

The storm also caused major destruction and at least 10 unverified deaths in the Caribbean.

Officials said seven people died in Texas’s Harris and Montgomery counties, while one more fatality was confirmed in neighbouring Louisiana.”

Beryl hit the southern United States on Monday morning as a category one hurricane, but it has since been downgraded to a tropical depression, according to videos posted online on Tuesday by residents.

Information from Flightware.com indicated that more than 1,100 flights were cancelled at Houston’s main airport on Monday following the slamming of the Hurricane Beryl.

Hurricane Beryl has moved on, but many communities are dealing with damage. The US Coast Guard took this video of flooding around Sargent, Texas, about 50 miles south of Houston.

No power since 24 hrs due to Hurricane  beryl and unlikely to be restored until Wednesday evening, a resident stated in a post online.

Close watchers said the Hurricane Beryl lashed Texas with strong winds and heavy rain on Monday as it churned inland, forcing the closure of oil ports, cancellation of hundreds of flights and leaving nearly 2 million homes and businesses without power.

Beryl, the season’s earliest Category 5 hurricane on record, made landfall near the coastal town of Matagorda, Texas, according to Reuters.

SaharaReporters in its reports captured the Hurricane Beryl situation in USA as stated verbatim below:

“The Category 1 storm made landfall on Monday, bringing winds of up to 94 miles per hour that triggered storm surges, toppled trees, and tore roofs off homes. 

Hurricane Beryl has claimed at least eight lives, with seven casualties reported in the greater Houston area and one in Louisiana, US. 

As the storm moved inland, it spawned tornadoes in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. 

Cleanup efforts are currently underway, and although Beryl has weakened into a low-pressure system, it is expected to bring flash flooding to areas between Arkansas and Illinois on Tuesday and Wednesday as it moves northeastward toward Michigan.

In the Houston area, three people were killed by falling trees, two drowned and one died in a house fire.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire also confirmed a 54-year-old employee of the Houston Police Department drowned while driving into work.

In Louisiana, a 31-year-old woman was killed when a tree fell on her mobile home.

The big effort on Tuesday is to restore power and water to residents.

At 7am, there are still more than 2 million customers without power throughout Texas.

Nearly all of the outages are in southeast Texas where CenterPoint Energy is reporting 1.8 million without power.

CenterPoint says power will be restored to a million of them by the end of tomorrow.

Officials say it will take days to restore power for everyone.

Acting governor, Dan Patrick says the state is sending about 12,000 lineman to the affected areas.

“Be very careful. power lines are down and we are sending crews and addressing it. there is still more flooding. Do not take this storm as it’s passed you now,” said Patrick.

Beryl made landfall at 3:50am Monday as a Category 1 hurricane near Matagorda, Texas, about 100 miles southwest of Houston, with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour.

The storm made landfall twice before reaching Texas.

The storm hit the Windward Islands as a Category 4 hurricane on June 29.

It barely avoided Jamaica and the Cayman Islands before making landfall as a Category 2 hurricane on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

The volunteers with the group Texans on Misison will bring a laundry unit, a chainsaw team and a mobile mass feeding kitchen to the Houston area.

At least 11 people were killed on the way across the Caribbean.

The storm became a tropical storm before re-intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico and becoming a hurricane hours before making landfall in Texas”, SaharaReporters news report ends in quote.

It was gathered that the Port of Corpus Christi was back open by Tuesday morning, but the Houston Ship Channel, a major point for the import and export of crude oil and refined products, remains closed.

Texas state and local officials warned it could take several days to restore power after Beryl came ashore as a Category 1 hurricane.

We learnt that the fast-moving tempest, which unleashed heavy rains that prompted dozens of high-water rescues, threatened to carve a harsh path over several more states in coming days.

In Texas, the Hurricane toppled 10 transmission lines and knocked down trees that took down power lines.

Observers said that within hours, Hurricane Beryl weakened into a tropical storm, far less powerful than the Category 5 behemoth that tore a deadly path of destruction through parts of Mexico and the Caribbean last weekend.

But the winds and rains of the fast-moving storm were still powerful enough to knock down hundreds of trees that had already been teetering in water-saturated earth, and strand dozens of cars on flooded roadways.

As it moved inland, the storm still threatened to spawn tornados.

National Hurricane Center said damaging winds and flash flooding would continue as Beryl pushes inland.

A civilian employee of the Houston Police Department, was said to have been killed when he was trapped in flood waters under a highway overpass, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said.

“We haven’t really slept,” said Eva Costancio as she gazed at a large tree that had fallen across electric lines in her neighborhood in the Houston suburb of Rosenberg. Costancio, 67, said she had already been without power for several hours and worried that food in her refrigerator would be spoiled.

“We are struggling to have food and losing that food would be difficult,” she said.

Houston and Harris County officials said power crews would be sent into the area to restore service as quickly as possible, an urgent priority for homes also left without air conditioning in the middle of summer. Temperatures, which had cooled slightly with the storm, were expected to reach back into the 90s as early as Tuesday. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory that said the area heat index could reach 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius).

The state will be ready to open cooling centers as well as food and water distribution centers, said Nim Kidd, chief of state emergency operations.

Beryl’s rains pounded Houston and other areas of the coast on Monday, reclosing streets in neighborhoods that had already been washed out by previous storms. Television stations on Monday broadcast the dramatic rescue of a man who had climbed to the roof of his pickup truck after it got trapped in fast-flowing waters. Emergency crews used an extension ladder from a fire truck to drop him a life preserver and a tether before moving him to dry land.

Houston officials reported at least 25 water rescues by Monday afternoon, mostly for people with vehicles stuck in floodwaters.

“First responders are putting their lives at risk. That’s what they’re trained for. It’s working,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said.

Javier Mejia was one of about 20 people who gathered near the pickup truck rescue site to take pictures of other submerged vehicles sitting on the flooded highway.

“If you don’t have a way through, you’re going to get stuck like that,” Mejia said.

Having experienced previous storms in Houston, Mejia stocked up on food and water before Beryl hit, but forgot gas for his portable generator. He planned to spend the day looking for some.

“I don’t want it to go bad,” he said of the food, adding that if he can’t find gas, “We can just fire up the grill.”

Many streets and neighborhoods throughout Houston were littered with fallen branches and other debris. The buzz of chainsaws filled the air Monday afternoon as residents set to work chopping up knocked-down trees and big branches that had blocked streets and sidewalks.

Patrick warned that flooding could last for days as rain continued to fall on already saturated ground.“This is not a one-day event,” he said.

President Joe Biden was getting regular updates on the storm after it made landfall, the White House said. The U.S. Coast Guard and FEMA had prepared search and rescue teams, and FEMA collected bottled water, meals, tarps and electric generators in case they are needed.

Several companies with refineries or industrial plants in the area reported that the power disruptions necessitated the flaring of gases at the facilities.

Marathon Petroleum Corp said it conducted a “safe combustion of excess gases” at its Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City, but did not provide information on the amount of gas flared or how long it would continue.

Formosa Plastics Corporation and Freeport LNG also reported flaring related to Beryl, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Companies have 24 hours to share emissions data after the flaring stops, a representative from the TCEQ said in an email.

In Louisiana, heavy bands of rain were expected all day Monday and “the risk is going to be for that heavy rainfall and potential for flash flooding,” National Weather Service meteorologist Donald Jones said in a Monday morning Facebook Live briefing.

The weather service in Shreveport issued tornado warnings across northwest Louisiana. The agency confirmed on social media that multiple tornados had been spotted in that corner of the state.

Fallen Trees Kill 4, Injures Scores After Heavy Rain At Jattu Market

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Four big trees in an unusual manner were uprooted by a heavy wind and downpour simultaneously at a major market in Jattu community in the Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State on Monday morning, killing four persons and injuring a lot of traders and customers who hide under the trees to avoid the rainfall.

According to Edo State Governor, four persons died from the incident with many injured.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited the scene of the incident, reports that the trees came down following a storm and prolonged rainfall.

The Chairman of the council, Marvellous Zibiri confirmed the death of the persons while speaking to newsmen at the market. Saying: “At about 9am on Monday, I got a call from my Vice Chairman and the Supervisory Councilor for Environment about the incident.

“During the rain, four trees in the market fell simultaneously while people took cover under the trees thereby killing four persons and many injured.

“So far, we have been able to recover four bodies and we have taken them to the mortuary while those who sustain injuries are at the hospital for treatment,” Zibiri said.

Zibiri added that rescue operation was still ongoing as the trees were being cut to confirm if there were other bodies under the trees.

The Chairman described the incident as tragic and sympathised with families who lost their love ones at the market.

He, however, appealed to residents to stay indoor whenever it was raining.
NAN in its report recalls that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had predicted thunderstorms and rains from Monday to Wednesday across the country.

The agency urged the public to take adequate precautions as strong winds may precede the rains during the period.

The council boss in a news release signed and made available by Iyamah Nurudeen,
Chief Press Secretary to the
Office Of The Executive Chairman,
Etsako West Local Government Council stated in quote thus:

“In the wake of the devastating tragedy that struck Jattu market, leaving scores injured and trapped under fallen trees, the Executive Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, Honourable Marvelous Muhizu Zibiri, has demonstrated exemplary leadership and courage in coordinating emergency response efforts.

The heavy rains that hit the area caused widespread destruction, but Chairman Zibiri swiftly sprang into action, mobilizing security agencies, local emergency services, volunteers, and concerned citizens to evacuate casualties and provide aid to those in need.

Under his close supervision, the rescue team worked tirelessly to evacuate those trapped, providing medical care and attention to those injured. Chairman Zibiri commended the unity and resilience displayed by the residents of Etsako West, praising their spirit and determination in the face of adversity.

The Council Chairman has assured the community of his steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all affected, and has vowed to continue providing support and resources to those in need.

This swift and effective response has earned Chairman Zibiri widespread praise, and his leadership has been hailed as a beacon of hope in a time of grief”.

Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has said that measures are currently being adopted by the government to prevent another occurrence of such incident. 

In a news release he personally signed and made available through his social media handles, Godwin Obaseki said and in quote: “I received with a heavy heart the news of the unfortunate incident that occurred on Monday morning in Jattu Market, Etsako West Local Government Area of the State, where about four lives were allegedly lost due to fallen trees caused by a heavy downpour.

The incident is deeply saddening. I extend heartfelt condolences to the victims and families affected by this very tragic incident and wish the injured victims a quick recovery.

Emergency response teams have since been deployed to manage the situation and provide support and assistance to those affected, while urgent steps are immediately being taken to ensure such tragedies are prevented in the future.

While we urge all residents to exercise utmost caution as the rainy season intensifies, we reassure of sustained efforts and our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens.

May God grant repose to the souls of the departed and succour to their families”.

All Progressives Congress, APC candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, said the incident is regrettable. “I received the terrible news of the havoc caused by the rainstorm in some parts of Edo North, particularly the disaster in Jattu Market.

My sympathy goes to the families, friends, and loved ones affected by the tragic incident today.

The devastating loss of lives and the injuries sustained in such an unexpected and calamitous event, which has left the community in shock and mourning, is regrettable.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this incredibly difficult time.

Words cannot adequately convey the sorrow I feel for your loss, and I hope that you find some comfort in knowing that the entire Edo State grieves with you.

To others who were injured and are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, please be assured of my prayers for healing and courage to overcome the pain.

The Jattu Market is not just a center of commerce; it is a vibrant part of our community where livelihoods are earned and social bonds are formed.

Today’s rainstorm disaster, which claimed several lives and left many more injured, is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities we face with natural occurrences.

It also underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all Edo citizens in the face of natural calamities.

May I use this medium to call on the Edo State Government and all relevant authorities to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this disaster and take adequate measures to reduce the impact of future similar occurrences.

My party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and I will immediately visit the disaster scenes to assist the affected families”