NEWS
UPDATED – Presidential Jets Immune from Attachment – AGF
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN says the aircraft on the presidential fleet are sovereign assets used solely for sovereign purposes and are therefore immune from attachment by any entity.
Fagbemi said this in a statement issued by his Special Assistant, Media on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that this followed an interim attachment of three presidential aircraft undergoing routine maintenance in France made pursuant to exparte orders issued by the Judicial Court of Paris.
“The actions by France it would be recalled was on account of alleged debt owed it by the Nigerian government.
“The office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice are currently weighing both diplomatic and legal means.
“They have set in motion both legal and diplomatic steps to ensure the discharge of the inappropriate orders against the aircrafts, which are covered by sovereign immunity.
“While further actions are being put in place to resolve the entire dispute through available legal means, the firm position of the federal government remains that the aircrafts in question are sovereign assets used solely for sovereign purposes and are therefore immune from attachment as Zhongshan has sought to do,’’.
He said the orders were dated 7 March and 12 August, 2024 at the instance of Zhongshan Industrial Investment Company Limited, a Chinese company seeking to enforce a Final Award granted in its favour on 26 March 2024 against Ogun State government.
The arbitral award arose from an arbitration proceeding commenced in 2018 following a contractual dispute between the Chinese company and Ogun State government.
The claimants say that though the dispute originated from engagements of Ogun State government, the consequential enforcement actions are being directed against the Federal Government and its assets.
It claimed that this was in line with extant principles of international which holds that the actions of a substantial or local entity are attributable to the state or country itself. (NAN)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) says Sen. Monday Okpebholo remains its governorship candidate in Saturday’s governorship election in Edo.Mr Felix Morka, the party’sNational Publicity Secretary made the party’s position clear in a statement issued in Abuja.Morka said the clarification became necessary following fake news thatOkpebholo had been disqualified by a magistrate court.
“In the final hours to the Edogubernatorial election scheduled to hold Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, certain political parties have desperately resorted to forgery and disinformation on our candidate.“The blackmail is to the extent of circulating a fake magistrate court ruling purportedly disqualifying Sen.Okpebholo, the APC gubernatorial candidate in the election.“The circulated ruling is fake, a fabrication and an act of pure desperation in the face of their imminent defeat at the polls,” Morka said.He said the magistrate court that purportedly issued the fake ruling had issued a disclaimer, stating categorically that it did not emanate from him.Morka added that the fake ruling meant to sow seeds of doubt about the APC candidate, was a blatant and calculated attempt to subvert the will of the Edo electorate.“We call on our law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate and bring the perpetrators of this falsehood to book,” he said.He, therefore, urged Edo voters to remain vigilant and resolute in the exercise of their democratic rights at the polls.He expressed trust that Edo people would ignore this and other illegal devices by desperate candidates and their parties to subvert the election.“Sen. Monday Okpebholo is and remains, the standard bearer of the APC in Edo gubernatorial election,” Morka stated. (NAN)
The Federal Government has condemned the terrorist attack on the military airport in Bamako, Mali.Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed the Nigerian government’s position in a statement on Saturday. Eche said, “The Federal Republic of Nigeria strongly condemns the abominable terrorist attack that took place on Tuesday, Sept.
17, 2024, targeting a military airport, training Centre and other sensitive locations in Bamako, Mali. “This heinous act, which has claimed lives and caused destruction of several military aircraft, is yet another stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by extremist groups in the region.“It must be emphasised that acts of terrorism, regardless of where they occur, represent a threat to peace and security for the entire region.“Nigeria extends its deepest condolences to the government and people of Mali, particularly to the families of those who lost their lives. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragic incident.” (NAN)
The Kwara Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for maximum protection for journalists and observers assigned for the coverage of the state’s local government elections on Saturday.The Council’s Chairman, Abdullateef Ahmed, in a statement on Friday in Ilorin by the Council Secretary, Olayinka Alaya, emphasised the need for safety for the journalists and observers.
He said this was necessary in view of the critical role journalists play in ensuring transparent and fair polls. ”The Council urges security personnel deployed for the elections to ensure that journalists across the 16 local government areas (LGAs) of the state carry out their duties without fear of harassment or intimidation.”The NUJ also cautions that any form of harassment or intimidation of journalists while performing their constitutionally-guaranteed duties will not be tolerated.“As the watchdog of the society, members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm must be accorded their due rights and respect before, during and after the electoral process.“Any attack on journalists is an attack on democracy itself,” Alaya quoted the Council Chairman as saying.The Kwara Council of NUJ also stressed the need for security agencies to ensure watertight security throughout the period allotted for the electoral process.”We urge security personnel to be proactive in addressing potential threats that may compromise the integrity of the elections or put media professionals at risk,” Ahmed said.He also called on the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) to maintain an unbiased position throughout the entire process.Ahmed appealed to the electoral umpire to ensure timely distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials to polling units.The Council Chairman also encouraged eligible voters across the state to exercise their voting rights responsibly, urging them to remain calm and law-abiding during the process.“This exercise is an opportunity for the people of Kwara to shape the future of their LGAs.“It is fundamental that eligible voters come out and utilise their franchise and do so without any fear,” he advised.(NAN)
Edo Governorship Election: Okpebholo Remains Our Candidate – APC
ShareThe All Progressives Congress (APC) says Sen. Monday Okpebholo remains its governorship candidate in Saturday’s governorship election in Edo.Mr Felix...
Nigeria Condemns Terrorist Attack on Military Airport in Mali
ShareThe Federal Government has condemned the terrorist attack on the military airport in Bamako, Mali.Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, Spokesperson for the...
LG Elections: Kwara NUJ Calls for Respect, Protection of Journalists, Observers
ShareThe Kwara Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for maximum protection for journalists and observers assigned for...
2024 Abuja Trade Fair will Foster Prosperity, Economic Growth- Official
Share Dr Emeka Obegolu, the President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), says the 2024 Abuja International Trade Fair...
FRSC Promotes 49 Senior Officers
ShareThe Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has promoted 49 senior officers comprising of 21 Assistant Corps Marshals (ACM) ,11 Corps...
FG Shuts Eko Bridge, Ramps for 8-week Repairs
ShareThe Federal Government on Friday shut down the Eko Bridge and Ramps for eight weeks for essential asphalt resurfacing.The Federal...
Mpox Alert: UNICEF Issues $59m Appeal to Halt Outbreak in Africa
Share UNICEF has issued an urgent appeal for nearly $59 million to support efforts to halt the rapid spread of...
Media, Important Ally in Anti-corruption Fight -EFCC Boss
ShareThe Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has stressed the need to collaborate with the...
NES Decries Rising Inflation, Unemployment, Poverty, Others
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The Nigerian Economic Society (NES) has decried Nigeria’s socioeconomic dilemmas, including; low personal incomes, dysfunctional education,...
CBN Denies Re-Introducing Cyber Security Levy
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria has denied the re-introduction of the controversial cyber security level it...