NEWS
Suspension of University Governing Council Members in C’River Illegal – Obla
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
Former Senior Special Adviser on prosecution in the immediate past administration of President Buhari, Okoi Obon Obla has criticized the suspension of four members of the Governing Council of the University of Cross River State by the Cross River House of Assembly for alleged diversion of university assets, describing it as illegal.
Obla in a statement sighted by our correspondent in Calabar reacted to the suspension of the four members of the University governing council by the State House of Assembly stating that by law, the Assembly has no right to fire who they did not hire.
The statement reads; “I unreservedly condemn such acts and support a thorough investigation leading to the appropriate punishment of any culprits.
However, I seriously question the encroachment upon the authority of law enforcement, which is legally vested in the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission”.According to him, “The Cross River State House of Assembly possesses no jurisdiction to investigate the commission of a crime under any pretext, maintaining that its primary function is to enact laws for the peace, stability, and good governance of Cross River State”.
He said, “In fulfilling its lawmaking role, the House has ancillary responsibilities, as outlined in Section 128, to exercise oversight of the executive branch, including its agencies, ministries, departments and commissions, such as the University of Cross River State”. Stressing that the oversight aims to expose corruption, inefficiency, and maladministration, thereby improving the laws establishing these entities.
“The University of Cross River State was established by Cross River State (Establishment) Law No. 2 of 2020. This law vests in the Governor of Cross River State the power to appoint the Chairman/Pro-Chancellor and members of the Governing Council”.
“A fundamental legal principle dictates that the power to suspend derives from the power to appoint. Because the House of Assembly lacks the authority to appoint members to the Governing Council of the University of Cross River State, it is precluded from suspending those members”.
He maintained that the power to suspend, in this instance, rests solely with the Governor, as the appointing authority.
Citing Section 11, subsection 2, paragraphs (a), (b), (c)(i), and (c)(ii) of the Interpretation Act provides as follows:
Where an enactment confers a power to appoint a person either to an office or to exercise any functions, whether for a specified period or not, the power includes: Power to appoint a person by name or to appoint the holder from time to time of a particular office, Power to remove or suspend him, Power, exercisable in the manner and subject to the limitations and conditions (if any) applicable to the power to appoint.
Obla maintained that the purported suspension of five members of the University of Cross River State on 25 March 2025 for the alleged crime of diversion or theft of university assets by the Cross River State House of Assembly is illegal, wrongful, and unconstitutional.
“Legally, a foundation of nothing cannot support anything. It will inevitably collapse because nothing can come from nothing”.
He advised the Cross River State House of Assembly to remain abreast of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, and to adhere strictly to the boundaries and limitations of its assigned powers.
Stating that this will safeguard the Assembly from public condemnation and ridicule and prevent any constitutional conflict with the Executive branch of government, Obla stated.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday warned producers to strictly follow hygiene standards and digital registration procedures. Mr Kenneth Azikiwe, Director of NAFDAC’s FCT directorate, said the warning followed inspections that revealed expired licences among several producers.
Azikiwe also educated members of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP), Mararaba-Karu branch, on the importance of compliance. The agency highlighted regulatory timelines and advised on improving water quality across the FCT and parts of Nasarawa State, including Mararaba, Nyanya, and Karu. He noted that producers were careless with water treatment, often misusing sterilisation equipment during production. Azikiwe cited cases where workers unplugged ultraviolet sterilisers to charge phones and turned hygiene areas into kitchens. He reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to public safety and urged compliance for the benefit of all Nigerians. Azikiwe encouraged producers to use the agency’s digital platform, the NAFDAC Automated Products and Nutritional Monitoring System (NAPAMS), for easier access to services. He added that laboratory samples are now processed weekly to speed up approvals and urged strict adherence to procedures. Mrs Gloria Wilberford, Head of the Greater FCT Office in Mararaba, said NAPAMS had greatly improved after its upgrade to version 3. She noted that laboratory submissions now occur every Wednesday, cutting delays that used to last over a month. Wilberford said the agency’s aim was to support compliant businesses, not to penalise them. She added that setting up offices in Mararaba and Suleja was meant to ease administrative hurdles in satellite towns. Mr Michael Ajagbonna, Nasarawa Coordinator for the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, explained SON certifies products while NAFDAC handles their registration. He stressed on mutual respect among regulators and the need to work within legal boundaries, despite overlapping duties. ATWAP National Financial Secretary, Amb. Usman Diggi, said members struggle with digital literacy but promised to help identify non-compliant producers. “As a union, we can’t sanction violators, but we will report them to NAFDAC,” he stated. Mr John Michael, an ATWAP member, found the session informative and called for more stakeholder engagement. He said the workshop clarified registration issues and gave members the tools and contacts needed to resolve them. (NAN)
The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. Abdul Ibrahim, has sought for the royal blessings and support from the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Bamalli.Report says that Ibrahim spoke when he paid a courtesy visit to the emir at his Palace in Zaria on Wednesday.
The commandant also solicited the emir’s cooperation in fulfilling the NDA’s primary mandate of training officers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and allied African nations. During the visit, the commandant formally informed the emir about his new positon, following the recent re-deployment of personnel in the Nigerian Army. Ibrahim highlighted that the NDA was established over six decades ago to cater to the growing demand for officers in post-independence Nigeria.He emphasised the importance of partnerships with traditional rulers and other stakeholders to enhance both economic development and security in the nation.The commandant invited the emir to deliver a keynote address at the upcoming ‘Leadership Seminar’ dedicated to the legacy of the famous Queen Amina of Zazzau.Ibrahim also informed the emir about the Passing Out Parade (POP) for the 72 Regular Course (RC) Cadets, scheduled for September 2025, and extended a formal invitation for him to attend as the Royal Father of the Day.The commandant also wished Bamalli a long reign, stability, and good health while reassuring him of the armed forces’ ongoing support for peace and stability in the Emirate and beyond.In response, the emir reminisced about his school days at the Government College Kaduna, reflecting on the military discipline instilled at the NDA, which also benefited the students in his college. “I recall those days; the standard of discipline in the NDA was being replicated in our college, making us the beneficiaries of good military traditions,” he stated.The emir expressed his best wishes for Ibrahim’s tenure, stating, “judging from your antecedents, the NDA is lucky to have you as Commandant.”Regarding the Leadership Seminar on Queen Amina, the emir revealed ongoing efforts at the palace to harmonise literature with unwritten facts about the legendary warrior queen, aiming to clarify conflicting accounts and present a well-rounded historical perspective.He assured his attendance at the POP of the 73 RC, reiterating his commitment to the NDA.Accompanying the NDA Commandant included Maj.- Gen. AB Mohammed, the Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army; Prof. Isa Garba, Academy’s Provost; Commodore ST Lengaya, Director of Coordination; Air Commodore SA Buhari, Director of Logistics and Col. MS Jafar, Chief Instructor, Army Wing, among othersThe visit was witnessed by the members of the Zazzau Emirate Council, District Heads, and palace staff. (NAN)
By Tony Obiechina Abuja
The Securities and Exchange Commission has warned the public against investing in unregistered investment schemes, including Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited. In a circular issued in Abuja, Wednesday, the commission said its attention had been drawn to the activities of these entities, which falsely present themselves as investment advisers and fund managers in the Nigerian capital market.
“The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“the Commission”) has been drawn to the activities of Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited which holds itself out as an Investment Adviser/Fund Manager. “The Commission hereby informs the public that Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited is NOT REGISTERED to operate in any capacity in the Nigerian Capital Market. Accordingly, the SEC advised the public to refrain from engaging with Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited or its representatives in respect of any business in the Nigerian capital market. “The Commission uses this medium to reiterate that transacting in the Nigerian Capital Market with unregistered and unregulated entities exposes investors to financial risk including fraud and potential loss of investment. The investing public is therefore reminded to verify the status of companies and entities offering investment opportunities on the Commission’s dedicated portal – www.sec.gov.ng/cmos, before transacting with them”, the SEC added. Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama had recently warned that the Commission would not hesitate to shut down the operations of such unregistered entities while also ensuring that the promoters are made to face the full weight of the law. Agama said, “We will shut down their operations and the promoters will be made to face the full weight of the law,” Agama warned. “In a major reform, ISA 2025 officially brings digital assets under the SEC’s regulatory purview, defining them as securities and mandating registration for all virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and digital asset exchanges. This development aims to close the regulatory vacuum that has allowed many Ponzi-style platforms to thrive under the guise of cryptocurrency and digital finance”.
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