Metro
AMML boardroom crisis: Court orders FCTA, AICL, others to maintain status quo
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered parties in a suit filed by the Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML) and its embattled Managing Director, Alhaji Abubakar Faruk, against the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) and others to maintain a status quo until the next adjourned date.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a ruling, gave the order after counsel to the claimants, Faruk Khamagam, and lawyer to Mr Abbas Yakubu (the 5th defendant), O. S. Emejulu, sought an adjournment to enable them respond to processes filed appropriately.
Justice Mohammed, who adjourned the matter until Aug. 24, said: “Parties in the suit should maintain a status quo.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AMML and Faruk (1st and 2nd claimants) had filed an ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1035/2023 against AICL, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Permanent Secretary of FCT as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.
Also joined in the motion include Mr Abubakar Sadiq Maina, Engr. Mohammed Abbas Yakubu and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as 4th to 6th defendants in a suit dated and filed on Aug. 8.
The claimants, in the motion moved by their lawyer, Emmanuel Omoisu, on Aug 10, prayed the court for four orders, including an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants or their agents from taking any step in giving effect to the purported reappointment and filling of the particulars of Mr Onya Ojiji as company secretary of AMML pending the hearing and determination of the counterpart motion on notice.
They also sought an order of interim injunction restraining Mr Ojiji from parading himself as AMML secretary.
Besides, they sought an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants or agents from altering the records of the company maintained at the CAC, “either by way of changing the name of the AMML, altering the shareholders or directors or any other structure or identity of the 1st applicant (AMML) from the way it was before the filing of this suit.”
The claimants, then, prayed for an order of interim injunction directing parties to maintain the status quo ante, in the constitution of the board of directors and the general management and business affairs of the 1st applicant, prior to the filing of the suit.
Justice Mohammed had directed the defendants to appear before the court in the next adjourned date (today) to show cause why the interim orders of injunction should not be granted.
The judge, who ordered that the motion on notice and the originating summons be served on all defendants, directed the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum till next adjourned date (today).
Upon resumed hearing on Wednesday, after Khamagam announced appearance for the 1st and 2nd claimants, drama, however, ensued in the court following Emejulu’s announcement of appearance for 1st claimant and 5th defendant (AMML and Engr. Yakubu) at the same time.
Justice Mohammed, who wondered why a lawyer would appeared for a claimant and a defendant in a suit, described the counsel’s action as grossly unethical.
All efforts by Emejulu to offer explanation was rebuffed by the judge.
Then Abdusallam Saleh, who represented AICL and its Group Managing Director, Mr Maina (1st and 4th defendants), stood up to give reason Emejulu made the announcement but Justice Mohammed also frowned at his reaction.
“Have you ever appeared in my court before,” the judge asked.
“Yes my lord. I have appeared on several occasions and got many judgments, even four were against me,” Saleh responded.
Emejulu later decided to announce appearance for the 5th defendant, Mr Yakubu, who was appointed as acting MD of AMML by Maina (4th defendant) and the ex-Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello, following the redeployment of Alhaji Faruk out of the AMML.
The decision was, however, nullified by a sister court presided over by Justice Donatus Okorowo in a judgment delivered on July 10.
At Wednesday sitting, Khamagam informed that based on the court order, the defendants were served on Monday and only the 1st and 4th defendants filed affidavits to show cause while the 2nd, 3rd and 5th defendants filed preliminary objections.
The lawyer, who indicated his intention to file his responses to the affidavits to show cause and the preliminary objections, prayed for an adjournment.
Saleh also sought an adjournment on his client’s behalf to enable him file an affidavit to show cause since he was within time to file.
Meanwhile, while Justice Mohammed was delivering the ruling for adjournment, Saleh stood up and cut in just when the judge made a pronouncement on an order for parties to maintain status quo.
Mohammed, who condemned Saleh’s action, said he would not tolerate such misconduct any longer.
NAN observed that CAC was not represented in court
The Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission has begun the regularisation of staff appointments in the FCT Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
The Head of the Civilo Service, Dr Udo Atang, said at the commencement of the exercise in Abuja on Wednesday, that the move was to ensure accurate data of all staff.
Atang described the regularisation as a “critical” exercise, which forms the bedrock of the new FCT Civil Service Commission (CSC).
He pointed out that all the staff were holding letters of appointments from various agencies, departments, area councils, and the defunct Ministry of FCT and FCDA among others.
The holders of these letters, he said, have been raising issues of discrimination based on letters of appointment.
According to him, the exercise and the gazette by the commission that will come thereafter, will give all staff a sense of identity.
“The essence of this regularisation is to ensure that staff are properly documented.
“You will now have letters that will now qualify you as a bonafide staff of the FCT Civil Service Commission.”
The head of service, who appealed for full cooperation of the workers, directed that a list of all staff on course, study leave, leave of absence and other related permissions be compiled and submitted.
He added that the list should be compiled with grade level, designation and record of service, including approvals.
Atang commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for his doggedness and commitment in implementing the provisions of the FCT CSC Act, 2018.
Noting Wike’s support and love for the FCT workers, the head of service urged the workers to reciprocate the minister’s uncommon gesture, by being dedicated and committed to their respective duties.
Also speaking, the Chairman, FCT CSC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, stressed that part of the responsibilities of the commission was in the appointment, promotion and discipline of all FCTA and FCDA workers.
Ezeh also stressed the need for the workers to be more committed in the discharge of their responsibilities. (NAN)
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Catholic Women Organization of Nigeria (CWON) has organized a trauma healing session for survivors of the Jos Saint Academy School collapse alongside parents who lost their children in the unfortunate incident.The National President of the organization, Dame Mary Gonzum noted that the effort was part of their psychosocial support and counseling services for victims of the school building collapse as a follow-up to the assessment of the condition of the victims during their visit.
Gonzum speaking during a one day trauma session held at the Secretariat of the Justice Development and Peace/Caritas Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese located along Zaria Road in Jos the Plateau State capital said the trauma healing session was in continuation of their intervention to students who experienced the building collapsed.”Today, a trauma healing session was flagged off with a seminar on how to go about handling the trauma that victims of the Saint Academy School Busa Buji in Jos are passing through.”We will later select those that are so traumatic and need help to continue with the process of healing because it is not something that will end in a day or two but will need sometime.”The surviving students who experienced the building collapsed, parents of the students are all here because some parents are so traumatic, we have one other woman that lost two children”This trauma became necessary because when we went visiting in the hospitals, we observed that some of them are really traumatic. Like the other boy, his mother said up till today he kept telling his mother that he is seeing dead bodies, and anybody he sees he will say is his classmate.”Some of the affected parents while sharing their encounters after the incident said they hardly sleep in the day or night time. Some manage to sleep for two hours and they’re awake, and from the little lectures we received today it is clear that there is a problem,” She noted.The President calls on the government to ensure that those saddled with the responsibility of approving, inspecting and supervising structures are meant to do their job with all diligence to avert future happenings again.Some of the affected parents including; Hasana Suleman Sale who lost two of her children recalled with pains the unfortunate development that claimed the lives of her two children. She expressed gratitude for the trauma healing session which she said came as a means of consolation and strength for her to overcome the trauma she is passing through.
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has welcomed the newly-appointed Apostolic to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty.
Crotty, an Irish, was appointed by the Vatican.
He will oversee the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the church in Nigeria.
The position, an ambassadorial status, advances cohesion in the body of Christ.
In his welcome message for Crotty on Tuesday, the President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, said that the Church was glad to receive him.
The CBCN president, who is also the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, said,” With joy and gratitude to God, I extend a hearty welcome to Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty on behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, clergy, religious and lay faithful in Nigeria.
“We are thankful to His Holiness, Pope Francis, for appointing Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty as the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria to build on the good works of his predecessor, Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi.
“His appointment is a testament to the strong spiritual bond between our countries,” he said.
He said that although Crotty was the first Apostolic Nuncio from Ireland to serve in Nigeria, many Irish missionaries had played significant roles in spreading the gospel in Nigeria.
“We appreciate Archbishop Crotty’s acceptance of serving in Nigeria and assure him of our full support and cooperation.
“We pray for a fruitful mission and a blessed tenure for our excellency,” he added. (NAN)
NDA Commandant Decorates Ombugadu, Others as Fellows of Solar Energy Society of Nigeria
ShareFrom Abel Zwànke, Lafia The 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, His Excellency Rt....
Yuletide: Bode George Urges Tinubu to Reduce Petrol Price
ShareChief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to...
Tinubu Set for Groundbreaking of Renewed Hope City in Lagos
Share President Bola Tinubu, is set to perform the groundbreaking of 2,000 housing units of the Renewed Hope City in...
Gov. Alia Presents N550.1bn as 2025 Budget Estimate to Benue Assembly
ShareGov. Hyacinth Alia on Wednesday presented the sum of N550.1bn as the 2025 appropriation bill to the Benue State House...
Tax Bills: NASS will not Betray the Trust of Nigerians, says Akpabio
Share The President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, says the National Assembly will prioritise the interest of all Nigerians...
Alia Has Demonstrated Capacity, Courage to Entrench Good Governance—Speaker
Share The Speaker, Benue Assembly, Mr Hyacinth Dajo, has said that Gov. Hyacinth Alia has so far demonstrated capacity, courage,...
Investors Gain N183bn on NGX
Share The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) continued its bullish trend on Wednesday, gaining N183 billion. Accordingly, the market capitalisation, which...
Energy, Solid Minerals Top Priority, Tinubu Tells German Businessmen
Share President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, assured the German government and businessmen of Nigeria’s preparedness to expand frontiers for investors...
Nigerian Who Wrote WASSCE 17 Times Bags Distinction from London School
Share Dr Emmanuel Ahmadu, a Nigerian who wrote the West Africa School Senior Certificate Education 17 times, has earned a...
INEC Staff Welfare Association Warns Members Against Manipulating Election Results
Share The Abia Chapter of the INEC Staff Welfare Association (ISWA) has warned its members to uphold the integrity of...