NEWS
[BREAKING] Presidential ambition: Court declines Emefiele’s request to restrain INEC, AGF
A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined the request of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, from preventing him from pursuing his presidential ambition.
Emefiele on Monday, through his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), told the court in Abuja that he can run for the post of the President without vacating his position as the CBN governor.
Ozekhome told the court that Section 84 ((12) of the Electoral Act as amended, 2022 does not affect Emefiele, being a public servant and not a political appointee.
The court in its ruling, however, summonsed INEC, and AGF to appear before it on May 12, to show cause on why status quo antebellum, should not be granted to the CBN Governor.
The CBN governor had headed to the court in Abuja to seek a constitutional interpretation on his non-resignation while pursuing his political interests.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Chairman of Ward 6 in the Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nduka Erikpume, said the CBN governor had registered as an All Progressives Congress member.
When asked whether Emefiele had registered in the APC, Erikpume said, “Yes, he has registered since February 2021. He is our member.”
Three interest groups – the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Friends of Emefiele and Emefiele Support Group – last week paid N100m for the APC presidential expression of interest and nominations forms for Emefiele.
But the CBN governor, in a tweet on Saturday, said he was still waiting for God’s direction, adding that he would purchase the N100m forms himself if he entered the presidential race.
According to Section 9 of the CBN Act, 2007, the apex bank governor must not venture into any other vocation while in office and must resign in writing to the President if he nursed such intention.
It read, “The Governor and the Deputy Governors shall devote the whole of their time to the service of the bank and while holding office shall not engage in any full or part-time employment or vocation whether remunerated or not except such personal or charitable causes as may be determined by the Board and which do not conflict with or detract from their full-time duties…”
Sixty-year-old Emefiele was appointed the CBN governor in 2014 and has since remained at the apex bank. Under him, the naira has wobbled against the dollar and now exchanges at N560/$1 from around N150/$1 when he came into office.
Like Emefiele, other government officials who failed to resign whilst pursuing presidential ambition in 2023 include Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, amongst others.
Malami has also reportedly expressed interest to contest the governorship seat of Kebbi State next year.
Both the Peoples Democratic Party and the APC presidential primaries have been scheduled for the end of May while Nigerians watch with rapt keenness as the two prominent parties elect their flagbearers at their conventions in four weeks’ time. (PUNCH)
The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has ordered the demolition of 24 two-storey buildings illegally constructed on a waterway in Guzape District, Abuja.AMMC Coordinator, Chief Felix Obuah, issued the directive during an inspection tour of various parts of Abuja on Monday, alongside other council officials.
Obuah stated that the affected buildings were developed by Cityscape Estate on Plot 4851 without necessary approvals. He described the construction as a flagrant violation of planning regulations and vowed that the structures would be removed to serve as a deterrent to others.“We have mobilised equipment, materials, and machines on-site.“These illegal buildings erected without approval will go down,” Obuah said.“Any other building without proper approval, especially those constructed on waterways or road corridors, will be demolished.“It is no longer business as usual; we are committed to restoring Abuja to its original master plan.”He warned that AMMC officers found complicit in the approval or oversight of the illegal structures would face disciplinary action, stressing that the council would no longer tolerate negligence or sabotage.“They are receiving salaries and are expected to do their jobs.“The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, is working tirelessly to change the narrative, and we will not allow any disgruntled elements to sabotage those efforts,” Obuah said.Though the demolition of one structure was carried out on-site, the council granted a two-week grace period, at the developer’s request—for the voluntary removal of all contraventions.“Failure to comply will result in full-scale demolition,” Obuah warned.Director of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, explained that the developer had originally been allocated a plot near the Federal Housing Authority Estate in the area.However, after part of the land was affected by the proposed S20 road project, additional land was allocated as compensation.“That compensation does not give the developer the right to build without obtaining proper approval,” Galadima noted.He said the infractions were discovered two weeks ago during a routine inspection.“A committee was subsequently set up to investigate the situation, which revealed that construction was ongoing in a valley area—an unacceptable practice under FCTA regulations.“Our preliminary findings show that the number of buildings on site exceeds the approved number.“This is a complete violation of the terms of approval,” Galadima added.Chairman of the FCT Building Contravention Taskforce, Mr Gabriel Musa, revealed that while only 18 buildings were approved, the developer constructed 42, more than double the permitted number.In response, the developer, Mr Kadiri Obaidi, admitted the infractions and accepted responsibility, attributing some of the unauthorised development to subscribers.“We have approval for the estate, but many infractions occurred—mostly by our subscribers, for whom we are responsible,” he said.“We acknowledge the violations and are willing to pull down the illegal structures ourselves within two weeks to salvage some of the materials.”The council granted his request on the condition that all unauthorised structures are removed at no cost to the government. (NAN
A 22-year-old lady, Joy Tale, has been reportedly killed by her landlord’s son, Odunayo Olomolatan, 41, in Ode-Irele, Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Report says that the tenant was hacked to death on Monday during an argument.
DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the spokesman for the Police Command in Ondo State, confirmed the incident to newsmen in a telephone interview.
Ayanlade said that the suspect has been arrested and in the custody of the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ode-Irele.
He disclosed that investigation has begun to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of the lady.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that the lady was allegedly hacked to death during argument between her and her landlord son.
“The suspect has been arrested and investigation is ongoing to unravel circumstances surround the lady’s death,”Ayanlade said.
Meanwhile, Olajide Akinfe, the Chairman of the local government, has called for calm over the incident, urging residents not to take laws into their hands.
Akinfe, who claimed to have visited the divisional police headquarters, said that measures have been put in place to ensure that the suspect did not escape justice. (NAN)
The Federal Ministry of Finance has stated that no contract was awarded without strictly adhering to due process and existing procurement regulations. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by Mr Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry.
He said the ministry’s attention was drawn to an online report by Akelicious, alleging that N13 billion in contracts were awarded without due process between February and June 2024. According to the report, the contracts included the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi CNG) and other ongoing projects. Manga clarified that all contracts were awarded in line with the Public Procurement Act and other relevant laws and regulations. He described the allegations of corruption or irregularities as entirely baseless and without merit. “The ministry, under the leadership of Mr Wale Edun and Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, remains committed to transparency and accountability in its operations,” he said. This commitment, he said, is reflected in the effective management of the national economy. Manga acknowledged the important role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance. He, however, urged the media to verify all information before publication and warned that legal action would be taken against false or malicious claims. “The ministry unequivocally states that no contracts were awarded without due process at any time,” he said. He added that the allegations are unfounded and malicious, aimed at damaging the ministry’s reputation and distracting from its economic recovery efforts. He said the ministry’s work aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. (NAN)
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