By David Torough, Abuja

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has urged the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to fully embrace digital technology in the administration of justice to improve case management, records administration and overall operational efficiency.

Akume made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Dr.

Mainasara Umar Kogo, and members of the tribunal’s management team during a courtesy visit to his office.

He said the adoption of digital tools aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing drive to modernise public institutions through digital transformation, improved service delivery and stronger inter-agency coordination.

“The Tribunal should continue to embrace technology to improve case management, records administration and overall operational efficiency in line with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda,” the SGF said.

Akume commended the tribunal for its role in promoting integrity, accountability and ethical standards in Nigeria’s public service, describing its constitutional responsibility of adjudicating breaches of the Code of Conduct for public officers as a key component of the country’s anti-corruption framework.

He said the President Bola Tinubu administration remains committed to institutional reforms, public sector efficiency and the rule of law, stressing that strong institutions such as the CCT are essential for sustainable national development, economic growth and boosting investor confidence.

The SGF also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening institutions that promote transparency, accountability and responsible public service in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He called for greater collaboration among government institutions to advance integrity and accountability, assuring the tribunal of the continued support of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation within its statutory mandate.

Akume further encouraged the CCT to deepen engagement with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to improve compliance with ethical standards and constitutional obligations through public enlightenment, training, awareness campaigns and effective enforcement.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Dr. Mainasara Umar Kogo, said the visit was to brief the SGF on the tribunal’s achievements over the past year.

He said the tribunal had implemented far-reaching reforms aimed at strengthening its institutional capacity and improving the delivery of justice.

These included inspection visits to all its zonal offices to assess operational needs, improve performance and address challenges affecting service delivery.

Kogo also disclosed that the tribunal had strengthened collaboration with other anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations to enhance coordination in the fight against corruption and improve the administration of justice.

He announced that the tribunal had cleared all inherited and pending cases, leaving it with no case backlog, and pledged to sustain ongoing reforms, deepen institutional partnerships and continue delivering impartial, timely and efficient justice to Nigerians.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has restored power supply to parts of Enugu metropolis, which witnessed darkness.

Some parts of Enugu metropolis, under the Band A tariff regime, during the weekend witnessed three consecutive days of blackout.

The Head, Communications of MainPower, Emeka Ezeh, disclosed this in a statement he issued on Tuesday in Enugu.

According to him, MainPower wishes to inform its esteemed customers that power supply to the Gariki Injection Substation was successfully restored on Monday.

“This is following the successful resolution of a major fault involving the indoor 11kV breaker at the station.

“The fault, which occurred on Friday, July 17, affected electricity supply to customers served by the Army and Gariki 11kV feeders.

“Consequently, normal electricity supply has now been restored to all affected areas,” he said.

Ezeh appreciated residents and customers for their patience, understanding and cooperation throughout the outage.

He noted that the company remained committed to delivering safe, reliable, and improved electricity services to its customers and residents of the state.

It would be recalled that MainPower, which is a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), is in-charge of electricity distribution in Enugu State.

By David Torough, Abuja

As the 2027 general elections draw nearer, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, has expressed optimism that Benue State is on course to reclaim its former prominence, assuring residents that renewed efforts are underway to restore the state’s lost glory.

This comes as political heavyweights from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state pledged loyalty to Akume’s leadership.

Speaking when he hosted political bigwigs including erstwhile loyalists to the Governor of Benue State, Rev.

Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Akume thanked them for their support and commitment, urging them to remain united and focused on the collective development of the state.

The group, which cuts across the three senatorial districts of Zone A, Zone B and Zone C, was led by a former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Emmanuel Jime.

Akume, a former Benue State Governor, said the unity and cooperation among APC stakeholders remained critical to sustaining political stability and ensuring that the aspirations of the people were achieved.

The SGF who emphasised the importance of teamwork among party members, assured the delegation that his leadership would continue to prioritise the interests of Benue people while working towards restoring the state’s economic and political relevance.

He called for continued support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to bring sustainable development and improve the lives of Nigerians.

He commended the political experience, capacity and intellectual depth of the attendees, assuring them that they were not “internally displaced politicians” but respected stakeholders with valuable contributions to make to the political development of the state.

“I know that the President, in a most unprecedented manner, has pushed a lot of money to the states and the local governments. All the tiers of government have access to the Federation Account. If we can’t develop our state, it’s not a fault of Mr. President. He is doing what he is supposed to do for the country and for the states, and Benue is no exception”, he said.

Extending an olive branch to all leaders and stakeholders, Akume assured that he harboured no resentment towards any politician in the state, urging them to unite and work collectively towards securing victory for President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming presidential election.

Reminiscing on his time as Governor of Benue State from 1999 to 2007, he said the state attracted unprecedented development, investments and infrastructure projects under his administration, which contributed significantly to the socio-economic transformation of the state.

He noted that his tenure laid the foundation for growth and progress, adding that his administration prioritised initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of the people and positioning Benue for greater opportunities.

The highlight of the event was the unanimous endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office, alongside a resounding vote of confidence in the leadership of Akume. The notion was moved by a former Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Dan Ali, seconded by former Attorney General of the state, Barr. Joe Abaagu.

Leader of the delegation, Emmanuel Jime, expressed concern over the deteriorating state of democracy in the state, alleging that democratic values and principles had been relegated.

He urged the SGF to use his position and influence to reposition the APC in the state by restoring the party’s democratic values, principles and ideals. He appealed to Akume to champion a return to internal democracy, inclusiveness and fairness, which he described as essential for strengthening the party and rebuilding confidence among its members.

He recounts an experience from the 2003 election when he ran for the House of Representatives election where the SGF was then Governor, highlighting Akume’s empathy and leadership.

“That, Your Excellency, was the lesson that I imbibed as one of your students. The lesson of humility, and the lesson of saying to even those who are downtrodden that you have a shoulder that they can lean on, and that, Your Excellency, was the reason why we became very closely associated with your politics. Today, we have in place a situation that has turned 360 degrees”, he said.

Other political leaders at the event include Douglas Pepe (SAN), Prof. Cephas Tushima, Peter Ashiekaa and Prof USAR.

The delegation also had Qs Beetseh, Joy Liga, Chief Nelson Alapa, Patrick Idoko, Hon David Igbosa, Austin Agbada, Dr. Msoo Igbo among others.