An Abuja High Court on Tuesday dismissed an enforcement of rights suit filed by Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to Kogi Governor against Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.Bello had on May 21, 2024 instituted an enforcement of rights suit, marked no FCT/HC/CV/2574/2024 against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleging breach of privacy among others.

Bello through his counsel, Adeola Adedipe,SAN sought for eight reliefs among which are respect for his dignity and right to own and acquire property as enshrined in sections 34(1), 35(1), 37, 43 and 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. The applicant further complained of the publication of the pictures of his house and address in her X-handle @Natashaakpoti on March 15, 2024 against the provisions of Section 37 of the Constitution.The applicant claimed further that the respondent alleged that he lodged former governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello in the house he is living with his family EFCC was looking for him.He added that the house belonged to the former governor whom they call ” White Lion of Kogi ‘In addition, the applicant asked for N1 billion in general damages and compensation.Delivering judgment in the suit, Justice Slyvanius Oriji held that there were three issues to resolve in the suit.One, the judge said, was whether the publication on Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s X-handle violated the applicant ‘s fundamental right to privacy under Section 37 of the Constitution.“Two, is whether her petition to the Inspector-General of Police on the ownership of the said property violated the applicant’s right and whether the applicant is entitled to the reliefs sought,” he said.The judge held that, publicity as the applicant claimed cannot be given to a house that is already in the public space, which can be seen by everyone.” In the same vein, the post observed in the respondent’s ex-social media pagewould not be considered highly offensive to an objectively reasonable person.” Secondly, the case of the applicant is not that as a result of the post or publication, officials of the EFCC had come to his house and invaded his privacy so as to look for the respondent’s favourite story book, ” The Defeated White Lion” or to look for the former governor of the state,Oriji held that the respondent (Akpoti-Uduaghan) failed to establish her claim of the ownership of the property stated in her tweets that was one of the properties in which EFCC obtained an interim order of forfeitureHe held that there was nothing before the court to prove the respondent’s assertion and that the court also visited the said property.” In the absence of any contrary evidence, the court accepts the deposition in the applicant’s affidavit that he is the owner of the said property and that he lives there with his family.” Moreover, at the visit to the property,the court confirmed that the applicant lived in the property with his family.” Before I go further, the point was made that it is improper, reprehensible, and unconscionable for a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to post a picture of the applicant’s house and the house address in her ex-social media handle without just cause.“” On the unfounded belief that the property belonged to , a former governor of the state. Such conduct must be and is thereby defecated by the court” he held.On issue of the respondent’s publication he held that Section 37 of the Constitution provides both the privacy of citizens,their homes among others.” It appears to me that the right to privacy is not one of the fundamental rights which the courts are regularly called upon to advocate.” It is correct that the applicant, like all other citizens, is entitled to the fundamental right guaranteed by Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.” Therefore, the applicant is entitled to this relief, which is a general declaration, the order for the respondent to tender a public apology to the applicant in Relief 6, and the sum of one billion Naira general damages in Relief 7 are dismissed.” The parties shall bear their costs” he held. (NAN)

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

The initiative, championed by the Cross River State Land Cluster with the support of Nugi Technologies Nigeria Ltd, marks a significant shift from analogue to fully digital processing, enabling transparency and faster delivery times.

The Director-General of the Cross River State Geographical information Agency, Williams Archibong, praised the Governor for creating a conducive environment to deliver on this promise.

“With the new system, C-of-O for government land will now be issued within 21 days, and within 42 days for private land, ” Archibong stated. “This is a major departure from the past administration, where analogue systems led to delays and frequent errors.

Now, everything is digitized and streamlined.”

Also speaking at the event, Ms. Akinlabi Ajoke, CEO of Nugi Technologies Nigeria Ltd, described the rollout as a dream come true for the company and its partners in the Land Cluster.

“When we say digital, we mean from start to finish. Every stage of the process, from application to final issuance, is now online. This synergy between the land cluster, the state government, and our technology team is what makes this breakthrough possible,” Ajoke said.

The Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Francis Ekpenyong  described the issuance of C-of-Os as a long-overdue liberation for Cross Riverians who had been marginalized by banks and financial institutions due to the absence of proper land documentation. “This exercise is unlocking Cross Riverians who were locked out of the economy. With these certificates, property owners can now stand tall before any financial institution,” he remarked.

The Surveyor General of the State, Surv. Patrick Bassey, hailed the digital transformation, pointing out new security features like QR codes that make each C-of-O verifiable and tamper-proof. “This shows Cross River is now on a digital growth path,” he said, urging citizens to take advantage of the new system.

As part of the unveiling, Governor Otu personally presented Certificates of Occupancy to some landlords and businesses, including Prof. Victor Okon Ansa, as well as Mainland Oil and Gas Company Ltd.

Speaking on behalf of other recipients, Prof. Victor Ansa said he applied many years back, and “it felt almost impossible to get a C-of-O. But this administration has changed that narrative. It’s a new dawn for Cross River. This reform sends a strong message that the state is open and ready for business.”

With the new system in place, the Otu-led administration is taking a bold step to create a more investor-friendly environment and ensure that property ownership processes are faster, more secure, and fully transparent.

The FCT chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has called on striking workers to resume duty in the interest of the territory.The Chairman of the association, Mr Danladi Chiya, made the call at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.Report says that workers under Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees and Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) had embarked on strike over non implementation of the new minimum wage.

Chaya,who is the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, said that all area councils in the FCT had commenced payment of the new minimum wage of N70, 000, urging the workers to return to work. He appealed to the local council workers and members of the unions to consider the plight of the children who have been forced to remain at home due to the strike.“We are not having issue with anybody, but what we are asking for is to let our children resume school since we have started implementing the minimum wage.“Leaving our children at home is what is our concern, because we are all from this place, so we are pleading that there is an open door for further negotiation with all unions,” he said.Also speaking, the Secretary of the association, Mr John Gabaya. said that it was important for the workers to resume work and give room for further negotiations.Gabaya, who is the Bwari Area Council Chairman, said that the news conference was also to call on all relevant stakeholders to return to the negotiations table for other related matters to be discussed.He called on the unions to call off the strike immediately to enable the councils work to achieve their aims and objectives,” he said. (NAN)