Connect with us

society

Agbakoba writes National Assembly, says EFCC is an unlawful organisation

Published

on

Agbakoba writes National Assembly, says EFCC is an unlawful organisation

Agbakoba writes National Assembly, says EFCC is an unlawful organisation

*EFCC is unconstitutionally established, says Agbakoba, looks forward to Supreme Court’s decision

 

Renowned lawyer, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has drawn the attention of the National Assembly to constitutional issues related to law enforcement agencies in Nigeria and factors inhibiting the Government’s objective of abolishing corruption as stated in Section 13 of the Constitution.

In two separate letters to the Senate and House of Representatives, dated October 14, 2024, he said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was an unlawful organisation, which he believed was “unconstitutionally established”.

“I very strongly believe the EFCC is unconstitutionally established. The powers under which it was established go beyond the powers of the National Assembly. The EFCC is an unlawful organization,” Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, said.

The letters were addressed separately to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu. The Deputy Speaker doubles as the Chairman, House Committee on Constitution Review, while Senator Jibrin is Chairman, Senate Committee on Constitution Review.

Agbakoba noted that he was delighted to note that many states had finally taken it upon themselves to challenge the constitutionality of the EFCC, saying, “This will put to rest the question relating to the validity of the EFCC.”

The letter to the Deputy Senate President, titled, “Urgent Legislative Attention on Constitutional Reforms Relating to Law Enforcement Agencies and Anti-Corruption Efforts”, reads: “I commend you for the remarkable leadership you have demonstrated as Chairman, Senate Constitution Review Committee, particularly in advancing the government’s reform agenda through a robust constitutional framework. Your efforts to strengthen the legal infrastructure underpinning the nation’s development programs are indeed commendable.

“I write to draw attention to certain constitutional issues on matters related to law enforcement agencies. As you are obviously aware, the fundamental objective of the government is to abolish corruption. But from my observation, there is no harmony amongst law enforcement agencies on corruption. They all appear to be working at cross purposes.

“This has been confirmed by the Supreme Court in so many cases. The Supreme Court has consistently sanctioned the EFCC for its conduct and questioned if the EFCC can in fact validly do what it does. I will go further to say that I very strongly believe the EFCC is unconstitutionally established. The powers under which it was established go beyond the powers of the National Assembly. The EFCC is an unlawful organization.

“I am very delighted to note that many states have finally taken it upon themselves to challenge the constitutionality of the EFCC. This will put to rest the question relating to the validity of the EFCC. Whilst we await the decision of the Supreme Court as the final court on the matter, I respectfully request that the Senate convene a public hearing to consider these constitutional issues.

“Such a hearing would provide an invaluable platform for stakeholders to discuss the reforms needed to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and institutional frameworks for law enforcement and anti-corruption, which will meet the stated and laudable objective of the government to abolish corruption as stated in Section 13 of the Constitution.

“I trust that, under your capable leadership, the Senate Constitution Review Committee will give these matters urgent attention in the interest of our nation’s development.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. I look forward to your response.”

 

Agbakoba writes National Assembly, says EFCC is an unlawful organisation

society

SENATOR ADEOLA YAYI REGISTERS 4000 JAMB CANDIDATES 

Published

on

SENATOR ADEOLA YAYI REGISTERS 4000 JAMB CANDIDATES 

 

In continuation of his educational support initiatives and following established tradition, Senator Solomon Adeola (APC,Ogun West) has successfully paid for and enrolled 4000 indigent students for the 2026 Joint Admission Matriculation Board(JAMB) examination.

 

According to a release e-signed and made available to members of the League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LOYAMP) by High Chief Kayode Odunaro, Media Adviser to Senator Adeola and shared with (your mediu), the programme financed by the senator under the “SEN YAYI FREE JAMB 2026” ended on Saturday , February 21, 2026, with a total of 4000 candidates successfully enrolled with their PINs provided.

 

Commenting on the success of the programme, Senator Adeola said the programme is another leg of his personal educational empowerment for indigent but brilliant citizens preparatory to his scholarship and bursary facilitation for tertiary education institutions’ students.

 

“As far as I can help it, none of our children will miss educational opportunities arising out of adverse economic predicament of their parents or guardians”, he stated.

 

Successful candidates cut across all the three senatorial districts of Ogun State with 2183 coming from Ogun West, 1358 coming from Ogun Central and 418 from Ogun East.

 

Some of the candidates that applied and are yet to get their PINs due wrong information supplied in their profiles and being underage as discovered by JAMB and other reasons are being further assisted to see the possibility of getting their PINs.

 

The Free JAMB programme of the Senator that has been running for years is well received by appreciative beneficiaries and their parents.

 

Alhaji Suara Adeyemi from Ipokia Local Government whose daughter successfully got her PIN in the programme said the Senator’s gesture was a welcome financial relief for his family at this period after payment of numerous school fees of other siblings of the beneficiary seeking admission to higher institution.

 

Also posting on the social media handle of the Senator, a beneficiary Mr. Henry Olaitan, from Odeda LGA said that he would have missed doing the entry examination as his guardian cannot afford the fees for himself and two of his children.

Continue Reading

society

House Committee Seeks Stronger Financial Backing for Federal Character Commission

Published

on

House Committee Seeks Stronger Financial Backing for Federal Character Commission

 

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has reassured the commitment of her new leadership to reposition the Commission and strengthen enforcement of the federal character principle, despite prevailing funding challenges.

Hon. Omidiran made this known during the Commission’s budget defence before the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character at the National Assembly on Friday, February 19, 2026.

The Executive Chairman opened up on inadequate funding has continued to constrain the Commission’s statutory activities, including nationwide monitoring, compliance audits and enforcement measures across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“We are focused and determined to do the work that the Constitution and the President have entrusted us with,” Omidiran stated.

The FCC Boss, however, assured lawmakers that the Commission remains resolute in ensuring equity, fairness and balanced representation in line with its constitutional mandate.

“As a Commission, it is our responsibility to engage with relevant government parastatals and ministries to secure the necessary funding we require. We believe that with consultation and collaboration, it will be a successful venture for the Commission.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, RT. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, expressed deep concern over what he described as near-zero budgetary allocation to the Commission, stressing that such financial inadequacies severely undermine its operational effectiveness.

The Plateau State lawmaker assured the Commission of the Committee’s firm legislative backing in advocating for improved funding and strengthening the Commission’s capacity to fully exercise its constitutional mandate.

“We cannot reasonably expect the Federal Character Commission to enforce compliance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies while grappling with insufficient funding,” Hon. Wase remarked.

“If we are genuinely committed to fairness, equity, and national cohesion, then we must be deliberate in adequately funding the institution established to safeguard these principles.

“As a Committee, we shall work closely with the leadership of the Commission to ensure that its budgetary provisions reflect the magnitude of its mandate. The era of skeletal or token funding must give way to realistic and sustainable financial support,” he concluded.

The budget defence session concluded on a note of renewed collaboration between the House of Representatives and the Commission, reflecting a shared determination to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance accountability, and promote equitable representation within Nigeria’s public service.

House Committee Seeks Stronger Financial Backing for Federal Character Commission

SIGNED:

Ademola Lawrence
Spokesperson,
Federal Character Commission
February 20, 2026

Continue Reading

society

APC Ethiope West Congress Turns Violent: Ibori’s Daughter Escapes Assassination Attempt; Scores Injured

Published

on

*APC Ethiope West Congress Turns Violent: Ibori’s Daughter Escapes Assassination Attempt; Scores Injured

 

The APC Ethiope West Local Government Area Congress took a terrible turn today as scores were attacked by gun-wielding thugs allegedly hired by old PDP members that moved to APC. The congress was relocated from its original venue the Oghara Township Stadium to a new venue,Ovade, in the LGA seemingly to disenfranchise original APC members.

Violence erupted when the Member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency Rt Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu daughter of the the former Governor of Delta H.E Chief James Onanefe Ibori arrived at the new venue in Ovade. Apart from clear threats to her life by thugs sponsored by the Governor of Delta State, Rt Sheriff Oborevwori and former Rep member Hon Ben Igbakpa. Her supporters were attacked with dangerous weapons, as she was denied entrance to the venue. There were several attempts on her life which were foiled by her security details. There had been intels that she would have been shot if she had stepped foots on the venue this is terrible at a time when there had been hopes of peace coming into the party with the recent meeting at Asaba , however this recent happening shows peace is still far away .

Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu has appealed for calm among APC supporters and old members amidst the unprovoked attack. Several injured individuals are receiving treatment at undisclosed hospitals.

There are still reports of targeted attacks on on members of the Old APC , calls have been made to security operatives to avert such attempts.

 

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending