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Breaking: Lagos Assembly Stops Salaries Of Government Appointees Without House Approval

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Breaking: Lagos Assembly Stops Salaries Of Government Appointees Without House Approval

– Summons HoS, Accountant-General, Commissioner

– orders withdrawal of appointment letters to affected appointees

 

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The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday ordered the withdrawal of letters given to government appointees whose nominations should have been sent to the House for their screening and confirmation, but who took up the jobs without the due process.

 

 

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The House also ordered immediate halting of salaries and remunerations enjoyed by the affected government appointees pending their appearances before the House. The Assembly further summoned three top officials over the issue.

Those summoned include the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Accountant-General of the State, Dr. Abiodun Muritala, and the state’s Commissioner for Establishment, Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle.

In a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ brought before the House by Hon. Noheem Adams, Deputy Majority Leader, the lawmakers lamented the increasing situation where supposed nominees of the governor continue to work without being screened and confirmed by the House

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who presided at the sitting, agreed with the lawmakers that appointments of that nature without recourse to the House amounted to infractions.

“I quite agree with all of you that the failure of such nominees to appear is an infraction or violation of the laws of this House, especially as it relates to the MDAs, most of which were established by the laws of this House,” Dr. Obasa said adding that the laws of the House of Assembly have statutory provisions that nominees of the governor must appear for confirmation.

“It is becoming common and regular and if we fail to act now, it becomes a norm. I share your sentiments that there is a need for us to put a stop to this. I am aware of the development in the Audit Commission, I am aware of the one in the Law Reform Commission and now the Auditor-General and some others,” he said.

Raising the issue earlier, Hon. Adams cited Section 196, subsection 2; Section 198 and Section 126, subsection 3 which give backing to the House of Assembly in respect of nominations by the governor for appointments.

“Section 126, subsection 3 provides that except with the resolution of a State Assembly, no person shall act in the office of the Auditor-General for a state for a period exceeding six months.

“As the chairman, House committee on legislative compliance, I have observed that some appointments to boards and other agencies were not brought to this noble House. If this persists, the principle of separation of powers will be in jeopardy.

“For example, the Auditor-General was appointed on the September 22, 2022 and today is April 11, 2023,” Adams said adding that the Auditor-General’s appointment in acting capacity had exceeded what the laws stipulate.

Supporting Adams, Hon. Ademola Kasunmu said the stipulations of Section 198 should be strictly adhered to. He added that because such appointments are considered null and void, every remuneration that had gone out, should be returned to the coffers of the State.

Speaking on the same matter, Hon. Victor Akande observed that the situation happened in the judiciary where an appointment was done without recourse to the House and the due process.

Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh lamented that such appointments without regard for the House were becoming too many.

“Separation of power is a doctrine enshrined in the constitution. The executive has the right to nominate people and the House has the responsibility to either confirm or reject such nominations.

“It is not only in the office of the Auditor-General, but I don’t know in what capacity one can act beyond the time limit without recourse to the House,” he said while urging the House to look at the issue holistically so as to put an end to what could cause issues later.

Hon. Rotimi Olowo, who noted the difference between nomination and appointment, lamented: “Today, we have a lot of people parading themselves with many names without appearing before this House for clearance. It should not be a padi-padi thing. This is a constitutional matter and if we do not adhere, we would end up facing the wrought of the people.”

He said it was an infraction to have people who are not cleared by the House receiving salaries and “I am of the opinion that such money is supposed to be returned to the coffers.”

Hon. Desmond Elliot called on the House to act in a way to curtail any future occurrence while Hon. Femi Saheed suggested that “in line with the constitution, anyone acting outside the stipulated time must recourse to the House.”

He further suggested that the Head of Service be made to appear before the House to clear himself over the issue.

 

 

Breaking: Lagos Assembly Stops Salaries Of Government Appointees Without House Approval

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VIDEO: POLICE STORM ONDO PDP GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, AGBOOLA AJAYI’S LEKKI RESIDENCE FOR ALLEGED FORGERY AND PERJURY

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VIDEO: POLICE STORM ONDO PDP GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, AGBOOLA AJAYI’S LEKKI RESIDENCE FOR ALLEGED FORGERY AND PERJURY

The Gubernatorial Candidate of Peoples’ Democratic Party, for the forthcoming Governorship Election in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi has been alleged of illegally occupying a Building property which is the beneficial property by purchase, of Segzyadet Integrated Ltd

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The property is 5-Bedroom Duplex with Boys’ Quarter situate at 14B Abimbola Okulaja close, Lekki Phase1, Lagos Nigeria.

Segzyadet Integrated Ltd claimed it has purchased the said property through public bidding/auction, in 2023 and since then the occupant of the property who is Alfred Agboola Ajayi has refused to vacate the property, thereby inhibiting the occupation of it by the new owner.

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On Monday 6th of May when Newsmen were visited the premises to access the situation, it was discovered that the said occupant is still living therein. What is more, the staff of Segzyadet Integrated Ltd in the presence of Police Officers, were prevented from entering the Building premises.

It took the effort of someone who came over and intervened before Journalists gained access into the premises.

Speaking with Newsmen, Segzyadet Integrated Ltd CEO, Adetuwo Oluwasegun said the said Occupant of the building has refused to vacate the premises despite several notifications, in a manner that smacks of impunity.

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Check the video:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMMW8ReAb/

He said the occupant is leveraging on his connections as a politician to frustrate the Company from having quiet possession and occupation of the property. He called on all relevant Authorities to rise up to the occasion and call Alfred Agboola Ajayi to order.

According to a reliable source, AGBOOLA AJAYI was said to have been using his father’s inlaw name as pseudo in most of his dealings including this particular property.

The police has gotten confessional statement from the father in-law who denied his involvement in all the deals traced to him including the affidavit he was alleged to have disposed to.

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DHQ RECEIVES IMPROVED ARMOUR PERSONEL CARRIERS TO CURB INSECURITY IN NIGERIA

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DHQ RECEIVES IMPROVED ARMOUR PERSONEL CARRIERS TO CURB INSECURITY IN NIGERIA.

 

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DHQ RECEIVES IMPROVED ARMOUR PERSONEL CARRIERS TO CURB INSECURITY IN NIGERIA.

 

 

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1. The fight against insecurity has received a boost with the delivery of an improved version of the Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC’s) to fight insecurity in the country. In a brief ceremony today, 8 May 2024, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana who represented the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar handed over the documents and keys of 20 APC to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa.

2. The APC’s are improved version with improved weapons and communication systems that can locate adversaries from distance and engage them effectively. They also allow for seamless military operations.

3. The Permanent Secretary during the handing over, said he is happy with the current synergy existing among the services, while describing the consideration for contracting local manufacturers for the production of the APC’s as a welcome development. He added that this will save the nation a lot of money, create employment for Nigerians and reduce over reliance on foreign currency.

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4. The CDS in his response thanked the Minister of Defence for the noble act. He pledged to put the carriers to optimum and judicious use. He added that the machines will definitely boost the ongoing operations to rid the country of insecurity.

5. It could be recall that the APC’s were produced and supplied by an indigenous company based in Nigeria. The chairman of the company, Engineer Kola Balogun, said the company will also train operators and provide after purchase services like maitainance, spare parts, and repairs. According to him, the company will soon start exporting these machines to earn foreign currency for the country.

 

DHQ RECEIVES IMPROVED ARMOUR PERSONEL CARRIERS TO CURB INSECURITY IN NIGERIA.

Signed:
TUKUR GUSAU
Brigadier General
Director Defence Information.
8 May 2024

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NIGERIAN ARMY DID NOT CONFISCATE PROPERTY OF ENUGU RESIDENT, IT RIGHTFULLY BELONGS TO THE NA

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*NIGERIAN ARMY DID NOT CONFISCATE PROPERTY OF ENUGU RESIDENT, IT RIGHTFULLY BELONGS TO THE NA

 

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The Nigerian Army (NA) has been notified of a viral petition written by the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) alleging that 82 Division of the NA is threatening to forcefully and unlawfully take over a property situated at Plot 30, Abakaliki Road, Enugu, which includes No. 7 Abakaliki Lane in the Government Residential Area (GRA) of Enugu State.

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The NA wishes to state that the petition, which also posits that 82 Division, in defiance to a letter from the Office of the Chief of Army Staff decided to take the law into its hand and supplant the rule of law, is completely unfounded and intended to tarnish the ongoing efforts of the NA to restore peace and tranquility in the South East Region.
It is therefore necessary to set the record straight in order not to mislead the public. The said property is the NA property that was last occupied by Col Emeka Ugwuoke Rtd during his service. The senior officer who was allocated the quarter during his service was removed therefrom by the NA in April 2023, when he tried to convert the quarter to his private property after his retirement. Surprisingly, it is on one corner of the property from where the NA ejected the retired senior officer that the trespassers invaded.

 

NIGERIAN ARMY DID NOT CONFISCATE PROPERTY OF ENUGU RESIDENT, IT RIGHTFULLY BELONGS TO THE NA

 

 

The NA is a disciplined institution that respects human rights and the rule of law. We urge the public to disregard the narrative that suggests the NA is acting unlawfully or without respect for due process. The NA’s position is that the property remains under its ownership, until proven otherwise through appropriate legal channels, and any claims to the contrary are based on misinformation.

Consequently the NA calls for a thorough investigation and due process to resolve the matter, and it stands ready to present its evidence of ownership to the competent authorities. We also wish to reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law and the proper resolution of this dispute in accordance with Nigerian legal standards and provisions.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Major General
Director Army Public Relations
9 May 2024

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