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Lawyer Replies Agbakoba on EFCC’s legal status

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*Lawyer Replies Agbakoba on EFCC’s legal status

*…your position based on legal sophistry than substance

 

A lawyer and former member of the House of Representatives, Kayode Oladele, has faulted the position of the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) on the legal status of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as “legal sophistry “

 

Oladele’s response was a rejoinder to an interview granted by Agbakoba wherein he said EFCC lacked the powers to interfere in state affairs, and a fresh letter written by Agbakoba to the Joint National Assembly Constitution Review Committee.

 

The renewed onslaught against the EFCC is not unconnected with its bold and reinvigorated move, especially in the last one year, to investigate and prosecute some highly placed politically exposed persons like the former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello and others. Kogi State actually initiated the pending case at the Supreme Court before being joined by about 15 other states.

Oladele maintained that: “It is pertinent to state that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is a Nigerian law enforcement agency established to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes, such as advance fee fraud, money laundering and misapplication and misappropriation of public funds,

“With due respect, Mr. Agbakoba SAN’s position is more of legal sophistry rather than legal substance. His position does not represent the correct position of the law as it runs contrary to the long-settled position of the law as handed down by the superior courts of law including the Apex Court in Nigeria. It is settled law that Nigeria operates a co-operative federalism as opposed to dualist federalism and under co-operative federalism as practiced in Nigeria, some agencies are common agencies for both the Federal and State Government,” he said.

Oladele posited further that the view expressed by Agbakoba does not have any legal backing “and therefore unsupportable in law and practice”.

He went on further to state that, “Indeed, the EFCC is a common agency for both the Federal and State Economic and Financial Crimes, and as such, it qualifies as ‘any other authority’ to institute criminal proceedings under section 174(1)(b) and section 211(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“Again, these statutory provisions have been given judicial considerations by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, in line with my position and contrary to Mr. Agbakoba’s views or submissions on this issue.

“EFCC is expressly conferred with powers under sections 6(m), 9(2) and 13(2) of EFCC (Est.) Act to initiate criminal proceedings in any court in Nigeria for any offence bordering on economic and financial crimes, even under the Penal Code. The EFCC cannot, therefore, be faulted for initiating the instant charge in the name of “Federal Republic of Nigeria”. This is because the Federal Government of Nigeria is not synonymous with the Federation of Nigeria, or the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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You Are More Successful Than You Think” By Prudent Ludidi

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Let's reflect as we wrap-up 2024"By Prudent Ludidi

You Are More Successful Than You Think” By Prudent Ludidi

 

There’s the truth that I believe has the power to transform your life. A truth that can shift your perspective, boost your confidence, and propel you forward. That truth is: you are more successful than you think.

We often measure success by external standards. We compare ourselves to others, focusing on their achievements and accomplishments. We forget that success is a personal journey, unique to each of us.

You see, success isn’t just about achieving grand goals or reaching milestones. Success is about progress, growth, and perseverance. It’s about showing up every day, putting in the work, and striving to be better.

Think about it. You wake up every morning, ready to face another day. You tackle challenges, overcome obstacles, and push through difficulties. You learn, adapt, and evolve. That’s success.

You’ve made it through tough times, difficult conversations, and uncertain situations. You’ve navigated uncharted territories, taken risks, and stepped outside your comfort zone. That’s success.

You’ve built relationships, formed connections, and touched lives. You’ve made a difference, no matter how small it may seem. That’s success.

You Are More Successful Than You Think" By Prudent Ludidi

But often, we downplay our achievements. We dismiss our progress, focusing on what’s still to be done. We compare our behind-the-scenes moments to everyone else’s highlight reels.

Stop doing that.

Recognize your strengths, accomplishments, and resilience. Acknowledge the late nights, early mornings, and endless efforts. Celebrate your small wins, because they add up.

You are more successful than you think.

Your success may not look like anyone else’s. It may not be flashy or Instagram-worthy. But it’s yours, and that makes it remarkable.

Don’t wait for external validation to confirm your worth. You are enough. You are worthy. You are successful.

In conclusion, remember that success is a journey, not a destination. It’s the accumulation of small victories, lessons learned, and growth experienced.

You are more successful than you think. Believe it. Own it! Celebrate it!

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Ilaje Progressive Summit Group Congratulates Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Election Victory

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Ilaje Progressive Summit Group Congratulates Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Election Victory

Ilaje Progressive Summit Group Congratulates Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Election Victory

 

As governor elect of ondo state, Lucky Ayedatiwa continue to receive congratutory messages from well wishers, businesses stakeholders, political leaders, groups, associations, religious leaders, and the likes, Ilaje Progressive Summit Group, has also deem it fit to congratulate his Excellency for the election success of November, 16, 2024.

 

Ilaje Progressive Summit Group Congratulates Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Election Victory

The group leader under the leadership of it’s executive administrator, Hon.( Prince) Aiyetoba Emmanuel has shown his excitement over the election success.

In his word, “Your Excellency sir, Mr. Governor, please accept our warmest congratulations on your well deserved victory and our best wishes for your success as you prepare to take up the responsibility and challenges of your high office.As you embark upon your new responsibilities, we assure you and the people of the sunshine state of the continued friendship and sympathetic interest of the Ondo state Government and the people.
He added” we look forward to working with you, not only to develop closer relations between our states but also to concert our efforts in the cause of peace and make Ondo state great in the comity of states”

Ilaje Progressive Summit Group is a group that cut across the 12 Wards in Ilaje Local Government and the group were fully respected by members found in each wards of Ilaje and they all delivered the wards to APC with large margins in the just concluded
Governorship Election.

 

 

 

 

 

Please Mr Governor Sir, accept our warm congratulations on your well deserved victory and our best wishes for your success as you prepare to take up the responsibilities and challenges of your high office.

As you embark upon your new responsibilities, we wish to assure you and the people of the Sunshine State of the continued friendship and sympathetic interest of the Ondo State Government and the people.

We look forward to working with you not only to develop closer relations between our State but also to concert our efforts in the cause of peace and make Ondo State great in the comity of States.
Since the creation of Ondo state on 3rd February, 1976, no governor won all the 18 LGA in any governorship election.

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US-Based publisher condemns Tinubu’s inaction about Igbo killings

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US-Based publisher condemns Tinubu’s inaction about Igbo killings

A veteran Nigerian journalist based in the United States of America and former Director of Strategy and Communications to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Jackson Ude, has taken exception to the seemingly official negligence of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to the killings of innocent Igbo citizens in the South East.

The communication expert in a series of tweets on Tuesday faulted the sit-at-home policy being implemented in the region by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) describing it as unhelpful.

He wrote, “The continuous killing of Igbos by Igbos under the guise of enforcing a “sit-at-home” order to press a Biafra State, is highly irresponsible and condemned. All well meaning and patriotic Igbos must rise up in unison and condemn the wanton killing of Igbos in the South East Nigeria.

“Our people have not done any wrong going about in search of their daily bread at a time poverty and hunger has enveloped the country.

“How does it make a sense to continue denying the people you seek to protect their daily means of livelihood by enforcing a “sit-at-home” order, turn around and kill them and then claim to be protecting them from “Fulanis” or “terrorist government?”

He called on agitators for the realization of Biafra to set up a political platform rather than resorting to violence.

“The most civil way to achieve this Biafra State is to use a political party platform, elect people into the State Houses of Assembly in the South and have them all sign a referendum for a Biafra State.

“The idea that a Biafra state can be achieved through a “sit-at-home” order and the continuous killing of our people is not only childish but criminal, “he said even as he chided Tinubu for doing little or nothing to address the situation.

“And to have the Federal Government watch and allow citizens from the South East denied their rights to freedom and killed without appropriate measures to protect them is despicable, irresponsible and dangerous.

“I am also thoroughly disappointed in the lackluster attitude and the silence of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo while our people are killed by a few armed individuals.

“The bloodshed is too much and the suffering of the people who are in double jeopardy must be halted.
We must intensify the call for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. This is one way the shenanigans of the “sit-at-home” enforcers would end, ” he added.

“If this does not stop, another insurgent group might begin the protection of our people from the “sit-at-home” enforcers, a situation that might throw the whole region in serious chaos!
Igbos have suffered enough!

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