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Court Affirms ICPC’s Power To Prosecute Delta Govt Officials
Published
2 weeks agoon
By
EditorA Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has upheld the powers of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute officials of the Delta State Government who allegedly engage in corrupt acts.
The spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Demola Bakare, made the development known in a statement on Wednesday.
The Attorney-General of the state had earlier filed a suit challenging the powers of the ICPC under Sections 6 and 28 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 (ICPC Act 2000) to investigate the state government’s finances and invite Delta State officials for interviews in the course of investigations.
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The plaintiff in the suit, FHC/CS/165/2023, also contended that by Sections 120, 121, 122, 123, & 125 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), it is only the Delta State House of Assembly and the Auditor General of Delta State that have the powers to look into the state’s finances and demand documents.
However, the ICPC argued that Sections 6 and 28 of the ICPC Act 2000 empower the commission to exercise its enforcement function on “any person,” including state government officials.
The commission, represented by the Director of the Legal Services Department, Henry Emore, stressed that the ICPC Act 2000 does not discriminate between the state government and the Federal Government in the fight against corruption.
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“Furthermore, there is no conflict between the provisions of Sections 6 and 28 of the ICPC Act and Sections 120-125 of the Constitution; the two are rather, complementary,” he argued.
In his judgement on Wednesday, May 7, 2024, Justice F. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba Division, agreed with the submissions of ICPC in its entirety and held that Nigeria practices cooperative federalism; and as such the fight against corruption is a function of both the states and the federal government.
He also noted that the issues before the court had been settled in a plethora of appellate decisions, among which is the Supreme Court judgment in AG Ondo State vs AG Federation & 36 ORS.
The suit was therefore dismissed with no cost awarded.
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JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints Spokesperson, Ngelale, As Special Envoy On Climate Action
Published
1 hour agoon
May 19, 2024By
EditorPresident Bola Tinubu has appointed his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, as Nigeria’s Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action.
This was as he established a 25-person committee to oversee the country’s green economic initiatives.
“Ngelale will serve in this role as part of a larger Presidential Committee, to be chaired by the President,” the office of the secretary to the government of the federation revealed in a statement signed Sunday by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen.
“Ngelale will retain his role as the Official Spokesperson of the President and Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity while serving on the committee,” it added.
The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu establishes a committee to oversee green economic initiatives, appoints Chief Ajuri Ngelale as special envoy on climate action.’
Imohsien said the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions will “coordinate and oversee all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.”
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“This is to remove the constraints to coordination, foster a whole-of-government approach to climate-action programmes, provide an efficient governance architecture, and ensure that all relevant institutions in the sector are plugged into the President’s vision and are collectively implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda on climate action,” it further explained.
The new committee which has the President as its Chairman also includes the Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal as its Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Ajuri Ngelale as its Secretary/Special Presidential Envoy.
Members are the CEOs of, InfraCorp, Mr. Lazarus Angbazo; National Council on Climate Change, Mr. Salisu Dahiru; Infrastructure Council Regulatory Commission, Mr. Michael Ohiani, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, Mrs. Aisha Rimi and National Social Investment Fund, Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq.
The committee also consists of the CEOs of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Mr Yusuf Maina-Bukar, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mr Abdullahi Mustapha; Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu; CreditCorp, Uzoma Nwagba, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Khalil Halilu Member, Solid Minerals Development Fund, Fatima Shinkafi; CBN Deputy Governor (Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Directorate) Mr Bala Bello; UN SE4ALL, Lolade Abiola; Member and an Adviser to the NCCC Adviser, Teni Majekodunmi.
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Others are representatives of the Federal Ministries of FCT, Finance, Industry, Trade & Investment, Water Resources, and Agriculture & Food Security.
The committee also consists of representatives from the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service.
The OSGF outlined eight objectives of the Presidential Committee. They are to:
“Identify, develop, and implement innovative non-oil & non-gas climate action initiatives.
“Coordinate all activities of relevant federal institutions towards the attainment of all agreed climate action and green economic objectives and non-oil/non-gas ambitions of the federal government.
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“Collaborate with all relevant government, subnational governments, non-government, and civil society entities towards the attainment of the climate action objectives and ambitions of the federal government.
“Collaborate with national governments and multilateral institutions towards the attainment of the climate action objectives and carbon market ambitions of the federal government.
“Monitor, evaluate, and guide the progress of all climate action and renewable energy projects and activities of the federal government.
“Track and guide the implementation of initiatives and developments conducted by the Energy Transition Working Group.
“Supervise the work of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen and
“Prepare a half-yearly green ambitions update, covering all associated climate action achievements of the federal government.”
News
Hilton Expands Presence in Nigeria With Two New Hotel Signings
Published
4 hours agoon
May 19, 2024By
EditorBy Tari Ayesinghan | Lagos
Hilton has announced the signing of two new hotels in Nigeria, Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island and Hilton Garden Inn Enugu.
The move marks a significant expansion of the global hospitality company’s presence in the country.
Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island will feature 176 guest rooms and suites, a rooftop bar, and a conference room.
The hotel is located in the heart of Victoria Island, with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
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Hilton Garden Inn Enugu will have 150 guest rooms and suites, a gym, and an outdoor pool.
The hotel is situated in the HELIU Health Tourism District & Residences, a new development that includes a hospital, shopping mall, and office park.
The two new hotels will join Hilton’s existing properties in Nigeria, Transcorp Hilton Abuja and Legend Hotel Lagos Airport, Curio Collection by Hilton.
The company has also announced plans to develop Koko Beach Resort Ilashe Lagos, Curio Collection by Hilton.
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Carlos Khneisser, Hilton’s Vice President of Development for the Middle East and Africa, said: “We are excited to announce the signing of Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island and Hilton Garden Inn Enugu. These new signings reaffirm Hilton’s commitment to Africa’s hospitality sector and confidence in Nigeria as a dynamic and growing market.”
The new hotels are expected to provide guests with a unique and welcoming experience, with a focus on local culture and hospitality. Hilton Garden Inn Enugu is set to open in 2025, while Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island is expected to open in 2026.
Paramount ruler in Mbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom state, HRM Ogwong Okon A. Abang, has been kidnapped in his palace at Ebughu.
The abduction was said to have been carried out at about 9pm on Saturday. Recall that doctors in the state have downed tools over the kidnap of their colleague, Dr John Robbin Esu, who remains in the kidnappers den nearly three weeks after.
Like the case of Dr. Esu who was kidnapped in Oron LGA, the kidnap of the Paramount Ruler of Mbo, has raised more concern over the collapsed security architecture in Oron nation.
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Only last week, the wife of Chief Asukwo Eweme Ulap Okon, aka Levile, a prominent political figure was also abducted in Oron.
Akwa Ibom State Police Command was yet to offer a word on the monarch’s abduction, but Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara and other service Commanders were moving to the Ebughu Palace of the victim at the time of filing this report.
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