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Court Fixes Hearing For N50m Suit Qgainst AGF, Finance Minister Over Alleged Salary Seizure

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The National Industrial Court in Abuja on Monday fixed December 7 and 8 for the definite hearing of a N50m suit instituted against the Finance Minister, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and others over alleged unlawful salary seizure.

A senior staff of the Budget Office of the Federation, Mrs Bilkisu Okenne Sanusi in the suit is alleging abuse of government powers to illegally and unlawfully withhold her salaries and entitlement for daring to expose corrupt practices being perpetuated in the Budget Office of the Federation (BoF).

Also joined in the suit marked NICN/ABJ/ 96/2022 as defendants are, the Head of Service of the Federation, Director General, Budget Office of the Federation and Accountant General of the Federation.

At Monday’s proceedings, the Director, Legal Services in the Budget Office, Mrs M. D Agada, representing the 2nd and 3rd defendants and Aliyu Abdulkadir, representing the Attorney General of the Federation told the court that they have filed a memorandum of appearance and their responses to the originating summons of the claimant.

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However, the trial Judge, Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi observed that the memorandum of appearance of the 4th defendant was without a stamp as required by law and ordered parties to file all necessary papers before December 7 and 8 fixed for definite hearing in the case.

The claimant had in her statements of facts alleged that she discovered monumental corrupt practices by some staff of the Ministry of Finance (3rd Defendant) in the office of the Director General, Budget Office of the Federation (2nd Defendant).

She claimed that the corrupt practice bothers on manipulation of budget proposals by MDAs, which she reported to the Director General and also alleged further that the 2nd Defendant, being her immediate boss, was complicit in the alleged acts.

Following open aggression against her person, the plaintiff said that she reported the matter to the Head of Service of the Federation (1st defendant) and the Ministry of Finance (3rd defendant) who also allegedly sailed in the same boat with the 2nd defendant.

The claimant averred that the issue led to the removal of her name from payment vouchers in addition to other efforts to frustrate her.

She alleged further that the 2nd defendant also without any justification caused her Secret and Open Files domiciled with the Budget Office of the Federation Registry to be removed and kept in an unknown place to frustrate her from proceeding on her retirement.

The claimant alleged that the 2nd defendant, in a bid to frustrate her also instructed his allies in the Finance department to withhold and deny her due financial and maternal benefits and rights incidental to her employment and office in the Budget Office of the Federation.

The claimant, therefore, wants the court to declare that “The termination of the Claimant’s salaries and entitlements prior and from the 26th November 2021 till date by the 1st, 2nd 3rd and 5th defendant is illegal, unlawful and gross abuse of governmental powers as such null and void and of no effect.

“That with-holding of the Claimant’s Secret and Open Files and fringe benefits, bonuses and Christmas, Easter and Sallah gifts and all other benefits howsoever called incidental to her position as a staff of the Budget Office of the Federation by the 2nd Defendant 1st is illegal, unlawful and a gross abuse of governmental powers as such, null and void and of no effect.

“That the 1st defendant lacks the power to impose punishment or suspension of salary on the Claimant safe as stipulated by the Public Service Rule which Rule must be adhered to as expressly stipulated as doing otherwise amounts to a nullity.”

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She also seeks an order of the court “Compelling the defendants to pay the Claimant all her salaries, Entitlements, fringe benefits, bonuses and all benefits however called incidental to her position as a staff of the Budget Office of the Federation withheld by the defendants illegally and unlawfully amounting to N2, 214, 250 only.

“An order, compelling the 2nd defendant to forthwith release the Claimant’s Secret and Open File to enable her proceed with the processing of her retirement

“The sum of N50 Million only as exemplary damages in favour of the Claimant against the defendants having acted in bad faith against her.

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UNIOSUN Appoints First Female Registrar In 18 Years

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The Governing Council of Osun State University on Friday announced the appointment of Mrs. Atinuke Oguntunde as the institution’s third substantive Registrar.

Oguntunde’s appointment, being the first female to be appointed Registrar was coming after 18 years of the establishment of the university.

The institution was established by the Osun State Government during the administration of Olagunsoye Oyinlola on December 21, 2006 and it has had two substantive male Registrars.

Also appointed were; Mr. Muideen Lasisi, who got appointed as the 3rd substantive Bursar, and Dr. Olugbenga Adewuyi, who was appointed 3rd substantive university Librarian.

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A release issued by the University’s Public Relations’ Officer, Ademola Adesoji, further disclosed that the appointments were approved by the Governing Council at its special meeting on Friday, following the completion of the selection processes and the recommendations of the Selection Panel.

Giving further details about the appointees, Adesoji said, “Mrs. Atinuke Oguntunde (native of Ilesha), the newly appointed Registrar, will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. Previously serving as the Deputy Registrar and College Secretary at the University’s College of Health Sciences. Mrs. Oguntunde has demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication throughout her services in the University system.

“Her academic qualifications include a B.A.(Ed.) in English Education from the University of Ilorin and an M.A. in Literature in English from the same institution.

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“Mr. Muideen Akintayo Lasisi (native of Ido-Osun) was until his appointment a Deputy Bursar at the National Open University of Nigeria. With a career spanning over two decades in finance and accounting, Mr. Lasisi’s appointment underscores UNIOSUN’s commitment to financial prudence and accountability. He holds academic qualifications including an HND in Accountancy from Osun State Polytechnic, a B.Sc. in Accounting from the University of Lagos, and an M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship from the National Open University of Nigeria.

“Dr. Olugbenga Wale Adewuyi (native of Ila Orangun), the newly appointed University Librarian, will bring his wealth of academic and professional experience to his new role. Dr. Adewuyi is renowned for his scholarly contributions and commitment to advancing library sciences and administration. He holds academic qualifications that include a B.A. in Dramatic Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University, an M.Sc. in Library Studies from the University of Ibadan and a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from Babcock University.”

UNIOSUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Clement Adebooye, while reacting to the appointments, stated that it marked a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and institutional advancement.
PUNCH

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Alaafin: Kingmakers Appeal As Court Strikes Out Case Against Makinde

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Oyo State High Court sitting in Awe, Oyo State, has struck out a case filed by the Oyo kingmakers ( Oyo Mesi) against the state governor, Seyi Makinde, the state Attorney General and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters on the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo over administrative defect.

The PUNCH reports that the stool became vacant after the death of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who died at the age of 82 and ruled for 52 years.

The claimants in the suit no HOY/14/2023 are the Bashorun of Oyo, Chief Yusuf Layinka; Lagunna of Oyo, Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; Akinniku of Oyo, Chief Amusa Yusuf; Areago Bashorun, Chief Wahab Oyetunji and the Alapo of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.

They were seeking court injunction restraining Makinde and his agents from overruling their choice on the selected candidate for the vacant stool.

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According to them, “due diligence was followed in the selection/appointment of the candidate for filling the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo duly conducted by the kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy.”

While ruling on the notice of preliminary objection as filed by the defendants, on Tuesday, Justice Ladiran Akintola said there was no proof of service to notify the governor of the outcome of the selection process as carried out by the kingmakers.

The failure to serve the notice of the outcome on the governor thereby affects the substantive case, and as such, the case was struck out.

It was stated in the ruling that, “This court found merit in the Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by the defendants/applicants against the claimants/respondents in this case.

“The same succeeds, accordingly all the issues raised for determination of this court by learned counsel on both sides are thereby resolved in favour of the defendants/applicants but against the claimants/respondents.

READ ALSO: [JUST IN] Alaafin: Kingmakers Absent As Court Strikes Out Suit Against Makinde

“Consequently, the suit initiated by the claimants/respondents in this case against the defendants/applicants is thereby struck out.”

In a telephone interview with The PUNCH, on Friday, the lead counsel for the claimants, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN) said a notice of appeal and motion for injunction pending an appeal have been filed at the Court of Appeal and Oyo High Court, respectively.

Commenting on the judgment, Sobaloju said the judgment that was passed, on Tuesday, was on a preliminary objection filed by the defendant which is the Governor of Oyo State, Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

He said, “By that preliminary objection after we filed our case which they challenged against on the ground that we did not comply with the condition precedence of filing an action of that nature.

“According to them, what was the condition precedence, they said the Secretary of the Local Government, Atiba Local Government did not notify the governor of the Oyo Mesi on the selection of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin as the candidate to fill the stool of Alaafin of Oyo.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Oyo Indigenes Protest Delay In New Alaafin’s Appointment

“Our response to that objection is to the effect that that duty is imposed on by the law, that is Section 19 of the Chieftancy Law on the Secretary to the Local Government and not on the kingmakers and we exhibited evidence that the kingmakers forwarded their decision to the Secretary of Atiba Local Government.

“We also exhibited a letter from the Secretary of Atiba Local Government acknowledged by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters. That is the only means to which the governor can be involved. You can not go to the governor and serve him directly.

“We also argued that even the issue is an issue of evidence that the governor can only prove whether he was served or not with proof of evidence. It is not the issue that the court can determine by way of preliminary objection.

“However, it is the failure to serve the notice of the decision of the kingmakers on the governor that affects our case, and as such, it was struck out.

“We have filed a notice of appeal and motion for injunction pending an appeal. What was considered on Tuesday was the notice for preliminary objection. The merit of the case is yet to be considered.”

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Drama As Two Ebonyi Commissioners Fight In Public

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Two commissioners from Ebonyi State reportedly fought shamelessly in public during the defection ceremony of chieftains of the PDP into the APC held at Ebiaji, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The two commissioners Victor Chukwu, Commissioner for Environment and Jude Okpor, the Commissioner for Information, engaged in the fight which attracted the attention of the state party chieftains from the area.

An eyewitness who identified his name as Nwite told Vanguard that the two commissioners, not minding their social status, engaged themselves in fierce fight which took the intervention of some stakeholders and security agents to stop the fight.

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“Nobody told me anything about it. I saw everything myself. I don’t know the cause of their fight but they fought and this is the 5th fight between them”, he aid.

As a leader of thought in my place, this is embarrassing to me, our people and the people of Ebonyi State. It happened during the defection of some people into APC at Ezza North.

“It was a very big fight and it was not hidden”, he added.

The two Commissioners who are said to be stakeholders in their various communities had a field day as they reportedly exchanged blows, not minding those that were watching them.

 

 

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