Court To Deliver Judgment In FG’s Suit Against ASUU May 30

Published

2 years ago

May 11, 2023

The National Industrial Court on Thursday fixed May 30 to deliver judgment in the suit filed by the Federal Government against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

In the suit, the federal government dragged ASUU before the court to determine the substantive suit filed during the 2022 ASUU’s eight month strike.

When the matter came up before Justice Benedict Kanyip on Thursday, Sen. Ita Enang, the claimants’ counsel informed the court that the matter was slated for adoption of written addresses.

Mr Femi Falana SAN, the defendant counsel on his part however informed the court that he had filed a notice of appeal before Court of Appeal.

Falana stated that he was contesting the ruling of the court of March 28, which ruled that the Minister of Labour and Employment has the power to refer the matter to the National Industrial Court.

He further prayed for stay of execution and the matter be adjourned pending the outcome of Court of Appeal’s decision.

He also submitted that the issue of competence of the appeal was for Court of Appeal to determine as argued by Enang

Enang urged the court to proceed with the matter of the day which was adoption of written addresses.

The court in its ruling stated that time is of essence in delivery of justice.

“It is better to get a bad judgment quickly than a good judgment in delayed time in labour matters”.

The court also ruled that the authorities cited by the defence counsel was not applicable in the extant case.

The court equally cited Rule 47 of NICN 2006 proceeding and stated that an appeal did not translate to stay of execution.

The judge also said that defence had shown lack of seriousness by not filing its defence and instead opted to file application for stay of execution.

The court in addition said that the matter had been slowed down by various applications.

Kanyip further said “the application for stay of execution is rejected and the case will proceed and ruling is entered according”.

The court therefore directed the claimant’s counsel to proceed to adopt his written address.

The counsel in respond urged the court to grant all reliefs sought as the suit was not challenged nor contesting by defence through its failure to file processes of defence.

Falana on his part urged the court to consider its record which had his earlier affidavit filed on Sept. 16,2022

He argued that the affidavit which was not challenged encapsulate his defence.

The court therefore adjourned the matter until May 30, for judgment.

News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the court adjourned until June 21 a sister case where ASUU is the claimant.

ASUU in the suit is seeking the court to order Minister of Labour and Employment to accept its return of annual financial report

The court had to adjourn as the third defendant’s counsel, Mr Alex Akoja informed the court that he just came into the matter.

Akoja therefore prayed for the adjournment to enable him file processes.

NAN also reports that the third suit involving the parties was also adjourned until June 21, for report of settlement/ hearing.

The suit where ASUU is also the claimant has the Minister of Labour and Employment and Registrar Trade Unions as defendants.

Earlier, Falana informed the court that he filed a motion for the matter to be transferred to the Alternative Dispute Resolution ( ADR) Centre of the court.

Enang however responded that he was contesting the referral as the claimant had admitted to have failed to file its annual financial returns within the stipulated time.

He also withdrew his preliminary objection application premised on lack of jurisdiction.

The court equally granted Falana the leave to move his application for the court to refer the matter to ADR.

The court having granted the application adjourned the matter until June 21, for report of settlement/hearing.
NAN

‘Missing N6trn’: SERAP Drags FG To ECOWAS Court Over Unpublished NDDC Audit

Published

5 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and four concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, over its failure to publish the forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

According to SERAP, the report, which allegedly details the disappearance of a staggering N6 trillion from the NDDC between 2001 and 2019, is said to be shrouded in secrecy despite being submitted to the Federal Government (FG).

Specifically, the rights group, alongside its co-plaintiffs, are contending that withholding the report amounts to a grave breach of Nigeria’s international human rights obligations, particularly the right to access public information.

The suit, designated ECW/CCJ/APP/35/25, also lists Prince Taiwo Aiyedatiwa, Chief Jude Igbogifurotogu Pulemote, Ben Omietimi Tariye, and Princess Elizabeth Egbe as co-applicants.

In their submissions, the plaintiffs are asking the court to declare that the Nigerian government’s refusal to release the audit findings violates the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which Nigeria has ratified.

They are further seeking an order compelling the publication of the audit report and demanding systemic reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of NDDC funds.

“The Nigerian government has violated our right to know the truth about the corruption allegations documented in the NDDC forensic report.

“The obstruction of the publication is aiding impunity and shielding high-ranking officials from accountability,” the plaintiffs said.

The forensic audit was initiated in 2019 by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari following widespread allegations of grand-scale corruption within the NDDC.

More recently, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alleged that the wife of a former minister received N48 billion within a single year under the guise of training the women of the Niger Delta.

Counsel for the applicants, Kolawole Oluwadare, emphasised the public’s right to scrutinise government actions.

They argued that the NDDC audit report is not classified information, and that continued concealment undermines citizens’ ability to hold leaders accountable and weakens the rule of law.

“There is an overriding public interest in the publication and disclosure of the NDDC forensic report.

“The continuing failure to publish the report denies the plaintiffs the ability to study its contents and pursue accountability for the documented corruption,” the lawyer stated.

Citing international human rights instruments, the plaintiffs insisted that access to public information is a critical component of freedom of expression and civic participation.

They stressed that information regarding the NDDC audit falls squarely within this right and cannot be withheld arbitrarily or indefinitely.

“Access to public information is a fundamental human right protected by Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“These treaties obligate Nigeria to respect, promote, and ensure transparency,” the suit reads.

They also invoked the principle of ‘maximum disclosure,’ a core tenet of the right to information, stipulating that transparency should be the default, and secrecy the rare exception.

Any restriction, they noted, must be lawful, necessary, proportionate, and justifiable under international law.

“The burden is on the Nigerian government to prove that withholding the NDDC audit is consistent with its human rights obligations,” they added.

Furthermore, the plaintiffs stated that the government’s inaction obstructs victims of corruption from seeking legal redress and undermines the integrity of public institutions.

“By denying access to this information, the Nigerian government is violating our right to an effective legal remedy. Secrecy and impunity cannot be the norm in a democratic society,” they said.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.

News

WAEC Speaks On Rumoured Cancellation Of 2025 WASSCE Exams

Published

5 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

… says results of exam will be released on or before Thursday, August 4

… report on cancellation of exams fake news — Education Ministry

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, has distanced itself from a fake press statement alleging the cancellation of all the papers written during the just concluded 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

WAEC noted that the spurious press statement being circulated did not emanate from the council and should be disregarded by the public.

Acting Head, Public Affairs, WAEC, Yaba, Lagos, Moyosola Adesina, reacting to the fake statement, disclosed that the marking scripts for the said 2025 WASSCE exams have just been concluded and results will be released on or before Thursday, August 4, 2025.

She said: “The attention of WAEC, Nigeria, has been drawn to a press statement alleging the cancellation of all the papers written during the just concluded WASSCE for school candidates, 2025.

“According to the press statement dated Saturday, July 19th, 2025, being circulated on social media platforms, the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with WAEC, had cancelled the said examination due to widespread examination malpractice, coordinated leakage of question papers, and unauthorised digital dissemination of exam materials.

“The WAEC management would like to state unequivocally that the spurious press statement being circulated did not emanate from the council.

“The said examination has not been cancelled.”

Adesina stated that even though the source of the information could be ascertained, the council is certain that the false claim is being peddled by mischief-makers who are bent on bringing the council to disrepute to cause confusion and panic among candidates who sat the examination.

“As a matter of fact, the marking scripts for the said examination have just been concluded, and results will be released on or before Thursday, August 4, 2025.

“The council would like to use this opportunity to inform the general public and all stakeholders that all information from the council is disseminated via our official and verified social media handles, as well as accredited media platforms across the country,” the statement noted.

In the same vein, the Federal Ministry of Education described the press statement as an outright falsehood, saying it has been drawn to a false and misleading statement circulating online, alleging the cancellation of the 2025 WASSCE exams due to widespread examination malpractice.

A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo said the ministry wishes to categorically disassociate itself from the fake news.

She clarified that the 2025 WASSCE exams have been successfully concluded, with only a few isolated incidents of malpractice reported, all of which were promptly addressed by the relevant authorities.

“The ongoing NECO Examinations are progressing smoothly, and as of this release, no cases of examination malpractice have been reported.

“The Federal Ministry of Education has not received any official communication or report from WAEC, NECO, or any examination body regarding widespread malpractice in either of the examinations.

“The Ministry, therefore, urges students, parents, school administrators, and the general public to disregard the fake press release currently in circulation. It is entirely fabricated, misleading, and intended to cause unnecessary panic and confusion.

“The public is advised to seek information only from verified and credible sources, including:

“The official website of the Federal Ministry of Education: www.education.gov.ng; the official WAEC portal: www.waecnigeria.org; the official NECO portal: www.neco.gov.ng; verified communication channels of WAEC, NECO, the Ministry, and reputable media outlets.

“The Ministry remains fully committed to upholding the integrity, credibility, and orderly conduct of all public examinations and will continue working closely with examination bodies to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

“Furthermore, anyone found spreading false information will be reported to the appropriate security agencies for investigation and prosecution,” the statement noted.
(TRIBUNE)

News

What Late Awujale Told Me – Tinubu

Published

5 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona, had predicted his presidency and assured him he would be re-elected for a second term.

Tinubu made the disclosure on Sunday during his remarks at the 8th Day Fidau Prayers held in honour of the late monarch, describing the royal father’s blessing as instrumental to his political success.

“I was successful because of your support and the blessing of the late Awujale. I came to him and he blessed me. And he said, ‘You will win that election and you will be re-elected. Go ahead,” Tinubu said.

He described the late Oba as a man of deep wisdom, noting that Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State had carried forward the monarch’s legacy of leadership and insight.

The President, in a moment of gratitude and humour, also commended Governor Abiodun, whom he referred to as “eleyi of Ogun State” for his dedication to the late monarch’s wellbeing.

“I won’t bring out his other titles. Okanlomo, eleyi of Ogun State. At this stage, I must mention clearly how much I thanked him for taking care of our father,” he added.