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N6trn: Court Orders Tinubu To Publish NDDC Audit Report, Name Indicted Officials

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The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, in a landmark judgment, has ordered President Bola Tinu­bu to direct the Office of the At­torney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to widely publish the names of those indict­ed in the alleged misappropria­tion of over N6 trillion meant to implement the abandoned 13,777 projects and in the running of the Niger Delta Development Com­mission (NDDC) between 2000 and 2019.

The court also ordered the president “to publish and make available to the public the NDDC forensic audit report submitted to the Federal Government on September 2, 2021.”

The judgment was delivered on Monday, November 10, by Hon. Justice Gladys Olotu fol­lowing a Freedom of Informa­tion suit number: FHC/ABJ/ CS/1360/2021, brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Ac­countability Project (SERAP). The certified true copy of the judgment was obtained last Fri­day.

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In her judgment, Justice Olo­tu held that “the forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Devel­opment Commission (NDDC), as well as the names of persons in­dicted therein, clearly fall within the definition of ‘public records’ as contained in Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act.”

READ ALSO:‘Missing N6trn’: SERAP Drags FG To ECOWAS Court Over Unpublished NDDC Audit

Justice Olotu also held that “NDDC forensic audit report and the names of persons indicted therein are not exempted under Sections 11-19, as the information relates to the use and manage­ment of public funds.”

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Justice Olotu also stated that “the refusal of the president and the Attorney General to publish the audit report or act on the al­legations therein, despite formal demand by SERAP constitutes a breach of their statutory duties under the Freedom of Infor­mation Act, Section 15(5) of the Nigerian constitution 1999 (as amended), and Nigeria’s inter­national obligations to promote transparency and accountability.

“Section 2(3) of the Freedom of Information Act mandates all public institutions to cause to be published certain categories of information, including details of finances and expenditures.

“Applying these principles, the Freedom of Information Act imposes on the president a clear, non-discretionary duty to make the NDDC forensic audit report available to the public and publish the names of those indicted in the report.

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READ ALSO:NDDC Releases N10bn For Niger Delta Entrepreneur Programme

“It is trite law that for an order of mandamus to issue, SERAP must establish (a) a clear legal right to the performance of a duty, (b) a corresponding duty on the president and the Attorney General to perform that duty, (c) a demand for the performance of the duty, and (d) a refusal or neglect to perform same.

“Every person has the right to access information in the custody of any public official or institu­tion, and such institution is under a statutory duty to grant access, except where the information falls within the limited exemp­tions set out under Sections 11-19 of the Act.”

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SERAP deputy director Ko­lawole Oluwadare said: “This ground-breaking judgment is a victory for transparency and ac­countability in the spending of public funds.

READ ALSO:NDDC Issues Alert On Fake Offers

“Justice Olotu’s judgment shows the urgent need for the Tinubu government to provide the leadership to ensure trans­parency and accountability for the missing N6 trillion meant to implement the abandoned proj­ects in the Niger Delta.

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“We commend Justice Olotu for her courage and wisdom, and urge President Bola Tinubu to im­mediately obey the court orders.”

Femi Falana (SAN) said on the judgment: “SERAP deserves the commendation of all well-mean­ing people that have agonised over reports of systemic corrup­tion in Nigeria.”

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

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READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

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Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

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I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

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