Connect with us

News

LG autonomy: Senate backs Supreme Court’s judgment, to amend constitution

Published

on

Spread the love

•Asks states to comply with judgments

ABUJA- THE Senate said yesterday it was fully behind the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy.

It also assured that it would work with the House of Representatives to ensure alterations to the relevant provisions of the Constitution to provide for the full autonomy of local governments in the country.

The Upper Chamber asked all the states and local governments to fully comply with the Supreme Court’s judgment on the disbursement and utilisation of funds to the third tier of government.

Resolutions of the Senate were sequel to prayers by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North.

After the closed-door session that started at 12.46 and ended at 2.08 pm. Jibrin came up with two prayers.

The first prayer was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi, PDP, Bauchi Central and the second, by the Senate Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, APC, Borno North.

Maduka College Advert

Jibrin said: “Based on the deliberation made by this August Senate, and it just concluded its session, I stand to move on behalf of this Senate for the approval of two prayers in respect of the motion brought by Senator Tony Nwoye, thereby discarding the earlier prayers in the motion as brought by him. The two prayers are as follows.

“1: That all states and local governments fully comply with the recent Supreme Court judgment on the disbursement and utilization of funds allocated to all local governments in Nigeria.

”2: That the Senate ensures alterations to the relevant provisions of the constitution to provide for the full autonomy of local governments in Nigeria.’

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said: “The Supreme Court has said the money should go directly to the accounts of the government in the country. And so we have deliberated on it. The Supreme Court of Nigeria is the final court of the land.

“In other words, the Nigerian Senate stands strongly behind the Supreme Court’s position on its efforts, through judicial pronouncement, to sanitize the administration of local governments in the country and stop further abuse of local government funds. So we stand strongly behind the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“In addition to that, we have looked at the motion and we agreed that some of the prayers in the motion are such that could conflict with existing regulations, including the constitution. And accordingly, I will invite the Deputy Senate President to present the prayers that we jointly agree upon that should go out there so that the press will be well guided and nobody will go and say the Senate said this or said that. ”We believe strongly that if there is any legacy this administration will leave behind, including the 10th Senate, it is the legacy of sanitizing the local governments.

“We will ensure that local government funds are well utilized for the benefit of the rural people and at the same time, local governments are allowed to function and function well. That will also in due course include their elections.”

After Senator Jibrin Barau moved the first prayer, Akpabio said: “He has moved prayer one in respect of the earlier discussed motion that all states and local governments should immediately comply with the recently pronounced judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Any seconder?

“Distinguished colleagues, the motion has been proposed in respect of the earlier discussed motion by the deputy senate president, prayer one saying all states, all tiers of government in the federation should immediately comply with the recently pronounced judgments of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, particularly relating to local government accounts.

”Then the funds of local government go directly to the local government for its utilization to improve the lot of Nigerians. And this prayer has been seconded by Senator Ningi.

Confusion in Senate over implementation of financial autonomy

Meanwhile, confusion yesterday trailed the debate on local government autonomy in the Senate, as the chamber was later forced into a closed-door session.

Trouble started soon after Senator Tony Nwoye, LP Anambra North, came up with a point of Order which was sustained by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Nwoye, who came through orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Rules, moved a motion on alleged moves by some state governments to circumvent the implementation of the judgement of the Supreme Court through counter-laws from their respective state Houses of Assembly.

As he was still speaking in the hallowed chamber, Nwoye told the Senate that nine other senators were co-sponsors of the motion.

He specifically alleged that some governors were already using their Houses of Assembly to enact laws that would mandate respective local government councils in their states to remit monies into the state / local government joint account, which the Supreme Court ruled against.

Immediately he rounded off his presentation containing six prayers for enforcement of the judgement and seconded by Senator Osita Izunaso, APC Imo West, his colleague, Senator Adamu Aliero, PDP Kebbi Central, raised a constitutional point of order for stoppage of debate on the motion.

Aliero, who cited Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution that makes Supreme Court judgement enforceable across the country, urged the Senate not to overflog the issue.

He said: “Supreme Court judgement is enforceable across the country. There is no need for us to be debating anything that has to do with it here.”

Agreeing with Senator Aliero, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, raised another constitutional issue, calling the attention of senators to section 162, sub-section 6 of the 1999 constitution.

The section, according to Akpabio, created the state/local government joint account which has to be amended in paving the way for full implementation of the Supreme Court judgement.

Akpabio said: ” I think what we need to do is to carry out required amendments of certain provisions of the constitution, as far as local government’s autonomy is concerned.”

But before taking a final decision on the motion, the sponsor, Senator Nwoye hurriedly raised Order 42 of the Senate Standing rules for a personal explanation of the motion at the same time Senator Abdulrahman Summaila Kawu, NNPP, Kano South, raised a similar point of order.

The simultaneous points of Order brought confusion into the session, with many senators rushing to the Senate President for a personal consultation, which eventually made the Senate dissolve into an emergency closed-door session at exactly 12: 46pm.

News

Yilwatda hails Tinubu’s intervention funds as a promise kept

Published

on

President Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Prof Yilwatda
Spread the love

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has said that the intervention programmes of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have continued to demonstrate that the Renewed Hope Agenda is delivering tangible economic benefits to millions of Nigerians through strategic investments in entrepreneurship, small businesses, and youth empowerment.

According to Professor Yilwatda, the Presidential Intervention Funds represent yet another example of the Tinubu administration fulfilling its campaign promises by providing the critical financial support needed to stimulate enterprise, create jobs, and deepen economic inclusion across the country.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the National Chairman noted that for decades, access to affordable financing remained one of the biggest obstacles confronting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), despite their enormous contribution to national economic growth and employment generation.

The current administration, he said, has deliberately moved to address this challenge through targeted intervention programmes that are unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of Nigerians.

“The Tinubu administration understands that sustainable economic growth begins with empowering the productive sector. By supporting small businesses and young entrepreneurs, government is laying the foundation for long-term prosperity and shared economic progress,” he stated.

Professor Yilwatda highlighted the ₦75 billion Presidential Intervention Fund for MSMEs as a landmark initiative designed to provide accessible financing for small businesses across various sectors of the economy.

Maduka College Advert

He said the programme is enabling entrepreneurs to expand their operations, increase productivity, and create employment opportunities.

He further pointed to the ₦11 billion support package through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), describing it as a strategic investment in strengthening the capacity and competitiveness of Nigerian small and medium enterprises.

The APC National Chairman also commended the ₦30 billion Youth Entrepreneurship Fund through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), noting that the initiative reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with the resources required to transform innovative ideas into successful businesses and become drivers of national development.

Professor Yilwatda emphasized that these interventions are already making meaningful differences in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Across the country, young entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, traders, tailors, manufacturers, and other small business owners are accessing capital to expand their businesses, employ more people, and contribute to the economic development of their communities.

He explained that the impact extends beyond individual beneficiaries, creating a multiplier effect through increased productivity, higher household incomes, stronger local economies, and expanded opportunities for wealth creation.

“The APC remains committed to building an economy that works for all Nigerians. These intervention funds are not mere policy announcements; they are practical investments in the dreams and aspirations of millions of our people.

“The evidence is clear. Businesses are receiving support, young people are being empowered, jobs are being created, and economic inclusion is expanding. This is governance that delivers results, and it is another demonstration that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is keeping his promises to the Nigerian people,” Professor Yilwatda said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the APC and the Tinubu administration to implementing policies that promote entrepreneurship, stimulate investment, strengthen local industries, and build a resilient economy capable of delivering sustainable prosperity for all Nigerians.

Continue Reading

News

Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji set for arraignment as ICPC files six criminal charges over alleged certificate forgery

Published

on

Uche Nnaji when he was arrested by security operatives
Spread the love

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a six-count criminal charge against former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, , over alleged certificate forgery and related offences.

The charges, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, are contained in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026, with the Federal Government listed as the complainant and Nnaji as the sole defendant.

According to the charge sheet, the ICPC accused the former minister of receiving N29.58 million in salaries and allowances while serving in office, alleging that he ought to have known the funds were proceeds of an unlawful act arising from corruption and fraud. The commission said the action contravenes provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that Nnaji used his office to confer corrupt advantage on himself and knowingly presented false information to the Federal Government by submitting forged > (NYSC) and (UNN) certificates during his ministerial appointment in 2023.

In separate counts, the ICPC accused him of producing and using as genuine a forged NYSC Certificate of National Service and a forged UNN degree certificate, offences punishable under the Penal Code.

The filing of the charges follows Nnaji’s arrest last Wednesday after arriving in Abuja from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.

Maduka College Advert

The prosecution stems from an investigation published by Premium Times, which alleged that Nnaji forged his university degree and NYSC certificates submitted to President and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation.

The newspaper reported that the confirmed Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but neither graduated nor was issued a degree certificate, while the NYSC also reportedly disowned the discharge certificate attributed to him.

Nnaji resigned as minister shortly after the allegations became public. He has since defected from the APC to PDP , where he emerged as the governorship candidate of a faction of the party for the 2027 Enugu governorship election.

He is expected to be arraigned before the Federal High Court in the coming days.

Continue Reading

News

At last, Tinubu directs ICPC to investigate ‘Fictitious Council’

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu
Spread the love

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of a “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC) and all related matters.

According to a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga,Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), the President directed that the investigation be concluded and a comprehensive report submitted to him within 30 days.

The directive follows the discovery of the fictitious PFIPC, which was never established by the Federal Government of Nigeria and has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval, or other lawful act of Government.

One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called PFIPC and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.

Among the issues to be investigated by the ICPC are the forged appointment letters and other official government documents; the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation; and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.

President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate not only the conduct of the principal individual and other collaborators involved but also the wider circumstances that may have enabled a fictitious body and a false claim of presidential appointment to acquire an appearance of official legitimacy.

Maduka College Advert

The investigation is to examine the provenance and use of false official documents; the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained; the opening and operation of any related bank accounts; the source and movement of any funds involved; and the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution, intermediary or other person or entity that may have facilitated, enabled or participated in the alleged scheme.

The President further directed the Commission to identify any weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and to recommend immediate measures to prevent the recurrence of similar abuses.

All ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the ICPC, upon lawful request, with all relevant information, records and assistance required for the expeditious completion of the investigation.

President Tinubu stated that the integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service.

The President directed that all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.

Continue Reading

Trending

Maduka College Advert