NCDC Boss In Isolation After China Trip, Reps Move To Suspend Plenary [PUNCH]
DG, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu
- Presidency screens visitors to Aso Rock, workers for coronavirus
- Senator warns on failure to quarantine Chinese second-hand clothes
- cases now 90,893 globally
The fear of the coronavirus spread in the country grew on Tuesday as the House of Representatives resolved that the National Assembly should suspend plenary to prevent lawmakers from being infected with the disease.
The House took the decision as the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who had just returned from China, was in self-isolation for 14 days.
Also the Federal Government said it had deployed environmental health officers in public places such as motor parks, markets and schools to stem the spread of the disease.
But despite government’s efforts, fear of spread of the disease heightened as patients and their relatives in some hospitals, including the National Hospital, Abuja, were on Tuesday wary of people with symptoms such as sneezing and coughing, which are similar to coronavirus.
As the coronavirus panic increased, the Vice- Chairman of Senate Committee on Customs, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, raised the alarm that unrestricted smuggling of Chinese okirika (second hand clothes) into Nigeria through Onne Port in Rivers State could worsen the disease in the country.
Following the diagnosis of an Italian businessman with the disease on Thursday, no fewer than 58 people are currently being isolated.
The Italian, who arrived in the country on Monday last week, abroad a Turkish Airlines flight, went to Lafarge African Plc, Ewekoro, Ogun State, from where he was referred to Lagos, when he developed symptoms similar to coronavirus.
He was diagnosed with coronavirus and he is currently in isolation at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.
The government, had on Monday raised the alarm that 158 people abroad the same plane with the Italian could not be traced, raising concerns that the level of the spread of the disease could not be ascertained.
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives called for the suspension of the National Assembly plenary for two weeks.
The House said the management of the legislature should install screening and sanitation devices at the National Assembly complex during the period.
While they were making the call, the lawmakers were cautious in their interactions with one another for fear of being infected with the virus.
For instance, as the presiding and principal officers walked into the chamber, the Deputy Minority Whip, Adesegun Adekoya, was seen extending his legs to members on both sides of the isle to greet them.
Another member, Buba Yakub, after having a conversation with the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, also greeted the Clerk to the House, Patrick Giwa, with legs.
Edo lawmaker wears mask, others greet with legs
A member from Edo State, wore a surgical face mask. His appearance caught the attention of lawmakers in the chamber, some of whom walked to where he was seated to exchange pleasantries.
A member, Mr Josiah Idem, moved a motion of urgent public importance titled ‘The Need for Emergency Response and Tackling of Deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19)’, which the House unanimously adopted.
At the end of the debate, the Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, among other lawmakers, moved for an amendment to the motion, praying that the House should “urge the entire National Assembly to embark on two weeks’ suspension of plenary to enable the management of the National Assembly to put measures in place to take care of the rapid surge of this coronavirus.”
Elumelu also prayed the House to mandate the committees on health, house services and internal security to ensure compliance with the resolution.
Earlier, the lawmaker had raised a point of order on legislative privilege, saying, “I think that this House should suspend plenary for a period of two weeks or thereabout, for the management to sanitise everybody and allow it to put measures in place, so that all of us can be tested. It may sound like a joking matter but it is a very serious matter. And I think this House should take this as a very serious matter, otherwise, you would not know who to shake hands with.”
Several members, who contributed to the debate, pointed out that Nigeria had yet to be prepared to contain the disease, saying only Lagos, Abuja and Kano had isolation centres.
In his contribution, Abiante Dagomie said, “Here in the chamber, we shut down a motion to bring back our brothers and sisters in Wuhan. Why did we shut down the motion? It was for fears of not having to bring the disease here. Finally, our fears have caught up with us. We saw when ministers were saying, that Nigeria was ready for the coronavirus, probably that was the invitation that led to the virus to come.
“Even when the Minister (of Health, Dr Osagie Enanire) was addressing the world, the type of seat that he sat on showed the world how ready Nigeria was.”
Moving the motion, Josiah, among other things, said, “The House is worried that the socioeconomic implications of the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria can be very disastrous. This can be threatening to the lives of about 200 million Nigerians. Hence, events have been cancelled or rescheduled as the disease ravages the world.
“The House is concerned that with the current situation of health facilities in Nigeria, the virus, if not properly checked or curtailed, will easily be transmitted within the larger population and may lead to a wider catastrophe.
“The House notes that the Federal Government needs to move swiftly and intensify collaborations with health agencies to nip it in the bud at this early stage of the outbreak of the infection in the country.”
Josiah prayed the House to mandate the leadership of the National Assembly to set up an ad hoc committee to interface with the executive, health agencies and institutions, with a view to overcoming and eliminating the dreaded novel coronavirus recently brought into the country.
He also called for the immediate activation of all centres established and designated for the treatment and management of Ebola cases in the country for the management of suspected cases and victims of COVID-19.
NCDC boss in self-quarantine, says health minister
The Minister of Health, Ehanire, when he appeared before Senate leadership on Tuesday, explained why the director general of the NCDC was in self-quarantine for 14 days.
He told the Senate principal officers that Ihekweazu was quarantined because he just returned from China.
He said the standard practice was for anyone coming into Nigeria to be quarantined for 14 days before mingling with other members of the public.
He also explained that the NCDC boss would remain in his house throughout the two week period.
The Minister said, “We were honoured that one of the scientists that the World Health Organisation had chosen to go to China to study the disease was the DG of NCDC.
“They went there for nine days, during which they carried out investigations. But we have already established rules here that anybody who has been to China will go to self-quarantine. Chikwe (Ihekweazu) has gone (to China) and come back and has done the test.
“It’s negative, but we have insisted that he must undergo the 14 days of quarantine which is why he was not here today.
“It is not allowed to come out until after 14 days, because if you make rules, you must also obey them, which is to set example for Nigerians that the head of NCDC is self-quarantined as we speak. He’s very well but he has to follow the rules,” he added.
I’m in self-isolation, not being quarantined, says NCDC boss
The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Ihekewazu, in an interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday evening, explained that he was in self-isolation, not quarantine.
The NCDC boss said indeed he was part of a delegation of the WHO that visited China recently. He, however, said he was not being quarantined as reported.
“I was not quarantined. I was part of the delegation of the DG of the WHO to China and I have since returned. I am not being quarantined please,” Ihekweazu said.
Presidency screens visitors to Aso Rock, workers
- Temperature test, sanitiser use now compulsory at Villa
The Presidency on Tuesday joined other government establishments in taking protective measures over the coronavirus by screening all visitors to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The PUNCH observed that most Aso Rock workers were also screened as they entered the main reception for public access into the offices.
Health personnel stationed at the reception, checked the temperature of persons arriving for the business of the day at the seat of power.
The visitors were also given hand sanitisers to disinfect their hands before proceeding further into the building.
Investigations by The PUNCH indicated that prior to the commencement of screening on Tuesday, officials of the NCDC had visited the Villa to assess the place, preparatory for the exercise.
The Department of State Services operatives, who manned the entrance, ensured that all arrivals subjected themselves to the screening.
Incidentally, Tuesday’s commencement of screening at the Villa started barely 48 hours after the Presidency down-played the fears being expressed by Nigerians, urging them not to get into a panic mode.
The Presidency, in its position on Sunday, said there was no need for Nigerians to get into a panic mode over the one case of Covid-19 confirmed so far in the country.
“President Buhari urges Nigerians not to panic about the news of this first case of Covid-19 in our country, as undue alarm would do us more harm than good”, part of a statement issued earlier on Sunday by his media aide, Mr Garba Shehu, read.
Patients, hospital staff wary of people with symptoms similar to coronavirus
The fear of the disease was also in hospitals in the country. For instance, relatives of in-patients at the National Hospital, Abuja, expressed fears over the possibility of a patient with symptoms of coronavirus being admitted to the same ward where their family members were being treated.
Although the hospital is not among the hospitals that will house isolation centres for people who contract coronavirus, the hospital is known for treating patients with viral infections and it is equipped to carry out other medical treatments like Lassa fever.
A relative of a patient on admission in one of the wards, Abdulahi Hassan, said his brother had been in the hospital for five days, but the report of coronavirus had created panic for him and his brother.
He said, “We are from Kogi State. We were referred here from Lokoja. My brother is conscious of the news going round that coronavirus has entered Nigeria. He wants to leave the hospital as soon as possible if he can take that decision on his own.
“Honestly, if I can take that decision for him, I will do that too. You don’t want to be around when someone with the symptom (of coronavirus) will enter the hospital and be in the same ward with others who don’t have it before being isolated.”
Another person, Esther Carlistus, said her husband was rushed to the hospital in poor health, but said that they were eager to go and complete the treatment at home.
She said, “I have read a lot about coronavirus. We were here on Friday when they said it had entered Nigeria through an Italian who visited our country. We have been praying against it but now that it has come, we have to fight. The most unsuitable place to be at this period is a hospital. As soon as my husband is well enough, we will leave.”
Some of the employees of the hospital called on government to provide adequate personal protective equipment for the staff.
A doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she was wary of how she related with patients who presented symptoms of coronavirus.
The Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Tayo Haastrup, earlier told one of our correspondents that the hospital had created enough awareness among staff to ensure the safety of patients.
He said, “Our centre is not created for coronavirus, but we have facility to cater for people with Lassa fever. We have about two or three rooms reserved as an isolation ward in case people that need to be isolated are brought into the hospital.”
FG deploys environmental health officers in motor parks, others
On his part, the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abubakar, at a press conference, said the Federal Government had deployed environmental health officers in public places across the country to help halt the spread of coronavirus.
Abubakar said all state ministries of environment had also been ordered to release health officers in their domains, adding that the government had identified high risk areas and would put motor parks, markets and schools under surveillance.
Chinese second hand clothes at Onne Port may cause coronavirus, senator warns
But the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Fadahunsi, warned that corruption in the Nigeria Customs Service could lead to the spread of the coronavirus in Nigeria.
Fadahunsi, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Tuesday, alleged that some unscrupulous importers were bringing banned goods from China and other countries.
He alleged that goods were being brought into Nigeria through the Onne Port in Rivers State. He said these containers including the ones bearing okrika (second hand clothes) were not quarantined, saying coronavirus might be imported into the country through these means.
Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, stated, “Due to the outbreak of the virus now, China does not allow anything into their country without being quarantined. Saudi Arabia has stopped people going there for lesser Hajj because of the virus, but we are bringing second hand clothes and other items from China without being quarantined. We are playing with fire.”
Chinese quarantined at Lagos airport over coronavirus scare
Meanwhile, a Chinese was on Monday quarantined at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for exhibiting certain symptoms upon his arrival.
The man was said to have arrived at the airport at 12pm on Monday onboard Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa.
According to reports, the man’s persistent cough made health officials at the screening point to separate him from other passengers and took him into a medical facility at the airport for observation.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health and the NCDC were said to have been notified to carry out tests on the passenger.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Ports Health Services have yet to make official statement on the development.
But it was gathered that the man, who was handed over to the Lagos State Government officials, tested negative for the disease.
23 Iranian lawmakers tested positive
The Deputy Speaker of Iran’s parliament, Reza Misri, in a statement on Tuesday said 23 of his colleagues have tested positive for coronavirus.
According to the UK Guardian, Misri stated, “As of now, 23 members of parliament were tested positive. These people have a close relationship with the people and they carry different viruses from different parts of the country, which may create a new virus, so we recommend the lawmakers to cut off their relationship with the public for now.”
Coronavirus cases now 90,893 globally, deaths, 311 –WHO
The World Health Organisation Director General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, at a press conference in Geneva on Tuesday, said, “There is now a total of 90,893 reported cases of COVID-19 globally, and 3,110 deaths.
“In the past 24 hours, China reported 129 cases, the lowest number of cases since the 20th of January. Outside China, 1848 cases were reported in 48 countries. Eighty per cent of those cases are from just three countries: the Republic of Korea, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Italy.
“Twelve new countries have reported their first cases, and there are now 21 countries with one case. 122 countries have not reported any cases.”
Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo Assemblies Pass Amotekun Bill [PUNCH]
The Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ondo Houses of Assembly on Tuesday passed the Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps bill into law. The bill seeks to unify the proposed law guiding the security outfit (Amotekun) jointly established by the six South-West governors.
The Lagos State House of Assembly unanimously passed the bill after the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and his colleagues read it for the third time.
In Ogun, the bill titled ‘A Bill for a Law to Establish the Ogun State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps to assist in Maintaining Law and Order in the State and Connected Purposes’ sent by Governor Dapo Abiodun was passed 19 days after.
In Oyo State, the House of Assembly called on Governor Seyi Makinde to sign the bill into law after passing it.
In Osun State, the House of Assembly passed the bill after amending some of the clauses in the bill.
In Ondo, the House of Assembly passed the bill after the Majority Leader, Jamiu Maito, moved a motion for the document to be submitted by the Chairman, House Committee on Security, Ololade Begudu,and seconded by Mrs Favour Tomowemo, who represents Ilaje Constituency II.
Lagos Assembly
Prior to the passing of the bill, the House of Assembly organised a public hearing attended by top residents of the state.
At the hearing, Obasa declared that Amotekun had come to stay.
The Speaker said, “I’m sure we all recall the incidents before the establishment of Amotekun, the killings, maiming, kidnapping and their likes.
“In the wisdom of our governors they decided on Amotekun.
“Our race has spoken and we must stand by it but in line with the constitution.”
Ogun Assembly
The passage of the bill by Ogun lawmakers at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, was done after the presentation of report of the Special Ad hoc Committee on Security and Strategy by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sherif.
Sherif thereafter moved the motion for the adoption of the report which was seconded by Musefiu Lamidi and supported by the whole House through a voice vote.
The bill was later read and adopted clause by clause by the Committee of the Whole House.
The motion for the third reading of the bill was later moved by the Majority Leader, seconded by Olusola Adams, while the acting Clerk of the Assembly, Deji Adeyemo, did the third reading.
Oluomo directed that a clean copy of the bill be forwarded to the governor for his assent.
Oyo Assembly
The Amotekun bill was passed by the Oyo Assembly after the third reading at a plenary presided over by the Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin.
Tuesday’s sitting was overwhelmingly attended by lawmakers who donned dresses with patterns of leopard (Amotekun) skin. The Clerk of the House and other workers were also dressed like the legislators.
The Chairman, House Committee on Security and Strategy, Akeem Obadara, while presenting the report of his committee to the House, said the bill was a product of extensive deliberation by critical stakeholders.
Ogundoyin said, “By passing this bill, we have made history and we will be creating big strides towards providing and ensuring that all persons travelling along the highways and major roads as well as in remote areas and forests are free to participate in their normal socioeconomic life without fear or hindrance.”
Osun Assembly
In one the clauses amended by the Osun Assembly, the lawmakers listed the presentation of the National Identity Card or voter cards alongside Omoluabi card as one of the conditions for recruitment into Amotekun.
The House also proposed in the bill that the appointment of Commander for the corps must the subjected to the confirmation of the lawmakers.
Speaking to reporters after the bill was passed, the Speaker, Timothy Owoeye, said Amotekun would help check the security challenges facing the South-West.
Owoeye said, “We cannot abandon the corps to the mercy of the executive. That was why we inserted a clause that the appointment of Corps Commander is subject to the confirmation of the House of Assembly.”
Ondo Assembly
Meanwhile, the Ondo State House of Assembly Chairman of Committee on Security, Ololade Begudu, said there would be a board to be administered by a chairman who will be appointed by the governor.
He said there would be a commander of the outfit must be a retired security officer of not below the rank of a Major or its equivalent, adding that their appointment would be subjected to the confirmation of the Assembly.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kola Olawoye, said history had been made following the passage of the bill.
Aworo advises on outfit
Meanwhile, a popular actor and Yoruba leader, Chief Jimoh Aliu, has said the collaboration between the conventional security agencies and Amotekun Corps is necessary for the achievement of the goal of the South-West security outfit.
Aliu, popularly known as Aworo, who spoke in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, said the aspect of spiritual fortification of the outfit should not be ignored.
He said, “I implore all the fathers, monarchs, prophets, alfas and traditional priests to join forces so that Amotekun can live up to its name. Nobody should be underestimated. Amotekun needs spiritual fortification.”
South Africa Enters Recession, Again Nigeria Emerges Africa’s Biggest Economy [PUNCH]
Nigeria has overtaken South Africa as the biggest economy in Africa as the latter enters its second recession in two years.
South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product shrank by 1.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2019, following a revised 0.8 per cent contraction in the third quarter, data from Statistics South Africa showed on Tuesday.
Nigeria’s GDP grew by 2.55 per cent in Q4 2019, its highest quarterly growth since the recession of 2016.
The country’s economic growth rose by 2.27 per cent in 2019, compared to a growth rate of 1.91 per cent in 2018.
Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that the answer to the question of whether South Africa or Nigeria was the biggest economy on the continent had long depended on which exchange rate you use for the West African nation.
But now both the official naira rate of 306 per dollar and the weaker market exchange rate of around 360 that almost all investors use put Nigeria tops, according to the report.
The report said, “Nigeria’s economic growth beat forecasts in the fourth quarter, helping its economy to expand the most in four years in 2019 as oil output increased and the central bank took steps to boost credit growth. The GDP in the West African country stood at $476bn or $402bn, depending on the rate used.
“South Africa’s economy went the opposite direction. It slumped into a second recession in consecutive years, contracting more than projected in the fourth quarter as power cuts weighed on output and business confidence.
“For the full year, expansion was 0.2 per cent, the least since the global financial crisis, and even less than the central bank and government estimated. Based on an average rand-dollar exchange rate of 14.43 for the year, the GDP was $352bn.”
According to Bloomberg, projections show Nigeria’s economy will continue to grow faster.
It said while the International Monetary Fund cut its forecast for Nigeria’s 2020 growth to two per cent from 2.5 per cent last month due to lower oil prices, South Africa’s GDP was forecast to expand only by 0.8 per cent.
Supreme Court Dismisses Ihedioha’s Review Application [THE NATION]
In a six-to-one judgment, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s application for a review of the January 14 judgment, which ordered his removal.
The highest court ordered the swearing-in of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Hope Uzodimna, but Ihedioha and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asked th apex court to reverse the verdict.
Dismissing the application, the Supreme Court held that its decision is final.
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who read the judgment, held that the Supreme Court lacked the jurisdiction to review its judgment.
But, in a dissenting opinion, Justice Centus Nweze held that the court could change its mind on any decision, having done so in the past.
According to him, the Supreme Court did not resolve a portion of the Court of Appeal judgment, which struck out Uzodinma’s petition.
Ihedioha’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), prayed the court to set aside the judgment and restore the Court of Appeal’s verdict, which the Supreme Court voided.
He argued that the apex court was misled, adding that it was better to correct the error by reviewing the judgment rather than retaining it.
Uzodinma’s lawyer, Damian Dodo (SAN), prayed the court to retain the judgment on the grounds that there was no error that required correction.
Justice Ariwoola held: “The judgment is a final judgment of the court as prescribed in Section 235 of the Constitution.
“The appeal was adjudged meritorious and was allowed, and the judgment of the lower court (the Court of Appeal), which affirmed the judgment of the Governorship Election Tribunal was set aside.
“Generally, by the provision of the Rules of this court, it shall not review any judgment once delivered by its save to correct any clerical mistake or some errors arising from any accidental slip or omission or to vary the judgment or order, so as to give effect to its meaning or intention.
“A judgment or order shall not be varied when it correctly represents what the court decided nor shall the operative and supportive part of it be varied and a different form substituted. (See Order 8 Rule 16 of the Rules of this court).
“The general law is that the court has no power to alter or vary a judgment or order after delivery, except (a) so far as it is necessary to correct errors in expressing the intention of the court or (b) to correct clerical mistakes or some errors arising from accidental slip or omission, that is the slip rule or (c) an order which is a nullity owing to failure to comply with an essential provision, such as the service of process, can be set aside by the court which made the order and (e) a judgment or an order made against a party in default (may also be set aside.).
“It is settled law that this court has no power to change or alter its own judgment or sit as an Appeal Court over its own judgment.
“There is no doubt that the court has inherent powers in respect of matters within its jurisdiction. It certainly has no inherent power to assume jurisdiction in respect of the matter not within its jurisdiction.
“It is clear from the tone and the wording of the instant application that what is being sought is asking the court to sit over its own judgment already delivered and executed. That is certainly beyond the competence of this court.”
The Supreme Court said it derives its jurisdiction from the Constitution and an Act of the National Assembly.
Justice Ariwoola added: “There is no constitutional provision for the review of the judgment of the Supreme Court by itself.
“Therefore, once it delivers its final judgment, the Supreme Court, subject, of course, to the slip rule principle, it becomes functus officio in respect thereof.”
Justice Ariwoola recalled that on February 26, the court was confronted with similar application in relation to the judgment it gave on February 13 on the Bayelsa governorship dispute.
He noted that the Supreme Court, in rejecting the application, relied on its Order 8, Rule 16, which prohibits a review of the apex court’s judgment.
Justice Ariwoola held that the implication is that the court “does not have the competence and lacks the required jurisdiction to review its own judgment, except, as earlier stated, in the circumstances set out in the Rules of this court.”
He noted that the court has held in cases that “the finality of the Supreme Court is entrenched in the Constitution”.
“Therefore, once the decision of the court is clear, it is final in the sense that the thrust of the ratio decidendi is manifest in it.
“Inherent powers of the court can only be invoked if there is a missing link in the main body of the judgment. And some steps must be taken to fill in the gap or ambiguity so that the justice of the issue will be clear.
“That is why this court can sometimes be called upon to dot the Is and fill in the gaps in the slip apparent in the judgment. Otherwise, the court cannot, under any guise or so-called inherent powers, alter or has to clear an unambiguous judgment once given,” the Justice said.
Justice Ariwoola relied on another earlier judgment of the court where it was held that the finality of the Supreme Court decision in civil proceedings is absolute unless specifically set aside by later legislation.
He added: “The justices that man the court are of course fallible, but their judgments are, as the Constitution intends, infallible.
“Therefore, any ingenious attempt by counsel to set aside or circumvent the decision of the Supreme Court will be met with stiff resistance.
“Without any further ado, this application is considered lacking in merit and is liable to be dismissed.
“To ask us to set aside the judgment of this court delivered on the 14th of January 2020 is an invitation to ask us to sit on appeal over our own judgment. We cannot do so.
“To set aside the judgment in this circumstance is to open the floodgate for applications by parties to review the judgments of this court. To do that will, to say the least, bring the court to disrepute and ridicule.
“In the circumstance, this application is accordingly dismissed.”
Justice Ariwoola declined to award cost against any party.
Other five members of the panel who agreed with the lead ruling are: Chief Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, Justices Sylvester Ngwuta, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Amina Augie and Uwani Abba-Aji.
In his dissenting ruling, Justice Nweze said there was a number of reasons for the court to have granted Ihedioha’s application.
He agreed with Agabi that the Supreme Court was without the necessary jurisdiction when it sat and considered the appeal on which its January 14th judgment was given.
He held that the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which struck out Uzodinma’s petition at the tribunal for being incompetent, was still subsisting because it raised the issue of jurisdiction, which the Supreme Court did not resolve in its judgment.
Referring to the court’s past decisions in Adegoke Motors vs Adesanya, Johnson vs Lawanson, among others, Justice Nweze disagreed with the majority decision.
“This court has the power to overrule itself and has done so in the past,” Justice Nweze said.
He also held that it was wrong for the court to have awarded electoral victory to Uzodinma, who had argued that the election was a nullity on grounds of non-compliance.
Justice Nweze also faulted the results Uzodinma claimed at the tribunal and wondered why he omitted to present the scores of the other candidates in the election.
He added: “Having thus failed, neglected or omitted to bring the scores of other candidates in the election, this court wrongly declared him as duly elected.”
Justice Nweze was also of the view that the Supreme Court ought not to have upheld the results claimed by Uzodinma because he had, while testifying at the tribunal, admitted that the results were more than the number of accredited voters and that he compiled the results.
He held that Uzodinma misled the court to accept the “ubiquitous and fake results” which he admitted that he compiled.
Justice Nweze noted that, in accepting the results claimed by Uzodinma, the court was misled into coming out with total votes in excess of the total number of accredited voters, which was 823,743.
He also held that the court was misled in declaring Uzodinma the winner when it did not find that the APC candidate met the constitutional requirement to be so declared.
Justice Nweze upheld Ihedioha’s application, granted his reliefs, and set aside the Supreme Court judgment sacking him.
Amotekun Set For Take Off [SUN]
Lagos, Ogun, Osun Oyo, Ondo Houses pass Bill
The coast became clearer on Tuesday for the establishment of security outfits in the Southwest states.
The Amotekun Corps Bill was passed by Houses of Assembly of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Osun states.
The Ekiti State House of Assembly had earlier passed the Bill.
Following the passage of the bill by the lawmakers, the six governors in the zone are expected to simultaneously sign the document into law, thus paving the way for the establishment of Amotekun Corps in their domains.
In Ibadan on Tuesday, members of the Oyo State House of Assembly showed up in dressed made of leopard skin.
Some wore amulets to depict combat readiness.
The session began with a clause by clause consideration of the bill before it eventual passed the third reading, final adoption and passage.
The lawmakers unanimously reechoed the growling of the leaopard immediately Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin hit the gavel indicating the bill passage.
Local hunters’ chants and songs immediately took over the hallowed Chamber with lawmakers congratulating each other for job well done.
The speaker described the excitement that enveloped the chamber as an indication of the firm belief in the initiative not only to address the security challenges of the state but bring about needed development, especially in the areas of agriculture.
The bill was passed into law after the consideration of a report presented by the House Committee Chairman on Security and Strategy, Akeem Obadara.
Ogundoyin told reporters that with the passage of the bill into law, the Amotekun corps will begin operation in the next few weeks, adding that the law, when signed by the governor, will ensure the comprehensive security for Oyo and other Southwest states.
Ogundoyin said: “This outfit will be very responsible and will be responsible for rapid economic development in terms of agriculture, in terms of infrastructure and in terms of peace and stability, so we are very optimistic that the Southwest and Oyo state are on the path of fast and rapid development.
“In a matter of weeks or months, I can assure you that the Southwest governors, and our governor in particular, who is eager to make sure that we hit the ground running with the corps, will sign it into law.
“As you can see we have the vehicles and we are still going to purchase even more vehicles in order to support them to give them all the things that they need to secure the lives and property of the Oduduwa people.”
The Ogun Assembly passed the State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Bill barely 19 days after receiving it from the Executive, as part of its resolve to stem rising crimes, banditry and other violent acts.
The Bill titled: “A Bill for a law to establish the Ogun State Security Netwrk Agency and Amotekun Corps to Assist in Maintaining Law and Order in the State and Connected Purposes” was passed during a plenary presided over by Speaker Kunle Oluomo.
The passage followed the presentation of report of the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Security and Strategy by Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff.
Sherif, who moved the motion for the adoption of the report, was seconded by Musefiu Lamidi and supported by the other members through a voice vote after which the bill was read and adopted clause by clause by the Committee of the Whole.
The motion for the third reading of the bill was moved by the Majority Leader and seconded by Olusola Adams.
Acting Clerk of the Assembly, Deji Adeyemo, did the third reading, after which the speaker directed that a clean copy of the bill be forwarded to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his assent.
At plenary on Tuesday, the Lagos State House of Assembly passed the Bill to create Amotekun Corps as a special unit of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps.
It passed the bill after taking the third reading of the amendment to the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps Agency Law, 2019.
The amended bill had successfully gone through all the different stages of lawmaking which includes first and second reading, holding public hearing, laying and presentation of committees report, adoption of report by House, third reading and finally passage.
After the voice vote approving the passage of the bill, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni to send a clean copy to the governor for his assent.
The new law states that Amotekun Corps must not operate like the police and that “they are not to be hired and cannot follow politicians or be used for political purposes.”
Also in Akure, the Ondo State House of Assembly passed a bill for a law to establish the State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Bill.
On February 18, the Assembly deliberated on the bill and committed it to the House Committee on Security Matters after scaling through the first and second reading. A public hearing was conducted simultaneously on the bill across the six Southwest states.
Majority Leader Jamiu Maito moved a motion for the bill to be submitted by the Chairman of the House Committee on Security Matters, Ololade Begudu. He was seconded by Favour Tomowemo, representing Ilaje II.
Bode Adeyelu read the bill for the third reading, with Maito, moving the motion for its passage while it was seconded by Deputy Minority Leader Leonard Akinribido.
The speaker, who wore Amotekun traditional attire, said the bill, if signed by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, will reduce crime in the state. He described the bill’s passage as remarkable.
Oleyelogun explained that the Amotekun Corps would be a community policing body that would complement the work of other security agencies in the state.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kola Olawoye, said that history had been made in the state, noting that it was the first time that the Yoruba race would speak with one voice without opposition.
The Osun Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Establishment Bill, 2020, was passed in Osogbo after it was read for the third time.
The Amotekun Bill was presented to the Assembly by the Executive on February 27. After passing the first reading, a public hearing was held on the bill to inject stakeholders’ contributions and suggestions.
At Tuesday’s plenary, the House resolved the grey areas in the bill and a final draft of the bill adopted.
Invoking Order 87, Rule 1 and 2 of the House, Speaker Timothy Owoeye recommitted the bill back to the Committee of the Whole where the lawmakers further deliberated, amended and injected new suggestions into it.
The new amendments made to the bill were later adopted and it was read for the third time and unanimously passed by the lawmakers.
After the passage, the speaker thanked his colleagues for giving the bill an accelerated consideration and passage.
Senate Moves To Cut President’s Powers [SUN]
- Proposes law on appointment of Service Chiefs
Worried by public complains on non-adherence to Federal Character principle in the appointment of Service Chiefs, the Senate has begun moved to clip the powers of the President with a bill that would ensure security appointments is not concentrated in one zone.
The bill sponsored by Minority Leader of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe is tagged: “Armed Forces Service Commission and other related matter 2020.”
In the proposed bill which passed the first reading on the floor of the Red Chamber, the Senate said it seeks to ensure that no zone is left out in the appointment of service chiefs.
If the bill scales through, the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Director of Military Intelligence and heads of other arm-bearing security agencies shall be made subject to recommendations by the Armed Forces Service Commission which is saddled by the bill with the responsibility of ensuring that federal character principle is applied in the selection of the service chiefs.
“The Commission shall have the power and authority pursuant to section 219 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to ensure that the composition/appointment of Service Chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Federation reflects federal character of Nigeria in the manner prescribed in section 217 (3) of the 1999 Constitution. The Commission shall ensure that the functions specified in section 217 of the 1999 Constitution and the powers exercisable by the President in the appointment of Service Chiefs and officers corps and other ranks of the Armed Forces in section 218 of the 1999 constitution reflects federal character. Where the number of available positions cannot go round the six geopolitical zones of the Federation, the distribution of appointments shall be done between equally between the North and South.”
“As from the date of commencement of this Act, the Commission shall have the power to recommend to the President from among the best and most qualified, most educated and most experienced members of the Armed Forces of the federation for appointment as (a) Chief of Defence Staff (b) Chief of Army Staff (c) Chief of Air Staff (d) Chief of Naval Staff (e) Director of Military intelligence; and heads of other arm-bearing security agencies and ensure that such appointments reflects the federal character principle of Nigeria,” the bill said.
It also empowered the commission with powers to recommend to the President the removal from office of the service chiefs and head of other security agencies on ground of misconduct, abuse of office, breach of any section of the Constitution, the Armed Forces Act or any other Act of the National Assembly. The Commission also has the power to approve promotion from among the best, most competent and qualified officers as heads of military formations/branches such as General Officers Commanding Divisions of the Nigerian Army,Navy and Air Force.
“Subject to the provisions section 215 (1) and 216 (2) of the 1999 Constitution on the powers of the Nigerian Police Council to advise the President on the appointment of Inspector General of Police, and notwithstanding any other provision in any other law establishing any other security agency. The Commission shall have the power to recommend to the President from among the best and most qualified, most educated and most experienced officers of the Police, State Security Service (SSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Custom Service, Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigerian Correctional Service, persons for appointment as Inspector General of Police, Director General of SSS, Director General NIA, Director General of ONSA, and Commandant General of NSCDC, Comptroller General of Customs, Comptroller General of Immigration, Comptroller General of Prisons, and Head of the Federal Fire Service.”
The proposed law further stated that “provided that in making such recommendations, the Commission shall take into cognisance the federal character principle and the geo-poilitical zones of the country that produced the four service chiefs provided in this section, and ensure that the heads of other security agencies provided in this sub section spread equitably among the six geo-political zones of the country.
“Notwithstanding the provision in any other law establishing the Armed Forces, Police and other security/para military agencies, commission shall supervise and approve upon certifying that federal character provided in this Act has been duly observed, all promotions in the Armed Forces of the federation, Police and other security and para~military and armed-bearing security agencies of the federation,” the bill recommended.
Cybercrimes: FBI Visits EFCC, Honours Magu, Others [SUN]
The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Ibrahim Magu ,yesterday received an award of excellence from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), for his unique role in the joint field operation with the agency, codenamed, “Operation Rewired” aimed at tackling the menace of cybercrimes.
The FBI legal attaché, Uche Ahamdi who presented the award during a visit to the EFCC headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, commended Magu’s leadership as well as the Commission over the collaboration in the fight against corruption.
Commending Magu over the fight against cybercrime, Ahamdi said: “After a long race and crossing a certain finished line, we look back and see how far we have gone, and then come back together to say thank you very much for all your support in tackling the Business Email Compromise( BEC) menace across the world, not just in Nigeria, but across the world.”
According to Ahamdi, the EFCC under Magu has put in place efficient working collaboration leading to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of BEC across the globe.
He reiterated the need for more collaboration between the FBI and the EFCC, stressing that the FBI was “immensely pleased” with the assistance rendered by the Commission.
“We come to present a few token of our appreciation in the form of citation and certificates from the FBI to the operatives who handled part of the BEC rewired operation,” Ahamdi added.
Responding, Magu appreciated the FBI for deeming it fit to consider him and his team worthy for award of excellence, and gave assurances of the Commission’s readiness to continue partnering with the FBI.
According Magu, the exchange of intelligence with the FBI helped the Commission in winning the fight against cybercrime, adding that the working relationship with the FBI was necessary “because corruption is a borderless crime”.
EFCC officers who received award of rxcellence along with Magu included Abdullahi Lawal, Ernest Okoli, Ajao Mariam, Haruna Idris, and Naziru Aminu Shehu.
Others are Umar Aminu Yabo, Okanne Kelechi, Princewill Kingsley, Blessing Elegbede, Kaigama Mustapha, Kolawole Mukaila, Baba Mustapha, Najib Isah, Afanda Emmanuel Bashir and Abdullahi Lawal.
WAEC Records 32% Pass In 2020 WASSCE [SUN]
A total of 3,892 candidates representing 32.23 per cent obtained credit in a minimum of five subjects including English Language and General Mathematics in the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE ).
Announcing the results, Head of Nigeria National Office (HNO) for WAEC, Mr. Olu Adenipekun, said a total of 12,395 candidates registered for the examination, but 12,075 sat for the examination, made up of 6,331 males and 5,744 females, representing 52 per cent and 47.57 per cent respectively.
He 11,816 candidates, representing 97.86 per cent had their results fully processed and released while 259 candidates, representing 2.14 per cent had few of their subjects being processed due to errors traceable to candidates in the course of registration or writing the examination.
“Such errors are being corrected by the Council to enable the affected candidates get their results fully processed and released subsequently.”
Adenipekun said the analysis of the statistics of candidates’ performance showed that 9,438 candidates, representing 78.16 per cent obtained credit and above in two subjects; 8,125 (67.29 per cent) obtained credit and above in three subjects; 6,713 candidates (55.59 per cent) credit and above in four subjects. The HNO said 5,251 candidates, representing 43.49 per cent obtained credit and above in five subjects.
“A total of 3,892 candidates, representing 32.23 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects including English Language and General Mathematics. The percentage of candidates in this category in the WASSCE for private candidates, 2019 – first series was 26.08 per cent.
“The results of 548 candidates, representing 4.54 cent of the total candidature for the examination are being withheld in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractice. The cases are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate Committee of the Council in due course for consideration. The Committee’s decisions will be communicated to the affected candidates,” he said.
Adenipekun recalled that the WASSCE for private candidates started in 2018 with a total of 11, 721 candidates, noting that the examination has grown from strength to strength.
“In its second edition in 2019, a total of 12, 202 candidates registered for the examination”, he said.
He the Council in Nigeria has perfected its Electronic Certificate Management System, an online portal being deployed to enable private candidates request for their certificates online.
He said the coordination of examiners and marking of scripts took place from February 15 to 28 at three marking venues in Abeokuta, Kaduna and Enugu.
Enugu Catholic Bishop Hits Mbaka [SUN]
Advises faithful to disregard priest’s prophecies • I spend N730m monthly on charity – Mbaka
As the dust raised by the prophecy of Fr. Ejike Mbaka over the Imo 2019 governorship election continues to rage, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, has advised Nigerians against taking Fr. Mbaka’s prophecies seriously.
Onoga who spoke with Daily Sun on the sidelines of the 2020 First Plenary Session of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) described Fr. Mbaka’s prophecies as a depiction of his personal views and urged Nigerians to ignore him.
“Actually, I have restrained myself from commenting on that because the whole issue is that, if somebody makes a prophecy, people begin to then believe in it. I have told them, Mbaka is my priest, ignore him. Should I say it loud? Ignore him!” Onaga said.
On January 14, the Supreme Court sacked Ihedoha and announced Uzodinma as governor. Onaga said even that prophesy by Mbaka should be ignored.
“Anybody who begins to say anything anyhow should not just be followed. Mbaka is a priest; he is not a politician, he is not an INEC official, not a polling agent, he is just talking like any other Nigerian, making his own view known. Ignore him! And I mean every bit of it.”
Meanwhile, Fr. Mbaka has said he spends an average of $2 million (N730 million) monthly on various charity works in the country.
Mbaka revealed this while presenting N18.8 million bank draft to the management of Annunciation Specialist Hospital, Enugu, yesterday, on behalf of Multi-Life Savers for the Less Privileged, a charity arm of his ministry.
He explained that the money was to cover an accumulated free medical services that the hospital had rendered to indigent people, on his bill, amounting to over N14 million, adding that the balance was a deposit for other indigent patients that would require the services of the Catholic health facility in future.