The immediate past Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello has been accused by a Federal High Court in Abuja of trying to truncate the case against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The former Governor is facing a charge on his alleged misappropriation of public funds money laundering, breach of trust to the tune of about N80.2billion.

The court in its ruling on Friday, May 10, 2024 delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite restated the order that was earlier delivered on the 17^th of April, 2024 which gave the security agencies the power to arrest the former Governor in order to answer a 19-count allegation levied against him by the EFCC.

According to the court, Bello has refused to make himself available in court and is an outright disobedience on his part against the court. In the ruling, the court further stated that “Refusal of the defendant to make himself available in an attempt to truncate this court makes it practically impossible for the court to assume jurisdiction in this criminal trial.

“He ought to make himself available. He cannot sit in the comfort of his home to file applications before this court. According to the court, filing an application means he never had any intention of appearing in court which puts him in contempt of the court because “Any party who refuses to obey an order of court after becoming aware of it, is in contempt of court.

It was reported that the embattled Governor briefed Lawyers to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to try him which the court did not take lightly as they said that “Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, mandates all persons and authority to give effect to orders of court.

Justice Nwite held that Bello treated the court order with levity and opined that “In view of the forgoing analysis, I am of the view and I so hold, that no application can be moved or heard unless the defendant is present before the court to take his plea,” the trial judge held.

The court advised that the former Governor should have appeared in court first before making such rash challenge.

PalmPay, a leading fintech platform, has partnered with the Lagos State Government to bolster its agricultural initiative, offering robust payment solutions to empower residents and businesses alike with the necessary financial tools for success through the Food Discount Market initiative tagged – Ounje Eko

Ounje Eko, meaning – Lagos Food, is a food intervention program by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, aimed at providing succour to residents. This initiative is taking place across five (5) divisions of the State.

The Ounje Eko markets were opened at 27 locations in Ikeja; six in Lagos Island; nine in Ikorodu; five in Epe; and 10 in Badagry divisions. The food items – rice, beans, garri, bread, eggs, tomatoes, and pepper, among others – were sold at a 25% discount to residents.

Commenting on the initiative, the Head of Marketing Communications, PalmPay, Enakeno Umuteme noted, “The Ounje Eko is indeed a laudable initiative especially as the country’s inflation rate stands at 30% according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

“PalmPay is privileged to have participated in the Ounje Eko Initiative and offered its support as one of the Independent Payment Solution providers to have partnered with Lagos State Government as payment platforms providing POS terminals as a means of payment.”

Mr Umuteme added, “At PalmPay, we are always committed to empowering individuals and businesses with the tools they need to thrive, and we believe that having supported this intervention, we were able to make a meaningful impact in our community.”

With PalmPay’s expertise in delivering secure and efficient digital payment solutions, coupled with its involvement in the discounted market initiative, both vendors and consumers can anticipate a seamless and user-friendly experience.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has urged the Scout Movement of Nigeria to inculcate the virtues of national ethics in Nigerian youths through its numerous programmes.

Akpabio said this in Abuja on Thursday, when the Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association of Nigeria, Mr Dave Padopads-Awunah led other executive members to pay a courtesy visit to him

Akpabio advised the association to ensure discipline in its activities as well as ensure continuous education on issues like climate change and artificial intelligence.

“I don’t know at what stage that Nigeria stopped having organisations like yours in primary and secondary schools.

“In my time, we had Scout Movements in primary and secondary schools. We even used to have the female counterpart, the Girls’ Guide.

“These movements inculcated right ethics and ethos on the young ones, getting them to know their country, the national pledge, national anthem and respect for national symbols like the national flag and currency.

“The scout movement should prepare the youths for leadership in all spheres of life and that is why the motto of the scouts be prepared appeals to me,” he said.

He added, “You should be prepared for situations that are favourable, be prepared for the rainy season and dry season; be prepared for the season of bountiful harvest and even famine.”

Akpabio extolled the virtues of the scouts movement as a disciplined organisation which should be encouraged through training and retraining on contemporary issues like climate change and artificial intelligence and pledged support of the National Assembly for  their programmes.

Earlier, Awunah intimated the senate president on the forth-coming Nigeria Scout Parade and President’s Medal Awards.

He sought the collaboration of the National Assembly in executing their programmes that would be of immense benefit to Nigerian youths.