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Kwara Gov restates support for judiciary as new legal year begins

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Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (CON) on Tuesday pledged continuous support for the judicial arm of government, including in the area of infrastructural development and welfare.

The Governor said rehabilitation of courtrooms, among other efforts of the administration, will continue within budgetary limits in the new year.

“Our administration will continue to partner with the judiciary to sustain the rule of law, public order, and safety. Along with some other supports that ease the dispensation of justice, I assure you that infrastructural development in the justice sector, including rehabilitation of courtrooms that we have started, will continue within budgetary allowances in the new year,” AbdulRazaq said in a remark at a ceremony heralding the 2024 Legal Year of Kwara State.

“On this day and always, we value your partnership and the alliances that continue to sustain law and order as we mobilise resources for sustainable development and improved wellbeing of the people.”

AbdulRazaq commended the judiciary for remaining steadfast and resolute in the dispensation of justice, congratulating all branches of the State Judiciary on the commencement of another legal year 2023/2024 and saying the event means a lot to the legal community as it does for the rest of our society.

“Without prejudice to the fact that every system is a work in progress, your commitment has helped to strengthen public confidence in the court and reinforce the ideal of the courts as the last hope of the common man. This has profound consequences for law and order, and public safety,” AbdulRazaq added.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulayman, said the administration is committed at all times to the rule of law, which he said is fundamental to justice.

Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Abiodun Adebara, applauded AbdulRazaq for his investment in court infrastructure, welfare of judicial staff as well as strengthening of its manpower to achieve a smoother, quicker and more efficient administration of justice.

Justice Adebara added, “Soon after his assumption of duty as Governor of Kwara State, he appointed five new High Court Judges in 2020. In the year 2023, he had equally given his approval for the appointment of six additional High Court Judges in the state. This represents the highest so far at a time in the state. The appointment exercise is ongoing before the National Judicial Council, and I believe that our judicial-friendly Governor will do all that is necessary for the complete actualisation of this appointment.

“When this is done, for the first time in the history of the state, it will bring the number of High Court Judges in the state to an all-time high number of 24.

“Coming to the infrastructural development, during the year under review, His Excellency gave approval and released funds for the complete renovation and rehabilitation of the High Court building in Offa Judicial Division. Since the Court was built many years ago, this will be the first effort at renovating and rehabilitating the said Court.”

The Chief Judge announced that 26,533 cases were registered in all tiers of the Court in the state in the 2022/2023 legal year, and commended the bar and the bench for their commitment to an improved Justice system.

“The grand total of the cases registered in all tiers of Court in the state in the 2022/2023 legal year just ended is 26,533 out of which 13,720 were decided, leaving 12,813 pending cases at the beginning of the current legal year. The total revenue generated from both criminal and civil cases in all the courts as well as Probate fees in Kwara State in the last legal year as fines and court fees amounted to N83,674,936.86,” the Chief Judge said.

The event was attended by members of the bar and the bench, including serving and retired Appeal Court Justices, retired chief judges, and serving and retired judges.

Speaking on behalf of the body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) in the state, Chief Peter Olorunnisola appealed to members of the bar not to do anything that will damage the image or greatness of the judiciary.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Ilorin Branch Kamaldeen Gambari and the Chairman of Offa NBA Prince Bashir Ijaiya stressed the need for upgrade of more offices and courtrooms of judges to dispense justice to all manner of people without fear or favour. They also appreciated Governor AbdulRazaq for renovating the High Court Building in Offa — the first renovation to be carried out since the construction of the building in the 1980s.

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Lagos-Calabar coastal project: Landmark commences refunds to customers

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The management of Landmark Resort Beach said it has commenced the refund process for customers affected by the recent demolition of portions of its properties by the Federal Government.

Landmark Africa, the parent company of Landmark Resort, made this known on Friday in a post on its X handle.

The firm acknowledged the patience of their customers, advising that completion of the refund process may be delayed due to the volume of requests.

t said: “Dear Landmark Citizens, we would like to assure you all that we have started issuing refunds to those who requested a refund of their money on the Landmark Citizen App.

“Please be patient with us, due to the volume of requests, this process will take some time. Be rest assured that all refund requests will be processed. Thank you all for your support and patience.

A portion of Landmark Beach on Victoria Island, Lagos, was recently demolished to accommodate the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

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NiMet forecasts 3-day sunny, cloudy atmosphere conditions

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudiness and sunshine from Friday to Sunday across the nation.

NiMet weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja forecast sunny skies in hazy atmosphere on Friday over the northern region with exception of Taraba state where pockets of clouds could be visible during the forecast period.

According to the agency, sunny atmosphere patches of clouds are anticipated over the North Central region during the forecast period.

“The Cloudy atmosphere is expected over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

The agency said later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Abia and Imo states.

NiMet predicted sunny skies in a hazy atmosphere on Saturday over the northern region with prospects of afternoon and evening thunderstorms over parts of Kaduna state.

It anticipated sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North Central region during the morning period.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi and Plateau states.

“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the southern region with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers states in the morning hours.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over the region,” it said.

According to NiMet, sunny skies in hazy atmosphere are expected over the northern region during the forecast period on Sunday.

The agency predicted sunny atmosphere with patches of clouds over the North Central region during the morning period.

NiMet forecast isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory later in the day.

NiMet predicted Cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

It anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Ekiti, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Lagos states later in the day.

“Strong winds may precede rains in the areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, the public should take adequate precaution.

“Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

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Nigeria accedes to Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Devt agreement

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Nigeria has become the latest signatory to the Establishment Agreement of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the development impact-oriented subsidiary of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

This is contained in a statement signed by Vincent Musumba, Manager, Media Relations, Afreximbank, in Abuja on Friday.

Musumba said Nigeria joined the ranks of countries acceding to the Establishment Agreement of FEDA, becoming the 16th nation to do so.

He said this underscored the increasing backing the Fund enjoyed among African nations.

“This announcement comes three decades following Afreximbank’s establishment in Nigeria, a key milestone that boldly demonstrates Nigeria’s continued commitment to supporting Afreximbank and FEDA’s missions.

“ FEDA sees new memberships as critical to broadening its scope of interventions and its mission of delivering long-term capital to African economies, with a focus on industrialisation, intra-African trade and value-added exports.”

Musumba said the signing of the FEDA Establishment Agreement was expected to pave the way for the ratification of the agreement in due course.

“This will in turn bolster FEDA’s interventions in Nigeria.”

He quoted Prof. Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank and Chairman of the Boards of both Afreximbank and FEDA, as saying: ”we extend our sincere appreciation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the signing of the FEDA Establishment Agreement.

“This significant achievement further strengthens the already robust partnership between Afreximbank and Nigeria, one of the bank’s foremost supporters.

“The partnership will enhance investments in sectors critical to the development journey of Nigeria.”

Musumba said FEDA is the impact investment subsidiary of Afreximbank set up to provide equity, quasi-equity, and debt capital to finance the multi-billion-dollar funding gap (particularly in equity) needed to transform the Trade sector in Africa.

He said other countries who had acceded to FEDA’s Establishment Agreement included Rwanda, Mauritania, Guinea, Togo, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

Musumba said others are Kenya, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Egypt.

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