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Ogun Assembly suspends ex-Deputy Speaker, Kadiri, one other lawmaker
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Ogun State House of Assembly has suspended until further notice former Deputy Speaker, who is a member representing Ijebu North II State Constituency, Dare Kadiri and his Remo North counterpart, Solomon Osho in line with the provisions of Section 14 and 15 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017.
The suspension followed the adoption of a resolution, during a plenary presided over on Tuesday by the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The former Deputy Speaker, who was impeached last year March, is believed to have allegedly been behind the current ordeal of the Speaker of the assembly, Oluomo before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Though, Kadiri had repeatedly denied ever knowing anything about the arrest of Oluomo and subsequent arraignment by the EFCC over alleged N2.5bn fraud at a Lagos State Federal High Court.
According to the Speaker, “Order 6, Rule 19 (2) says that whereof a matter of privilege arises, it shall be taken into consideration immediately; in the note of that, I want to say that I received a resolution by appropriate number of members of this house raising issue of Privileges and it read thus,” Resolution 131/ OG/ 2022- suspension of some honourable members for the breach of the provision of the Legislative Houses (Power and Priviledges) Act, 2017.
“Having found to have severally and contentiously breach the Rights and Priviledges of the Ogun State House of Assembly and its Leadership, through violation of the provisions of Section 17 of Legislative Houses (Power and Priviledges) Act, 2017.
“The following Honourable member, Hon. Oluwadamilare Kadiri (Ijebu North II State Constituency) and Solomon Osho (Remo North Constituency) are hereby suspended from the House and its activities forthwith until further notice in line with the provisions of Sections 14 and 15 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Priviledges) Act, 2017.
“Since this has been signed by the appropriate number of people, it requires no vote or anything, so they stand suspended.”
Earlier, the Speaker acknowledged the correspondence of the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun dated 22nd August, 2022 which conveys the request for the approval of the 2023-2025 State Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) by the State House of Assembly.
The letter partly reads, “In reference to relevant sections of the Ogun State Fiscal Responsibility Law, 2022, we have prepared the 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (i.e. 2023- 2025 MTEF) for the State.
“Consequent on the above, I therefore seek your consideration and approval of the attached 2023-2025 State Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), so that the process of planning and budgeting for year 2023 and outer years of 2024 and 2025 can commence in earnest.”
The Speaker, thereafter, directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to interface with the Committee on Finance and Appropriation on 15th September, 2022 for further legislative action.
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Climate Change: NOSDRA urges staff, Nigerians to imbibe safety measures
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), has called on staff of the agency and Nigerians to imbibe safety and health measures as part of their lifestyle.
Mr Cyrus Nkangwung, Director, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), NOSDRA, made the call on Thursday in Abuja, while speaking with newsmen ahead of the 2024 Safety Week for staffers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2024 World Day for Safety and Health at workplace would be commemorated on Sunday, April 28.
The theme of the event is “Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Occupational Safety and Health.”
Nkangwung expressed concern that unsafe climate conditions had adversely affected the productivity of working people around the world.
He explained that one of the responsibilities of his department was to identify an unsafe climate condition, deemed to likely cause health hazards in the agency and provide necessary precautionary measure for staff.
“We are enlightening our staff to tell them that the consequence of climate change is as a result of some of our attitudes in homes and offices.
“To avoid such attitudes, we are creating awareness so we can have a better environment conducive for work,” he said.
Nkangwung, who decried the nonchalant attitude of some staff towards safety, implored them to desist from negative actions that could impede occupational safety and health in the agency.
He, therefore, urged the staff to make paramount the safety and health measures as articulated by the OSH Department.
“No staff of NOSDRA is worth losing his or her life in the course of discharging official duties and obligations due to the effective measures put in place to ensure occupational safety and health in the agency.”
He applauded the Director- General of NOSDRA, Mr Idris Musa for his unwavering support towards institutionalising the loft policy of occupational safety and health in the agency.
NAN also reports that as part of activities to mark the safety week, NOSDRA is organising lectures on safe driving culture and defensive driving, as well as a talk on basic first aid slated for Friday.
Other activities include, a health and fitness walk on Saturday in Abuja as well as seminar on fatigue /stress management on April 29 in Abuja.
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Court sets aside arrest warrant against Fubara’s chief of staff
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, vacated the warrant of arrest issued on Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, agreed with the CoS’ counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, and Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, who appeared for Ehie’s co-defendants, that the court lacked jurusidction to have granted the order.
Justice Nwite held that at the time the arrest warrant order was made, there was no pending charge before the court.
He, consequently, vacated the warrant issued for the police to effect Ehie and five others’ arrest.
The judge had, on Jan. 31, issued a warrant for the arrest of Ehie over his alleged involvement in the burning of part of the state’s House of Assembly on Oct. 29, 2023.
Those ordered to be arrested along with Ehie are Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benneth, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri and Chibuike Peter also known as Rambo.
Justice Nwite gave the order while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte application brought by the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police’s lawyer, Simon Lough, SAN.
He granted the ex-parte application as canvassed by Lough on the grounds that the six defendants had been at large to stand their trial in a seven-count preferred against five other suspected arsonists currently being prosecuted before a sister court presided over by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon.
But Falana and Aladedoye filed separate motions on behalf of their clients
While Falana filed a motion seeking an order to set aside the Jan. 31 order made by Justice Nwite, Aladedoye filed an application for a stay of execution of the arrest order.
in a motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/112/2024 dated Feb. 2 and filed Feb. 7 by Falana, Ehie sought two orders, including “an order setting aside the order made on Jan. 31 for want of jurisdiction.
“An order of this honourable court staying the execution of the order made on the 31st January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of this application.”
Giving six grounds of argument, Falana argued that the I-G (complainant) had not filed any criminal charge or motion before the court.
The senior lawyer argued that the court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the ex-parte application as the alleged offences of conspiracy, attempted murder, murder and arson took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
“He submitted that the court lacked the vires to grant an application to arrest and declare his clients wanted in respect of the alleged offences.
“The complainant/respondent (I-G) did not adduce evidence of terrorism in the affidavit in support of the application.
“The complainant/respondent did not cite any section of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013 (as amended) alleged to have been contravened by the applicants,” he argued.
Also, Aladedoye in a motion on notice dated and filed Feb. 9 on behalf of the five defendants, sought two orders, including “an order staying execution or further execution of the order(s) of this honourable court made on the 31st of January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicants.
“An order of injunction restraining the complainant from carrying out or further carrying out the orders of this honourable court made on the 31st January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicant in this case.”
Giving three-ground argument, Aladedoye said that a notice of appeal had already been filed against Justice Nwite’s orders.
According to the senior lawyer, the notice of appeal contains grounds which challenge the jurisdiction of this honourable court.
He argued that their appeal would be rendered nugatory if their application was not granted.
The I-G had, in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, arraigned Chime Eguma Ezebalike, 37; Prince Lukman Oladele, 47; Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, 40; Osiga Donald, 42; and Ochueja Thankgod , 35, before a sister court presided over by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon on Jan. 25 in Abuja.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts and were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.
The I-G, who arraigned them on a seven-count criminal charge bordering on terrorism and murder, declared Ehie and five others, said to be at large, wanted.
Ehie, who was later appointed as CoS after he resigned as member and factional speaker of the Rivers Assembly, was alleged to be among the suspects being charged by the I-G.
His resignation was said to be part of the agreements reached in the bid to reconcile Fubara and former Governor, Nyesom Wike, now the FCT Minister.
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