News
Court to rule on Emefiele’s Enforcement of Right July 13
The Federal Capital Territory High Court has on Tuesday fixed July 13 for the ruling on the enforcement of a fundamental rights suit filed by the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Hamza Muazu fixed the date after listening to submissions made by parties in the case.
Listed as 1st to 3rd respondents in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, the Director General of the State Security Service, and the State Security Service.
During the proceedings, counsel for the AGF, Tijjani Ghazali SAN, informed the court that the first respondent is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case brought before it by the applicant.
He said Emefiele’s arrest and detention by the DSS is an administrative decision of an arm of the executive and that the jurisdiction is determined by the relief sought by an applicant.
Besides, he contended that the allegation of unlawful detention is unfounded as the embattled CBN boss is being detained on the order of an FCT Chief Magistrate Court.
Consequently, he urged the court to dismiss the application.
On his part, the second and third respondents, represented by counsel I. Awo, informed the court that there was a subsisting order to detain the applicant and therefore urged the court to dismiss the application with costs.
However, counsel for Emefiele, Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that the offences listed against Emefiele are state offences that could be entertained by the FCT High Court.
He contended that, contrary to the preliminary objection raised against the originating summons on notice by the respondents, the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Earlier on June 16, the court ordered the DG of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, to grant the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, access to his lawyers and family.
Emefiele was arrested by the DSS on Saturday, hours after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court made the order on Friday, even as he emphasised that access is a constitutional right of Emefiele.
The enrolled order dated June 16, 2023, read, “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately. And regularly at a reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.”
In his submission
The court order followed an application filed by Emefiele’s counsel, J.B. Saudi, SAN, who told the court that the DSS had failed to respond to previous letters requesting access to his client.
Both the counsel to the DSS and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation requested an extension of time to file their responses to the originating motion.
The court granted the request and further adjourned the suit to Tuesday, June 20, 2023, for a hearing.
A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) detonated inside a mosque at Gamboru Market in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, on Wednesday evening, killing several worshippers and injuring others during Maghrib prayers.
The blast occurred around 6:00 p.m. local time, ripping through the crowded mosque and sparking widespread panic in the bustling market area.
Eyewitnesses described thick smoke billowing from the site as traders and residents fled, while others rushed to aid the victims.
Reports indicate at least seven people were killed, though official casualty figures are yet to be confirmed as rescue operations continue. Security forces, including the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, quickly cordoned off the area for sweeping operations and investigations.
No group has claimed responsibility, but the attack bears the hallmarks of previous incidents linked to Boko Haram or its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have targeted mosques and crowded places in the region despite relative calm in Maiduguri in recent years.
The incident, occurring on Christmas Eve, has heightened fears among residents amid ongoing insurgency challenges in northeast Nigeria.
Emergency responders are battling an intense inferno that has engulfed the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, on Christmas Eve, with the blaze showing rapid upward momentum.
According to a situation report from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the fire originated in an apartment on the 4th floor and quickly spread across that level before escalating upwards to the 6th floor.
LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, stated that the Shark Response Team found the building fully engulfed upon arrival.
The number of casualties remains unascertained as firefighting and recovery operations are ongoing.
Multiple agencies are on the ground in a coordinated effort, including LASEMA Response Team, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Nigeria Police, Red Cross, and LRU Paramedics. The Lagos Rescue Unit (LRU) Fire has also been activated.
A total of six fire trucks and a skylift are deployed to combat the blaze and bring it under control.
This incident disrupts festive activities in the commercial hub, raising fresh concerns about fire safety in high-rise buildings across Lagos.
News
President Tinubu Inaugurates High-Powered APC Committee to Resolve Internal Conflicts Ahead of 2027 Elections
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated a strategic Committee on Strategy, Conflict Resolution and Mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC), aimed at fostering unity and addressing internal disputes as the ruling party gears up for the 2027 general elections.
The committee, comprising prominent APC governors, federal ministers, and key stakeholders, is chaired by Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, with former APC National Legal Adviser Muiz Banire serving as Member/Secretary.
Members include Senator Adamu Aliero; Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman and Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq; Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma; Governors Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Uba Sani (Kaduna); Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle; and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Speaking at the inauguration in Lagos, Governor Buni thanked President Tinubu for the appointment and pledged the committee’s commitment to inclusive consultations and proactive conflict resolution.
He emphasised developing strategies that ensure aggrieved parties feel included while urging members to prioritise party interests over personal sentiments.
The move follows President Tinubu’s remarks at the APC’s 15th National Executive Committee meeting on December 19 in Abuja, where he stressed the importance of tolerance, accommodation, and cohesion to sustain the party’s progressive ideals.
This initiative signals the APC’s proactive efforts to strengthen internal harmony and mobilisation in preparation for future electoral challenges.
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