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.
News
Albert Horsfall, Ex-SSS Director-General dies
“Details of funeral arrangements and other related activities will be communicated in due course.”
A former Director-General of the State Security Service and pioneer Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Albert Horsfall, has passed on.
Horsfall’s death was announced in a statement released on Friday, signed by his son, Donald Horsfall, and obtained by our correspondent.
According to the statement, the transition of the elder statesman and great son of Rivers State occurred peacefully, describing him as a “beloved patriarch.”
While the family mourns his death, the statement said they would be comforted by the extraordinary life he lived and the indelible mark he left on the sands of time.
“Details of funeral arrangements and other related activities will be communicated in due course,” it added.
News
US delivers military equipment to Nigeria
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM), in a statement on its website on Thursday, said the equipment was delivered in September through a US Air Force C-17 aircraft.
The United States has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force in Lagos and Kainji, Niger State, to support counterterrorism operations.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM), in a statement on its website on Thursday, said the equipment was delivered in September through a US Air Force C-17 aircraft.
According to the command, the delivery was part of a foreign military sales agreement between the United States and Nigerian militaries.
“The delivery furthers the strategic partnership between the two nations in order to enhance Nigerian-led efforts to counter terrorism in the region.
U.S. military support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria is by its invitation and rooted in respect for Nigerian sovereignty,” AFRICOM said.
News
FG scraps data charges for students, plans internet restrictions to under 16s
The initiatives were unveiled by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, under the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria.
The Federal Ministry of Education on Thursday announced the removal of data costs to allow millions of Nigerian students to access approved educational platforms without paying for internet data.
It also disclosed plans to regulate internet access for children below 16 years.
The initiatives were unveiled by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, under the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria.
The minister, who spoke at the launch of the initiative, said the initiative formed part of the digital transformation component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, being implemented through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative.
According to him, government was determined to ensure that the cost of internet connectivity no longer determined which Nigerian child could access quality educational resources.
He explained that the initiative was not merely about providing connectivity but about ensuring that learning remained within the reach of children who could otherwise be shut out because of the cost of data
Regarding the planned regulation of internet access for every child below 16 years, the minister cited growing concerns over cyberattacks and other threats associated with children’s increasing exposure to digital platforms.
“At some point, there would be regulated internet access for every child below the age of 16 years as part of measures to strengthen online child protection,” the minister said.
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