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Motion to immortalize ex-INEC boss, Humphrey Nwosu shut down amid fireworks in Senate
The Nigerian Senate Wednesday shut down a motion to immortalize the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu.
Nwosu, as Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, presided over the June 12 1993 election that was annulled by former military dictator, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
The motion which was raised by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe representing Abia South, was declined during a plenary presided by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau.
Abaribe rose under Order 41 and 51 which border on personal explanation to draw the attention of the chamber to the need to immortalize the late INEC boss.
The development was contrary to the provision in the Senate Standing Order as the Senate leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi contended that the order raised by Abaribe was inappropriate and the plenary had gone beyond the privilege Abaribe would have enjoyed to make senators consider it.
Earlier, the Deputy Senate President declared the point of order as controversial and expressed skepticism of its approval before allowing Abaribe to speak to the order.
Reacting to the Senate Leader’s submission, Senator representing Kebbi North, Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi insisted that Abaribe should be allowed to speak on the matter despite not getting the order correct.
Abaribe at this point insisted on consideration of his order, while he read a relevant provision of the Standing Order, saying: “In all cases not provided for in the standing order or by the sectional or other orders of practice of the Senate, the Senate shall by resolution, regulate its procedure so even if the Senate leader says that it doesn’t follow by the fact that a Senator wants to make a personal explanation you must give that Senator a chance to make that personal explanation.
“We are not under a dictatorship, Mr President. That is why I’m using Order 1(b) though this is at your discretion.”
Reacting, Barau said: “We are all experienced legislators here. Those who are grounded in our rules and I refer you to Order 42 once again. Order 42, by the indulgence of the Senate and the leave of the President of the Senate, the senator will make a personal explanation as though there is no question before the Senate, but no controversial matter may be brought forward nor may debate arise from the explanation.
“When we came this morning let me be frank, I’m a frank person. When we came this morning you approached me in respect of your desire to bring forward this motion under Order 41 and 51.
You never told me you were bringing it under Order 42 and when it came under Order 41 and 51, it was defeated.
“Now you change your mind to bring it under Order 42. We know we respect you very well. That wasn’t discussed. When the Senate Leader came in, I called him and I said Senator Abaribe is bringing a motion under Order 41 and 51.
And we agreed, normally I have to consult with the leadership, and we agreed that it was going to go forward.
“But, leader, did I tell you that he’s going to bring a motion under Order 42? So you didn’t approach me, you didn’t tell me, and I just want to be transparent and plain.
You didn’t tell me. If you had told me, there’s no way I would have stopped you. If you have told us that you are going to bring this motion under Order 42, we will”
Abaribe insisted that the motion to immortalize late Nwosu wasn’t a controversial one as posited by the Deputy Senate President.
He said: “Mr President, I don’t know what is controversial in immortalizing Humphrey Nwosu on June 12th. What is controversial there? What is our problem? What is controversial? It’s not controversial. Mr. President, just one more time, I will refer to our rules.
”Abaribe’s motion was overruled and he was told to bring it up through a motion on another legislative day.
News
Malami: FHC adjourns bail ruling January 7
Their counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the EFCC had previously admitted them to administrative bail and should not oppose judicial bail.
• Former Attorney‑General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami in court .
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that former Attorney‑General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife Asabe Bashir remain in prison until January 7, when their bail applications will be decided.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order after hearing arguments for and against bail in the ongoing trial.
The trio face a 16‑count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alleging concealment of illicit funds worth ₦1.014 billion and unlawful acquisition of assets valued at several billions of naira.
Malami and his co‑defendants pleaded not guilty.
Their counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the EFCC had previously admitted them to administrative bail and should not oppose judicial bail.
EFCC’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), countered, insisting the application lacked merit.
Justice Nwite explained that as a vacation judge with multiple rulings pending, he would deliver his decision on January 7.
In the meantime, Malami and his son remain at Kuje Correctional Centre, while Asabe Bashir is held at Suleja Correctional Centre.
SOT ADEDAYO ADEDEJI (SAN), Member of Malami’s Legal Team
News
NJC Disowns Viral Report on Alleged “Integrity Test” Failure by 34 Judicial Nominees
In a statement signed by Ahmed Gambo Saleh, Esq.Secretary, National Judicial Council, the Council states categorically that the report is inaccurate and unauthorized, and therefore does not reflect the true position of events as they transpired at the level of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).
• Nigerian lawyers
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has disowned a news report currently circulating on social and conventional media which alleged that 34 lawyers failed an integrity test and were consequently dropped from consideration for appointment as Judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Ahmed Gambo Saleh, Esq.Secretary, National Judicial Council, the Council states categorically that the report is inaccurate and unauthorized, and therefore does not reflect the true position of events as they transpired at the level of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).
For the avoidance of doubt, the processes referenced in the report were conducted entirely at the FJSC level, and no decision or action has yet been taken by the National Judicial Council in respect of the candidates concerned.
The Council further clarifies that while a few candidates were indeed discontinued from the process at the FJSC level based on adverse findings arising from petitions received by the Commission, a number of others did not progress further simply because they failed to meet the required qualifying score to advance to the interview stage before the NJC.
Contrary to the impression conveyed by the media reports, the Council emphasizes that there is no stand-alone or newly introduced “integrity test” whose failure automatically disqualified candidates en masse, as widely suggested.
The judicial appointment process remains structured, merit-driven, and multi-layered, encompassing written examinations, performance benchmarks, background verification, petition review where applicable, and interviews conducted strictly in accordance with established guidelines.
The Council notes with concern that the publication of inaccurate and speculative details has the potential to mislead the public and unjustly impugn the reputation of candidates who participated in the selection process in good faith.
In view of the foregoing, the NJC has commenced internal investigations to ascertain the source of the unauthorized press statement and will take appropriate steps to protect the integrity and credibility of its processes.
The Council reassures Nigerians that it remains firmly committed to transparency, fairness, due process, and the highest standards of judicial integrity, and urges media practitioners to always seek clarification through authorized channels before publishing reports on sensitive institutional matters.
News
New Year Forgiveness: Akpabio Withdraws Defamation Suits Against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Others
Akpabio gave the directive touched by a sermon given by Father Donatus, Udoette, the Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Parish , Uyo, during the New Year Mass.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who alleged sexual harassment, and several individuals.
Akpabio gave the directive touched by a sermon given by Father Donatus, Udoette, the Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Parish , Uyo, during the New Year Mass.
Akpabio said ,“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitors to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In his homily the Priest said that the greatest thing that man needs is peace and admonished parishioners to live in peace with one another.
“You have to let go of the past, no matter what it was. All of us carry some luggage of pain and hurt. You have to let go if you want to move on,” he said.
With the Thursday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begun.
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