News
THREAT TO APC: Grant us leadership of NASS or we’ll withdraw support for party – Northerners
A group of Northerners who converged at the Arewa House in Kaduna on Friday, have threatened to withdraw support for the government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) unless the North is given the leadership of the National Assembly and other ministerial appointments.
The Northerners attended a one day round table on Nation Building and Democracy with the theme,’ The imperative of participation,equity and equitable development of Northern Nigeria ‘ , powered by the Democratic Research Institute (DRI).
“In the communique signed by Chairman of the Communique Committee, Professor Tukur Muhammad- Baba, and Secretary, Dr.Benjamin Izra Dikki, the Northerners emphasized that because the North is not in control of both the Executive and the Judiciary arms of government, their demand is non-negotiable..”
“In a calculation that was made in the communique that showed the percentage of votes across the 6 geo- political zones, the Northwest zone gave a total vote of 2,652235,the North Central 1,742,993 while the North East gave 1,185,458. The total contributions of the North was 63.5%.”
The communique indicated that the South-west gave 25.7%, the South-south 9.10 while the South-east delivered 1.45% of the votes for the ruling APC.
The communique also reads:
“Based on the contributions of the North in the just concluded General Elections, as evidenced in the table above, the round table, which drew participants from all the nineteen Northern states, concluded that the progress, transformation and development of the region are hinged on its stake in government, particularly access to political, economic incentives and opportunities and therefore resolves as follows:”
“Demand the leadership of the National Assembly in consonance with the provisions of section 14 and sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. This is necessary because the North is not in control of both the Executive and the Judiciary arms of government. This demand is non negotiable.”
“The North also demands fair share of ministerial and other appointments. Such appointments should take cognisance of competence, integrity and track record, otherwise, the region is left with no option than to de-invest its support for the government and the party in subsequent elections.”
Earlier in a welcome address delivered by Prof.Al-Mustapha Ussiju Medanar, he said the central objective of the Roundtable discussion was to highlight and deepen the conversations around the roles and the place of the Northern region in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and fostering nation-building through key players and partners of the region, among others.
He said: “For me, it is a privilege to be a participant of this preparation for an all-inclusive recognition of the place of northern Nigeria in the Nigeria calculations and the veritable focus on the equitable development of northern Nigeria.”
“The theme of today’s discussion, “Nation Building and Democracy: The Imperative of Participation, Equity and Equitable Development of Northern Nigeria” is key to addressing the socio-political challenges that face the contiguous northern region of Nigeria.”
“The central objective of this Roundtable discussion is to highlight and deepen the conversations around the roles and the place of the Northern region in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and fostering nation-building through key players and partners of the region, among others. “
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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