Month: December 2019

I’m dying in jail’ — Orji Kalu pleads for post-conviction bail

Emporium Reporters

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia state, has filed a bail application pending his appeal against his jail sentence. The former governor, through his counsel, urged the court to grant him a post-conviction bail on health grounds. A federal high court in Lagos had convicted Kalu of N7.1 billion fraud. Mohammad Idris, the presiding judge, sentenced Kalu to 12 years in prison for money laundering. The former governor stood trial on a 39-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The judge also…

Senate President mourns Senator Ben Uwajumogu

Emporium Reporters

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has expressed shock and sadness over the tragic news of the death of Senator Ben Uwajumogu who represented Imo North Senatorial District of Imo state until the sad incident on Wednesday. Lawan commiserated with the family of the deceased Senator and the government and people of Imo State over the tragic loss. Lawan also condoled with Distinguished senators and friends of the departed senator. He recalled that Senator Uwajumogu was full of life at the Senate Chamber on Tuesday, which made the news…

Senate orders full investigation into murder of OAU Professor …Receives report on FCT 2020 budget

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has called on the Nigerian Police authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the killing of Professor Jerome Elusiyan of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife, with a view to apprehending the assailants and bringing them to justice. The upper chamber, which urged the Federal Government to place high priority on the safety of Nigerians during and after the festive period, observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased who according to the Senate, “died in active service to the fatherland”. Citing order 42…

It will be illegal to confirm Adamu as AMCON Chairman – Falana

Emporium Reporters

Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says the law does not support the confirmation of Adamu Lamatek as the chairman of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). In a statement released on Wednesday, Falana explained that the AMCON act provides that the chairman hold the office for five years. “Muiz Banire SAN, the current chairman of the board of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), was appointed in July 2018,” he said. “The said appointment was made pursuant to section 10(3) of the Act to the…

2020 Budget: Senate approves N140.3bn for NCC …Confirms FIRS, AMCON Chairs, others

Emporium Reporters

The Senate on Wednesday approved the sun of N140,383,591,000 for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the 2020 fiscal year. The approval came following senate consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Communications during plenary. Chairman of the Communications Committee, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, while giving a breakdown of the Commission’s total expenditure for the year 2020, said that N39,297,044,000 is for recurrent expenditure and N20,863,699,000 for special projects. The lawmaker added that out of the total budget for the Commission, the sum of N8,129,462,000 is for capital expenditure,…

PIRACY: Senate Advocates Proper Funding for Navy to procure 150 vessels

Emporium Reporters

The Senate on Wednesday called for proper funding of the Nigerian Navy to enable it procures over one hundred and fifty vessels needed to undertake their constitutional responsibilities of securing the country’s territorial waters. The call was made to the executive arm of government after consideration of a report of the Senate Joint Committee on Navy, Marine Transport and Finance on the investigation of the illegal activities by Ocean Marine Solutions Limited (OMSL) at the Secured Anchorage Area (SAA) of Lagos Ports. In his presentation, Chairman of the Joint Committee,…

MUSWEN New Executive Secretary Assumes office

Emporium Reporters

A new Executive Secretary for the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Muslih Tayo Yahya, has formally assumed office as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Umbrella body of all Muslims in the Southwest of Nigeria. He succeeded the pioneer and immedate past Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Professor D. O. S. Noibi, whose retirement commenced on November 17, 2019. Professor Yahya assumed office on Monday, November 25, 2019 following the ratification of his nomination for that office by the General Assembly of MUSWEN on the same date of…

Supreme Court affirms Gov Seyi Makinde’s election as Oyo Governor

Emporium Reporters

The Supreme Court has affirmed the victory of Engr.Seyi Makinde as the Oyo State Governor. The Court ruled in favour of the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, against the majority decision of the Court of Appeal. The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adebayo Adelabu, had filed a case against the victory of Governor Seyi Makinde, as the winner of the March 9, 2019 Governorship election in Oyo State. Adelabu had approached the court to challenge the appeal court minority ruling which said status quo should be maintained.…

GOVERNOR SANI BELLO @ 52: Tribute To A Humble Personality By Mary Noel Barje

Emporium Reporters

Leadership is significant in so many ways as it provides ample opportunity for leaders to relate and serve as catalyst for growth and development of all spheres of the economy. It also defines the value and attitudes that promote respect for human life and preaches against violence as well as provides inspiration, motivation and direction to their theme. In all honesty, knowledge, wealth, fame and humility are what everyone needs to succeed in life. A lot of times, some people who achieve success forget who they are and from where…

Buhari approves Amshi as Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission ….Names two additional nominees for NAHCON

Emporium Reporters

President Muhammadu Buhari has formally approved the nomination of Ahmed Kadi Amshi as Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission. Amshi’s nomination was contained in a letter dated December 11, 2019 and read on the floor by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan. The letter reads: “Further to your letters (NASS/9th/S/SP/PRE/1/NASC/06/11/19 dated November 6, 2019 and NASS/9tg/S/SP/PRE/1/NASC/25/11/19 dated 25th November, 2019, I write to convey my approval of your nominations for the appointments of Chairman and Commissioners of the National Assembly Service Commission as follows: Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi, Chairman (Yobe,…