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Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu Asures Nigerians Of A People-Oriented Constitution

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Deputy Speaker

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu Asures Nigerians Of A People-Oriented Constitution

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu assures Nigerians of a people-oriented constitution. The Chairman of the 10th House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has assured Nigerians of a constitution that truly reflects the aspirations and desires of the people.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a two-day retreat for committee members in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday, Kalu, who also serves as the Deputy Speaker of the House, expressed his gratitude to the committee members for their dedication to the review process. He urged them to remain steadfast in their commitment to delivering a meaningful constitutional reform.

“We are so proud of you,” Kalu stated. “On behalf of the Speaker, the House leadership, and the National Assembly, we recognize the enormous responsibility placed upon you as members of this committee.

From the outset, we knew this task was challenging, but your commitment has given us confidence that we are on the right track.” Kalu emphasized the urgency of the exercise, noting that the committee is determined to complete a significant phase of the review before the upcoming election period.

He praised the team spirit and dedication exhibited by members, stating that their collective effort will bring Nigeria closer to a constitutional framework that is truly representative of the people’s aspirations.

“The journey towards achieving this goal has been marked by challenges, but our resilience and shared vision have kept us moving forward. We have heard the voices of the people, and we are committed to ensuring that their aspirations are reflected in the final document. This constitution will be one that truly embodies the will of Nigerians,” he added.

Kalu likened the committee’s role to that of architects shaping the future of Nigeria and urged members to continue working together beyond the retreat. “You are the architects of a greater Nigeria. You are the cooks in the kitchen baking a better future. Do not relent. Your hard work and dedication will yield rewards for all Nigerians,” he said.

He also acknowledged that the process comes with its challenges but reassured members that their diligence is paving the way for significant national progress. “Please let this unity among us continue. Let us remain partners in progress to make this vision a reality. The Speaker and I are proud of you,” he concluded.

Echoing Kalu’s sentiments, the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to ensuring that the constitutional review process remains inclusive, transparent, and reflective of the country’s diverse interests.

“The constitutional review process is a complex and delicate undertaking that requires expertise, wisdom, and thorough engagement with various stakeholders across ethnic, religious, and political lines,” Rotimi said.

Deputy Speaker

Deputy Speaker

“Guided by our legislative agenda, we remain steadfast in delivering meaningful reforms under the capable leadership of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. Nigerians can expect a comprehensive, well-considered, and impactful exercise that strengthens our democracy and fosters national development.”

The House Committee on Constitution Review continues its work to produce a revised legal framework that will enhance governance and address the evolving needs of the nation.

Economy

ICYMI: Governor Fubara Orders Immediate Employment For Children Of Fallen Servicemen

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ICYMI: Governor Fubara Orders Immediate Employment For Children Of Fallen Servicemen

ICYMI: Governor Fubara orders immediate employment for children of fallen servicemen. Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has directed the immediate employment of children of fallen servicemen in the state.

He gave the order on Thursday during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony at Government House, Port Harcourt, instructing the Secretary to the State Government to ensure swift implementation.

ICYMI

Fubara

 

Fubara said the move reflects the state’s commitment to supporting security agencies and families of personnel who died in active service, as he also pledged continued welfare and logistical support for the military.

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My Son’s Decision To Join APC Entirely Personal, Nothing Alarming About It Says Atiku

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Tinubu Weaponising Poverty

My Son’s Decision To Join APC Entirely Personal, Nothing Alarming About It Says Atiku

My son’s decision to join APC entirely personal, nothing alarming about it says Atiku. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the decision of his son, Abba, to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was entirely personal.

Abubakar added that as a democrat, he does not coerce his children on matters of conscience.

Tinubu Weaponising Poverty

Atiku

On January 15, Abba announced that he was pitching tent with the APC in a bid to help re-elect President Bola Tinubu, who was his dad’s opponent in the 2023 election.

He also announced the renaming of his political group, originally established in 2022 as the Atiku Haske Organisation, to the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation.

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Crime

EFCC Tenders More Fresh Bank Records In Yahaya Bello’s ‘N110.4bn Fraud’ Trial

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Yahaya Bello

EFCC Tenders More Fresh Bank Records In Yahaya Bello’s ‘N110.4bn Fraud’ Trial

EFCC tenders more fresh bank records in Yahaya Bello’s ‘N110.4bn fraud’ trial. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday tendered fresh bank records in the ongoing trial of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state, before a federal high court in Abuja.

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving about N110.4 billion.

At the resumed hearing before Maryanne Anineh, the presiding judge, the prosecution team, led by Kemi Pinheiro, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), presented prosecution witness six (PW6), Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, for further cross-examination.

During cross-examination, Joseph Daudu, counsel to the first and second defendants, questioned the witness on exhibit S1—a statement of account earlier tendered by the prosecution.

Daudu asked the witness to clarify his earlier testimony that the statement of account contained eight columns, particularly the meaning of the “description” column. Bata explained that the column reflected the narration of transactions.

He drew the court’s attention to an entry dated January 20, 2016, which reads: “Cq 158 Abdulsalami Hudu for N10,000,000.”

Bata also pointed out another entry stating, “ZB chq 155 paid Halims Hotels and Tours, Lokoja, N2,454,400.”

When asked whether he knew the purpose for which the N10 million paid to Hudu or the sum paid to Halims Hotels and Tours was used, the witness said he could not determine how the funds were spent or their intended purpose.

Daudu further referred the witness to exhibit X1 and asked him to identify it.
Responding, Bata said it was the account-opening package for a company with account number 1014878995, domiciled at Zenith Bank’s Lokoja branch.

The defence counsel then asked the witness about the number of transactions recorded within specific dates.

While Daudu suggested there were 21 transactions between March 10 and March 12, 2016, the witness said the entries he was working with began from November 14, 2016.
Directing the witness to entries dated December 6, 2016, Daudu asked him to read them out.

Bata told the court that the first entry was a transfer from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, credited with N74,378,483.20, adding that another entry on the same day showed a cheque payment of N10 million to Mohammed Jami’u Sallau.

Yahaya Bello

Yahaya Bello

Asked whether the statement indicated the purpose of the payment, the witness said the narration did not indicate the reason for the transaction, adding that the same applied to another N10 million credit in favour of Sallau.

The witness was also cross-examined by Z.B. Abbas, counsel to the third defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu, who asked whether all withdrawals made by the third defendant were by cheque, to which the witness replied in the affirmative, adding that authorised signatories duly signed the cheques.

Abbas also confirmed from the witness that exhibit X1 was the statement of account of the government house account.

On exhibit X2, the witness said the third defendant was introduced to the bank as a civil servant and accountant.

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