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Jonathan Criticised Suspension Of Elected Officials In Rivers, Paints Nigeria In negative Light
Jonathan Criticised Suspension Of Elected Officials In Rivers, Paints Nigeria In negative Light
Jonathan criticised Suspension of elected officials in Rivers, paints Nigeria in negative light. Former president Goodluck Jonathan has criticised the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, saying the move is capable of denting the country’s image. While speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan said he was disappointed that elected officials had been removed.
“These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light,” he said. His stance comes days after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich South-South region, and then suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
He said the decision was taken to restore stability in the state that has been witnessing political turmoil as a result of the disagreement between the state governor and the state lawmakers.
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” the President declared. The president appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s administrator to oversee governance.
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate,” he said.
However, Jonathan while sharing his thoughts about the political turmoil in Rivers, said although it is not the norm for former presidents to comment on issues in the polity so as not to heat up the polity, he insisted that the image of the country and how much investments a country attracts is heavily dependent on the actions of the executive, legislature and judiciary of the country.
Jonathan
According to him, his comment was necessitated by persistent calls from many Nigerians to speak on the events in Rivers State as a prominent son of the Niger Delta.
He decried the situation where an individual can dictate to the judiciary what to do, saying that it makes it difficult for anyone to have faith in the judiciary.
FG Inaugurates PenCom Board, Tasks Members On Protection Of Pension Assets
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Board of the National Pension Commission, reinforcing its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of over ₦28 trillion in pension assets.
Speaking at the ceremony, the SGF, Senator (Dr.) George Akume, charged members to uphold strong corporate governance while maintaining a clear boundary between oversight and management.
PenCom
The Board, led by Chairman Agbaje Opeyemi Olukayode, pledged to safeguard contributors’ funds and support national development, while the Director-General Omolola Oloworaran reaffirmed commitment to collaboration in delivering secure and timely retirement benefits for Nigerians.
EFCC Officials Mark Properties Linked To Malami In Abuja For Forfeiture: “Keep Off”
“Keep off”. The marking of Malami’s alleged properties took place hours after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar visited his residence.
The EFCC operatives, alongside armed security personnel, who carried out the exercise on Monday morning, were challenged by the former minister and people around him.
In a video posted on social media, Malami asked a man, who appears to be an EFCC official, to show him the court order authorising them to mark and take over his residence.
The official told the former AGF that the anti-graft agency has the right to mark the property since it is under forfeiture.
Malami responded that the forfeiture order has expired and asked the EFCC official to show him the document authorising the marking.
The inscription, “Restrained order EFCC keep off”, was marked on one of the properties linked to Malami.
In January, a federal high court in Abuja ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to Malami and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru Rahman Malami.
The court directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national daily newspaper, inviting any individual or organisation with an interest in the assets to appear before the court within 14 days and show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be made.
In February, Malami filed an application challenging the interim forfeiture of the properties linked to him.
RELEASE FROM CUSTODY
The former AGF is standing trial on two separate criminal charges.
Last week, Malami was released from custody after a court granted him bail.
On February 27, a federal high court in Abuja granted bail to Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, in the sum of N200 million each over alleged terrorism-related offences.
EFCC
Malami and his son were arraigned on February 3 on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
The Department of State Services (DSS) accused the former minister of refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to the office of the attorney-general for prosecution while he was in the office.
The EFCC had arraigned Malami, his son and wife, over allegations bordering on money laundering to the tune of N8,713,923,759.49.
Osimhen Undergoes Successful Surgery Following Injury Against Liverpoo
Victor Osimhen fractured his hand during a challenge with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.
Turkish side Galatasaray, on Monday, announced that Super Eagles forward Victor Olorunfemi has undergone surgery following the hand injury he suffered in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match against Liverpool last week.
Osimhen only managed to play the first half of the game at Anfield before he was subbed off after fracturing his hand during a challenge with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.
In a statement on Monday, Galatasaray confirmed that the club’s doctor, Yener İnce, successfully operated on the 27-year-old to repair his hand at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital.
Osimhen
“In the away match we played against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, our player Victor Osimhen, who was injured and unable to continue the game, underwent a successful operation today at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital performed by our club doctor Op. Dr. Yener İnce,” the Galatasaray said.
The club added that it “extend our wishes for a speedy recovery to our footballer and hope for his return to the field at the earliest.”
Galatasaray would hope that Osimhen recovers in time to help the reigning Turkish champions in their fight with Fenerbahce to retain the league title.
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