Nigerian Judicial Council, NJC Petitioned To Probe Rivers High Court Ruling Reinstating Sacked Lawmakers

The Coalition for Justice and Accountability, (CJA), has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to immediately begin a probe of the Rivers State High Court, following the judgment that reinstated the sacked lawmakers in the State House of Assembly. 

The CJA made this known in a a statement signed by its President, Dada Segun Akin, while faulting the judgement of the court that ordered the 27 lawmakers to return to the Rivers State House of Assembly. 

The Coalition condemns in strong terms the judgment delivered by a Rivers State High Court, which ruled that, the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who moved from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress are still members of the PDP and Rivers State House of Assembly," the statement said. 

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, led by the then Speaker of the Rivers Assembly, Martin Amawhule, had in December 2023, and 26 others had defected from the PDP to the APC. 

In line with the constitutional provision that a legislator who defects should vacate his seat,a Rivers State High Court restrained the defected lawmakers from parading as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly

With the restraining order, Victor Oko-Jumbo was elected as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. 

In a judgement delivered by a Rivers State High Court, the judge after striking out the suit based on the preliminary objection went into the merit and held that the defected members were still members of the PDP. 

The group said in a statent shortly after the judgent was delivered, "We are shocked that the judge arrived at the conclusion that the defected members were still members of the PDP when the members themselves stated reasons for their defection.

In the letter of defection submitted by Martins Amaewhule and 25 others on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly on December 18th, 2023,  the members cited division in the PDP as the reason for their defection.

"Same evidence were placed before the court,and the judge still went ahead to rule that the defected members are still PDP members, and therefore still members of the Rivers State House of Assembly."

The coalition said it had revealed and warned of the plot to get favourable judgment and return the Pro-Wike lawmakers to the House last week.

It is unfortunate that, this sad  day for our judiciary is before us. 

We however wish to state that, the judgment is unacceptable and the matter must be pursued by the plaintiffs to a logical conclusion. 

"Finally, we call on  the National Judicial Commission(NJC) to immediately wade into this issue at the Rivers State High Court, Degema, because the judgment will cause further damage to the already battered image of the judiciary", the coalition said. 

(SAHARA REPORT)

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the success of any election largely depended on the professionalism and competence of those responsible for conducting it.

INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said this while warning its personnel against unethical and corrupt practices in the upcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

He spoke on Monday in Abuja at a lecture in honour of late Abubakar Momoh, former director-general of the Electoral Institute (TEI), from August 2013 to May 2017.

Mr Yakubu, represented by the national commissioner, and chairman, Board of Electoral Institute, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, warned that any unethical practice before, during and after those elections would incur severe punishments under the law.

The theme of the lecture was: “Achieving Professionalism among Election Personnel through Effective Training in Preparation for the Edo and Ondo Governorship Elections.’’

He advised electoral officers to be guided by the following principles of integrity, impartiality, transparency, professionalism, gender and disability sensitive.

He said it was important for electoral personnel to be knowledgeable, skilled and well-equipped with relevant competencies to handle the complexities and challenges of the electoral process.

“Moreover, the crucial role election personnel play in upholding the integrity of our democratic processes cannot be overstressed.

“The manner in which they discharge their duties and responsibilities affects the degree of confidence voters will have in the electoral process, which will impact their participation and turnout,’’ he said.

Mr Yakubu said that to ensure credibility and trustworthiness in elections and build trust among the electorate, INEC had always prioritised the professional development of its election personnel.

He said the commission identified effective and efficient electoral training as the key to unlocking professionalism among election personnel.

“The commission’s involvement in effective training programmes has empowered its staff to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in order to strengthen our processes and procedures to serve the interests of all Nigerians,’’ he said.

He said that through training, INEC was able to deepen electoral knowledge and strengthen the skills and competencies of personnel over time.

The TEI director-general, Dr Sa’ad Idris, in his remarks, said that INEC, in pursuit of its mission and vision, had prioritised professionalism toward achieving free, credible, transparent and inclusive elections.

“As we prepare for the 2024 Edo and Ondo off-cycle governorship elections, the commission is assured that the outcome of effective training of Election personnel will manifest in a high level of professionalism.

(NAN)

Work permit threat: Russia forces students from Nigeria, Africa to fight in Ukraine

By Tunde Osoh (Agency Reports)

Russia has added extra manpower for its offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, forcing “thousands of migrants and foreign students” some of who could be Nigerians, to fight alongside its troops in its war against Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on June 9, citing unnamed European officials.

Moscow launched a new offensive on May 10 in Kharkiv Oblast, where it reportedly managed to advance as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) before Ukraine halted the advance near the first line of defense

On June 8, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russian troops had failed their Kharkiv Oblast offensive.

According to the Bloomberg report, Russian officials have been threatening African students and young workers not to extend their visas unless “they agree to join the military.” Such a tactic was first deployed by the Russian Wagner mercenary group, Bloomberg reported.

According to the Bloomberg report, Russian officials have been threatening African students and young workers not to extend their visas unless “they agree to join the military.” Such a tactic was first deployed by the Russian Wagner mercenary group, Bloomberg reported.

While Russia has also been enlisting convicts, some Africans on work visas “have been detained and forced to decide between deportation or fighting,” Bloomberg cited an anonymous European official.

Some of those people had been able to bribe officials to stay in the country and still avoid military service,” the report reads.

This is not the first time the Russian military is reported to have started bringing prisoners, migrants, and foreign nationals into its ranks.

Last September, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported that Russia was stepping up its campaign to recruit foreigners in neighboring

countries and exploited migrant workers for its war against Ukraine.

The push to recruit foreigners and migrant workers “allows the Kremlin to acquire additional personnel for its war effort in the face of mounting casualties,” the ministry said.

Can Finidi George lead Nigeria Super eagles to the 2026 World cup

Can Finidi George lead Nigeria Super eagles to the 2026 World cup

George Finidi has a record of 1 win, 2 losses, and 1 draw as the coach of the Super Eagles. The team is currently ranked 5th in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers standings.

It would be recalled,

THE SOUTHERN POST reports 

Monday, the Nigerian Football Federation approved the recommendations of its Technical Committee to appoint Finidi as coach ahead of over 60 other local and foreign applicants.

Some of the other coaches who applied are US U-19 coach Michael Nsien, Spain-based former Katsina United coach Henry Makinwa, Sylvanus Okpala and Daniel Amokachi. Former Cameroon coach Antonio Conceicao and Dutchman Danny Bujis also reportedly applied for the job.

A member of the NFF Technical Committee, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said some stakeholders had tried to influence their decision in favour of their candidate.

 It remains to be seen whether Finidi's initial performance will shape his future as the Super Eagles coach. Only time will reveal the outcome of his tenure and whether he can lead Nigeria to the 2026 World Cup.