07/06/23

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele to appear before it on July 19 over a 53 million Dollar-judgment debt arising from the Pars Club refund.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, who gave the order during the hearing of a suit insisted that the court would not hear Emefiele’s motion for stay until he appeared in court.

Justice Ekwo had, on October 20, 2022, ordered the CBN governor to appear in court on January 18 over his alleged refusal to obey the order of the court for the payment of the judgment debt in favour of a legal practitioner, Joe Agi, SAN.

However, on the January 18, proceedings could not go on as scheduled due to the absence of Emefiele prompting the court to subsequently adjourned the case till March 20.

Agi had dragged Linas International Ltd, Minister of Finance and CBN to court as 1st to 3rd judgment debtors respectively, following an application for garnishee made by him as judgment creditor in the case.

Upon resumed hearing on Tuesday, Agi’s counsel, Ayodele Arotiowa, informed that on the last adjourned date, the court made an order that Emefiele should appear in court on the next date and that the order had not been obeyed.

Audu Anuga, SAN, who appeared for Emefiele and CBN, reminded the court that the it didn’t sit on the last adjourned date.

Anuga also informed the court of an appeal filed on the 28th day of October, 2022 and also a motion for stay and an affidavit of fact before the court.

Arotiowa said though they had been served with the processes, they had also responded.

Reacting Justice Ekwo said that it was because of the order he made that Emefiele should appear in court that prompted them to go on appeal to prevent him from appearing before the court.

Justice Ekwo further declined hearing any application from Emefiele’s counsel until the CBN governor appears in court.

He adjourned the matter until July 19 for report on the compliance with the order of the court.

The dispute stemmed from an alleged $70 million judgment against Linas International Ltd for the lawyer’s (Joe Agi) assistance with the Paris Club refund.

Emefiele was said to have only released $17 million, leaving an unpaid balance of $53 million.

07/06/23

Credit: NAN

PRESS RELEASE

Edo State Government has announced the reduction of working days for civil and public servants in the state from five to three.

According to Governor Obaseki
in a statement signed on Tuesday in Benin City ,the reduction in working days to three is due to the rising cost of goods, services and general cost of living necessitated by the fuel subsidy removal.

Obaseki Also assured Edo Residents of Government’ s commitment in deepening the Edo Best @Home initiative to create more virtual classes.

He says his Administration shares in the pains of the people and wants to assure everyone that the State Government is standing with them in these very challenging times.

The Governor reassures that Edo as a subnational Government will continue to work to reduce the pains and ameliorate the sufferings the people are currently facing in the wake of the current realities.

He said the state’s minimum wage of forty thousand Naira will be sustained with the hope of increment if more allocation accrues to Edo from the Federal Government in view of the expected savings occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The Governor said his administration is working with Electricity companies in the State to ensure improvement in power supply to homes and businesses so as to reduce the rising cost of energy.

06/06/23

LADIPO O.G

Wild Africa Fund has launched a month-long campaign to raise awareness about the threats of Plastic Pollution and its impact on oceans and Marine life.

The campaign is part of activities to mark the 2023 World Environment Day celebrated across the globe to reflect the impact of human activities on the environment while encouraging renewed Public commitment to protecting the Earth.

Nigeria Representative at Wild Africa Fund, Festus Iyorah says Plastic pollution is a huge and widespread problem in Nigeria as single-use plastic has become part of the people’s daily lives. Yet, its constant use and accumulation as waste is damaging the environment, ocean and marine species, such as sea turtles.

Statistics from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) show that the world produces about 400 million tons of plastics per year. Of that, only less than 10 per cent is recycled.

In Nigeria, 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated every year and 88 percent of these plastics are not recycled. As a result, they end up in waterways, Dams, lagoons, and the Ocean affecting marine habitats and the Aquatic species that call the ocean home.

Peter Knights, OBE, Founder, Wild Africa Fund however says with political will and public participation, Nigeria could be a regional leader in reducing plastic usage and moving from indiscriminate dumping to recycling or safe disposal of plastic waste.

This year’s World Environment Day theme, “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”, represents an urgent call for the world to reduce plastic waste while finding local solutions to the damages caused by plastic pollution to the Environment and wildlife.

06/06/2023

BENEDICTA T.D

The Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah has told the Federal high court that she intend enter into a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes commission , EFCC over the N7.6 billion fraud charge preferred against her.

Counsel for the two companies that are also defendants in the case ogwu Onoja told the court that over 95% of the money has been refunded to the government.

Onoja noted that over three hundred and twenty
million naira has been refunded with an outstanding of eighty million naira.

Stella Oduah was to be arraigned on Monday 5th of June 2023

Although the day’s proceedings were for the arraignment of the defendants, counsel to the 1st-9th defendants prayed the court to adjourn proceedings pending the outcome of the application before the EFCC.

Over N320 Million has been paid so far for the amount Worth over N7billion.

Counsel for the EFCC Hassan Ilema confirmed that a letter was written to the commission but the EFCC is yet to respond to the application.

He prayed the court to go ahead with the arraignment pending when the commission attends to the application of the defendants.

Presiding Judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the major issue is for the federal government to recover its money and payments are already being made, he will give the prosecution and the defendants a few days to hold a conference.

Parties are to report back to the Court on the 15th of June for a report on the conference and subsequent commencement of trial.