₦airaland Forum

The church no get name?

FIFA REQUIRES CONCRETE EVIDENCE OF FÉCOFOOT TO LIFT THEIR SUSPENSION

In a letter addressed to the Congolese Minister of Sports, Hugues Ngouelondele, on March 25, 2025, FIFA reiterated its request for official communication from Fécofoot. This communication must include detailed and tangible evidence demonstrating that all conditions for lifting the suspension of Congolese football the federation are fulfilled.

FIFA has also confirmed that it has taken into account the financial information provided and will carry out the necessary controls.

It is important to remember that Fécofoot is currently involved in a money embezzlement case. The situation was brought to light by the ad hoc commission, which discovered checks and stamps from companies appearing to be screen companies. These entities have received significant amounts of money from the accounts of Congolese football the federation In addition, some of these companies would be related to relatives of the current president of Fécofoot, one of whom would belong to the coach of the Congo women's national team.

Speaker addressed the letter to the Dep Governor

What should Sim FUBARA do with this kind of yeye letter

See letter.

This is very embarrassing

Dear Mr Speaker?? Unbelievable

"GALAVANTING AMAEWHULE: HOW SELF-INFLICTED BLUNDERS HAVE RESULTED IN THE PROCESS OF RECALL AND VACATION OF SEAT FROM THE RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY"

By

Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja,
Executive Director,
Nigerian Law Society (NLS).

I am a sucker for words!!! As a teenager, my father (who is also a lawyer) gave me a notebook wherein I was to write every new word that I came across and I had to also write the meanings as I saw it in the dictionary!!!

I will never forget the first time that I heard the word "GALAVANTING". I was a third year student at the Faculty of Law, Rivers State University. I was also the Course Representative (Course Rep. as they were popularly called) for Nigerian Tax Law.

As Course Rep, it was my duty to liaise with the law lecturer and then pass on information to the law students.

In those days, apart from the regular full-time students who were about 150, we also had part-time law students of about the same number or even more.

So on the date of the first semester, it was my duty as Course Rep. to confirm from the law lecturer the exact venue of the examination. This is because as at that time the Faculty of Law did not yet have its own independent Faculty building. So as guests at the Faculty of Science building, the law students were at the mercy of the Faculty of Science, examination venues could be moved at the last minute to make room for the hosts, Faculty of Science.

So as Course Rep. I was going back and forth to locate a vacant lecture hall that we could use for the examinations and time was approaching.

The part-time law students who were mostly older, senior citizens were getting frantic since most of them had abandoned their offices to come to campus by 10am and write a three hour exams and had intentions to return to their offices.

So one of them the ring-leader confronted me in the rudest of tones: "You this boy, instead of you to tell us where we are going to stay and write the exams, you are busy, GALAVANTING"!!!

Instead of me getting upset I laughed at that funny sounding onomatopoeic word (GALAVANTING), I am still laughing even as I write this!!!

In my case, my GALAVANTING did not inflict any negative consequences upon me, but in the case of Martin Amaewhule, his GALAVANTING is the reason why certain lawyers and constituents are now seeking his removal from the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines GALAVANTING as:

"to visit or go to a lot of different places, enjoying yourself and not worrying about other things you should be doing".

In the case of Amaewhule, instead of him to focus on the performance of the three major duties (law-making, representation and oversight) of any law-maker for which he was elected by constituents, he is engaged in other activities.

Impeachment and plotting of impeachment appears to have become the major activity of Amaewhule ever since he joined the Rivers State House of Assembly in the year 2011.

If Amaewhule was a military man in the Nigerian military, he would have become a "general" and serial coup plotters in the likes of the late General Sani Abacha who is reputed to have been involved in almost every coup plot in Nigeria from the year 1966 to the year 1993 when he himself took over power in a bloodless coup.

Amaewhule was the law-maker that moved the Motion for the attempted impeachment of Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree, the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the year 2013.

Again in the year 2023, in his capacity as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly he presided over the attempted impeachment of His Excellency, Governor Simnialayi Fubara.

In the past 14 years of his being a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, it is difficult to list the number of high impact laws that Amaewhule has sponsored.

It is even more difficult to identify the high impact constituency projects that he has executed during the same period.

Neither can anyone authoritatively verify the number of oversight visits he has undertaken as part of the committees of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

For the foregoing reasons, some constituents of Obio/Akpor State Constituency had through their lawyer named Kennedy A. Amadi, Esq. commenced the process of recall of Amaewhule.

In a letter dated 7th March 2025 and addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the said constituents listed at least seven (7) offences of the said Amaewhule.

All these offences where committed by Amaewhule himself, therefore it can rightly be said that his recall is SELF-INFLICTED!!!

What the constituents did not list inside their letter written by their lawyers is that Amaewhule is also supposed to vacate his seat as a legislator of the Rivers State House of Assembly considering that he has failed (since his inauguration in May 2023) to attend sittings of the said legislature for the 181 days as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

Amaewhule has also committed and is on-going in the commission of the act of perjury considering that after his public announcement of his defection to the APC, he turns around and is now claiming to be a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

For the foregoing reasons, the constituents have decided that it is high time to say goodbye to the "GALAVANTING" Amaewhule!!!

Mourinho may not be a racist, but that statement referring Galatasaray fans as rejoicing like monkeys is embarrassing to say the least..

Rip

Late Pa Frank Woyinokoro Apketi is cousin to former Nigeria Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea and Romania. He died at age of 94 years in Abari in Patani local government area of Delta State in Nigeria

Former Nigeria Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea and Romania Admiral FBI Porbeni mourns his cousin, Pa Frank Woyinokoro Apketi who died at 94 years

See his letter

It is even a criminal offence under Section 99 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, for Hon Martin Amaewhule and any members of his group of 27 ex-lawmakers to purport to parade themselves as members and or to take part in any proceedings of the House

PRESS RELEASE:

SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT ON THE SITUATION IN RIVERS STATE

RE: **The Planned Press Conference By Rivers Abuja Lawmakers And Group Of Ex-Legislators, Calculated To Mislead The Public On The State Of Affairs In Rivers State**

1) Good morning, my good people of Rivers State and beloved fellow Nigerians. We thank you for standing by the truth and the supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution.

2) The attention of the Rivers State Government has just been drawn to a planned Press Conference by some Rivers Lawmakers at the National Assembly in sympathy with former Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, which Press Conference is scheduled to hold later today, Monday, 17th February 2025.

3) In a draft Public Statement slated to be released this afternoon, the group claims that the planned Press Conference is “to put a stop to the falsehood and misrepresentation of facts and judgments of courts as it affects the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Governor of Rivers State”.

4) However, contrary to the false claim by the group, the truth of the matter is that the objective of the planned Press Conference is to mislead the public on the true situation in Rivers State. It thus becomes necessary on our part to set the records straight and to put the public in proper perspective, because lies unrebutted soon overtakes the truth. Besides, as Mark Twain once said, "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes."

5) For the avoidance of doubts, we wish to state that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, is both law-abiding and peace-loving, and accordingly has great respect for the Court of Law and the Nigerian judiciary. The Governor swore on 29th May 2023 to defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Rule of Law which include respect for the court of law.

6) The Governor of Rivers State has not engaged any person or group of persons to mislead the Nigerian public or to twist the state of affairs in Rivers State; the situation in Rivers State, especially as it relates to the 22nd January 2024 judgment of Hon Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is so crystal clear that only enemies of progress can pretend to not know the facts and extent of application of the judgment.

7) To set the records straight, the true position regarding applicability of the judgment of His Lordship, Hon Justice Omotosho in the case of RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY Vs. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023), is as follows:

a. The judgment of Hon Justice Omotosho which was affirmed by the Court of Appeal does not touch nor alter the status of Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule and his group of 27 as ex-members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State;

b. Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule and 26 others had lost their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly following their voluntary defection/cross-carpeting which happened on the floor of the House of Assembly in the full glare of the public on 11th December 2023.

c. In a plethora of cases including DAPIANLONG Vs. DARIYE (2007) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1036) p. 332 (SC) and A.G. FEDERATION Vs. ABUBAKAR ((2007) 10 NWLR (PT 1041) 1 at 178 (SC), the Supreme Court of Nigeria had declared that the proper and the only interpretation to be given to the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) and Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 is that an elected lawmaker in Nigeria who after an election on the platform of a particular political party, defects to another political party, AUTOMATICALLY loses his seat in the affected legislative House from the date of his or her defection. The pronouncements of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in these cases, having not been set aside nor overruled in any subsequent judgment of the Supreme Court, remain the law till date on issues of defection of a member of a legislative House in Nigeria. Also, in the case of ABEGUNDE Vs. ONDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY (2014) LPELR-23683 (CA), the Nigerian Court of Appeal reiterating the law as affirmed by the Supreme Court, made it clear that loss of seat upon such defection is both AUTOMATIC and MANDATORY.

d. The legal effect of these provisions and the Supreme Court judgments is that, as of 11th December, 2023 when Hon. Martin Amaewhule read out the letters of defection of both himself and 26 others on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule and members of his group had lost their seats and automatically and mandatorily become ex-members of the House.

e. This being the position, it is clear beyond any shred of doubts that as of 29th November 2023 when Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 (RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY Vs. THE NATIONALASSEMBLY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA) was initiated before the Federal High Court presided over by Hon Justice Omotosho, Hon Martin Amaewhule and his group had mandatorily become former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly;

f. The only legal implication of the above is that unless there is a court pronouncement (coming after 11th December 2023) setting aside or otherwise nullifying the 11th December 2023 defection of Hon Martin Amaewhule and his group of 27, they remain ex-members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and accordingly are no longer entitled to parade themselves as members of the House or to partake in any businesses or affairs of the House. It is even a criminal offence under Section 99 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, for Hon Martin Amaewhule and any members of his group of 27 ex-lawmakers to purport to parade themselves as members and or to take part in any proceedings of the House.

g. Unfortunately for Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule and his group, neither the fact of their defection nor any issue relating to their defection nor the issue of their status as ex-members of the House nor of the legal effects of the said defection, was/were raised, submitted and or discussed in the proceedings leading to the 22 January 2024 judgment of Hon Justice Omotosho. In that case Hon Martin Amaewhule and his group (who initiated the lawsuit as claimants) had worked so hard to hide from the Honourable Court, the fact of their earlier defection and its legal effect which is that they were no longer members of the House as of the date of commencement of the lawsuit. It was based on such deception that Hon Justice Omotosho gave its judgment which completely left out the relevant issues and facts. Thus, since the fact of defection and its legal effects were not raised nor argued nor determined in the case, the judgment of Hon Justice Omotosho is legal authority for only the facts in issue and the issues for determination in that case, none of which touches on, nor relates to their defection and its effect which is automatic and mandatory loss of their seats. The effect of their deceptive overtures in the case is that the judgment is unhelpful to them regarding the issue of their defection evidence of which abounds. Instead of placing before the Federal High Court, the truth and material facts about their status as ex-lawmakers, to afford the Honourable Court an opportunity of deciding on the real issues, the claimants in that case (Hon Amaewhule and co) had craftily invented lies and falsehood calculated to mislead the Hon Court into deciding an issue that is not at all in dispute. Unfortunately for them, Truth exists, does not go away just because one has invented lies. In Elvis Pasley’s words, “Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away." No matter how fast a lie runs, the truth will somedayovertake it. The truth is that the Judgment is legal authority for only what was decided in it, and not for what was not decided in it.

h. Another material fact/issue in Rivers State is whether the remaining minority lawmakers can carry on with businesses of the House after the majority have automatically and mandatorily lost their seats by virtue of their voluntary defection. This issue was not raised nor discussed in the Hon Justice Omotosho judgment which is thus inapplicable in the circumstance. The rule that applies in the circumstance was as laid down by His Lordship, the Hon Justice Walter Onnoghen, JSC (as he then was), while delivering the lead judgment in the Supreme case of DAPIANLONG V DARIYE when he declared that “There is no doubt that there existed in the Plateau State House of Assembly 14 vacant seats as a result of cross carpeting. It is my view that until the vacancies created by the carpet crossing members are filled by the process of by-election, the Plateau State House of Assembly can only transact such legislative duties that require the participation of less than 2/3 majority of ALL the members of that House, which duties definitely excludes impeachment proceedings”. This position is yet to be overruled by any court in Nigeria, and thus remains the law.

i. In the Supreme Court of Nigeria case of P.N. UDOH TRADING CO. LTD V. ABERE (2001) LPELR-2893(SC), Hon Justice Karibi-Whyte, JSC stated that although a judgment of a Court of law creates law, yet the judgment, not being a legislation has no universal effect but is limited to the parties and THE SITUATION IN THE CASE and is not applicable to nor concerned with FACTS NOT BEFORE THE COURT in the case or to similar facts.

j. The planned Press Statement by Rivers Abuja Lawmakers in sympathy with Hon Martins Amaewhule and his group of ex-lawmakers during their scheduled Press Conference, later today, claims that “there were several reliefs aside from the presentation of the 2024 budget sought by the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewule led Assembly before the Hon. Justice J.K. Omotosho” in FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 (RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY V. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA). Contrary to the above false claim by Hon Amaewhule, the truth they have chosen to continue to hide from the public is that none of the said “several reliefs” in that case touches on the two material issues in Rivers State, namely:

The legal effect of the defection of an elected legislator in Nigeria; and (b) whether the remaining minority lawmakers can carry on with businesses of the House after the majority have automatically mandatorily lost their seats by voluntary defection.The judgment of Hon Justice Omotosho does not affect issues not submitted for determination in the case.

k. In deciphering what the Court decided in the judgment in FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023, it is the contents of the judgment that will be looked at and not what the parties assumed the Court to be saying.This position has been affirmed by the Nigerian appellate Courts. See for example AYITO Vs. COMMISSIONER OF LANDS & HOUSING (CROSS RIVER STATE) & ORS (2021) LPELR-54588(CA) (pp. 28 paras. D). The misleading overtures and shenanigans of Hon Martin Amaewhule and his group cannot make the judgment of Hon Justice Omotosho to become relevant to issues not decided in the case. Hon Martins Amaewhule and his co-travellers appear to have lost sight of the trite position of the law, that a case is an authority only for what it decides which was emphasised in the Supreme Court case of OGWUCHE Vs. AGBO & ORS (2023) LPELR-60207(SC) (Pp. 23-24 paras. F). The judgment of Hon Justice Omotosho is an authority and relevant only for what it decided. The law is that judgment must always be read in the light of the facts on which the case was decided, and must not be stretched beyond the facts presented before that Court. See OBIOMA Vs. STATE (2020) 3 NWLR Part 1710 Page 45 at 61 Para D-G per Kekere-Ekun, JSC.

In the draft Press Statement planned to be released later today by this group of ex-lawmakers led by Hon Martin Amaewhule, the group claims that their defection “never took place.” It is unfortunate that these dishonest characters had in 2023 found themselves into the House of Assembly of Rivers State as lawmakers. Happily, by their own VOLUNTARY defection on the floor of the House on 11th December 2023, they got themselves out of the House. Evidence of their defection is everywhere for the public to see. These after thought and feeble attempts to deceive the public are a waste of time and efforts by Hon Amaewhule and co. Most members of the Nigerian public and legal stakeholders in Nigeria are now too enlightened and too knowledgeable in the situation in Rivers State to be misled by the dishonest antics and laughable volte-face by Hon Martin Amaewhule and his group of ex lawmakers.

9) As one who has sworn to defend the Rule of law, the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara will continue to uphold the Nigerian Constitution and the Rule of Law in Rivers State. The Governor has never disrespected and will never disrespect the Court of law.

10) We therefore call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the National Judicial Council, the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, all institutions in Nigeria, as well as well-meaning Nigerians to ignore the mischievous and deliberate misrepresentation of the facts and the effect of the judgment of Hon Justice Omotosho on the situation in Rivers State by Hon Amaewhule and co. It was George Washington who advised that

“The Constitution is the ultimate guide which we must never abandon.” In his own words, Abraham Lincoln has this to say about the supremacy of the Constitution: “Don’t interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.”

11) We shall continue to give you updates as may be necessary.

Long live Rivers State
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Long live the Rule of Law

Thank you and God bless and prosper you all.

Signed:

Warisenibo Joe Johnson
Hon. Commissioner for Information & Communications
17/02/2025

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PDP Acting National Chairman Damagum have written INEC to recognise Hon S K E Udeh Okoye as National Secretary.

Amaechi why I chose Dakuku instead of Wike
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPemSlmAYB4?si=M0fdvjmjbvKbmDxZ

He was mocking Wike

Damagun has spoken


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3aQTcs4rW8?si=kngGlIc_4tpWpCFC

PDP Damagun shifts position on Defected Wike 25 Rivers Assembly members says the only option having vacated their seats is to reconstest another election through other Political Parties.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3aQTcs4rW8?si=Au-MCNDoujdvmpeg

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"Only an Alteration of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution can Effect The Appointment and Tenure Extension of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP): The Hon. AGF Got It Wrong About Tenure Extension of the IGP"

By

Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja,
Secretary, Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners-ALDRAP.

The current Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice is a lawyer for whom I have absolute respect for.

My respect for him is rooted in his capacity for legal research and legal advocacy to identify aspects of our legal system and jurisprudence that requires changes and to follow through with such changes.

It is in this spirit that the AGF, in his erstwhile position as a lawyer for Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi (RCA) made an indelible contribution to the jurisprudence of Nigeria in the case of _Amaechi vs. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others (2008)_ In that case the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled that votes belong to the political party and not to a candidate, that is how CRA was installed as Governor of Rivers State although he never featured or contested in the Governorship election.

It is in this same spirit of making contributions to the jurisprudence of Nigeria, that I am writing this open letter to the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

This letter is an appeal for the Hon. AGF to reconsider his previous position where he stated as follows:

"“The appointment of Egbetokun which took effect from 31st day of October, 2023 would have come to an end on his attainment of 60 years of age on 4th day of September, 2024,” the statement reads.

“However, before his retirement age, the Police Act was amended to allow the occupant of the office to remain and complete the original four-year term granted under Section 7 (6) of the Act, notwithstanding the fact that he has attained the age of 60 years.

“This has, therefore, statutorily extended the tenure of office of Egbetokun to and including the 31st day of October 2027, in order to complete the four-year tenure granted to him.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Egbetokun’s continuous stay in office is in line with the provisions of the Police Act amended in 2024 which allow the occupant of the office to enjoy a term of four years effective from the date of his appointment as IGP, in this case, 31st day of October 2023.”

Contrary to the foregoing assertions by the Hon. AGF, I hold the view that it is only through an alteration of Sections 214, 215 and 216 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as altered) that the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police can be extended.

The logic behind this argument is that, the office of the Inspector-General of Police is a direct creation and established by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria therefore, it is only through an alteration of the said Constitution that changes can be made to the tenure of office of the said Inspector-General of Police.

For the avoidance of any doubts, Section 215, of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution is reproduced hereunder:

"Appointment of Inspector-General and control of Nigeria
Police Force

(1) There shall be –
(a) an Inspector-General of Police who, subject to section 216(2)
of this Constitution shall be appointed by the President on
the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving
members of the Nigeria Police Force;"

In support of my assertion that, an alteration of the Constitution is the ONLY method to achieve tenure extension of the IGP, I respectfully urge the Hon. AGF to consider the Fifth Alteration Act, No.37 of June 8th 2023 wherein the 1999 Nigerian Constitution was altered to provide a uniform age of retirement and pension for all judicial officers of the courts that were created by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

The reason is because the offices of the judges of all the aforesaid judicial officers were created by the said 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as altered), therefore changes to their age of retirement must equally be effected through an alteration of the same 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

Respected Hon. AGF knows fully well that by an application of the BLUE PENCIL RULE and Section 1 (3) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as altered), the said Section 7 (6) of the Police (amendment) Act, 2024 which purports to extend the tenure of the IGP is unconstitutional to the extent of its inconsistency with the provisions of Sections 214, 215 and 216 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as altered).
This view is supported by the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the case of _Attorney-General of Bendel State vs. Attorney-General of the Federation (1982) NCLR 1
_

There is an additional issue that I respectfully urge the Hon. AGF to consider. This view was canvassed in a recent case when we (Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners-ALDRAP) filed a law suit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to challenge the attempt by the National Assembly to enact a law to extend the age of retirement of the Clerk to the National Assembly from 60 to 65 or from 35 to 40 years of service whichever comes first.

In that lawsuit, we argued as follows:

"Nigeria public servants in established and pensionable cadre of the Federal Government Service do not hold their offices at the pleasure of the Federal Government. Rather, their appointments are based upon rules and regulations, statutes, or memoranda of appointment, citing Morakinyo v. Ibadan City Council [1964] 1 All NLR 219 and paragraph 11(1) of Part I of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution.

That since the Public Service Rules, statutes, or memoranda of appointment, all derive from the Constitution, they all have constitutional force, citing Olaniyan v. University of Lagos [1985] 2 NWLR (Pt. 9) 599 and Shitta-Bey v. Federal Public Service Commission [1981] 1 SC 40; [1981] LPELR-3056(SC).

That by virtue of the Public Service Rules 2021 (as amended), the compulsory retirement age for all grades in the Service shall be 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier. Accordingly, that no officer shall be allowed to remain in service after attaining the retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier."

Following from the above, by enactment of the Police Act, 2020, the IGP and all other police officers are now classified as "public servants" by virtue of the definition of"public servants" as provided under the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, therefore, it logically follows that their age of retirement is the same with other public servants as defined by the same Constitution, which pegs it at 60 years of age!!!

On this note, I rest my case and await your re-consideration of your stance on this matter, failing which we (ALDRAP) shall file a lawsuit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to seek a clarification on this subject matter!!!

Yours faithfully,
Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja,
Secretary, ALDRAP,
31st January 2025.

Dogara's statement indicts Wike of corruption

"Yakubu Dogara's Confessions As A Call To Duty For EFCC: How Wike Bankrolled Gov. Bala Mohammed's 2019 Election with over ₦1bn From Rivers State Government Coffers"

By

Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja,
Executive Director,
Nigerian Law Society (NLS).

During his regime as Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (NEW) established a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to prosecute his predecessor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi (RCA) for the alleged crime of embezzlement of the funds and assets of Rivers State. Amongst other allegations, NEW alleged that Rotimi Amaechi unjustly transferred the sum of $15m from the coffers of the Rivers State Government to Sahara Energy, a private company owned by one of the friends and cronies of RCA.

Based on the recent confessions of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Assembly, Mr. Yakubu Dogara as contained in his letter dated 28th January 2025, it appears that it is the turn of NEW to answer to a judicial panel of inquiry.

To quote Dogara's letter verbatim, excerpts from his letter are reproduced below:

"Tell Chief Dan to come to meet me in Port Harcourt. I did just that and amazingly Wike provided the private jet that flew Chief Dan to Bauchi and out of Bauchi for the assignment.

“I can say without fear of any contradiction that Wike bore all expenses for the exercise. It’s therefore shocking that this so called transactional character called Wike did not place any condition whatsoever for his support”.

According to Dogara, it was NEW that bankrolled the election of Governor Bala Mohammed in the year 2019.

By very conservative estimates, we shall put the figure expended by NEW at just a paltry ₦1bn as at the year 2018/19 whose value is now ₦2bn which because of inflation.

The basis of the assumption of ₦1bn is as follows:

1. Cost of purchase of Governor nomination form and gubernatorial primaries is ₦100,000,000;
2. ₦200,0000,000 is the approved campaign expenses for any gubernatorial candidate under Section 91 of the Electoral Act, 2010;
3. More than two chartered Private jet trips to and fro Port Harcourt to Bauchi to secure funds from NEW between 2018 and 2019 at $20,000 per trip, so two trips is $40,000 which is approximately ₦40,000,000
4. ₦660,000,000 behind-the-scene expenses for election (palliatives, cash for voters, "logistics" for security, etc.).

According to Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) as at November 2018 the governor is entitled to a monthly basic salary of N185,306.75. He is entitled to a monthly hardship allowance, security votes, etc.

So how did NEW on a monthly salary of ₦200,000 per month, obtain the sum of ₦1bn to bankroll the election of Governor Bala Mohammed?

This is the question that a judicial commission of inquiry or the EFCC would need to provide answers for curious citizens!!!

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Igbani masquerade Nwaotam


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqbYZKRGokY?si=W9PviMcbmtiJVfDu

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Nwaotam performance in Opobo
Jan 1, 2025

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Video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3mTQUjwCbo?si=1lRj0RCu1olotQop

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