WordPress

Blog

  • Misconduct: Kano Judicial Commission sanctions 3 magistrates, registrar

    Misconduct: Kano Judicial Commission sanctions 3 magistrates, registrar
    Misconduct
    By Ramatu Garba
    Kano, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken disciplinary actions against three magistrates and a registrar of the state High Court over misconduct.
    This is contained in a statement signed by the Spokesman of the Kano State Judiciary, Mr Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, on Monday in Kano.
    “The Judicial Service Commission at its 72nd meeting held on June 11, 2024, considered petitions against the three magistrates and one registrar in the state.
    “The magistrates are: Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir, Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir, and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir.
    “These disciplinary actions underscore the Judicial Service Commission’s commitment to maintaining highest standards of judicial conduct and ensuring the integrity of the legal system,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.
    The statement said that investigation by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee in respect of three petitions filed against Makama found her guilty of misconduct.
    According to the statement, the investigation revealed that she made an order to GT Bank to transfer money in a petitioner’s account already frozen, into her personal account, and which she clearly admitted in her response.
    It said the second petition also found elements amounting to judicial bias in her handling of a matters.
    According to the statement, in the third petition, she was found to have received a case and made order to the police even before the case was assigned to her.
    “The commission subsequently held that Chief Magistrate Talatu, be recalled from the bench and relieved of all judicial duties effective immediately,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.
    He said that the commission also indicted Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir of judicial recklessness.
    “The commission has resolved to recall the magistrate and relieve her of judicial duties for a period of one calendar year and has instructed her to cease all duties at Magistrate Court No. 48,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.
    He further said that investigation revealed that Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir received payments of fees meant for court records into his personal account, which constitutes serious misconduct.
    “The commission issued a strong warning to Nasir and also deferred his promotion for one year,” the spokesman said.
    The statement added that the Commission also at its 73rd meeting, deliberated on the petitions received against Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir.
    “The response to the queries issued were found unsatisfactory and the commission viewed the actions of the magistrate amount to serious misconduct and judicial recklessness.
    “Saleh-Minjibir is recalled from judicial duties for a period of one year, effective immediately, and is ceased of all judicial activities,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.
    He said that the suspended magistrate was to report to the state High Court for posting
    The statement said the commission will continue to apply the appropriate sanctions against any erring staff particularly those saddled with judicial responsibilities.
    It said the measures was to safe guard the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintain the confidence of the public. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    RG/YMU/AOS
    =============
    Edited by Yakubu Uba/Bayo Sekoni

  • Expert suggests preventive tips to combat Cholera

    Cholera 

    By Ahmed Kaigama 

    Bauchi, June 24, 2024 (NAN) A Bauchi-based public health expert, Dr Hassan Musa has cautioned the people against constructing toilets near water points to curb cholera outbreak.

    Musa said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday in Bauchi.

    Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by eating food or water contaminated with the bacteria called vibrio cholerae.

    He said that it was imperative to provide a distance of about 30 meters between latrine and water source to to guard against transmission of the bacteria.

    The medical expert said the distance between a water source and latrine is important in reducing the risk of transferring pathogens between feces and food by flies.

    “These pathogens are major causes of infectious diarrhea and intestinal worm infections.

    “Pit latrines are a low-cost method of separating feces from people. A pit should be built in a reasonable distance from the house. 

    “Therefore, the distance from wells or surface water should be at least 20-30 meters to decrease the risk of ground water pollution,” he said.

    Musa also cautioned against defecating and indiscriminate dumping of diapers in places that could be transfer into food and water sources.

    “We need to clear drains, especially during the rainy season when the water table below is gradually coming up. 

    “It would get to a point where blocked drains might contaminate the surface water with the water below,” he said

    He further advised people to imbibe good sanitation habits and get vaccinated against the disease,  and ensure that food and sources of water are safe for consumption.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) report that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has declared an upsurge of cholera cases since the onset of the rainy season in the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MAK/RSA

    =========

    Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

  • Police alert commercial motorcyclists to robbers’ tricks in Osun

    Police alert commercial motorcyclists to robbers’ tricks in Osun

    Motorcyclists

    By Olajide Idowu

    Osogbo, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Osun has alerted commercial motorcyclists in the state to be mindful of  criminals posing as passengers to rob them of their motorcycles.

    The warning is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Osogbo by the command’s Spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola.

    Opalola explained that the warning became necessary in view of the increasing reported cases of motorcycle snatching in the state.

    “The police command is using this medium to caution motorcyclists, especially the commercial ones (Okada), to be cautious of passenger(s) they carry or who employ their services.

    “The modus operandi of the criminals involve hailing commercial motorcyclists and luring them to isolated areas late at nights where they are forcefully dispossessed of their motorbikes.

    ”The unsuspecting riders are often offered enticing fares that they cannot refuse.

    “These attacks in some cases have left the motorcyclists severely injured or even killed.” she said

    Opalola said that CP Mohammed Abba has enjoined the leadership of Okada Riders Association in the state to continually sensitise its members in order to avoid being victims of this trending crime.

    “The command also advises them to report any suspicious passenger(s) and their activities to the nearest police station.” she said

    Opalola added that the command was committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the state.

    She further said that the command was working tirelessly to apprehend and prosecute those involved in these heinous crimes (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ID/DCO/AOS

    ============

    Edited by Deborah Coker/Bayo Sekoni

    08032822525

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Fire kills 3 children in Vietnam’s Central Highlands

    Fire kills 3 children in Vietnam’s Central Highlands

    Fire

    Hanoi, June 24, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Three children died in a blaze in the Vietnam’s Central Highlands city of Da Lat on Monday morning, local media reported.

    The flame engulfed a wooden house at around 10 a.m. while the three children were staying indoors.

    Their mother, who was going out had locked the door when the incident occurred, VnExpress reported.

    Vietnam has reported 1,989 fires and explosions in the first five months this year, killing 36 people and injuring 37 others.

    The fires and explosions also left property losses of 116.3 billion Vietnamese dong (4.5 million dollars), according to the country’s General Statistics Office. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/AMM
    =========

    Edited by Cecilia Odey and Abiemwense Moru

    08053114137

  • Eid holiday: 48 killed in traffic accidents across Afghanistan

    Eid holiday: 48 killed in traffic accidents across Afghanistan

    Accident

    Kabul, June 24, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) At least 48 people killed and more than 160 others injured in road accidents across Afghanistan, during the five-day Eid al-Adha holiday that ended on Friday.

    Head of General Directorate of Traffic Police, Hasibullah Mokhtar confirmed the incident to the media.

    “We had 97 road incidents resulting in approximately 161 injuries and 48 fatalities,” Mokhtar stated on Sunday.

    Poor conditions on the roads, reckless driving and lack of security measures during travel are among the causes of deadly road accidents in the war-ravaged country.

    This year’s Eid al-Adha holiday in Afghanistan had been initially announced to last three days, but was later prolonged to five days.

    During the four-day Eid al-Fitr holiday in April, 50 were killed and 185 others were injured in road accidents across Afghanistan. (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    MERCY/COO/AMM

    ================

    Edited by Cecilia Odey and Abiemwense Moru

     

  • Why governors flout minimum wage law – Onyeka

    Why governors flout minimum wage law – Onyeka

    Wage
    By Joan Nwagwu
    Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Chris Onyeka, Assistant General-Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says many state Governors are flouting minimum wage Act because they do not believe in sanctity of the law.

    Onyeka gave the position in Abuja on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on minimum wage law and its implementation.

    NAN reports that while workers are anxiously awaiting a new minimum wage to be passed into law, 15 states are yet to implement the N30,000 wage enacted in 2019.

    Even, with the increased revenue accruable to states after the fuel subsidy removal, the attendant hardship brought about by the hike in pump price, the states are still recalcitrant in paying their workers the minimum wage.

    The states yet to implement the minimum wage, in defiant of the 2019 Act, are, Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Gombe, Niger, Borno, Sokoto, Anambra, Imo, Benue, Taraba and Zamfara.

    Onyeka said: “A state Governor who does not believe in the sanctity of the laws will have a high proclivity to disobeying them.

    “If you examine the history of some of these governors and their handlers, you will find a preponderance of those who came to power by breaking the laws.

    “Is it now that they will obey the national minimum wage act?”.

    The labour leader said many governors were unwilling to pay civil servants their salaries because they see the state resources as theirs and are, therefore, not willing to share with the workers, who create the wealth.

    “Some Governors believe, erroneously, that workers’ salaries can wait or be toyed with without consequences, so, they do not place priority to it.

    “However, they forget that workers are human beings who need their salaries to meet their basic needs of life,” he said.

    Onyeka added that fiscal indiscipline in many states is legendary, adding that, the personal greed of some governors resulted in their appropriating state resources into their private pockets.

    The labour leader reiterated the need to cut cost of governance at all levels and end wastages..

    He identified the measures, to include, reduction in the number of political appointees to reduce overhead, as well as reduction in number of logistics, official and operational vehicles.

    Onyeka said the salaries and allowances of elected and appointed officials of the three arms of government should be in sync with what is receivable by civil servants.

    He said government at all levels should streamline procurement processes to ensure integrity and accountability, fiscal discipline and transparency

    “Governors should ensure budgetary fidelity, shun fund diversions and stop making provisions that allow for looting of the states.

    “They should stay more in their states, instead of constantly being in Abuja, spending a lot of money maintaining two state houses,” he said.

    Speaking on what could be done to compel the governors to obey the minimum wage law, the labour leader said the principles of law enforcement should be deployed.

    According to him, the national minimum wage Act has clauses that take care of the monitoring and compliance, noting that, the challenge is at the level of enforcement.

    “The Federal allocation to such states, once it is established that they are habitual breakers of the law, should be sequestered until they are compelled to pay.

    ‘The labour unions should also be empowered and supported in their actions against such states to pay.

    “The Judiciary should be strengthened, especially the National Industrial Court, to carry out its responsibilities effectively,

    “The court should not only give rulings, but also issue enforceable garnishee orders against such state governments,” he said

    Onyeka maintained that, it is the right of organised labour to embark on strikes, and the federal government must give protection to workers so aggrieved, to freely exercise their legal right.(NAN) (www.nannews.ngr)
    JAN/ROT
    ========

    Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

  • Hajj Operation: CSO seeks amendment of NAHCON act

    Hajj Operation: CSO seeks amendment of NAHCON act

    System

    By Salisu Sani-Idris

    Makkah (Saudi Arabia), June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) has called on the National Assembly to amend the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Act to ensure an effective hajj operating system in Nigeria.

    IHR National Coordinator, Malam Ibrahim Muhammed, made the call in a statement on Monday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    Muhammad said that the amendment would address gaps in both policy and its implementation in terms of service delivery.

    He said the call also becomes necessary because of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj’s adjustment of hajj policy and calendar of events – which was a detailed approved guideline for all hajj participating countries.

    According to him, Nigeria is the fifth largest hajj country and the first in Africa with an allocation of 95,000 slots.

    ” Nigeria is the only country out of the top 10 Hajj participating countries which includes Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Morocco and Malaysia that does not operate a centralized system.

    ” We operate a three-tier system in Nigeria (Federal, State and Local Governments).

    ” All the countries mentioned above have a unified and central control hajj administration with a coordinating unit at zones, so they found it easy to run five to six-year hajj rolling plans. ”

    The coordinator said that the Local Government Pilgrims officers do Pilgrims Registration under the control of state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards.

    ” Thereafter the State Pilgrims boards deposited such funds in their respective accounts before it will be moved to the NAHCON operational account on request all within one hajj calendar year. ”

    He noted that the management of hajj operations was strictly time-limited to start thinking of continuing with these time-consuming bureaucracies.

    ” We support an advocacy for improved services to our dear pilgrims but the recent calls for the decentralisation of NAHCON and devolving powers to the states would be a very wrong move.

    ” For example, the new calendar of activities released by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently scheduled Sept. 4, for the start of arrangements for the 2025 hajj.

    ” By virtue of diplomatic protocol, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj only relates with National Hajj missions not regional bodies.

    ” Decentralisation as being touted will allow 36 states’ pilgrim’s welfare boards and agencies to send 36 different delegations to Saudi Arabia (the first in the History of Hajj operation) to liaise with Saudi Arabia (host country) on Hajj plans.

    ” 36 states will also sign different hajj memorandum of understanding with one country.”

    On service delivery, he said NAHCON controls airlines and accommodation in Madina.

    ” In the last few years, Nigerian pilgrims have been housed in a 4-star hotel within the vicinity or five minutes’ walk close to the prophet’s Mosque.

    ” On the other hand, States are responsible for choosing their accommodation in Makkah.

    ” Also, registration of pilgrims starts from the local governments after which the funds are transferred to state pilgrims’ boards before being transferred to NAHCON.

    ” We, therefore, call on the National Assembly to make it possible for pilgrims to pay their deposits directly to NAHCON.

    ” This will ensure that the funds goes direct to NAHCON, so that the commission can in turn meet its obligations in time and avoid a situation where the entire operation will be put in jeopardy.

    ” This, we believe, is also the best way to truly hold the commission to account in case of any service failure.” (NAN)

    SSI/SH

    ======

    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • NDA conducts range exercise, urges communities to avoid area 

    NDA conducts range exercise, urges communities to avoid area
    Exercise
    By Muhammad Tijjani
    Kaduna, June. 24, 2024(NAN)The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), said it will conduct a range classification exercise for cadets of Direct Short Service Course 28, Army and Direct Short Service Course 32, Air Force from June 25 to 28.
    The academy’s sSpokesperson Maj. Mohammed Maidawa, made the announcement in a statement on Monday in Kaduna.
    Maidawa advised  the public, especially communities  of Mando,Tsamiya, Kauya and Afaka to avoid the area.
    He said the exercise was expected to be held at the NDA Open Range Afaka.
    “The NDA assures the general public that all necessary safety measures have been put in place for the successful conduct of the exercise,” Maidawa said.
    He, however, urged the public to avoid trespassing in the general area throughout the period of the exercise.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    TJ/BRM
    =============
    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Shettima loses mother-in-law

  • Investment opportunities: EU-Nigeria businesses, policy makers meet 

    Investment opportunities: EU-Nigeria businesses, policy makers meet – Official

     

    Forum

    By Angela Atabo

    Abuja, June 24,2024(NAN)Nigerian and European business leaders, policy makers and institutional stakeholders will converge on Abuja on July 2, to identify and explore investment opportunities along specific value chains during the ninth European Union-Nigeria Business Forum.

    The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, made this known to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

    Isopi said the business forum will also facilitate trade, investment, and partnerships through networking, discussions, and policy shaping, to promote economic cooperation between the EU and Nigeria and stimulate sustainable growth for both parties.

    “It is important to note that for the first time since its inception, the 2024 edition of the EU-Nigeria Business Forum will be held in Abuja.

    ‘This will provide an opportunity for the EU, its Member States and the private sector from Europe and Nigeria to engage the new administration on their investment agendas in a transparent and inclusive manner, with a view to fostering confidence and commitment to a stronger and sustainable partnership.”

    As part of the EU Global Gateway Strategy, she explained, EU-funded projects will complement private sector investment in areas, which bring about critical social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

    In the case of Nigeria, she said, particular attention is paid to the harnessing of local talent, particularly among youth and women, as well as economic, social, and environmental resilience.

    Against this backdrop, she also said that the forum will focus on current and prospective investment in the digital, health, and agricultural sectors.

    According to Isopi, the forum will discuss options and respective benefits towards establishing a bilateral legal framework between the EU and Nigeria, bringing certainty, stability, and sustainability to bilateral trade and investment relations.

    NAN reports that latest statistics have shown that Nigeria and European Union trade volume has grown to 45 billion Euro.

    The statistics showed that this was the case as at September 2023, even as the United Nations COMTRADE database indicated that Nigeria remains EU largest trade partner, accounting for 20.9 per cent of Nigeria’s global trade.

    The EU is made up of 28 European countries, though there are 50 countries considered European..(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    ATAB/SH

    =========

    edited by Sadiya Hamza