Author: straightnewsng.com

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome who faulted the sacking of the Ebonyi Governor and Deputy Governor, Dave Umahi and Dr Eric Igwe respectively said they cannot be removed for changing political parties. They were sacked following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in 2020. Ozekhome reasoned that the “tenure of office of a Governor and his Deputy are constitutional matters.” The court, in a judgment that was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo of Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday, held that the total number of 393,042 votes Umahi secured…

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has hired, at least, 17 Senior Advocates of Nigeria to appeal the judgment of the Federal High court in Abuja that earlier sacked him and his deputy from office. The governor and his deputy, according to the notice of appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, said they disagreed with the entire judgment of the lower court, which ordered their sack for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor on Wednesday stated that he had mobilised the services of over 17 senior lawyers to appeal his…

Notorious Ponzi scheme operator, Umanah Umanah, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. The Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC brought Umanah before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court in Uyo. Trouble started for the ponzi scheme operator in 2020 when he was arrested by EFCC operatives following a petition by one of his victims, who alleged that Umanah swindled him of over N2.9 million. He was said to have subsequently issued his customer a N500,000 cheque, which was dishonored by the bank because the…

Policy Alert has called on Nigeria’s Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) to investigate what it calls spurious loans obtained by Akwa Ibom State government. The Civil Society Organisation, promoting economic and ecological justice in the Niger Delta, claims that the loans “were obtained without due process and in breach of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Akwa Ibom State Fiscal Responsibility Law 2020.” Section 2(1b) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (2007), stipulates that the Commission shall have powers to cause an investigation into whether any person has violated any provision of the Act. The call comes on the heels of the approval by Akwa Ibom State House…

The granting of request of Governor Udom Emmanuel by Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly at its plenary, to source for a N150 billion loan facility from the stock exchange market has generated heat.    Hear contributions of some of the members: Udo Kieran’s Position (Oruk Anam)  The instrument the Governor is asking for is not a loan. He has what it takes to create the money in the money market. When I read the news on the media, I approached the Governor and asked him. He told me that he is not taking any loan. He told me, “I…

US President Joe Biden announced a ban on Russian oil and other energy imports on Tuesday in retaliation for the Ukraine invasion, a move acknowledged would drive up U.S. energy prices. “We’re banning all imports of Russian oil and gas energy,” Biden told reporters at the White House. “That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable in U.S. ports and the American people will deal another powerful blow to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s war machine.” Oil prices jumped on the news, with Benchmark Brent crude LCOc1 for May climbing by 5.4% to $129.91 a barrel by 1345 GMT. Read…

President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Udom Emmanuel praised Nigerian women on the vital role they play to the betterment of the homes and the larger society. The President and the Governor stated this Tuesday during the celebration of the 2022 International Women’s Day. In a statement signed by Femi Adesina, the presidential spokesman, Buhari stated that celebrating under the hashtag, “#BreaktheBias, and the theme; Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” is an opportunity to reflect on the vital roles women play in society, homes, governance, the professions, and in all walks of life. Read also: Nigerian Woman Speaks Out…

The interim caretaker chairman of the All Progressives Congress,  Abubakar Bello, says the zoning report submitted by the committee led by the Kwara State Governor has been adopted and will be released Tuesday. Bello who is also the Niger State Governor said the National Executive Council meeting of the party will hold next week with President Muhammadu Buhari joining remotely. The APC last Monday postponed its National Convention to March 26. Read also: Bello takes over as acting APC CECPC Chairman, swears in state chairmen It was earlier scheduled to hold on February 26. But there are speculations that the…

The Federal High Court in Abuja, Tuesday, sent Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe packing, over their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to All Progressive Congress, APC. The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo, held that the total number of 393,042 votes governor Umahi secured during the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Ebonyi state, belonged to the PDP and same could not be legally transferred to the APC. According to the court, having defected to the APC, both Umahi and his deputy, not only jettisoned…

The Akwa Ibom State domestic debt profile, as at March 7, 2022, has risen to N389.55 billion allegedly collected for the completion of ongoing development projects. This is as Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Monday, March 7, passed a resolution authorising Governor Udom Emmanuel to raise N150 billion from the money market for the funding of ongoing projects in the state. Published data from the Debt Management Office (DMO) in December 2021 put the domestic debt of Akwa Ibom State at N234.85 billion. Related posts: Akwa Ibom Debt Profile On The Rise Loans: NGO Raises Alarm Over ‘Huge’ Akwa…