Ganduje Reportedly Unhappy with Tinubu’s Offer of Ambassadorial Post in Africa

President Bola Tinubu has reportedly proposed an ambassadorial appointment for Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in an African country, sparking discontent from the former Kano State Governor.

According to sources, Tinubu initially tasked Senate President Godswill Akpabio with delivering the news to Ganduje as a way to shield him from the ongoing corruption trial he faces in Kano. The trial, which involves his wife, son, and others, relates to corruption charges exceeding ₦50 billion, tied to a public scandal from 2018 involving bribe videos.

Despite the offer, Ganduje is said to have expressed his dissatisfaction, rejecting the proposed posting by claiming that the charges against him are baseless and asserting that he would clear his name in court. “Is this the way the president will reward my loyalty? Besides, I am too old to go for ambassadorial posting,” Ganduje reportedly responded to Akpabio.

President Tinubu reportedly offered Ganduje three diplomatic options across Africa, Asia, and Europe, with a preference for appointing him as Nigeria’s ambassador to Chad, a region where Ganduje has prior experience as the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission from 2009 to 2011.

However, Ganduje’s preference is rumored to be Morocco over Chad, should he be forced to accept the position. The former governor is allegedly lobbying to maintain his current role, voicing his displeasure to APC chieftain Chief Bisi Akande about what he perceives as an attempt by the president to “retire” him from politics.

In a related development, Tinubu also approved the scheduling of a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and a mid-term non-elective national convention for the APC, slated between September 8 and 19, 2024. Ganduje’s spokesman, Edwin Olofu, confirmed the NEC meeting’s scheduling but stated he was unaware of any ambassadorial appointment for his boss.

Courtroom Chaos as Multiple Lawyers Compete to Represent PDP Acting Chairman in Rivers Congress Case

A dramatic scene unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday as three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) vied to represent the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, in a case concerning the party’s congresses in Rivers State.

The legal dispute stems from a previous injunction by Justice Peter Lifu, which barred the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and various security agencies from interfering with the party’s ward, local government, and state congresses scheduled for July 27, 2024. The case, initiated by six supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was slated for a hearing on August 15.

Tensions rose in court as three SANs, K.C.O. Njemanze, Chief Ferdinand Orbih, and Kamaldeen Ajibade, all claimed to represent the same defendants, including Damagum and other top PDP officials. The situation became even more complicated when a fourth SAN, Sunday Ibrahim Ameh, also stood up to represent the same clients.

To prevent further confusion, Justice Lifu directed the lawyers to resolve the representation issue among themselves. The court granted a brief adjournment at Orbih’s request, rescheduling the case for August 30.

Justice Lifu emphasized the need for clarity and instructed that if the matter remained unresolved, the SANs should submit motions supported by affidavits to confirm their engagements by the concerned parties. He also extended the previous order, preventing any interference with the Rivers State congresses until the main suit is resolved.

The hearing delay also postponed the court’s consideration of additional parties seeking to join the lawsuit as defendants.

Hadeja admits ploting to destabilise Nigeria

_…names Abubakar Badaru, Zamfara Governor Lawal and US based fugitive, Jackson Ude as members network

An alleged mastermind of the #EndBadGoernanceInNigeria, Bashir Hadejia has been naming other masterminds of the violent protests as he confessed to their part of a plot to destabilize Nigeria following his arrest by the police for treason, subversive activities against the Nigerian government, Trans-border gun-running, heist and other transnational crimes.

The suspect was caught with documents that incriminated him of impersonation, including tracking documents of high-profile personalities and an international passport of the Republic of Vanuatu valid till 14th of September, 2030.

A source familiar with Hedejia’s confession revealed he named the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Governor Dauda Lawal Dare of Zamfara State and the publisher of PointBlank News, Jackson Ude as co-mastermind of a comprehensive plot to destabilise Nigeria.

He also named a former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Gusau as the chief sponsor of the protest. Gusau is one of the key elements in the intelligence network coordinating the duo of Lawal and Badaru who have been involved in the destabilisation plot.

The police arrested Hadeja on the strength of intelligence reports that linked him to smuggling large caches of weapons and large bars of gold traced to the Central Bank of Libya.

In addition to indicting Gusau, Badaru, Lawal and Ude, Hadejia’s confession to f being involved in aiding terrorism and other forms of criminality in northern Nigeria also implicated his alleged sponsors mostly from the northern states with other politicians from the Southern parts of the country.

In the course of interrogations, Hadejia also confessed to security operatives how his group sponsored a large number of youths who participated in the just concluded #EndBadGovernance Protests in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa and Abuja and distributed the Russian flags seen during the protests.

Previous reports had named Bashir Hadejia, Badaru, Lawal and Ude as persons of interest and the brains behind the instability threatening Nigeria.

Ude, who is a fugitive in the United States has sought to deflect attention from the group by accusing some past and present public office of being responsible for making the Russian flags held by some protesters at the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests in some northern cities.

His claim was later exposed as a false flag operation meant to divert attention from the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Governor Dauda Lawal Dare of Zamfara State, co-masterminds of the unsettling developments in northern parts of the country.

A source has said “The trio of Badaru, Lawal and Hadejia, are the real terrorists who want to pull Asiwaju’s government down. It has taken on an air of treason the way they involved a junta leader from another country and also sponsored protesters to fly Russian flags in Nigeria. It is something that the military and law enforcement agencies should not ignore.”

Ex- Gov Ortom,  Congratulates AONDOAKAA, SAN on his induction as  follow of IDRI UK

The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, has Congratulated The former minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief MICHAEL KAASE AONDOAKAA, SAN, on his induction as Fellow of the International Dispute Resolution Institute in London UK.

Ortom, in his Congratulatory message to the former chief law officer of the Federation which he personally signed described the legal luminary induction as a honour not only highlights his professional expertise but, inspiration to many in the legal community. 

” I have no doubt that you will bring your wealth of experience to bear on your new role as a follow of IDRI and continue to make significant strides in enhancing the reputation of Nigeria in the international legal circles ” he maintained. 

The event took place at the Hilton London Kensington on the 9th day of August, 2024 in the United Kingdom. 

The International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDRI) is a Leading Arbitration,Conciliation and Mediation Institute affiliated to United Nations. 

The International Dispute Resolution Institute [IDRI] UK & NIG. is global leader in arbitration, mediation/conciliation for

alternative dispute resolution.

The institute provides valuable insights from recognised leaders and experts in Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution[ADR].

The institute have world-renowned faculty who all hold PhDs and have minimum of 25+ years of professional experience within the field of Arbitration & ADR.

Accreditation and Membership  programmes of the Institute are conducted in London ,New York, Dubai? Istanbul, Vienna, Amsterdam, etc.

A fellow of the Institute is the highest ranking of membership. Fellowship of the Institute is also bestowed upon top ranking Legal Practitioners and Judicial Officers have distinguished themselves in the profession after undertaking a prescribed course program. 

On August 9th, 2024 the International  Dispute Resolution Institute,London inducted into its Fellowship, the Hon. Chief MICHAEL KAASE AONDOAKAA, SAN alongside  Four Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria amongst other personalities. 

The Justices of the Supreme Court inducted inducted alongside the former chief law officer of the Federation Chief MICHAEL KAASE AONDOAKAA, SAN are my Lords, Justices Adamu Jauro JSC, Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, JSC, Lawal Garba, JSC and Uwani Musa Abba Aji, JSC respectively. 

NJC Recommends Justice Kekere-Ekun as New Chief Justice of Nigeria

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), succeeding Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. The decision was made during the NJC’s 106th meeting, held on August 14 and 15, 2024, and presided over by the outgoing CJN, Ariwoola.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, who is currently the most senior justice of the Supreme Court after Ariwoola, is set to become the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history, following Mariam Aloma Mukhtar. The 66-year-old justice is expected to take over the role after Ariwoola’s retirement on August 22, 2024.

In addition to this recommendation, the NJC also proposed 27 candidates for appointment as state court judges and one candidate for Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja. These recommendations have been forwarded to the respective state governors and the President for approval.

Customs Intercepts ₦1.8 Billion Worth of Expired Drugs in Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has seized 12 containers filled with expired and regulated pharmaceutical products, valued at ₦1.8 billion. Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the significant bust on Thursday, emphasizing the dangers these drugs posed if they had reached the public.

The expired drugs, which included tramadol and codeine, lacked necessary regulatory approvals such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number. Some containers also contained falsely declared goods aimed at evading duty payments, a practice classified as smuggling.

In addition to the pharmaceuticals, two containers were found carrying 27,540 cutlasses. Adeniyi commended the Apapa command’s diligent efforts and urged port users to adhere to legal trading practices. He assured the public that the NCS would continue to conduct thorough inspections to keep harmful goods out of the country.

Bauchi State Closes 39 Private Colleges for Lack of Registration and Proper Facilities

The Bauchi State government, under Governor Bala Mohammed, has shut down 39 private colleges of education due to their failure to obtain proper registration and approval from the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE). Lydia Tsammani, the State Commissioner for Higher Education, revealed that these institutions were operating without adequate infrastructure, often using primary schools and unqualified teachers to run their programs.

The ministry has issued a six-month ultimatum to other unregistered colleges that have approved structures, requiring them to complete their registration or face penalties. Meanwhile, 12 colleges that have NCCE approval will be allowed to continue operations, provided they employ qualified staff, admit only eligible students, and upgrade their facilities to meet modern standards.

Rainfall, Thunderstorm Looms As NiMet Releases Three-days Forecasts

Forecast Details:

  • Thursday:
  • Morning: Isolated thunderstorms are expected in areas such as Kebbi, Sokoto, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, and Adamawa.
  • Later in the Day: Thunderstorms are predicted for Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Zamfara, Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa.
  • North Central Region:
  • Morning: Moderate rainfall is expected in parts of Niger State.
  • Later in the Day: Similar conditions are anticipated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue States.
  • Southern Region:
  • Afternoon and Evening: Intermittent rainfall is expected across states like Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
  • Friday:
  • Morning: Thunderstorms in Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano.
  • Afternoon and Evening: Scattered thunderstorms in the northern region. Isolated rains expected in Niger, Nasarawa, FCT, and Plateau. Moderate rains later in Niger, Plateau, Kogi, Nasarawa, FCT, and Benue.
  • Southern Region: Cloudy in the morning with intermittent rains later.
  • Saturday:
  • Morning: Isolated thunderstorms in Sokoto, Kaduna, Bauchi, Zamfara, Adamawa, Taraba, and Kebbi.
  • Afternoon and Evening: Widespread thunderstorms across the northern region. Moderate rains in FCT, Nasarawa, and Benue.

Advisory:

NiMet has warned residents in major cities to avoid flood-prone areas due to the risk of urban flooding. Additionally, strong winds may accompany the rains, and the public is advised to stay informed through NiMet updates and adhere to safety advisories.

UK Economy Slows in Q2 with 0.6% Growth Ahead of General Election

The United Kingdom’s economy experienced a slight slowdown in the second quarter of 2024, with growth of 0.6% compared to 0.7% in the first quarter, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Thursday.

This report covers the period leading up to the country’s general election in early July, where the centre-left Labour Party secured victory on a platform promising significant economic growth.

Reacting to the latest figures, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves acknowledged the challenges ahead for the new government, stating, “The new government is under no illusion as to the scale of the challenge we have inherited after more than a decade of low economic growth and a £22 billion ($28 billion) black hole in the public finances.”

Reeves emphasized that economic growth is the new government’s top priority, adding, “We are taking the tough decisions now to fix the foundations, so we can rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off.”

The report comes as the UK continues to navigate economic uncertainty and the impacts of both domestic and global factors on its financial stability.

Aviation Workers to Stage Nationwide Protest Over FG’s 50% Revenue Deductions

Aviation workers have announced plans to stage a protest next week against the federal government’s policy of deducting 50% of internally generated revenue (IGR) from airports across the country.

The workers argue that the federal government’s deductions are severely impacting airport operations, and despite multiple efforts to engage with the government, no resolution has been reached.

This decision was made public in a statement released on Wednesday, titled “Save Aviation from Collapse – Notice of Nationwide Protest.” The statement was signed by leaders of several unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees, and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.

The statement declared: “All workers of the NCAA, FAAN, NAMA, NiMet, NCAT, and NSIB, supported by all aviation workers, are hereby directed to embark on peaceful protests at all airports nationwide on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. This protest is to demand the discontinuation of the 50% deduction from the internally generated revenue of the aforementioned agencies.”

The unions emphasized that their attempts to convince the Federal Government that these agencies are cost-recovery, not profit-making organizations, have failed. They argued that these agencies cannot survive on half of their income under any administrative model.

“Information available to us indicates that some critical safety activities within these agencies are being compromised due to these deductions. As trade unions and aviation workers, we feel compelled to alert the public and the government that we will not be held responsible if the industry becomes dysfunctional due to financial incapacity caused by these deductions.”

The unions also called on all State Councils, Women Commissions/Committees, Youth Councils, and Branches nationwide to mobilize fully for the peaceful protests and ensure their success.