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Omo-Agege Vows to Resume Inspite of Saraki’s Appeal

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The lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has said despite the appeal filed by the Senate and its President, Bukola Saraki, against the Federal High Court’s judgment nullifying his suspension, he will still resume legislative duties.

According to him, the Senate and Saraki have only applied for a stay of execution at the Court of Appeal which has not been granted.

Omo-Agege pointed out that the lower court made a declaratory judgment which had an immediate effect.

He also accused Saraki of seeking the relief for a stay of execution from a court of law which he had allegedly ignored and gone ahead to approve his suspension.

The Senate had on April 12, 2018, suspended Omo-Agege for 90 legislative days for dragging the chamber to court over the amendment to the Electoral Act 2010, which seeks to reshuffle the sequence of polls during a general election.

On the day of his suspension, Omo-Agege had exclusively told The PUNCH that he would continue to work as a senator.

The lawmaker had attended plenary on April 18, one week after his suspension, in a controversial circumstance.

However, a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday nullified the 90-day suspension imposed on him.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, in the judgment, said the order nullifying the suspension was “with immediate effect.”

Counsel for the Senate and its President, Mr. Mahmud Magaji (SAN), had told The PUNCH on Friday that he had filed along with his notice of appeal, an application for stay of execution of the judgment reinstating Omo-Agege.

Omo-Agege, however, told The PUNCH that the appeal would not stop his resumption.

He said, “The judgment that was delivered by the court says that the court was nullifying my suspension ‘with immediate effect.’ If they go ahead and apply for a stay of execution, no court has granted them that. Until that stay is granted, the ‘nullification’ is with immediate effect. They have applied to have a stay but that stay has not been granted.

“Two, the order of the court is a declaratory order. A declaratory order is not ‘ stayable’ in law. The order that the court made, nullifying my suspension with immediate effect, is a declaratory order and it is not ‘ stayable ‘ in law. In any event that they apply for a stay, unless and until the court grants that stay, the judgment of the lower court is to take an immediate effect.

“Three, the Senate President is in contempt of court because my action was pending in court but he showed a total disregard for the court and proceeded to suspend me while my case in court. That by itself is contempt. The relief he is seeking from the court now – stay of execution – is an equitable relief. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. You cannot be in contempt of the court and ask the same court to grant you an equitable relief. His hands in law are soiled and dirty. Therefore, he is not entitled to an equitable relief in court.

“As far as I am concerned, based on my knowledge of the law, that purported suspension by Saraki has been vacated with immediate effect. They have the right to appeal and they have already filed it. But they are not entitled to the equitable relief of stay of the court’s judgment.”

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Senate Summons Keyamo, NCCA Boss, Others over Flight Delays, Cancellations

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The Senate, on Wednesday, mandated its Committee on Aviation to summon the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

The upper chamber also resolved to summon the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Captain Chris Najomo, airline operators as well as other relevant stakeholders over incessant flight delays and cancellations.

The Committee on Aviation is mandated to investigate the increasing frequency of flight delays and cancellations by airline operators in the country.

The resolution followed a motion presented by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai (Oyo, APC) during plenary, highlighting the negative impact of these disruptions on Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and public confidence in the aviation sector.

The investigation will aim to uncover the root causes of the persistent disruptions and propose lasting solutions to improve the reliability and efficiency of air travel in Nigeria.

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Makinde Commissions Osun Road Projects, Endorses Gov Adeleke for Second Term

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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has endorsed Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke for second term in office, stating that he as delivered dividends of democracy to the people of Osun State through the landmark achievements recorded within two years in office.

The governor made the announcement while commissioning Stadium – Testing ground – Okebaale – Ilesa garage road projects which was completed by Gov Adeleke’s administration, in Osogbo.

According to him, “I congratulate Governor Adeleke for delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Osun State. The reward for hard work is more work, so give him more work to do for another four years.”

While rejoicing with Governor Adeleke for the landmark achievements recorded within two years in office, Gov Makinde promised full support for the battle ahead to secure victory.

Gov Makinde urged the people of Osun not to allow darkness to return to the state, adding that the road projects would boost the economy of Osun.

He described himself and Gov Adeleke as true progressives in the southwest who will continue to lead the path and provide good leadership for the people.

Speaking earlier, the Governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke, paid tribute to the former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who started the road projects, noting that Aregbesola will be happy about the final completion of the projects.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment towards completing all abandoned projects by previous administrations since inception, stating that they are public assets that must be managed for the benefit of the people.

He added that the completion of the dualization within record time will expand the economic growth of the city, state and save people from untimely death and injuries.

“I must also pay tribute to my brother, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola. His administration started the Osogbo Ring Road project before it was abandoned by the previous government. Today, Ogbeni Aregbesola must be happy at the final completion of the project.

“At the inception of our administration, I had promised my God and the people of Osun state that I would not abandon projects inherited from my predecessors. It is my considered view that public projects are public assets which must not be wasted on the altar of political vendetta. I followed my conviction by directing my team to compile a list of all abandoned projects and submit a plan of completion.

“Based on the plan of action, our administration has completed several projects across the sectors. In under 100 days, we completed the Osogbo – Ikirun road dualisation with full solar street lights. It has been open to use since then. We expanded the inherited reconstruction of Iwo – Osogbo road to include dualisation of a major internal road inside Iwo. We completed several abandoned projects inside Osun State University including the one at Isale Osun which was neglected for almost eleven years.

“As I earlier promised our people, the commissioning of several completed projects continues to mark our two years in office. From over 150 kilometers of completed roads, the commissioning crew moves to Iresi town next week to be followed by other towns,” he concluded.

The Governor advised against reckless driving and breaching of driving safety protocols, affirming that most road accidents recorded were caused by over-speeding and one-way driving, while appealing to road users to be safety conscious.

He directed security agencies and road safety authorities to enforce safety codes on the roads, calling on the Ministry of Works to construct speed breakers where necessary.

Source: sahelstandard.com

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No Deportation Order on Pastor Tobi, Lawyer Dismisses Reports As False

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Dele Olawanle, Solicitor to SPAC Nation founder Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, has declared that contrary to reports, the flamboyant pastor is not facing deportation from the United Kingdom.

It will be recalled that the UK Telegraph had earlier reported that a UK immigration tribunal ruled that the 44-year-old should be sent back to his native Nigeria.

Adegboyega has lived in the UK unlawfully since overstaying on a visitor’s visa that allowed him to enter Britain in 2005.

He claimed deportation would breach his right to a family life – having married a British woman.

He also said the attempt to remove him by the Home Office failed to take account of his community work with SPAC.

The tribunal, however, found Adegboyega’s evidence to be “hyperbolic in many instances” and had “sought to grossly inflate his influence.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Olawanle said deportation applies only to criminals, adding that Adegboyega has neither a criminal record nor conviction.

He said, “The newspaper that carried the news was ignorant. I have acted for him as a lawyer on a personal basis and for the ministry. He is not facing deportation from the UK. That is elementary immigration laws for journalists.

“Deportation is for criminals. He is not. Even though the courts and the charity commission had issues with SPAC NATIONS, he was not personally found guilty of any wrongdoings.

“Tobi has lived in the UK for at least 20 years without a criminal conviction. He has contributed significantly to the British community. He has faced many challenges, but he is a winner.

“Many of his adversaries are from the African community. Sensationalism is an act of idiocy. It is not worth the paper it was written on. I read some comments this morning and wondered why people are so quick to make ignorant comments without facts.

“I wondered why there is joy in seeing people go down, including so-called pastors. Society has a big problem, as we cannot handle people who are different and want them to go down.”

Source: theliberationnews

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