Connect with us

News

June 12: Lagos Speaker Hails Declaration As Democracy Day, Says Buhari, APC, Tinubu Deserve Praise

Published

on

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has hailed the declaration of June 12 as the new Democracy Day for Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Rt. Hon. Obasa, who gave the commendation through a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak, also praised Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his pioneering efforts at making the declaration a reality. Tinubu was the first Governor to declare June 12 as a public holiday for workers which was observed throughout his eight year tenure.
“This declaration has vindicated the belief and agitation of the Progressives that June 12 should be the authentic Democracy Day because it was the day that Nigeria had the freest, fairest and most peaceful election in the country.
“It was June 12 that gave birth to what we are enjoying today as democracy but for 16 years, the People Democratic Party (PDP) government at the centre failed to recognise this epoch making event. Thank God, the All Progressives Congress  (APC) has right the wrong and I want to congratulate the President, his Vice, the APC and Nigerians in general for this honour on the martyr of Nigerian democracy, Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola,” the Lagos Assembly Speaker said.
Rt. Hon. Obasa also has special praise for APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves special praise for his commitment to rule of law and justice, moreso his belief in the sanctity of the June 12 mandate and the entire struggle for democracy which culminated in the present democratic dispensation.
“Asiwaju was the first Governor to declare June 12 as Democracy Day and throughout his tenure as governor, workers in Lagos State enjoyed the day as work free day. Asiwaju also named the former Marwa Gardens after the late Chief MKO Abiola to immortalise him.
“And don’t forget that it was Asiwaju that named the press centre at Alausa secretariat after the late Bagauda Kaltho, the News magazine correspondent killed by the Abacha junta during the struggle for democracy.
“Therefore our leader also deserves special commendation for his pioneering efforts at getting official recognition for June 12, Chief MKO Abiola and other icons of democratic struggle in the country,” Rt. Hon Obasa said.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Court Grants Malami N200m Bail in DSS Terrorism, Firearm Charges

Published

on

By

Justice Joyce Abdulmalikof the Federal High Court Abujahas admitted a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son Abdulazizto N200 million bail in the charges bordering on alleged terrorism and illegal firearms possession brought against them by the Department of State Service (DSS).

Malami and his son were, however, ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail conditions imposed on them by the Court.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted them bail while ruling on their bail applications, which were argued by their lead Counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN).

The judge ordered the former AGF and his son to get two sureties each, one of whom must own landed property either in Maitama or Asokoro.

Justice Abdulmalik said that the title of the property must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, along with valid international passports.

The sureties are also to depose to an affidavit of means and submit their two recent passport photographs to the court.

Malami and his son were also ordered to submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the court.

The judge subsequently fixed March 4 for the commencement of the trial.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had arraigned Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal firearms possession.

In the charge, Malami was accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were handed to him while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice.

Malami and Abdulaziz are equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, without lawful authority.

The DSS accused Malami in count one of the charge, with knowingly abetting terrorism financing, while the ex-AGF and his son are charged in counts two to five, with unlawful, possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live rounds of cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, contrary to and punishable under relevant Sections of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Firearms Act, 2004.

Continue Reading

News

Fubara Appoints New SSG, Chief of Staff

Published

on

By

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appointed Dr. Dagogo S.A. Wokoma as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) and Barrister Sunny Ewule as Chief of Staff, after the recent shake-up of the State’s political and administrative structure.

The appointments were announced on Thursday in a Special Government Notice signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, and made available to journalists. Both appointments take immediate effect.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, the governor appointed Dr Dagogo Wokoma as Secretary to the State Government and Mr. Sunny Ewule as Chief of Staff.

The statement said the appointments take immediate effect, adding that the new appointees would be sworn in at 2:00 p.m. at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Port Harcourt.

The development comes amid the protracted political crisis in the State, which recently escalated into impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, by the State House of Assembly. The crisis was eventually diffused following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, had last week announced during plenary that the Assembly formally withdrew the impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy after the President’s intervention.

Political observers suggest that the dissolution of the cabinet may be part of efforts to rebalance the power structure in the following the peace accord. However, it remains unclear whether the new appointees are aligned with the governor or loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The statement read in part: “The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has appointed Dr. Dagogo S.A. Wokoma as the Secretary to the State Government and Barrister Sunny Ewule as the Chief of Staff.

“Both appointments are with immediate effect. The new appointees will be sworn in at 2:00 pm.today, Thursday, February 26, 2026. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Port Harcourt.”

Continue Reading

News

Court Strikes Out Forgery Case Against Ozekhome As FG Withdraws Charges

Published

on

By

The Federal Government has formally withdrawn the forgery charge filed against senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome, bringing an abrupt pause to a case that had drawn public attention.

The charge was originally instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
It followed a judgment delivered by a London court over a property linked to the late former FCT minister, Jeremiah Useni.

In January, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation took over the matter from the ICPC for what it described as effective prosecution.

However, proceedings took a new turn on Tuesday at the FCT High Court.

The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed Peter Kekemeke that the Federal Government was withdrawing the case file for “further instruction”.

He explained that the decision was taken in line with the provisions of Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Counsel to the defence, Paul Erokoro, SAN, told the court that his team had no objection to the withdrawal of the charge.

In a brief ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that since the application was not opposed, it was granted.

He consequently struck out the charge and ordered that the case be dismissed.

The withdrawal effectively halts legal action against Ozekhome over the alleged forgery linked to the disputed property transaction.

Continue Reading

Trending