News

Child trafficking cannot thrive in Ekiti- Gov. Fayemi

Published

7 years ago

May 27, 2019

Eric

The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has assured that his government will continue to work hard to prevent all forms of crimes against children and humanity in the state.

He added that his government will tighten the noose on perpetrators of child labour, trafficking and prostitution through legal and robust policy formulation in order not to destroy the lives of the country’s future leaders.

Fayemi spoke in Ado Ekiti on Monday during the 2019 edition of the children’s day celebration.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Youths, Mr. Michael Awopetu, said: “The lives and future of our children are paramount to this government and we will spare nothing to protect them.

“We have enacted laws like gender-based violence prohibition law, child rights law, equal opportunities law and also introduced school feeding programme to add values to the lives of our children.

“We are committed to your future and we enjoin our parents to collaborate with government so that our policies targeted at the children population can be achieved.

“These children are our future and we will protect them through effective government policies and actions,” Fayemi assured.

In his remark, the Speaker, Ekiti children’s parliament, Hon. Michael Adebanji, tasked the government on the need to tackle the challenge of drug abuse among the youths.

Calling on government to employ more teachers in schools, Adebanji lauded the government for initiating school feeding programme, saying this will shore up enrolments in schools and ensure a balanced diet in the nutrition of the school children.

“I want the government to make environment more conducive and safer for children by fighting all forms of violence. They should Make sure the youths are engaged gainfully, so that they can be removed from all forms of crimes and drug abuse,” he said.

News

Appeal Court Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Impounding Vehicles, Fining Motorists

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld the judgment that stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court found no basis to set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which restrained the VIO from harassing motorists.

The appeal filed by the VIO was dismissed for lacking merit. Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi delivered in the lead judgment.

The high court had earlier ruled, in a judgment by Justice Nkeonye Maha, that no law authorizes the VIO to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose penalties for alleged traffic offences.

The case arose from a fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by lawyer Abubakar Marshal.

Marshal informed the court that VIO officials stopped him at Jabi in Abuja on December 12, 2023, and seized his vehicle without lawful reason. He asked the court to determine whether their actions violated his rights.

Justice Maha agreed and ordered the VIO and its agents not to impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists, describing the actions as unlawful. She held that only a court can impose fines or sanctions.

She ruled that the VIO’s conduct breached the applicant’s constitutional right to property under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter. She further held that the VIO has no legal authority to seize vehicles or penalize motorists, as doing so infringes on rights to fair hearing, movement and presumption of innocence.

Although Marshal, represented by Femi Falana, SAN, requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded ₦2.5 million.

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, its Abuja Area Commander at the time (identified as Mr. Leo), team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister were listed as respondents.

They appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

News

Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Dambazau, Enang, Ohakim As Ambassadors

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and a former Chief of Naval Staff, as a non-career ambassador.

Tinubu also nominated Ita Enang, a former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, as non-career ambassadors.

News

Senate Confirms Chris Musa As New Defence Minister

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.

According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.

“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.