News

Pensioners oppose Ngige for registering new body

Published

6 years ago

June 11, 2019

Eric

The registration of the Nigeria Union of Contributory Pensioners under the chairmanship of Asimiefele Aigbokheleode by former minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has been described as unconstitutional by the Sylvanus Nwaiwu-faction of the NUCP and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners.

While announcing the creation of the union during a valedictory session held in his honour, Ngige had said the NUCP was registered to cater for contributory pensioners and retirees of parastatals.

The former minister added that the NUP would take care of only non-contributory pensioners from the federal ministries and the public service.

But in an interview with our correspondent on Monday, Nwaiwu said it was wrong to register a body when there was an existing body bearing the same name and having the same mandate under the NUP.

He said Ngige was misled into doing so, adding that petitions had been submitted to the Presidency, National Assembly and relevant bodies to challenge Ngige’s action.

Nwaiwu said, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners remains the umbrella body of all pensioners’ unions in Nigeria. Contributory pensioners joined the union in 2017 at the instance of the former minister, Ngige. He could not attend the ceremony but he tendered his apology later and demanded the details of our election.

“For him to have gone ahead and approve the registration of another union is a surprise to all of us. It is a deliberate attempt by him to create crisis among the leaders who are statesmen.”

When contacted on the development and some of the claims by the Aigbokheleode-led NUCP, the Head of Information at the NUP, Bunmi Ogunkolade, told our correspondent the NUP only recognised the faction led by Nwaiwu.

During a press conference, Aigbokheleode had frowned on what he described as undue delay by PenCom on the payment of N56.5bn to offset the 33.5 per cent and 15 per cent accrued arrears of contributory pensioners’ benefits.

Reacting, Ogunkolade said, “The faction registered by Ngige liaised with the former minister because they do not want to be under the NUP. The 2014 Act as amended that established contributory pensioners does not give room for transition into unionism because there is no provision for collection of dues.

“The 33.5 per cent this new body refers to is like a promise that has not been financially backed by the Federal Government. Last month, the NUP and state representatives on the NUCP met PenCom representatives in Abuja on the issue.

“PenCom said after the money is approved, it would get back to pensioners. We have approached the National Assembly but unfortunately, we have to wait for the inauguration of another House of Representatives’ Committee on Pension before we can continue to pursue the money through the House and the Senate.”

News

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

Published

3 days 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

4 days 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

4 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.