News

Reconstruction and Recovery: Adeleke Presents 2024 Appropriation Bill to Osun Lawmakers

Published

2 years ago

November 10, 2023

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has presented a draft budget of N273.9 billion to the state House of Assembly.

Addressing the lawmakers during the presentation, Adeleke assures that the budget is aimed at reconstructing the fabrics and recovering the lost grounds of the state as it inherited a battered economy, adding that with the continuous support of the legislative arm, the state will soar to greater heights.

He also informed that the budget figures, which comprises the current and capital expenditures of One Hundred and Sixty – Five Billion, Six Hundred and Fifty – Four Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy – Six Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira (N165,654,976,700.00) and One Hundred and Eight Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty – Four Million, Twenty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ten Naira (N108,254,020,710.00) respectively, are programmed to alleviate the condition of the regular Osun resident.

The governor’s speech is presented in detail below:

“In conformity with the existing laws which stipulate that the draft Budget of the State should be presented to the House for approval before the end of the year, I am pleased to present to the honourable members of Osun State House of Assembly through the Honourable Speaker, the Draft 2024 Budget of Osun State.

“I sincerely thank the Hon. Speaker and all the Honourable members of the Assembly for your mutual understanding, cooperation in our collective effort and desire to take our dear State to greater heights. Without iota of doubt, whatever achievement we have recorded so far could not have been possible, but for your support.

“I therefore, on behalf of the Executive Arm express our gratitude to the entire House and hoping to receive more of such support in the coming years.

“Hon. Speaker, I am highly delighted to present to you and honourable members of the Assembly, the 2024 draft Budget tagged “BUDGET OF RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY” in the sum of Two Hundred and Seventy- Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety -Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Ten Naira (N273,908,997,410.00).

“This figure is made up of recurrent expenditure of One Hundred and Sixty – Five Billion, Six Hundred and Fifty – Four Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy – Six Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira (N165,654,976,700.00) and capital expenditure of One Hundred and Eight Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty – Four Million, Twenty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ten Naira (N108,254,020,710.00).

“The tag for this budget reflects our current focus of rebuilding the battered state we inherited. It is a sign we are targetting recovery after successful revamping of all sectors of Osun society. I assure honourable members that the executive arm has the will and the determination to ensure achievements of budgetary goals once this proposal is passed into Appropriation Act.

“Today, I am reassured of our collective partnership for a new Osun of our dream. You have in me a Governor with firm belief in executive-legislative collaboration for development.”

News

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

Published

4 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

5 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.