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FG Offers to Pay N62k Minimum Wage, Labour Demands N250k

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The Federal Government has increased its offer of a new national minimum wage from ₦60,000 to N62,000.

The organised labour, on the other hand, has also reduced its demand from ₦494,000 to ₦250,000.

Already the Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage has adjourned as there was no consensus at the meeting.

The organised private sector, it was gathered, also backed the government offer of ₦62,000.

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FG Raises Allowance of NYSC Members to N77,000 Per Month

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The Federal government has approved the increase of monthly allowance paid corps members undergoing the mandatory national service to N77,000 effective from July 2024.

The acting Director of Information and Public Relations, National Youth Service Corps, Caroline Embu, announced this through a statement on Wednesday.

The statement said the increase is in line with the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.

According to the statement, the increase is contained in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated 25th September 25, 2024 and signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta.

The statement read: “Prior to this, the Director General, NYSC Brigadier General YD Ahmed, had paid an advocacy visit to the Chairman in which he solicited for a robust welfare package for Corps members.

“The NYSC boss is thankful to the Federal government for the timely gesture and is optimistic that it will not only bring much needed succour to the Corps members, but also boost their morale and motivate them to do even more, in their service to the nation.

“Before this increase, the monthly allowance for Corps members was Thirty-Three Thousand Naira (N33,000).”

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Army Discharges Female Soldier, Who Accused Senior Offices of Sexual Harassment from Service

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The Nigerian Army has discharged a female soldier, Private Ruth Ogunleye, from service after she accused some senior officers, including Colonel I.B Abdulkareem, of sexual harassment.

In January 2024, Ogunleye made the accusations via her TikTok page, @Ogunleyeruthsavage1, where she alleged that Colonel I.B Abdulkareem, Colonel G.S Ogor, and Brigadier General I.B. Solebo had made her life unbearable.

She specifically accused Abdulkareem of making repeated attempts to assault her, administering injections against her will, forcibly removing her from her residence, and confining her to a psychiatric hospital for several months after she rejected his sexual advances.

Following these allegations, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, stated that after an exhaustive review of the facts, testimonies, and evidence presented, it was determined that Abdulkareem did not commit the offences alleged by Ogunleye.

He said, “Upon receipt of her initial complaint, which included allegations of sexual harassment, the Nigerian Army took immediate action. The matter was referred to the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, who were tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into the veracity of her claims. The investigation was conducted in accordance with established protocols, with every effort made to ensure a fair and impartial process.

“It is crucial to assert that the Nigerian Army, in its bid to ensure justice and transparency, conducted an exhaustive review of the facts, testimonies, and evidence presented.

“The investigation concluded that Colonel I.B Abdulkareem did not commit the offence of sexual harassment as alleged by ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye. The findings were definitive and based on an objective evaluation of the available information.”

Onyema also revealed that Ogunleye had been recommended for discharge on medical grounds since 2022, but the Nigerian Army, showing sympathy, provided her with the best possible medical treatment before discharging her into civilian life.

He added, “While the Army was addressing the allegations of sexual harassment, further concerns regarding Ruth Ogunleye’s conduct came to light. Her behaviour, both online and offline, raised questions about her deteriorating mental health and emotional stability.”

Onyema stated that medical reports following an evaluation at the National Hospital in Abuja indicated that Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that rendered her medically vulnerable.

He said, “Consequently, the Nigerian Army referred ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye for medical evaluation at the National Hospital in Abuja, following earlier assessments by the Nigerian Army Medical Corps that suggested potential mental health concerns.

“This decision was made to safeguard her well-being and ensure that any actions taken by the Nigerian Army were informed by a comprehensive understanding of her condition, as advised by trained professionals.

“The medical evaluation confirmed that Ruth Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that made her medically vulnerable.”

Onyema said that, based on her medical condition, the Army had decided not to pursue disciplinary action against Ogunleye.

Instead, she was discharged from service on medical grounds.

He added, “In light of this, the Army, though fully capable of proceeding with disciplinary action for her acts of indiscipline and misconduct, opted to exercise compassion and leniency. Based on the medical report from the National Hospital and advice from the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, the decision was made to shelve any disciplinary procedures that could have been taken against her.

“Instead, the Army prioritised her health, understanding that she was in no position to continue with military service. She was subsequently boarded and discharged from service.”

Onyema further stated that although Ogunleye was not entitled to a pension, she was discharged with a 50 per cent monthly pension for life, among other benefits.

He said, “Despite ex-Private Ruth not serving the requisite number of years to qualify for a pension (10 years), she has nonetheless been discharged from the Nigerian Army with a 50 per cent disability claim, meaning she will receive a 50 per cent monthly pension for life. She has also been paid her Terminal Leave Allowance and Terminal Packing Allowance, as well as her contributions to the Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme and Benevolent Fund.

“These payments were made on 14 August 2024 into her FCMB account. Her Security Debarment Allowance for the period she served (5 years and 54 days) has also been paid. The decision to discharge her was made after she rejected an offer of medical treatment, either from the National Hospital or the Nigerian Army.”

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Judge Withdraws from Nnamdi Kanu’s Case After Accusation of Disobedience to Supreme Court Order

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Binta Nyako, a federal high court judge, has recused herself from presiding over the case of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

A recuse means a judge excusing himself or herself from a case because of a potential conflict of interest or a perception of bias.

At the resumed court session on Tuesday, Kanu directly told Nyako that he no longer had confidence in her handling of his trial.

Adegboyega Awomolo, counsel to the federal government, had told the court that he had a witness in court and was ready to proceed with trial.

Awomolo had also sought the protection of the witness.

While the court was setting up a protection screen to shield the witness, Alloy Ejimakor, counsel to Kanu, told the court that his team was not ready to proceed with the trial.

Ejimakor said his client has consistently been denied the opportunity to adequately prepare for his defence.

While the lawyer was still addressing the court, Kanu yelled from the dock, asking Ejimakor to sit down.

“Sit down! I say you should sit down!” the defendant bellowed from the dock.

Facing the judge, Kanu said: “My lord, I have no confidence in this court any more and I ask you to recuse yourself because you did not abide by the decision of the supreme court”.

“I can understand it if the Department of State Services (DSS) refuses to obey a court order, but for this court to refuse to obey an order of the supreme court is regrettable.

“I am asking you to recuse yourself from this case.”

Although the prosecution urged the court to proceed with the trial, Nyako said she would go with extricating herself from the case.

She said she would be sending the case file back to the chief judge for reassignment and further necessary actions.

“I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the chief judge,” she held.

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