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BREAKING: Supreme Court reverses sack of Yusuf, upholds his election as Kano Governor

Published

4 months ago

January 12, 2024

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The Supreme court has upheld the election of Abba Yusuf as Governor of Kano State, reversing the decision of the Court of Appeal and the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which sacked the governor.

Justice John Okoro, who read the lead Judgement, said the Court of Appeal was wrong in affirming the decision of the tribunal, which held that Yusuf did not win the majority of lawful votes cast in the governorship election of March 18, 2023.

In determining the case, the apex court raised two issues: whether the lower court was right in deducting 165,616 from the votes the Independent National Electoral Commission announced for the governor and whether the lower court could determine the issue of party membership.

In the judgement, Justice Okoro held that the tribunal was wrong in deducting 165,616 votes accrued to Yusuf in the election on grounds that the ballot papers were not signed and stamped by officials of INEC.

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According to him, Section 71 of the Eectoral Act relied upon by the tribunal to deduct the disputed votes does not apply in the instant case.

The Supreme court Panel of five Justices, subsequently went ahead to restore the deducted 165,616 votes to reinstate the victory of Yusuf in the governorship election.

On the second issue, the Supreme Court again faulted the Court of Appeal for holding that Yusuf was not a member of the NNPP as of the time he contested the election, adding that the issue of nomination and sponsorship is a pre-election matter and outside the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Okoro observed that contrary to the appellate court, the tribunal never held that Yusuf was not qualified to contest the poll but that his name was not in the NNPP’s membership register submitted to INEC.

The apex court subsequently set aside the judgment of the two lower courts for being perverse and restored the electoral victory of Abba Yusuf.

READ Supreme Court upholds INEC’S de-registration of 22 political parties

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UPDATED: FG approves 35% salary increase for civil servants

Published

4 hours ago

April 30, 2024

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The Federal Government has approved an increase of between 25 percent and 35 percent salary increase for civil servants on the remaining six consolidated salary structures.

The salary increase, announced on the eve of the Workers’ Day celebration, is contained in a statement issued by Emmanuel Njoku, head of press, at the national salaries, incomes and wages commission (NSIWC).

The statement said the increase takes effect from January 1, 2024.

The six consolidated salary structures are consolidated public service salary structure (CONPSS); consolidated research and allied institutions salary structure (CONRAISS); consolidated police salary structure (CONPOSS); consolidated para-military salary structure (CONPASS); consolidated intelligence community salary structure (CONICCS); and consolidated armed forces salary structure (CONAFSS).

The Federal Government also approved an increase in pension of between 20 percent and 28 percent for pensioners on the defined benefits scheme with respect to the six consolidated salary structures.

READ Buhari congratulates Akeredolu over Supreme Court win

News

BREAKING: FG approves salary increase for civil servants

Published

5 hours ago

April 30, 2024

admin

The Federal Government has approved an increase of between 25 percent and 35 percent salary increase for civil servants on the remaining six consolidated salary structures.

The salary increase, announced on the eve of the Workers’ Day celebration, is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by Emmanuel Njoku, head of press, at the national salaries, incomes and wages commission (NSIWC).

The statement said the increase takes effect from January 1, 2024.

Details later…

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EFCC arraigns Kwara’s ex-finance commissioner over ‘N1.22bn money laundering’

Published

8 hours ago

April 30, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Ademola Banu, a former commissioner for finance in Kwara, over alleged money laundering and misappropriation of state funds to the tune of N1.22 billion.

Banu was arraigned on Monday before Evelyn Anyadike, judge of the federal high court in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.

He is alleged to have conspired to divert the funds during the administration of Abdulfatah Ahmed, former governor of Kwara, between May 2011 and May 2019, while serving as the commissioner for finance.

In a press statement on Tuesday, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, said Banu was to be arraigned alongside the former governor on February 23 but was absent in court and had no legal representation.

The court then issued a bench warrant against him upon an application by Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to the EFCC.

The former governor was arraigned on the 12-count charge and the matter was adjourned till April 29.

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At the resumed sitting, Ahmed and Banu, listed as the first and second defendants, respectively, were present in court.

When the case was called, A. A. Ajibade announced the appearance for Ahmed, while Gboyega Oyewole represented Banu.

Oyewole prayed the court to discharge the bench warrant earlier issued against his client, which the EFCC counsel did not oppose.

In a short ruling, Anyadike vacated the bench warrant on the second defendant.

Banu pleaded not guilty to the counts.