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BREAKING: Justice Abdulmalik Should’ve Waited For Supreme Court, Lawyers Fault ‘Premature’ Rivers Verdict

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5 days ago

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An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Chidi Odo, has described as “premature” the judgment of the Federal High Court which barred the Federal Government from releasing allocations to Rivers State.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the ruling restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from allowing Rivers State to access funds from the consolidated revenue account. She determined that Governor Similari Fubara’s action of presenting the budget to only four members of the State Assembly violated the 1999 Constitution.

The judge further noted that Governor Fubara’s disbursement of state funds since January, before presenting the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the State Assembly, were unlawful and unconstitutional.

Justice Abdulmalik thus ordered the governor to present the bill to the State House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaehwule, and prohibited financial institutions from disbursing funds to the state until the bill was passed.

But in an interview with THE WHISTLER, Odo said the judgment should have been delayed until the Supreme Court issued its final decision on the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Odo said, “The judgment is premature because the issue of the authentic leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly has not been determined by the Supreme Court. They would have waited for the Supreme Court to make their decision, determining who is the authentic leader of the assembly, before their own.

“Meanwhile, the judgment is not against Fubara; it’s not against the Rivers State government; it’s against the entire Rivers State people, because if you starve them of funds, the state machinery will come to a halt, and everybody will suffer because of one man.

“I think they should have been more careful and circumspect in their decision.

“Remember that the 27 lawmakers said they have resigned and defected to another political party, meaning that there are only four members remaining in the house. It was based on that foundation that Fubara presented the budget to the available lawmakers.

“Constitutionally, you need a two-thirds majority to pass the budget, but because there are no lawmakers, the governor cannot be compelled to do the impossible, which is why he decided on the basis of necessity and allowed the four to pass the budget.

“And I know for a fact that if there is a state of emergency, the law requires him to present the budget to the National Assembly. But given the circumstances of the matter, you cannot blame him, because when there is an emergency, every action is legitimate.

“The judicial process needs to be streamlined; all matters pertaining to the Rivers State government should have been submitted to one court for one final adjudication to avoid conflicting judgments,” he said.

Another legal practitioner, Maxwell Opara, who also spoke to THE WHISTLER, said the judgment further complicates issues in the state.

“I don’t see a reason for the judgment; it is uncalled for. They just used it to compound the problems in Rivers State,” Maxwell told our correspondent.

“You are elected in a political party but decided to decamp; now it has boomeranged, and you start causing trouble. When you decamp, you cease to be a member; it is a constitutional matter.

“When people decamp and only four are left, are you saying that the governor should allow the state to just stay? No, the state must progress.”

Speaking about the judge, the lawyer added, “Moreover, someone has challenged that you are biased; that is enough for you to recuse yourself from the case.

“There is no basis for the judgment. The Federal High Court should have adjourned the matter pending when the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court have decided on it,” he concluded.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

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Politics

Ondo 2024:Nigerian Reacts After Video Of Large Crowd As Peter Obi Campaigns For Labour Party Candidate

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18 hours ago

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November 12, 2024

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After Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra state, campaigned in Ondo state, a video of a sizable crowd was followed by a number of replies. to Monday, the video was posted to Peter Obi Media Center’s official X handle.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

This is coming few days to the governorship election in Ondo state.

According to report, the former governor of Anambra state visited Ondo state to campaign for the Labour Party, LP candidate, Dr Ayodele Festus Olorunfemi.

 

 

After sharing the video, Peter Obi Media Centre wrote on its page;

“Peter Obi is a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and a major leader in the Labour Party, has arrived in Ondo State to support Dr. Ayodele Festus Olorunfemi ahead of the 2024 governorship election. Obi’s presence highlights the Labour Party’s commitment to securing the Ondo governorship seat and reflects the importance of this election in the party’s broader vision. Supporters gathered to welcome him, displaying enthusiasm and hope for the leadership that both Obi and Olorunfemi represent”.

 

 

However, after the post surfaced online, there were several reactions from social media users.

Kindly read a few comments from some of the people who shared their thoughts on the post below.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

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Joe Biden is instructed to step down and appoint Kamala Harris as the first female president.

Published

18 hours ago

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November 12, 2024

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris’s communications director, Jamal Simmons, has urged President Joe Biden to resign so that Harris can become the country’s first female president. Simmons commended Biden for his administration during a conversation on CNN’s State of the Union, pointing out that he had kept a lot of his pledges. He maintained, nonetheless, that there was still one final pledge to serve as a transitional figure.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

According to Vanguard, Simmons suggested that Biden resign within the next 30 days, enabling Harris to ascend to the presidency.

Furthermore, Simmons believes it would pave the way for future women candidates to run without bearing the heavy weight of being the first woman president.

 

 

When questioned about Harris’ potential nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, Simmons reiterated his support for her to serve as president.

He argued that Biden has the power to fulfill this “last promise” and would make history by making Harris the 47th president of the United States.

The call comes amidst the aftermath of the recent U.S. presidential election, where Donald Trump defeated Harris, securing key swing states. Trump is set to be inaugurated as president in January 2025.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

 

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According to Monday Okpebholo: Obaseki Has Escaped, Chased Everyone Out of Edo Government House, and Is on the Run

Published

18 hours ago

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November 12, 2024

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Sahara Reporters reports that Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor-elect of Edo State, has expressed alarm about the whereabouts of departing Governor Godwin Obaseki, asserting that Obaseki left Nigeria a few days prior to the official end of his term. Okpebholo claimed in a statement issued on Sunday, which was signed by his media assistant Godspower Inegbe, that Obaseki fled Benin City, the capital of Edo State, on Friday in order to evade detection by taking a bus. Okpebholo claims that Obaseki may have been afraid of public attention because he chose to take a disguised bus rather than go to the airport.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

Obaseki’s departure comes days before Okpebholo is set to assume office on Tuesday, after which Obaseki will lose immunity from prosecution. Last week, Obaseki expressed concerns that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was planning to detain him once his term concludes.

 

In the statement, Okpebholo accused Obaseki of abandoning his responsibilities and vacating the Edo State Government House before his official handover. “As of Friday, 8th of November, the whereabouts of Obaseki are unknown. He has chased everyone out of Edo State Government House. He has abandoned governance in the State, and he is on the run,” the statement read.

The governor-elect further alleged that Obaseki dismissed government staff before his departure. “He has escaped through the road out of Benin. He did not pass through the airport. If he is as popular as he claims, why did he not use the airport to escape? Instead, he hired a bus and disguised while escaping from Edo State,” Okpebholo stated, adding that these actions showed a lack of accountability and transparency.

Okpebholo also condemned Obaseki’s claims about the election process, asserting that the tribunal will validate his electoral victory. “Obaseki is still licking his wounds and refusing to accept reality,” Okpebholo said, warning that if Obaseki continues to make “baseless claims,” he will be legally accountable once his immunity ends.

“Obaseki will soon lose his immunity. If he continues with these baseless claims, he will face the law and be required to prove his allegations in court,” Okpebholo warned.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

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