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Reconstitute Federal Character Commission management, Senate tells Buhari
The Senate has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to reconstitute the management of Federal Character Commission (FCC) which has been without a substantive management since 2018.
The resolution of Senate followed the adoption of a motion brought by Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP – Abia) on the “Urgent Need to -reconstitute the Federal Character Commission (FCC)” on Tuesday.
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Abaribe, having brought the motion under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate rule said:
“Notes that pursuant to Act No.343,1996 and Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution as amended provided for the establishment of the FCC.”
He said the law stipulated the establishment, membership and tenure of office of the chairman and members of the commission.
According to him, Section 3, Sub Section 1 of the act states that the chairman and members of the commission shall hold office for a period of five years in the first instance.
“The act also provides for a further term of five years on such terms and conditions as may be specified in their letters of appointment of the members,” he said.
He, however, noted that the tenure of FCC members had lapsed since 2018, adding that it was against the act establishing the FCC.
He said since 2018, the FCC had been run by an Acting Chairman, who has now become a sole administrator.
According to Abaribe, no provisions of the act or the constitution stipulates for a sole administrator or an acting chairman for FCC.
He said the FCC had been a tool for unity, equitable formula for distribution and good governance of the nation.
He said failure to reconstitute the commission amounts to a constitutional breach of the act establishing the FCC.
Contributing, Senate Deputy Chief Whip Sabi Abdullahi (APC -Niger) who seconded the motion said the role of the FCC was too important to be left in a vacuum.
According to Abdullahi, FCC must be given the attention it deserves and that unemployment has been an issue in the country which FCC would help in addressing .
He said if the FCC management was constituted, it would help ensure equitable sharing of vacancies in government establishments where it might exist for Nigerians to benefit.
President of Senate Ahmad Lawan in his remark on the motion said the FCC was one of the national tools designed to ensure equity in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said with the Senate resolution, the executive would expedite action by reconstituting the management of FCC.
Earlier, the Senate at plenary, considered for first reading of five bills.
The bills are Raw Materials Research and Development Council Bill, 2020 sponsored by Sen. Abdullahi Yahaya (APC Kebbi) and 199 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alteration Bill 2020 by Sen. Omo-Agege Ovie (APC Delta), among others.
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London Property Dispute Exposes Alleged Corruption, Forgery by Nigerian Politician and Lawyer
By Hassan Taiye
A recent judgment by the UK’s First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) has shed light on a complex web of alleged corruption and forgery involving a Nigerian politician and a senior lawyer. The case revolves around a disputed property in North London, valued at 79 Randall Avenue.
The property was purchased in 1993 under the name “Tali Shani,” which is allegedly an alias for late General Jeremiah Useni, a powerful member of the Abacha regime. Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, claimed the property was gifted to him by “Mr. Tali Shani” in 2021 as payment for legal services. However, the tribunal dismissed this claim, describing it as “fabricated” and “fraudulent.”
The tribunal’s ruling highlights the alleged involvement of Ozekhome and his associates in fabricating documents, including a Nigerian passport, National Identification Number (NIN), and Tax Identification Number (TIN). The NIN was reportedly created remotely from Monaco using a non-compliant photograph and bypassing biometric requirements ¹.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Ozekhome and others over alleged fraud, forgery, and unlawful attempt to acquire the London property. The ICPC has launched an investigation, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has also taken notice of the case ²
Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN Senior lawyer accused of forgery and attempting to acquire the property through fraudulent means.
General Jeremiah Useni Late Nigerian General allegedly behind the purchase of the property under the alias “Tali Shani.”
Osilama Ozekhome*: Ozekhome’s son, implicated in the alleged forgery and fraud.
L-r Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Solomon Adeola; Senate Deputy Whip, Onyekachi Nweboyin; Former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Senator Sharafadeen Ali; Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; Senate Whip Tahir Monguno and Senate Committee Chairman on Financial Institutions, Tokunbo Abiru, after resumption of plenary yesterday. Photo: Senate President’s Office
By: Fabian Apechihin
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet amid a growing controversy surrounding his academic credentials.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed Nnaji’s resignation in a statement issued late Tuesday.
Nnaji’s exit follows mounting allegations that his academic certificates were forged. Investigations revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), disowned the Bachelor of Science degree he claimed to possess, stating that he never completed his studies at the institution and was therefore not issued any certificate.
According to UNN Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simon U. Ortuanya, Nnaji was admitted in 1981 but failed to meet the requirements for graduation.
In a related development, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) reportedly disowned the certificate of national service presented by Nnaji, describing it as fake.
His resignation marks the latest in a series of controversies to hit the Tinubu administration over questions of integrity and accountability among public officials.
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London Property Dispute Exposes Alleged Corruption, Forgery by Nigerian Politician and Lawyer
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