Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • Senate passes N6.2trn Appropriation Act amendment bill for second reading

    Senate passes N6.2trn Appropriation Act amendment bill for second reading

    Flowerbud News

    The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading, an amendment to the 2024 Appropriation Act to the tune of N6.2 trillion for capital and recurrent expenditure.

    This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the Senate Leader ,Sen.Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti) at plenary on Wednesday.

    Bamidele, having moved for suspension of Senate rules 78 to allow for process of second reading, said the bills were first read on July 17,following transmission of the bills to Senate by President Bola Tinubu.

    He said the 2024 appropriation act amendment bill sought to amend the authorisation of issuance from the consolidated fund, sum of N3.2trillion for capital expenditure and N3 trillion for recurrent expenditure.

    He said the amendments sought in the finance act 2023 was to impose a one time windfall tax on the banks on  the foreign exchange gains realised in their 2023 financial statements.

    He said the amendment on the finance act was also designed to further provide for general tax administration in the country.

    Bamidele said the 2024 appropriation amendment bill was needed to fund renewed hope infrastructure projects and other critical infrastructure projects to be undertaken across the country.

    He said the bills were also needed to meet other recurrent expenditure requirements, necessary for proper operations of Federal Government expenditure.

    According to him, the expenditures will be funded by expected revenue accruing to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    This, he said  would help fund capital infrastructure development, education, health care access and public welfare initiatives.

    According to him all of the projects are essential components of the renewed hope agenda of the administration.

    Bamidele while lauding the projects emarked, said it would enhance the provision of critical needs of Nigerians.

    Sen.Adamu Alero, (PDP-Kebbi), who seconded the motion said it was necessary to support the bill because of the expected minimum wage for workers.

    He urged the lawmakers’ to pass the amendment as the bill was required to source the required fund for minimum wage payment and infrastructure projects construction.

    “Because there is no money in 2024 budget,if we don’t provide money for the minimum wage this month, there will be public outcry, Nigerians have been patient and have waited.”

    Alero commended President Bola Tinubu for the bills, saying that its passage would also help in completion of legacy projects.

    Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over plenary at that moment said the amendment sought in the 2024 appropriation act was designed to provide additional revenue to the 2024 budget revenue profile.

    Sen. Seriake Dickson(PDP-Bayelsa) suggested that the bill on amendment of finance act should be stood down , advising on need to seek experts views on proposed imposition of taxes on banks.

    Other senators, who supported the bills include Sen.Garuba Maidoki (APC-Kebbi) Adetukunbo Abiru (APC-Lagos), Adams Oshomole (APC-Edo) and Sani Musa )APC -Niger).

    Deputy President of Senate, Sen.Barau Jibrin(APC-Kano), after the bills passed second reading referred the bills separately to Senate Committees on Appropriations and Finance for further legislative inputs.

    The Committees are to report back to plenary in one week.

    NAN

  • Court fixes Sept. 25 for Yahaya Bello’s arraignment

    Court fixes Sept. 25 for Yahaya Bello’s arraignment

    Flowerbud News

    Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date after delivering a ruling on the application moved by Bello’s counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, praying the court to stay proceedings following an appeal filed at the appellate court.
    The senior lawyer had told the court that the.defence had filed an appealed against the arrest warrant and other rulings earlier granted by Justice Nwite.
    Mohammed argued that the court could not proceed on the matter until the pending appeal was determined, citing authorities.
    He also decried the treatment meted out to his colleague, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, at the last hearing, saying the prosecution misled the court.
    “Your lordship is functus officio to continue with this case. Heavens will not fall if my lord awaits the Court of Appeal’s decision.
    “My lord, the contention of Section 396 of ACJA (Administration of Criminal Justice Act) is a live issue in that appeal.
    “We are relying on the provision of the constitution which overrides the EFCC’s Act which the prosecution is relying on,” he said.
    However, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinhero, SAN, opposed vehemently opposed the submission.
    He said that the defendant had not shown any Court of Appeal’s document showing that the court wants the lower court to stay proceeding.
    At that point, Justic Nwite asked whether, having received the application and affidavit of record of appeal, and being aware of the pending appeal, it would not amount to judicial rascality for his court to continue proceedings on the matter.
    “Won’t it amount to judicial rascality to continue this case when there’s an issue of jurisdiction?” the judge asked.
    But Pinheiro said “it is not really an issue of jurisdiction,” adding that in the face of Section 40 of the EFCC Act, the mere filing of an affidavit could not suffice as the case was not a civil case.
    He urged the court to stick to the matter of the day, which was the ruling on the arguments presented on June 27.
    Abdulwahab, however, told the court that the judge was misled on June 27 and that part of their request was for the proceedings of that day to be expunged.
    “They are asking your lordship to undo the work of the Court of Appeal.
    “To avoid controversy and in order not to render the appeal nugatory, this should not continue.
    “Even if Yahaya Bello were to be here, you cannot arraign him since the appeal has been entered,” he argued.
    The senior lawyer said the 13-paragraph affidavit of records of the appeal was filed on July 16 with 10 exhibits.
    “It is basically praying your lordship”s attention to the notices of appeal we have filed against your lordship rulings of the 23rd of April, 2024, and 10th of May, 2024.
    “The file and records were transmitted  through the Court of Appeal on the 24th of May, 2024.
    “And that the appellant’s brief of argument was filed on 31st of May, 2024,” he said.
    According to Mohammed, an appeal had been properly entered with motion for stay of further proceedings of the lower court filed in respect of both appeals.
    He argued that the two appeals challenged the jurisdiction of the trial court to entertain the charge ab initio.
    “We urge your lordship to expunge the record of the proceedings on 27th of June because at that time, an appeal had been entered and the proceedings should not have happened. The court was functus officio,” he insisted.
    He said going ahead with the matter would bring the court in conflict with the Court of Appeal.
    Pinheiro observed that one of the appeals sought to have the court stay further proceedings until the determination of the appeal.
    He, however, noted that the judge was bound by his own rulings and, therefore, had the discretion to determine whether to proceed or not.
    He argued that the first authority that Abdulwahab cited was a 1999 case that predated the EFCC Act, 2004.
    “This same position was canvassed on behalf of Mustapha SAN in 2016 case, Mustapha v FRN, and the court held that proceedings can only be stayed where there is a Court of Appeal order to that effect and they relied on 306. In Chukwuma v IGP, a 2018 case, the court held something similar,” he said.
    Responding on point of law, Abdulwahab said, “We have two notices of appeal – one is on mixed law and fact and the other is on jurisdiction.
    “The authorities he has cited are different from jurisdiction. Chukwuma v IGP is on admissibility of document and not jurisdiction.
    “In Chief Cletus ibeto v Frn, which is an ongoing criminal appeal, all the facts are on all fours with the recent case.
    “The lower court stayed proceedings because of the issue of Jurisdiction and now the argument at the Court of Appeal is on 306. That is how it is supposed to be.”
    In his ruling, Justice Nwite said, “The grant of stay of proceedings is at the court’s discretion. And since it is an issue of discretion no one can give an authority for the judge to rely on. The judge only needs to exercise this power judicially.”
    The judge, in a twist, held that the defendant wanted to use the appeal to delay proceedings.
    According to him, there have been previous Court of Appeal judgments on such matters.
    In another ruling, Justice Nwite granted the application for withdrawal of the defendant’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, from the case.
    The judge referred the matter of alleged misconduct by the defence counsel over alleged failure to produce the ex-governor in court to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for investigation on possible infractions.
    Justice Nwite said, having stated the law, “the question is whether there was an undertaking by Abdulwahab, SAN and Adedipe, SAN, which was breached to amount to contempt of court.”
    Pinheiro, however, commended Adedipe for taking the step to withdraw from the case, praying the court to vary the ruling on alleged misconduct levelled against the duo.
    But Justice Nwite directed Pinheiro to file a formal application to the effect.
    Consequently, he adjourned the case until Sept. 25 for arraignment.
    NAN
  • Tinubu seeks amendment to 2024 Appropriation Act, 2023 Finance Act

    Tinubu seeks amendment to 2024 Appropriation Act, 2023 Finance Act

    Flowerbud News

    President Bola Tinubu has urged the Senate to amend the 2024 Appropriation Act and the 2023 Finance Act.

    Tinubu’s request is contained in a letter addressed to President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio and read at plenary on Wednesday.

    Tinubu in the letter said,”Pursuant to section 58, sub section two of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

    “I forward herewith the above bills for consideration and passage by the Senate.

    “The Appropriation Act Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to amend the principal act to provide the sum of N3.2trillion for renewed hope infrastructure projects and other critical infrastructure projects to be undertaken across the country.

    “And the sum of N3 trillion to meet further recurrent expenditure requirements, necessary for the proper operation by the Federal Government expenditure, which are to be funded by expected revenue accruing to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

    Tinubu said the proposed amendments to the Finance Act 2023 were required to impose a one time windfall tax on the foreign exchange gains realised by banks in their 2023 financial statements.

    This, he said was to fund capital infrastructure development, education, health care access and public welfare initiatives.

    According to the President, all of the projects are essential components of the renewed hope agenda of the administration.

    NAN

  • Kano assembly passes bill to create 3 second class emirates

    Kano assembly passes bill to create 3 second class emirates

    Flowerbud News

    The Kano State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed a bill for the creation of three second-class emirates in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Assembly took the first reading of the bill before embarking on recess.

    The Bill, titled: “Kano State Emirates Council Establishment Bill, 2024” was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Butu-Butu.

    The Speaker, Jibrin Falgore, said during deliberation on the bill, that the new emirates are, Rano, Gaya and Karaye Emirates.

    He explained that the Rano Emirate consists of Rano, Kibiya and Bunkure Local Government Areas.

    “Gaya Emirate consists of Gaya, Albasu and Ajingi Local Government Areas while Karaye Emirate consists of Karaye and Rogo Local Government Areas respectively,” he said.

    The speaker further said that the Emirs of the three new second class emirates would be answerable to the Emir of Kano.

    ”They shall have powers to advise the Emir of Kano on matters relating to maintenance of public order and boundary disputes within their areas of jurisdiction.

    NAN

  • Court dismisses Emefiele’s application to travel to UK for medicals

    Court dismisses Emefiele’s application to travel to UK for medicals

    Flowerbud News

    A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Tuesday dismissed an application filed by  the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele  to travel  to the UK medical treatment.

    The EFCC charged Emefiele   with criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served as the apex bank’s boss.

    Among the allegations was that the former CBN boss forged a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (AGF).

    Besides he is also accused of using his office as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies; April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

    Emefiele in the amended charge was alleged to have, on February 8, 2023 knowingly obtain, by false pretence, $6,230,000.00 by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF 43/L.01/201 requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000 “in line with Mr. President’s directive.”

    Justice Hamza Muazu,dismissed the application in a ruling.

    Muazu held that though the applicant stated that he would be away from July 28 to Sept 10, there was no medical appointment or invitation brought before the court.

    He held that though, the court had the discretion to grant leave but the applicant is standing trial in various charges in three courts, two in FCT and one in Lagos.

    ” The letter of invitation for medical follow up is not attached.

    ” As it stands now, I can not use my discretion to grant the application and he is standing trial in three courts.

    ” The application is hereby dismissed and the adjourned date for continuation of trial still stands” he held.

    At the proceedings of June 25, Enefiele’s lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, SAN, informed the judge of the defendant’s application for medical leave.

    The judge adjourned the hearing of the application until July 8.

    On July 8, Emefiele through his lawyer, Labi Lawal, urged the court to release his passport, previously deposited as part of his bail conditions, to enable him to travel to the UK for medical treatment.

    However, the prosecution counsel, Muhammad Omeiza, argued that no medical report was presented to the court showing that Emefiele was suffering from an ailment that could not be treated in Nigeria.

    He added that the defence did not present any medical report showing that an ailment plagued Emefiele.

    Lawal told the court that there was also no evidence to show that his ailment cannot be treated in Nigeria.

    He also stated that Emefiele posed a flight risk due to his connections with co-conspirators abroad and ongoing trials in three different courts.

    However, the defence counsel faulted the prosecution’s arguments as speculative.

    He said an international red alert could ensure Emefiele is returned if he did not comply after the medical trip.

    NAN

  • Unity schools admission: FG releases 2024 NCCE results

    Unity schools admission: FG releases 2024 NCCE results

    Flowerbud News

    The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, who announced the results at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, said one candidate scored the highest mark of 203 in the examination.
    Sununu said that of the 71,291 candidates that registered for the exams, 66,931 candidates sat for the examination while 4,360 were absent.
    “Out of the maximum obtainable score of 210, one candidate obtained the highest score of 203, while 13 candidates obtained the lowest score of one.
    “This year, an unprecedented number of 52 candidates (two candidates from Lagos State and 50 candidates from Rivers State) were involved in examination malpractice.
    “For the examination conducted for the Federal Government Academy  (FGA), 2,649 candidates registered for the examination, 2,336 candidates sat for the examination while 313 candidates were absent.
    “The highest score for this examination is 180 while the lowest is five,” he said.
    The minister said that the admission criteria for selection of qualified candidates into Federal Unity Colleges remained the same.
    According to him, admission requirements are 60 per cent merit, 30 per cent equality of state and 10 per cent exigency.
    He therefore charged the Senior Secondary Education Department in the ministry to ensure that all admission processes were concluded timely and it should be done in line with the above criteria.
    “As you are all aware, it is a common knowledge that our Federal Unity Colleges have become the first port of call for most parents in the country.
    “I want to assure all Nigerian parents that government will continue to do her best to improve on infrastructural development, feeding and teacher quality for effective teaching and learning in our colleges,” he added.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NCEE was conducted in Nigeria, Benin Republic and Togo on June 1, 2024.
    NAN
  • Binance executive whisked into courtroom in wheelchair

    Binance executive whisked into courtroom in wheelchair

    Flowerbud News

    The detained Binance Holdings Limited’s executive, Tigran Gambaryan, was on Tuesday, whisked into Federal High Court in Abuja in wheelchair.

    Gambaryan, who dressed in a black T-shirt with a blue jeans trousers, is facing a money laundering charge alongside the cryptocurrency firm.
    When the matter was called, Gambaryan stood up from the wheelchair and walked slowly into the dock.
    The Economic  and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Ogechi Ujam, told the court that though the matter was scheduled for continuation of trial, the commission’s lead counsel, Ekele Iheanacho was not in court.
    Ujam prayed the court to stand down the matter to enable Iheanacho conduct the trial.
    Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, who appeared for Binance (1st defendant) and Mark Mordi, SAN, who represented Gambaryan, did not oppose the application.
    Justice Emeka Nwite stepped down the matter until 12pm.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Nwite had, on July 5, ordered the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to release the medical certificate of Gambaryan on or before July 16.
    The judge gave the order following an application by Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mordi.
    Mordi had prayed the court to summon the medical doctor at the health facility of Kuje Correctional Centre, to explain why he had allegedly refused to make available his client’s medical report despite earlier court order.
    NAN reports that Gambaryan had, on May 23, collapsed in the open court over alleged ill-health.
    The defence law firm, Aluko & Oyebode, had also, on May 27, raised alarms that the cryptocurrency firm’s executive, might die in Kuje Correctional Centre over his alleged deteriorating health.
    NAN
  • 1st interview after Trump attack, Biden slams rival’s rhetoric

    1st interview after Trump attack, Biden slams rival’s rhetoric

    Flowerbud News

    In spite of his recent appeals for unity and restraint following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, U.S. President Joe Biden didn’t hold back in an interview on Monday.

    He went back to accusing his Republican rival of inflammatory rhetoric.

    Trump talked about there’d be a bloodbath if he loses; Biden told NBC News anchor Lester Holt, two days after Trump was injured by a shooter at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

    Biden, who in the wake of the attack stressed the need “to lower the temperature in our politics.’’

    He said it was Trump’s own rhetoric not his that had heated up the campaign ahead of November’s presidential elections.

    Biden said, “Look, I’m not the guy that said I want to be a dictator on day one,.

    “I’m not the guy that refused to accept the outcome of the election’’ Biden said, referring to previous remarks made by Trump.

    “I’m not the guy who said that wouldn’t accept the outcome of this election automatically.

    “I have not engaged in that rhetoric. My opponent has engaged in that rhetoric.’’

    Following the attack on Trump on Saturday, Biden called for unity and condemned the attack several times.

    “In America, we resolve our difference at the ballot box, not with bullets.

    “The path forward through competing visions of the campaign should always be resolved peacefully, not through acts of violence,’’ Biden said in a formal Oval Office address on Sunday evening.

    Asked by NBC’s Holt what he could do himself to cool down the political debate, Biden said.

    “Continue to talk about the things that matter to the American public.’’

    “It matters whether or not you, for example, talk about how you’re gonna deal with the border instead of talking about people as being vermin, those things matter.

    `That’s the kind of language that is inflammatory.’’

    Some of Trump’s fiercest supporters have accused Biden of being partially responsible for the attack due to his rhetoric.

    Biden has repeatedly described his rival as an existential threat to democracy.

    dpa/NAN

  • procures N2bn starter packs for youths empowerment -MD

    procures N2bn starter packs for youths empowerment -MD

    Flowerbud News

    The New Hydropower Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPADDEC) has procured starter packs worth N2 billion that would be distributed to unemployed youths in its catchment states.

    Its Managing Director, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Minna.

    Sadiq-Yelwa said, “These packs will soon be delivered to the commission and they will be distributed thereafter.

    “The distribution is expected to be inaugurated by the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu in Minna and will also be launched in the various states by the wives of the Governors,” he explained.

    Sadiq-Yelwa also said that the commission was working hard to complete and inaugurate the resettlement schemes in Muregi, Ketso in Niger and Kogi

    He said, “We have pay attention to facilitating the construction of the housing scheme in Muregi, Ketso and Shiroro areas in Niger and Kogi.

    ”We decided to do that in order to prepare our minds for the challenges that will come forth as a result of the heavy rain fall some of our communities are likely to witness.” the MD said.

    This, he said, was in view of the likely flooding in some of the riverine communities in the commissions catchment states.

    Sadiq-Yelwa also said the commission was working hard to complete and inaugurate a drainage scheme in Agaie, Niger for some communities being threatened by River Kaduna.

    He said, “There are certain villages in that Agaie local government that the river Kaduna is trying to upset and we are trying to see what we can do about that.

    ”This is in an effort to provide succour and prepare for the flood with appropriate channels so that it will not be causing havoc to that community any longer.

    “We will appropriately channel the expedited flood waters, hence saving the lives and properties of the residents of the affected communities.

    ”We have also completed the programme of providing about 70 blocks of three classrooms for 70 communities in different parts of the HYPADDEC states

    “We are also on the verge of furnishing those schools and will soon be handed over to those communities./ We are have also commissioned the Koton Karfe drainage scheme and in another community in Benue.”

    Sadiq-Yelwa said that the commission had inaugurated the Barkmi Ladi Mobile Police Base in order to provide security to that community that was always threatened by the activities of bandits.

    He further stated that the commission has also facilitated efforts to complete the Patigi drainage scheme in Kwara, ading that it has reached 90 per cent completion and that they were hoping to inaugurate it in August this year.

    NAN