Connect with us

news

I will appeal, says plaintiff Ojaomo

Published

on

 

Fraudsters using Magu’s name to extort money, says EFCC

A lawyer, Oluwatosin Ojaomo, yesterday said he would file an application next week against the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja on the fate of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

He said he went to the high court to seek a declaration that the Senate could not use a security report by the Department of State Services (DSS) to disqualify Magu because such a report is not one of the requirements for confirming an EFCC chairman.

He said he asked the court to declare that the Senate has the right to confirm the EFCC chairman without going beyond the provisions of the EFCC Act.

He said he insisted before the court that the security report upon which the Senate based its rejection of Magu was extraneous to EFCC Act.

Ojaomo, who spoke with our correspondent, last night, asked Nigerians to read the judgment in a holistic manner, insisted that the Senate misinterpreted the judgment.

He said: “Although I have not received the Certified True Copy (CTC) , I will go to the Court of Appeal next week. Anybody can assume any interpretation of the judgment but it must be read in a holistic manner.

“The security report, which was used to disqualify Magu, was one of the grounds of my application before the Federal High Court. I submitted before the court that a security report was not one of the conditions in EFCC Act for the confirmation of Magu or any EFCC chairman.

“The EFCC Act specifically mentioned the requirements for the confirmation of the EFCC chairman and I said the Senate cannot go outside the Act by using a security report to disqualify Magu. I said the Senate cannot go beyond the provisions of the EFCC Act. The question was resolved in my favour.

“The Act does not say there should be security report in confirming any appointee as EFCC chairman. I asked the court to declare that the Senate cannot because of a mere allegation (a security report), which has not been proven to disqualify Magu.

“I also maintained and agreed that the Senate has the statutory powers to confirm any nominee for the office of EFCC chairman but the confirmation cannot go outside the EFCC Establishment Act. Which means, the President cannot go outside the Act to appoint a sergeant as EFCC chairman. And the court agreed with me on this.”

Responding to a question, Ojaomo added: “The only aspect I disagreed with the court is the question of locus. I am going to the Court of Appeal against the judgment on the issue of locus.

“As a Nigerian and a tax payer, I know that the EFCC is a public institution and I have a duty as a Nigerian to protect the institution. And the money recovered by the EFCC belongs to Nigerians. So, I have the locus to file the suit.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

news

Tinubu returns from Paris today, Says Onanuga

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu is set to return to Nigeria today after spending close to two weeks abroad, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has confirmed.

Onanuga, in a brief post on X, wrote: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today.”

The Presidency had earlier assured Nigerians that despite the President’s stay overseas, he remained fully engaged with national governance.

In a statement last Thursday, Onanuga explained: “The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.”

He further emphasised that Tinubu’s absence was temporary and “in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks,” with his return scheduled for April 21, following the Easter holidays.

“The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively under his leadership.

“We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption,” the statement added.

Tinubu had departed for Paris on April 2, 2025, for what the Presidency described as a two-week working visit. According to Onanuga, the trip was intended to “appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones.”

Continue Reading

news

Opeifa request for the state government to assist the Railway Police and Otti, thanks Tinubu for picking the best material to rewrite Nigeria Railway history

Published

on

Gov. Otti describes Opeifa as a thorough-bred professional ready to rewrite Nigeria Railway history
Lauds President Tinubu for picking the best material to reposition Nigeria’s oldest corporation

A deserving commendation came the way of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, as the Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, described him as an exceptional professional, most suitable to lead the Nigeria’s oldest surviving public corporation.

Governor Otti spoke on Wednesday, at the Government House in Abia State, during a business visit by the MD/CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, as part of his familiarization tour of the Eastern District of the Corporation.

According to Governor Otti: “I have had so many engagements with past leaders of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, you are clearly different and knows the job”. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Dr. Opeifa to lead the Nigerian Railway Corporation, expressing assurance at his ability to deliver.

He thanked the MD/CEO for promising to synergize with the Federal Ministry of Transportation, and the State Government to see that the transformation of the transportation system in Umuahia is achieved. According to the Governor, “Umuahia Bus terminal is progressing rapidly and we felt that it is important to replicate what we have in Paignton, United Kingdom in Umuahia, by linking the train station with the Terminal to enhance intermodal transportation services.

The Governor stated that he was very happy to see that the MD/CEO is committed to taking the track from Aba to Enugu and even beyond. He recalled, with nostalgia how the train had served the people of the state and regretted the downward trends of rain services across the entire South East.

On the MD/CEO’s request for the state government to assist the Railway Police in the state, Governor Otti promised that his government will provide mobility for Aba Railway Police.

He added that the state government is always ready to support the Federal Government institutions as users of such federal institutions are people of the state, adding that his administration cannot differentiate between federal and state government workers.

Continue Reading

news

Airlin Advocacy Commissions Jos Office, Targets 7m Members By Next Elections,Says Mohammed Gamawa

Published

on

During the inauguration ceremony, the National Chairman of Airlin, Mohammed Gamawa, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to educating Nigerians on their civic rights and responsibilities.

According to Gamawa, Airlin aims to bridge the gap between citizens and the principles of the rule of law by fostering a society where people understand not only their rights but also what is expected of them by the country.

“Our goal is to foster interaction among Nigerians, promote respect for the rule of law, and ensure citizens know their rights and civic responsibilities — such as voting to elect future leaders not based on materialism but based on integrity and competence,” Gamawa stated.

He added that understanding and exercising one’s franchise, especially during elections, must go hand in hand with being law-abiding and fully aware of civil responsibilities.

As part of its mission, Airlin is currently targeting 19 states in Northern Nigeria, with Jos becoming the 15th state to be commissioned.

The ceremony also featured the appointment of state and local government coordinators who will help drive the organization’s grassroots advocacy efforts.

With a current membership base of 2.1 million Nigerians aged 18 and above, Airlin projects a significant growth trajectory, aiming to reach 7 million members before the next general elections.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 Newsthumb Magazine | All rights reserved