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DSS RELEASES AJAERO’S PASSPORT
The Department of State Services (DSS) has released the passport of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.
Some labour leaders, who confided in our correspondent on Tuesday in Abuja, said the secret police did not find anything incriminating against Ajaero.
The DSS bowed to pressure from various quarters on Monday when it released the labour leader on bail a few minutes to the ultimatum given by the NLC.
FG VS EX-CJN, ONNOGHEN; APPEAL COURT OKAYS OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMENT The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday granted the request by the federal government and former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen to settle an appeal challenging his removal as CJN out of court. During Thursday’s proceedings, parties told the court that they have intensified efforts to reach an amicable settlement of all issues in dispute. Former President Muhammadu Buhari, had in 2019 removed Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria during the pendency of a charge against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. However, at Thursday’s proceedings in the appeal, lead counsel to the former CJN, Dr Ogwu Onoja, informed a 3-man panel of justices of the Appeal Court that the two parties are already having discussions on a peaceful resolution of the dispute. Onoja informed the court that the parties had an engagement up until Wednesday, September 18 and expressed optimism that the discussion would bear fruitful results. The senior lawyer subsequently appealed to the appellate court for a one-month adjournment for final settlement of the matter. Counsel to the federal government, Tijani Gazali corroborated the submission of Onoja and requested that the matter be shifted forward for a possible amicable settlement. “My Lords, I wish to humbly confirm the information. It is our position to settle the matter out of court,” he said. In a brief remark, Justice J. O. Oyewole, who presided over Thursday’s proceedings, directed them to file terms of settlement for adoption when eventually agreed upon. Justice Oyewole held that the terms of settlement must be documented and filed before the adjourned date for the court to adopt as its judgement in the matter. He subsequently fixed November 4 as the return date for the two parties. Onnoghen was prosecuted in 2019 by the federal government on false declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, found guilty and removed from office. He was also made to forfeit the undeclared assets to the federal government. Unlike the August 20 proceedings, Onnoghen was not in court to witness his appeal, in which he is praying the Court to set aside the judgement of the CCT that removed him from office and ordered the forfeiture of his five bank accounts.
WHY TINUBU SHUNNED UNGA IN NEW YORK – PRESIDENCY President Bola Tinubu will not be attending the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York. Instead, Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to UNGA, according to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser Information and Strategy to President Tinubu. According to the statement from the presidential aide, Tinubu wants to focus on domestic issues. The statement reads, “President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year. “The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation. “President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding. “At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings. “The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,’ will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024.”
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