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Reps panel dismisses petition alleging plot by DSS, EFCC to rearrest Emefiele

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A house of representatives panel has dismissed a petition on an alleged plot by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Department of State Services (DSS) to rearrest Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The committee on public petition threw out the petition at a hearing on Thursday because it is subjudice.

THE PETITION

In a letter dated November 27, the Centre for Social Justice Equity and Transparency (CESJET), a civil society organisation (CSO), had petitioned the house of representatives, over an alleged plot by the EFCC and DSS to “forcefully remove” Emefiele from the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS).

The petition was presented before the lower legislative chamber by Philip Agbese, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, from Benue.

The group claimed that the antigraft agency and the secret police were plotting to rearrest Emefiele as soon as his bail conditions were perfected.

On November 18, Emefiele was arraigned before a federal capital territory (FCT) high court on a six-count charge bordering on procurement fraud.

The former CBN governor was accused of using his position to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Yaro, a staff of the bank, by awarding a contract for the procurement of 43 vehicles worth N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020.

The vehicles included 37 Toyota Hilux at the cost of N854.7 million, one Toyota Avalon at the cost of N99.9 million, one Toyota Landcruiser V8 at the cost of N73.8 million, two Toyota Hilux Shell Specification at the cost of N44,200,000.

He was also alleged to have awarded Yaro a contract for the procurement of two Toyota Landcruiser VXR V8 worth N138 million.

Emefiele pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charge and was later granted bail in the sum of N300 million.

The court granted him bail but demanded that he must produce two sureties in like sum.

According to the court, the sureties must have certificates of occupancy and titles of properties within the Maitama district in Abuja.

He was also mandated to deposit all his travel documents with the registrar of the court and must remain within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

Emefiele is still in prison because he has been unable to meet his bail conditions.

THE HEARING

At the hearing on Thursday, Sylvanus Tahir, EFCC’s director of legal and prosecution; Nwakeze Emmanuel, NCS assistant comptroller-general of correction in charge of operations, appeared before the committee while DSS was not represented.

Addressing the panel, Tahir asked the lawmakers to dismiss the petition because the matter is in court.

He said Emefiele’s lawyers could approach the court to seek redress if there is such an alleged plot.

“There is a subsisting criminal charge against Mr Godwin Emefiele. I am wondering whether it is appropriate, given the fact that it borders on a subsisting court matter— for this committee to by way of a public hearing, delve into the matter. More so that Emefiele is heavily represented by very senior lawyers in this matter, including senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN),” he said.

“And this petition did not emanate from them and in any event, we believe if the allegation has substance as the petitioners would want this committee to believe, it would have been ventilated before the honourable court in which this case is pending because they are alleging a case of contempt.

“If it is a case of contempt as it is being alleged, I thought the appropriate forum to ventilate that issue should be before the honourable court other than bring it before this committee given the subjudice nature of this case,” he said.

On his part, Emmanuel said he was not aware of any plot to rearrest Emefiele.

“As far as we are concerned, we are not aware of any alleged attempt to forcefully release Emefiele. Emefiele is still in our custody,” he said.

After deliberations, Michael Etaba, chairman of the committee, dismissed the case for being subjudice.

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Okpebholo nominates Cyril, Oshiomhole’s son, as health commissioner

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Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, has nominated Cyril Oshiomhole, a medical doctor, as the commissioner of health.

Cyril is the son of Adams Oshiomhole, the former governor of Edo, now a serving senator.

The commissioner nominee earned his bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery (MBBS) at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

He has a master’s degree in public health and majors in environmental health, toxicology, and disaster management.

Fred Itua, Okpebholo’s spokesperson, said in a statement on Tuesday that the governor also nominated Samson Osagie, a former member of the national assembly, as the attorney-general and commissioner for justice.

“On the new state attorney-general, Dr. Samson Osagie is a private legal practitioner having been called to the Nigerian Bar on March 22nd, 1995,” the statement reads.

He is also the current vice president of the African Bar Association (West African Region),” the statement reads.

“He was a two-term member of the Edo state house of assembly and also the house of representatives, where he rose to the position of the minority whip.

Itua said the Osagie and Oshiomhole’s names would be forwarded to the Edo state house of assembly for confirmation.

He added that Okpebholo also announced the appointment of Musa Ikhilor as the secretary to the state government (SGG).

“Barrister Ikhilor has over 11 years of experience in legislative drafting, parliamentary administration, lawmaking procedure and processes, constitutional drafting and amendment, and general legislative governance issues working in various capacities at the national assembly,” Itua said.

“Barr. Ikhilor is active in business, corporate legal practice, and social works, where he serves as the managing partner of Springfield Legal Consult and as the executive director and board of trustees member of the Amana Legacy Foundation.”

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Okpebholo, Idahosa sworn in as Edo governor, deputy

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Monday Okpebholo has been sworn in as the governor of Edo State after months he was elected to take over from Godwin Obaseki, who has completed his second term in office.

The Chief Justice of the state, Daniel Okungbowa, administered the oath to the governor and deputy governor at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where they pledged to uphold the constitution and work for the well-being of the people of Edo State.”

Dignitaries including vice president Kashim Shettima, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of Edo, and other governors from the APC were in attendance as Okpebholo took the oath of office.

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Nigerian Defence Academy opens applications for 77th regular course

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The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has officially opened online applications for the 77th Regular Course, providing opportunities for both male and female Nigerian candidates to enroll in military and academic training programs.

The application window, which began on November 6, 2024, will remain open until April 30, 2025 and successful applicants will undergo both academic and military training as Officer Cadets at the NDA for a period of five years.

Upon completion, cadets will be awarded a Bachelor’s degree in their field of study and will also receive a Presidential Commission into the Nigerian Armed Forces.

NDA is partnering with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the admissions process hence applicants must also register for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by JAMB, selecting the NDA as their first-choice institution.

“Candidates applying for admission into NDA must also apply to the year 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board and select NDA as their first choice institution,” they said.

Only candidates who meet the required UTME scores will be considered for further assessment. A score of 180 for Arts, Social Sciences, and Science programs, and 210 for Engineering courses.

Screening test 

The NDA screening test serves as the first phase of the Post-UTME assessment, will be conducted on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Eligible candidates are expected to bring the following documents to the test center:

  • Acknowledgment form
  • Screening Test Admission Card
  • JAMB result slip
  • Two passport-sized photographs (3.5 x 5 inches), showing only the chest upwards with essential candidate information written at the back

Candidates can begin the application process by visiting the NDA application portal at ndaapplications.net and selecting the “Purchase Access Code” option. For more enquiries visit the website here.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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