News
ASUU Declares Readiness to Call Off Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared its readiness to suspend the ongoing strike if the Federal government shows willingness to accept its “minimum” demands.
The ASUU president, Emmanuel Osodeke, spoke on Thursday during a national town hall meeting on tertiary education.
The town hall meeting held under the theme: ‘The Locked Gates of our Citadels – A National Emergency’.
ASUU has been on strike since February 14 over the federal government’s failure to meet its demands, including the funding of universities and lecturers’ salaries and allowances.
The Federal government recently filed a suit against the union at the national industrial court over the lingering strike.
Speaking during the town hall meeting, Osodeke said the suit will worsen the situation, adding that the union is ready to engage with the Federal government in order to end the strike.
“On all these issues, we have given the government a minimum that we can accept, but they have not responded on issue of revitalisation, earned allowance and on other issues that we have all discussed,” Osodeke said.
“We negotiated and agreed that they should sign. This is very simple and it will not take more than one day.
“On UTAS and IPPIS , we say ‘release the report of the test you did, let’s look at the one who came first and take it as we agreed’.
“So, we have given them the minimum we want and we have to come down and they can do it in one day if there is a will.
“If the government loves this country, these children, and their parents, then they should come to the table and let us resolve these issues in one day.
“Just as we did in 2014, they should come and ensure that we do that. We can even have the meeting openly so that Nigeria will see what we are discussing.”
On her part, Vivian Bello, convener of Save Public Education Campaign, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), appealed to the federal government and ASUU to resolve the situation, adding that it is the students who are bearing the negative impact of the strike.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed the order of a Rivers High Court which restrained Martin Amaewhule and 24 others from parading themselves as lawmakers of the state assembly.
A three-member panel of the appellate court led by Jimi Olukayode-Bada, held that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, as such matters can only be heard and determined before a federal high court.
The appeal, which was filed by Amaewhule, factional speaker of the Rivers state house of assembly, and 24 others, sought to vacate the order of a high court in Port Harcourt that restrained them from parading themselves as lawmakers.
On May 30, Charles Wali, the high court judge, restrained the lawmakers in Amaewhule’s faction from conducting legislative sittings anywhere, including within the legislative quarters.
The judge also restrained Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, from interfacing with or accepting resolutions and bills from the 25 lawmakers.
The suit was filed by Victor Oko Jumbo, a factional speaker, and two other lawmakers; Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy. The three legislators are loyal to Fubara.
The court also held that all of the laws made by Amaewhule and others would amount to a nullity until the matter was determined.
The appellants had asked the appeal court to dismiss the judgment of the lower court and nullify the decisions taken by Jumbo’s faction.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared as invalid the Peoples Democratic Party’s primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as its governorship candidate.
The primary election conducted on February 22, 2024, was voided on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primary election were unlawfully excluded by PDP.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo invalidated the primary election while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by the aggrieved delegates.
The suit marked THC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 was instituted by one Hon Kelvin Mohammed in a representative capacity.
Justice Ekwo held that both the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the PDP Guidelines were grossly violated in the conduct of the primary election at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin.
A Magistrate Court sitting in Ibadan magisterial district has sentenced a driver who assaulted Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) operatives on patrol to three years in correctional service custody, according to a statement signed by the Public Education Officer, Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
In her judgment, the Magistrate, Mrs Olatunji, read to the hearing of the defendant for plea, the One Count charge allegation of assault to official of Federal road safety, and offence contrary and punishable under section 356(1) of Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol2 Laws of Oyo State, Nigeria 2000.
After the reading of the charge, the defendant (Mr Alloy Paulinus) pleaded guilty. However the Defence Counsel pleaded for leniency before Her Worship, on the premise that the defendant is a first time offender, who has realized his mistakes and is now remorseful having spent two days in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force.
He finally urged the Court to release the truck in question that has been in the custody of the Nominal Complainant (FRSC) since 12 June, 2024 and equally urged the Court to order for the release of the said truck.
The Court, having listened to the plea made by the Defendant’s Counsel vis-a-vis the admission and confession by the Defendant, sentenced the defendant to 3years custody in Correctional Service with an option of fine of N50,000 as against custodian sentence.
The Magistrate therefore warned the Defendant that on no account should he assault, misbehave, be rude to any security personnel while performing their lawful duty. The Court however granted his plea and ordered for the release of the truck having been informed that the medical expenses of the FRSC staff/Victims who were bitten have been paid.
Excited by the judgement, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, expressed satisfaction with the judgement and applauded the Judiciary for a speedy display of justice.
The judgment was in line with the policy thrust of the Corps Marshal, which includes zero tolerance to assault on Operatives of the Corps.
You will recall that the Corps is synergising with Judiciary in expediting the prosecution of recalcitrant Offenders especially those that assault officers and Men on the road. This feat will serve as deterrent to other hostile Road Users.
Shehu called on the motoring public, especially Drivers who have formed the habit of assaulting FRSC Operatives to desist henceforth or face the wrath of the law as no one will be spared any longer.
