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May 9, 2024 Umahi Affirms Tinubu’s Dedication to Finishing Abuja-Kaduna, Katsina-Kano Highway

Umahi Affirms Tinubu’s Dedication to Finishing Abuja-Kaduna, Katsina-Kano Highway

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope administration to swiftly completing the Abuja-Kaduna-Katsina-Kano Federal Highway. This pledge was emphasized during a meeting with Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, at the Ministry's headquarters in Abuja.

During the discussion, Senator Umahi stated that he had received a directive from President Tinubu to devise a plan to expedite the project's completion within the next twelve months. He assured Governor Sani that the project, which was inherited from the previous administration, would commence in three phases as soon as possible.

Senator Umahi commended Governor Sani for the peace and progress observed in Kaduna State under his leadership, despite existing challenges. He also mentioned the President's directive to design a 1000-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which aims to revitalize the ancient African trade route spanning Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos States, connecting to Badagry.

Governor Sani praised the President's visionary approach to revolutionizing road infrastructure, acknowledging the transformative impact such projects have on the nation's socio-economic landscape. He also lauded the Minister of Works for his dedication, which has reshaped the narrative surrounding road development in Nigeria.

Additionally, Governor Sani expressed appreciation for the President's initiatives to construct the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry roads, recognizing their potential to enhance the country's socio-economic prospects upon completion.

He emphasized the significance of Federal Government intervention in projects like the Eastern Bypass in Kaduna State and the Mando-Benigwari road, stressing their critical role in supporting agricultural programs and linking rural areas to markets in the North.

His full statement; “We are going to have the first section of 38 kilometers by 2, (which is 76 kilometers,) done by Dangote Group of Companies on Tax Credit and it’s going to use concrete to do it. We will allow the next 82 kilometers for Julius Berger to handle. And then the last 20 kilometers by 2, (which is 40 kilometers) for BUA to handle and to also use concrete to do that. And I can assure you that the job will start in these three sections within this month of May.”

May 9, 2024 Court Grants Sirika, Daughter, and Son-in-Law N100 Million Bail Each in N2.7 Billion Fraud Case

Court Grants Sirika, Daughter, and Son-in-Law N100 Million Bail Each in N2.7 Billion Fraud Case

In a session held at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, bail was granted to former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, alongside his daughter, Fatimah Hadi Sirika, and son-in-law, Jalal Hamma.

The trio, along with Al-Duraq Investment Ltd., faced charges related to an alleged N2.7 billion fraud linked to the Nigerian Air project, as filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Before Justice Sylvanus Orji, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the six-count amended criminal charge presented against them.

Prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court of an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7 and filed on May 8, which went uncontested by the defendant's counsel.

Lead counsel for the defendants, Kanu Agabi (SAN), representing Sirika, presented his client's bail application dated May 6. Similar bail applications were made for the other defendants, with pleas for leniency in the bail conditions.

Jacobs, in response, stated that all defendants were on administrative bail and urged the court to ensure bail conditions that would guarantee their appearance for trial.

Justice Orji, after considering the arguments, granted bail to each defendant in the sum of 100 million, requiring two sureties each. One surety must possess a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory, and all sureties must provide an affidavit of means. Additionally, the defendants were prohibited from traveling outside the country without court permission.

The judge warned that failure to meet bail conditions would result in detention in a correctional facility.

Furthermore, the trial was scheduled for June 10, 11, and 20.

May 9, 2024 New Conflict Emerges in Rivers Assembly as Pro-Fubara Legislators Elect Oko-Jumbo as Speaker

New Conflict Emerges in Rivers Assembly as Pro-Fubara Legislators Elect Oko-Jumbo as Speaker

The political turmoil in Rivers State has escalated as a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara elected Victor Oko-Jumbo, the representative for the Bonny constituency, as their speaker.

Oko-Jumbo's election, reportedly held at 10 am during Wednesday's plenary session, was carried out by the Standing Order of the House. He emerged as the new speaker for the entire 32-member Assembly.

Previously, during the onset of the state's political crisis, Oko-Jumbo was among the four legislators loyal to Fubara. They had initially elected Edison Ehie as the speaker, who later resigned from the State Assembly and assumed the role of Chief of Staff to the Governor.

The exact number of lawmakers present during Oko-Jumbo's election as speaker remains unclear. However, he was escorted to the plenary with the original mace of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Sergeant-at-Arms, David Wariboko, who oversaw the last sitting of the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly.

In his acceptance speech, Oko-Jumbo thanked


the members for electing him as the new Speaker following Ehie's resignation. He urged the Executive, Judiciary, and the public to disregard any laws purportedly enacted by the Amaewhule-led Assembly, labeling them as futile.

Oko-Jumbo highlighted the defection of 25 former lawmakers from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All-Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023. He emphasized that the actions of the Amaewhule-led Assembly members are void in the eyes of the law, citing legal precedent.

Furthermore, Oko-Jumbo called upon Governor Fubara to cease any further interactions with the defected lawmakers, asserting that the current House of Assembly is legally recognized and constitutionally authorized. He expressed confidence in the support of his colleagues as they collaborated with Governor Fubara to advance the progress and welfare of Rivers State.

May 9, 2024 Sirika And Daughter Arrive In Court Over Alleged N2.7bn Fraud

Sirika And Daughter Arrive In Court Over Alleged N2.7bn Fraud

Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, accompanied by his daughter Fatima, made their appearance at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, as they faced arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of alleged fraud and abuse of office. Their arrival at the court was noted around 9 am on Thursday.

The charges leveled against them amount to N2.7 billion, detailed in a six-count amended charge presently being read to them. Joining Sirika and his daughter in the proceedings are his son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, all of whom have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Rotimi Jacobs, the EFCC's counsel, urged the court to expedite the hearing process, emphasizing that the defendants had previously been granted bail by the commission but failed to appear as required on April 19th. With their presence in court now, Jacobs stressed the importance of ensuring their continued appearance to prevent unnecessary delays in the case.

In their defense, Sirika's counsel, Kanu Agabi, appealed to the judge for leniency in granting bail, requesting that Sirika be allowed bail on self-recognition. Mahmoud Magaji, representing the second defendant, highlighted his client's status as a nursing mother and urged the court to grant bail on compassionate grounds.

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