Politics |

July 11, 2024

July 11, 2024 IFMNEWS

Senate Chief Whip Ndume Claims President Tinubu Unaware of Nationwide Hunger Crisis

Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume has expressed concern that President Bola Tinubu is unaware of the severe hunger and anger among Nigerians. Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Wednesday, Ndume asserted that President Tinubu is isolated in the Presidential Villa, receiving misinformation and being shielded from honest Nigerians who could convey the truth.

Ndume's comments came in response to a Senate resolution advising the federal government to address the hunger crisis to avoid public outrage. On Tuesday, Ndume co-sponsored a motion by Senator Sunday Karimi, Chairman of the Senate Services Committee, titled "Urgent Need to Address Food Insecurity and Market Exploitation of Consumables in Nigeria."

Ndume lamented the lack of significant action to mitigate the country's security challenges, which he said pose a constant threat to food security. He stated, "Mr. President is not aware of the situation outside the villa. He has been isolated and controlled. Many of us refuse to go through back channels to engage him. They have now limited his communication, with only his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, issuing press statements."

Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Ndume added, "Nigerians are extremely angry. The government is not addressing the food scarcity issue and must act quickly. We lack food reserves. A food crisis is the worst crisis any nation can face, and when combined with security issues, it becomes dire."

Ndume urged the president to become more aware of the real situation by opening his doors to those who will speak truthfully. "The president needs to wake up. He seems unaware of what is happening because he is surrounded by elites. He should meet with those who will tell him the truth. Unfortunately, these truthful individuals will not compete for his attention. I am deeply concerned not just for the president, but also for myself."

Ndume also expressed disappointment with stakeholders' lack of straightforwardness in addressing the issue of herders, which he said exacerbates the food scarcity problem.

July 11, 2024

July 11, 2024July 11, 2024 IFMNEWS

Former Minister Saleh Mamman Collapses Outside Courtroom as Money Laundering Case Commences

Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, collapsed outside the courtroom on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja due to ill health. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mamman, whose plea was scheduled for Thursday morning, collapsed before the case was called.

Mamman’s counsel, Femi Ate, SAN, informed Justice James Omotosho of the situation when the court convened. Upon resuming the hearing, the ex-minister entered the courtroom and stepped into the dock, visibly drenched in sweat. Justice Omotosho inquired if it was raining outside, to which Mamman replied that water had been poured on him.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, acknowledged the incident and discussed Mamman’s ill health with Ate outside the courtroom. Ate explained that Mamman had collapsed upon arriving at the court premises and was resuscitated and treated by the Federal High Court's medical personnel. Mamman was served with the charge after being resuscitated.

Ate requested an adjournment to allow Mamman to recover, but the judge, due to a heavy court docket, could only reschedule the arraignment for late September. Ate then withdrew the oral application for an adjournment.

Olumide-Fusika mentioned that a mistake in Mamman's name had led to the filing of an amended charge that morning and requested the court to read the fresh charge. However, Justice Omotosho disagreed. The judge asked Mamman if he felt fit enough to proceed with the plea, to which Mamman affirmed.

Mamman explained that he collapsed due to taking medication on an empty stomach, which caused his blood pressure to drop while waiting outside the courtroom. He assured the court that he was now fit to continue with the arraignment. The judge remarked that such incidents could happen to anyone.

Mamman also informed the court that he had noticed an error in the EFCC’s charge regarding his name and had brought it to his lawyer’s attention.

July 11, 2024

July 11, 2024 IFMNEWS

Supreme Court Declares Holding of Local Government Funds by Governors Unconstitutional

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds allocated to Local Government (LG) administrations. In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the court noted that state governments have been denying financial autonomy to local governments for over two decades. Justice Agim stated that local governments have stopped receiving their allocated funds from state governors who manage these funds on their behalf. He emphasized that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds independently.

The court dismissed the preliminary objections raised by the state governors. Despite there being 774 local government areas, the efficiency of this third tier of government has been hindered by governors accused of mismanaging local government funds. In recent months, calls for local government autonomy have intensified in Nigeria, with President Bola Tinubu also expressing support. In May, the Federal Government, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi, sued the 36 state governors over the alleged mismanagement of local government funds.

Currently, the Federal Government receives 52.68% of the country's monthly revenue, states receive 26.72%, and local governments receive 20.60%, as allocated by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and disbursed by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). Local government funds are deposited into a joint account operated by state governments and local governments.

In the suit filed by the AGF, the Federal Government sought an order to prevent governors from arbitrarily dissolving democratically elected councils, listing 27 grounds for the suit. The state governors opposed the AGF's case. However, Justice Agim ruled that the AGF has the right to file the suit and uphold the constitution. The Supreme Court directed that local government allocations from the Federation Account should be paid directly to them, bypassing state government control. Justice Agim stated that state governors' retention of local government funds disrupts their operations and ordered immediate compliance with the judgment, ensuring that no state government receives funds intended for local governments.

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