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Why Extradition Of Kyari, Igboho Won’t Be Automatic – Justice Fagbenle

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Why Extradition Of Igboho, Kyari Won't Be Automatic - Justice Fagbenle

The extradition of the former Head of Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari and a Yoruba nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho would not be automatic.

This was the position of the immediate past Chief Justice of the Gambia, Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle.

Fagbenle during an interview with newsmen after delivering a public lecture to mark the Law Week of the students of Achievers University Owo, Ondo State.

According to him the extradition of Kyari and lgboho ”is subject to the proper judicial process. It is the court pronouncement that could hand them over for extradition, without which their extradition could not be possible.”

The legal luminary pointed out that extradition has a judicial process between two countries that have treaties.

Therefore, according to him “Kyari and Igboho would not be extradited as being expected by some people without the completion of the judicial procedure in the countries where they currently are.

” We are the product of the common law and the common law justice delivery system. I know that among the countries, there are extradition treaties, which means the judicial process is involved.

” If anybody in another country does anything for which another country seeks that he should come to be tried, the first thing to be done is to set the extradition process in motion.

READ ALSO: HURIWA Urges DSS To Set Up Human Rights Desk

” Abba Kyari is a Nigerian, he is presently living in Nigeria. So the extradition trial has to be done inside Nigeria. It is only when the Nigerian court approves that he should be extradited to the other country that he could go to the other country under the force of the judicial pronouncement of the Nigerian court.

“That is how it is done. The same thing happens to Sunday Igboho in the Benin Republic. There is no amount of indictment that exists, until you pass through that process and the court has verified that you are a subject of extradition, nobody can extradite you. That is the protection you have.”

Speaking on the independence of the judiciary, Fagbenle said that to maintain credibility in the judiciary, a cooling-off period should be imposed, and completed before appointing retired judicial officers to any public office to make sure that there are no insinuations of hidden political or executive involvements in judicial decision-making processes.

” The cooling-off period not less than the full term of the elective years of the sitting government at the time of their retirement to mitigate the chances of any external interference or erosion of confidence in the judiciary

“We are Nigerians and we live in Nigeria, there are checks and balances among the three arms of government to mutually respect one another and if any of them is going on excesses the others will check it.

“Like the judiciary should be a check on the other two but the judiciary itself must be careful in the way it goes about its duties and responsibilities so that there will not be an abuse of power or office and unaccountable delivery of justice.

“The role of an independent judiciary is critical in democratic process and governance.

“Without independence of the Judiciary, there can be no proper protection of individual rights, minority rights, and the rule of law.

” The practice of separation of powers in which the three organs of government complement each other through proper checks and balances on the excesses of each other is only realizable where there is an independent judiciary.

READ ALSO: Court Grants Bail To 12 Aides Of Igboho

“Disobedience to court orders should not be allowed because it can subvert judicial powers and undermine democracy.

“Courts as the last line of defence must continue to act boldly to protect the constitution and the people. The judicial structure required to protect the rights of the individuals should be reinforced.

“The Constitution should state clearly that the state shall separate the judiciary from the executive. The judiciary should work as an independent body and not through the channels of government.

“That is, in the real sense, the judiciary should be sovereign. The judiciary should be impartial.”

The institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Dr Bode Ayorinde, who faulted the present Nigeria Constitution, said there was a need for the country to amend the constitution, saying the quality of the good judicial system is the quality of the country’s constitution.

 

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How I Grew From An Almajiri Pupil To Become NNPC Boss – Mele Kyari

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NNPC Blames MRS, Oando, Duke, Others For Importing Adulterated Fuel

By John Michael Ojo

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, on Wednesday, recounted how he grew up from an Almajiri Pupil to becoming the pioneer Chief Executive Officer of Africa’s largest energy group, NNPCL.

Kyari who said this in an X post while celebrating his 60th birthday described his growth as “exceptional”

He also expressed gratitude to former president Buhari as well as president Tinubu for the opportunity given to him to lead the group.

While acknowledging the presence of Allah in his life, Mele stated that all his achievements would not have been possible without him.

He wrote: “Allah, by his grace, spared my life to this exceptional day, making it my 60th year from birth, even much earlier on the Hijri calendar.

“I am profoundly grateful to my country for giving me the opportunity to grow from an Almajiri (Tsangaya) school pupil to become the CEO of Africa’s largest energy company.

“Even more particular, I deeply appreciate the exceptional privilege given to me by Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu to serve as the last GMD of the NNPC and the pioneer CEO of the NNPC Ltd.

READ ALSO: How PIA Will Affect NNPC – Mele Kyari

“Reflecting backwards alone can’t account for the profoundly eventful life I spent to this date, walking through good and bad times, travails and triumphs, pains and happiness, fails and successes and many more that only the sufficiency of Allah will explain.

“At this milestone, I feel the obligation to serve with even greater conviction and with elevated expectation of eternal recompense so deeply pleasing.

“I am hugely indebted to my family for being nearly absent for most of my later years serving our nation and the common good.

READ ALSO: Sylva, Kyari Sabotaging Refineries’ Investigation – Reps

“My deep appreciation to my family, friends and associates, my colleagues at work and my teachers (western and of Almajiri extractions), and many unmentioned people who account for many of my accomplishments, unconditional support and my overall wellbeing.

“This is a turning point, and I seek forgiveness from anyone I might have hurt unintentionally or unavoidably.”

 

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Parents Of Secondary School Pupils To Pay 2700 Naira Levy – Govt

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By John Michael Ojo

Ondo State government has demanded that parents who have kids/wards in Senior Secondary School Three (SS3), within the state, pay the some of 2,700 naira levy.

This was disclosed by the state’s Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology in a circular dated 30th December 2024 and  addressed to Principals of Public Secondary School (ANCOPSS).

In the statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Adegoke F.A,  it stated that the levy is to enable the ministry to purchase educational materials that will enhance students’ preparedness for their final year examinations and deter examination malpractice.

It reads: “In line with our collective goal of ensuring academic excellence and upholding integrity in examinations, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has approved the Parents Teachers Association’s (PTA) initiative to collect the sum of two thousand seven hundred naira (N2,700) only to procure essential educational materials for SS3 students.

READ ALSO: Abuja Pupils Protest, Want Principal Removed

“These materials are designed to enhance the students’ preparedness for their final year examinations and deter examination malpractice.

“This initiative is critical for enhanced academic preparedness, promotion of integrity and complementing the government’s efforts to provide quality education.

“To facilitate this process, each school is required to notify SS3 parents of the approved sum, coordinate the collection and promptly remit the same to the designated PTA account. Account Name: National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria

Bank: Zenith Bank

Account Number: 1228391123

“Furthermore, the Ministry will monitor the account to ensure transparency and accountability. Principals are therefore requested to keep their evidence of payment.

“Your cooperation with the PTA in this regard is vital to ensure the success of the initiative.”

 

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Abiodun Signs N1.054 Trillion Appropriation Bill Into Law

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L-R: The Deputy Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Latifat Bolanle: Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Musefiu Lamidi; the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Oludaisi Elemide; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; his Deputy, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele and the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Olaolu Olabimtan, during the signing of the Year 2025 Appropriation Bill at the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on  Monday.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has signed the N1.054 trillion 2025 State Appropriation Bill into law.

The signing, which took place at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Monday was witnessed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, principal officers of the House, the Deputy Governor, and members of the State Executive Council.

After receiving the clean copies of the Bill, Governor Abiodun announced that his administration would, in the coming month, sign the partnership agreement with potential partners for the development of the Olokola Sea Port.

He said the government would also focus on the provision of more basic infrastructure with the signing of more Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with private corporate bodies in renewable energy, agriculture, and other sectors that would boost the State’s economy.

He said: “It is my pleasure to announce to you that in the coming month, we will be signing the partnership agreement with potential partners in our port development. The Olokola Port is back on track.

“In the coming year, you will see us signing more Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with private players in the areas of renewable energy, energy transition, and agriculture, particularly animal husbandry. We intend to join the league of those producing beef and pork, not just for domestic consumption, but for export.

“We will continue to provide more infrastructure, particularly roads, in every local government in the State. We will continue in our stride to provide the right infrastructure and the right situation to ensure that students in Ogun State learn in a conducive environment. We will continue to pursue our healthcare program in primary health care, secondary, and tertiary, and of course, our policy on ‘grow what you eat and eat what you grow.’ We are going to be more aggressive in the area of agriculture.”

While noting that his administration would be relentless in the pursuit of infrastructure that would engender more socio-economic development, Governor Abiodun revealed that emphasis on arterial roads like the Ijebu-Ode-Epe, Sagamu-Abeokuta, Atan-Lusada-Agbara, Ota-Abeokuta, and Ilaro-Owode roads had played important roles as they had helped to improve the State’s Internally Generated Revenue through the influx of more people and industries.

He acknowledged the difficulties people are going through due to the bold policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to pull the country out of the woods but maintained that his administration had risen to the occasion by providing needed palliatives to cushion the effects and help the people navigate the period.

“I want to assure you that we can only hope for more wins in the future. It has been a very difficult year for us all, not just as a state but as a country. Our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, started his tenure with very bold reforms that have resulted in some unintended consequences that we must all endure so that we can have a country that is solvent,” he added

He appreciated members of the Assembly for the speedy passage of the Bill after due diligence and commended their high level of commitment to their constituents and the state, noting that their collaboration with the executive arm had led to the state growing in leaps and bounds.

Earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, noted that the speedy passage of the Bill was in keeping with the promise made to the governor when he presented the Bill to the assembly on the 4th of December this year, adding that no budget bill had been passed before Christmas in the past.

While appreciating the governor for the facelift given to the Assembly Complex, Rt. Hon. Elemide said his colleagues worked tirelessly to ensure that the budget was passed on time so as to keep the wheels of the state’s progress moving.

He assured the  governor that the Assembly would continue collaborating with the other arms of government to ensure that the people enjoy the dividends of democracy.

 

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