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‘Illegal Withdrawal Of LG Money’, Oyo ALGON Writes Bank Regional Managers {Read Full Details}
This letter becomes imperative, as it has come to our knowledge that the Government of Oyo State has started withdrawing money belonging to the Local Government Councils through the illegal Caretaker arrangements. We were reliably informed that they started this illegal act when reality has starred them in the face about their impending loss of the legal battle involving them and the Local Government Councils which they illegally dissolved and overturned by Supreme Court of Nigeria.
However, we want this letter to serve as a note of warning to you to avoid being partners in crime as all the shady deals embark upon by the State Government have been revealed and being closely monitored.
For your information, all these criminals acts have been monitored by relevant agencies, most especially the NFIU. And we would not hesitate to drag any bank that connive to perpetrate this evil and fraudulent act before the court for necessary prosecution.
For this, you must avoid being put under duress by the State Government to partake in another man’s sins you know nothing about, by not allowing yourselves to be used and to further foist what is clearly an illegal and fraudulent administration over our Local Government Councils and LCDAs in Oyo state.
The Government of Oyo State and the Governor himself have been repeatedly warned before now by the Chief Law Officer of the Federation that is, (the Attorney General of the Federation) to respect the rule of law and desist from the path of illegality he was treading and being railroaded onto by some political jobbers whose stock in trade are to divide our Local Government Councils and constituencies as their political fiefdoms and their spoils of war.
You may need to be informed and reminded once again that the management, administration and financing of Local Councils and LCDAs according to the constitution and the Supreme Court in cases variously cited and now in the public domain, can only be validly approved, authorized, authenticated any documents and executed by elected Local Government Chairmen. No authorization from any ” Caretaker Chairman “of any Local Government Council or LCDA nor their appointors is recognized under the current legal regime in our country. Any bank that honours such illegal approvals, directives or authorization from any persons not recognize by law therefore renders such liable to criminal prosecution for conspiracy and fraud.
We recognize that the Governor continues to act illegally hiding behind a cloak of constitutional immunity, while his political or financial collaborators outside government who may be urging you all to embark on serial illegalities, will not be signatories to any official council document that may incriminate you and form the subject of investigations of this orchestrated fraud on the administration of Councils.
It should be strongly noted that under our jurisprudence ignorance of the law has never been an excuse to criminal culpability. A claim of ignorance, or self imposed duress will not avail anyone of our bankers nor Local Government staff and civil servants who act in defiance of established laws to conspire with usurpers not provided for under any law in our land to rob our councils. Any financial documents or vouchers signed by or authorized by any person other than the legally elected Local Government Chairmen will be tantamount to fraud.
It is no longer news that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, has called the attention of Oyo State Government and the Inspector General of Police, DSS, EFCC and NFIU to the subsisting Supreme Court judgment reinforcing Section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and pronounced as illegal and unconstitutional the dissolution of elected local council administration by State Governors or State Assemblies in Nigeria with no court order to back it up. You will also recall that the Inspector General of Police has passed down the order to effect the legal opinion of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF by ensuring safety of the legally elected Local Government Chairmen while resuming back to their various offices. Letters and legal documents to this effect are attached for your perusal.
We again reemphasize by way of warning NOT TO PARTAKE OR STOP PARTAKING IN THEIR CRIMES AGAINST THE STATE as the law does not excuse criminality by reason of ignorance or even duress, under these circumstances.
Now that we are fully back in our offices with the aid of security agencies, we urge and appeal to you to depart from the path of illegality being urged upon you, and be courageous to save yourselves from impending culpability if found wanting. This is an appeal, but make no mistake about it, the law will take its course against every infringement and criminality irrespective of who perpetrates it.
We trust you will ponder over these truths, seek legal counsel from your personal attorneys to be properly guided, and ensure you are not sucked into the crucible Governor Makinde has heated up in our state.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!
Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye
ALGON Chairman, Oyo State
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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