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Senate Suspends Omo-Agege , Buhari’s Main Supporter
His earlier plea for mercy notwithstanding, Senate on Thursday suspended for 90 days, its member representing Delta Central Senatorial district, Senator Ovie- Omo Agege for castigating the Upper Chamber on opposing the re-election bid by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Senate also outlawed the “Parliamentary Support Group for Buhari,” under which Senator Omo Agege and some of his colleagues had operated in recent months in demonstration of their allegiance to the Nigerian President.
Omo-Agege and 9 other Senators had earlier criticized the stance by the Senate on re-ordering of election time-table for the 2019 general election in which case the National Assembly election was ordered first, followed by that of the State Assembly elections and lastly the Presidential election.
The Senate took the hard stance against Omo-Agege after it adopted the report of its committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions on a complaint by Senator Dino Melaye that he had insulted the Senate leadership through a press conference, claiming that the amendment to the INEC Act 2010 was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.
Although Senator Omo Agege had apologised during Senate Plenary, his colleagues took offence that he, nonetheless proceeded to court to challenge the decision of the Senate to refer his case to the ethics and privileges committee.
Some Senators who were opposed to Omo-Agege had even recommended 181 days of suspension against him for disregarding the committee and heading to court.
Incidentally, Senator Ovie-Omo Agege is also a member of the senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions.
However, punismnemt for the embattled Senator was pegged at 90 days following intervention from Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, and Senator Kabiru Marafa who pleaded for leniency on his behalf.
President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki while ruling on the matter, urged his colleagues to exercise more caution whenever they engage in any action or commitment.
He said, “I think in this chamber, if we want to talk about who has the right to even say he is chairman of the parliamentary support group for Mr. President both by action and by what we have done, I think I have the right to be that than anybody else here. But those of us that understand the politics, that because of some times, our own peculiar interest, we desire sometimes that we are holier than thou or more committed but at the expense of others, that is not something we should tolerate.
And I believe that in an institution like this, we must show that discipline, but at the same time, there must be compassion. We must show that such group must be suspended. The case in court also, must be withdrawn. And in consideration of that, we can look at the leniency of what was recommended.”
The President of the Senate also gave insight into the implications of the resolution reached based on the consideration of numerous factors touching on the matter.
“what that is, I think by that we would have captured one, no more of this kind of groups in this senate, two, the issue of court actions, three, to show that we are not in any hurry to take anybody away from this family, and four, we must lay example by showing that there is discipline, and apply some form of discipline in this matter.”
Senate also adopted a resolution mandating Senator Ovie-Omo Agege to withdraw the case he instituted in court against the Senate and the President of the Senate.
https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/buhari-reveals-why-he-will-never-join-issues-with-obasanjo-despite-criticisms/
News
Trump Walks Free with ‘Unconditional Discharge’ in Hush Money Case
A judge sentenced Donald Trump to an unconditional discharge Friday for covering up hush money payments to a porn star despite the US president-elect’s last-ditch efforts to avoid becoming the first felon in the White House.
The judge spared Trump prison or a fine even though the 34 counts of falsifying business records on which he was convicted in May 2024 carried potential jail time.
Instead New York judge Juan Merchan handed down the mildest criminal sanction available, an unconditional discharge — a relatively uncommon measure.
“Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances,” said Merchan.
“The only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching on the highest office of the land is an unconditional discharge.”
Trump attended his sentencing virtually, with the judge, lawyers and media packed into the scruffy Manhattan courtroom that was the backdrop to the trial’s high drama, legal wrangling and vitriolic personal attacks by the divisive Republican.
“This has been a very terrible experience. I think it’s been a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system,” Trump said before the discharge was passed.
“It was done to damage my reputation, so I would lose the election.”
The former president appeared on screens in the courtroom with two large US flags behind him, wearing a red tie with white stripes and looking on impatiently as the brief proceeding unfolded.
Ahead of the sentencing, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said Trump had been convicted of a “premeditated and continuous deception.”
“The verdict in this case was unanimous and decisive and it must be respected,” he said.
The trial saw Trump forced to look on as a string of witnesses testified that he had fraudulently covered up illicit payments to porn star Stormy Daniels in an effort to stop her disclosing their tryst ahead of the 2016 presidential election, which he ultimately won.
Trump had sought a suspension of the criminal proceedings after a New York State appeals court dismissed his effort to have the hearing delayed.
But the Supreme Court ruled that the sentencing could proceed.
Prosecutors opposed the effort to stave off sentencing, 10 days before Trump is due to be sworn in for a second term, arguing it was wrong for the apex court to hear the case when the mogul still had avenues of appeal to pursue in New York.
– First presidential conviction –
An unconditional discharge is a measure without any sanctions or restriction that nonetheless upholds the jury’s guilty verdict — and Trump’s infamy as the first former president to be convicted of a felony.
The 78-year-old Trump had potentially faced up to four years in prison.
“He’s sticking his middle finger at the judge, the jury, the system of justice, and laughing,” said Pace University law professor and former prosecutor Bennett Gershman ahead of the sentencing.
Outside the courthouse, Trump supporters held a giant banner emblazoned with their idol’s name that was buffeted by high winds. There was also a small vigil of anti-Trump demonstrators behind a hoarding reading “Trump is guilty.”
Trump’s counsel had argued sentencing should have been postponed while the Republican appealed his conviction, but New York state Associate Justice Ellen Gesmer rejected that on Tuesday.
Trump repeatedly called the prosecution a “witch hunt” which Steinglass said was “designed to have a chilling effect.”
“This defendant has caused enduring damage to public perception of the criminal justice system,” the career prosecutor said.
Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche said he “very, very much disagree with much of what the (prosecution) just said.”
Trump was certified as the winner of the 2024 presidential election on Monday, four years after his supporters rioted at the US Capitol as he sought to overturn his 2020 defeat.
News
FG Receives $52.88m Recovered Galactica Assets Linked to Diezani Alison-Madueke from U.S.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially received $52.88 million in recovered Galactica assets linked to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the United States of America.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed this development during the formal signing ceremony of the asset recovery agreement between Nigeria and the U.S. government in Abuja on Friday.
In his address, Fagbemi revealed that $50 million of the recovered funds will be channeled through the World Bank to finance rural electrification projects across the country.
The remaining $2.88 million will be allocated to the International Institute of Justice to strengthen Nigeria’s justice system and bolster anti-corruption initiatives.
“This asset return represents a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the United States in combating corruption and upholding the rule of law,” Fagbemi stated.
He further emphasised that the recovery aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to tackling corruption and promoting accountability in governance.
The Attorney-General commended the efforts of both nations in ensuring the successful recovery and transparent management of the funds, noting that it sets a precedent for future partnerships in asset recovery and anti-corruption efforts.
Also speaking at the event, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, stressed the importance of accountability and transparency in the management of the recovered assets.
He urged Nigerian authorities to ensure that the funds are effectively utilised for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
Ambassador Mills reiterated the U.S. government’s continued support for Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive and called for the diligent monitoring of how the recovered funds are deployed to foster sustainable development.
News
NYSC to Increase Corps Members’ Allowance to ₦77,000 Monthly
The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced that corps members across the country will soon begin receiving ₦77,000 as their monthly allowance.
The Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, according to a statement issued by the NYSC spokesperson, Caroline Embu.
General Ahmed emphasized that the welfare of corps members remains a top priority for his administration, noting that arrangements for the payment of the new allowance have been finalized.
The increase in corps members’ allowances is in line with the recent review of Nigeria’s minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024.
This development marks the second major adjustment in corps members’ stipends in recent years. In 2020, the NYSC increased the allowance from ₦19,800 to ₦33,000 following the implementation of the ₦30,000 minimum wage.
The latest increment reflects the government’s commitment to improving the living standards of Nigerian youths serving their country under the NYSC scheme.
President Tinubu’s signing of the new minimum wage bill in July 2024 came after months of negotiations between government authorities, labor unions, and private sector stakeholders. The adjustment aims to address inflationary pressures and improve the economic well-being of workers across the country.
The NYSC has assured corps members of its continued commitment to their welfare and development as they contribute to national unity and service.
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