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RIVERS : WIKE A COLOSSAL EMBARRASSMENT TO BODY OF BENCHERS – FALANA

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RIVERS : WIKE A COLOSSAL EMBARRASSMENT TO BODY OF BENCHERS – FALANA

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has said Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike is an embarrassment to the Body of Benchers.

He said the Governor needs to be sanctioned by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.

Falana, SAN, in an interview with DAILY POST correspondent, said the development in Port Harcourt was very disturbing, stressing that Wike should not be allowed to continue to violate the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The rights Lawyer also said the Executive Order relied upon by Governor Wike is an administrative instrument with guidelines and not a Law, adding that the Constitution supersedes the Governor’s order.

Falana added that any offender regardless of the crime committed should be charged before a Court and tried in line with the Law.

“It is unfortunate that these events are happening in Port Harcourt where the Governor of the State is Senior Lawyer and not just a lawyer, I’m even informed that he’s a member of the Body of Benchers; that is an embarrassment. A colossal embarrassment to the Nigerian Bar Association.

“Under our Law, an emergency situation under the Quarantine Act does not permit the demolition of a house by an alleged offender. Whoever has breached the Law will have to be tried and convicted by a Court of Law before a sentence can be pronounced.

“There is no provision for even the President to take the Law into his hands and then begin to mete out punishments to citizens without recourse to the constitution.

“We hope that the Governor will be properly advised to reverse his decisions, publicly apologise and restore the properties of those that have been destroyed. Everyone will have to go through a judicial process. That is what the rule of Law is all about.

“The guidelines and regulations in the Executive Order are subject to the Constitution. So, if there is a conflict in the guidelines, the directives of the Governor and the Constitution, his directives will bow to the Constitution.

“The right to property, fair hearing and liberty are constitutional rights. No Governor has the power to dismiss these rights under the pretext of enforcing the COVID-19 regulations.

“I expect the victims of his actions to take legal actions because I have seen the Executive Order of the Governor, there is no provision for demolishing properties. Only a court of Law can do that and that is after being found guilty. What is done in civilised places is for the Governor to obtain an order of interim forfeiture and then go through a trial.

“No Constitution allows a Governor to become the maker of a Law, accuser, witness, enforcer of the Law, the prosecutor and the Judge at the same time. It is primitive,” Falana said.

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NNPCL, Dangote Sign Agreement For 10-Year Gas Supply

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A subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), has executed a Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

The agreement, signed by the Managing Director, NGML, Barr. Justin Ezeala and the President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote on Wednesday at the Corporate Head Office of Dangote in Falomo, Lagos State, outlines the supply
of natural gas for power generation and feedstock at the Dangote Refinery, in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.

This was contained in a statement by NNPCL, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye.

He said the agreement is a major milestone in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy of utilising Nigeria’s abundant gas resources towards revamping the nation’s industrial growth and kickstarting its economic prosperity.

This development, which sees a huge investment of this nature penned with zero capital expenditure (CAPEX) outlay, has been described by many as unprecedented in the history of NGML or any gas Local Distribution Company (LDC) in the country.

\Under the terms of the agreement, NGML will supply 100 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCF/D), 50MMSCF/D being firm supply and the rest 50MMSCF/D interruptible natural gas supply to the refinery for an initial period of 10 years, with options for renewal and growth.

The statement also revealed that the collaboration is a significant step toward ensuring the operational success
of the Dangote Refinery and enhancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilization.

NNPC Ltd, through NGML, its gas marketing subsidiary, continues to lead efforts in promoting the use of domestic gas to support industries and businesses nationwide.

The agreement represents a milestone for both NNPC Ltd and Dangote Refinery, aligning with their shared commitment to boosting local production and providing vital products for the benefit of all Nigerians.

It is also a further proof of NGML’s unwavering commitment to business excellence and fulfilling NNPC Ltd’s core mandate of ensuring Nigeria’s energy security through the execution of strategic gas projects across the country.

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US Election: Trump Returns To Washington, Meets President Biden At White House

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After much anticipation, the United States, US, President-elect, Donald Trump has returned to the White House.

Trump met with President Joe Biden at the White House on Wednesday.

He walked into the White House triumphantly for the first time in four years to meet Biden.

Biden invited Trump for the traditional visit, a show of the coming Jan. 20 peaceful transfer of power in the American democracy between the current U.S. leader and the incoming chief executive.

But the Biden-Trump get-together is rife with political tension.

Biden, a Democrat who ran for reelection for some time, sought to defeat Trump, the Republican, before ending his campaign in July after faltering badly in a debate.

Biden quickly endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to succeed him.

Kamala, however, failed to defeat Trump at the polls as the former president won by a wide margin.

When Biden defeated Trump in 2020, Trump offered no White House invitation to meet him ahead of the inauguration and then left Washington two hours before Biden’s swearing-in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

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Gunmen Attack Military Checkpoint In Abia, Kill Two Soldiers

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Gunmen attacked an army checkpoint early on Wednesday at Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area, killing two soldiers.

A military source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred around 6:18 am. The gunmen arrived in a white Lexus (350/400) model, although the exact number of attackers could not be confirmed.

Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.

“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”

The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.

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