Connect with us

News

Appeal Court Orders Kogi To Pay Ex-Deputy Governor N1bn Salary Arrears

Published

on

Kogi State Government has finally lost its legal battle seeking to stop payment of one billion naira in salaries and entitlements to its unlawfully impeached former Deputy Governor, Elder Simon Achuba.

 

The request of the government against the payment of the sum was dismissed by a panel of three-man Justices of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, comprising Hamma Barka, Okon Abang, and Oyejoju Oyewumi.

 

In the lead of the unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Okon Abang, the Court of Appeal held that Kogi State was not entitled in law to take the case further to the Supreme Court for further adjudication, being a civil matter from the National Industrial Court.

 

Justice Abang held that the Court of Appeal was the final bus stop where such cases must terminate and decisions implemented by parties involved.

 

He described as frivolous, baseless, irritating, and unwarranted the request of the Kogi State Government to move the case to the Apex Court when the law was clear and unambiguous on limitations placed before the state.

 

Justice Abang took a swipe at a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Adebayo Adedeji, for bringing such baseless request before the Court of Appeal, adding that a lawyer of his caliber and status ought to know better and advise his client appropriately.

 

He imposed a fine of N3m on the senior lawyer to be paid to the former Deputy Governor.

 

Justice Abang said, “I expected the learned senior counsel to the applicants, notwithstanding the juicy nature of the brief, to have taken advantage of the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007 and advised them accordingly. Compliance with the Constitution should not be seen as cowardice but as maturity and restraint.”

 

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the state’s Attorney-General had, through the senior lawyer, asked the Court of Appeal to stop execution of its earlier judgment granted in favour of Achuba for him to be paid over one billion naira as deserved salaries and other entitlements.

 

The request was predicated on the need for the state government to proceed further with the case to the Supreme Court before any payment should be made.

 

However, Justice Abang saw no merit in the request, adding, “The decision of this court is final. When the law says the decision of this court is final, there is nothing the applicants can do. It is as clear as daylight.”

 

The former Deputy Governor, who was impeached in 2019, had instituted a case at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), where he demanded an order of the court to compel the Kogi State Government to pay him his deserved salaries, travel allowances, and entitlements.

 

His request was granted by the Industrial Court on November 4, 2020, having found merit in it.

 

Apparently not satisfied with the Industrial Court decision, the state government took the matter to the Court of Appeal, but on April 29, 2024, the appellate court upheld the judgment of the lower court by affirming Achuba’s right to salaries and allowances in 2017 and 2018, at the exclusion of security votes.

 

However, instead of paying the judgment debt, the Kogi State Government, in a dramatic turn, moved to the Court of Appeal asking it to stop the enforcement of the judgment against it and also sought permission to be allowed to take the case further to the Supreme Court.

 

Justice Abang, while dismissing the request for being baseless and unmeritorious, warned against “executive lawlessness,” adding that under Section 243(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Court of Appeal is the final court for appeals from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in civil matters, as in the case of the former Deputy Governor.

 

 

News

Rivers Assembly Suspends Impeachment Move Against Fubara After Tinubu’s Intervention

Published

on

By

The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially suspended impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

The House moved the motion to halt the impeachment process on Thursday at its resumed sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

JomogNews had reported that during its first sitting of 2026, the House had begun impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy over allegations of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the State Assembly complex and alleged spending without legislative approval, among other claims.

More details later….

 

 

Continue Reading

News

Reserves Surge To $48.5bn As Nigeria Reclaims 2013 Peak Levels

Published

on

By

Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves have reached $48.5 billion, their highest level in nearly 13 years.

This milestone, confirmed by data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), surpasses previous multi-year peaks and represents the strongest balance since May 14, 2013, when reserves stood at approximately $48.51 billion.

However, the data showed that the foreign reserves increased steadily by 6.45 percent or $2.94 billion year-to-date, from $45.56 billion reported on January 1 to $48.5 billion.

Further checks showed that the FX reserves figure was $48.36 billion on Monday.

According to the CBN, FX reserves are assets held on reserve by a monetary authority in foreign currencies, which are used to back liabilities and influence monetary policy.

On December 22, 2025, the apex bank projected that the country’s external reserves would rise to $51.04 billion in 2026, saying the increase will be supported by FX reforms.

“Reforms in the foreign exchange market are expected to sustain exchange rate stability, while external reserves are projected to increase to US$51.04 billion,” CBN said.

On February 10, Olayemi Cardoso, governor of CBN, said the bank will do “whatever it takes” to safeguard the value of the naira, while strengthening the country’s external reserves.

Looking ahead to 2030, he said the CBN’s targets include achieving single-digit inflation and growing foreign exchange (FX) reserves driven by non-oil exports, foreign direct investment, and diaspora remittances.

 

Continue Reading

News

Ogun Police Launch Investigation Into TikToker Mirabel’s Sexual Assault Claims

Published

on

By

The Ogun State Police Command has launched an investigation into sexual assault allegations made by a TikToker known as Mirabel (@mirab351), who is currently receiving treatment in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The case gained widespread attention after she posted emotional videos on Monday, February 16, detailing an attack she claimed occurred at her home the previous Sunday.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the development on Thursday while speaking on The Morning Brief.

Babaseyi confirmed that Mirabel voluntarily visited the Ibafo Police Division on Tuesday, February 17, to lodge a formal complaint and was subsequently admitted to the hospital for medical care due to her unstable condition.

“When the DPO in Ibafo met with her, she was taken to the hospital for medical analysis. She wasn’t as stable as necessary, but we ensured the investigation continued.

“As we speak, she is in the intensive care unit getting appropriate care. Her medical well-being is more important to us at this point. When she is stable, we can now continue investigations and get the necessary facts,” Babaseyi said.

According to Babaseyi, the incident reportedly occurred in Ogijo, a border community between Ogun and Lagos states.

The police have established that Mirabel was not arrested, but rather, she is being treated as a victim.

The command urges individuals with useful information to come forward and assist with the investigation.

“She was not arrested by the police. She reported a case, and we are investigating. Nothing like her arrest happened,” he said.

“If the allegation is established to be true, the perpetrator will be arrested and charged to court appropriately. Otherwise, the law also addresses giving false information,” the police stated.

The police said they will rely on evidence to reach a logical conclusion and take appropriate action.

“We advise people not to jump to conclusions based on emotions. We are investigating and will rely on evidence to reach a logical conclusion,” Babaseyi said.

Continue Reading

Trending