16 Governors Move To Scrap EFCC
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court scheduled a hearing for October 22 regarding a lawsuit filed by at least 16 state governments contesting the constitutionality of the laws that established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and two other entities.
A seven-member panel of justices, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, announced the date after admitting the states as co-plaintiffs and granting permission for consolidation of the case, originally initiated by the Kogi Government through its Attorney General.
The states joining the suit, labeled SC/CV/178/2023, include Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross-River, and Niger.
The plaintiffs assert that the constitution is the supreme law of the land, rendering any inconsistent legislation invalid. They cite the Supreme Court’s decision in Dr. Joseph Nwobike Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria, which stated that the EFCC Establishment Act was based on a UN Convention against corruption, but the enactment of this law in 2004 failed to comply with Section 12 of the amended 1999 Constitution.
The plaintiffs argue that introducing a convention into Nigerian law requires adherence to Section 12, which stipulates that a majority of the state Houses of Assembly must approve it before the EFCC Act and similar laws can be passed—an agreement they allege was never achieved.
FCTA to stop ‘pick and drop’ on Abuja roads
Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike has said the Administration will stop commercial buses and taxis from picking up and dropping off passengers on Abuja roads.
The minister stated this on Tuesday, after inspection of the ongoing construction of Kugbo and Mabushi bus terminals in Abuja....Read Full Article [Click Here>]
He said that commercial buses and taxis in the FCT must operate from the bus terminals when the projects are fully completed.
Wike who expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the projects, also said the projects will change Abuja’s landscape and improve transportation in the nation’s capital when completed.
He said: “By the time we finish these terminals you don’t need to be having those ones, we won’t allow buses and taxis to pick on the roads. Everybody has to move to the various terminals.
“I’m so excited. This site (Mabushi bus terminal) was flagged off in July of this year, and within three months, you can see what they’ve been able to do.
“The time given to them is 15 months to complete the project, but with the speed the contractor is going, I believe it will be completed before the 15 months. He (the contractor) even told us that by January, he would be able to hand over this project to us, this Mabushi, and the one at Kugbo.
“The quality of work, you can see for yourself. If you were here when we flagged off the two, you would know that they’ve really done very well.
