Group faults National Assembly’s decision over extension of IGP’s tenure
A rights group, Human Right Monitoring Agenda (HURMA), has faulted the passage of Police Act Amendment Bill ,which allows the Inspector- General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in his letter of appointment.
Mr Buna Balogun ,HURMA’s Executive Director,faulted the passage of the bill at a news conference on Friday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)reports that the Senate and the House of Representatives had recently passed the bill .
The bill ,an executive one, allows any occupant of the Office of the Inspector -General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in his letter of appointment.
The bill also seeks to increase the service year/retirement age of personnel by five years , reduce the cost of training and recruiting new officers with a view to addressing the issue of shortage of experienced police personnel.
Balogun said the bill was in conflict with the long-standing civil service rule ,which mandates retirement of workers on attainment of the age of 60 years or after 35 years in service.
The director added that the extension of the I-G’s tenure and increase in retirement age of police personnel would affect career progression in the police force.
Balogun said the group was worried that the present I-G,Mr Kayode Egbetokun, had not gone on terminal leave, a month to the time he was due for retirement.
He said Egbetokun would attain the mandatory retirement age of 60 years in September and that he should have handed over to the next officer in rank, especially as the bill had not been assented to.
Balogun said the Police Act Amendment Bill was full of flaws and that it would harm professionalism and morale in the police force.
According to him,if the bill is signed into law, it will most likely be challenged in court.
“Based on the foregoing, we plead with the President to use his enormous constitutional powers to save Nigeria police from the internal conspiracy and disloyalty among the officers, rank and file of the force that may arise as a result of compromise of career progression, particularly, at a time like this that our great country is very fragile.
“The best decision for Mr. President in the circumstance, is to withhold his consent to the Amendment Bill of Police Act, 2020, passed by the National Assembly as it is self- serving and unpatriotic” he said.
Balogun commended Tinubu for ensuring transparency in the appointment of a new Head of Service and selection of a new Chief Justice of the Federation.
He urged him to replicate same in the police force and other strategic offices and agencies.
“Mr. President has demonstrated strength of character in the most recent seamless and noiseless succession plans of the Head of Service of the Federation and the Chief Justice of the Federation.
“We state that there should not be an exception to the police institution.
“Our organisation has written Mr. President to register our complaint against the untidy Amendment Bill of Police Act, 2020 ,passed by the National Assembly without public hearing in line with its extant rules.
“We have notified Mr. President about our intention to approach a court of competent jurisdiction in ventilating our grievances to ensure justice in the process of appointment of Inspector General of Police” Balogun said. (NAN)
The Sultan made the announcement in a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Friday, confirming the sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan in various parts of the country.
He stated that reports of the moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across Nigeria.
“After due verification and authentication by the National Moon Sighting Committee, as well as confirmations from state committees, the new moon of Ramadan was officially recognised, marking the end of Sha’aban 1446 AH.
“In accordance with Islamic law, Muslims are to commence fasting on Saturday, March 1,” the Sultan declared.
He urged Muslim faithful to dedicate themselves to the worship of Allah (SWT) throughout the holy month and to use this period to pray for prevailing peace across the country and also pray for the leaders.
Additionally, the Sultan encouraged wealthy individuals to assist the less privileged, emphasising the importance of religious tolerance and unity among Nigerians.
He prayed to the Almighty to strengthen the leaders in their commitment to leading the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, refers to abstinent from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset with the intention of worshiping Almighty Allah.
NAN also reports that Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period during which adult Muslims observe compulsory fasting from dawn to sunset for a complete month. (NAN)
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Atiku tells President Tinubu how to handle sexual harassment allegations against Senate President
Atiku tells President Tinubu how to handle sexual harassment allegations against Senate President
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the claims of sexual harassment, intimidation, and maltreatment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement he personally signed on Friday, he said the allegations are grave and deserve to be investigated.
“Like millions of Nigerians, I watched with deep concern this morning as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan raised serious allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation, and mistreatment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
“These allegations are grave and deserve a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation,” he stated.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections affirmed that the Nigerian Senate represents the voice of the people.
“Those who serve in it — especially its leadership — must uphold the highest standards of integrity, dignity, and respect, both for their office and for the Nigerian citizens they serve,” he said.
Atiku noted that as the third most powerful figure in the country, the Senate President should embody unimpeachable character.
“Sexual harassment in the workplace is a significant barrier to women’s advancement and, by extension, the nation’s progress. Allegations of such misconduct should never be simply dismissed, particularly when they involve a public officer with immense power, influence, and responsibility.
“As the chief presiding officer of the Upper Chamber, the Senate President has a duty to champion the protection and empowerment of Nigerian women through legislation — not to be the subject of allegations that undermine those very principles,” Atiku stated.
He admonished that the handling of this matter will send a strong message about Nigeria’s commitment to justice, accountability, and the inclusion of women in governance.
“I urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senate itself to take these allegations seriously by ensuring a credible, transparent, and independent investigation.
“With only four women currently serving in the Senate, it is imperative that we foster an environment where female legislators can serve without fear of harassment or intimidation.
“This moment demands careful and principled action to uphold the integrity of our institutions and ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of gender, is treated with dignity and respect,” Atiku concluded.
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Akpabio’s Wife reacts to s3xual harassment allegations against husband by Senator Natasha
Akpabio’s Wife reacts to s3xual harassment allegations against husband by Senator Natasha
Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio, The wife of Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, has strongly refuted the sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), describing them as entirely false and unfounded.
In a statement to journalists on Friday, Mrs. Akpabio defended her husband’s character, describing him as a disciplined and respectful individual, known for his good humor and deep respect for women.
She stressed that the allegations were baseless and did not reflect the true nature of her husband, asserting that they were a misrepresentation of the man she knows.
The allegations were initially raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who claimed that her challenges in the Senate began after she turned down inappropriate advances from Senator Akpabio.
Mrs. Akpabio quickly dismissed these accusations, emphasizing the longstanding cordial relationship between both families. She firmly rejected the notion that any such incident took place, asserting that it was merely a product of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s imagination.
Recalling the events of December 8, 2023—the date the alleged incident supposedly occurred—Mrs. Akpabio pointed out that she had been present at their family residence on that day. She also stressed the enduring relationship between their families, which had existed long before Natasha’s marriage, further underlining the improbability of the allegations.
Moreover, Mrs. Akpabio praised her husband’s track record in championing women’s participation in governance, citing his unwavering support for female inclusion long before he became Senate President.
In a stern message, she urged women to avoid making unfounded accusations and vowed to pursue legal action to address the matter.