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Enugu Gets three High Court Judges

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The Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Tuesday swore in Honourable Justices Linda Chiama Okibe, Veronica Chinyere Ajogwu and Esther Nnena Alukwu as Judges of Enugu State High Court.

Hon. Justice Okibe until her elevation was the Chief Registrar of the High Court of Justice, Enugu, while Hon. Justices Ajogwu and Alukwu were Chief Magistrates (Grade 1) of the state’s Judiciary.

Swearing in the new Judges, Gov. Ugwuanyi said that the action was taken in response to the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) communicated to him through the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Chairman of the Council, Hon. Mr. W.S.N. Onnoghen, which recommended three persons out of the eight candidates shortlisted by the Enugu State Judicial Service Commission, for appointment as High Court Judges in Enugu State.

The governor, according to his SA (Media) Louis Amoke, noted that the appointment of the new Judges came as a “welcome relief to the Enugu State Judiciary especially in the face of the current dearth of Judges in the state”, however, pleaded with the NJC to consider the recommendation for more appointments to “enable us fill the many vacancies that currently exist in the Enugu State Judiciary”.

While congratulating the new Judges on their deserved appointments, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed confidence that they will approach their new responsibilities with due dignity, integrity and commitment.

Presenting the new Judges to the governor for swearing in, the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice Priscilla Emehelu in her address stated that the Jurists were appointed by the NJC after “a long and rigorous exercise” carried out by the Enugu State Judicial Service Commission in their nominations.

Hon. Justice Emehelu added that the Enugu State Judicial Service Commission in nominating the Judges for appointment considered several qualities in line with the provision of Rules 3 and 4 of the NJC Guidelines.

The Chief Judge disclosed that the considerations were “Sound knowledge of the law; seniority at the bar and bench; geographical spread; good character; reputation; consistent adherence to professional ethics, and satisfactory and consistent display of mature judgment in the office as a Chief Registrar or Chief Magistrate”.

She emphasized that consideration was also given to the Local Government Areas in the state that had no serving Hon. Judges, attesting that the three new Judges “have over the years gathered a lot of experience on the bench which they will bring to bear at the higher bench of the High Court”.

Hon. Justice Emehelu therefore thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for his contribution towards the appointment of the Hon. Judges, saying: “Let me before presenting them to His Excellency for swearing in put on record that this event could not have been possible but for the provision of the facilities which are preconditions for appointment of Hon. Judges”.

According to her, “this is the first time in over twenty (20) years that furnished accommodations are provided for newly appointed Hon. Judges in Enugu State. We also thank him for his resolve to reposition the Judiciary of Enugu State for effective, efficient and quick dispensation of justice notwithstanding the paucity of funds and other competing sectors”.

Responding on behalf of the new Hon. Judges, Hon. Justice Okibe thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi, the state’s Chief Judge, the National Judicial Council (NUJ) and the state’s Judicial Service Commission, etc for the elevation and promised that they will discharge their duties creditably and with the fear of God.

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King Charles Reportedly “Really Unwell” And Funeral Plans Are Currently Being Reviewed

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King Charles III’s health is causing concern for friends and the palace as he continues to battle cancer.

“Speaking to friends of the king in recent weeks about his health, the most common response is … ‘It’s not good,’” Tom Sykes of the Daily Beast reported Thursday, April 25.

A friend of the monarch claimed Charles “is determined to beat it and they are throwing everything at it,” adding, “Everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really very unwell. More than they are letting on.”

Royal writer Tina Brown also hinted at the monarch’s health struggles, writing recently that Charles’ cancer has put Prince William and Kate Middleton “in frightening proximity to ascending the throne just when they had hoped for a span of years to parent their children out of the public eye.”

“The prospect of it, I am told, is causing them intense anxiety.”

Sykes also reported that the king’s funeral plans, codenamed “Operation Menai Bridge”, are currently being reviewed.

A separate document that states what went well at Queen Elizabeth’s September 2022 funeral and what could be done better the next time a monarch dies is also circulating, according to the Daily Beast.

All the sources emphasized that royal funeral plans are constantly in review. However, one former staffer in particular conceded that Charles’ health woes have given his plans a different urgency.

“The plans have been dusted off and are actively being kept up to date,” the former staffer explained.

“It’s no more than what you would expect given the king has been diagnosed with cancer. But the circulation of them has certainly focused minds.”

Buckingham Palace announced in February that after undergoing surgery for a benign prostate enlargement, it was discovered that the king has cancer.

We hope the king gets well soon.

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EFCC: New Documents Extracted Shows Yahaya Bello Allegedly Paid School Fees To The Tune Of $845,852,84 For His Family Members

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Still on the EFCC trailing on Ex Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Documents serving as exhibits have shown how he allegedly paid school fees in advance for his family members already in the school and even those to be enrolled in future with hundreds of thousands of dollars withdrawn from the state coffers.

A letter from the American International School of Abuja to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has shown the school admitting that Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, paid $845,852,84 into their bank account since September 2021 as advance school fees for 4 family members from the present class until they graduate.

Payment was also made for any future student to be enrolled by the family.

The document alleges that the payment was made by Mr. Ali Bello, alleged to be the eldest son of Yahaya Bello.

In the document, the school stated that they have deducted the fees for the educational service already rendered to the Bello children in the institution and what is left is $760, 910, which would be refunded to an account provided by the EFCC as the commission continues investigation into alleged money laundering levelled against Yahaya Bello.

the school fees documented payment

The school also added that from the Bello family kids, “no further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition until they graduate from ASIA.”

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Niger State Prisoners Run From Facility After Rainstorm Brings Down Part Of Fencing

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Many prisoners serving time at the Suleja Correctional Centre, located in Suleja Local Government of Niger state, fled the facility after a rainstorm brought down a part of the inner fencing.

This incident happened as a result of the heavy rainfall which fell on Wednesday night. This led to a cell being torn down, providing incarcerated individuals with a chance at freedom.

Reporters gathered that security forces fired many shots in the air, attempting to scare the inmates out of hiding.

While the State Comptroller of Prisons declined to speak to the press, it has been noted that security has been beefed up on the Minna-Suleja and Suleja-Kaduna roads, including the Madalla axis to Abuja road, which is a likely escape route out of the state for the inmates.

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