SENATOR AMOS INDUCTED MEMBER ADAMAWA COUNCIL OF ELDERS

The Senator representing Adamawa Northern Senatorial District, Rev. Amos Yohanna Kumai, has been inducted as Member Council of Elders Adamawa State in recognition of his leadership qualities.

Senator Amos was inducted Member Council of Elders by the Gongola People's Forum (GPF), Adamawa United Forum (AUF), Nigerian Indigenous Languages Development Council (NILDC), and the Numan Federation Foundation (NFF).

A letter to that effect was signed by Chief Leonard Nzadon of the GPF, Hajiya Hauwa Buba of the NILDC, Hon. Williams Joshua of the AUF, and Chief Medan Fwa of the NFF. 

The organisations are known for their unwavering dedication to the progress and unity of Adamawa state, who highlighted the leadership qualities of the Senator and commitment to fostering a harmonious and progressive Adamawa.  

In his reaction to the honour done to him, Senator Amos, said that he is deeply honoured to have been inducted as a member of the prestigious Council of Elders of Adamawa State.

According to him, the recognition is a testament to the journey they have undertaken together in service to their people. 

"This induction is not just an acknowledgment of my efforts but a call to greater responsibility. As a member of the Council of Elders, I am committed to working alongside other leaders to shape policies and initiatives that will further promote peace, equity, and development in Adamawa State". Distinguished Senator RAY added.

He expressed gratitude to the distinguished leaders of the organisations for their confidence in his ability to contribute meaningfully to the Council of Elders and the people of Adamawa.  

Yungur Community Sets to Welcome Home Paramount Ruler

Yungur Community in Adamawa State has concluded arrangements to welcome home its new Paramount of Ruler, Gubo Yungur, His Royal Majesty, Johnson Diyo Matalo.

The newly appointed royal father is expected in Dumne, the headquaters of Yungur Chiefdom in Song LGA, Adamawa on Friday, 17th January, 2025.

Gubo Yungur who will be leaving in the early hours of Friday, will be accorded a rousing welcome home by sons and daughters as well as well wishers of the Chiefdom.

Already, the umbrella body of the Yungur nation, Yungur Area Development Association (YADA) is said to be working tirelessly to give His Royal Majesty a befitting welcome home.

Information available to News Platform indicated that His Royal Majesty will leave his residence at Karewa Maskare in Jimeta by 8:00am and will be received at Hayin Gada in Girei LGA and at Mararaba Dumne in Song LGA en route to Dumne.

This is coming ahead of the coronation of the royal father scheduled to hold on the 6th February, 2025, in Dumne town.

Recall that Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, during 1st meeting with the traditional rulers recently, announced the dates for the coronation of the appointed royal fathers of newly created emirates and chiefdoms.

ICPC Arraigns NBC Director, 1 Other Staff for Forgery, Abuse of Office

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has arraigned Mrs. Aishatu Abdullahi, a Director of Administration and Supplies with the National Boundary Commission and Mrs. Ghaji Rahila, an Assistant Chief Accountant of the same agency over allegations of forgery and abuse of office.

The duo were arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

ICPC, in a five-count charge accused the defendants of conspiring amongst themselves to allow the first defendant (Ghaji Rahila) participate in the senior promotion exercise as well as her confirmation to the next rank of Chief Accountant (Level 14) at the National Boundary Commission while she was at the same time in the employment of Galaxy Backbone Limited.

The Commission also accused the first defendant (Ghaji Rahila) of forging an admission letter from Carnegie Mellon University, Rwanda (that was purportedly addressed to her Husband, Suleiman Mishara) with the intention to support her application for leave of absence at the National Boundary Commission.

Count 3 of the charge reads: “That you Ghaji Rahila (F) and Aishatu Abdullahi (F) sometime in 2021 or thereabout in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court as Assistant Chief Accountant and Director of Administration & Supplies of the National Boundary Commission respectively, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: conferring unfair advantage when you allowed the said Ghaji Rahila to participate in the senior staff promotion exercise at the National Boundary Commission while she was at the same time in the employment of Galaxy Backbone LTD; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act,2000.”

They however pleaded not guilty when the 5-count charge was read to them.

Counsel to ICPC, Fatimah Abdullahi Bardi, on the ground of “not guilty” pleas entered by the two defendants, applied to the court to give a date for the commencement of trial.

Counsel to the first and second defendants, Akinyemi Aremu and Adebayo Eniwaye, respectfully moved applications for bail on behalf of their clients.

In view of the non-opposition to the bail application by the prosecution counsel and other grounds cited in the applications, the presiding judge granted the two accused persons’ bail with the conditions that they shall provide two sureties each who must be residents of Abuja, a civil servant on the rank of director in any federal parastatal with evidence of first employment and last promotion. 

The trial judge added that “such directors must sign letters of undertaking to produce the defendants in court throughout their trial and agreed to be put in prison upon failure to produce the first and second defendants in court.

“The said defendants shall also deposit their travelling documents with the Registrar of the court. In the event that they (defendants) failed to meet these conditions, they should be remanded in Suleja Prison till the next adjourned date.” the judge ruled.

The case was adjourned to 17th of March, 2025 for commencement of hearing.

Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Fintiri, Bathiya Honour Fallen Heroes

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on Wednesday, led other dignitaries in laying of wreaths in honour of the Nation’s fallen heroes.

The armed forces rememberance which was held at Mahmud Ribadu Square in Yola, Adamawa state was attracted several  personalities, serving and retired soldiers as well as widows of the fallen heroes.

During the event, Governor Fintiri, Speaker House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdurrahman, Lamido Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha and service commanders laid the wreaths in honour of the fallen heroes.

Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the event, Governor Fintiri urged citizens to continue to support the country and widows of the fallen heroes who had sacrificed their lives for the nation.

He commended the officers and men of the armed forces for their sacrifices towards protecting the country’s territorial integrity. 

Trial of 2 Ministries' Staff over N12 Million Job Racketeering Commences

The trial of Mrs Joy Ndubuisi Chineme, a staff of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, (first defendant) and Mr Godwin Tabo Sakat of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, (second defendant) over alleged N12 million job racketeering has commenced in earnest before Justice C.O. Oba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had first arraigned the duo in a nine-count charge in July 2024.

At the commencement of trial on Monday, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Suleiman Abdulkareem brought before the court, Mrs. Adah Ojoma, an Assistant Director in ICPC and first prosecution witness in the case.

Mrs. Ojoma, told the court that a petition against the first defendant was received on 4th of March, 2022 which led to an investigation by the Commission. 

According to her, in the course of investigation, "the team first discovered the sum of Three Hundred Thousand naira in her (Mrs Chineme’s) bank account and different other amounts totaling over 12 million naira. 

She transferred some of the money to her Zenith bank account and some to the second defendant (Mr Sakat).

Giving a breakdown, Ojoma said sometime in 2018, the first defendant transferred the sum of 3.9 million naira into her Zenith Bank, while in 2019, over 5 million naira was transferred and then over 2.5 million naira in 2021. And that the sum of 4.3 million naira was transferred to the second defendant. 

She added that in the course of investigation, a letter of employment that was fake was also discovered.

She continued that, upon invitation to the Commission, the first defendant came and made her statement voluntarily.

However, counsel to the first defendant, E. E. Oga opposed that the first defendant did not make her statement voluntarily but under duress and therefore prayed the court to allow for a trial within trial.

Reacting, ICPC counsel, Mr. Abdulkareem said although the statement was not a confession, he was not opposed to the plea by his learned counsel.

During the trial within trial, Mrs Ojoma told the court that the first defendant was invited by the Commission and that after legal procedures were explained to her, she called her husband at one time and her sister at another time to write the statement on her behalf as she could not write properly.

Counsel to the first defendant however moved for an adjournment to enable him bring the defense witness. 

The matter was thereafter adjourned till 25th of March, 2025 for continuation of trial.

Trial of 2 Ministries' Staff over N12 Million Job Racketeering Commences

The trial of Mrs Joy Ndubuisi Chineme, a staff of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, (first defendant) and Mr Godwin Tabo Sakat of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, (second defendant) over alleged N12 million job racketeering has commenced in earnest before Justice C.O. Oba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had first arraigned the duo in a nine-count charge in July 2024.

At the commencement of trial on Monday, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Suleiman Abdulkareem brought before the court, Mrs. Adah Ojoma, an Assistant Director in ICPC and first prosecution witness in the case.

Mrs. Ojoma, told the court that a petition against the first defendant was received on 4th of March, 2022 which led to an investigation by the Commission. 

According to her, in the course of investigation, "the team first discovered the sum of Three Hundred Thousand naira in her (Mrs Chineme’s) bank account and different other amounts totaling over 12 million naira. 

She transferred some of the money to her Zenith bank account and some to the second defendant (Mr Sakat).

Giving a breakdown, Ojoma said sometime in 2018, the first defendant transferred the sum of 3.9 million naira into her Zenith Bank, while in 2019, over 5 million naira was transferred and then over 2.5 million naira in 2021. And that the sum of 4.3 million naira was transferred to the second defendant. 

She added that in the course of investigation, a letter of employment that was fake was also discovered.

She continued that, upon invitation to the Commission, the first defendant came and made her statement voluntarily.

However, counsel to the first defendant, E. E. Oga opposed that the first defendant did not make her statement voluntarily but under duress and therefore prayed the court to allow for a trial within trial.

Reacting, ICPC counsel, Mr. Abdulkareem said although the statement was not a confession, he was not opposed to the plea by his learned counsel.

During the trial within trial, Mrs Ojoma told the court that the first defendant was invited by the Commission and that after legal procedures were explained to her, she called her husband at one time and her sister at another time to write the statement on her behalf as she could not write properly.

Counsel to the first defendant however moved for an adjournment to enable him bring the defense witness. 

The matter was thereafter adjourned till 25th of March, 2025 for continuation of trial.

ADHA Speaker Tasks LG Councillors, Clerks on Good Governance

The Speaker Adamawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, has tasked 224 Councillors as well as Clerks to the Local Government Councils to strive hard towards provision of good governance to the electorate. News Platform 

Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, stated this while declaring open a 3-Day Capacity Building Workshop for all the 21 LGC Councillors and Clerks held in Yola, Adamawa State.

The workshop on Legislative Processes, Practice and Procedures was organised by the Adamawa State House of Assembly in collaboration with Sa-Sasilga Nigeria Limited.

The Speaker said that it is their responsibility as representatives of people to breast up for good governance, saying that it is important to equip the participants with legislative knowledge for effective service delivery.

According to him, the assembly and the organisation deemed it necessary to provide them with knowledge on legislative process, practices and procedures. 

He disclosed that the 8th assembly under his leadership is committed to training and re-training for quality leadership at all levels and commended the organisation for partnering with the assembly in making the workshop a reality. 

"This workshop will not have come at a better time than now that our amiable Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is providing the needed development at all parts of the state.

"Equipping you with such knowledge will enable you work in harmony with your various LG Chairmen for effective development just like we in the 8th Assembly work in harmony with our amiable Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri". Speaker Bathiya stated.

Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, pointed out that having that kind of training will go a long way in equipping them to provide needed development in their communities, urging them to avail themselves with the opportunity provided for their own benefits.

Also speaking, the Chairman Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of the assembly, Hon. Kefas Calvin, said that the workshop was designed to equip the participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their roles.

Hon. Kefas who represents Toungo constituency, said that the workshop is crucial step in their collective journey towards effective governance and sustainable development in the next few days they will be there.

"As Councillors, you have a critical responsibility to work together, putting aside partisan interests and focusing on the welfare of our great state. He stated.

He urged them to remember that leadership is not about personal gain or prestige, but about serving the people who entrusted them with their mandate and appealed them to be guided by the principles of rule of law.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner Ministry for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Mijinyawa Yayaji, commended the conveners of the event, facilitators and participants.

Hon. Yayaji, said that the workshop will equip them towards ensuring that government officials and institutions are accountable for their actions and decisions and have access to information, and open decision-making.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Director LG in the ministry, Mrs. Lydia Michael Ularam, said that transparency promotes open and inclusive decision-making processes.

According to him, it will enable them to ensure synergy between political office holders and citizens for strong legislation, laws and regulations, effective oversight mechanisms, and protection of citizens' rights which will therefore build trust and improve service delivery, economic growth, and social cohesion.

He said that the LG is an intermediary player for the development at the grassroots, saying that adequate and effective Local Government System enhances government policies and activities that impact positively in the lives of the the populace.

Also speaking, the Chairman Toungo LGC who is also the ALGON Chairman Adamawa state, Hon. Suleiman Kangkuba, applauded the organisers and urged the participants to make use of the opportunity to build themselves with the legislative knowledge.