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Gov Nwifuru approves increment of workers’ salaries by N10,000

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has approved the increment of civil servants’ salaries by N10,000.

He also approved the recruitment of 1,700 teachers to remedy the shortage of personnel in the public primary and secondary schools.

The governor made the pronouncement on May 1, 2024, during the Workers’ Day celebration at Pa Ngele Oruta township Stadium in Abakaliki, on Wednesday.

According to him, “Your commitment and sacrifices are unmatched anywhere in the world.

“We are celebrating today because it is important to reciprocate the gesture and this administration has something in store for you as contained in the People’s Charter of Needs,” he said.

He added that his administration would consolidate on the achievements of the immediate past administration by improving the state’s economy.

Nwifuru described the workers as partners in progress who deserved to be appreciated for their sacrifices.

He assured the people of regular promotions, prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.

He disclosed that the gratuities of those who had retired between January, 2024 and now had been paid completely.

“Presently, we are paying salaries, pensions and gratuities as at when due and we do not owe anyone, while we are waiting for the outcome of the negotiation on minimum wage,” he said.

The governor further promised to look into all the requests made by Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ebonyi State chapter and approved N10,000 increment in their individual salary.

In a joint speech by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Ebonyi State chapters, read by the NLC chairman, Professor Ogugua Egwu, he stated that the theme of the event “People First” is an expression of the absolute need to prioritize the people in all spheres of life.

He appealed to the state governor for the engagement of more teachers in public primary and secondary schools in the state and to enhance the welfare packages of the workers.

He also requested for the implementation of judiciary autonomy, approve welfare packages of the judiciary workers and recall some staff of Ebonyi State University (EBSU) who were suspended over their involvement in union activities.

He further called on the governor to reabsorb staff of the former Ebonyi State Teaching Hospital (EBSUTH) into the new teaching hospital, reinvigorate Ebonyi State College of Education for middle class manpower training and harmonize the gratuity management scheme in the state and council areas, among others.

News

Court denies Yayaha Bello bail

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has dismissed the bail application filed by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is being tried for an alleged N110 billion fraud.

In her ruling, the judge held that Bello’s bail application was premature and incompetent as he filed it when he had not yet surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The however, admitted Bello’s alleged co-accomplice Umar Oricha, to bail in the sum of N300million with two sureties in the like sum.

In her ruling on Bello’s application, the judge said the former Kogi governor was only making an attempt to invoke the jurisdiction of the court too early.

She said, “Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused.”

The 16-count charge preferred against Bello has to do with conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and possession of unlawfully obtained property.

He is alleged have used state funds to illegally acquire properties, at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja , No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja, among many others.

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Man arraigned for unlawful possession of human skull

A 52-year-old man, Akeem Rasheed, has appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, for alleged unlawful possession of a human skull.

The defendant who resides at Jegede area, Ibadan, was charged with two counts of improper interference with dead body and unlawful possession of human skull.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him by the police.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. David Adepoju, told the court that on Oct. 11, at 1.00 a.m., at Jegede Estate, Odeyale area, Ibadan, Rasheed improperly interfered with a dead human body.

He said that the defendant allegedly exhumed a corpse from its grave, removed the skull and burnt it.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant burnt the human skull into ashes for spiritual purposes.

He said the offences contravened Section 242 (1) (b) and 352(A) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ogunkanmi said one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant.

She , thereafter, adjourned the case until May 5, 2025 for hearing.

NAN

News

EFCC Arrests 22 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abia State

Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC, have arrested twenty-two suspected (22) internet fraudsters.

They were arrested on Friday, December 6, 2024 at Umuagu and Olokoro in Abia state in a sting operation.

Items recovered from them include six exotic cars, eight laptops and 36 mobile phones.

They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.