From: TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
A Rivers
State High Court Judge in Port Harcourt, Justice E.N. Ogbuji, has
withdrawn from handling the case on the suspension of Governor Chibuike
Amaechi by the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
The trial Judge, Justice Ogbuji, announced this yesterday, in the court.
He did not
give details for declining adjudication. He referred the case to the
Chief Registrar of the High Court for reassignment. It was gathered that
the matter has been re-assigned to Justice Adolphus Enebeli.
It would be
recalled that Governor Amaechi had dragged the PDP to court,
challenging his suspension from the party. But, the PDP challenged the
jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter, maintaining that it was an
internal matter.
In a
related matter, another High Court adjourned till July 17, this year,
the matter between the suspended chairman, vice chairman and 17
councillors of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council and the State
House of Assembly.
Also joined in the suit were the council's caretaker committee and the state.
(By Mairo Danlami) A new brand of condom is being marketed in Switzerland that is aimed specifically at the youngest of sexually active men.
The Hotshot, which is smaller than the average condom, is being sold
with the slogan, “it fits when passion hits” to boys between 12 and 14
years old.
The company that makes the new condoms is Lamprecht AG.
What would you say to this? You think it’s bizarre, or it’s just the right thing to do? Please use the comment box.
Governor Babatunde Fashola switched on the lights of the 6km Carter
Bridge, the oldest bridge in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, Sunday. The
street lights were officially switched on the bridge last night,
revealing the beauty of the area at night.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (2nd left) switching on the lights
Carter Bridge built in 1901 was rebuilt in 1973 and had for several
years been devoid of capacity traffic at night as the place was always
dark, while hoodlums had a field day robbing people.
The bridge from Idumota to Iddo, Ijora Olopa, Adeniji-Adele, Ebute Ero
and Offin brightly lit last night shortly after the brief switching on
ceremony of the Public Light infrastructure performed by the Lagos State
Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Sunday, June 30, 2013.
Leastways 166 street lights have been installed on the bridge, with 52
attachments on the poles to illuminate the walkways, 204 indicator
lights and 48 blue reflective lights placed underneath the bridge as
well as lighting under the bridge that reflects the Lagos colours on
water.
Fashola switched on the light to the delight of people living within the
area and traders alike. Speaking at the occasion, Fashola said the
lighting up of the bridge was to ensure security in the area as people
could now walk on the bridge at any time and be safe knowing that the
place had been lit up, while hoodlums could no longer carry out their
nefarious activities.
Describing the lighting as a transport and security solution, the
Governor said the lighting up the bridge was consistent with his
administration’s commitment to power transportation and housing
facilities.
“The many significant impact of this street lighting is that it has
improved security in the state, making Lagos safer at night. On the
Carter Bridge particularly, this is a transport solution as well as a
security solution.
The bridge will increase people’s choices of getting in and out from the
Island and onto the Mainland. The bridge also has significant economic
impact. It is significant because of the economic impact.”
All of the work that has been done here by local capacity through the
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. The bridge is the first in the
country to have street lightings powered by an Independent Power Plant.
The Carter Bridge project covers public lighting starting from the
Idumota area to Ijora Olopa, Iddo Terminus and towards the Third
Mainland Bridge, Adeniji, Ebute Ero and Ofin. General Manager, Lagos
State Electricity, Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi, said the lighting up of Carter
Bridge was part of plans by government to light up at least 45km of
roads across the state.
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), regulator
of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), has announced that the use of
e-ticketing payment to board BRT buses will commence on Tuesday.
This is part of ongoing re-structuring of its operations and management aimed at enhancing effectiveness.
Managing Director, LAMATA, Dayo Mobereola, who disclosed this over
the weekend, said the measure was part of a holistic plan to return BRT
operations to its efficient and effective state as planned when it was
launched in 2008.
Dr. Mobereola said the Lagos State Government is aware of challenges
faced by commuters using the BRT, explaining that steps were currently
being taken to ensure the restoration of efficient and effective service
delivery on the system and increase its capacity.
According to him, the e-ticketing payment was a solution through a
payment card named ‘Lagos Connect,’ and it would offer commuters several
options. “With the e-payment system, Lagos Connect, commuters in Lagos
will pay as low as N20 per trip instead of N70.”
“They would not need to struggle for change or lose their money, and the system is safe and convenient,” he added.
[TelegraphNigeria]
The Rivers state House of Assembly witnessed a very rowdy session
today for some minutes after two months of adjournment as pro-Governor
Rotimi Amaechi legislators battled five renegade lawmakers rooting for
the political opponents of the governor.
The minority lawmakers, whose agenda was to impeach the governor made
the impeachment of Speaker Otelemaba Amachree and other principal
officers the first priority. They thus stole into the House of Assembly
at about 8.30 am earlier before the normal sitting of the House and
smuggled in a mace.
But they met eight Pro- Amaechi lawmakers including the Speaker
Otelemaba Amachree, Chidi Llyod, the majority Leader and six others in
the assembly.
Frustrated that their coup was a mission impossible , one of the five
rebels, Evans Bapakaye Bipi, went straight to Chidi Llyod’s seat and
physically assaulted him.
As Llyod and Bipi were having a fisticuff, the Speaker who stepped in to separate them was also attacked by Bipi.
A free-for -all started, with blows being exchanged by both sides.
Lloyd was injured, while Martins Amaehule another anti-Ameachi Lawmaker
representing Obio-Akpor was also injured and rushed to St Patricks
Hospital at Ogbunabali in Port Harcourt for treatment.
As the fracas degenerated, some of the pro-Amaechi lawmakers ran for
their dear lives because of the many thugs brought into the Assembly
premises by Bipi and his group.
The moment was seized by the minority lawmakers, as a member of the
group, Victor Ihunwo, representing Port Harcourt constituency stepped
into the Speaker’s seat to “Pilot “ the affairs.
Martins Amaehule moved the “motion” for the “Impeachment” of the Speaker
who has been rushed out after the physical assault. Kelechi Worgu an
anti-Amaechi, representing Omuma Constituency “supported” the motion and
thereafter announced Bipi as the new “Speaker.”
Governor Amaechi who was alerted about the fracas and the breakdown of
law and order at the Assembly, arrived at the Assembly chambers, just in
time to hear Evans Babakaya Bipialaka give a vote thanks for his
‘election’ as speaker of four other members.
According to witnesses, Bipialaka on sighting the Governor, ordered some
thugs and policemen to “shoot him…shoot him”, pointing at the Governor.
Amaechi was said to have walked towards him and replied: “Shoot me?”
The Governor thereafter ordered his security men that came with him
to arrest Bipialaka. But Bipi’s orderly and Policemen who came with him
resisted the arrest.
Bipi is the lawmaker who represents Ogu-Bolo Constituency, whose wedding
was attended several weeks ago by Mrs Patience Jonathan as a Special
Guest of Honour and Mother of the Day.
After the confrontation with the governor, Bipi and other other four
lawmakers opposed to Amaechi left the assembly with their thugs.
After calm was restored, the house was re-convened at exactly 11.40 am
with the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan-Amachree, presiding with 22 Lawmakers
present.
P.M.News observed that there was still tension with thugs supporting the
anti-Amaechi shouting that they be allowed into the Assembly but were
prevented by pro-Amaechi supporters and House of Assembly Policemen.
The Governor later presented a minor amendment of the 2013 budget as it affects the capital expenditure only.
Mr Tele Ikuru,the Deputy Governor who read the proposed minor amendment
on behalf of the Governor explained that the minor amendment only
affects the capital expenditure.
The Deputy Leader Robinson Nnam Ewor moved a motion for the adoption of
amendment and was supported by Mrs.Irene Inigba,the Chief Whip supported
the motion.
Golden Chioma ,representing Etche Constituency II moved a motion that
the amendment should be committed to the committee of the whole house.
The Speaker asked if there was a counter-motion but there was none.
The amendment was committed into the House of the whole of 22 members
present and was later adopted. Amaechi had 28 members on his side since
the political fight started. Those that were not at the sitting were
said to have sustained injuries and were undergoing medical treatment.
However, Freddy Itolo-Ofen,the Press Secretary to Bipi told P.M.News in
an interview that his boss was properly elected as the Speaker of the
House by the Five lawmakers.
“Hon Evans Bipialaka the New Speaker was making his vote of thanks when
the Governor arrived and ordered that he should be arrested, but was
resisted by Bipialaka and his orderly”.
