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2022 Budget: Senate Committee canvases for more funding of Judiciary

Published

4 years ago

November 26, 2021

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, IYIN-EKITI: A LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENT OF SEN. MICHAEL. OPEYEMI BAMIDELE

Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele

The Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters has made a request for additional funding of the judiciary in next year budget.

Senator representing Ekiti Central and Chairman of the Committee, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele presented the request before the Senate Committee on Appropriation on Thursday at the National Assembly complex.

Investigation revealed that the Executive arm of government made a provision of N120 Billion for the judiciary in the 2022 Budget.

Speaking with newsmen after his presentation before the Senator Jibrin Barau led Appropriation Committee, Senator Bamidele who disclosed that his Committee made a request for additional N10billion for the judiciary maintained that the budget estimate was inadequate, considering the enormous responsibilities before the judiciary.

Senator Bamidele said apart from the challenge thrown up by terrorism, there is the need to deploy technology in the dispensation of Justice.

He said:” As we speak, there are people awaiting trial as a result of insecurity: call them gunmen, bandits, terrorists— whatever you call them, the truth is, there is so much additional burden on the judiciary. Of course, there must be fair hearing for suspects apprehended, and it is additional responsibility for the judiciary.

So, they need more money.

The COVID has also made it imperative to deploy technology for virtual hearing. All of these demand money, we are taking of all levels of Court: from Magistrate,to the Supreme Court, aside the special Court like Arbitration.

“So, both Committees in both chambers are asking for more money for the judiciary.”

Asked about the secrecy surrounding the budget of the judiciary, the Chairman,
Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters dismissed it as a non issue as he noted that it was not peculiar to the judiciary.

“It isn’t our responsibility to monitor their expenditure but it is important that whatever is allocated under the National Judicial Commission is judiciously used.

“The secrecy you talked about isn’t peculiar to the judiciary. No one is asking about the budget of the Department of State Serviced or National Intelligence Agency.

Their budget (judiciary) isn’t up to one percent of the entire budget.

We may choose to sensationalise it, but public interest is better served if the budget of the judiciary is at least one percent of the entire budget.

We need a well funded judiciary so that it’s independence isn’t compromised.”

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News

FG Secures Financing For Aba-Maiduguri Rail Line, Enhances Eastern Corridor Connectivity

Published

40 minutes ago

July 31, 2025

News Editor

Rail lines

The Federal Government has successfully secured full financing for the completion of the Aba–Maiduguri rail corridor, which is a crucial part of the 1,443-kilometer Port Harcourt Eastern Narrow Gauge Railway Project.

Minister of Transport, Senator Saidu Alkali, made the announcement on Wednesday during a government-citizen engagement forum at Arewa House in Kaduna. He stated that the project will traverse Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Benue States, significantly boosting regional trade, passenger mobility, and economic integration across Nigeria’s eastern corridor.

“The financing for this strategic route is now secured, and we are dedicated to completing the full stretch from Aba to Maiduguri,” the minister affirmed.

Alkali also mentioned the ongoing rehabilitation of the old Lagos–Kano Narrow Gauge Railway, highlighting that freight services have resumed between Apapa Port and the Kano Inland Dry Port. This is part of the government’s efforts to decongest seaports, promote inland port operations, and support industrial logistics.

Additionally, the announcement reflects a broader initiative by the Tinubu administration to revitalize Nigeria’s aging rail infrastructure and strengthen inter-regional connectivity through modern transport systems.

Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, confirmed the minister’s statements.

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News

Benue Governor, Alia Dissolved State Executive Council

Published

48 minutes ago

July 31, 2025

News Editor

Benue State Governor , Rev Fr, Hyacinth Alia

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has dissolved the state executive council, retaining only the position of Chief of Staff, which will now be held by Barr. Moses Atagher, the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

Atagher, an experienced administrator and former acting Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank, was appointed as the new Chief of Staff, effective immediately, at the close of the 12th executive council meeting of 2025.

Terso Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, announced that the dissolution affects only the commissioners.

Governor Alia expressed his appreciation to the outgoing commissioners for their two years of service, encouraging those who may not be reappointed to remain loyal to the party and continue supporting the administration.

Speaking on behalf of the dissolved commissioners, Barr. Bemsen Mnyim thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve, describing the experience as a valuable learning process.

The former commissioners have been instructed to hand over their responsibilities to the permanent secretaries of their respective ministries.

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News

Tinubu Appoints Adeyemi As New Fire Service Controller-General

Published

57 minutes ago

July 31, 2025

Muyiwa Bamidele

New Fire Service Controller General, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Deputy Controller-General (DCG) Olumode Samuel Adeyemi as the new Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), effective August 14, 2025.

The announcement was made in a statement by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), signed by its secretary, Abdulmalik Jibrin.

“This appointment comes ahead of the imminent retirement of the current Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola, on August 1, 2025, as he reaches the age of sixty.

“DCG Olumode Samuel Adeyemi brings a wealth of experience to this new role. He transferred from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service to the Federal Fire Service and has progressed to the rank of Deputy Controller-General of Fire in the Human Resource Directorate at the Service Headquarters.

Throughout his career, Adeyemi has successfully completed all mandatory in-service training, participated in command courses, and attended various courses both within Nigeria and abroad.

He has served in numerous capacities and is a member and fellow of several professional associations, including the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria, and the Chartered Institute of Treasury Management of Nigeria.

The Board also extends its appreciation to the retiring Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola, for his remarkable contributions to the development of the Federal Fire Service, acknowledging his dedication, commitment, and the numerous initiatives he spearheaded during his tenure,” the statement added.

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