“Former NILDS DG, Prof Ladi Hamalai, Faces Additional Charges in Ongoing ICPC Trial”

Indications suggest that Prof Ladi Hamalai, the former Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), will face additional charges in her ongoing prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The ICPC is currently pursuing a four-count charge against Hamalai, alleging corruption in her tenure at NILDS.

The Commission alleges that Hamalai misused her office by requesting funds for renting a guest house but instead used the money to purchase a property for herself in Abuja. Additionally, she is accused of soliciting funds for furnishing the building as a government guest house.

The potential for additional charges arose following a petition lodged against Hamalai by staff of NILDS. The petition, dated May 19, 2024, and addressed to the ICPC chairman, raised concerns about various acts of misconduct by Hamalai during her tenure, including alleged embezzlement related to the construction of the NILDS headquarters.

The petition also accuses Hamalai of illegal refusal to remit deducted staff salaries to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), resulting in double taxation for NILDS staff. Furthermore, it alleges violations of constitutional provisions regarding staff rights to join trade unions, as well as violations of laws regarding retirement age and acceptance of chieftaincy titles while in service.

ICPC Director of Legal, Mr Henry Emore, confirmed that the Commission would investigate the fresh allegations before considering additional charges against Hamalai. The case against Hamalai is ongoing, with a recent court order for her arrest issued due to her repeated failure to appear in court for trial.

The matter underscores the ongoing efforts to hold public officials accountable for alleged misconduct, with the ICPC diligently pursuing allegations of corruption and malfeasance in government agencies.

“APC Youth Solidarity Network Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plot to Destabilize Party Ahead of 2027 Election”

The APC Youth Solidarity Network, a youth group within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed concerns about what it perceives as attempts by internal adversaries to undermine the party’s stability in preparation for the 2027 general election. The group’s warning follows a recent failed attempt to remove the national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

During a press conference held on Tuesday, Prince Danesi Momoh, the national coordinator of the youth group, urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action to counter the efforts of those seeking to weaken the party.

Momoh drew parallels between the current situation and events in 2013/2014 when anti-party elements targeted then-PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, leading to the party’s defeat in the 2015 polls.

“We initially led protests against Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and called for his removal. We submitted a protest letter to the President through the National Secretary, citing his suspension by his council ward in Kano State,” Momoh stated.

He explained that despite the rejection of Ganduje’s suspension by the Ganduje Ward Executive and the revelation that those involved were not APC members, certain individuals persisted in their efforts, fueled by perceived grievances regarding patronage under the Tinubu administration.

Momoh emphasized the importance of President Tinubu’s intervention in maintaining Ganduje’s position as national chairman to prevent a recurrence of the circumstances that led to the party’s challenges in the 2015 elections.

“History has shown us the dangers of silence in the face of internal sabotage. We urge President Tinubu to rise to the challenge and ensure Ganduje remains as national chairman to prevent a repeat of the 2015 scenario,” Momoh concluded.

“Senate Calls for Rehabilitation of Displaced Communities in Omala, Kogi East”

The Nigerian Senate has adopted a resolution to rehabilitate displaced communities in Omala Local Government Council in Kogi East Senatorial District. The motion, moved by Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, highlighted the urgent need to address the challenges faced by communities such as Agojeju-Odo, Ajokpachi-Odo, Bagaji, and Bagana in Omala.

Senator Isah noted that these communities have been severely affected by recurrent attacks from Fulani herders, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of properties, and displacement of residents. He expressed concern over the lack of sufficient efforts to address the ongoing menace and provide assistance to the affected population.

The motion emphasized the dire situation faced by the displaced persons, with approximately 30,000 individuals rendered homeless and forced to relocate to other communities within Kogi State. The recent attack on April 5, 2024, led to the loss of 21 innocent lives and extensive destruction of farmlands and produce in Agojeju-Odo and Ajokpachi-Odo communities.

In their contributions, Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Titus Zam Tartenger highlighted the urgent need for the government to take decisive action to end the killings and insecurity caused by herders’ attacks. Senator Oshiomhole emphasized the importance of implementing effective solutions and holding stakeholders’ conferences to address the root causes of the crisis. Senator Tartenger called for the enactment of laws prohibiting open grazing to permanently resolve the farmers/herders conflict.

The Senate’s resolution underscores the imperative of prioritizing the rehabilitation and security of displaced communities in Omala and addressing the underlying issues contributing to the recurring violence and displacement. It signals a commitment to finding lasting solutions to the challenges facing affected populations and ensuring their safety and well-being.

“High Court Dismisses N7.74 Billion Fraud Charges Against Kenny Martins and Co-defendants”

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has once again dismissed the N7.74 billion fraud charges brought against Lagos businessman Kenny Martins and three others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges, initiated in 2018, were thrown out on Tuesday by Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi, who deemed them frivolous and without merit.

The 3-count charges, prosecuted by the Chambers of Festus Keyamo, alleged conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, criminal diversion of funds, and forgery of documents against the defendants. However, the judge held that the prosecution failed to provide cogent and verifiable evidence to support the allegations.

Specifically, the court found that the EFCC did not establish how funds retained by the defendants as their 10 percent commission from the Police Equipment Foundation (PEF) constituted fraud, as there was a clear Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the federal government regarding the matter. Additionally, the judge ruled that the removal of the commission from one of the PEF’s bank accounts did not breach trust, as there was no specific order in the MoU regarding which account the commission should be deducted from.

The defense, represented by Joel Bankole Akomolafe SAN and Johnny Ucheaga, provided evidence of how the funds were raised and utilized for the purchase of vehicles for security agencies, in accordance with government directives. They argued that the charges were unfounded and should be dismissed.

In delivering the judgment, Justice Osho-Adebiyi emphasized that the prosecution failed to refute the overwhelming evidence presented by the defense regarding the proper use of the funds. She also noted that the prosecution did not call key witnesses or present testimony pointing to fraud.

The dismissal of the charges comes after a protracted legal battle, which saw previous court decisions overturned by higher courts. The defendants have been discharged and acquitted, bringing an end to the legal proceedings against them in this matter.

The protesters expressed dismay over the layoffs, accusing the airline management of lacking empathy. On Tuesday in Lagos, over 100 terminated Dana Air employees picketed the airline’s head office over alleged unpaid salaries and outstanding pensions, among other issues. The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, such as: “Expatriates not paid for three months”; “Pension deductions not remitted since 2008”; “Say No to tyranny”; and “7 aircraft, only one serviceable,” among others.

“I have been working with the airline since 2008 and participated in the demo flight that secured their Air Operator Certificate (AOC). Despite the challenges, I and others remained dedicated, even when salaries were not paid. We stayed committed until the runway incident on April 23,” one protester said.

“It is normal for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to audit the airline, but suddenly, we received WhatsApp messages informing us that our services were no longer required. The Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air, Jacky Hathiramani, should address us. We want our gratuities, along with our April salary and one month’s pay in lieu of notice.”

Another protester, Eze Chidi, a former Aviation Security (AVSEC) Supervisor, condemned the airline management’s actions, describing them as unjustified. Chidi called on the Federal Government to intervene in what he described as victimization, enslavement, exploitation, and unaccountable management practices.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dana Air management officials were unreachable for comments.

NAN also reported that on April 24, the NCAA suspended Dana Air’s AOC following a runway skid of its MD-82 aircraft with registration number 5N-BKI on April 23. The suspension was to allow the NCAA to conduct a comprehensive audit of the company. On May 11, the airline announced that some employees had been “temporarily disengaged” due to the ongoing audit.

“Study Reveals Increase in Emergency Room Visits for Cannabis Poisoning Among Older Canadians Post-Legalization”

According to a report by The New York Times, a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has highlighted a concerning trend of older Canadians, aged 65 and above, ending up in emergency rooms due to cannabis poisoning following the legalization of marijuana in the country. The study indicates that the rate of emergency room visits for cannabis poisoning among this demographic doubled after the legalization of cannabis flower sales, and then tripled after the legalization of cannabis edibles sales 15 months later.

The research, which focused on 2,322 emergency room visits for cannabis poisoning among individuals aged 65 and above in Ontario, analyzed data from 2015 to 2022. By comparing trends before and after key legalization milestones—October 2018 for dried cannabis and January 2020 for edibles—the researchers were able to identify significant increases in cannabis-related emergency room visits among older adults.

In 2015, there were 55 recorded emergency room visits for cannabis poisoning among older adults, which increased to 462 in 2021 before slightly declining to 404 in 2022. Lead author of the study, Nathan Stall, a geriatrician at Mount Sinai Hospital and researcher at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, noted that while some older adults intentionally used cannabis, others consumed it accidentally, mistaking edibles for regular food or snacks.

Symptoms of cannabis poisoning experienced by these patients include dizziness, confusion, nausea, loss of coordination and balance, drowsiness, and hallucinations. Stall emphasized the need for greater attention to be paid to drug use by the elderly and its health effects, highlighting the prevalence of ageism and bias in assuming that older adults are not using drugs.

The study was prompted by Stall’s personal experience of being called into the emergency room to consult on an octogenarian who exhibited severe confusion and stroke-like symptoms. Despite multiple tests showing no clear cause, a toxicology test ordered by Stall revealed cannabis in the patient’s urine, shedding light on the need for increased awareness and monitoring of cannabis use among older populations.