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Impeachment Panel Begins Probe Of Shaibu In Edo

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The seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate the impeachment petition against the State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, on Monday commenced sitting with all members of the panel present.

Recall that the Chief Judge of the state had on Friday, March 22, 2024 constituted the seven-man panel to investigate the petition of impeachment notice served on Shaibu in line with the resolution of the State House of Assembly.

The seven-man panel comprised Justice S.A. Omonua (rtd) as chairman, Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Surveyor Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen , President Aigbokhian and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.


At the commencement of the sitting, Shaibu was represented by Professor Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN, while Joe Ohiafi, the deputy clerk, represented the Edo State House of Assembly.

Awoyale, in his submission, said a Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice J.E. Ekwo had ordered the panel to show cause why an interlocutory injunction to maintain status quo pending the determination of the case should not be granted to the plaintiff (Philip Shaibu).

He said the order was given March 28, 2024 while the case has been adjourned to April 8, 2024.

Awoyale, who cited several cases including those delivered by the Supreme Court judges, opined that an order of competent court is binding on all parties.

He said in line with the Federal High Court order, his client would not be able to participate in the panel’s proceedings, until the court decides in favour or otherwise.

“I submit respectfully that further taking part in this proceeding will amount to fait acompli, a situation of hopelessness”, he said.

He urged the panel to wait for the court decision slated for the adjournment day.

Opposing the submission of the respondent’s Counsel, Joe Ohiafi, counsel to the Edo State House of Assembly, urged the panel to overrule the submission of the respondent’s counsel noting that in line with Section 188 subsection 10 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, no court can invalidate the panel.

According to him, the panel is ordered to carry out its proceedings in line with Section 188 subsection 10 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

He opined that by the section of the constitution, no proceedings or determination of the panel of this nature set up by the House of Assembly shall be quashed by any court.

He added that the panel is sui generic and cannot be frustrated by anybody.

The panel, however, adjourned to deliver ruling on the submission by the respondent.

The panel sitting is taking place at the Judges Conference Room, New High Court Complex, Benin City.

The State House of Assembly had on March 6, 2024 served impeachment notice on the deputy governor over alleged misconduct and perjury.

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Probe Into UK Royals’ Private Estates Sparks Calls For Reform

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Britain’s royal family is facing calls for more transparency and reform of their private estates after an investigation alleged they have been profiting from public bodies while benefiting from major tax exemptions.

The UK media probe also accused the estates of King Charles III and his eldest son Prince William of making big profits from charities and individual renters while in some cases failing to meet environmental standards.

The centuries-old estates — the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall — have made millions of pounds (dollars) from lucrative deals with the publicly-funded National Health Service (NHS) and other cash-strapped ministries, according to the investigation.

 

Britain’s King Charles III and Jordan’s King Abdallah II inspect a Guard of Honour formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, during a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle, in Windsor on November 7, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Matthews / POOL / AFP)

Both estates — portfolios of land, property and assets across England and Wales held in trust for the king and his heir — are exempt from paying UK corporation or capital gains taxes.

The extent of their holdings and commercial deals, such as lease agreements, is not publicly disclosed.

But the probe by UK television network Channel 4’s Dispatches programme and The Sunday Times claims to have uncovered them for the first time.

 

 

Britain’s King Charles III speaks with guests during a reception for medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games at Buckingham Palace in London on November 7, 2024. (Photo by Yui Mok / POOL / AFP)

It has prompted calls for a review by parliament as well as demands by pro-republicans for the duchies to be abolished.

Norman Baker, a former lawmaker from the centrist Liberal Democrats party and longtime royal critic, told AFP the findings confirmed his view that the royals were “taking the public for a ride”.

“These are Crown lands which belong to the public… all that money should be going into the Crown Estate, which is a public asset,” he said.

 

– ‘Pursuing profit’ –

The royals have long maintained that profits from the duchies fund their public, charitable and private activities.

The duchies, owned by the monarchy since the Middle Ages, were not part of a 1760 agreement which sees the monarch’s Crown Estate profits surrendered to the government.

Fifteen percent of those profits are returned as a Sovereign Grant, which pays for official engagements, staff salaries and the royal palaces’ upkeep.

Next year the grant will total £132 million ($171 million).

 

Britain’s Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester speaks with guests during a reception for medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games at Buckingham Palace in London on November 7, 2024. (Photo by Yui Mok / POOL / AFP)

 

Baker notes the vast private estates were not included in that arrangement because at the time they did not generate much income.

But two centuries on, their assets are worth £1.8 billion, with profits topping £50 million in 2023, according to their annual reports.

It has helped keep Charles on The Sunday Times Rich List, which ranks the 1,000 wealthiest people or families in the UK, with an estimated worth of £610 million.

Lucrative deals leasing land to the crisis-hit NHS, armed forces, publicly-funded schools, charities and renters have boosted his bottom line, according to the media probe.

In one example, Charles’ estate will earn nearly £12 million over 15 years storing a new fleet of electric ambulances owned by a London hospital in one of its warehouses.

 

Britain’s Princess Anne, Princess Royal (C) speaks with guests during a reception for medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games at Buckingham Palace in London on November 7, 2024. (Photo by Yui Mok / POOL / AFP)

 

 

In another, William’s estate will net £37.5 million over 25 years from the Ministry of Justice for leasing the currently empty Dartmoor Prison.

Graham Smith, head of anti-monarchy pressure group Republic, said the investigation “shows how the duchies are doggedly pursuing profit at every turn, at huge expense to the public and charities”.

The duchies have denied any wrongdoing.

– ‘Within the law’ –

It is not the first time that they have stoked controversy.

In 2006, an influential parliamentary committee pressured the government over why they benefit from major tax exemptions.

Baker said the Public Accounts Committee should refocus on it.

“It’s only under pressure like that that they’ll change,” he added.

“Unless they’re forced into doing something, they won’t do it.”

The former MP believes the royals are “in danger of losing public support big time” over the issue.

But David Haigh, head of consultancy firm Brand Finance, argued the duchies are operating like “any large aristocratic family estate”.

“Is it really unreasonable for them to expect market rate rents when they rent properties to government agents and departments? In my opinion it’s not.”

Haigh added the estates were “simply acting within the law in the best interests of their private capital,” comparing them to successful entrepreneurs like James Dyson and Richard Branson.

 

AFP

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Tinubu Off To Saudi Arabia On Sunday For Joint Arab-Islamic Summit

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President Bola Tinubu will leave Nigeria on Sunday to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia.

The event will begin in Riyadh on Monday with a focus on the situation in the Middle East. Tinubu’s attendance is at the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, which will focus on the current situation in the Middle East,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Saturday.

“The Summit will commence on Monday, November 11, 2024. It is being held at the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and follows last year’s summit in the same Saudi city.

“During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to address the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, emphasising Nigeria’s strong call for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.”

At the event, Nigeria will be advocating renewed efforts to “revive the two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace in the region,” Onanuga said.

Tinubu will not be traveling alone. Other government officials like the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed, will be part of his entourage to Saudi Arabia.

“After the conclusion of the summit, President Tinubu will return to Abuja,” the presidential spokesman said.

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Sanwo-Olu Commends Banana Island Landlords for Compliance With State Building Laws

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Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday commended house owners in Banana Island for complying with the state building laws.

The governor spoke while commissioning projects carried out by the Banana Island Property Owners and Residents Association, BIPORAL.

The projects commissioned were a state-of-the-art administrative office, recreation Park, mini football field and Banana Island Club House.

Sanwo-Olu commended the outgoing executives of the association led by its chairman Frank Aigbogun for a ‘ good working relationship with government officials.’

” Lagos State officials are currently enjoying working relationships with current executives to ensure necessary fees are paid to the government and residents keep within the rules of engagement in the estate. As a government, what we can do is to continue to support you,” Sanwo-Olu said.


He further urged them to continue abiding with building plans of the state government, adding that ‘we are a government for all ‘

While lamenting the lack of maintenance culture in the country, Sanwo-Olu urged them to maintain the facilities .

On the perennial flood experienced by the residents on the road leading to the estate, Sanwo-Olu promised that the Ministry of Environment will carry out inspection of the road with a view to finding lasting solutions.

He however noted that the flood is caused by houses built on the water channel around the area, adding that the government will not hesitate to demolish such houses after inspecting the area.

“Somebody has built a house on a channel of water that is supposed to be flowing to the sea. I plead with you to work with us. I don’t have an interest in demolishing people’s houses or making life uncomfortable for the people but we have to do what we have to do,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The chairman of the estate, Frank Aigbogun said the commissioning of the projects has redefined communal living in the island and was a major step ‘in our vision to create a thriving, secure and healthy community.’

He also pleaded with the governor to accelerate and ensure the access road to the estate is repaired.

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