FCT News
FCT group dissociates itself from suit against Malami, Ariwoola
***Describes suit as undemocratic, barbaric, depreciative
A socio-cultural group, FCT Concerned Natives, has dissociated itself from a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja by individuals purporting to be representing residents and registered voters of the FCT against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
According to a statement signed by Bitrus Lawrence Garki, on behalf of FCT Concerned Natives, the group said that the “mischievous” suit was filed against the swearing in of the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima.
The group called on all well-meaning Nigerians to stay calm and allow the law to take its course, urging all peace loving Nigerians resident in the FCT to refrain from inciting the public.
The statement reads: “We are aware of a suit in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/578/2023, filed at the Federal High Court by individuals who purport to be representing residents and registered voters of the FCT other than the Original Inhabitants against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
“In the said suit, the plaintiffs seek, among other things, an order of Court to restrain the CJN from swearing in the President and Vice President Elect pending the final determination on whether or not they have fulfilled the requirement of Section 134 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“We, on behalf of the Indigenous people of the FCT, do hereby categorically disassociate ourselves from the individuals who initiated the suit and indeed the suit.
“For the avoidance of doubts, while conceding to the plaintiffs, and indeed any other person the right to initiate any action as they may wish, we take the liberty to restate our commitment to the ideals of the rule of law and due process embodied in our constitution and electoral act. Any veiled attempt to deviate from the rule of law is undemocratic, barbaric and calls for deprecation.
“Without prejudice to the doctrine of les pendence (pendency of the suit) to the best of our understanding of the constitutional provisions presidential tenure of office is four years and there is no provision otherwise and so the swearing in a new government is sacrosanct. Anything otherwise would create a vacuum and indeed a constitutional contraption.
“In view of the preceding, we hereby call on all well-meaning Nigerians to stay calm and allow the law to take its course. We want to use this opportunity to call on all peace loving Nigerians resident in the FCT to refrain from inciting the public.
“Since 1999, all elections have been challenged in competent courts of jurisdiction, but none has ever stopped inauguration and swearing-in of a new government. This cannot be expected to be any different.
“In view of the need to maintain peace, order and rule of law, for any individual or groups that have any issue with the just concluded elections, we implore them to employ due legal means without provocations.
“We wish to reintegrate our call for law abiding citizens to join the law abiding and peace loving citizens to ensure maintenance of tranquil atmosphere for the successful handover and sustenance of peaceful neighborliness.
FCT News
Harmonisation of FCT Revenue will end Multiple Taxation, FCT-IRS Boss declares
The Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), Mr. Michael Ango, has declared that the ongoing harmonisation of revenue collection and administration will effectively address the issue of multiple taxation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Appearing on Channels Television’s Dateline Abuja, Ango revealed that the FCT-IRS is working closely with government agencies and the six area councils to ensure the seamless implementation of the initiative.
He commended FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike for his directive and support in streamlining the tax system to make it more efficient for taxpayers while boosting revenue.
“The minister has tasked us to ensure the issue of multiple taxes is resolved swiftly. To achieve this, we aligned with the Federal Government’s Tax Reform Committee, where I served before my appointment. The FCT has now been adopted as a pilot for tax harmonisation, and the process is already underway,” Ango stated.
He explained that under the new system, taxpayers will no longer need to interact with multiple agencies. Taxes and levies for bodies such as AGIS, Development Control, Water Board, Abuja Environmental Protection Agency, and area councils can now be paid through FCT-IRS, which will handle collection and remittance.
“For instance, if you have 30 houses, you don’t need three agents to manage your rent collection. With this harmonisation, all taxes and levies will be centrally collected and properly distributed to the relevant agencies,” he explained.
Ango also emphasized the importance of voluntary compliance, urging taxpayers to view paying taxes as a civic duty. He highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects and services across the FCT as evidence of the effective use of tax revenues, encouraging residents to support development by fulfilling their tax obligations.
The harmonisation initiative is expected to streamline tax processes, eliminate redundancies, and provide a more transparent and efficient system for revenue collection in the FCT.
FCT News
Timi Frank tells Tinubu to halt Wike’s demolition of FCT residents’ homes
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Comrade Timi Frank, has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately intervene and stop the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from demolishing the homes of economically vulnerable residents in Abuja.
In a statement from Abuja, Frank accused Wike of using demolitions as a ploy for land grabbing, alleging that Wike allocates revoked plots to his associates and personally benefits from this practice.
Frank expressed concern that the minister’s actions damage the reputation of Tinubu’s administration, branding Wike’s demolitions as “ill-timed” and self-serving.
Frank further alleged that Wike has taken more aggressive action than any past FCT minister, reportedly revoking land to distribute it to close allies and influential figures.
He claimed Wike advised affected residents to pursue legal action, while allegedly having influence over the judiciary.
Additionally, Frank asserted that Wike is using land sales to fund political conflicts outside the FCT, including with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
Frank warned Tinubu that failure to address Wike’s actions could damage the administration’s credibility and urged the President to act decisively by relieving Wike of his role.
He noted that Wike’s methods, similar to those used in Rivers State, are unwelcome in the FCT and called for swift action to prevent further harm to the government’s image and FCT residents.
FCT News
FCT Minister describes NYSC scheme as cornerstone to national integration
FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has described the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as a cornerstone of national integration and development since its inception in 1973.
Mahmoud spoke during the NYSC pre-mobilization workshop held in the nation’s capital, Abuja, stressing that the programme was designed to foster unity among young Nigerians.
Special Advisa on Media the Minister, Austine Elemue in a statement on Tuesday quoted the minister, who was the Chief Host of the event to have noted that the theme of the workshop, “Strengthening the NYSC mobilization process for effective service delivery” resonates deeply with the aspirations of the national vision.
Mahmoud charged stakeholders to play critical role in shaping the experiences of young Nigerian graduates, ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and mindset to contribute positively to the society.
“We are in a dynamic world where the needs of our communities are evolving rapidly.
“Therefore, our prospective corps members must be prepared to meet these challenges with creativity, resilience, and spirit of innovation.
“This workshop is an opportunity to share best practices, explore new ideas, and collaborate on strategies that will enhance the effectiveness of the NYSC programme”.
The minister used the occasion to commend the leadership of the NYSC for their unwavering commitment to improving the quality of service rendered by corps members.
“Your dedication to training and preparing our youth for the responsibilities they will undertake is commendable. By investing in their development, we are investing in the future of Nigeria,” she stressed.
While welcoming participants to the occasion, the NYSC Director General, Brig Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, noted that over the years, the NYSC programme has been the vanguard of nation building, fostering unity among the different nationalities as well as playing critical role in national development.
According to him, “the imprints of the scheme is all over the landscape of our nation from the mega cities to the very rural communities of Nigeria.”
Ahmed emphasised that the mobilization process is a very critical component of the service year that deserved all seriousness, adding that the place of effective service delivery in a successful mobilization process cannot be overemphasized.
The Director General, pledged that the management remains committed in ensuring that the right things are done at all times from the beginning to the end of the mobilization process
.
-
Crime1 year ago
Police nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News10 months ago
FCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year ago
Tinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi1 year ago
INEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi1 year ago
Echocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News1 year ago
IPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro8 months ago
‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News10 months ago
Kingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu