Metro

We’re not your problem, focus on challenges facing Nigerians, labour union replies Tinubu

Published

10 months ago

March 2, 2024

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to concentrate on the challenges facing Nigerians and work towards
tackling them instead of engaging in rhetoric and war of words with organised labour.

The NLC, which was reacting to remarks credited to the P
president on Thursday where he said that the labour unions lacked the moral ground to challenge his administration after only nine months, charged the president to show evidence of fulfilling any agreement reached with the organised labour within the said nine months of his administration.

The President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, in a statement addressed to Tinubu on Friday, specifically told the President that the NLC and Nigerian workers are not after his job, but that he should therefore focus on fulfilling his promises to Nigerians than threatening trade union organizations.

“The recent statements attributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the commissioning of the Red-Line Railway Project have sparked deep concern within the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),” Ajaero said.

“We find these remarks, particularly those concerning the role of Labour in governance, to be profoundly at variance with the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians under existing policies,” he continued.

“President Tinubu’s insinuation that Labour lacks the moral ground to challenge his administration, merely nine months into office, is deeply troubling.

“Moreover, his focus on partisan issues and the distant 2027 election cycle, rather than the urgent needs of the populace, further underscores a disconnect from the realities faced by Nigerians on a daily basis.

“It is regrettable that the President seems oblivious of the profound hardships endured by millions of Nigerians.

“The pervasive hunger, unemployment, housing, insecurity, and escalating costs of basic necessities such as food and healthcare demand immediate attention and decisive action.

“Yet, instead of addressing these pressing concerns, President Tinubu appears preoccupied with political calculations and future electoral prospects.

“The NLC wishes to emphasize that our primary objective is not to vie for political positions, including that of the President. Rather, our sole focus is on advocating for effective governance that prioritizes the welfare and security of all Nigerians.

“We urge President Tinubu to redirect his efforts towards fulfilling this fundamental duty of public office, rather than engaging in political rhetoric.

“It is imperative that we refocus our collective energy on addressing the substantive issues that have been the subject of engagement between Labour and the government since June 2023.

“These include critical matters such as wage increases, social welfare programs, infrastructure development, and the revitalization of key sectors such as education and healthcare.

“In any case, to avoid the dissipation of energy, it is important that we focus on the real issues because we have engaged the government since June 2023 after the subsidy is gone statement.

“The issues are around the non-implementation of agreements reached between us and the government.

“Once again Mr. President, these are the issues and not election or perhaps seeking to take over your job. We would want Mr. President to show us the items his government has implemented in this agreement.

“Perhaps, the government wants to tell Nigerians that we do not have right to ask that it complies with the agreement it willingly reached with us?

“But beside all these, in the two MoUs signed with this government on the 5th of June and October 2nd 2023, which item has his government implemented beside rhetoric. The first MoU has seven items while the second has 15 items.

“It has been a chain of broken promises not only to Labour but to hungry Nigerians. President Tinubu’s administration must be held accountable for the commitments made in previous agreements with Labour.

“It is disheartening to note the apparent lack of progress in implementing these agreements, despite repeated assurances from the government.

“Nigerians deserve transparency and tangible results, not empty promises and bureaucratic delays. Furthermore, the use of divisive language and veiled threats against Labour by President Tinubu is unacceptable.

“It is incumbent upon all stakeholders to foster constructive dialogue and collaboration in addressing the myriad challenges facing our nation.

“Violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic society, and any attempts to suppress dissent will only exacerbate tensions and undermine our collective efforts towards progress and prosperity.

“Finally, the NLC reiterates its unwavering commitment to championing the interests of Nigerian workers and the broader populace.

“We call upon President Tinubu to heed the voices of ordinary Nigerians, prioritize governance over politics, and take meaningful steps towards building a more inclusive and equitable society,“ NLC said.

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Metro

Zambian law association kicks over suspension of two members

Published

59 minutes ago

December 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has kicked against the suspension of two of its council members, Arnold Kaluba, the LAZ Honorary Secretary and Junior Lawyers Committee Chair, along with Mulenga Sholomo, the House and Welfare Committee Chair.

The suspended lawyers have already approached the Lusaka High Court to seek a judicial review of their suspensions during the festive season.

In their filings, the two claim their suspension and referral to the Legal Practitioners Committee (LPC) for disciplinary action were illegal and procedurally flawed.

They further argued that the decision which was made without a fair hearing, has damaged their reputations as legal practitioners and threatens their livelihoods.

Zambia Monitor reports that the dispute that led to the suspension of the lawyers stemmed from a letter the duo sent to the LPC on behalf of 399 newly qualified lawyers, scheduled to be called to the Bar in December 2024.

These lawyers had repeatedly raised concerns about paying the full 2024 subscription fees, given they would only be practicing for a few weeks that year but in its response, the LPC offered a compromise which was a reduced fee of K3,025, half the usual K6,050 annual fee.

Dissatisfied with the lack of a council position on the matter, Kaluba and Sholomo independently appealed to the LPC, urging them to reconsider the fees and establish a clearer policy for future cases.

Their actions reportedly angered LAZ president Lungisani Zulu, who accused them of undermining the council and acting without authority which led to their suspension.

Following their letter, Zulu allegedly demanded their removal from the council’s WhatsApp group and issued an ultimatum to resign or face disciplinary action but when they refused to step down, letters of suspension were issued to them.

“The applicants claim this move violated the rules of natural justice, as they were not given an opportunity to defend themselves. Their repeated requests for a council meeting to discuss the matter were also ignored,” the medium reported.

“Kaluba and Sholomo are now asking the court to overturn their suspension and restore them to their positions. Among their demands are a declaration that their suspension was illegal and irrational, an order to reinstate them as council members, and an expedited judicial review of the decision.

“They also want the court to rule that LAZ failed to hear their side of the story, a move they argue was contrary to principles of fairness and transparency.

“The applicants maintain that their actions were driven by the welfare of LAZ members, particularly the newly qualified lawyers struggling to meet the financial demands of the profession.”

Metro

Zambian court orders ex-Defence minister to pay $899,970, K10m to govt

Published

23 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has ordered jailed former Zambian Minister of Defence, Geoffrey Mwamba, to pay the government the sum of US $899,970 and K10 million, following his conviction on charges related to multiple corruption.

The order which was given on Wednesday by Principal Resident Magistrate, Stanford Ngobola, required Mwamba to pay $399,985 for count 10, $499,985 for count 11, and K10 million for count 12.

The judge also directed that failure to comply with the ruling would result in the issuance of a warrant of distress against the former minister.

Zambia Monitor reports that Mwamba was convicted on October 9, 2024, on eight counts bordering on conflict of interest, one count of money laundering, and four counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The State had applied for the payment order under Section 15(8) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010.

During the trial, Zambian anti-corruption commission investigator, Masautso Mwale, disclosed in an affidavit that investigations revealed funds linked to counts 10-13 had been withdrawn from bank accounts held at Investrust Bank PLC and First Alliance Bank.

The accounts, including those tied to Germins Motorways Limited and Arizona Marketing and Distributors, showed minimal or no remaining balances, Mwale said.

The State also argued that the court could issue a payment order as an alternative to forfeiture and warned that failure to recover the funds would prejudice the government.

In his defense, Mwamba’s legal team opposed the application, citing an ongoing appeal in the High Court.

His team argued that issuing the payment order could prejudice him if the appeal succeeded, referencing precedents emphasizing the need to await appeal conclusions before enforcement.

However, Magistrate Ngobola dismissed Mwamba’s objection, referencing the Leah Tekumwezo Mpondela v. The People case, which held that forfeiture applications could proceed despite pending appeals.

The court highlighted safeguards in Section 11(4) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act, ensuring forfeited property cannot be disposed of during an appeal.

In his conclusion, Ngobola ruled that due diligence had shown the funds could not be located, making a payment order the appropriate remedy.