News
RMAFC Reafirms Commitment To Recomend Appropriate Renumeration For Public, Political And Judicial Office Holders
Joel Ajayi
The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, has reiterated the Commission’s commitment to upholding its constitutional mandate of reviewing and recommending the remuneration of political, public, and judicial office holders in accordance with the Act establishing the Commission.
Dr. M. B. Shehu stated this when he received a delegation from the Iinvestment and Security Tribunal (IST) led by the Chairman, Hon. Amos Isaac Azi, who came on a courtesy visit.
Dr. Shehu assured the delegation that the Commission would conduct a thorough review of the IST’s salary structure to ensure alignment with constitutional provisions.
Commending the tribunal for its critical role in Nigeria’s capital market, Dr. M. B. Shehu, acknowledged its global recognition as one of the leading specialized tribunals, noting that similar models have been adopted internationally. He emphasized the tribunal’s significant contribution to investor confidence by efficiently resolving disputes among investors, companies, and individuals, thereby ensuring stability in the financial sector.
“We recognize the remarkable work being done by the IST, and its reputation as a model tribunal in capital market adjudication is well deserved. Your role in ensuring swift and fair dispute resolution is instrumental to investor confidence and market stability. Given the importance of your work, it is only right that we give due attention to your remuneration structure to ensure it reflects your responsibilities,” Dr. M. B. Shehu stated.
The Chairman emphasised that the Commission would revisit the matter with a renewed sense of urgency. “We understand that processes like these take time, as they require comprehensive review and input from various stakeholders.
However, the Commission will ensure that this matter receives the attention it deserves. We have within the Commission highly experienced legal professionals, including a commissioner with extensive expertise, who will oversee the review. Once their findings are concluded, we will make a final recommendation.”
Earlier in his address, Hon. Amos Isaac Azi disclosed that the purpose of the visit was to seek the support of RMAFC in ensuring that the remuneration of the Chairman, members and Chief Registrar of his organisation should be equivalent to that of the Chief Judge, Judges and Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court respectively as enshrined in section 220 of the Investment and Security Act 2007.
He expressed gratitude to Dr. M.B Shehu for the promp attention given to them and praised the Commission for its steadfastness and commitment to the implementation of its mandate.
Speeking further, he said, “As the custodian of investment dispute resolution in Nigeria, the Investment and Securities Tribunal must remain a beacon of efficiency and investor confidence. Just as the law mandates parity in remuneration between the Tribunal and the Federal High Court, so must its implementation reflect this statutory provision without delay,”
Hon. Azi also highlighted the tribunal’s achievements, including the resolution of over ₦1.3 trillion worth of disputes in favor of investors and government agencies, and its pioneering role in introducing verbatim transcription and virtual hearings in Nigeria.
The IST Chairman presented the Nigerian Investment and Securities Tribunal Law Reports, a publication showcasing its commitment to legal excellence and transparency in capital market adjudication to the Chairman of RMAFC
In her vote of thanks, Hon. Rakiya Tanko Ayuba Haruna, mni, Federal Commissioner representing Kebbi State in RMAFC, expressed appreciation for the IST’s engagement with the Commission .
She reaffirmed RMAFC’s dedication to ensuring that all public institutions receive fair and just remuneration, in line with constitutional provisions.
“RMAFC remains committed to reviewing and recommending appropriate remuneration structures, ensuring compliance with constitutional mandates while supporting institutions like the Investments and Securities Tribunal in their efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s financial sector,” she said.
Politics
Wike’s Loyalists in PDP Suspend Acting Chairman Damagum, Spokesman Ologunagba, Others
Cyril Ogar
The Peoples Democratic Party has plunged deeper into crisis as fresh divisions emerged within its leadership, with a faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announcing the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and five other members of the National Working Committee.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Saturday on behalf of the factional NWC, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announced the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the Acting National Chairman.
He stated, “First of all, we want to commend the judiciary over the judgment of yesterday, which is a victory for the entire PDP members all over. Nobody can claim victory over the judgment of the court. It is a judgment against impunity, against illegality. We promote unity, peace, and cohesion in the party.
“Having said that, the party did not overlook the activities of some members of the NWC who have already decided to cause disaffection in the party, which has made most of our leaders and governors leave the party in droves. I would say that this is the time to arrest such a situation and call it to order.
“On this note, after the emergency meeting, we decided, as a party, to suspend Ambassador Damagum, the National Chairman of the party, for incompetence, misappropriation of party funds, and flagrant disobedience of court judgments. We decided that we should suspend him for one month, and we will send him to the Disciplinary Committee for him to be able to answer questions.
“Secondly, we have overwhelming evidence against the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba. We have seen the frequent press releases by the National Publicity Secretary which was confirmed that even at a point, the then National Vice Chairman suspended him for appearing or defending the party because of the unapproved frequent press releases. For us to have sanity in the party, we have suspended him.”
Anyanwu also announced the suspension of the National Deputy Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, accusing him of failing to properly advise Damagum against engaging in anti-party activities and reckless behavior.
He continued, “On that note, he is also suspended for 30 days. Now, we talk about the National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro. We have discovered that in the last few days and months, there have been congresses and sales of forms meant for our congresses, which were bought and paid into two different accounts controlled by the National Financial Secretary. So, on this note, he has been suspended, and we are sending him to the Disciplinary Committee. We are also going to involve the financial agencies to look into those activities.
“Again, the Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, PDP Youth all over, if you watched yesterday, the youth leaders all over the country met and said that they don’t want Mohammed Kandede to be their youth leader again because he has never activated the youth wing of our party, and that wing has been abandoned. For that reason, he has also been suspended for one month.
“Finally, the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo who is supposed to be my deputy, is also suspended for one month. He resumed the office of the National Secretary illegally, signed all kinds of letters, especially to some states, where he has caused disaffection among our party members in those states. For that reason, he has also been suspended for 30 days.
“All of them are sent to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled from the party. The judgment of yesterday confirmed the reason why this suspension should be effective. In their place, especially the National Chairman, we are asking the National Vice Chairman (North-Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman to act as National Chairman. In the place of the National Publicity Secretary, we are going to ask the Director of Publicity of our party, Chinwen Nnorom, to take over all the activities of the party in terms of information.”
According to Anyanwu, ten members of the NWC were in attendance.
Earlier, the NWC under Damagum’s leadership announced the suspension of Senator Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two other members.
Despite the scheduled National Elective Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, internal strife continues to grip the party.
Supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, remain dissatisfied with the leadership of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum.
Their grievances revolve around unresolved disputes concerning the South-South zonal leadership and control of party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States. In addition, disagreements over the micro-zoning arrangement ahead of the convention have further deepened divisions within the PDP.
These ongoing conflicts eventually escalated into a legal confrontation aimed at halting the planned convention. On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim injunction restraining the PDP from proceeding with the convention until further notice.
In case number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, the court ruled that the PDP must suspend its convention pending full compliance with its own constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act of 2022.
The case was filed by three aggrieved PDP members Austin Nwachukwu, the Imo State PDP Chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, the Abia State PDP Chairman; and Turnah Alabh George, the PDP Secretary for the South-South zone.
They argued that the planned convention violated both the Electoral Act and the party’s internal regulations, citing the PDP’s failure to conduct valid congresses in 14 states before issuing the convention notice.
Justice Omotosho upheld their arguments, ruling that the PDP had indeed breached its constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and INEC’s guidelines by neglecting to conduct proper state congresses and failing to provide the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC.
Consequently, the court ordered the suspension of the planned convention until all internal irregularities are corrected in accordance with the law.
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