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Senate directs ECOWAS Commission to reinstate sacked Nigerian director
The Senate has directed the ECOWAS Commission to ensure the immediate reinstatement of Mrs Tokunbo Lijadu-Oyemade, its former director of administration who was sacked by the commission, 17 years ago.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, gave the directive while ruling on the petition brought by Lijadu-Oyemade before his panel.
Akinyelure wondered why the sub-continental agency ignored court ruling, Senate resolution and a directive by a former Foreign Affairs minister on the matter.
The sacked director, according to her petition, had approached the 8th Senate over the issue and the red chamber after it deliberated on her case, passed a resolution, demanding her reinstatement.
The petitioner added that she approached the Court when the ECOWAS Commission allegedly failed to comply with directives and also got a judgment directing the sub-continental agency to reinstate her.
She therefore requested the Senate to look into the matter by directing the ECOWAS Commission to reinstate her and pay all her entitlements.
The letter sent to the President, ECOWAS Commission, Jean Claude Kossi Brau, by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, dated June 23, 2020, on the matter, was obtained by our correspondent on Friday.
The Minister pleaded with Brau to rescind the Commission’s decision and reinstate the petitioner because the development was already affecting her social status.
The letter with reference number ECO 190/Vol.Ii was titled, “Re: Long Standing case of Mrs. Tokunbo Lijadu-Oyemade with the ECOWAS Commission”
It read in part, “I write in respect of the above subject matter, to remind you that the issue has lingered for 16 years and remained unresolved by the ECOWAS Commission, despite several requests by the Federal Government of Nigeria for a review of the case.
“As you may be aware, Mrs Tokunbo Lijadu-Oyemade was seconded from the Federal Civil Service of Nigeria in the year 2000 to fill the vacant quota post of Director of Administration in ECOWAS Commission.
“Unfortunately, she was dismissed from service at the Commission in 2004, under circumstances which she has been contesting for years.
“It is significant to note that that her dismissal is having negative impact on her social status.
“Considering that the matter has lingered for years, I wish to crave your indulgence to address it once and for all.
“It is pertinent to note that all the letters written in the past with a view to resolving the matter were not acted upon by the Commission.
“A case in point was the letter written on 23rd May 2011by the then Chairman of Council, Odein Ajumogobia. where he invoked his powers in Rule 13(3) of the 2010 Rules of procedure of Council having discovered the flaws at the 57th Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers held in Ouagadougou on 18th and 19th December 2006 as it relates to Mrs. Lijadu-Oyemade’s case .
“In view of the discovery, he (Ajumogobia) directed the then ECOWAS President to:
“(a) Rescind Regulation C.REG/29/12/06 adopted by the 57th Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in December 2006, as it concerns Council’s directive to the then President of the ECOWAS Commission to terminate the appointment of Mrs.Tokunbo Lijadu-Oyemade as Director of Administration.
“(b) Direct the immediate reinstatement of Mrs Tokunbo Lijadu-Oyemade in accordance with Article 65(b) and 73(b) of the ECOWAS Staff regulations, 1993and 2005 respectively and immediate compliance with the judgments delivered between 10th October, 2005 and 16th of November, 2006, particularly paragraph 77(5) of judgment ECW/CCJ/APP/04/06 delivered on 16th November, 2006.
“(c) Direct the Professional Staff Representatives to prepare, in collaboration with Mrs. Lijadu-Oyemade, to present the prepared, already signed and translated Memorandum of Appeal to the 67th Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers through the AFC in November 2011.
“It is important to note that the instructions were never complied with by successive presidents of the Commission till date.”
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the demise of its Enugu State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Franklin O Agbakoba.
This is contained in a statement issued by FRSC Deputy Corps Commander in-charge of Enugu State Operations, DCC Kyrian C Okolo, on Friday in Enugu.
“FRSC Enugu State Sector Command received the sad news of the demise of CC Franklin Agbakoba on Thursday, July 30,2026.
“The late Sector Commander died at Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu where he was receiving treatment.
“His corpse have been deposited at the Eastern Medical Center, Enugu,” he said.
Until his death,CC Franklin Agbakoba made inter-agency collaboration and partnership his legacy and promoted safer roads within Enugu State.
The family’s head, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, made the demand during an interview with Arise News on Thursday.
“I think the family needs apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said.
He described his uncle as a visionary leader who was wrongly punished for a coup he had no role in.
“He was a man of vision. He was a detribalized Nigerian. He was a good leader,” he said.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi noted that his uncle’s tenure as Head of State was brief and ended violently.
“He occupied the seat of head of state for only six months, and he was taken away from us.
“Not because of a sin he committed, because he wasn’t part of the January 1966 coup.”
According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi’s death resulted from his position rather than any wrongdoing on his part.
“Only because of his position as the most senior military officer, he was told to take charge. And then that cost him his life,” he said.
He expressed hope that his appeal would reach those with the power to act on it.
“Well, I hope there are people who are in positions to make this happen that are listening to you tonight,” he said.
Aguiyi-Ironsi served as Nigeria’s Head of State from January 16 to July 29, 1966, taking charge in the aftermath of the January 15, 1966 coup that had claimed the lives of the country’s political leadership.
He survived that coup and helped crush the mutiny, but his later decision to centralise power under Decree 34, along with his failure to prosecute the plotters, fuelled resentment among northern officers.
He was killed on July 29, 1966, alongside his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, in a mutiny by northern soldiers that became known as the July counter-coup
The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
Addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, the circular said the order took immediate effect and formed part of efforts to uphold professional standards within the apex court.
The memorandum read, “I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
It further directed all affected officers to immediately stop using the title in official correspondence and other official materials.
The memo stated, “Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect.”
The memorandum added, “Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”
The directive comes weeks after the Council of Legal Education cautioned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council said such conduct undermined the dignity of the legal profession and warned that violators could face disciplinary measures.
It also reminded candidates that the use of legal regalia is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and is reserved for duly qualified legal practitioners
The Enugu State Government says it has intensified fight against quackery across all health professions, particularly in the laboratory practice within the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, revealed this on Friday while receiving the National President of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Dr. Casimir Ifeanyi, on a courtesy visit to his office in Enugu.
Ugwu decried the growing trend of unprofessional practices and establishments where laboratory services are combined with pharmacies, patient treatment areas, provision stores, and other unauthorised activities.
According to him, such practices are unacceptable and dangerous to public health.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate quackery especially in laboratory practices and operations through sustained monitoring, regulation and enforcement.
The commissioner also commended the association for its dedication to promoting excellence in medical laboratory science and public health advocacy.
He assured the team of the ministry’s willingness to collaborate with professional bodies whose activities align with the government’s vision of delivering accessible, quality, and people-centred healthcare services across the state.
Ugwu stressed the remarkable strides recorded under the administration of Gov. Peter Mbah in transforming the health sector, including investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, primary healthcare revitalisation and improved service delivery.
He urged the association to remain steadfast in upholding professionalism and ethical standards, emphasising that stronger partnerships between government and healthcare professionals remained essential in building a healthier Enugu State.
Earlier, Ifeanyi, who made the visit with some members of his national executive and Enugu State Chapter of AMLSN, briefed the commissioner on the association’s forthcoming AMLSN Annual Public Health Lecture.
He solicited the state government’s goodwill, support and participation in the event, which would be held in Enugu.
“The annual lecture is aimed at advancing quality healthcare delivery, promoting public health awareness, and fostering stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals and government institutions,” he said.
He noted that the association remained committed to improving professional standards and supporting initiatives that would enhance healthcare outcomes for residents of Enugu State and Nigeria at large.
…Inaugurates Amufie Town Union executives
By Chinedu Sabastine
The Enugu State Government has urged Town Union President Generals (PGs) across the state to adopt inclusive leadership that promotes peace, unity and sustainable development in their communities.
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Chief Charles Egumgbe, gave the charge on Wednesday while inaugurating the newly elected 14-member executives of the Amufie Town Union in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
The executive committee, led by the President-General, Engr. Kenneth Okechukwu Ogili, was presented with certificates of return at the ministry’s headquarters in Enugu.
Egumgbe urged the new leadership to ensure transparency, accountability and regular engagement with members, stressing that women and youths must be carried along in decision-making.
He advised the executives against operating exclusive caucuses, noting that town union affairs should be conducted openly through regular meetings where decisions are collectively taken.
“You must carry everybody along. Let your policies be all-inclusive and ensure that members are well informed about your activities. Matters should be tabled before the executive and decisions reached collectively,” he said.
The commissioner warned against abuse of office, particularly in matters relating to community land, stressing that anyone found working against the interest of the community could be removed under the state’s Town Union law.
“I don’t know whether you will receive remuneration because this is service to humanity. But whatever you do, don’t sell community land illegally. Land has a way of fighting for itself,” he cautioned.
Responding, the new inaugurated President-General, Ogili, pledged to lead with transparency and work closely with his executive to promote peace, unity and development in Amufie.
He said the administration would prioritise security by strengthening the neighbourhood watch and collaborating with security agencies to flush out criminals from identified flashpoints.
Ogili also promised to maintain a cordial working relationship with the traditional ruler of the community.
“The Igwe is our father. We have different constitutional roles, and there will be no conflict between us. We shall work harmoniously for the peace and progress of Amufie,” he said.
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