The Abia State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill to stop the payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies in the state.
The move was a way of reducing the cost of governance in the state.
It is entitled, “A Bill (H.A.B 11:) for a Law to Revoke The Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters connected therewith.”
The bill was sponsored by the Majority Leader and member Representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Mr Uchanna Okoro.
The Speaker, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa, announced the passage of the bill after its first, second reading, consideration at the committee of the whole and its third reading during the day’s plenary.
Emeruwa, while congratulating members, said the bill would reduce the state’s governance expenses and redirect resources toward development.
According to the speaker, the bill, once assented to by the governor, would be referred to as “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024.”
The speaker said that the bill would take effect immediately, Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
[3/20, 10:28 AM] Kazeem Badmus: Labourer Gets 15 Months Jail For Stealing Qurans Inside Mosque
A labourer, Terkaa Akishi (36) was on Tuesday, sentenced to 15 months in prison for stealing two Qurans and a cell phone from a Mosque in the Asokoro area of Abuja.
He was sentenced by a Grade 1 Area Court sitting at Lugbe, Abuja where he was charged with trespass and theft.
The prosecutor, Mr Emeka Ezeganya, had told the court that the case was reported at the Asokoro Police Station by Mr Isah Balikisu of Guards Brigade, Nigeria Army, Asokoro, Abuja, on March 14.
He said that the convict trespassed into a mosque in the place and stole a cell phone and two Qurans.
The prosecutor said that the value of the stolen items had yet to be ascertained.
He said that the items were recovered from Akishi during police investigation.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 348 and 287 of the Penal Code. (NAN)
The suspect had earlier pleaded guilty before the Judge, Malam Aliyu Kagarko, sentenced Akishi.
Kagarko, however, gave him an option of N40,000 fine.
