The Nigerian Copyright Commission’s and Legal Aid Council of Nigeria’s respective directors general, John Ohireime Asein and Aliyu Bagudu Abubakar, have both had their terms extended by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The news was made in a statement released in Abuja on Sunday by Modupe Ogundoro, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
She claims that in accordance with Sections 3(1) and (2) of the Legal Aid Act, CAP. L9, Abubakar’s appointment, which was extended for a second and final term of four years, was communicated by letter Ref: PRES/97/HAGF/174 on January 12, 2023.
The appointment of Asein was renewed for a second and final tenure of four years and conveyed vide letter Ref: PRES/97/HAGF/175 January 12 2023 in line with Section 36 (1) and (2) of the Nigerian Copyright Commission Act, CAP C28.
She said, “In a related development, President Muhammadu Buhari, also approved the appointment of Abiodun Ayodeji Aikomo, as Secretary of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee for an initial period of four years in line with Section 471 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 vide letter Ref: PRES/97/HAGF/173.
“In separate congratulatory letters issued on January 13 2023 and signed by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, she stated that the renewal of appointments of the two Directors-General took effect from January 12 2023 and that their emoluments and other conditions of service were provided under the Certain Political Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) (Amendment) Act 2008.
“Jedy-Agba further stated that the renewal of appointment of the duo was predicated on the laudable achievements recorded by the various agencies during their first tenures. She urged them to use their second tenures to consolidate and move the agencies to the next level.
“However, the congratulatory letter issued to Aikomo stated that his appointment took effect from January 16 2023 and that the appointment was in consideration of the President’s confidence in Aikomo’s ability to perform and live up to the challenges of his office.
“The SGF/PS extended her best wishes to the trios in the discharge of the onerous responsibilities saddled on them.”
