The House of Representatives has said it will urgently investigate the intermittent tremor in parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
This is sequel to a motion by Honourable Kingsley Chinda during a sitting on Wednesday, stating that no concrete explanation has been given for the reason behind the tremor despite various investigations.
Honourable Chinda said residents of Abuja are living in constant fear from the tremor, adding that and if the situation is not properly and promptly addressed, could lead to loss of lives.
The tremors, which began on the night of September 16, 2024, alarmed residents, with reports of six to eight seismic events being recorded. First detected at about 11:00 p.m., the tremors led to widespread concern due to loud noises and ground shaking in the vicinity.
During a ministerial press briefing, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, assured the public that a team of experts from the Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics (an arm of the National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA), is actively analyzing the tremors using sophisticated earthquake analysis software.
According to data from seismographs, the tremors included three foreshocks and three aftershocks, with the main seismic event occurring at 11:18:37 p.m., which recorded a local magnitude of 3.1 and a focal depth of 11 km.
This significant geological disturbance, experts believe, may be attributed to the reactivation of faults within the Mpape locality, a region that has experienced similar tremors in the past, notably between September 5 and 7, 2018.
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Kekere-Ekun Vows Zero Tolerance For Corruption In Judiciary
The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has vowed to ensure that petitions are dealt with speedily to foster integrity within the judiciary.
Justice Kekere- Ekun, a 1974 Queens College Alumnus and a Life Bencher pledged to do her best and uphold the integrity of the judiciary, the rule of law and defend the Constitution of Nigeria.
She made the vow during her appearance before the Senate on Wednesday for screening and confirmation as the substantial CJN.
“I am known for integrity and discipline, I will ensure zero tolerance for corruption,” Kekere-Ekun assured.
“There is a need to insulate the judiciary, push for better welfare for judicial officers to ensure they perform at their optimal. Appointment of Judicial officers will also be stringently done.”
The Acting CJN also called for improvement in the laws to enhance the nations independence while underscoring the restriction in the number of cases presented to the Supreme Court.
She particularly suggested that all pre-election cases should terminate at the Court of Appeal.
According to her, there is the need to strengthen attitude during elections to obliterate the need to head to always court.
When asked about the abuse of Ex parte orders, the CJN asserted that any officer found culpable will be dealt with decisively. She avers that where there are indiscriminate grants of interim injunctions as well, same will apply.
The Acting CJN warned that there will be a tightening of the existing disciplinary procedures within the judiciary.
Following President Bola Tinubu’s letter to the Senate on Tuesday, seeking the confirmation of Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the lawmakers commenced her screening on Wednesday.
She was admitted to the Senate chambers alongside other accompanying judges of the Supreme Court, judicial officers, and senior assistants to the president on National Assembly matters.
