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A tripartite meeting involving Governor Peter Obi, legislators and the state's elders council on Thursday in Awka, resolved the impasse over the 2008 Appropriation Bill.
A tripartite meeting involving Governor Peter Obi, legislators and the state's elders council on Thursday in Awka, resolved the impasse over the 2008 Appropriation Bill.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tripartite meeting resolved that the legislature should pass the appropriation bill next week.
Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the state's first civilian governor said the meeting, which took place at Government House, Awka, agreed that the budget should be passed next week.
'The budget will be passed as agreed," he said, but did not say whether the bill will be passed as presented by the governor.
There has been controversy in the House since the Finance and Appropriation Committee presented ``a heavily slashed version of the budget'' on the floor of the house, which had been working on the bill for almost four months.
The budget of N84.2 billion presented by Obi was slashed to N57.66 billion by
the finance and appropriation committee. Mr. Anayo Nebe, the Speaker of the House, had tried to ensure the early passage of the bill, but his efforts were frustrated by some lawmakers, leading to a stalemate.
The disagreement between the two groups in the House led to a fight which prompted the elders' intervention and the convening of a peace meeting.
NAN observed that both Obi and the Speaker, Mr. Nebe, who attended the meeting refused to speak on its outcome.
However, Mr. Tim Egboka, representing Aguata 1 Constituency, said that the parties would abide by a report to be presented by the elders' council.
Also reacting, Mr. Uchenna Ogbonna, a member representing Orumba North Constituency, told NAN that the parties had resolved their differences.
He said he was confident that the elders' forum would come out with a report that would promote the interest of the state.
The meeting was attended by members of the state executive council and legislators.
Elders at the meeting included Dr. Ezeife, Dr. Tim Menakaya, Prof. Pita Ejiofor, and prominent traditional rulers of the state.
Absence of witness stalls murder trial
The absence from court of Abdul Mohammed, a prosecution witness in the on-going trial of Aminu Mohammed and Lateef Shofolahan stalled proceedings yesterday.
Aminu and Shofolahan are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted murder of former leader of Afenifere, Pa Abraham Adesanya in 1997.
At resumption of hearing at the Lagos High Court, counsel to the Lagos State government, Mr. Femi Adamson, told the court that the state was having difficulties getting hold of its witnesses.
'As I had earlier told the court, we have five more witnesses to call but we could not get hold of any of them for today,'' Adamson said.
Justice Olusola Williams consequently adjourned the case to May 14 and 15, for continuation of trial.