Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed legislation that will grant former presidents lifetime immunity once they leave office . The bill, which was published online Tuesday, gives former presidents and their families immunity from prosecution for crimes committed during their lifetime . They will also be exempt from questioning by police or investigators , as well as searches or arrests . The legislation was part of constitutional amendments that were approved this summer in a nationwide vote that allow Putin, 68, to remain president until 2036. Prior to the bill becoming law , former presidents were immune from prosecution only for crimes committed while in office . Now a former president can still be stripped of immunity if accused of treason or other grave crimes and the charges are confirmed by the Supreme and Constitutional courts . But the legislation Putin signed on Tuesday will additionally grant former presidents a lifetime seat in the Federation Council or Senate, a position that assures immunity from prosecution upon leaving the presidency. Last month, the pending bills sparked rumours that the longtime Russian leader is planning to step down because of poor health — a claim the Kremlin denied. On Tuesday the lower house State Duma passed legislation making information about employees of Russia ’ s judicial system , law enforcement and regulatory and military bodies confidential. The bill now requires Putin’ s signature to become law , a step that is considered a formality . It comes a day after opposition figure Alexei Navalny said he telephoned an alleged security agent and tricked him into admitting the Federal Security Service tried to kill him in August by poisoning. Navalny said he had gained access to the security agent ’ s phone number from leaked logs and travel records . The Kremlin critic later published the agent ’ s alleged address and phone number , actions that would become illegal under the newly proposed legislation . ( AFP)

The Federal Government has again assured that the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities would soon come to an end . The assurances followed the payment of part of the arrears of salaries to the university lecturers in line with the agreement reached with the union . Some lecturers confirmed that they had been paid two months ’ salary arrears. Speaking at the meeting with ASUU on Tuesday, the Minister of Labour and Employment , Senator Chris Ngige, assured that the strike would be called off before January 15. Referring to an ultimatum issued by some students , the minister said the industrial action would be resolved before January 15, noting , however , that he had not received a letter from the students threatening to embark on protests if the strike was not called off. Ngige said , “ The government would disappoint all those wishing for the protests as all the matters in dispute must have been resolved by January 15. “ Those who want to use the #EndASUU protest to destroy public and private property or lecturers’ homes will be disappointed. “ I am optimistic that the meeting will produce the final result that will make everybody happy, ” Ngige said . Expressing optimism about the meeting, the minister informed ASUU that he had received confirmation from the FG that most of the grey areas had been dealt with . “ We are hopeful that ASUU will then take the report of what we achieved today to their members . We allow social dialogue in line with ILO conventions for all employers and employee , to guide this meeting, ” he stated . The ASUU President , Prof Biodun Ogunyemi , said they sympathised with their students who are also their children, adding that “ no amount of sacrifice would be too much to get the matter resolved as long as the government is consistent with its commitments ” . Ogunyemi said they came for the meeting with all sense of responsibility to resolve the crisis in the interest of the students and their members , who , he said had been starving . He , however , reiterated that only the National Executive Committee of ASUU could announce the suspension of the strike.

Imo governor, Hope Uzodimma on Tuesday signed the 2021 budget of N346.2 billion tagged “Budget of Wealth Creation” into law. According to the press statement released by Oguwike Nwachuku, the CPS/Media Adviser to Governor, the ceremony took place at the Executive Chambers of the Government House, Owerri, Imo state. Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Speaker Imo State House Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem and Principal Officers of Imo State House of Assembly and members of the Imo State expanded executive witnessed the signing. While presenting the Budget for the Governor’s assent, the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emeziem said they have “done justice to the appropriation bill”. Emeziem noted that the budget passed through the due process of First, Second and Third reading. Putting the official seal on the 2021 appropriation bill as passed by the House of Assembly, Uzodimma said the estimate was “a realistic thinking of what will drive Imo State to the next level, if fully implemented.” The Governor reiterated the tag of the budget which is “Budget of Wealth Creation” and emphasised that if well implemented will address the unemployment problems in the State. Also, that it will provide infrastructure, provide counterpart funding to the State’s global partners and bridge the gaps that exist to both the State local economy and other economies. He noted that the Executive Arm of government has the responsibility to “drive the appropriated revenue, generate the revenue through her MDAs, spend the revenue as appropriated and ensure that the performance profile of the budget as passed into law is reasonable. Uzodimma thanked the leadership and members of the Imo State House of Assembly for their prompt and timely passage of the appropriation bill.