Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has asked those crying and protesting over sack of 21 directors and heads of government owned companies to stop wasting their efforts in frustrating his reforms. The Minister said no sentiments or emotion would be considered in his strides to reform the nation’s capital. Reports confirmed that Staffs of Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company AUMTCO, were seen in a viral video protesting and crying over the sack of the company’s managing director. The MD and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Najeeb Abdulsalam, was among the 21 heads of parastatals, agencies,…
Author: Kunle Dada
In a very shocking manner, Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has invalidated the victory of Governor Abdullahi Sule. Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, leading a three-man panel, announced the decision via zoom, declaring Emmanuel Ombudagu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the rightful winner. Justice Ezekiel held that the petitioner successfully demonstrated their case beyond a reasonable doubt and deserves his victory. Report has it that notable political figures, including ex-Governors Abdullahi Adamu and Tanko Al-makura, were present at the court during the proceedings. It should also be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had initially declared Abdullahi…
There are indications that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is prepared to take strict action against individuals found invading the revoked landed properties, as validated by the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike. It was gathered that the officials from the Development Control Department of FCTA, headed by Director Muktar Galadima, checked an attempt by the owners of the revoked land in Maitama District who attempted to kickstart development on the sites, despite the revocation order in place. It should be recalled that the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike had revoked no fewer than 165 plots of land in the service…
The federal government has denied claims suggesting that it entered into a nolle prosequi plea-bargain agreement with the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. The office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) in a statement on Sunday, October 1, AGF said no such deal currently exists, even though Emefiele’s legal team had spoken about it during a court hearing. The statement was signed and issued by the Director (Press and Public Relations) Federal Ministry of Justice, Modupe Ogundoro. The statement reads: “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the…
Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State, Abubakar Achimugu, seeking to nullify the primary election of the party, which produced Usman Ododo as the APC governorship candidate for the election fixed for November 11 in the state. The dismissal was necessary considering the withdrawal by the appellant. Achimugu had approached the trial court with a suit seeking to disqualify Ododo on the ground that he did not resign his employment with the Kogi State public service 30 days before contesting the governorship primary election. But the trial court, in…
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has directed his legal team to immediately proceed with an appeal against today’s judgment of the governorship election tribunal that upheld the election of Sheriff Oborevwori as governor of Delta State. Senator Omo-Agege opined that the Tribunal failed to reckon with the fundamental flaws in the March 18, 2023 governorship election that mortally rendered the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the winner untenable. Thus, the election petition by Omo-agege was struck out by the Tribunal on Friday for lacking merit. The three-member tribunal headed by Justice…
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kaduna has declared the 2023 governorship election in Kaduna state inconclusive. According to report from Vanguard, the tribunal, subsequent to the resumption of the proceeding on Thursday, in a divided decision of a ratio of 2:1, it was declared that the election is inconclusive and ordered that a supplementary election should be held by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within 90 days. The 3-man panel led by Justice Victor Oviawe therefore ordered a rerun of election in 24 polling units in seven wards of four local governments consisting of 16,300 registered voters.…
The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Kaduna State, on Thursday, dismissed the preliminary objection filed by the State Governor, Uba Sani, on the timeliness of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Isah Ashiru. In response, the three-man panel led by Justice Victor Oviawe affirmed that the petition was filed on April 10, 2023, thereby dismissing the argument of Sani – the second respondent. Hence, the argument of Sani’s legal team that the petition put forward by the petitioners was filed outside the 21-day window allowed by the law couldn’t fly. It should be recalled…
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo has discarded the petition brought before it by the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ezekiel Nyaetok, challenging the election of Pastor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The tribunal had earlier thrown out suit number EPW/AKS/GOV/03/23, brought by the governorship candidate of the NNPP, Senator John James Akpan Udoedehe, challenging the election of the governor. Nyaetok of ADC challenged other candidates who scored more votes than him, alleging that they were handicapped by litigations and legal bars which hampered their eligibility to participate in the elections.…
The Department of State Services (DSS), has established a new Directorate of Public Relations and Strategic Communications (DPRSC). According to the statement, the erstwhile public relations officer, Peter Afunanya, is to head the new unit as the supervising director. He is also going to be in charge of the service’s public communications according to the statement. Additionally, the service commended it’s boss, Yusuf Buchi for bringing up such innovation and appropriate appointment. The statement reads: “Afunanya comes to his new role with over 20 years vast and rich experience in Intelligence analysis, threat assessment, security administration, VIP protection/detailing, investigation,…
The Ebonyi Election Petitions Tribunal has struck out the petition filed by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and its governorship candidate, Bernard Odoh against the election of Governor Francis Nwifuru. The court ruled that all the requests made by the applicants were pre-election issues and consequently proceeded to dismiss them. The Judgement on the second petition brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ifeanyi Odii against Nwifuru who was the candidate of the All Progressive Congress in the election is ongoing.
The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Cross River State on Tuesday struck out the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Sandy Onor, against the election of Bassey Otu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the judgment delivered by the panel, the petition was dismissed for lack of merit. The PDP candidate challenged the declaration of Otu by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the March 18 poll in the South-South state. The results announced by INEC put Otu’s tally of votes at 258,619, while Onor reportedly polled 179,636. The APC…
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), over alleged uncomplimentary comments credited to Justice Benson Anya, against the party and its members while delivering judgment on the Kano governorship elections. Justice Anya was alleged to have said in his submission at the tribunal that, “Instead of some Kano politicians to be allowed to use banditry and violence to abort democracy in Kano State, justice will be used to stop them from destroying democracy in Kano and upward.” Speaking in Kano, the state Chairman of the party Hashimu Dungurawa, said it was a clear fact…
A Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt has discharged and Acquitted a lecturer with the Rivers State University, Prof. David Ogbonna, who was standing trial on alleged sexual assault on a female student of the said institution. Ogbonna, former Head of Department of Microbiology, RSU, was accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old female student of his department in his (Ogbonna’s) office sometime in June 2022. The university don was subsequently arrested and arraigned for Sexual Assault, but was later granted bail to the tune of N2,000,000 and other stringent bail conditions. However, after over a year of the legal…
The Lagos State Governorship Election Tribunal has struck out the Labour Party and its candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, from the petition of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Olajide Adediran popularly known as Jandor, against the recent governorship election. Jandor is challenging the return of Babajide SanwoOlu and Obafemi Hamzat in the March 18 governorship election in Lagos State. Shortly after the announcement of appearances by all lawyers and parties in the case at Monday’s proceeding, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Arum Ashom, announced that the court would first deliver judgment in the case of the PDP & its candidate…
Tension has gripped the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, as a panel recommended the dismissal, suspension, and expulsion of more than 14 individuals, including both staff and students, for various offences. The implicated individuals comprise a Priest and three lecturers, with additional students facing expulsion for offences like aiding and abetting. This information was disclosed in an official release signed by Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, the special adviser to the Vice Chancellor for Public Relations and Special Duties, and provided to journalists in Awka on Sunday, September 24. Recall that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, has been grappling with…
Popular Social media platform X formerly known as Twitter has suspended the account of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The suspension comes after some members of the outlawed group threatened a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chidi Odinkalu and his family. Odinkalu had in a recent edition of 90MinutesAfrica with Rudolf Okonkwo, strongly criticised the Sit-at-Home Order by IPOB noting that the approach applied goes against approved standard. According to him “When you go about shooting people because they are trying to go and survive, that is no longer sit-at-home,” he stated. I have lost…
Estranged wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Taiwo Martins, yesterday branded him Nigeria’s real problem and the greatest impostor of all time. Ms. Martins, who was disclaimed by Obasanjo earlier this week after she pleaded with Nigerians to forgive him for his public dressing down of traditional rulers in Iseyin, Oyo State, said the ex-president “arrogantly believes that he has the unchallengeable power of life and death and to render totally useless whoever tries to point out any error of his or doesn’t agree to any of his rigid almighty posture of methodology in handling issues.’ Obasanjo, in disclaiming Ms.…
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) yesterday said it would ground activities in Lagos State on September 25, 2023 if the state government fails to lift the ban on activities of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in the state. The labour centre accused the state government of violating the constitution by disobeying the ruling of the industrial court which had ordered reinstatement of the union since April, 2023. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had in September, 2022 suspended all activities of RTEAN over pockets of violence recorded in the state. However, TUC national president, Comrade Festus Osifo who…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared two siblings from Delta State wanted for alleged fraud of N330 million. This was contained in a statement issued by the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri, Delta State on Friday. The anti-graft agency named 55-year-old Faith Onoja and 44-year-old Emmanuel Onoja, both from Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, as being declared wanted by the EFCC. According to the commission, Faith’s last known address is “Close to Celestial Church, Ekrovie new layout, old Egini road, Orhuehorun, Delta State” while Emmanuel’s last…
The Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos in North Central Nigeria has upheld the election of Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The three-member panel, in its judgment delivered on Friday, unanimously held that the petitioner failed in its petition because it lacked merit. Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi, reading the judgment, dismissed all three grounds canvassed by the petitioner and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda. On March 20, the INEC Returning Officer in the state, Prof Idris Amali, announced Mutfwang as the winner having scored 525,299 votes, while Yilwatda polled 481,370 votes.…
The Enugu State Governorship Election Tribunal has upheld the election of Governor Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the March 18, governorship election in the state. The tribunal chaired by Justice Kudirat Murayo Akano also struck out Edeoga/Labour Party’s allegations of over-voting and bypassing of BVAS in the election. The court ruled that Mbah was duly elected as governor by the majority of lawful and valid votes cast at the election. The tribunal had earlier dismissed the allegation of Edeoga/LP that Governor Peter Mbah’s NYSC discharge certificate was forged. It held that Mbah did not submit his…
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has restrained the national body of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from dissolving the Rivers’ chapter of the State Executive Committee over alleged anti-party activities. Delivering judgment, Justice Ekwo, said he found that the case of the plaintiff, Mr Desmond Akawo, who is the chairman of the state excos, succeeded on merit. Meanwhile, Akawo had sued the party and Dr Iyorchia Ayu (the immediate-past National Chairman representing himself and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC)) as 1st and 2nd defendants. He had sought the court’s…
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has administered the oath of office on nine newly appointed Justices of the Court of Appeal. The justices were sworn in at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. 1. Justice Hannatu Azumi Laja-Balogun from Kaduna State, a seasoned High Court Judge since May 24, 1999. 2. Justice Binta Fatima Zubairu from Kaduna State, who has been serving as a High Court Judge since October 31, 2001. 3. Justice Peter Chudi Obiora from Anambra State, who served as a High Court Judge since January 17, 2005. 4.…
The Bauchi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has affirmed the victory of Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 18th governorship election held in the state. The tribunal dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar. It held that there is no strong reason to nullify the election as the election was conducted in compliance with the law. The judgment was delivered by a three-man panel chaired by Justice P.T Kwahar.
The 300MMscfd capacity ANOH gas processing plant, located on OML 53 in Imo State, which is an international joint venture (IJV) owned equally between Seplat and the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) appears to have run into troubled waters. This is as members of Awarra Community (Ohaji/Egbema) Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited has filed a case against the NNPCL at a Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State in Suit No: FHC/OW/CS/45/2023 demanding for the payment of over N17 billion as compensation for the destruction of rubber seedlings/crops. In the…
The Lagos High Court sitting in the Ikeja area has admitted two documents into evidence tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) containing an investigative report on the iPhone of Internet celebrity Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, claiming it was used for fraudulent practices. The trial judge, Justice Mojisola Dada, admitted the documents tendered by the EFCC at the proceedings on Monday. The reports are a letter by the EFCC to the United States of America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and a report by the Bureau. It should be recalled that in January 12, 2022, the…
A Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Sokoto has dismissed the petition filed by former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawallen Maradun challenging the validity of the election results that brought Dauda Lawal into office as the executive Governor of the state. Meanwhile, Matawalle, candidate of the All Progressives Congress had approached the tribunal challenging the election of Dare of the Peoples Democratic Party. The Petitioner said the March 18, 2023 election was flawed with irregularities and sought the tribunal to declare him the winner of the said election having scored the majority of lawful votes. He also prayed the…
The Presiding Judge, Abuja Judicial division of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae has dismissed the alleged unlawful compulsory retirement claim filed by one Nicholas against the Federal Inland Revenue Service for lacking merit. Justice Obaseki-Osaghae held that the Federal Inland Revenue Service has established to the satisfaction of the Court the reason it compulsorily retired Nicholas from service. The Court further declared that Nicholas’s scandalous misconduct of drunkenness in the office is grave, weighty and has eroded the confidence reposed in him by the revenue agency to carry out his duties, and awarded the sum of N100k…
The suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, resigned from his post last month, according to a report by Reuters. President Bola Tinubu nominated the former head of Citibank in Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, to serve as the country’s new central bank governor days before its next interest rate meeting and set tongues wagging as to the legality of the appointment as there cannot be two governors of the apex bank at the same time. However, government sources told Reuters that Godwin Emefiele, suspended as central bank chief by Tinubu in June and later detained by state police…
