Three PDP witnesses called by Atiku Abubakar and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on Friday that the exercise went well in the States where they served as election officials. Grace Ajagbonna, Abidemi Joseph and Obosa Edosa, who testified before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) as petitioners’ subpoenaed witnesses, said they were ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and served as Presiding Officers in Kogi, Niger and Edo states. Ajagbonna, Joseph and Edosa said the whole election process went well where they served and that they complained with all the rules and regulations. Led…
Author: Kunle Dada
Man Bags Three Years for Keke NAPEP Investment Scam in Maiduguri, others Arraigned for Currency Counterfeiting in Yobe The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, on Thursday, June 8, 2023, successfully achieved conviction and sentencing of one Adamu Abdullahi to three years imprisonment before Justice Musa Mustapha of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri on a one-count charge of criminal breach of trust. Upon arraignment on June 14, 2022, the defendant had pleaded not guilty and the case went into trial with the prosecution calling two witnesses and tendering several documents in evidence. Justice Mustapha in…
Accountant General arrested for Fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today arraigned the duo of Saadu Maiwada and Sani Lawal BK before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court on a five count charge of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust. The defendants, in their capacity as then Sub Treasurer and Deputy Sub Treasurer in the office of Accountant General of Katsina State, allegedly conspired and converted the sum of N289,000,000 (Two Hundred and Eighty Nine Million Naira) from the coffers of Katsina State. Investigation revealed that the defendants laundered the stolen funds through the account…
INEC staff to testify against Tinubu Five ad-hoc staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have been okayed to testify as special witnesses in the petition that a former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, filed to challenge the outcome of the 2023 presidential election. The INEC ad-hoc staff members who participated in the conduct of the disputed presidential election were subpoenaed to appear before the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC. Atiku, who came second in the presidential contest that held on February 25, had in the joint petition he filed…
42-year-old Tajero Adebayo and 48-year-old ex-Speaker of Ekiti House of Assembly, Dele Olugbemi, have been detained in the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre owing to fraud and attempted murder cases. The men were charged with four counts of conspiracy, scam, attempted murder, and violent threat. Inspector Caleb Leramo, the police prosecutor, noted that the accused committed the crimes, in Ado-Ekiti, on February 24 at 7:00 p.m. and May 31 at 10:30 p.m. Chief Ogunyemi Aluko was reportedly the target of the defendants’ threats and attempted murder. Aluko’s statement reads in part, “Hon. Olugbemi collected a sum of N400,000 from me under the…
Enugu court rules on De Norsemen An Enugu East Magistrate Court has dismissed a criminal suit filed against 20 residents of the State concerning their alleged membership of an unlawful society. The court, in delivering its judgement, upheld a no case submission made by the defence counsel in the case No: CME/587c/2019- Commissioner of Police vs Henry Oputa & 19 Ors. However, Chief Magistrate A. C. Mbah also discharged the defendants on the ground that the prosecution failed woefully in proving the ingredients of the two-count charge and that the evidence adduced by the prosecution witnesses was discredited as a…
Court adjourns Atiku’s suit Hearing in the petition by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar against the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was abruptly adjourned on Tuesday by the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja due to alleged refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to make some critical electoral materials available to him. The Court shifted further hearing in the petition till June 7 pending the time the electoral body is expected to have responded to the request of Atiku and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the supply of some documents. At Tuesday’s proceedings, Eyitayo Jegede, a…
Kaduna Yahoo Boys Sentenced to Three Years Imprisonment for Impersonation Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna, Kaduna State, has convicted and sentenced one Solomon Nnamdi Eke (a.k.a Kelvin James) to three years imprisonment on a one count amended charge bordering on cybercrime. The defendant was arrested by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at Kurudu Phase 5, Abuja, alongside 24 others following intelligence on his alleged internet fraud-related activities. Investigation revealed that he operated a Facebook account with the name Kelvin James. Further investigation showed he impersonated an…
Election Tribunal Shut Down as Judicial Staff join Industrial Strike Election petition tribunals sitting across the country would be shut down this week as the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) announced that it would join the Nigeria Labour Congress in a job action over the removal of feul subsidy on petroleum products. Hence, the Judicial Staff Union(JUSUN) has mobilised its members to join the strike action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress to protest fuel subsidy removal by the federal government. “This is to inform all Branches and chapters of our great union across Nigeria to begin mobilisation for…
Women Group Threatens Protest Against Ondo Deputy Governor A woman group, the Society for Women Empowerment (SWE), has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to tender a public apology to his wife, Oluwaseun, for beating her in the presence of his staff. The group said it would carry out a massive protest if Aiyedatiwa failed to apologise. In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Mrs Damilola Charles, the group alleged that the Deputy Governor repeatedly beat his wife in the presence of his staff and friends. Damilola said wife beating was a…
The Federal Government is slated to meet with representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) today at 4 p.m. at the State House in Abuja. TUC Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, confirmed the meeting in an interview with Punch on Sunday, revealing that “the meeting will start by 4 p.m.” This scheduled meeting follows a previous attempt at dialogue with the organized labour sector, which ended without a resolution. The TUC had previously held a press briefing last Friday, indicating its intention to meet with the government and present its charter of demands. According to the national president of the congress,…
The Lagos state police command has dismissed one of its officers, Sgt. Ekpo Shimuyere, attached to Sogunle Division for extorting a young man of N98,000. Disclosing this to newsmen, the spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said that the Provost Department of the command had already disrobed the sergeant. According to him, the sergeant collected the phone of his victim and used a POS operator to transfer N98,000 out of the N100,000 in the young man’s bank account. Hundeyin said that the action of the policeman was contrary to the ethics of the profession. “Police got the complaint from…
The immediate past Minister for Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, has denounced her purported arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, saying she went to the commission by herself to clear some allegations. In a statement she personally signed, she confirmed going to the commission to be interrogated by officials but kept silent on purported corruption and enrichment to the tune of N2billion. Although details of the allegations against the ex-minister were still unclear, a source familiar with the case said that it bordered on corruption to the tune of N2billion. Part of the money was allegedly diverted from the…
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has upheld the re-election of Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The governorship election was held on Saturday March 18 and the result was declared on Sunday March 19, 2023. Makinde polled a total of 563,617 votes to defeat his closest rival, Senator Teslim of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 251,230 votes. Chief Adebayo Adelabu of the Accord came a distant third, polling 38,757. But Folarin and Adelabu did not file…
A Benue State High Court has upheld the suspension of former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu. Ayu was in March suspended by his Nyorov council ward exco over failure to pay dues, abruptly ending his reign as the PDP National Chairman. The ward exco had also accused Ayu of anti-party activities after which they passed a vote of no confidence on him. While reading their resolution at the time, the secretary of the party in Igyorov ward, Vanger Dooyum, said Ayu’s anti-party activities – alongside his allies – contributed to PDP’s loss in his ward…
PDP witness forced to sign presidential poll result The first witness of the People Democratic Party on Thursday, Joe Agada, has alleged that BVAS devices were manipulated in the last presidential election and that he was forced to sign the results as the state collation officer in Kogi State. Agada who is a retired captain stated this during his cross-examination at the Presidential Election Petition Court where the outcome of the February 25 election is being challenged. The trained pharmacist, who was identified by the counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission and the cross-examiner, Abdullahi Aliyu SAN as a…
The Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Thursday began it’s inaugural sitting on the petition challenging the declaration of the All Progressives Party’s candidate, Senator Uba Sani, as the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship poll in the state. A three-member panel was headed by Honourable Justice Victor Oviawie with Justice K. Damlat and Justice N. Nonye as members. Counsels to both the petitioners and respondents were present during the inaugural sitting of the tribunal taking place at the State High Court, NDA, Kaduna. A former Attorney-General and Minister, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, led the legal team of…
Industrial Court Dismisses Employment Termination Suit Against Akanu Ibiam Polytechnic The Presiding Judge, Enugu judicial division of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Olukayode Arowosegbe has dismissed the case filed by one Jonathan against Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Ebonyi State and 2 others challenging his employment termination for lacking merit. The Court held that Jonathan was aware that he could be dismissed based on a prior indictment if he failed to disclose the history of his earlier employment with the government before securing another government employment. From facts, the claimant- Mr. Jonathan had pleaded that his dismissal hinged on…
A Federal High Court in Abuja told former Governor of Rivers, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has the right to suspend or expel him if the action is done in accordance with the law. Justice James Omotosho stated this in a judgment he delivered on a suit filed by Nyesom Wike prior to the 2023 general elections to seek a court order to stop the PDP from taking action against him without a fair hearing. It should be recalled that the ex-governor had sued the PDP, its National Working Committee (NWC), and its National Executive…
Ms Jonathan-Omo arraigned by EFCC for N105m Amnesty Fraud The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, arraigned one Ngozi Jonathan-Omo for fraud, The managing director of Zeenel Concepts, before Justice B.O. Quadri of the Federal High Court sitting in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State on one count charge of conspiracy and diversion of public funds to the tune of N105, 000.000. The offence is contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (13) of the same…
A civic group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, while demanding the arrest and prosecution of Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, for crimes against humanity over his wilful refusal to follow up the killers of a Christian female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Deborah Samuel. It was gathered that HURIWA in the petition to the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC stated that “Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, hereby makes this petition to the International Criminal Court ICC, under Article…
Court Finds OAU Student alleged murderer, Dr. Rahman Adedoyin, guilty Of Murder Finally, the court deliver judgment on Dr. Rahman Adedoyin, the proprietor of Hilton Hotel located in Ile-Ile, Osun State, along with six employees . Has recently appeared in court to face trial in the murder case involving Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student from OAU. The unfortunate incident took place at the hotel in November 2021. moreover, in the court case that took place, the court found Dr. Rahman Adedoyin guilty of the Murder of Timothy Adegoke and was sentenced to death by hanging furthermore, In the ongoing proceedings,…
Avoid Attending To Frivolities In Office — Akeredolu advises Tinubu The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu advises Tinubu, The President Federal Republic of Nigeria to shy away from attending to frivolities as he gets ready for the work ahead. Akeredolu’s advice is sound and timely. Nigeria is a country with a lot of problems, and the new president will need to focus on solving them if he is to be successful. He should not be distracted by trivial matters, but should instead focus on the real issues that are facing the country. He should also be a president for all…
Outgoing Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong was absent from the swearing-in ceremony and inauguration of his successor, Caleb Mutfwang, on Monday. Lalong, who is of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was replaced by Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Inauguration was held at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium in Jos, the state capital. The Chief Judge of Plateau State, Justice David Mann, administered the oath of office on Mutfwang. Lalong’s absence from the ceremony was not explained. However, some political analysts have speculated that it could be a sign of tension between the outgoing and incoming governors. Barrister…
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said that the Buhari-led government has made things better than it met it in 2015 when they assumed office. Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Fashola maintained that Buhari’s government has effected changes that have impacted the economy positively, thus fulfilling the change mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “I think it a very difficult place to self-assess, but I think from the feedback that we get from those we serve. Clearly, the feedback is encouraging and it indicates that things have moved in a better direction from where…
Combined security operatives have apprehended suspected Yoruba nation agitators over the invasion of Amuludun FM, a community-based radio station owned by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in Ibadan. The suspected Yoruba nation agitators, according to an eyewithness account, stormed premises of the Ibadan radio station in the early hours of Sunday as they were reported to be armed with charms, while a live sponsored programme was ongoing. The combined security operatives, which include the men of the Operation Burst, Directorate of State Security (DSS), Police and others, swung into action and made some arrests. A member of staff…
The federal government has issued a fresh update to depositors of the recently revoked 132 microfinance banks. It should be recalled that the Central Bank of Nigeria, in an official Gazette on Tuesday, revoked the licenses for 132 Microfinance Banks, four primary mortgages and three finance on failure to meet statutory conditions. Against the backdrop of the license withdrawal, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, said depositors of the affected banks should be calm as payment of their insured sums would be made promptly. Hassan Bello, the Managing Director of NDIC, gave this assurance in a statement recently. He noted…
The Senate on Saturday set aside its Standing Orders 2022 as amended, as it held an emergency plenary session over the amendment of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, 2004. According to the order paper, the bill up for debate includes ‘A Bill for an Act to Amend the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act and for other matters connected therewith, 2023 (SB. 1124) – Second Reading. (Sen. Gobir, Ibrahim Abdullahi (Sokoto East-Senate Leader. Also to be debated by the lawmakers is ‘A Bill for an Act to Amend the Central Bank of Nigeria Act C4 Laws of the Federation of…
Osun State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, will on Tuesday, May 30, deliver judgement on the alleged murder of ex-Masters student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Timothy Adegoke. A hotel owner, Dr. Ramon Adedoyin and six of the staff working with the Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, have been standing trial on 18 counts that include murder, conspiracy and interference with a corpse, following the death of Adegoke, who allegedly lodged in the hotel facility on November 5, 2021, but was found dead the next day. At the last sitting, after adopting his final written address filed on April 13, counsel to…
Lawyer fined N40m for challenging Tinubu inauguration The Court of Appeal in Abuja has imposed N40milion fine against an Abuja-based lawyer, Ambrose Owuru, for filing a frivolous suit with which he had sought to prevent Tinubu inauguration on May 29. Meanwhile, In a judgment on Thursday, a three-member panel of the court was unanimous in holding that the appeal by Owuru and his party, the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) amounted to an abuse of the court process. In the lead judgment, Justice Jamil Tukur held that the appeal was an invitation for the court to review its earlier decision,…
