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The Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted the oral application of Femi Falana, SAN, seeking the immediate release of his client, Omoyele Sowore.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court on Tuesday ordered the immediate release of Sowore from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The judge said the activist should be released to his lawyer, Falana, who is to produce him for arraignment whenever he is required.

The judge, however, said since charges had already been filed against the activist, he must deposit his passport and other travel documents to guarantee his availability for trial.

Mr Sowore, RevolutionNow convener, had been accused of planning to overthrow the President Muhammadu Buhari government through his planned protests.

He is being charged for allegedly cyberstalking and insulting President Buhari on a national television, conspiracy to commit treason, among other charges.

The judge had earlier stood down the case after hearing arguments from legal teams of Sowore and the DSS.

Falana had argued that the order issued by the court on August 8, 2019 permitting the DSS to hold the activist for 45 days, had expired on September 21.

He, therefore, urged the court to issue a consequential order releasing the publisher of SaharaReporters from custody.

But responding, DSS’ lawyer, G.O Agbadua, said that since the charges had been filed against the activist on September 20, it was lawful to continue to keep until arraignment.

But Falana said, “Filing of charges cannot metamorphose into a detention order.

“A citizen cannot detain a citizen in anticipation of arraignment.”

The Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar have finally filed an appeal at the Supreme Court against the judgement of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.

The Presidential Tribunal had earlier dismissed their petitions and upheld the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The five-man panel ruled that PDP and Atiku failed to prove, beyond reasonable doubt, allegations of corruption and non-compliance with the Electoral Act against Buhari and the APC.

Igbere TV had reported that the former vice president (Atiku) and his party (the PDP) filed their appeal on five grounds on Monday, September 24, 2019.

They alleged that the Tribunal erred in law “when they relied on “overall interest of justice” to hold that the 2nd respondent (Buhari)’s Exhibits R1 to R26, P85, and P86 were properly admitted in evidence.”

They are, therefore, asking the Supreme Court to set aside the judgement of the Tribunal and grant the prayers sought by them.

The Supreme Court presently has 17 justices, out of which seven must preside over the appeal.

The seven most senior justices in that order are: Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad and Justices Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Mary Odili, Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, Olukayode Ariwoola, Musa Datijo Muhammad and Kumai Bayang Akaahs.

Others are, Justices Amina Augie, Amiru Sanusi, Adamu Galinje, Inyang Okoro, Cletus Nweze, and Uwani Abba-Aji among others.

Although, President Muhammadu Buhari earlier this year directed the National Judicial Council (NJC) to appoint additional six justices.

The Supreme Court, as the nation’s highest adjudicatory body, is built on the foundation of seniority, order and decorum. As such, election petitions, especially the presidential election petitions, are areas where experience and courage are most required on the judicial bench.

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A former presidential aide and strong critic of Buhari government, Reno Omokri, has reacted to the sack of Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita as Head of Civil Service of the Federation. Igbere TV reports.

Igbere TV had reported that Buhari on Wednesday, approved the appointment of Dr. Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan as the Acting Head of the Civil Service with immediate effect.

Yemi-Esan, a Permanent Secretary in the Petroleum Ministry, takes over from Oyo-Ita, who was asked to proceed on an indefinite leave to allow conclusion of her ongoing trial by EFCC.

But reacting to the development, Omokri said the only reason why she was sacked was because she "exposed" Buhari for "recalling" and "promoting" the sacked Pension boss, Maina.

In a tweet sighted by Igbere TV on his verified Twitter handle, @renoomokri, the ex-presidential aide wrote;

“The ONLY reason this woman has been sacked is because General @MBuhari never forgives.

“He had pencilled her for DISGRACE since the day her memo exposing Buhari as the man behind the recall and promotion of pension thief Maina, leaked.”

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Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday, hosted major stakeholders in the Housing sector at the presidential villa, Abuja, Igbere TV reports.

Igbere TV gathered that the meeting centred on improved housing opportunities for Nigerians and home ownership in the informal sector.

Taking to his verified Twitter handle to announce the meeting in a tweet sighted by Igbere TV, Osinbajo wrote;

“I met with key players in the housing sector this evening, to discuss improved housing opportunities for Nigerians and home ownership in the informal sector.

“President Buhari and I will continue to work hard to improve the lot of the Nigerian people.

“Nigeria will prevail!”

A former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, has advised Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to go back to his pastoral work in Redeemed Church, when everything fails for him as VP, Igbere TV reports.

Fani-kayode, who was apparently reacting to the rumours that Osinbajo had been relegated to a 'house boy' at the presidential villa, made the call in a tweet sighted by Igbere TV on his verified Twitter handle.

The former Minister who did not specifically mention Osinbajo’s name, also alleged that his 'little secrets' were out, hence the prosecution and distraction by the 'cabals'.

Fani-kayode wrote;

“Amb. Ayo Oke, the fmr. DG NIA, took care of you. He paid your bills and protected you. He kept all your dirty little secrets. He gave you wise counsel and comforted you even when you shed tears and said you couldn't take it anymore. All this yet you sold him down the river.

“Your fingers have finally been caught in the cookey bar and your benefactors and detractors have begun their work. They have demoted you, humiliated you, used you and dumped you. By the time they finish with you you will wish that you had never been born.

“Worse still Oke is no longer there to help you. Poor chap. Politics is a terrible thing when compared to the legal profession. This is especially so when you are a Prof. of Law. At least you can go back to your pastoral work at RCCG when all else fails. My prayers are with u.”

Buhari sacks Head of Service, Oyo-Ita

STABILIZATION OF THE FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr. Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan as the Acting Head of the Civil Service of the Federation with immediate effect.


Dr. Mrs. Yemi-Esan, who is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources takes over from Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, who has been directed to proceed on an indefinite leave to allow conclusion of the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The President has also approved the extension of the tenure of seven (7) retiring Permanent Secretaries for a period of one calendar year with effect from 1st October, 2019 to ensure stability in the Federal Civil Service and effective delivery on the nine priority areas of the administration as well as the mandates given to the new Ministers.

The affected Permanent Secretaries are:

i. Mrs. Georgina Ehuriah – Ministry of Interior

ii. Mrs. Ifeoma I. Anagbogu – Federal Ministry of Women Affairs

iii. Mrs. Grace Gekpe – Federal Ministry of Information & Culture

iv. Dr. Umar M. Bello – Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural

Development

v. Suleiman Mustapha Lawal – Ministry of Foreign Affairs


vi. Mrs. Comfort C. Ekaro – Federal Ministry of Water Resources

vii. Mr. Olusegun A. Adekunle – General Services Office (Office of the

Secretary to the Government of the Federation)

Similarly, Mr. President has directed the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to commence the process for the selection of new Permanent Secretaries to replace all retiring Permanent Secretaries.

The decision of Government to extend the tenure of these Permanent Secretaries is premised on the need to ensure that the new Ministers are properly guided, briefed about their sectors and to ensure that a solid foundation is laid for the delivery on the Presidential Mandate which they jointly signed.