A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) court has upheld the election of Hon. Christopher Maikalangu as Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
In a unanimous judgement, the three-man tribunal, including Hon. Justice S. B Belgore (Chairman), Hon. Justice Yusuf Halilu (member 1), Hon. Justice Jude O. Onwuegbuzie (member 2) dismissed the August 5 judgment of the FCT Area Council Election Tribunal, which declared Hon. Murtala Usman Karshi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election of February 12.
The justices said that the judgement of the lower tribunal was not only evil, but negates all the achievements recorded in Nigeria’s democracy.
While reading out the lead judgment in suit FCT/ACEAT/AP/01/22, which had Maikalangu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as appellant and Murtala Karshi and three others as respondent, Hon. Justice Yusuf Halilu, said the lower tribunal erred by ignoring contradictory evidences before it.
The panel said the lower court did a hatchet job by declaring Karshi winner of the election.
“It is not in doubt the APC as a party was faced with legal battles after the party primaries to nominate a flags bearer for the AMAC election held on 12th February 2022. It is equally not in doubt that the 1st respondent, Murtala Usman Karshi, was involved in the said altercation, which eventually landed parties before the apex court of this land i.e Supreme Court of Nigeria, which eventually declared the 1st respondent as winner of the APC primary for AMAC election.
“We have seen the evidences supplied by both the appellant and the respondents to the lower tribunal. The witnesses listed by the APC as supervisors in the disputed polling units admitted that they were not polling unit agents. It has become critical for us to ask questions at this point on what the process of collating results connote.
“Can collation be done without polling units results? It is indeed a process of an election that votes are cast at polling units, results collated by electoral officers and results announced to the hearing of all. If that is the case, who then is the proper person to be called in the event that there is a complaint anchored on wrongful collation of results? Is it the ward supervisor or a polling unit agent? The answer is a polling unit agent.
“The evidence of the supposed polling unit agents, who were not at the disputed units, falls within the evidence of hearsay or documentary hearsay, which arises when someone who is not privy to the origin of a document seeks to prove its content by oral documentary.
“On the evidence of our findings that the aforementioned witnesses were not the polling unit agents in the affected polling units, the evidences of the witnesses, as entertained by the lower tribunal, are hereby expunged. In the same vein, all said documents that were made references to by the said witnesses have been dumped by the tribunal as no evidence could have led to their content.
“Despite the disparity in evidences of the witnesses, the tribunal decided to do a hatchet job by trying to throw the baby away with the bath water. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. The tribunal clearly had two rules up its sleeves: one for the petitioner, another for the respondent. The tribunal had the opportunity to compare the forms tendered by the respondents, but that was not to be.
“The petitioner failed woefully to prove its claim, arising from what was made at the lower tribunal. Elections are won at polling units and not at law courts. Our duty as court is to make judicial pronouncement. The law cannot command an impossibility. The essence of justice is to do what is true and what is correct. INEC official certified the forms used in the election, you can then ask where the petitioner got his own form. This is for another day.
“The judgement of the lower tribunal is not only barbaric, but evil and a travesty of justice. Minority must always have their say, but majority must be allowed to have their way. Morality cannot be legislated, but behaviour can be regulated. Law may not change the heart, but it can restrain the heartless. The attitude of the lower tribunal is tantamount to unsettling the tenets of law and turning it on its head. This is not good for our democracy. We have not seen any reason or reasoning that led to the decision in issue.
“He who passively accepts evil is much involved in it as he who perpetrates it. Clearly, the evidence of the petitioner is in limbo as a judicial gatecrasher. We say no more to evil. Therefore, appeal FCT/ACEAT/AP/01/22 subsides. The judgment of the lower tribunal delivered on 5th day of August 2022 is hereby set aside. All declarations so made by the lower tribunal is hereby set aside.
“The declaration of INEC that Christopher Zakka of the PDP is the duly elected chairman of AMAC is hereby restored. May God help us.”
Addressing journalists after the judgement, AMAC Chairman, Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, said the judiciary is the last hope of the common man, thanking the tribunal for defending democracy.
“I am the happiest person on earth today. I have not rested since I won the election in February. Everyday, it has been going to the tribunal. From tenure elongation to this present case. But today, we are smiling because the tribunal has restored democracy. I thank God for using the judiciary to restore democracy.
“Let me pass this message to people out there. The richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is not known for taking people to court with all his money. People here in the FCT, because God blessed you with money, all you know is dragging people to court. If you want to contest, go and ask people to vote for you. Don’t think that the judiciary is where you can go and win elections. The judiciary is for the common man. So, I thank the judiciary for restoring democracy, for standing with the common people. I thank God the whole thing has ended.”
Happy Independence Day to Nigerians! Times are difficult but let’s give thanks for another year for Nigeria! Grateful to H.E Mr President & to Nigerians for recognition through the GCON award the 2nd Highest National Honours of the land. Congrats to all national Honours awardees!
Earlier, Justice Inyang Ekwo had restrained the outgoing NFF President, Amaju Pinnick from conducting the NFF executive election scheduled for Sept. 30 in Edo, until hearing on October 31.
However, an Appeal Court vacated the interim injunction yesterday.
Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has been elected the new President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at its 78th Elective Congress in Benin, the Edo State capital.
Gusau polled 21 votes to beat his closet challenger former Ist Vice President Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi who got 12 votes while the erstwhile League Management Committee (LMC) Chairman Shehu Dikko got just six votes.
It has become imperative to reemphasize that no form of rally whatsoever will be allowed at the Lekki Toll gate tomorrow, October 1, 2022.
This emphasis has become necessary to enlighten Nigerians that might be misled into converging on the toll gate. A court of competent jurisdiction has ruled that no person is allowed to converge on the Lekki Toll gate for whatever reason.
In conformity with its mandate to protect life and property, the Lagos State Police Command under the leadership of CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc will leave no stone unturned in ensuring total compliance with the court order and an emplacement of adequate security in the state.
While the Command is not averse to the peoples’ right to freedom of assembly and association; and expression, the Command will equally live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, especially the rights to freedom of movement and right to dignity of human persons, especially under the guise of rally or procession.
The warning therefore goes that anyone found flouting the court order or infringing on the rights of other Nigerians will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, CP Alabi enjoins all peace loving persons to go about their lawful duties without fear of harassment or intimidation, reiterating that adequate security assets have been strategically deployed to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians at designated rally venues and across the state at large.
SP BENJAMIN HUNDEYIN Police Public Relations Officer Lagos State Command Ikeja
The Boston Celtics have suspended Ime Udoka for a full year, banning the coach who led them to the NBA Finals last spring for the entire 2022-23 season over what two people with knowledge of the matter said was an improper relationship with a member of the organization.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team did not reveal that detail publicly. In a statement issued Thursday night after a full day of wrangling over the terms of the punishment, the Celtics said Udoka violated team policies and left open the possibility that a longer separation could follow.
“A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date,” the team said.
Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will take over as interim coach, one of the people who spoke with The AP said. The defending Eastern Conference champions are scheduled to hold media day on Monday and open training camp on Tuesday in preparation for the Oct. 18 season opener.
In a statement published by ESPN, Udoka apologized “to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down.”
“I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision,” he said. “Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”
The World Athletics (formerly IAAF) has ratified the Record time of 12.12 secs met by Nigerian Sprint queen, Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Express Amusan OON in the women's 100mH in Oregon this year.
The world records set by Tobi Amusan, Mondo Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin at the World Athletics Championships Oregon '22 have been ratified.
Amusan’s 12.12 in the women’s 100m hurdles semifinals, Duplantis’s 6.21m in the men’s pole vault final and McLaughlin’s 50.68 in the women’s 400m hurdles final are all now officially in the record books, as is the world U-20 mark of 9.94 set by Letsile Tebogo in the men’s 100m heats.
Two days later, during the final session of the World Athletics Championships, Amusan and Duplantis ensured that the event ended on an incredible high.
After clocking an African record of 12.40 in the 100m hurdles heats, the world was put on notice that 25-year-old Amusan was capable of something special.
“The goal was to come out and to win this gold,” she said. “Honestly, I believe in my abilities, but I was not expecting a world record at these championships.”
The ratification is made necessary because they have to recheck the timers, perform drug tests and all the other checks before a World Record is ratified.
Tobi "Express" holds the fastest time ever in these events: An African Record (12.40s) in the heats in Oregon, world record (12.12s), Diamond League Meeting Record (12.29s) and Commonwealth Games Record (12.30s) recorded in Eugene, Weltklasse Zürich and Birmingham respectively.
Amusan, the first Nigerian to win the Diamond League in 2021, also successfully defended her title in 2022.
Former Paris Saint-Germain player Aminata Diallo has been arrested and again taken into police custody in connection with an attack on one of her teammates, French media reported Friday.
It was the second time Diallo was arrested as part of an investigation into the attack last year on Kheira Hamraoui. Diallo was taken into custody in November and released without charges.
Quoting the Versailles prosecutor's office, the Journal Du Dimanche reported that Diallo was arrested on Friday morning and is suspected of having set up the attack on her teammate.
Diallo's questioning by police came after four men were arrested earlier this week in connection with the attack.
Hamraoui was attacked following an evening out with Diallo and other teammates. Hamraoui was hit several times with a metal bar and needed stitches to her hands and legs.
Diallo has been without a club since her contract with PSG expired at the end of last season.
Earlier this year, Hamraoui bravely relived the 'traumatic attack' after a team meal after revealing she feared for her life when two masked men beat her legs with iron bars.
'I experienced an attack of unbelievable violence,' she told French newspaper L'Equipe.
'Two hooded strangers took me out of the car I was traveling in to hit me on the legs with iron bars. That night, I really thought I was going to stay there... I was screaming in pain. I tried to protect myself as much as possible. I have a very painful memory.'
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, restrained the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, and President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick from conducting the NFF executive election scheduled for Sept. 30 in Edo.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by counsel for the claimants, Celsus Ukpong, ordered the minister, Mr Pinnik or any person, acting on their instruction, to maintain a status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
“Counsel for the claimants informed the court that the defendants are taking action that will adversely affect the subject matter of this case.
“Parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante pending final order of this court,” he ruled.
Justice Ekwo then reverted the matter to Oct. 31 for hearing.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, in the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2021, Harrison Jalla, Chief Victor Rumson Baribote, Austin Popo and National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) are 1st to 4th claimants respectively.
In the application dated and filed on Sept. 2, NFF, Pinnick and the minister are 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.
In the motion, the claimants’ sought an interim order restraining the defendants, his agent, employees, staff, officials or electoral committee from organising or conducting any election into any executive office of the NFF pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
In the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Fayenengigha Jacob, a lawyer in the chamber of Ukpong, he said the defendants had been served with processes in the case and that NFF and Pinnick had entered appearance in the matter, while the minister, though served with court papers, he had not entered appearance.
Jacob averred that one of the complaints in the matter was the undemocratic manner in which the NFF was being constituted resulting in depriving the majority of the stakeholders and members of the NFF from having a say or contributing to the development of football in Nigeria.
According to him, the glory of Nigeria football has nosedived as a result of its undemocratic manner of the leadership of the said body.
He said the complainants were deliberately excluded from the last congress held in Lagos for no just reason.
“That the claimant had legitimately call on the leadership of the said body to set machinery in motion to amend the 2010 NFF statute that was manipulated to deprive the majority of the NFF members such as the Professional Football Association, the league, the coaches body and the players from participating in any election let alone of winning same.
“That the said leadership of the NFF, the 2nd defendant (Pinnick), his agents, privies refused or neglected to allow the due process to take place in amending the said 2010 NFF statute,” he said
Jacob said while this matter is still pending in court the defendants are going ahead to announce and purportedly try to organise and conduct an election of the said body in September, 2022.
He said the defendants had been served with the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction to restrain them from conducting any election into the executive offices of NFF until after the hearing and determination of the substance matter,
According to him, while the motion on notice for interlocutory order restraining the defendants from disturbing the res in the matter, the defendants have drawn out a time table and set up an electoral committee to conduct an election to the offices in question on Friday 30th September, 2022 in Benin City Edo State.
He said the substance of the matter would be defeated should the said election slated for September goes ahead and without hearing of the pending motions and substantive matter.
BREAKING!!! HON. JUSTICE INYANG EKWO OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT 5 ABUJA PUTS NFF SEPTEMBER 30TH 2022 ELECTION ON HOLD.
Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo at about 9.45 am this morning 15th Thursday, September 2022 presided over a matter in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2022 between (1) Harrison Jalla (2) Chief Rumson Victor Baribote (3) Austin Popo (4) The Registered trustees of the National Association of Nigeria Footballers (NANF) (Trading under the name and style of Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria) (PFAN) VS (1) Nigeria Football Association (NFA) (Trading under the name and style of the Nigeria Football Federation) (NFF) (2) Amaju Pinnick (3) Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Development. The plaintiff approached the court in mid-2021 after due process demanding an amendment to the NFF statutes 2010 for equal representation for all the five statutory bodies making up the Nigeria Football Federation in terms of voting rights and representation on the NFF Board, its Congress, and Sub/Standing Committees. The Court had earlier in the month of June 2022 hearing adjourned further proceedings in this matter to October 31st, 2022. In between and in their usual characteristic manner of having no regard for the laws of the land the Defendants brazenly fixed election for 30th September 2022 this is in spite of an interlocutory application pending before the Court. Consequently, and ruling in an exparte application moved this morning by (1) Dr. Celsius Ukpong (2) Chief Rumson Victor Baribote and Fayeneniga Jacob all representing the Plaintiff. Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the NFF September 30th Election be put on hold and that parties should maintain the status quo and adjourn further proceedings to 31st October 2022.
Reigning World, Diamond League, Commonwealth & African Champion in the women's 100m hurdles, Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan just touched down Lagos today.
Nigerian sprint queen, Tobi "Express" also holds the fastest time ever in same event: A world record (12.12s), Diamond League Meeting Record (12.29s) and Commonwealth Games Record (12.30s) recorded in Eugene, Weltklasse Zürich and Birmingham respectively.
Nigeria's Ifeanyi Onyekwere has won bronze in the men’s Over 92kg (Super Heavyweight) boxing event at the ongoing XXII Commonwealth Games holding in Birmingham.
He lost to India's Sagar Sagar Ahlawat (0-5) in the Semi-final to clinch one of the Bronze medals.
Nigeria's Jacinta Umunnakwe has won bronze in the women’s Over 70kg-75kg (Middleweight) boxing event at the ongoing XXII Commonwealth Games holding in Birmingham.
She lost to Mozambique's Rady Adosinda Gramane (0-5) in the Semi-final to clinch one of the Bronze medals.
Nigeria's Cynthia Ogunsemilore has won Bronze in the Women’s Over 57kg-60kg (Lightweight) boxing event at the ongoing XXII Commonwealth Games holding in Birmingham.
She lost to Northern Ireland's Amy Sara Broadhurst but got one of the Bronze medals.
Nigeria's Isau Ogunkunle has won Bronze in the final of the men's singles Classes 3-5 (Sitting/wheelchair classes) Para Table-Tennis event at the ongoing XXII Commonwealth Games holding in Birmingham.
He defeated India's Raj Aravindan Alagar by 3-0(11-3, 11-6, 11-9).
Nigeria's Ogbonna Emmanuel John has won Bronze in the final of the men's Freestyle 74kg wrestling event at the ongoing XXII Commonwealth Games holding in Birmingham.
He defeated England's Charlie Bowling (Victory by technical superiority: 10-0).
Politics › FCT Poll: FCT Appeal Court Voids Tribunal Judgement on AMAC, affirms PDP Winner by chisomkachy(op): 5:58pm On Oct 02, 2022
