₦airaland Forum

Federal High Court Judgement: No Victor, No Vanquished, it is a family quarrel, Bamgbose

The Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Samson Bamgbose, has urged party faithful in the State to close ranks and build a PDP that is capable of winning elections in 2023, describing the Tuesday FHC Abuja rulling in favour of Senator Buruji Kashamu backed Exco as victory for party faithful.

Speaking after the rulling, Reamgbose said despite the fact that the rulling was in favour of Sen. Kasuamu backed Exco, “there was no victor, no vanquished.”

He urged party faithful to come under one umbrella and build a PDP that is capable of winning elections in 2023.

"Let us close ranks and work to deliver Ogun for PDP. There is no victor, no vancquished. It is victory for all. We are members of the same family. We may have our differences in the past. At the end of the day, it is the party that wins, not any individual or group.

"If truly we love this party, let us put the past behind us and return this party to the summit. let us unite and work as a team In the overall interest of our party and people of Ogun State.



"Lastly, I want to commend the judiciary for standing firm on the side of justice and the rule of law," he said.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a suit by the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the powers of the Ogun State chapter of the party to conduct party congresses in the state.

In a judgment on Tuesday, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/208/2020, Justice Ahmed Mohammed held that the case amounted to an invitation to his court to sit on appeal over a question already determined by another judge of the same Federal High Court.

Justice Mohammed, who declined jurisdiction over the case, held that the subsisting judgment was delivered on June 24, 2016 by Justice I. N. Buba in a suit marked: FHC/L/CS/636/2016 has resolved the issue on whether or not the Ogun State PDP Exco could conduct congresses in the state.

The judge, who noted that the 2016 suit was filed in the Lagos division of the court by Chief Adebayo Dayo as Ogun State Chairman and on behalf of the state PDP Exco, held that parties in both the old and the new cases are the same.

He proceeded to strike out the new suit.

The national PDP had, in the latest suit, prayed the court to among others, hold that by virtue of the party’s amended constitution of 2017, the 2020 PDP Guidelines for the conduct of congresses, the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, it is the exclusive function of the National Working Committee of the PDP to appoint congress committee members for the purpose of conducting elections into the party’s executive offices from the ward level to the national level.

Listed as defendants in the suit were Chief Dayo, Mrs. Bimbo Lanre-Balogun, Samson K. Bamgbose, Mrs. Mulikat Kusimo, Segun Awoyemi, Alhaji Kola Akinyemi, Hon.Bola Odumosun and Oyejide Sunkanmi.

The Bamgbose-led State Exco, which succeeded the Dayo-led Exco whose tenure ended on the 9th of May, 2020, is supported by Senator Buruji Kashamu whereas Honourable Ladi Adebutu leads the other group believed to be favoured by the national leadership of the party.

Justice Mohammed, in the judgment on Tuesday, held that “it is not in doubt that that court (the Lagos division of the court) was called upon to determine whether the plaintiff therein (Engr. Dayo), who is the first defendant herein, and the Ogun State’ Executive Committee have the power to conduct Ward, LGA and state congresses of the plaintiff in Ogun State.”

The judge further held that the main question determined in the 2016 case has rendered this case (FHC/ABJ/CS/208/2020) incompetent.

The judge, in holding that parties are the same in both cases, noted that the plaintiff in the earlier suit, who is the first defendant in this suit, sued for himself and on behalf of the Ogun State EXCO of the PDP.

He also noted that the national body of the PDP was the second defendant in the case decided in 2016 and that in the instant case, the national PDP also sued members of the Ogun State Exco.

The judge said the parties in the instant case, having been part of the 2016 case, are bound by the decision in the earlier case.

Justice Mohammed said it is “the finding of this court that the issue in contention herein has been successfully and adequately put to rest by my learned brother, I. N. Buba in suit FHC/L/CS/636/2016.

“In consequence thereof, I find this suit as an invitation on this court to examine or review the decision of my leaned brother, I. N. Buba in suit number 636/2016, which invitation I will not accede to. I am not competent to do that.

“The plaintiff and all the defendants are bound by the decision in suit: FHC/L/CS/636/2016.”

The judge faulted the argument by Chris Uche (SAN), for the plaintiff, to the effect that the judgment in FHC/L/CS/636/2016 is not a judgment on the merit because the defendant’s lawyer in that case conceded to the plaintiff’s claims.

He said there can not be a better judgment on the merit than that in which the counsel to the defendant appeared in court and conceded to the clams of the plaintiff.

Justice Mohammed noted that, from a copy of the 2016 judgment tendered in court, it was noted that O. O. Fakunle (SAN) appeared for the second defendant in that suit (PDP) and told the court that he was conceding to the plaintiff’s claims.

He said although there are decisions of appellate courts on which body, between state and national EXCOs of a political party has the power to organise and conduct state congresses, he cannot apply such authorities because of the peculiarity of this case.

“My hands are certainly tied by the decision of my learned brother alluded to above. I cannot sit on appeal or review the decision of my learned brother, I. N. Buba for the reasons I adduced above,” the judge said.

The judge noted that if he should proceed to hold that it is the national Exco of the party that has the power to organise and conduct state congresses, he would have sat on appeal over the decision by Justice Buba, who has the same jurisdiction as his.

He said such a development will create a situation where there would be two separate decisions on the same issues by two judges of the same court.

Justice Mohammed said the option opened to the plaintiff is to apply to the Court of Appeal to set aside the decision by Justice Buba in the face of the decisions of the appellate courts on the issue.

“It is the decision of this court that this suit is caught up by the doctrine of issue estoppel. I also hold that this court has no jurisdiction to hear this suit. It is hereby struck out for being incompetent,” the judge said.

Western Lotto Raises Alarm Over Plots by Premier Lotto, Others To Use Judiciary, EFCC, Others To Disrupt its Operations, Arrest Directors

The management of Western Lotto Nigeria Limited has raised the alarm over plans by its opponents under the aegis of the Nigerian Licensed Lottery Operators’ Forum to use the judiciary to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector-General of Police and the State Security Service (SSS) to disrupt its operations and arrest its directors.

In a statement issued Wednesday night by the company, this is coming on the heels of the ongoing investigations of Premier Lotto, Golden Chance Lotto, Bet9ja and other lottery and sports betting companies for economic sabotage and non-remittances of the revenue due to the Federal Government.

According to sources, as a result of the whistle-blowing role played by Western Lotto, Premier Lotto and Bet9ja have been asked to pay over N20 billion to the Federal Government as fines.

We further gathered that both firms have been paying N500 million monthly to the EFCC and this is supposed to continue until they liquidate the total fine imposed on them, having given an undertaking to this effect.

Industry sources claimed that the defaulting lottery operators are owing the Federal Government over N200 billion in revenue that should accrue to it.

However, in a twist seen in many quarters as a move to get back at Western Lotto, the other operators have come together under a group known as Nigerian Licensed Lottery Operators’ Forum and hired one Olugbenga Adeyemi, who described himself as a “human rights crusader and economic rights activist” to file a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja through which he is asking for an order of mandamus to compel the EFCC, Police and SSS to investigate and prosecute Western Lotto and its promoters for alleged embezzlement of funds accruable to the Federal Government of Nigeria, tax evasion and economic sabotage.

He also wants the court to compel the various agencies to make public the outcome of such investigation.

The suit is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/669/2020 and the plan is to get a pliable judge who would give an exparte order against Western Lotto and its promoters.

The management of the lottery company has appealed to the Federal Government, especially the judiciary, the EFCC, Police, SSS and other relevant agencies, to be aware of the antics of its opponents who are aggrieved at its patriotic duty of exposing the corruption in the gaming industry and wants to get back at it and its promoters.

KASHAMU TO OGUNDELE: MY COMMITMENT TO RECONCILIATION IS TOTAL



Our attention has been drawn to some disparaging comments made by Honourable Sikirulai Ogundele against the governorship candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Senator Buruji Kashamu and we wish to react as follows:



1. The comments credited to Ogundele were least expected from him. This was a man who comported himself as a gentleman all through the time he spent with the Omoilu group within the PDP.



2. We recall that he aspired to contest the governorship election in 2015 but when Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI) came into the picture, many of the stakeholders across different groups and tendencies adopted him as the PDP governorship candidate for the election.



3. Ogundele then contemplated going to the House of Representatives (Ifo Federal Constituency) but his leaders in Ogun Central Senatorial District settled for Hon. Adijat Motunrayo-Adeleye. That was the beginning of his hatred towards Senator Kashamu. Ogundele felt that Senator Kashamu should have influenced things in his favour.



4. Despite his unjustified anger and hatred towards Senator Kashamu, the senator holds him in high esteem as someone who always comports himself so well and has contributed to the growth of the party.



5. Ogundele claimed that there had been seven reconciliations in the last 10 years that Senator Kashamu spurned. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In his usual cavalier manner, he did not provide the details of the reconciliation moves that Senator Kashamu frustrated. Rather, he was comfortable with making sweeping statements without facts.



6. In the build up to the 2015 election, the PDP structure that Senator Kashamu led offered its platform to known associates of the foremost leader of the PDP and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. People like GNI, Hon. Adesegun Abdulmajid Adekoya (a.k.a Attacker), Hon. Ladi Adebutu and others became PDP candidates – in the spirit of reconciliation and accommodation of all and sundry. Senator Kashamu only differed with the former governor when he wanted to have some of the candidates changed at some point before the election. Even at that, the two leaders have since resolved their differences and put all those issues behind them. That is why Senator Kashamu has openly and consistently declared that no genuine reconciliation can be done without the blessings and/or involvement of the two-time PDP governor of Ogun State.



7. It is tenuous that Ogundele could say that H.E. OGD has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and so should not be involved in the reconciliation moves within the Ogun State PDP. If we are to go by that line of argument, then people like Ogundele and his principal, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, who openly signed a three-year agreement with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and declared for it should openly repudiate their agreement and membership of the APM before they can be considered as members of the PDP.



8. In case Ogundele has forgotten, what H.E. OGD said was that he was retiring from partisan politics to become an elder statesman. That does not mean that he does not have political generals, juggernauts and foot soldiers who still maintain huge influence on their communities and local government areas. It is whatever H.E. OGD tells them that they will do. So, when Senator Kashamu said no genuine reconciliation can be done in Ogun State PDP without involving H.E. OGD, it is because of his political status. He is a political strategist whose experience cannot be wished away if PDP truly wants to take over the reins of government in Ogun State.



9. Ogundele should not be afraid that he may not get the support of H.E. OGD in his aspiration to be the Chairman of the PDP in Ogun State. It is going to be a collective decision of all stakeholders. After all, when H.E OGD was the governor of Ogun State between 2003 and 2011, he gave Ogundele and Adebutu the opportunity to serve in various capacities.



10. On the issue of transactional politics, we say without mincing words that this blackmail falls flat in the face of the huge financial resources that Senator Kashamu has committed to building the party in Ogun State and the South West over the last 10 years. If people keep referring to monies given or used for electioneering purposes as if Senator Kashamu lives on such or used them to build his chain of businesses, then it is most unfair and downright ridiculous.



11. It is Ogundele’s principal that has made his aspiration a business venture which yields more than what he can envisage in government without being caught. Of every N50million that he collects from his father, he keeps N30million (60%) and spreads N20m on his political project. At the end of the day, he negotiates with those who are really interested in winning elections and ready to pay for it (just like he did with APM at the last minute); collect some parting gifts and he has recouped his investments. In the first instance, he has not lost anything since nothing personal to him is committed but the father’s money which would not come in torrent if he had not gone into politics. He collected party delegates’ money in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, even when his delegates did not participate in the primaries. He did not give anyone of them the money; he collected money for the Presidential election of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in 2019 and did not share it on the pretext that he paid some money a day before which was the N1.5billion that the father released for the so-called Door-to-Door campaign. In other words, delegates’ money, presidential election money, APM’s money; all turned out as profits, coupled with the savings from all that the father has released to prosecute his forlorn ambition. So, when people like Ogundele talk about transactional politics, they should know that when they point a finger at someone, the remaining four fingers point at them.



12. While the efforts of all the genuine leaders who are working tirelessly to sustain the party and its teeming members are well-appreciated, it is a divine assignment that anyone who is privileged to do it should be grateful for. That is why the empowerment initiatives being done by the Omoilu Foundation does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of sex, race, religion, creed or colour.



13. Senator Kashamu’s commitment to genuine reconciliation is total. He is willing, ready and available for it, any day; any time. However, it is not the purported reconciliation being done through Engr. Adebayo Dayo for his so-called Dayo group. Already, members of the Adebutu group who are aggrieved that they were not added to the list drawn up for the still-born Caretaker Committee are going behind to put their names on an imaginary Dayo list. What perfidy!



14. Finally, we wish to advise Ogundele to thread softly and stop casting aspersions on his benefactors and political leaders. He is a politician who has a long way to go and he never can tell what tomorrow holds. A situation where he portrays himself as someone who goes to town to speak ill of his leaders and benefactors does not bode well for him. It is just an advice. He may or may not take it. Enough said.





Signed

Austin Oniyokor

Media Adviser to Senator Buruji Kashamu

16th June, 2020

WESTERN LOTTO: WE ARE IRREVOCABLY COMMITTED TO SANITISING THE GAMING INDUSTRY

The attention of the management of Western Lotto Nigeria Limited has been drawn to some sponsored and spurious online publications about its exclusive rights to the Ghana games in Nigeria.

As we have stated in the past, for over 20 years, lottery operators in Nigeria have illegally been making huge money from the 5/90 Ghana games without making due remittances to Federal Government or paying royalties to the Ghanaian authorities.

Upon joining the industry in 2017, Western Lotto Nigeria Limited took a close study of the business environment and saw how the major lottery operators have been short-changing the authorities while they and their families were living large on what should ordinarily have gone into the coffers of the Federal Government and the owners of the games after getting their own legitimate dues.

As a responsible corporate organization, we approached the Ghanaian authorities and we were referred to their appointed agents in Ghana with whom we executed an exclusive agreement last year.

Upon executing the agreement, we reached out to the owners of Premier Lotto and Golden Chance Lotto asking them to partner with us and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to streamline the sales of the Ghana games in Nigeria and bring about transparency in the industry. They however refused. They wanted to continue with their rip-off of the stakers, agents and government while they smile to the banks.

This was what led to Western Lotto Nigeria Limited to file an action at the Federal High Court, Lagos, against the 24 lottery operators.

Despite the orders of the court restraining Premier Lotto, Golden Chance Lotto and others from selling the Ghana games or passing them off in anyway without recourse to Western Lotto Nigeria Limited, as the sole rights owners of the Ghana games, these operators have stubbornly continued in their criminal and fraudulent sale of the games.

It is laughable that these recalcitrant elements hiding under a faceless group known as Members of the Lotto Operators Association of Nigeria are spreading falsehood and spurious claims about Western Lotto Nigeria Limited, a going concern that saw a business opportunity in a free-market economy and went for it. It is not our fault that the old timers were either blind to see the business opportunity or too dumb to identify it.

They claimed that "they worked hard to popularise the games and make them the favourites of lotto players in Nigeria". Thankfully, they did not say they are the owners of the games. Our poser to them is: how do you popularise what is not yours? Contrary to their outlandish claim, the Ghana games gained wide acceptance and popularity in Nigerian among the gaming public because of their transparency and credibility - the very attributes that the criminally-minded lottery operators do not want in the industry.

The National Lottery Authority of Ghana, who are the owners of the Ghana games, have appointed Western Lotto as their representatives in Nigeria and given it the exclusive rights to the games. The franchise does not preclude any interested operator from selling the games provided it goes through Western Lotto - who are the sole rights owners to the Ghana games in Nigeria. If anyone does not want to go through Western Lotto - in line with the best global practices and the judgment of the court - such a person is at liberty to stop selling the games. There is no need for any mudslinging and insisting on selling what is not yours.

The proposal for an out-of-court settlement was at the instance of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) and other well-meaning stakeholders who felt that the Federal Government, and by extension, the Nigerian people will lose the benefit of the huge revenue that could come from the initiative being championed by Western Lotto Nigeria Limited.

This is evident in the over N20 billion that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked Premier Lotto, Bet9ja and Golden Chance Lotto to pay to the Federal Government as fine for short-changing the Government and People of Nigeria over the years.

Apart from the N500 million that each of the indicted operators are paying on a monthly basis until they liquidate the N20 billion fine, there has been a quantum leap in their monthly remittances and returns, all because of the patriotic move of Western Lotto Nigeria Limited and its promoters.

They are are living large on the over N200billion that they have collectively deprived the Federal Government . However, in the fullness of time, the money and all that they have illegally acquired with it will be fully recovered to the coffers of the government.

Besides, there is no law that forbids parties in a dispute from exploring an amicable resolution of issues. The out-of-court settlement is an initiative that our judicial system encourages through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism.

It is ridiculous that Nigeria with 200 million population makes only N2 billion annually from the gaming industry, no thanks to the sharp practices of "big men" in the gaming industry; whereas Senegal with a 12m population generates 200billion CFA (about N125billion) annually; Ivory Coast with a 25million population generates 500billion CFA (about N312billion) annually; and
Burkina Faso with a 20 million population generates 900billion CFA which translates to N562 billion annually.

We, at Western Lotto Nigeria Limited, wish to reassure all our stakeholders - regulators, operators, agents and stakers - that we are irrevocably committed to the cause of sanitising the gaming industry and putting a stop to the age-long rip-off of Nigeria and Nigerians by a few who have turned themselves into a mafia in the gaming industry. We will not be deterred by the campaign of calumny being mounted by the discredited operators and their collaborators in high places. No retreat, no surrender!

Signed
Management
Western Lotto Nigeria Limited
14th June, 2020

...remanded in Police Custody


A former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ogun State, Niyi Osoba and his associate, Lukman Ejalonibu have been arraigned at the Magistrate's Court in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

They were arraigned on Wednesday before by the Police based on the complaints lodged against them by Austin Oniyokor, the Media Adviser to Senator Buruji Kashamu, alleging threats to life when he replied their various publications wherein they assassinated the character of his principal.

Immediately the case was called, counsel to both parties announced their appearance.

Apart from the Police prosecutor, Oniyokor's private counsel, Mr. Tunde Ologunde and his team, were also in court to hold watching brief on behalf of their client.

The four-count charges were read to the defendants who pleaded not guilty.

Defence counsel prayed the court to grant them bail on liberal terms because of their status within Ijebu Ode.

But, the Prosecution counsel opposed the bail application, saying their status in the society was unknown to law.

After taking arguments from both the prosecution and defence counsel, the court granted the defendants bail with two sureties to the tune of N500,000 each with evidence of tax payment and a developed property within the jurisdiction of the court which are to be verified by the court officials.

The court ordered that the defendants should be remanded at the Ijebu Ode Area Command of the Police pending when the bail conditions are perfected, and adjourned till 2nd of July, 2020.

*OGUN PDP CRISIS: COURT JOINS BAMGBOSE, OTHERS AS PARTIES IN ABUJA SUIT*

*•RETAINS OLUYEDE AS OGUN PDP EXCO’S COUNSEL*


The Federal High Court in Abuja today (Tuesday) joined the newly elected Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Hon. Samson Bamgbose and three others – Bimbo Lanre-Balogun, Segun Awoyomi and Mulikat Kusimo – as necessary parties in a suit filed by the national leadership of the PDP at the behest of Hon. Ladi Adebutu against the erstwhile Chief Adebayo Dayo-led State Executive Committee of the Party.
It also retained Prince Ajibola Oluyede as counsel to the Ogun State Executive Committee (Exco) of the Party.
It would be recalled that Dayo had written a 30th of March, 2020, purportedly debriefing Oluyede as counsel to the State Exco.
This move was, however, challenged by Bamgbose and other members of the State Executive Committee who retained Oluyede as their counsel through their counter letters of 31st March, 2020 and 8th April, 2020.
When the matter came up today (Tuesday), Oluyede informed the court that Dayo has been compromised and his intention is to align with the plaintiff to get a judgment that will be favourable to him and the plaintiff, hence he cannot decide who should be the counsel to State Exco; more so, he has been suspended and his term of office has also elapsed.
Chief Adeniyi Odugbesan tried in vain to convince the court on why he should be heard and admitted as the new counsel to the State Exco.
Ruling, the court granted the application of interested parties seeking to be joined as defendants in the matter (Bamgbose, Lanre-Balogun, Awoyomi and Kusimo) and further held that Oluyede will continue to act as counsel to the Ogun State PDP Exco while Odugbesan will be counsel to Dayo.
With this development, the effort by Dayo and his cohorts to collude with the Ladi Adebutu group and have a smooth sail by shutting out the Bamgbose-led State Exco has failed woefully.
The court thereafter adjourned till 30th June, 2020, for definite hearing of the matter.

IPAC Mourns Late Chief Imam Of Egbaland Alhaji Liadi Orunsolu

The Ogun state Chapter of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has joined citizens of Ogun State to mourn the death of the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Liadi Orunsolu.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the council, Asiwaju Adesina Abdul-Lateef Adedamola, he described the late Chief Imam as a father of the state whose demise will be eternally missed, especially at a moment like this when the country is facing challenges that require the prayers and leadership guidance of great men like the late Chief Imam.

"His demise is a sad loss to the community. May Allah SWT grant him the status of a martyr.  Alhaji Liadi was more than a religious leader, he was a community leader.

"We however take consolation in the fact that he lived a life of service to the people. He has also left indelible prints in the sands of time.

“Our sincere condolences to his family and the community to whom he made such a big contribution to," Adeshina said

Alhaji Liadi died on Tuesday 26th of May, 2020 at the age of 96 years.

We lost the last of three musketeers, Liadi Orunsolu. Orun ire o.

Segun Showunmi

When the news broke of the passing onto glory of the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Liadi Orunsolu, I felt a sort of somber realisation that indeed the last of the three musketeers had gone to take a deserved rest for indeed all souls must taste death. The appointed time has come for a man who has had a good life, a life devoted to the worship of God, according to his faith, Islam.

It seemed he would always be around. He stayed till the ripe age of 99. He enjoyed such vitality and sound memory, such that if you were at any function with Baba and heard him do the Islamic preaching, you would thank his maker for him.

Alas, our Egba nation has lost a big Iroko. We had Sheikh Sadrudeen Bamidele Biobaku and Alhaji Lateef Adegbite and the now-departed Alhaji Liadi Orunsolu as strong pillars of the faith and reliable pegs in our Egba nation. They are truly irreplaceable. We mourn and celebrate at the same time. We will draw strength from the courage of convictions, firmness of resolution and an unapologetic tenacity in all things of Egba interest.

May God give the Egba nation the fortitude to bear this loss. Be assured that we will not waver in the teachings and lessons you all have left us with. May the successors be inbuilt with the sense of duty that makes a whole nation mourn you.

Sun re o, Alhaji Liadi Orunsolu, Chief Imam of Egbaland.

Ogun PDP Mourns Chief Imam Of Egbaland

ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commiserated with the government and people of Ogun State over the passing of the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Liadi Orunsolu.

A statement by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Sunkanmi Oyejide, quoted the State Chairman, Samson Bamgbose as joining the government and good people of the state, the Muslim community and the family in mourning the late Islamic cleric.

The statement reads in part, “The Party believes Alhaji Liadi, who passed on at the age of 98 years, lived a pious, worthy and highly commendable life that will be remembered by all who came across him during his lifetime.”

The party prayed that Allah would grant the soul of the departed good rest, and comfort his family.

Liadi, until his demise on Tuesday, was the President-General, League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State.

KASHAMU VS ADEBAYO DAYO: TIMELINES & FACTS
BY Mufutau Eletiofe
My dear good people of Ogun State, leaders, elders and members of the PDP, particularly our group, the Ladi Adebutu Democratic Organisation (LADO), I stumbled on some interesting facts about the ongoing fight between Senator Buruji Kashamu and the immediate past Ogun State PDP Chairman, Engr. (Chief) Adebayo Dayo and feel I should share them with you. Here, we go:
1. On the 30th of March, 2020, Engr. Adebayo Dayo wrote a letter debriefing Barrister Ajibola Oluyede as Ogun State PDP’s counsel.
2. On the 13th of April, 2020, the suspension of Engr. Dayo as state chairman was announced.
3. On the 16th April, 2020, Engr. Adebayo Dayo’s lawyer, Barrister Adeniyi Odugbesan wrote petitions to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police and the Director of the State Security Service (SSS) alleging threats to his life and members of his household.
4. On the same day, Senator Kashamu also fired petitions to the Divisional Police Office in Ijebu-Igbo and the Commissioner of Ogun State.
5. Looking at the totality of everything, I have my fears about this man called Engr. Dayo and I have secretly expressed same to our leaders. Can he be trusted? Will his coming to our group be a blessing or curse? Engr. Dayo looks cool, calm and gentle but does the hood make the monk? Read and make up your mind. I hereby serve you the two petitions for your reading pleasure. Hot & fresh:

KASHAMU: I REMAIN A BONAFIDE MEMBER OF PDP

My attention has been drawn to a report in the ThisDay newspaper of 16th May, 2020, and several online publications, in which the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus said I am not a member of the PDP because, according to him, I had been expelled from the party.

First, I need to let him know that the party at the national, state or local level is not about any individual. It is neither his private property nor is it mine. While it is true that he is the National Chairman of the PDP, it does not make him the owner or sole proprietor of the party who can determine or decide who is a member or not. As the National Chairman, he should be a father figure to all, not taking sides with some persons or stoking the fire of discord. At least, I am not one of those who left the PDP to sign a three-year agreement with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the build up to the 2019 elections.

On the ill-informed and unjust expulsion that Prince Secondus spoke of, he may wish to go back and check his records again. He would find that prior to the 2019 general elections, an FCT High Court on the 10th of October, 2018, nullified my expulsion, describing it as “an act done in gross and wilful violation of an express order of court made on the 9th of January, 2018, directing parties to keep and maintain status quo and in particular not to carry out any disciplinary action…without first having recourse to this Court.”

The court went further to rule that, “The said letter of expulsion of 4 persons made by the Respondents hereof on the 1st of August, 2018 is hereby set aside and declared null, void and of no effect, in that it was made in gross violation of the aforesaid subsisting Order of Court.”

One of the four persons referred to in the above court order is the former State Chairman, Engr. Adebayo Dayo, who is now in league with those Prince Secondus is siding with.

The orders and judgment of the court have neither been appealed nor upturned. Thus, the judgment remains valid, subsisting and binding on the PDP; any contrary view again will be contemptuous of the court.

This was the premise on which I emerged and contested as the Ogun State governorship candidate of the PDP during the 2019 general elections.

So, for these reasons, as former member of the National Executive Committee of the PDP and an automatic member of the State Executive Committee, I remain a bonafide and financial member of the PDP in Ogun State.

I take it that our National Chairman is either too busy with national affairs of the party to appreciate the local politics and realities in Ogun State or he has forgotten that the unjust expulsion had since been nullified and does not exist in fact and in the face of the law.

I have also read Prince Secondus talking about the legality or otherwise of the congresses held in Ogun State. My response would be that the matter is already subjudice and any other attempt to discuss it or do anything about it would be contemptuous of the court. If he does not want to play a fatherly role in mediating and reconciling the contending forces, I would advise that he should leave the judiciary to decide the issues.

See below the court order and web links of some reputable newspapers that reported it:

https://punchng.com/court-nullifies-kashamus-expulsion-from-pdp/


http://thenationonlineng.net/court-voids-pdps-expulsion-of-kashamu-ogun-chair/



Signed
Senator Buruji Kashamu
16th May, 2020

OGUN PDP: JUDGE HANDS OFF CASE...RETURNS CASE FILE TO CJ OVER ACCUSATION OF ALLEGED BIAS

Since we reported the alleged debriefing of Ajibola Oluyede as counsel to Ogun State PDP on Monday and stated that the matter had been adjourned to Wednesday, it behoves on us to report the update. Here is it.

When our counsel got to court on Wednesday, they were shocked to find that a petition had been written against the trial judge, the Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo, accusing him of compromise, bias and other professional misconduct.

The distraught jurist directed the court registrar to give copies of the petition to all the counsel and stood down the matter for 15 minutes. When the sitting resumed, the Honourable Justice Ekwo asked the counsel to address him. One after the other, they spoke.

Afterwards, the Honourable Justice Ekwo announced that he will be returning the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice JohnTsoho and adjourned till Monday, 18th May, 2020, to await the decision of the Chief Judge.

By the way, contrary to our earlier post/report that Ajibola Oluyede had been replaced as counsel to the Ogun State PDP State Executive Committee, Oluyede, who was reportedly flown into Abuja on Tuesday in a private jet, was in court with a retinue of other counsel. He was among the counsel who addressed the court on Wednesday. In effect, he has not been debriefed. Please pardon our gaffe.

However, political observers are wondering why the former Chairman, Engr. Adebayo Dayo, who claimed to have debriefed a counsel so as to stop further litigations would brief another counsel who is working in cahoots with our group at the expense of the other group. That is the crux of the matter. The trust issues thrown up by this singular action has widened the gulf of what has become a perennial intra-party crisis. This is has been further compounded by the suspension and/or expiration of Engr. Adebayo Dayo's term of office. Can he truly represent his former camp? What value has he added to our camp and struggle since he joined us? Is it not more hoopla and confusion? Methinks it is better to stylishly leave him and let him go and enjoy his retirement at over 75.


*Mufutau Eletiofe of the Ladi Adebutu Democratic Organisation (LADO)*

Ogun PDP gets new executive, receives cars from Kashamu


The Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State on Friday inaugurated its new state executive members to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years.

Two lawyers and notary public, Mr. Victor Owokoya and Oluwatoyin Omomehin, administered the oath of office on the executive members in batches at the State Secretariat of the Party in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Members of the newly inaugurated State Executive Committee also received cars from the Omo-Ilu Foundation, whose Grand Patron is a former Senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu.

Although they were sworn in today (Friday) being the last working day of the week, the new State Exco will effectively take charge on Monday. The tenure of outgoing State Exco officially ends on Sunday, 10th of May, 2020.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the inauguration, the new PDP chairman, Samson Bamgbose maintained that his administration will bring victory to the party in future elections.

Bamgbose, who was a former state deputy chairman, noted that his vision is to see the party coming back to track and retaining its victory position in the state.

The PDP chairman further stressed that the new State Exco is committed to reconciling with all aggrieved members of the Party.

His words, "I give kudos to Almighty God for giving me the grace to lead this party at this crucial time and even before I became the chairman of this great party, my ambition, my vision has been to see this party coming back on track.

"Few years ago, this party was managing this state; we produce the government, PDP was running the government, but along the line something happened and it went off.

"So, for now my primary aim is to bring the party back to that track, we want to be in the government, we want to produce the next government and we are producing the next government."

Speaking on the legalities of the inauguration, the PDP chairman insisted that the congress that produce the executive was backed by the constitution of the party and the laws of the land.

He maintained that congresses were held from the Ward to Local Government and State levels.

Bamgbose said because of the extant regulation on gathering, delegates gathered in batches of 10 to 15 in their respective Local Government to elected their representatives on the State Executive Committee.

He also explained that the names of the newly inaugurated State Executive Committee (Exco) have been sent to the national headquarters of the Party in Abuja as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies.

Bamgbose added, "About what is happening now; as far as I know, there is no error.

"Today, we are doing the inauguration of the executive that has been constituted and elected and before we can do anything, we must be inaugurated.

"You can see the inauguration in batches, we are completely abiding with the signal from the state government to prevent any gathering that is more than 15; we are complying."

Speaking on how to unite the party, he said, "As the chairman of the party, I am here to serve; I have started calling all the aggrieved members to come and join me and my Exco, leaders and elders to reposition our Party and return it to winning ways.

"I, as the chairman of the party cannot do it alone. I need the support everyone. I have started sending signal to all aggrieved party members that we should come together, the umbrella is so big and I am sure they will respond. Even those that have left for APC, we have talked at length and some of them will be here. In no time, I believe we will see that things are taking better shape.

"Members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) are the fathers of all. Theirs is to see PDP producing competent hands that are ready and can deliver. Our own responsibility is to forward whatever we do here to them. I believe that with what I have seen, the NWC and NEC will have fine rapport with us; for the past a week or two, we have been discussing with them. Things are taking another shape and they too are interested in seeing Ogun PDP coming back."

Other members of the newly inaugurated State Executive Committee are Chief Kehinde Oladehinde, deputy chairman; Mr. Adeleke Shittu, state secretary; Barrister (Mrs) Bimbo Lanre-Balogun, state woman leader; Hon. Raphael Olaosebikan, youth leader; and Oyejide Sunkanmi, publicity Secretary.

They also include Alhaji Kola Akinyemi, vice chairman (Central); Major Fedinard Keku (Retd), vice-chairman (East), Alhaji Sunmola Kayode; vice-chairman (West); Mrs. Toyin Atoba, treasurer; Mrs. Omolola Soyombo, assistant treasurer; Mr. Yomi Anifowose, financial secretary; and Barr. Vivian Uwaokoye, legal adviser, among others.

Kashamu: Court Warns AGF Against Taking Law Into His Hands

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday restrained the Federal Government from taking steps to extradite to a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Buruji Kashamu to the United State on allegation of his complicity in illicit drug trade.
Justice Okon Abang, in a judgment, held that neither the Federal Government nor any of its agents could validly initiate extradition proceedings against Kashamu in view of subsiting restraining orders and judgments in his favour, which have remain unchallenged.
Justice Abang particularly noted that the judgement given by the Federal High Court, Lagos on January 6, 2014 (in suit No:49/2010) and another judgment of July 1, 2016 given by the Federal High Court , Abuja (in suit No: 479/2015), which prohibited Kashamu's extradition on account of the US drug allegation, are still subsisting.
The judgement was on a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/530/18 filed by Kashamu, with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as defendants.
Kashamu had, in the suit challenged the propriety of a letter by Shehu Bodinga of the Central Control Unit in the AGF's office, requesting the United States' embassy in Nigeria to forward a fresh extradition application after the judgment by Justice Gabriel Kolawole (then of the Federal High Court, Abuja) in suit suit No: 479/2015 voiding an earlier extradition proceedings.
Justice Abang, in his judgement, noted that Justice Kolawole's judgment, in nullifying the earlier extradition proceedings, was based on two judgments of the Federal High Court in suits Nos: 49/2010 and 508/2015, declaring as unlawful all attempts to extradite Kashamu in view of the judgements by two British courts which held that he was not the person involved in the drug crime in the US.
The judge noted that while the AGF successfully challenged the court's decisions in suit 508/2015, which was set aside in the appeals marked: 1030 and 1030a on May 4, 2018, the AGF failed to appeal the other judgment in the suit No: 49/2010.
Justice Abang held that, since the judgment in suit No: 49/2010 which contained a specific order restraining the AGF from exercising his power of extradition under the Extradition Act, was not challenged, it remains alive along with the restraining order.
The judge also held that since the subsequent judgment by Justice Kolawole was also not appealed, it remains subsisting and binding on all parties.
In the earlier part of the judgment, Justice Abang set aside the letter written by Bodinga, dated July 14 2016 on the grounds that the neither the AGF nor his agent has the power under any law to apply to a foreign country, with which Nigeria has extradition treaty, to bring a request for the extradition of a citizen of this country where that country has not made such an application.
The judge noted the decisions of the Court of Appeal in the two judgments, on which Justice Gabriel Kolawole was based, appeared conflicting.
He said the Court of Appeal's decision of September 20/2018 dismissing the appeal marked: 479/2015, which was an appeal against the judgment in suit No: 49/2010 is the most recent decision, which he is bound to abide by.
Justice Abang said: "The effect of the Court of Appeal dismissing the appeal against the judgment in suit No: 49/2010 is that the said judgment has validated in all its ramifications, inclusive of the restraining order in that judgment.
"It is my humble view that the AGF has no discretion in this matter. With the greatest respect to the AGF, he has no choice in this matter. The fact that the restraining order in the judgment in suit 49/2010 dated January 6, 2014 is still valid and subsisting, it is not a matter of sentiment.
"In fact, it is not a political issue. We don't practice democracy in court, no matter how the politicians look at it. The politicians can look at it the way it favours them. But, sitting as a court of law, where there is no appeal against a judgment, that judgment subsists.
"This is an issue of law. Where there is no appeal against a judgment, there is nothing anybody can do in a democratic setting. If the restraining order ought not to have been made, the AGF ought to have appealed against it.
"The Attorney General of the Federation, with the greatest respect to him, cannot pretend that the restraining order is no longer subsisting. The 1st defendant (AGF) cannot assume that the order was not made in good faith even when he participated in the proceedings.
"The 1st defendant appealed successfully and got judgment in suit No: 508/2015, that was set aside. Why did the AGF not appeal against the judgment in suit No:49/2010? Why did the AG not appeal that judgment even when the Court of Appeal recently dismissed an appeal against the judgment?
" I appreciate the fact that current AGF was not in office when this judgment was delivered on January 6, 2014. I really sympathise with him. he inherited it.
"In my respective view, he can not now seek to take steps against that judgment when his predecessor in office did not see any need to appeal against the judgment or did not even see anything wrong with the judgment.
"Except if the decision of the Court of Appeal on September 20, 2018, dismissing the appeal against the judgement in suit 49/2010 is validly set aside on an appeal to the Supreme Court, the AGF cannot validly take steps that run contrary to the subsisting judgment of this court. That will be an invitation to anarchy.
"To appeal the judgment is the lawful step to take. To take any other steps against the judgment order than appealing is unlawful, and an exercise of Executive lawlessness.
"It is my hope that the AGF an office created by the Constitution, the Chief Law Officer of the federation, who is also the chief minister in the temple of justice, the conscience of the society, should tow the pat of the law and should not violate the laws of the land," Justice Abang said.

OMOILU FOUNDATION PARTNERS OGUN PDP

…to distribute 25 vehicles, award scholarship to indigent youths


In what could be described as a vote of confidence in the newly-elected Ogun State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), some public-spirited individuals and institutions have indicated their readiness to work with the Hon. Samson Bamgbose-led State Exco.

One of such support has come from a not-for-profit organisation known as Omoilu Foundation.

Sources said others will be announced in the days ahead as the arrangements are concluded.

A statement issued on Wednesday in Abeokuta quoted the Acting Chairman and Chairman-elect of the State PDP, Hon. Samson Kayode Bamgbose, as saying, “I am happy to inform our teeming members and the general public that our goodwill has started attracting the support and cooperation of public-spirited individuals and institutions.

“In the days ahead, we shall begin to unveil them. But, permit me to inform you that one of such strategic partnerships is the one that we have just concluded with the Omoilu Foundation.

“At the end of a strategic meeting between the officials of the PDP and the foundation, the foundation unveiled its plans to support and reposition the PDP in Ogun State through various multi-million empowerment initiatives. As a first step, Omoilu Foundation will support our party members with the donation of 25 vehicles comprising of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), buses and cars which can be used for both private or commercial purposes. The foundation said it has an ambitious plan to donate 250 units of vehicles this year and we are lucky to have secured 25 units of various brands for our members.

“Also, working with the Bamgbose-led Ogun State PDP, the foundation has announced plans to award 20 scholarships to indigent youths and students in each of the three Senatorial Districts of the state; thus, bringing the total number of youths and students to be empowered to 60.”

Bamgbose urged interested youths and students to submit their applications either at the State PDP Secretariat on IBB Boulevard, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta or Omoilu Foundation Headquarters, beside Abusi Edumare Academy, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State.

“This is just the beginning; more goodies are in the offing, as we make progress, every indigene of our beloved Ogun State will feel the impact of the new PDP under our leadership. We would show them that we can play decent politics with the milk of human kindness,” he said.

Omoilu Foundation, which known for its grassroots approach to empowerment and wealth redistribution, was registered in 2009. Since then, it has lifted thousands of Nigerians in Ogun State and beyond through its various interventions in education, healthcare, finance and the provision of mobility aids, among others.

KASHAMU: SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT ON OGUN STATE PDP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - A REJOINDER TO THE SPONSORED PUBLICATIONS IN THE NATION NEWSPAPER AND CITY PULSE OF 1ST MAY, 2020


INTRODUCTION:
The commissioning of junk journalism, dependence on mediocre legal advice, unfounded confidence that the judiciary will bow to despotic dictates, falsehood, betrayals and dishonesty are the hallmark of the perennially unsuccessful strategies of those who have believed that they have a birthright to control the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State even though they are a minority.

This is unfortunately not new to us and (despite the support of some National officers of the PDP for the reactionary wing of the Ogun State PDP, a pitiful minority that has unsuccessfully struggled since 2011 to regain its control over the PDP), will undoubtedly end in failure like before.

Some of the propaganda being spewed out currently by this group will die out as usual once the truth comes into view.

Our attention has been drawn to the most recent version of these falsehoods commissioned and published in The Nation Newspaper and City Pulse online publication of May 1st 2020

SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT:
This article will address some of the falsehoods as follows:

FALSEHOOD 1:
That 13 out of the 14 members of the authentic PDP Ogun State Executive Committee (authenticated by the judgment of the Federal High Court in its judgment of 24th June, 2016 in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016) have gone over to the Adebutu’s Group.
THE TRUTH:
1. There is no Adebutu group in the Ogun State PDP; the so called Adebutu group (meaning a bunch of PDP members who supported Ladi Adebutu’s unsuccessful bid for the gubernatorial candidacy of the PDP in 2019) defected to the APM in 2019 under a three-year agreement which still subsists. Only the relevant organ of the PDP (i.e. its Executive Committee) can enter into any political alliance with another political party. Once a group of members decide to abandon their Party and “join forces” with a Party opposing the PDP, they have effectively defected and lost their membership of the Party.
2. The judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016 confirmed, authenticated and specified the Executive Committees of the PDP at Ward, LGA and State levels. So, whilst the State Working Committee is a 14-member body, the State Executive Committee, which the beneficiary of the judgment, is a wider and bigger organ that includes members of the State Working Committee and their Assistants, serving members of the National and State House of Assembly, serving and former members of the National Executive Committee from the State, all elected Local Government Area Party Chairmen in the State, among others.
3. Whereas those Executive Committees were protected from any interference from without, the judgment did not impede the organic evolution of the said Executive committees that would result from resignations, deaths and or removals by the Committees themselves.
4. In respect of the Ogun State PDP Executive Committee, it had evolved by 2020 to the point where many of its original members had resigned to contest elections and been duly replaced (the erstwhile Secretary of the Party, Semiu Sodipo himself signed many of the letters conveying the appointment of the replacement of officers who had been resigned or defected from the Party) and some had been suspended (like Semiu Sodipo himself as confirmed by Adebayo Dayo in letters, press releases and sworn affidavit).
5. Therefore by the end of February, 2020, Semiu Sodipo was no longer a member of the Ogun State PDP Executive Committee (State Exco) and the current members of the State Executive Committee were confirmed by Adebayo Dayo in his letter of 3rd of March, 2020, requesting that the law firm TRLPLAW act for the PDP Ogun State PDP Executive Committee in response to an action (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/208/2020) instituted under the influence of the reactionary elements in Ogun State in a bid to undermine the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016. It was the same officers that he used to suspend Sodipo.
6. That list of Ogun State PDP Executive Committee, prepared and signed by Adebayo Dayo, showed that Samson Kayode Bamgbose is the Deputy Chairman and Barrister (Mrs.) Bimbo Lanre-Balogun is the State Secretary of the PDP, amongst others.
7. From this list of the authentic officers of the Ogun State PDP Executive Committee prepared by Adebayo Dayo (as established by the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016) only Dayo is no longer functioning and this is because he was suspended by a resolution of the State Working Committee on the 26th of March, 2020 for his clandestine attempt to compromise the results of the Ward and LGA congresses conducted on the 7th and 21st of March, 2020 and obstruct the conduct of the State congress then scheduled for the 3rd of April, 2020.

FALSEHOOD 2:
That there is an order made by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/208/2020 stopping the conduct of PDP congresses in Ogun State and that the congresses conducted on the 7th, 21st of March and on the 3rd of April 2020 will be nullified for being conducted in contempt of that order.


THE TRUTH:
1. Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/208/2020 was brought by the dissidents in Ogun State in the name of the PDP against the authentic Ogun State PDP Executive Committee (as established by the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016) seeking a review of the judgment which had ordered that only the said authentic Ogun State PDP Executive Committee could conduct congresses or primaries of the PDP in Ogun State.
2. The reliefs sought were to the effect that the court should decide that because of some Supreme Court Judgments (that allegedly suggest that only the NEC of a political Party may conduct congresses and primaries), the judgment in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016 was not valid in empowering the Ogun State PDP Executive Committee to conduct congresses for its successors in 2020.
3. In that action, they had applied for an order of the court to stop the Ogun State PDP Executive Committee from conducting congresses and the court had refused the application and directed that the Defendants be put on Notice.
4. This action is evidently illegal and is another cynical abuse of the process of the court.
5. It is a blatant invitation to the Federal High Court to sit on appeal over its own judgment delivered in Suit No. FHC/LCS/636/2016 after the appeal against that judgment had been rejected and dismissed at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in 2019.
6. By March 3, 2020, when this fatally flawed matter came up, a Preliminary Objection had been filed on behalf of the then Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executive Committee, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the action because the questions raised in the action had already been decided by the same Federal High Court in favour of the Ogun State PDP Executive Committee in 2019 (in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/1323/2019 brought by some members of the Adebutu Group) and by the FCT High Court in another matter commenced by Ladi Adebutu (Suit No. FCT/FT/CV/29/2018).
7. In the face of this preliminary objection the court (Coram Inyang Ekwo J.) could not and did not entertain any application to stop the conduct of PDP congresses in Ogun State; the Supreme Court has directed that in such circumstances, the Court whose jurisdiction is being challenged cannot make any order against the interest of the party challenging its jurisdiction. (See the Supreme Court decision in NDIC V CBN 2002).
8. It was whilst adjourning the case for hearing of the preliminary objection and other applications that the judge on his own volition made the remark that “parties should refrain from doing anything that will tamper with the res of the action”.
9. This was not an order restraining conduct of congresses or for maintenance of status quo as misrepresented in the sponsored articles published in The Nation newspaper and City Pulse.
10. Immediately after the court proceedings on March 3, 2020, the instigators of the suit went on the media falsely claiming that the court had made an order restraining the conduct of PDP Congresses in Ogun State or for maintenance of status quo.
11. We clearly perceived the mischief inherent in this misinterpretation of the Court’s remarks and therefore decided to take ourselves outside possible allegations of breach of the “order” or of contempt of court by appealing against the “order” and filing an application for its stay.
12. Every lawyer knows this as the exception to the rule in Hadkinson V Hadkinson (applied by the Supreme Court in many cases including Governor of Lagos State V Ojukwu, FATB V Ezegbu, amongst others).
13. This rule admits of an exception to the perception that a party is in contempt of court when he disobeys an order he has appealed against and filed an application to stay.
14. The appeal and the motion for stay essentially neutralize the application of the order appealed against to the Appellant (the authentic Ogun State Executive Committee of the PDP in this instance).
15. Therefore, the idea being bandied around that the congresses were conducted in defiance of a restraining order or an order for maintenance of status quo is clearly unfounded and completely false.
16. Similarly, any plan being harboured about complaining to Justice Inyang Ekwo that the congresses breached the remarks of the court that “parties refrain from doing anything to tamper with the res of the action” will find no leg to stand on in the context of our appeal and application for the stay of the execution of the “order”.
17. Clearly, the plan was to obtain a restraining order that could be dragged beyond the 9th May, 2020 tenure of the authentic Ogun State Executive Committee of the PDP.
18. At this time, they would then claim that there was no subsisting Ogun State Executive Committee of the PDP to conduct the congresses in line with the dictates of the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016.
19. By conducting the congresses validly on the 7th, 21st March and 3rd April 2020 that strategy was foiled and now lies wasted and useless. This is why the refrain has gone up that the congresses were conducted in breach of a restraining order or in defiance of an order for maintenance of status quo, when no such orders exist.
20. However, the reactionaries are at liberty to continue relying on the usual mediocre legal advice that has always seen them worsted in every legal battle since 2011.

FALSHOOD 3:
That INEC has nullified the congresses on the basis of an alleged restraining order/order for maintenance of status quo.
THE TRUTH:
1. We have already demonstrated that there is no restraining order on conduct of PDP Congresses in Ogun State.
2. It is also a falsehood that INEC nullified any of the congresses conducted on the 7th, 21st March and 3rd April 2020. INEC may have its view about the meaning or effect of the remarks of the court “that Parties should not tamper with the res of the action but that does not give INEC any right to nullify any congress on the basis of such view.
3. Already, INEC has received the reports of the congresses and is aware of the new officers that will now take over from the Ogun State Executive Committee of the PDP backed by FHC/L/CS/636/2016.
4. Hon. Samson Kayode Bamgbose now leads the new Ogun State Executive Committee of the PDP.
5. He and his colleagues have already approached the Federal High Court for protection from the anticipated antics of the desperate elements and their new allies in Ogun State.
6. On the 9th of May 2020, they will effectively be in charge of the running of the Party as specified by the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016.
7. If INEC has any complaints against the congresses the new case (Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/44/2020) will give INEC the opportunity to make that complaint.
8. However, until then, INEC cannot pre-empt the court and make any declaration that the congresses are invalid or nullities when that question has now been submitted to the court for determination.

CONCLUSION:
My call for genuine reconciliation is not an act of cowardice or a sign of weakness. Rather, it is in the spirit of sportsmanship and a direct response to the wish of the people, especially the grassroots. We have always propagated the need for mutual respect and cooperation. If anyone thinks otherwise, we cannot force them to go against their wish. For, as it said, “you can only lead a horse to water, you can’t make it drink”. We had thought (and still think) it would be in the overall interest of our Party and the people to come together and become a united and formidable force.

And for the uninformed who talk of someone running a one-man show, they are obviously living in denial of our existential political reality. An individual does not and cannot make up a political party or group. If Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye is not there; H.E. Otunba Gbenga Daniel is not there; Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole is not there, at some point in time someone has to provide the needed leadership or serve as the rallying point per time. Nonetheless, such a person cannot do it all alone. He must do it with the support of other leaders, elders and stakeholders at the Ward, Local Government and State levels. For instance, the Chairman in Agosasa Ward in Ipokia Local Government was chosen by the Ward leaders there. That is how it goes up to the Local Government and State levels. The stakeholders meet and choose their leaders and representatives. I don’t have to know them.

So, the allegation of anyone running a one-man show is without substance. It is a sentiment often thrown up by those who either want to push through their own interest or literally take over the driver’s seat. Ask the shameless and treacherous Adebayo Dayo if anyone can contest the governorship ticket with his newly found paymaster? Isn't that an apt description of a one-man show? They should stop pulling the wool over our eyes. No one is a fool.

I wish to reiterate again that we are ready for genuine reconciliation through the Samson Bamgbose-led State Executive Committee. If anyone wants to continue to waste the money he has not worked for, he is at liberty to do so. But, the Bamgbose-led Ogun State Executive Committee of the PDP has come to stay by the grace of the Almighty Allah!

God bless PDP!
God bless Ogun State!!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!

Signed
Senator Buruji Kashamu
2nd May, 2020

KASHAMU: WE’RE READY FOR GENUINE RECONCILIATION WITH AGGRIEVED OGUN PDP MEMBERS
PREAMBLE:
Further to my statement of 14th April, 2020 in respect of recent developments within the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I have seen and read the various interviews and reports of Engr. Adebayo Dayo and Semiu Sodipo, the duo who were recently suspended as State Chairman and State Secretary of our Party in Ogun State.
According to the Constitution of our great Party, by virtue of being a former member of the National Assembly and National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great Party, I am automatically a member of the Ogun State Executive Committee. It is on this premise that I wish to make the following submissions on behalf of all the well-meaning leaders, elders and stakeholders of our Party in Ogun State:
1. It is most ludicrous that Engr. Adebayo Dayo and Semiu Sodipo who are parading themselves as genuine members of the Ogun State PDP Executive Committee recently suspended each other at different times. While the Dayo-led State Exco suspended Sodipo on the 28th of February, 2020; Sodipo and former members of the State Exco suspended Dayo on the 29th of February, 2020. Dayo’s suspension was even ratified by the South West Zonal Committee of our great Party on the 3rd of March, 2020. Afterwards, Dayo’s fate was literally sealed on the 26th of March, 2020 when he was suspended by the authentic State Executive Committee of our Party – the same State Exco members that sat with him to suspend Sodipo in the first instance. How then can he now turn round to deny the same Exco?
2. Indeed, Dayo in a letter dated 3rd of March, 2020 to TRLP Law firm, listed the names of the authentic Ogun State PDP Executive Committee. He also attached several letters which showed former state officers who either resigned to contest elections or left for another party and were subsequently replaced. Some of the letter were jointly signed by Dayo and Sodipo while others were signed by either of them. All these facts have been deposed to in affidavits filed in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/24/2020 in a case instituted by Dayo (in his capacity as the then Chairman) alongside other members of the State Executive Committee.
3. For Dayo, Sodipo and their co-travellers to be claiming that they are the authentic State Exco shows the level of their desperation, deceit and fraudulent tendencies which are geared towards causing chaos in Ogun State. This has now become a matter for investigation by the relevant security agencies.
4. There is no gainsaying the fact that Dayo and Sodipo are gone for good. Contrary to their claims and posture, they do not have any authority or legitimacy. They are simply mercenaries who are working hard to please their pay master.
5. Dayo and Sodipo have failed in their evil enterprise and do not have any authority or legitimacy to drive the Party in Ogun State. They are inconsequential and cannot speak for the Party as they no longer have the power to do so. They are the biggest betrayers of all time that we have ever seen in the politics of Ogun State.
6. Permit me to mention that after Dayo’s suspension, the Deputy Chairman, Hon. Samson Bambgose assumed office as the Acting Chairman. Subsequently, the State Congress was held on the 3rd of April, 2020 and new executives emerged.
7. In a bid to enforce their rights, the Exco that emerged from the State Congress approached the Federal High Court, Abeokuta. And based on their prayers, the court granted them an order directing parties to maintain status quo antebellum which is to the effect that no one should do anything to the new State Executive until the Motion on Notice before the court is heard and determined. Specifically, the court, in Suit FHC/AB/CS/44/2020 ordered that, “…the parties shall respect the principle of lis pendens and maintain status quo antebellum pending the hearing and determination of the Applicants’ Motion on Notice which is already filed before this court.” And the case was adjourned to the 21st of May, 2020. In effect, that means no other congress can be conducted in Ogun State PDP; no caretaker can be put in place and no purported reconciliation by some impostors can stand. The only genuine reconciliation that can stand the test of time and the law is the one driven by State Executive Committee in collaboration with all the leaders and elders at the ward, local government and state levels.
8. I have the mandate of all the altruistic leaders and elders of the Party in Ogun State to declare once again that we are willing, ready and available for genuine reconciliation that will reposition our Party and move it forward.
9. Let me also publicly declare that I have no interest in any elective position, including the governorship and therefore have no reason to oppose the ambition of any member of the Party aspiring to be Governor of the state because I know that all powers belong to the Almighty Allah. My fight has always been against illegalities, injustice and imposition.

10. It should also be borne in mind that the PDP as well as our respectable national and zonal leaders belong to all of us. While trying to protect our various interests, we may have roughened feathers in the past. But, that does not mean we cannot bury the hatchet and move ahead. As it is said, “to err is human and to forgive is divine”. Henceforth, we will all be attending meetings called by the national and zonal leadership of our Party in order to forge a more united front.


11. All the allegations levelled against me by Dayo and Sodipo on various traditional and social media are mere rantings and the outbursts of confused minds. I will not condescend to their level. Thank you.

Long live PDP!
Long live Ogun State!!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Signed
Senator Buruji Kashamu
30th April, 2020

Kashamu deserves praise and not insult-Ogun YPP Chairman.


The Chairman of the Ogun state chapter of Young Progressive Party (YPP), Prince Tolu Ajayi  (PTA) has distanced self from the recent attack on the immediate past lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the upper legislative chamber, Prince Buruji Kashamu by the League of Registered Political Parties.

Recall, the League had in the wake of week argued that Kashamu had lost relevance in the political space in the state, adding that he (Kashamu) is the black sheep in the State's chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

But Ajayi in a statement on Thursday, described Kashamu as an expemplary leader worthy of emmulation, insisting that his (Kashamu's) impact in the run to unite the party could not be over overemphersied.

According to him, the League's claim is inhuman as it appeared to cause damage and dent the immage of innocent politician like Kashamu who had made a remarkable impact in the political realm.

The young politician who stressed that Kashamu is one of the dogged politicians in the south west, insisted that he (Kashamu) is one of the pillars holding the PDP in the state, adding that the party would have collapsed without Kashamu.

He said the League wouldn't have attack the Ijebu Igbo born politician outrightly if it had not been sponsored by some political oppositions of Kashamu, these whom he described as "Kashamu's worst enemies".

Ajayi expressed fear  that the attack may lead to chaos among different political parties and politicians if proper caution is not promptly taken.

"To say that a political lion like the amiable Kasuamu has lost political relevance  in the State is diabolic and inhuman. It is unfortunate that those attacking Kashamu are ignorant of his consistent fight to unite his party and cause positive change in Ogun politics," he said.

He added "I will advise the League to remember that the vocation of causing a damage on other man's image is unprofitable and devilish. The leadership of the league should have a rethink and apologise to Senator Kashamu".

He argued it is unfortunate that majority of those launching the attack are still political babies that are being used as weapons of attack.

He however appealed to the leadership of the league to return to the media and apologise to Kashamu in order to let the breathe of peace spread in Ogun politics

The Asiwaju Abdul-Lateef Adedamola-led Ogun state chapter of the Inter Party Advisory Council ( IPAC) has described the League of Political parties as a gathering of shameless exponent of political adventurism for launching an attack on the immediate past lawmaker representing Ogun East at the upper legislative chamber.

The council in a rejoinder signed by its Chairman, Asiwaju Adedamola condemned in strong terms, saying IPAC is the only recognized umbrella of political parties in Nigeria.

The rejoinder read: "The Attention of the Ogun State Chapter of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has been drawn to a media attack on the immediate past lawmaker representing Ogun East at the Red chamber, Senator Buruji Kashamu by a gathering of shameless exponent of political adventurism under the aegis of League of Political Parties.

" IPAC being the only recognised umbrella of political parties is compelled to write a rejoinder to expose the devilish mission of this faceless body to the good people of Ogun state. League of political parties is a gathering of political cretins who have no credibility, they have no means of livelihood. These are group of "anywhere belle face" politicians with no integrity.



"IPAC is the only recognised umbrella of political parties in Ogun State. It is the only body that can speak/act as the umbrella of political parties in Ogun State.

"Their latest attack on the personality of our Distinguished Senator Kashamu is not surprising to IPAC because the leadership of the dumb league is obviously clueless.

"To say that a political juggernaut in the person of Sen. Kasuamu has lost political relevance in the state is due to their deliberate intellectual mischief.

"IPAC is bitterly disappointed because the harsh and damaging article only tried to attack the personality of Kasuamu but it ended up harving no scholarship and justifiable claims. Only based on flimsy assumptions.

"We are not oblivious of the apparent fact that the league is being sponsored by some political miscrants whose parties were deregistered by INEC and some money bags who are not comfortable with the rising political profile of Sen. Kashamu

"Their faulty arguement that Kashamu has lost relevance in the political sphere in Ogun is unjustifiable and watery- they have only played the tune of their godfathers/paymasters which has exposed their lack of good sense of Judgement.

"IPAC's philosophy is that a league of political parties ought to be unbias and unyielding to directives from political cabals, godfathers or others as it is Independent to any political leader and unbending towards a political or selected party (ies).

"It is perplexing to hear people saying things that cannot stand the test of truth or simple logic.

"It is unholy and diabolic to tag Kashamu as selfish. We will advise the faceless League of Political parties to carefully go through the chapters of history to be aware of the records of Kashamu's gallant achievements in the political space.

E: Signed

Asiwaju Abdul-Lateef Adedamola

Ogun IPAC Chairman.

SENATOR KASHAMU TO EX-OGUN PDP BOSS ADEBAYO DAYO: YOU’RE A BAD LEADER, GREEDY POLITICIAN WITHOUT A CONSCIENCE

My attention has been drawn to a publication in The Punch newspaper of Saturday, 18th April, 2020, wherein the suspended Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Adebayo Dayo, said it was either I embraced reconciliation or forget PDP. I laughed at his outlandish declaration because it is not in his place to determine who would stay in the PDP or not.

THE FACT
Contrary to his claim and pretence to facilitating reconciliation, Chief Dayo was only after what he could grab before leaving office. That is the only reason why he betrayed the Ogun State PDP structure and its leadership by selling 70% of the party structure to Hon. Ladi Adebutu and 30% for himself, with the N100 million to boot. The level of his betrayal is beyond pardon. He has forgotten so soon where he is coming from. Chief Dayo was a hunter who lived in an uncompleted building but while with me, he completed the house and built others. He was a party leader in Ward 3, Ome, Ijebu North Local Government Area under the leadership Senator Lekan Mustapha. Later on, we joined hands to celebrate Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye’s ministerial appointment. After the ceremony, Dayo betrayed his leaders and scattered their group. That was how he left unceremoniously. History is merely repeating itself. Truly, a leopard never changes its spots.


ON RECONCILIATION
I have never opposed any reconciliatory move because I know a tree does not make a forest. But, having shown his hands, Dayo cannot preside over any reconciliatory move. He cannot even be part of it because he does not have the integrity to do so. Rather, it should be championed by those who have the trust and confidence of the two main tendencies. The National leadership of the party is in a better position to call everyone, hear from them and resolve the issues in order for the PDP to move forward in Ogun State.
As a matter of fact, when Chief Dayo, Chief R.A Adenaike (a.k.a Baba Oloolu), Dr. Remilekun Bakare, Chief Kola Sorinola and the Acting PDP Chairman in Ogun State, Hon. Samson Bamgbose (a.k.a Imisi) came to meet me about the need for reconciliation, I told them that it was a good idea so long as they carry key stakeholders along after the congresses. I also told them that it was imperative for the other people to publicly repudiate the three-year agreement that they had with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). But, Dayo chose to sidestep everyone and went behind to betray structure and purportedly sold it. This is nothing but a scam!
There was no genuine reconciliation in his moves. Reconciliation is a process. Parties have to meet, discuss and agree on the modalities and terms of settlement. There was no way he would think that just because he was the State Chairman, he could decide for all the leaders, elders and stakeholders.

SHARING OF STATE EXCO
Having been compromised, Chief Dayo alone went into series of meetings with some persons and shared the State PDP Exco. Frankly speaking, Chief Dayo’s move can never work. It can only compound the issues. If he thinks that heavily-induced proposal would pull through, then he is gravely mistaken. Upon Chief Dayo’s emergence as the State PDP Chairman, many leaders and stakeholders, including my humble self, did everything humanly possible to support him even when those he is now flirting with did everything to get him out. It was through this structure that Hon. Adebutu got the ticket that took him to the House of Representatives in 2015, after trying for close to 20 years. He had barely done three months at the House of Representatives when he declared that he wanted to be governor. He then started fighting those he thought could oppose him. That was how he divided the party. In 2015, we got nine House of Assembly seats, two House of Representatives and one Senate against the incumbent government.

THE NULLITY OF ANY PURPORTED AGREEMENT
Any purported agreement that Chief Dayo signed with anyone would not stand. Doing so after he was suspended for anti-party activities renders the whole move a nullity. It can never work. When we get to that bridge, we would cross it. He is trying hard to justify the money he was paid to betray all the party leaders and executives. His son spent nine years with me. During the period, he diverted and stole many things, including money, marble and granite, among others, which he used to build a house and bought 120-acres of land where he has a farm in Ijebu-Igbo. While supervising the building of the over N600 million worth Omoilu Foundation Complex, he inflated the bills of his contractor-friends. When Chief Dayo was confronted with all these by Dr. Bakare and Comrade Abayomi Arabambi, he said one should eat from where he works. This means he is an accomplice. At the appropriate time, the law will take its course. He may well spend the rest of his life shuttling between various Police formations and the court. It is going to be battle royal.

ON THE ISSUE OF N100 MILLION
Chief Dayo told Arabambi and others that he was offered 100million to sell the party structure to the Adebutus and that Hon. Ladi Adebutu brought N20 million upfront payment to him. But, he (Chief Dayo) asked Hon. Adebutu to keep it until he delivers on the deal they had struck. Chief Dayo said I had received hundreds of millions of naira on behalf of party members from different quarters which I never disclosed to him. This is a mere hogwash. He could not tell how much was received from who, where and when? No substance!

CONCLUSION
On a final note, Dayo said I am a good leader but not a good politician. That is a complement. I am not good politician because I am not good at his kind of debauchery and deceit. Conversely, Chief Dayo is a bad leader and greedy politician without a conscience. I thank the Almighty Allah that he was not paid to poison me. For us, as genuine party men and law-abiding citizens, we will continue to challenge illegality and injustice within the ambits of the law and other internal mechanisms of the party. And this will not be an exemption. The good people of Ogun State and indeed Nigeria should watch as events unfold. I am convinced that if all I have said is the truth, then victory is sure. And shame shall be the lot of traitors and liars.
Thank you.

SENATOR BURUJI KASHAMU

ADEBAYO DAYO BETRAYED THE OGUN STATE PDP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR A MESS OF POTTAGE

- SENATOR BURUJI KASHAMU


DAYO IS PLAYING TO HIS GALLERY, WE CAN SEE THROUGH HIS LIES

Engineer Adebayo Dayo vainly tries to impress on his paymasters, by his press conference, posts and comments, that he is in control of the Ogun State PDP Executive Committee, in order to receive the rest of the payment promised him for betraying his colleagues in the Ogun State PDP Executive Committee and his leaders in the state.

Let the paymasters know that their pieces of silver for this betrayal (just like those paid to Judas Iscariot) are wasted. They have only bought their defeat again.

We have the evidence of the meeting at Equity Hotel, Ijebu Ode, where Dayo collected money to sell the Ogun State structures of the PDP to Kessington Adebutu. What the Adebutus should realize is that they have been scammed, as Dayo has no power to transfer the structures of the Party to anyone.

This illegal transaction shows the low mentality of Dayo. Otherwise, how can anyone think that he can sell a political structure comprising many interests, major stakeholders for a mere 100 million naira?

No one is against the reconciliation of any aggrieved members but the question members of the Party continue to ask is: how Dayo could claim that he was trying to reconcile anyone when he did not have any meeting with any stakeholder or any of the Party Executive Committees at LGA or ward level and carried nobody in the State Eecutive Committee along before signing his contract with the Adebutus. What is more intriguing is: how would someone who calls himself PDP Chairman want to sell the party to people who still have a binding and subsisting three-year agreement with the Allied People's Movement (APM) in Ogun State. The agreement, which was publicly announced on the 7th of March, 2019. They have just done a year and the agreement will lapse in 2022. These elements have neither repudiated the agreement nor have they formally returned to the PDP.

The party structure, which he has betrayed, is the same one that has sustained him as party leader in the state for the last 10 years, first as Ogun East Senatorial District Chairman for two years and then as State Chairman for 8 years.

He never personally paid any fees to the law firm that sustained him through the various litigations during those years and now two weeks before the expiration of his tenure he no longer wants the law firm. Having sustained him in office as Chairman for eight years, I did not need to bribe him with any amount to sign any document; his claim of being offered N10 million is meant to hype himself before his new paymasters. The Ward, Local Government and State Congresses were successfully held and concluded. Dayo himself wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirming that the congresses were successfully held. And there are acknowledged correspondences to that effect. So, what is he talking about?

On the claim that Samson Bamgbose is not a member of the State Exco, he (Bamgbose) and Dayo were elected into the State Exco on the 10th of May, 2016. His name is on No. 20 of the list of the Ogun State PDP Exco that got the judgment in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/636/2016. He was elected as the State Assistant Auditor. On the 26th of September, 2018, Bamgbose was appointed as the State Deputy Chairman. The letter of appointment was issued and signed by the former State Secretary, Semiu Sodipo. Even as recent as the 3rd of March, 2020, Dayo wrote the Ogun State PDP counsel a letter wherein he listed the same Bamgbose in number two as the Deputy Chairman after his (Dayo's) name and signature as number one.

Eight years ago when Dayo became State Chairman, he only had one uncompleted building in Ijebu Igbo. Today, through the position of State Chairman, God has blessed him with about 6 houses in Ogun State and Ibadan with about six vehicles and many plots of land.

Dayo has proven time and again that his greed can never be satisfied. He used the chairmanship position to enrich himself and his family. In 2015, he embezzled about N50 million campaign funds, just as he got he got a plot of land in Abuja as Chairman of the PDP in Ogun State which he sold for N25 million. He was meant to share the money with other Exco members and leaders. But, he didn't. He pocketed everything. Still in 2015, he misappropriated over N100 million; N50 million realized from the sale of nomination forms and another N50 million of campaign funds. Of the millions realized from the sale of nomination forms sold ahead of the 2019 election, about N60 million was misappropriated without recourse to the leaders, elders and other stakeholders. During the 2019 election, I personally paid him N40 million to be shared between him and the erstwhile State Secretary, Alhaji Semiu Sodipo. He took N25 million and gave N15 million to Sodipo. Another sum of N34 million was facilitated for him through a kinsman, Mr. Teslim Giwa. He collected over N10 million from me for the just concluded Ward, Local Government and State Congresses in Ogun State without giving the delegates any money. For the past eight years, he got between N5 million and N10million monthly for the running of his office and the Party Secretariat where he inflated staff salaries and paid ghost or non-existent workers.These are a few of the many deals he struck while he held sway as the State PDP Chairman and yet his greedy nature won't leave him.

His son, who started his working life with me 10 years ago, is now a multi-millionaire with mansions in Ibadan and Ijebu, many plots of land, a farm and Petrol filling station in Ibadan.

Yet, Dayo thinks he can now sell everyone in Ogun PDP to the Adebutus. He is the greatest betrayer of all time. No right thinking person should have anything to do with him.

I wish to urge all members of the Party in Ogun State to be peaceful and calm, as Dayo has no hope of victory in his dastardly endeavour.

Members should be confident that the future of the Party in Ogun State is bright and all will be well.

THE SUSPENSION OF DAYO WAS CONSTITUTIONALLY VALID

Constitutionally, the suspension of Adebayo Dayo was very much in order as prescribed by Article 57(3) of the PDP constitution.

This provision empowers the Ogun State Working Committee (OGSWC) of the PDP to suspend any member of the Party for a period not exceeding one month during which period such a member may be referred to the appropriate Disciplinary Committee.

The OGSWC did not entertain any motion to discipline Adebayo Dayo. It only considered a motion to lodge a complaint against him at the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP, for his activities against the Ogun State Executive Committee (OGSWC) and the Party in Ogun State.

Once it was resolved to lodge a complaint at the NEC against Dayo for the question of his discipline to be entertained by the NEC of the Party, the members of the OGSWC further resolved that he should be suspended in the interim until the NEC decides whether or not to initiate the necessary disciplinary process against him.

THE MEETING AT WHICH THE RESOLUTIONS WERE PASSED WAS VALIDLY CONVENED AND CONDUCTED

Article 21(4) empowers two thirds (2/3) of the members of the OGSWC to call an extraordinary meeting and in this case the notice of the meeting was signed by 11 out of the 14 members of the OGSWC.

Article 21(5) further prescribes that the quorum for meetings of the OGSWC of the PDP shall be 1/3 of the members of the OGSWC. In this case, 11 out of the 14 members of the OGSWC attended the meeting and voted in favour of the resolution to suspend Engr. Adebayo Dayo.

The same Article 21(5) prescribes that a simple majority of the members present at the meeting shall pass “any motion”.

The motion to suspend Engr. Adebayo Dayo was unanimously passed by all the members present at the meeting.


ENG DAYO’S ARGUMENTS ARE MISCONCEIVED

Contrary to Engr. Adebayo Dayo’s argument, there is no encumbrance whatsoever on the capacity of the OGSWC to pass a motion to suspend him from his position as State Chairman.

This was not a meeting of the Ogun State Executive Committee of the PDP to determine whether to refer Dayo to a state disciplinary committee of the Party as forbidden by Article 59(3) of the PDP Constitution.

It was a duly convened extraordinary meeting of the OGSWC of the PDP to discuss the Party’s activities and it was at that meeting that the decision was taken that the OGSWC be a complainant to the NEC of the Party, against Dayo, which may then refer the matter to the appropriate disciplinary committee at the National level.

WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO ALLOW ENGR. DAYO TO LEAD US UNTIL IT IS DETERMINED BY NEC WHAT KIND OF DISCIPLINE HIS ACTIVITIES DESERVE

It is quite unreasonable for anyone to expect that after the acts of betrayal by Dayo, we should continue with him as Chairman, when the Ogun State chapter of the Party has the power to suspend him to give him the opportunity to defend himself against the complaint of our State Working Committee lodged against him at the NEC of the PDP.

Dated the 14th day of April, 2020.

SENATOR BURUJI KASHAMU

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Mr. Adebayo Dayo over anti-party activities.

The suspension was contained in a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Ogun State, Mr. Oyejide Sunkanmi.

The statement reads: "At a meeting of the Ogun State Working Committee (OGSWC) of the PDP held at the State PDP Headquarters in Abeokuta on the 26th of March, 2020, attended by officers listed in the schedule hereto with their signatures affixed, concerning allegations of anti-party activities against Engineer Adebayo Dayo (erstwhile State Chairman), it was resolved as follows:

"Notwithstanding the refusal of Engineer Adebayo Dayo to attend this meeting after being duly notified of the convening of the meeting by 2/3 of the members of the OGSWC of our great party drawn from the three (3) Senatorial districts, the PDP OGSWC hereby resolves to send its complaints of anti-party activities against Engineer Adebayo Dayo to the National Executive Committee of the party for disciplinary measures to be considered.

"Engineer Adebayo Dayo is hereby suspended for a period of one month from the date hereof in the first instance and thereafter until the National Executive Committee takes a decision regarding the allegations made by the PDP OGSWC against him.

"The State Deputy Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Samson Kayode Bamgbose, is hereby authorised to act as State Chairman till the election of and handover to new officers of the Party at State level as scheduled."

The resolution was signed by 10 members of the 14-member State Working Committee who are more than the quorum required to pass any resolution.

The statement urged all members of the party to remain calm as efforts are ongoing to reconcile and reposition the party and return it to winning ways "but that process must be driven by credible people who enjoy the confidence of all stakeholders and not political jobbers who are after their belly."

In another development, members of the Ogun State PDP Exco has distanced itself from a letter which was signed by Dayo debriefing Prince Ajibola Oluyede of TRLP LAW as counsel to the party in the state.

The party said Dayo had no authority of the Ogun State PDP Exco to write the said letter dated 30th March, 2020, after he had been suspended.

In a letter dated 8th April, 2020, which was signed by the Acting State Chairman, Mr. Samson Bamgbose and State Secretary, Barrister Bimbo Lanre-Balogun, the party said, "We thank you for notifying us of the letter dated 30th March, 2020 allegedly written to you by the suspended State Chairman, Engr. Adebayo Dayo and hereby reiterate that Adebayo Dayo had no authority of the Ogun State Executive Committee, Local Government Executive Committees or the Ward Executive Committees of the party to write the letter to discontinue with your services as our lawyer.

"We had already suspended Engr. Adebayo Dayo from his position as Chairman since the 26th of March, 2020 in order that we might send our complaints against him to the National Working Committee/National Executive Committee of the Party for disciplinary processes to commence against him. Perhaps the letter written to you after his suspension was part of his design to destabilize our great party.

"We therefore implore you to discountenance the said letter and continue your good work on our behalf.

"In this regard, we hereby specifically instruct that you take steps to replace Adebayo Dayo as the representative of our Executive Committee in any court action in which he has sued or been sued as our representative."

The letter was signed by all members of the State Executive Committee, which comprises of the State Working Committee, 20 Local Government party chairmen and relevant Ward Executives across the state's 236 wards.

Family Raises Alarm Over Sudden Disappearance Of Couple Who Rejects Chieftaincy Title

The Orosun family of Idanre, Ondo State has declared their son Olatunji Olufemi and wife, Beatrice missing after the couple refused to undergo the traditional rites that will make him ascend the title of his late father, the Abore of Orosun family of Idanre, Ondo state.


The head of the family, High Chief Borokini Mebonewade Olatunji, who spoke with reporters in Abeokuta , the Ogun state capital last week said the search team constituted by the family on OLUFEMI and Beatrice has being to neighbouring South West states, Port Harcourt, Federal Capital Territory Abuja before coming down to look for him in Abeokuta where the cousin of his wife , Dorcas Oyeyemi lives with her family.

"It is the tradition in the family that whoever is choosen by the gods to be installed as the "Abore of Orosun" must undergo the traditional rites with his wife. It is a well known tradition in the family. We are surprised that we can't find him.

"His whereabout is not known to us. He is the one choosen by the gods. The title is vacant at the moment. The title can't be vacant for too long," he said.

Olufemi's whereabout is unknown since the year 2017.

Kashamu sympathises with Ben Bruce over death of wife

The immediate past lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District and Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Sen. Buruji Kashamu has commiserated with media entrepreneur and former senator representing Bayelsa East, Ben Murray-Bruce, on the death of his wife, Evelyn Bruce.

In a condolence message signed by the Ijebu Igbo born politician, he described late Evelyn as pillar of inspiration and support for the media entrepreneur.

Mr. Bruce passed away on Friday 20th of March, 2020.

According to the statement, Sen. Kashamu identifies with Bruce's agony at this trying period.

It said, "I received with a troubled heart the news of the passage of Mrs Evelyn Murray-Bruce, the adorable wife of my friend and brother, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce.

"As a friend of the family, I attest to the fact that she was a source of inspiration and strong pillar of support to Ben. She was a true mother to her children in all respects. Her warmth, love, commitment and sacrifice were exceptional. These are some of the fond memories that would be forever etched on the table of our hearts.

"It is on this note that I wish to empathise with my dear friend and the entire Murray-Bruce family on the vacuum created by Mrs Evelyn Murray-Bruce’s exit.

"I reckon that the vacuum created by her passage to eternal glory would be difficult to fill; please, be encouraged and comforted in her good deeds and the fond memories that we all have of her. For, as someone said, “to live in the hearts of those we love is never to die.

"It is true that Mrs Evelyn Murray-Bruce is now free from the pains and pangs of this beleaguered world and has joined the saints triumphant; she and her good deeds remain forever in our hearts."

Court Bars Premier Lotto, Others From Selling Ghana Games in Nigeria


A Federal High Court, Lagos, today (Friday) made interlocutory orders restraining Premier Lotto Limited and 22 other lottery outfits in Nigeria from operating and using Ghana Games lottery products.


The court also made an interlocutory order restraining the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) from revoking Western Lotto Limited's lottery licence or take any step to prevent it from operating the Ghana Games products.


The court, presided by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, also made an order of interlocutory injunction restraining Registrar of Trade Marks, its agents, servants and privies, from registering for Premier Lotto Limited and others any lotto games that have Ghana Games Lotto products.

The court also granted an order of interlocutory injunction restraining Premier Lotto and others, "and all members of the class of persons represented by the defendants whether acting by themselves, their servants, agents, privies or assigns, including their super agents, principal agents or sub agents from using the trade names and trade marks that are associated with the Ghana Games lottery products, including Monday Special Lotto, Lucky Tuesday Lotto, Midweek Lotto, Fortune Lotto, Friday Bonanza Lotto, Saturday National Lotto, VAG Lotto and Super 6 Lotto in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit."

The court further restrained the defendants from passing off their own lottery products/games as Ghana Games lottery products through the sale and distribution of the Ghana Games and the use of the draw numbers of the Ghana National Lottery Authority (NLA).

Others restrained by the court's interlocutory injunction alongside Premier Lotto Limited are: Secure Electronic Technology Limited; Richwell Plaza Limited; Peoples Empowerment Lottery Limited;Gab Lotto Limited; Payday Lotteries Limited and R&S Lotto Limited; Capstar Entertainment International Limited.


Others include: Winners Golden Chance Lotto; EG&H Integrated Concepts Limited; Global Lottery Limited; Fortune Games Limited, EMI Systems Limited; Mobile Lottery Nigeria Limited; Wesco Pools and Lottery Limited; Give and Take Lottery and Brentwood Multiservices Global Limited; International Lottery and Gaming Limited; Winlot Global Resources Limited; Lottomania Nigeria Limited; Derby Lotto Limited; K.C. Lottery Company Limited and K.C. Gaming Networks Limited.

Justice Aneke, however, refused Western Lotto Nigeria Limited's request to destroy all the products, equipment and games of the firms offering lottery products styled the Ghana games products - in breach of Western Lotto Nigeria Limited's exclusive rights to use the trade names and trademarks associated with the Ghana Games Lotto products.

The judge gave the orders after dismissing several preliminary objections filed by 25 respondents in the suit.

The respondents in their various preliminary objections have asked the court to decline jurisdiction on the matter as well as strike out Western Lotto Nigeria Limited's suit against them for been incompetent.

Meanwhile, hearing in the suit marked FHC/L/CL/2321/19, has been adjourned till May 28, 2020.

‘NO COURT ORDER STOPPED OGUN PDP CONGRESS’

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as untrue social media reports that a court in Abuja has granted an order restraining it from going ahead with its scheduled congress.

A statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Oyejide Sunkanmi said the misleading reports were the handiwork of some desperate and estranged elements within its ranks.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Executive Committee has been drawn to a fake news posted on some social media platforms to the effect that a court in Abuja has granted an order to prevent our party from going ahead with its scheduled Ward, Local Government and State Congresses in Ogun State.

“Nothing could be farther from the truth. Anyone who knows the dissidents in our midst would know that they are pathological liars whose stock-in-trade is deceit. Most of them have since left our party for the Allied Peoples Party (APM) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). No court granted such or any order for that matter. If they claim anything to the contrary, we challenge them to show the whole world the said order!

“As they always do, they secretly went to the Federal High Court in Abuja to file a suit and wanted to get exparte orders against us but the court, as per the Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo, dashed their hope and refused to grant any exparte order. Rather, the court ordered that the processes should be served on us.

“We were served yesterday and our counsel, Prince Ajibola Oluyede, appeared in the matter today and filed a preliminary objection to the suit. After a lot of arguments, especially as it relates to their desperate bid to make the court to grant a restraining order against us, the court refused to make any order but advised parties not to do anything that will destroy the “res” (substance) of the case.

“However, it is instructive to note that the Federal High Court, Abuja, cannot sit on appeal over a matter long decided by a court of coordinate jurisdiction. The Constitution of our great party, the 24th of June, 2016 judgment of the Federal High Court in FHC/L/CS/636/2016; the decisions of the Court of Appeal in CA/L/864/2016 on the 4th of May, 2017 and 11th July, 2018 as well as the judgment of the Supreme Court in SC. 968/2018 on the 11th of February, 2019, which are still subsisting, binding and unappeallable owing to the effluxion of time, empower Engr. Adebayo Dayo as the Chairman of the PDP to be the Chairman of the State Congress. And as law-abiding citizens, we will always uphold the rule of law, no matter the shenanigans of the desperadoes. We are focused and remain unperturbed.”

A Federal High Court, Lagos, on Monday granted an Anton Piller order sought by Western Lotto Nigeria Limited, to take possession of all products, equipment, and games style called "Ghana Games", from other lottery operators, for infringing.


The court presided over by Justice Chukwujekwu J. Aneke also granted Western Lotto Nigeria Limited to inspect, photograph, and look for materials and documents which constitute evidence of the infringement of Western Lotto Nigeria Limited's exclusive rights to use the trademark associated with Ghana Games in Nigeria.

Justice Aneke, however, refused Western Lotto Nigeria Limited's request to destroy all the products, equipment and games of the firms offering lottery products styled the Ghana games products, including those offering as Monday Special Lotto, Lucky Tuesday Lotto, midweek Lotto, Fortune Lotto, Friday Bonanza Lotto, Saturday National Lotto, VAG Lotto and Super Six Lotto, which are in breach of Western Lotto Nigeria Limited's exclusive rights to use the trade names and trademarks associated with the Ghana Games Lotto products.

The judge gave the orders after dismissing several preliminary objections filed by 25 respondents in the suit.

The respondents in their various preliminary objections have asked the court to decline jurisdiction on the matter as well as striking out Western Lotto Nigeria Limited's suit against them for been incompetent.

The respondents listed in the suit marked FHC/L/CL/2321/19 are: National Lottery Regulatory Commission; Registrar of Trade Marks; Premier Lotto Limited; Secure Electronic Technology Limited; Richwell Plaza Limited; Peoples Empowerment Lottery Limited;Gab Lotto Limited; Payday Lotteries Limited and R&S Lotto Limited.


Others include Capstar Entertainment International Limited, Winners Golden Chance Lotto; EG&H Integrated Concepts Limited; Global Lottery Limited; Fortune Games Limited, EMI Systems Limited; Mobile Lottery Nigeria Limited; Wesco Pools and Lottery Limited; Give and Take Lottery and Brentwood Multiservices Global Limited.


They also include International Lottery and Gaming Limited; Winlot Global Resources Limited; Lottomania Nigeria Limited; Derby Lotto Limited; K.C. Lottery Company Limited and K.C. Gaming Networks Limited.

Meanwhile, hearing of the substantive suit has been adjourned till May 28, 2020.