Forty-seven out of the 48 protesters arrested by the Nigerian Police during the Yoruba Nation Rally held July 3, 2021, in Lagos State have been released from detention.
The PUNCH gathered that they were released after meeting their bail conditions.
A Magistrates’ Court in Yaba, Lagos State had on July 19 granted bail to the Yoruba Nation agitators arrested in the state.
A motion for their bail application was filed by human rights lawyers led by Olasupo Ojo and Oladapo Kayode.
The court had ruled that one of their sureties must be a family member and the other a community leader or clergy with proof of tax payment.
Among those released are Olasunkanmi Tanimola; Kabiru Lawanson; Chinemerem Emmanuel; Rasaki Musibau; Lukman Olalade; Olasanmi Oladipupo; Bashiru Shittu; Taofeek Abdusalam; Olamilekan Abata; Abdullahi Sikiru; Tosin Adeleye; Babatunde Lawal.
The Communications Manager for the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, confirmed their release.
“This is to inform the general public that 47 out of the 48 protesters arrested by the Nigerian Police during the Yoruba Nation Rally held July 3rd, 2021 have been released from detention after meeting their bail conditions,” Adeleye said.
However, one of the protesters, Oba Tunde Bakare, was not released.
The Lagos State Police Command had arraigned the Ogboni leader (traditionalist) Bakare, for the murder of Jumoke Oyeleke, the salesgirl who was allegedly killed by a stray bullet during a rally in the state.
While others were admitted to bail, Bakare was remanded as he had additional charges of murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The charges read in part, “That you, Tajudeen Bakare, and others now at large, on July 3, 2021, around 10am, at the Ojota area of Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Jumoke Oyeleke, with a Beretta pistol in your possession during your unlawful assembly, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
As part of its ongoing probe of purchase of vehicles by the Oyo State House of Assembly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen the bank account of the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) of the Assembly.
Specifically, the EFCC placed a Post-No-Debit (PND) on the account of the DFA for initially failing to honour an invitation of the commission.
The PND directive restricts a person from withdrawing funds from the bank account.
The director is one of the officials of the EFCC that have been interrogated over a petition that the Speaker of the Assembly had allegedly connived with other officials of government to supply refurbished cars instead of new ones.
An official of the EFCC said though the finance director later appeared after her account was frozen, the process of unfreezing the account after a PND order had been issued was a long one.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has stopped forex sales to Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in the country.
Godwin Emefiele, governor of the apex bank, announced this at the end of the monetary policy committee’s meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
Emefiele said BDC operators have become a conduit for illegal financial flows working with corrupt people to conduct illicit flows and money laundering in Nigeria.
Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign over his inability to secure the country from criminals, which makes the blood of innocent lives to flow in the country.
Gumi added that the same advice he gave the erstwhile president, Goodluck Jonathan, would be given to his “own brother” who appeared to be less democratic even than Jonathan.
The Islamic scholar made these revelations as he addressed a Muslim gathering as seen in a video by SaharaReporters on Tuesday.
Gumi said, “During the Jonathan era when blood was flowing, I criticised him because he was not doing enough. Why I blamed Jonathan with blood in his hands was because Boko Haram were putting bombs everywhere and the government was not doing enough.
“Because they killed under your regime, you’re responsible for that matter, if you have done your best, I can say Allah can forgive you, but if you are relaxed, no Allah cannot forgive you.
“So, the same thing now; the bloodshed now is more than the bloodshed during Jonathan's regime. So, now, you judge yourself to be fair. Our religion is a religion of fairness. We are fair to ourselves. During Jonathan, when blood was flowing in churches, mosques, and streets, I said let him resign because he could not control it. He could not handle it. I said resign with immediate effect.
“When people are dying everywhere, and the President and governors are attending wedding ceremonies. That’s what I mean by I don’t care. It is either if I’m true to myself. As I called for the resignation of Jonathan, I should call for the resignation of President Buhari. With immediate effect and the government papers (media) should carry it also.
“Even Jonathan as bad as he was, he was more democratic. When he saw there was a problem, he relinquished power and he said I don’t want blood,” Gumi said.
Gumi said he had two options either which to apologise to Jonathan or to ask Buhari to resign. He said he was not left with a third option, insisting that Buhari should resign for not tackling insecurity.
“Now, I have one or two options. If I cannot tell my own brother what I have told this man, then I should take an aeroplane from Abuja to Jonathan and say forgive me for castigating you in public. Either seeking an apology or castigating the President; there is no third option,” Gumi added.
President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the 2021 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N982,729,695,343 into an Act.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matter (House of Representatives), Umar Ibrahim el-Yakub, disclosed this to State House correspondent in Abuja.
According to Mr el-Yakub, the newly signed Act will largely focus on funding security and health concerns.
The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday adjourned the child molestation case against embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, aka Baba Ijesha.
DAILY POST had reported that the Nollywood actor arrived at the court for his trial after he was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the care of comedienne, Damilola Adekoya, also known as Princess.
He was charged on six counts of sexual assault by penetration, indecent treatment of a child, and sexual assault.
Also in attendance at the court were Princess and actress, Iyabo Ojo.
However, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo while delivering judgment, adjourned the matter after the counsel for Princess played primary evidence against the embattled actor.
The judge adjourned the case till Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday declined the request of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu to be moved to Kuje Correctional Service Centre.
Justice Binta Nyako, in a ruling, turned down the application by Nnamdi’s Lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
Earlier when the matter was called, the leader of the IPOB was not brought to the court by the Department of State Services, SSS.
Counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), M. B. Abubakar, informed the court that though he was ready to proceed, the defendant (Kanu) was not in court.
Ejiofor, however. expressed worry over the absence of Kanu in court.
The lawyer alleged that his client was subjected to dehumanising conditions and that he had no access to his lawyers while he was in the custody of the DSS.
Ejiofor, who said he had not seen his client for over10 days, told the court that the information reaching him was that Kanu had been taken away to an unknown destination.
He said he had a motion on notice filed before the court, seeking for an order directing the transfer of the applicant from the custody of the DSS to the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre in Kuje, where he was originally detained before he was granted bail, pending the determination of the charge.
“AN ORDER of this Honourable Court directing the Defendant/Applicant’s custodian, to grant access to his Medical Experts/Doctors for the purpose of carrying out a comprehensive independent medical examination of the Defendant/Applicant’s health condition/status, while in custody.”
Nyako said though the earlier remand order at the DSS facility still subsisted,, she made an order for the lawyers to be given access to their client (Kanu).
“No, I am not transferring him to correctional centre. I am keeping him there (DSS custody) and I am going to make an order that you should be given access,” she said
The judge, however, noted that the access to Kanu would be regimented.
“But it is not going to be all comers affair; it will be regimented. You can’t get up at night and say you want to visit your client,” she stated.
Justice Nyako, who condemned the prosecution’s act for not producing Kanu in court, ordered that Kanu should be produced in court in the next adjourned date.
“Before you can take a criminal case, the defendant must be in court. I have been sitting down here since waiting for you.
“I will not take this kind of practice in the conduct of this case. When I give you a date, I want you to continue on that date.
“And you cannot continue until the defendant is present,” she held.
Nyako said she had not make any order for the trial to continue in Kanu’s absence, hence he must be brought to the court to stand his trial.
“Please do the needful and don’t allow this to happen again,” she told the prosecution.
She also noted that since the court vacation had started, a fiat from the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, would be needed to give the matter accelerated hearing.
She adjourned the matter until Oct. 21 for trial continuation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that besides the former Governor of old Anambra, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife who was in court to monitor the proceeding, the Ohaneze Ndigbo was represented by a lawyer, Chief A. G. Nwanzuruike, while M. C. Udebuani appeared for an association of all the Igbo lawyers in Abuja (Otuotiwu).
NAN reports that on June 29, reported that the judge had ordered the IPOB leader to be remanded at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility pending the hearing and determination of the matter
The order followed an application by Counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Shuaibu Labaran, that Kanu, who jumped bail and rearrested, be remanded in the DSS custody.
The court also granted the request that the matter be given accelerated hearing to guard against delay in justice and fixed today for trial continuation.
NAN reports that Kanu, who was rearrested on July 27 abroad, was said to have jumped bail around September 2017.
He was, however, produced before the trial judge, Nyako, on June 29 to stand his trial.
The judge had, on March 28, 2019, issued a bench warrant for Kanu’s arrest after she revoked the bail that was earlier granted him.
Relying on Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the court equally okayed Kanu’s trial in absentia.
Kanu was arrested on Oct. 14, 2015, on 11-count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.
He was charged alongside three other pro-Biafra agitators; Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.
Shortly after he was declared “missing,” Justice Nyako, on Feb. 20, 2018, okayed separate trial for the other three defendants.
The IPOB leader who has dual citizenship was before his arrest reportedly sighted at various locations outside the country, including Jerusalem and the UK.
Kanu who was the Director of Radio Biafra, was initially arrested by security operatives on Oct. 14, 2015 upon his arrival to Nigeria from his base in the UK.
He was subsequently arraigned in court on January 20, 2016, and remanded at Kuje prison in Abuja.
After he had spent about a year and seven months in detention, the trial court, on April 25, 2016, released Kanu on bail on health ground.
To secure his release, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP–Abia), an Accountant, Mr. Tochukwu Uchendu and a Jewish High Priest, Emmanu El- Salom Oka BenMadu, on April 28, 2016, signed an undertaking to ensure his attendance in court.
Following Kanu’s disappearance after he was released on bail, the court, on Nov. 14, 2018, ordered the three sureties to forfeit the N100 million bail bond they each consented to.
All the sureties had since approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge the ruling.
Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor had equally protested the revocation of his client’s bail, even as the court rejected his request for time to file an affidavit evidence to explain why he jumped bail.
Ejiofor had insisted that Kanu’s disappearances was occasioned by the unwarranted invasion of his home at Afaraukwu in Abia State by the Nigerian Army.
The claim Kanu restated when he was brought before the court after his rearrest.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Thursday formed a committee to look into the Sunday Igboho situation.
The 28-member think tank comprises prominent individuals from the South-West.
They will monitor Igboho’s arraignment in Benin Republic, the moves to extradite him to Nigeria and likely prosecution.
DAILY POST gathered that a plan of action is being mapped out.
The team is expected to provide updates to the Ooni as events unfold, offer counsels, mediate with the Yoruba Nation agitator’s legal team and interface with Nigerian and Beninese authorities.
The full list below:
1. Olugbon of Igbon, Oba Olusola Alao
2. Senator Biodun Olujimi
3. Toyin Saraki
4. Segun Awolowo
5. Doyin Okupe
6. Otunba Gbenga Daniel
7. Prince Oye Oyewumi
8. Muyiwa Ige
9. General Olu Okunnowo
10. DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd)
11. Sola Ebiseni, Afenifere Secretary
12. Jimi Agbaje
13. Sola Lawal
14. Debola Oluwagbayi
15. Dupe Adelaja
16. Dele Momodu
17. Senator Tolu Odebiyi
18. Dr. Olusegun Mimiko
19. Dr. Seun Obasanjo
20. Makin Soyinka
21. Dele Adesina (SAN)
22. AIG Tunji Alapinni (rtd.)
23. Reuben Abati
24. Eniola Bello
25. Bimbo Ashiru
26. Senator Tokunbo Ogunbanjo
27. Dapo Adelegan
28. Professor Akin Osuntokun
Sunday Igboho will return to the Cour De’appal De Cotonou in Benin Republic on Monday.
He risks 21 years imprisonment over the “doctored” Beninese passport he tendered to Immigration officials while trying to flee via the country to Germany.
Similar to the case of Nnamdi Kanu, the Department of State Services (DSS) has garnered audio and video recordings to be used against Sunday Igboho in the event of a trial in Nigeria.
The federal government wants him extradited from Benin Republic. The presidency and relevant security agencies have remained silent on the Monday incident at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou.
Igboho, real name Sunday Adeyemo, may face charges related to treasonable felony for urging people to take up arms.
Igboho openly boasted he could help to procure guns and that anybody caught with one should tell the authorities he made the provision.
In a viral video, the 48-year-old separatist encouraged communities to buy arms and ammunition for their youths.
“Those who don’t have guns, contribute money and buy guns for them. You can record me. If they don’t know where to buy gun, I will help them to buy it.
“No government can say people should not carry weapons now. If they (youths) are caught, they should tell them that I, Igboho, provided the guns. The guns are to protect ourselves, we will fortify them with charms”, he added.
Under the law, threatening the state with war, which Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and Igboho repeatedly did, are treason.
Section 37(1) (a) of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, states to wit: “Any person who levies war against the state, in order to intimidate the president or the governor of a state is guilty of treason and is liable to the punishment of death.”
Kanu and Igboho threatened to could raise an army to fight the government. In one of his broadcasts, Kanu said he could order a hit on South-East governors.
Igboho often lambasted some South-West governors and leaders of working against the actualization of Yoruba Nation.
He also accused President Muhammadu Buhari of looking the other way as violent Fulani herdsmen kidnap, murder and rape Yorubas.
Although criticisms are protected in the constitution under freedom of speech, Igboho is in trouble for pronouncements, including forceful break up of Nigeria.
Two weeks ago, the presidency hinted that the agitator will face the music. A statement by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu endorsed security agencies’ iron fist in recent times.
Shehu called Igboho a fellow “who has also been conducting acts of terror and disturbing the peace under the guise of protecting fellow kinsmen”.
Buhari’s aide said Igboho’s utterances and antics became hate speeches and accused Igboho attempting to build an armoury and planning to either undermine the unity of Nigeria.
“Assault weapons are not tools of peace loving people and as such, regardless of who they are and where they are from, the Security Agencies should treat them all the same”, Shehu declared.
A source told DAILY POST that Igboho’s audio and video interviews, as well as comments in clips on the internet have been collated.
“This is what they have been doing to Kanu. The DSS investigators played different recordings and asked him to confirm if he uttered those things or not.
“The evidences already gathered against Igboho will similarly be played and his responses noted. If a trial happens, they will play the tapes in court,” the source said.
Hours after his arrest on Monday, DAILY POST learnt that the federal government immediately commenced the process to fly the agitator back to Nigeria.
On Wednesday, information spread about how former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd) played a role in scuttling Igboho’s move to travel to Germany via Benin.
George Moghalu, an aspirant in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, has instituted a suit against the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly failing to conduct a valid primary election.
He also demanded N122.5 million as damages, which include a refund for the fee paid for expression of interest and nomination forms and N100 million “for the breach of contract to commence and conclude primary election”.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Friday picked Andy Uba, winner of the controversial APC primary election, as the party’s candidate.
In a suit filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja, Moghalu wants an order removing Uba and the APC from the list of gubernatorial candidates and political parties partaking in the Anambra governorship election.
In the affidavit in support of the suit, the plaintiff said the APC failed to conclude the selection and nomination process for its candidate for the November 6 governorship poll.
He said the APC had chosen to adopt direct primary, which is why the party published the list of designated venues for the exercise.
Moghalu said the party received N22.5 million for the expression of interest form and nomination form, including from him, “to allow him to participate in the primary election exercise”.
He further said he was informed a day before the primaries that the APC electoral committee would address all aspirants and stakeholders in Akwa.
“Shockingly, on June 26, 2021, the said election committee was not seen anywhere in Anambra; no accreditation of voters took place; no voting and collation of votes occurred in all the 326 wards of Anambra state,” he said.
He said the committee “announced election results it did not conduct, and which fakery was credited to the third defendant as the winner of the primary election scheduled for emergence as APC’s candidate in the November 6 governorship election in Anambra state”.
Moghalu also argued that the party did not invite the INEC in line with the law requiring the commission to monitor the exercise.
The Federal Government and the nation’s security forces are still keeping mute over the arrest and detention of the Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Sunday Igboho, on Tuesday in the Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Tribune Online’s several attempts to speak with the spokesperson of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dr Peter Afunanya, proved abortive as all his calls remained unanswered as well as WhatsApp messages.
Also, several calls put across to the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police, CP, were unanswered.
However, a Senior Police Officer who wanted anonymity told Tribune Online in confidence that ‘efforts are being put in place to iron out certain grey areas on the extradition of Chief Adeyemo’ to avoid diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
The arrest of Igboho by the INTERPOL in the Republic of Benin came to the public in the early hours of Tuesday.
However, neither the Federal Government nor any of its agencies were yet to react to the development or otherwise.
Tribune Onlinelearnt that all frantic efforts already being made to extradite the activist back home to face the law “are being blocked” by some interested groups within and outside the country.
Already, it was gathered that a powerful group in Nigeria had dispatched a legal team to the Republic of Benin to thwart the extraction.
Supporters of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, engaged in a shouting match at the Eid praying ground in Ilorin on Tuesday.
Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the crowd as the situation almost went out of hand.
The Governor arrived the venue around 9:08am, with Saraki and the Chief Imam already seated.
As the Governor made his way through the crowd, his supporters cheered him with chants of “Sai Rahman!”, Sai Rahman!”.
Few minutes after the governor took his seat, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Solih, commenced the prayer apparently to calm the situation.
But shortly after the end of the two unit prayer, supporters of Saraki and some worshippers started to shout “Sai Bukky”, “Sai Bukky”.
As the situation was getting nervous, the Governor exited the venue with some of his supporters while the “Sai Bukky” chants continued.
The development swayed peoples attention away from listening to the sermon of the Chief of Imam who led the prayer at 9:13 before slaughtering his ram at 9:25am.
In his sermon, the Chief Imam admonished the worshippers to imbibe the virtues of the Eid by demonstrating the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim to better their community and humanity.
He said the festival should serve as a reflection of the benefits of unshaken faith in Allah as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim who is described as the father of faith.
Meanwhile, AbdulRazaq reiterated his message of peace and tolerance among Nigerians, hours after the Eid prayer.
In a short interview with reporters before paying homage to the Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, AbdulRazaq said development occurs only in an atmosphere of peace, mutual tolerance and understanding.
“It is a message of peace. There is no alternative to peace. This is a state of harmony and we should let it remain like that. Our founding fathers worked so hard to entrench peace in the state and we will continue to promote peace and unity in our dear state,” AbdulRazaq told reporters.
“It is a new frontier. Security wise, we have seen improvements across the country. We are certain that things will continue to get better.”
He urged Kwarans to use the occasion ofSsallah to look inward and preach peace and unity, and support one another as brothers.
Anambra: PDP Exposes Court Judge, Demands Release of Judgement
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alerts of plots by Justice O.A Nwabunike of the Anambra state High Court to derail the course of justice by making away with the case file on the Senator Ugochukwu UBA Vs PDP & Ors in a desperate bid to frustrate an appeal against his judgment on PDP Anambra state governorship primary election.
The PDP charges O.A Nwabunike to immediately release the case file, as the compromises in the case are already known to the public, especially the people of Anambra state.
The party stresses that the only reason Justice Nwabunike disappeared with the case file and refused to make copies of his judgment available to the PDP and its candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, is because he (Justice Nwabunike) is aware that his perverted judgement cannot stand in any appeal.
The PDP recalled that on July 5, 2021, an aspirant, Senator Ugochukwu Uba, who did not participate in the PDP primary, instituted a suit against the PDP, our candidate, Valentine Ozigbo and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), wherein he challenged Ozigbo’s candidature for the November 6, 2021 governorship election.
Barely 24 hours after Senator Uba instituted the suit, Justice Nwabunike curiously granted an ex parte injunction restraining INEC from carrying out their constitutional duty and also abridged the time within which the Defendants are legally obliged to file their defence from 42 days to only 3 days in violation of Order 16 Rule 1(2) of the Anambra State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.
Despite the obvious hardship created by this strange ex parte order, the judge, on the day of hearing, being the 16th of July 2021, denied the defendants time to respond to the processes served on them and proceeded with the hearing of the Plaintiff’s case.
Regardless of the 180 days provided by the constitution for the hearing and determination of pre-election matters, the Honorable Court hastily concluded proceedings and delivered judgment within 14 days.
The most unfortunate part of this episode is that the judge, after hastily delivering the Judgment, made away with the case file and refused to release copies of his judgment to the defendants despite their application in the open Court as well as the officially written application to the judge.
However, to the chagrin of the Defendants, the Court has gone ahead to issue copies of the Judgment to the plaintiff, Senator Uba.
Moreover, the trial judge has been making every effort to frustrate the notices of appeal filed by the PDP and her candidate, Valentine Ozigbo.
The PDP notes that the reason Justice Nwabunike is employing these legal shenanigans is to frustrate the Defendants’ Appeal against his judgment, which was aimed to assist an individual who did not participate in our primary to distract our party ahead of this crucial election.
We therefore call on the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Honorable Justice O.M Anyachebelu and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to quickly call Justice O.A Nwabunike to order as there must be an end to judicial rascality.
Justice Nwabunike must be made to release the case file as well as the copies of the judgment because his continued refusal is capable of pitching the Judiciary against the people of Anambra, whose mandate, as being expressed in our candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, is being undermined by Justice Nwabunike.
AN Anambra High Court sitting in Awka Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to list the name of Senator Ugochukwu Uba as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the November 6, 2021 Anambra governorship election.
The court presided over by Justice Obiora Nwabunike also awarded N10 million damages against the defendants namely, the PDP and Mr. Val Ozigbo, the other candidate of the party produced at the primary supervised by the leadership of PDP.
According to the judge, the primary that produced Uba was the authentic one because there was a court ruling by Justice Adeniyi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, which had not been vacated.
“An order of court, whether it is right or wrong, must be obeyed until it is vacated. The peculiarity of this case is that there was an existing court order that is still alive” he said.
He said the plaintiff, Uba, relied on the judgment of the FCT High Court to conduct the PDP primary that took place at Paul University, Awka on the 26th of June, explaining that since the PDP did not like the judgment of the FCT High Court, it should have endeavoured to vacate it before deciding to use super delegates during the primary that produced Ozigbo.
He added: ‘Super delegates are officials of PDP. It is their right to serve as delegates, but the issue was that there was a court judgment. Having conducted the primary, this court notes that it was not done according to the law, which might be why PDP appealed against it. The court order, which produced Senator Uba is still existing.”
Justice Nwabunike also dismissed the issue of lack of jurisdiction prayed for by the defendants, stating that jurisdiction, which he described as the livewire of court, was invested in his court by the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Justice Uba had approached the court to declare that the primary held at Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka, which produced Val Ozigbo was in disobedience to the rule of the court and prayed court to declare him as the duly nominated candidate of PDP for the November 6, 2021 government election in Anambra State.
Justice Obiora Egwatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the impeachment move against Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mahadi Aliyu Mohammed Gusau.
The judge stopped the Zamfara State House of Assembly members from taking any further step in the impeachment process targeted against the deputy governor over his refusal to decamp from the People Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressive Congress, APC, along with Governor Bello Matawalle.
Justice Egwatu issued the order on Monday in his ruling in an ex-parte application filed by the PDP.
After listening to the arguments canvassed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief James Onoja Ogwu, the judge held that the apprehension of the applicant in respect of the impeachment move was serious and justified to restrain the defendants from carrying out the alleged action.
The judge also restrained the Chief Judge of Zamfara State from constituting any panel for the purpose of investigating Gusau pending the determination of a motion on notice filed by the PDP.
Other defendants in the matter are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC, the Senate President, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Speaker of Zamfara House of Assembly and Governor Bello Matawalle.
Senior aides to Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state, have resigned ahead of the November 6th governorship election, even as more loyalists to the governor are reportedly pledging support to the governorship candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chukwuma Umeoji.
Senior special assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, Mr Chika Ekwenugo and his counter part in Works, Nwachukwu Okpaloka, confirmed their resignation at the weekend.
They insisted that their decision to dump the Governor was long overdue. The duo who were until last week Friday loyal members of Governor Obiano’s camp, were reported to have since joined the campaign train of the governorship candidate of the ruling APGA in the state, Umeoji.
Ekwenugo in chat with newsman in Abuja, however commended the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for not succumbing to alleged pressure to drop Umeoji on Friday.
He described the emergence of Umeoji as the party flagbearer in the November 6th election as a major political victory for the people of Anambra state.
Ekwenugo also appealed to the Governor and other stakeholders to join hands to deliver the party candidate in order to fast track real development in the state
Sources said more serving aides to Governor Obiano may have perfected plans to pitch tent with the party’s flagbearer for the November 6th governorship election in the state.
“Over 90 serving Aides to Governor Obiano were alleged to have secretly pledged their locality to Hon Umeoji, because we believed that his emergency is the best thing that have happened to the APGA in the state,” the source said.
Already, some members of the state Assembly, including Hon Timothy Ifedioranma (representing Njikoka 1), have joined Umeoji’s camp, describing his emergence as APGA governorship candidste as another victory for democracy and good people of Anambra State.
Former Governor of the Central Bank, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has said despite not being listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he was sure of taking part in the governorship contest in Anambra State.
INEC had published Hon Chuma Umeoji as a candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in place of Soludo, citing a court order.
But Soludo reacting to his exclusion said he will not only contest the election but will win overwhelmingly.
In a press statement made available to DAILY POST in Awka by Soludo Campaign Organisation and signed by Soludo’s media aide, Joe Anatune, supporters were urged not to despair over the exclusion if his name on the INEC list, but to have faith.
Part of the statement read: “Our millions of supporters in Anambra State and elsewhere in the world are advised not to be dispirited by the publication. Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo will participate in the governorship election as the APGA candidate.
“His nomination was strictly in line with the Electoral Law and INEC guidelines. INEC observed the APGA Congress on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, where he was nominated after winning 93.4 per cent of the valid votes cast in a free, fair and transparent manner which was broadcast live on national television networks as part of deepening the democratic process in Nigeria.
“Our team of dedicated and competent legal experts have studied the judgment and are confident of overturning it effortlessly. The party is at liberty to nominate the rightful candidate so long as due process is followed. Soludo’s nomination followed due process religiously.”
Soludo said there was no need for Anambra people and all lovers of progress in Nigeria to be worried about the judgment as it will be set aside the way others by Mr Justice Stanley Nnaji of the Enugu State High Court and Mr Justice Egbo Egbo of the Federal High Court in Abuja were thrown out.
He further said, “Millions of Ndi Anambra are understandably shocked that there are still desperate politicians in the state who want to reenact the years which the locusts consumed. They are determined to go to any and every length to acquire power for its own sake.
“We thought that the state had passed the stage where some of its politicians were moving from one end of the country to the other in the dead of the night in search of judicial orders to impose themselves on the people as their rulers, not leaders.
“Our supporters and indeed all Anambra people, who have been waiting patiently for Soludo’s leadership of the state, are advised not to be deterred by the Jigawa State Court order. They should rather remain supremely confident of not only Soludo’s participation in the November 6 gubernatorial vote but also his triumph in the polls with a big margin which will lead to a new era in our state for the benefit of all,” the statement concluded.
The political intriques ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra has shifted to Abuja where an Upper Area Court has issued a direct criminal summons the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA) and former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo to appear before it over alleged serial abuse of office and breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers while he held office as the Governor CBN between 29th May, 2004 – 29th May, 2009.
The direct Criminal Complaint brought by one Oliver Bitrus pursuant to Sections 88 and 89 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
The criminal summons marked DC/CR/556/2021 which was issued in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code (CAP 30:255) is signed by Gambo Garba of the Upper Area Court, Zuba, Abuja.
It was predicated upon the complaint filed on July 14, 2021 by counsel to the complainant, Ezea Ferdinand.
It commanded Soludo to appear before the court on August 23, 2021 in respect of the allegations made against him.
According to court documents, the complainant, Oliver Bitrus, alleged that between the period Prof. Soludo held office as a Public Officer he flagrantly breached the Code of Conduct for Public Officer by buying or acquiring interest in a property known and described as No. 50 Brondesbury Park, London, NW6 7AT, United Kingdom. The property is covered by File Plan of Tile No. MX362301.
Mr. Oliver claimed that this property, was bought or acquired using a proxy and/or nominee company known as Universal Energy Company Limited, and which investigation revealed was incorporated in the Isle of Man; and now used to round-trip public funds for the purchase. As a matter fact, purchase price of £2,150, 000 was paid on 20th October, 2006 in a single tranche, which sum was not fairly attributable to his income as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria at the material time.
Further investigation also disclosed that presently, the property is being occupied by defendant, his spouse and children and used as their personal and official addresses for all their companies and other business undertaking.
The Complainant listed companies owned and operated by the Soludo’s and domiciled at the said property to include ” ZINORA LIMITED: A private company owned by Mrs. Nonye Soludo (spouse of Chukwuma Charles Soludo). This is company limited by shares which was registered on 29th January, 2013 with Company N: 8379214 and also has its registered office at No. 50 Brondesbury Park, London, NW6 7AT, United Kingdom.
“The SOLUDO FOUNDATION: Registered on 24th July, 2014 as a private company limited by guarantee with its registered office at No. 50 Brondesbury Park, London, NW6 7AT, United Kingdom. It also has the Company No: 9145134. The company has the following persons as members or directors – Nonye Frances Soludo, Chukwuma Soludo, Ozonna Tochukwu Soludo, Ifeatu Adaora Nnenna Soludo etal with having the above mentioned property as their address.
“”ALLSTERS INVESTMENT LIMITED: Registered on 2nd September, 2015 as a private company limited by shares with Company No: 9757553. It has its registered address at the same No. 50 Brondesbury Park, London, NW6 7AT, United Kingdom and also has the following persons as Directors – Mrs. Nonye F. Soludo, Miss Ifeatu Adaora Nnenna Soludo, Mr. Ozonna Tochukwu Soludo and Mr. Chinua Belolisa Naeto Soludo with all the directors having the property in issue as the address.
The Claimant further claims that a sequential trail of evidence has revealed that while holding public office as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the defendant abused his office and breached the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by using a proxy, nominee or trustee company – Universal Energy Company Limited, incorporated in the Isle of Man for syndication of fund, to acquire the property and deliberately failed to declare the said property or his obvious interest therein in his Assets Declaration Form submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau. As a result, he flagrantly violated Article 11 of the Part 1, 5th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended) and thereby liable to the penal sanction of disqualification from holding any other public office for a period of 10 years and forfeiture of the illicit property to the Federal Government of Nigeria pursuant to Article 18(2) of the Law.
TWO SOLDIERS KILLED, AS TROOPS REPEL ESN ATTACK IN ENUGU
Nigerian Army troops deployed to checkmate the activities of gunmen at Adani community of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, repelled Eastern Security Network (ESN) gun attack on troops' location at Iggah/Asaba checkpoint, during the fire fight that ensued, two soldiers lost their lives.
In a statement made available to Galaxy news by the director army public relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said despite the loss, they are commited to providing adequate security in the general area in collaboration with other security agencies.
He urged members of the public to complement the effort of the security agencies by remaining law abiding and provide useful information on the fleeing gunmen who were prevented from causing more havoc.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU Brigadier General Director Army Public Relations 14 July 2021
GTB obtained an ex parte order to change its legal status, a move Innoson says is done to evade the payment of N32.8 billion judgement debt the bank owed it.
Innoson Nigeria Limited, a Nigerian manufacturer of vehicles, has asked the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court to set aside an order permitting Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) to transmute into Guaranty Trust Holding Company amidst debt owed the company.
After securing judgment debt of N8.2 billion against GTB in 2014, the bank is yet to pay the sum as directed by the court which has accumulated over the years with interest amounting to the sum of N32.8 billion.
GTB PLC had sought to change its legal status from a public limited liability company to a holding company (HOLDCO) and had been granted approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria after obtaining an Ex Parte order from another court to proceed with the registration on June 16, 2021.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Chukwuebuka Okolo, brought before the court, a motion on notice, seeking an order of court to discharge the ex-parte order granted to Guaranty Trust Bank PLC on June 16, 2021 and to “set aside every step the bank took pursuant to the said ex-parte order.”
Mr Okolo also prayed the court to “stay further recognition of Guaranty Trust Bank Holding Company as a financial or non-financial company and or as a legal entity.”
The transmutation of GTB PLC will make it difficult for Innoson to claim the debt as the bank will exit from the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
In a statement by Cornel Osigwe, innoson group’s head of corporate communication and affairs, GTB is alleged to have refused to pay the judgement money.
“It is unfortunate that GTB has refused to pay over N32 billion judgment debt to Innoson Nig Ltd. arising from suit Nos: FHC/L/Cs/603/2006 and No. FHC/Cs/139/2012 respectively,” Mr Osigwe said.
“It is interesting to state that no court in Nigeria has set aside the decisions of these judgment debts against GTB even though GTB has appealed both decisions even to the Supreme Court; rather the decisions have been affirmed by the appellate courts in Appeal Nos.CA/I/258/2011, SC.694/2014, and in CA/E/288/2013 in which till date GTB has refused to obey the Court of Appeal’s order that it pay the judgment debt subject of this particular appeal into an interest-yielding account,” he added.
Mr Osigwe in his statement described the move by GTB PLC as an abuse of court process and prayed the court to set it aside.
“GTB, in an abuse of court process obtained an ex parte order from the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division on 16th of June 2021 to proceed with the registration of GTB HOLDCO beam despite its knowing that an application for injunctive orders by Innoson Nig Ltd in Suit No: FHC/EN/CS/161/2020 is at all material time pending in FHC Enugu Division to restrain it from transmuting to a Private and or a Financial Holding Company until it pays over N32 billion judgment debt it owed Innoson.
“While the case in the Enugu Division of Federal High Court is still pending, GTB against its corporate governance rules and in a classical abuse of court process filed and got an ex-parte order from Federal High Court, Lagos Division and without disclosing to the court that the subject matter of its application is already subjudice because injunctive orders have been sought in Suit No: FHC/EN/CS/161/2020, as well as the subject matter of this pending in the Enugu Division of Federal High Court, to restrain GTB from proceeding with the said scheme both in a pending interlocutory and in the substantive suit already served on GTB and they have filed a memorandum of appearance and other processes in the suit,” the statement said.
Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna senator, has tendered his resignation from the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) with immediate effect.
Mr Sani, who joined the party in October 2018, made the announcement in a letter dated July 9 and directed to the PRP chairman in ward six, Tudun Wada, Kaduna.
“I wish to formally notify you of my decision to step aside from the Peoples Redemption Party. This notice takes effect from today,” he said in the copy of the letter obtained by Peoples Gazette.
Without stating reasons for his resignation and if he would immediately join another party, Mr Sani added that “I hope we shall continue to relate in the spirit of our struggle, our shared history, and our common ideological principles”.
Some reports on social media had earlier said Mr Sani had been holding consultation with opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party in the state with a view to joining them.
The Gazette could not immediately reach the PRP national chairman, Falalu Bello, for comments on Mr Sani’s decision.
Mr Sani joined PRP days after he left the All Progressives Congress (APC), a platform through which he contested and won the Kaduna Central Senatorial District on March 28, 2015
He has had an enduring animosity against Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.
He had announced his decision to leave the APC in a statement lambasting the ruling party.
The statement said “It has become impossible for the senator to continue to co-habit with reactionaries and their perfidious and inimical style of politics. Senator Sani maintains the highest respect and honour for President Muhammadu Buhari. However, we prefer to live in a Cottage of Honour rather than a mansion of shame.
“Senator Sani is now free from the toxicity and infamy APC existentially represents. We left the APC for the emperors and their lackeys,” it added.
BREAKING: Uba Loses As Court Vacates Order, Says Valentine Ozigbo Remains Recognised PDP Candidate By Law
A High Court sitting in Awka has declined to renew an order it granted embattled litigant Senator Ugochukwu Uba on the 5th of July, 2021 seeking the non-recognition of Mr. Valentine Ozigbo as the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State.
The said order, initially granted by Justice Obiora A. Nwabunike, going by Order 40, Rule 3(3) of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules could only subsist for 7 days after which the Court may choose to renew it or it stands abated as a result.
Going by the proceedings of today, Monday, July 12, 2021 and the Courts refusal to renew the said order, it stands abated and vacated. Thus, the order which restrained “the Peoples Democratic Party from presenting, receiving, parading or accepting Valentine Ozigbo as the authentic Governorship Candidate for Anambra State” stands vacated.
The significance of the Court’s refusal to grant a renewal of the said order means in the eye of the law, Valentine Ozigbo remains the recognised PDP Candidate for the November 6 Anambra Governorship election.
The news of the vacation of the said order is eliciting wide jubilation across Anambra State as Ozigbo, a grassroots favourite, has been embraced by the masses of Anambra as the “brightest chance” of reclaiming their state from the decline of the last seven years under the failed leadership of Governor Willie Obiano.
It would be recalled that on June 26, 2021, Valentine Ozigbo emerged the flag-bearer of the PDP in a keenly contested primary election conduced by the National Working Committee of the PDP. The primary, which was monitored by INEC, was adjudged as the most free, fair and credible in the history of the party.
Meanwhile PDP stalwarts across the country continue to congratulate Mr Ozigbo, who is regarded as one of the brightest entrants into politics in the South East. Top leaders like former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, former Senate President Pius Anyim Anyim, Bayelsa’s Governor Douye Diri, Enugu’s Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Senator Stella Oduah, and many others have congratulated Ozigbo and vowed to support his candidacy and the quest to reclaim Anambra for the party.
Most citizens of the important southeastern state, believe it is time to take Anambra from the stranglehold of the Uba brothers, who have been cited by a Harvard University report as “the lead actors in the destabilising and destruction of Anambra State”.
A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, has warned the Senate against confirming the appointment of a presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission to avoid controversy.
Jega also said the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), could withdraw Onochie’s nomination and replace her with another female from her state, noting that there are many other eligible women for the job.
The former INEC boss said this while featuring on Sunday Politics, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, on Sunday night.
Onochie had on Thursday during her screening by the Senate Committee on INEC, denied being a member of the All Progressives Congress since 2019.
But Jega said, “This kind of controversy is really avoidable. Any person who generated such a controversy; the appointing authorities should be careful because you don’t want to appoint anybody that can raise suspicions or doubts or can lead to a loss of trust of the electoral management body.
Armed policemen attached to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, on Sunday assaulted, arrested and detained a reporter with The PUNCH newspapers, Solomon Odeniyi.
Also arrested and detained was a reporter with Roots Tv, Busayo Tosin.
They were dispossessed of their mobile telephones and other belongings before they were detained at the River Park Police Station for four hours.
The policemen were led by one U.C Ugochukwu who ordered the detention of the journalists until all ongoing church services at the Dunamis Church International were concluded.
Recounting his experience, Odeniyi said, “I had gone to Dunamis as a follow up to what happened at the church last Sunday.
“Besides, some groups had addressed a press conference and vowed to storm the church if the congregants arrested in the church were not released.
“There were heavy presence of security operatives comprising of DSS and police personnel at the church which suggested something was about to happen.
“The protest was yet to start when suddenly I saw a patrol van of seven policemen surrounded us. (I was with a reporter from, Roots Tv Busayo Tosin).
“Ugochukwu and his men grabbed me by the belt and accused us of being part of the protesters. I showed my ID card to him which he forcefully took, damaging it in the process. Before I could say another word, I was slapped by one of them while another pointed his gun at me.
“I asked what my offence was. I told them my ID card was enough evidence to show I was not part of the protesters. All that fell on deaf ears. The other reporter from Roots Tv was equally being questioned at the time.
“We were immediately dispossessed of our phones and were bundled into a waiting Police patrol van and they drove off to River Park police station.
“We pleaded with them to allow us communicate with our offices. The plea was turned down. The seized items were: one powerbank, three mobile phones, one camera, one tripod, and a Punch Staff Identity card.”
We got to the station around 8am and were released following the intervention of the police high command at exactly 12:10.
However, Ugochukwu ordered police at the station not to release us until the Church services in Dunamis ended.
After releasing us they took our addresses and phone numbers and warned us not to go back to the Church. We were also warned against reporting we were arrested and detained.
Politics › 47 Lagos Yoruba Nation Protesters Released From Detention by Kwanza(op): 9:32pm On Jul 27, 2021
