₦airaland Forum

By Raymond Nkannebe


There is a sense in which the Nigerian situation now gives full expression to the Marxian Theory of Law even if unbeknownst to many of the stakeholders and the masses themselves. In Karl Marx’s seminal work- The Communist Manifesto and in the essay “On the Jewish Question” co-authored by his ideological brother – Fredrich Engels, Marx argued with force that the concept of law, state and human rights are influenced by the Bourgeoisie at the expense of the Proletariat.


In what is now popularly known in Marxist literature as the three basic assumptions of Marxist theory of law, the classical authors concluded that (i) law is the product of economic forces; (ii) law is considered to be the tool of the ruling class to maintain its power over the masses; and (iii) that law will wither away in the future communist society.



In a rather scary dimension, I think the above sums up the dynamic that exists in the Nigerian State as we know it today.


I have often argued in the past that our current justice architecture provides premium service to the political class while the masses are forced to make do with what remains.

At the turn of every election year, the Nigerian judiciary literally closes its doors to the masses in order to service the vaulting ambitions of Nigeria’s very unruly and ill-disciplined political class who file all manner of frivolous cases just to scheme their way into power. This unfortunate trend usually begins with thousands of pre-election cases and ends with hundreds of post-election cases which by constitutional injunction must be concluded within a limited window across the hierarchy of the judiciary.


While this happens, all other cases that border on the direct interest of the masses and the economic condition of the Nation, takes the back seat until these election cases are determined to finality. This has been the state of play at least in the last decade of this extant Fourth Republic.


As I write; from next week, the few available courts not participating in the bazaar that is election matters, would be proceeding on the six (6) weeks long annual vacation. When they return sometime in September, for the few diligent judges, but most realistically October, for the larger members of the Bench, few, if any of the pending cases in their dockets would make any traction before the year comes to an end. The following year, the cycle is repeated.



I believe I speak for many when I say that that we cannot continue to operate in this manner if indeed we want to continue as a civilized society. When the masses of our country perceive the judiciary to be a clearing-house for the vaulting interests of the political class, the public confidence in our system of adjudication is greatly eroded to our chagrin. What is the way forward?



Recently, the distinguished legal icon – Aare Afe Babalola made a case for retired judges and justices to be saddled with the mandate of handling election matters whilst the serving members of the Judiciary focus on other cases which bear substantially on the welfare of the common man. This prognosis has also been re-echoed by a former Chairman of the NBA Section of Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) – Mr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani at a recent media engagement. I want to respectfully associate myself with the above apt proposal of the legal luminaries. It is indeed the way to go.


I reckon that this would not be possible without legislative support. And this is where the work of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and of course other stakeholders in the judicial sector – particularly the Senate Committee on Judiciary is clearly cut out. They must work together to turn this proposal into a legislative instrument for immediate presentation on the floor of the National Assembly so that hopefully before the next round of elections, the current system will not repeat itself.



I think the point must be made that 'justice' is a veritable social-need of man. A learned author described it as the ‘first condition of our humanity’. I cannot agree less. What this means in the context of this intervention is that it must not be treated lightly. When the foundation of the justice system crumbles and finds it unable to service the masses, the gates of anarchy are left wide open and we may just find ourselves in that imaginary society of Mark and Engels where the law withers away.


It is said that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.

A Legal Practitioner, Raymond is of Ken Ahia SAN & Associates.

Findings have revealed plans by the management of University of Uyo, UNIUYO to eliminate the employment records of a star witness, Daniel Akpan at the ongoing Akwa-Ibom State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Uyo.

Akpan, an administrative officer of the University had during his testimony at the tribunal stated that Governor Umo Eno’s West African Examination Council, WAEC certificates for 1981, 1983 and 1998, as well as the Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) receipt for the payment of the certification and other documents invalidating Eno's university credentials were certified by him.

Young Progressives Party, YPP, Governorship candidate, Senator Albert Bassey Akpan is challenging Governor Eno's victory at the poll on several grounds including that he (Eno) never graduated from University of Uyo as stated in his credential on INEC form.

To prove his case, Senator Akpan obtained a certified true copy of Eno's files in UNIUYO which was endorsed by Danie Akpan.

But before Daniel Akpan's testimony at the tribunal, the university's Director of Academic Affairs, Dr Ime Akpabio had told the panel members that he (Daniel Akpan) was not a staff of the university and could not have endorsed the CTC of Governor Eno's controversial school records which indicated that the governor was expelled from UNIUYO

Daniel Akpan however shocked the tribunal when he presented his employment letter, salary payment and promotion slip to show that he is indeed a staff of the university .

Immediately after his testimony, there were failed attempts by security personnel reportedly acting under the instruction of the state government to arrest the witness and coarse him to recant his testimony.

Daniel now lives in fear of his life but since his testimony, there has been an uneasy calm in the university over the damage that his revelation would cost Governor Eno and the university management.

This platform reliably gathered that UNIUYO management is now doing everything possible to eliminate Daniel Akpan's records in the university.

Although the plot might just be a futile effort as the IPPIS which contains Daniel Akpan employment records is a national platform, a reliable source close to the university authority told this platform that the university is working on a new plot to cover its track.

The source said: "Just like they made sure Mr Umo Eno’s file in the school records is no where to be found, they are now planning to mutilate, pilfer and remove parts if not all the records in Mr Daniel Akpan’s employment file to eliminate proof that he is an employee of the University.

"This scheme by UNIUYO to protect a criminal act they should show high disciplinary standard against and an unwarranted move to deprive a staff of all employee evidence in a bid to seal their support contract with Umo Eno has yet reduce the competency and disciplinary standard of not only the VC, but the entire staff involved in the scheme.

"This University has been known for discipline and one man's greed should not ruin that standard,"

Expressing concern over the plot, another staff of the institution who did not want his name revealed said: "Mr Daniel's employment file and documents should be complete, intact and untouched as this will further expose the institution to the limelight for indiscipline and setting standards for criminality."

Yes he is back from UK. IF YOU DEY VEX, GO TO COURT

--- Battle moves to S'Court

Contrary to false narratives that the Appeal Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State on Friday ordered the rearrest of the Young Progressive Party, YPP, Governorship candidate in Akwa-Ibom state, Senator Bassey Albert, a certified true copy of the court judgment made available to this platform revealed that the court didn't make such an order.

Delivering judgment on the matter, a three man panel, led by Justice Raphael Agbo instead softened the punishment imposed on Senator Albert by giving him an option of a fine as an alternative penalty to the seven years of jail time imposed on him by the trial court.

Further softening the sentence imposed by the Federal High Court, the appellate court also ordered the Senator to make restitution of the sum of N240million to the Federal Government but that the restitution shall not be a prerequisite for his release from the correctional facility.

A copy of the judgment reads "Upon reading the record of Appeal herein transmitted on December 29, 2022, and briefs of argument filed and exchanged by both parties.

"And after hearing . E. Iheanacho Esq.;(Asst. Commander, EFCC) for the Respondent. Appellant being absent and unrepresented.

"It is hereby ordered : That pursuant to the power of this court under section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act, 2014 as amended, the plea of the appellant is hereby acceded.

"That the appellant is hereby sentenced to 7 years imprisonment on all counts of charge, with an option of fine to wit, one Million Naira fine on each of the counts of the charge.

"That the condemnation of the appellant to the restitution of 204million Naira or to remain in prison custody by the trial court maintained as issue six is resolved in favour of the appellant.

'That consequently, the appeal succeeds only to the extent that his conviction stands, to serve the term of seven years with respect to each count of the charge with the terms of the sentence running at the same time, or to pay a fine of One million each on all the counts of the charge. -

'That this appeal succeeds in part."

This medium reliably gathered that Senator Albert's legal team immediately proceeded to the Supreme Court after the Appeal Court judgement.

By Admin

A 40- year old Abuja-based sex therapist Cecilia Agu was on Tuesday arraigned by the police before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over an alleged N275m internet scam.

The defendant is facing a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, fraud, and obtaining by false ptetence.

The police prosecutor Samuel Eredia told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offence on February 20, 2023.

He said that the incident took place at No. 28B, Babatunde Anjouse, Admiralty Way Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State.

Eredia said that Agu defrauded one Babatunde Oyebode of the sum of N275m, by sending an electronic message and misrepresenting herself that she will help him to verify, validate and authenticate his Instagram page with Celebrities and other of his clients, which she did not do.

According to the prosecutor the offence committed contravened Sections 27 (a) and (b),13 and 14 (1), (2) and (3) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention) Acts, 2015, and Sections 1(a) (b) (2) and section 11 (1) and (2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Acts 2006.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against her.

Following her plea of not guilty the prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant in Correctional Centre.

But the defendant's counsel, Elvis Asia told the court that he would be praying the court for bail.

He said he was not aware that the defendant was going to be arraigned today (yesterday), as he only got the information on Tuesday morning.

Asia stated that the defendant had been in detention for over a month and Justice Abimbola Awogboro had earlier ordered her release following a fundamental human rights application filed before the court.

He said, " She was arrested on May 5, and after Justice Awogboro granted her bail, they have refused to release her, she is a mother of four".

Consequently, Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10m, with two sureties in like sum.

He said one of the sureties must be gainfully employed and produced an Identity card, National identification number.

The judge also ordered the defendant to deposit her international passport before the court and three recent passport photographs.

He held that the other surety must have a landed property produced an Identity card, National identification number.

The judge consequently remanded the defendant in the Correctional Centre pending when she is able to perfect her bail conditions.

The case was adjourned till October 18, for trial.

Facts You Need To Know

By Admin

Senator Bassey Akpan representing Akwa Ibom North-East District was convicted on Thursday by a Federal High Court sitting in Uyo over allegation of corruption and money laundering charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Why many were shocked by the verdict of the court, the case was clearly between Akwa Ibom State Government and the Senator popularly known as OBA. Evidences abound, with the following facts:

1. A case was about donation of cars after OBA had left office as Commissioner for finance. Not while he was serving. How that was traced to abuse of office is still a shocking surprise.

2. A case of money laundering where the contractor in question was not invited nor questioned as the primary party to the case, just as it played out during the forgery case involving the controversial PDP governorship candidate during which cross - examination of witnessing was not exhausted.

3. This is a case where the state government did not complain of its money being stolen or a project not implemented nor delivered.

4. This is a case where the state government was not investigated, interrogated in any form and at any step of the investigation or trial.


5. The day slated for delivery of 'judgement', November 23, 2022 was skipped since the judge, Agatha Okeke allegedly had plans with the state government to provide heavy security.

6. At no point did the prosecutor/prosecution counsel prove that this was a case of bribery , point at a contract or project of the government that would have attracted any bribe from the contractor, let alone being a contract facilitated by OBA who wasn't even a Commissioner as at the time. It was clearly a case put forward by the opposition to coerce OBA to bury his support for Udom's second term bid in 2018.


7. The judgement of the court was already known by the SAs, PAs and other aides of Governor Udom Emmanuel even before it was read. The correctional facility in which OBA was to be remanded was already in the social media, by some of the governor's aides.

8. The white bus used by the EFCC to the court belongs to the state government of Akwa Ibom State, and was driven by a government house driver.

9. A camera man from the office of the deputy governor was sent to take pictures of OBA during his entry and exit from the courtroom and while being checked into the correctional facility for social media blackmail.

10 Other evidences showing that Government of the state hijacked and sponsored the matter abound.

11. Federal High Court is a lower court to Appeal Court, as we shall appeal as soon as possible.

12. That doesn't affect OBA's candidacy at the polls next year. Former Abia state Governor won election while in incarceration, before his case was upturned by the Court of Appeal.

13. This fight is between Government and the ordinary man who is asking for transparency, accountability from government. It is a fight between the government and the unemployed youths, the retired primary school teachers, etc. The same Federal High Court saw nothing wrong on an ordinary paper a certain candidate presented calling it a certificate despite conspicuous errors and public outcry that it was forged!

14. Don't allow your faith to be shaken. Be steadfast with your support, OBA is coming.

If only they knew that the false conviction of a man of his people will make the journey to takeover Akwa Ibom easier, they would not have attempted it. So OBA joins the greats that came from the jail house to lead his people why they say history will always repeat itself.

[b][/b]
By Henry Ojelu

The 2022 edition of Alliance Law Firm annual lecture with the theme 'Developing Nigeria Through Philanthropy', will hold on Saturday October 8 in Lagos.

A statement by the law firm noted that the event will be chaired by the Chairman of Julius Berger Plc and former Country Chair & MD, SPDC, Mr Mutui Sunmonu, while the Speaker is Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, the Chairman & GMD Nestoil Group, Neconde Energy Limited, and Obijackson Foundation.

Several top dignitaries and policy makers including Captains of Industry, heads of parastatals, senior lawyers and other stakeholders are expected at the event.
Alliance Law Firm’s Annual Lecture Series is a corporate Social Responsibility programme of the Firm designed to share knowledge on topical issues that align with nation building, in a conducive and networking gathering of business leaders, policy makers, professionals and other stakeholders.

The maiden edition held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Victoria Island in September 2018, was chaired by Prof. Pat Utomi, with Mr. Dotun Suleiman as lead speaker supported by other eminent panelists including Mr. Austin Avuru and Mr. Oscar Onyema.

The theme was on “Corporate Governance.” The 2019 edition themed “Leveraging Technology to Develop Nigeria” was chaired by Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, and had Sir. Leo Stan Ekeh as Guest Speaker, with Dr. Andrew Nervin, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan, Mr. Mike Ogbalu III, and Ms. Lynda Ikeji as panelists.

Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic disruptions, the Firm could not hold the events in the years 2020 and 2021 and instead organised international webinars on Virtual Legal Proceedings and Taxation.

This 2022 edition is unique in the sense that it coincides with the Firm’s 20th Anniversary and other celebrations.

*Train enforcement agents, social, welfare workers, activists


By Henry Ojelu

The Attorney General Alliance, Africa (AGA-Africa) in a collaborative effort with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Roost Foundation organized a two-day workshop for the training of critical stakeholders tackling the menace of human trafficking, irregular migration, drug abuse, sexual and gender based violence in the country.


According to AGA-Africa, “human trafficking is a $150 billion per year industry, with $99 billion from sexual exploitation”, hence the need for a collective effort in fighting the scourge.


AGA-Africa Country Coordinator for Nigeria, Ebelechukwu Enedah, in a welcome, lamented that attention was yet to be given to the fact that there is a strong interlink between human trafficking and drug trafficking, adding that, “the idea that human being can be exploited and use over and over for profit is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time”.

Enedah, noted that apart from equipping stakeholders with necessary knowledge and skills to combat the twin monster of human and drug trafficking / abuse, the workshop will shine the spotlight on the problem in Abuja, especially, the Mpape community in order to minimize the abuse of drugs amongst children, youths and adults in Nigeria.

Also speaking, Chairman, Board of Trustees, United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons (UNVTF), Dame Julie Okah-Donli, disclosed that apart from the victims who are already addicted to drug abuse, human traffickers use drugs as a “bait” to lure people.


“They capitalize on substance abuse disorder to promise their victims free and constant supply of illegal drugs in exchange for sexual and labour exploitation”, she added.


Okah-Donli stressed that after passing through primary, secondary and sometimes tertiary victimization phases, victims of drug trafficking and abuse deserve a level of care and special treatment to support them in their recuperation process.

“At this stage, the survivors come in contact with caregivers and caregiving institutions. It is for this reason that training and retraining is quite imperative for relevant stakeholders”, she added.

A Non for Profit Organisation, Centre for Transparency and Defence of Human Rights, has dragged the Federal Government before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged irregularities in the bid process for the concession of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, MMIA.

In a writ of summon filed before the court by it's lawyer, Mr. Samuel Agweh, SAN, the NGO is asking the court to compel the Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation to disqualify two of the companies participating in the Lagos Airport concession bid process,  TAV Airport Holding Company and GMR Airport Limited for dishonesty and misrepresentation.

Listed as co defendants along with the Federal Government in the suit are the Attorney-General of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Aviation, NAHCO Aviance Plc, Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, TAV Airport Holding Company and GMR Airport Ltd.

The plaintiff averred
that Tav Airport Holding Company and GMR Airport Ltd which submitted separate bids for MMIA and were shortlisted for the next phase of the concession are owned by same company, Airport De Paris, ADP.

According to the plaintiff, the status of the two companies is contrary to the Request For Qualification, RFQ, guidelines set out by the Ministry of Aviation which stipulates that companies owned by same entity cannot submit separate bids for the concession.

The NGO further averred that the actions of the two companies is a demonstration of dishonesty, lack of integrity and deliberate attempt to deceive and hoodwink the contracting authority and hand over the nation's gateway airport to "persons of questionable character who lacks integrity and repute".

The reliefs sought by the NGO include, "A declaration that the submission of separate bids by TAV Airport Holding (6th defendant) and GMR Airport Ltd (7th defendant) with the impression that they are separate entities amount to a material misrepresentation, and a breach of Section 2.2 subsection 2.2.1 of the Request For Qualification (RFQ) for the Concession of Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

"A declaration that the submission of separate bids by the 6th and 7th Defendants is not only wrongful but amount to act of dishonesty, deceit and lawlessness.

'An order directing the 3rd Defendant ( Ministry of Aviation) to immediately disqualify the 6th Defendant led consortium and the 7th Defendant’s submission as well as ADP as a standalone party from participation in the tender or joining any group in future after Pre-Qualifications results are announced.

The Executive Director of the NGO, Kunle Edun in a sworn witness statement attached to the suit claimed that a search on the internet revealed that ADP owns 46% of GMR and 49% TAV.

He maintained that by bidding separately for the same contract, the two defendants went against the Standard Ethics required by Applicants for the bidding as provided in section 3 subsection 3.1 of the Request For Proposal, RFP, guidelines.

Edun pointed that the attention of the Attorney-General of the Federation was drawn to the misrepresentation by the two companies via a letter dates June 15, 2022 but that the AGF refused to disqualify the 6th Defendant led Consortium for breaching the eligibility criteria, verification and disqualification guideline, as well as for act of dishonesty and deceit, but rather decided to disqualify only the 7th Defendant from the bid and retain the 6th Defendant led consortium. 

He insisted that the action of the AGF was wrong and amount to condoning lawlessness, corruption, illegality, dishonesty, impunity, and deceit, and is unacceptable.

Former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith and Current Chairman Nigeria Police Service Commission, Chairman of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Aderemi Makanjuola, former Solicitor-General of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Justice Ishola Olorunnimbe (rtd) OON
are among several dignitaries that will grace the launch of Alhaji Jimoh Adisa Gbadamosi symposium (JAGAS) endowment fund in Lagos on August 18, 2022 at EKo FM Multi purpose Hall

The fund raising event was conceived by the Old Students Association of Ahmadiyya College Agege, ACAOSA (now Anwar Ul Islam Model College Agege) under the leadership of Lawal Pedro, SAN, to cater for the bi-annual symposium and other activities in honour of Alhaji J.A Gbadamosi, OON a former principal of the school who turned 95 years

While Alhaji Smith is the chairman of the event, Mr. Makanjuola is the Chief Launcher of the Endowment Fund.
Other dignitaries and prominent old students of the school expected at the event includes, former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro, Former Minister of Transport, General Tajudeen Olarewaju (rtd),
former Minister of Communication , Dapo Sarumi, Senator Kola Bajomo, former Lagos APC Chairman,  Hon Tunde Balogun, DIG Johnson Kokumo Mni, former Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs,  Dr. Wale Ahmed, and Hakeem Ogunniran the Chairman LBIC

The Guest Speaker of the symposium former Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, Prof Murtala Bidmus is s expected to speak on the topic, 'The role of education in Nation building,' while Dr. Mayowa Fasona of the department of Geography, UNILAG will speak on the topic; 'Climate Change: Educating tomorrow's leaders for a better environment of the future.'

Discussants of the key topics includes Prof Bidemi Lafiaji-Okunneye the Acting Vice- Chancellor, Lagos State University of Education, Prof Wahab Elias the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Lagos State University, ; Prof K. Adekoya of University of Lagos and Ven. Dr. Ola Ogunjobi the Provost, African Church College of Education.

The Chairman of the organising committee, is Mr. Jamiu Ashimi a former Permanent Secretary in Lagos State.

Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Developmental Law, NBA-SPIDEL, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani is a year older today (July 27) and the Human Rights lawyer fondly called MOU by friends and well-wishers is using the occasion to celebrate God fatefulness.

Reflecting on his life on earth, Ubani said he is particularly grateful to God who has stood by him throughout the high and low moments of his life.



He said: “July 27 every year is always an opportunity for me to reflect on how God has stood by me throughout my low and high moments. This year is not an exception. God has been my pillar and without him, I am nobody. What you see in my today and describe as success could not have been possible without God’s mercy and fatefulness.



“Besides God, my family has also been very supportive. The love of my wife and children is unquantifiable and has spurred me to be the success story I am today. Nigerians have also been kind to me and I appreciate every one of them. I celebrate everyone who has been a part of my life.”



Born to a humble family in Awomukwu Village in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Ubani has risen from a young ambitious village boy to become a successful lawyer, an opinion moulder and one of the few respected voices on national issues in the country.



Not only has he excelled in law practice, Ubani has become an unrepentant philanthropist and an advocate of human and peoples' rights in Nigeria and beyond. Just recently, Ubani won the hearts of Nigerians when he dragged the Federal Government to court over mandatory Covid-19 vaccine and twitter ban.



Ubani’s quest to impact humanity started way back in 2012 when contested and won the chairmanship position in the ever vibrant Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch and took the branch to the level that no previous or those after him had reached.



His leadership quality and friendship revived the divided branch and made it a very united branch that its voice was feared and respected nationally during his tenure. It was therefore very easy for him when he aspired to the position of the vice presidency at the national level.



He was adopted by the Eastern Bar Forum of lawyers in which he is a member and returned unopposed at the national election of the association that took place in 2016 and became elected with the highest vote even more than that of the president of the Association, an indication of his popularity within the legal circle.



Due to the feat he achieved during his tenure as a second vice-president, Ubani was elected as chairman of NBA-SPIDEL to revive the session which was almost in comatose. Since mounting the leadership of NBA-SPIDEL, the Section has become a reference point in the fight to enshrine rule of law and hold the government to account.



His act of philanthropy includes the saving of the life of Baby Somaya who had a successful heart surgery in India and came back to Nigeria to the waiting arm of MTN and Praise, a musician who collaborated with MTN to donate the sum of 10 million Naira to the baby. The baby is today a landlady and living a normal life.



He also brought to limelight a lady who worked at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos as a cleaner and returned the sum of 12 million lost money to the owner. That singular act of honesty attracted Dr Ubani and his Foundation, Onyekachi Ubani Foundation and they swung into action and got the lady introduced to Nigeria as the face of a true and honest Nigerian through the mainstream and social media.



The reward to the lady came in torrents: awards, money gifts, employment opportunities and handshakes with the high and mighty in Nigeria. In fact, that promotion of her virtue brought her a husband subsequently She is happily married to her heartthrob. Recently she was given a house and several gifts by the Vice President of the country His Excellency, Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN.



Dr. Ubani through his law firm has rendred pro bono services and has also helped many aggrieved Nigerians to get justice.



The plethora of awards that adorn the walls of Ubani's office and home are true attestation that the labour of this indefatigable humanitarian has not escaped the watchful attention of many credible local and international organizations.



Ubani is married to Lady Faurstina and is blessed with four lovely children, one of whom is already following his step as a vibrant legal practitioner. His second son is an Engineer graduate of the prestigious Covenant University.

Eight statutory delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Delta state has asked a Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta state to nullify the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency Primaries held on May 22, 2022 for not complying with the electoral act 2022 and other extant laws guiding the conduct of party primaries.

The delegates, Agbanashi Chinedu Basil, Asaba Chukwuma, Chuks Udeme, Helen Obi Opute, Sunday Achudume, Ikechukwu Egenege, Ikechukwu Accra and Mchenry Abadoni who filed the suit on behalf of themselves and other disenfranchised statutory delegates claimed that the primaries which held in Utagba-Uno and produced Hon Nnamdi Ezechi as the flag bearer of PDP for the Federal Constituency, was marred with irregularities.

Listed as respondents in the suit are; Nnamdi Ezechi, Ossai Nicholas Ossai, Kenny Okolugbo, Edike Kaine, Alphonsus Ojo, Ugo Nwokolo, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The plaintiffs through their lawyer, Mr. Evans Ufeli claimed that the conduct of the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency election by the PDP was in breach and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended), the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Constitution of PDP which substantially affected the outcome of the election.

They particularly claimed that the election was conducted without the required quorum of the democratically elected statutory ad hoc delegates as they were prevented from exercising their right to vote for the candidates of their choice during the election.

 According to the plaintiffs, out of the 302 delegates cleared to vote for the primaries, 209 were excluded while only 96 delegates eventually voted in the election.

They further averred that the disenfranchised statutory delegates are 50 per local Government out of the three Local Government Areas that made up Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, and 150 for the Federal Constituency, 18 Local Government Executive and 54 for the Federal Constituency amongst other key parties officials in the constituency.

Providing more proof of irregularities, the plaintiffs claimed that on the election day, voters were wrongfully instructed to tick the names of their preferred candidates as a form of voting when they ought to have thumb printed thereby exposing the process and voters to gross compromise of the integrity of the election.

Their prayers before the court, are; “A declaration that the 7thRespondent (PDP) primary Election for the Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal constituency held on May 22, 2022 at Utagba Uno,  Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State is null and void and of no effect whatsoever, having not complied with the provisions of  the Electoral Act 2022, the 1999 constitution as amended and the PDP Constitution.

“A order directing PDP to organize a fresh Election for the Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, the 1999 Constitution and the Peoples Democratic Party’s Constitution within 72 hours after the delivery of the judgment in this suit. 

 “The sum of N50, 000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) against the 7th Respondent being the cost of this action.”

The matter has been slated for July 13, 2022 for hearing.

A team of lawyers led by Mr A.M Makinde, SAN for Dr. Charles Mekwunye, SAN, has filed a motion before a Federal High Court in Lagos seeking an order nullifying the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, approval of the acquisition of Union Bank by Titan Trust Bank.

Dr Mekwunye had earlier  dragged Union Global Partners Ltd (1st defendant) and Atlas Mara Limited (2nd defendant ) to the court over the sales of their majority shares in Union Bank (4th defendant)  to Titan Trust Bank (3rd defendant).

In the suit, Dr. Mekwunye, who is also a shareholder in Union Bank had contended that the sales of Union Bank to Titan Trust Bank by Union Global Partners and Atlas Mara Ltd did not follow extant laws of Nigeria regulating such transaction.

He also contended that Titan Trust Bank which was granted banking license two years ago with two branches has not broken even and does not have the financial capacity to acquire Union Bank.

According to court processes filed for Dr. Mekwunye, the sales of the combined shares of Union Global Partners and Atlas Mara Ltd, in Union Bank was done by private treaty instead of being traded on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange as require by law thereby making the transaction invalid and unlawful.

The CBN was joined in the suit number FHC/L/CS/674/2022 as co-defendant and also serviced with the court processes and interluctory injunction seeking stay of all actions on the transaction pending the determination of the suit.

But while the suit was still pending before the court, the CBN last month announced the official approval of Union Bank sales to Titan Trust Bank.

In a motion filed late last month, Dr Mekwunye is now seeking a declaration by the court that the CBN's approval of the transaction is in  flagrant disrespect to the authority, sanctity, dignity and powers of the Court and therefore unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.

Dr Mekwunye's motion was brought pursuant to Order 35 Rules 1 & 2 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2019 and section  36 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

Other reliefs which Dr Mekwunye, SAN, is asking the court to grant includes "an order of Mandatory Injunction for a return to status quo by setting aside the approval of the Sale and Transfer of shares of the 4th Defendant by the 1st  and 2nd  Defendant to the 3rd  Defendant by the 5th Defendant having been unlawfully approved in contempt of Court."

"An order of Mandatory Injunction nullifying all steps and/or measures taken by the defendants to consummate the transaction of transfer and sale and/or acquisition of shares of Union Bank by the 3rd  Defendant in flagrant disrespect to the Court.

'An Order of Mandatory Injunction returning the parties to the status quo as at the first date CBN  appeared in court through its Counsel in response to the Originating Summons of May 24, 2022.

"An order that the CBN is in contempt of Court for approving the unlawful transaction resulting in the 3rd Defendant's acquisition of the 4th Defendant/Respondent as evidenced by the 4th Defendant’s circular of June 2, 2022, inspite of the suit pending before the Court, including the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory injunction filed on May 11,/2022 which is pending before this Court."

"An order that the Defendants’ failure and/or refusal to maintain “status quo” in the pending suit before the Court undermines the powers and authority of the Court."

President Muhammadu Buhari along with many governors and notable persons in the country has condoled with the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law, SPIDEL, Dr Monday  Ubani over the death of his father Pa Egbedubi Nwokocha at 101 years.

Pa Nwokocha passed on  January 3, 2022 in Lagos and will be buried at his hometown Umuosoko, Awomukwu, Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State on April 22, 2022.

Some governors and prominent persons that have also sent their condolence messages to Dr Ubani include Governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Aminu Tanbuwal of Sokoto State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia State and the current Chief Whip of the Senate, Minister of Niger Delta, former Governor and former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio.

Others are  Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Dr. Uche Ogah, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Hon Sam Onuigbo, NBA President, Olumide Akpata, President of African Bar Association Mr Hannibal Uwaifor, Chief Judges of Abia and Lagos States, some Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, former Presidents  of the Nigerian Bar Association and former Group Managing Director, Diamond Bank, Alex Oti amongst many others.


In a condolence letter dated April 11, 2022 and signed by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Buhari was quoted as giving glory to God for the gift of longevity, which saw Pa Nwokocha live up to 101 years.

The President was also quoted to have saluted the fact that Pa Nwokocha left his footprints on the sands of time, gaining reputation as a man of peace, a philanthropist, dutiful father, public spirited individual, and a man of integrity.

Condoling with Dr Ubani, the only son of the deceased, and the many grandchildren and great grandchildren left by the departed, President Buhari urged them to keep the flag of the good works hoisted by their patriarch flying, knowing that in that wise, Papa Nwokocha would live forever in the hearts and minds of all who knew him.

The President also urged the family to give the departed befitting rites of passage, as the soul of Egoro Oti marches on.

---As court adjourns suit against FHA


Members of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, NATA, Amuwo Odofin Chapter on Wednesday protested in Ikeja, Lagos over alleged illegal arrest, detention and intimidation of their members by the Police.

The artisans staged the protest at the Police Command Ikeja after an Ikeja High Court adjourned the suit they filed against the Federal Housing Authority, FHA in respect of the buffer zone area in Festac town which another Lagos High Court had delivered a consent judgment in their favour.

Led by the Amuwo Odofin NATA chairman,  Comrade Oluwafemi Olanipekun and  human rights activist, Comrade Olusegun Adeeko, the artisans carrying various placard marched from the premises of the Ikeja High Court to the Police Command where they formally handed over a petition to the Police authority.

Lagos Police Spokesperson, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu who addressed the artisans, assured them that their petition will be attended to and later invited their leaders for a closed-door meeting.

At the court proceeding before the protest, Justice Ogunsanya, counsel to the artisans, G. E. Ojiekhubu had informed the court that properties belonging to his clients were being demolished by agents of FHA and sought for an order restraining such further actions.

Counsel to FHA, Muiz Banire, SAN, however denied the claim stating that no such action is being undertaking by agents of his client.

Justice Ogunsanya in a short ruling insisted that there was no evidence of the alleged illegal demolition of the properties of the artisans before the court to warrant any restraining order being sought.

The judge however adjourned the suit to April 11, 2022 to allow parties in the suit to regularize their processes.

A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has order the Oshodi/ Isolo Local Government Area to pay N1.2million as damaged to a lawyer Iwowo Anthony for the illegal impounding of his car by officials of the local government over an alleged traffic offence.

Iwowo had dragged the LGA before the court for impounding his vehicle over an alleged traffic offence.

Delivering judgment in the suit, Justice D.T Olatokun  ruled that Oshodi-Isolo L.G.A, it's chairman and  officials lack the constitutional power to impound vehicles and to inflict traffic related penalties on road users, motorists and owners. 

The court also declared that the detention of the claimant's vehicle from April 9, 2021 to April 12, 2021 by the officials of the local government constitutes a grave violation of his fundamental rights to freedom of movement, right to fair hearing, right to own property and compulsory acquisition of property.

The court further ruled that the arrest, impounding, harassing, threatening, continuous detention and extorting money from road users/motorists/owners by the respondents is ultra vires their powers outlined under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and therefore illegal.

The Court therefore awarded exemplary damages of N1Million against the L.G.A and it's chairman for the wanton and grave violation of his rights

The Court further ordered the local government to refund the N25,000 the claimant paid as fine.

Ecobank Nigeria has lost appeals in three different courts seeking to stop Dr. Charles Mekwunye, SAN, from representing the estate of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Taslim Elias in a sublease dispute between the bank and the late jurist's family.

Three children of the late Jurist, Mrs. Ganiyat Elias, Olusoji Elias and Dr Gbolahan Elias, SAN, including the estate company representing the family interest, Olawale Momolesho have been engaged in a protracted legal battle with the bank over a sublease dispute on their late father's estate.

One of the cases instituted by the family estate company in 2014 is before Justice I.O Harrison of the Lagos High Court, while another counter-suit filed by Ecobank against the late jurist's children is before Justice R.O. Olukolu also of the Lagos High Court. One of the matters which was initially decided by the Federal High Court, is now before the Court of Appeal, Lagos.

In all three matters, the bank lost its preliminary objections seeking to stop Dr. Mekwunye from representing the family on the ground that he was a former Executive Director of Oceanic Bank now Ecobank.

In the matter before the Court of Appeal, Lagos, the bank in its preliminary objection to substantive appeal, argued that having worked as Executive Director in Oceanic Bank and as such being privy to confidential information, the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2007, prohibits Mekwunye, his law firm and any lawyer working for him from representing the late Elias estate.

However, in their counter argument, the children of the late CJN stated that Mekwunye in his capacity as an Executive Director in Oceanic Bank, presided over corporate banking and was never privy to confidential information regarding the subject matter before the appellate court.

In a lead judgment delivered in April by Justice Abubakar Umar, the court however upheld the argument of the respondent insisting that Ecobank has not shown any fact to convince the court that Mekwunye while working for Oceanic Bank was privy to vital information relating to the property sublease in dispute.

He held: “The Appellant has by its counter affidavit shown that as one of Directors of Oceanic Bank, Dr. Mekwunye was not directly involved with the activities of the legal department which was in fact headed by someone else entirely; and by extension Dr. Mekwunye did not participate in the transaction which has culminated into this appeal."

"I hold the view that the Applicant had the onus of controverting these facts as deposed to by the Appellant and supplying the court with relevant Information directly linking the participation of Dr. Mekwunye in the lease agreement between the Appellants and Oceanic Bank (now acquired by the Applicant). The Applicant failed to do this."

"It will indeed be stretching the law beyond its intended Interpretation if Dr. Mekwunye is restrained from representing the Appellant simply because he was an employee of Oceanic Bank/the Applicant at the time the lease agreement subject matter of this appeal was executed. This is so because it is wrong to suggest that counsel may not appear against someone whom he appeared for in a matter having no semblance to the present case.”

"The Appellant has not showed that Dr. Mekwunye was in breach of Rule 17(4) of the RFC to Invoke the order of court prohibiting Dr. Charles Mekwunye and any counsel in his Iaw firm from further legal representation on behalf of the Appellants/Respondents in this Appeal.”

Two other judges on the panel, Justice Onyekachi Otisi and Justice Abdulahi Bayero also agreed with the lead judgment.

Justice Otisi held: “Indeed to my mind, the contentions of the Respondent/Applicant appear speculative and totally without substance. Aside from the delay in the hearing and determination of this appeal, nothing has been achieved by this objection.”

In the matter before Justice Olukolu of the Lagos High Court, the court in a bench ruling on June 17, 2021, struck out similar application seeking the stop Mekwunye from representing the children of late Elias.

The decision of the court followed Ecobank's counsel refusal to proceed with the hearing despite being given the opportunity to do so by the court.

In a July 14, 2021 ruling on a similar application in the suit filed by Olawale Momolesho, the High Court also held that Ecobank's objection to Mekwunye appearing for the family lacks merit.

“The application has failed to prove the close connection of Dr. Mekwunye's employment as Executive Director of Oceanic Bank and services he is rendering to the claimant," Justice Harrison held

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed December 3, 2021 for the hearing of a contempt proceedings filed against the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede over his refusal to obey a court order for the release of the travel document of a Chinese national, Zheng Yue Feng.

Feng filed the proceeding through his lawyers after the NIS boss refused to obey the court order granted five months ago to enable him attend to his failing health.

Feng, a foreign investor, who resides and carries on business in Nigeria had last year dragged the Attorney General of the Federation, The NIS boss and the Minister of Interior before the court following the seizure of his travel passport by NIS officials at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos over a frivolous petition against him by another Chinese and business partner Chen Guo Yan.

In his deposition along with the fundamental human rights enforcement suit he filed through his lawyer, Dr. Monday Ubani, Feng claimed that his travel documents were seized and confiscated by NIS officers acting under the direct and express instructions of their boss Mr Babandede.

Feng further claimed that he was flown to the NIS office in Abuja, where he was unlawfully detained for a period of 16 days, after which, he was transferred to the Director General State Security Service’s office in Abuja as well, and was further detained for an additional 7 days before he was released on bail.

While in detention, Feng said he became aware of the covert plans of the NIS boss along with the Minister of Interior to unlawfully have him deported to China through a deportation order which had already been signed.
His timeous action through his lawyers saved him from being illegally deported as the court restrained the Minister of Interior from illegally deporting the Applicant.

While the suit is still pending Feng filed a motion seeking an order of the court for permission to travel to China to seek urgent medical treatment.

In the motion, he also prayed to court to direct the NIS to immediately release and give to him, his international passport, in order for him to travel out to China for the urgent medical treatment. 


On March 22, 2021, Dr. Ubani, who is handling the case with his age long friend Mr. Sam Agweh, SAN moved Feng’s motion paper dated, November 14, 2020 before the Court and the Court in its wisdom, granted Mr Feng’s prayers.

Despite having been served the court orders since June, 2021, the Comptroller General of Immigration Service has willfully refused to comply with order thereby prompting the contempt proceedings.

An Abuja based lawyer, Ikechukwu Uzuegbu has berated the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC over it's role in the conduct of parallel congresses in Abia State.

In a statement on Thursday, Uzuegbu noted the APC may lose out of the coming elections in Abia State if those orchestrating crisis and division in the party are not immediately fished out and sanctioned appropriately.

He stated that the emergence of two States Executives and Two factional Chairmen at the state congress held on October 16, 2021 is a reflection that all is not well in the party.

Insisting that the present crisis in Abia APC is self inflicted, Uzuegbu stated that the National Secretariat presently headed by Yobe State Governor, Mala Buni is heavily implicated.

Uzuegbu traced the root of the problem in Abia State to the decision by some leaders in the party to bypass the State Executive headed by Hon. Donatus Nwankpa in the conduct of the congress.

He said: "The National Secretariat in clear breach of APC's constitution, Election Guidelines, sent Congress Committee officers to Abia State for the Ward, Local Government and even the State Congress and told them to go and conduct the various Congresses without the involvement of the legitimate Caretaker Committee in place in the State.

"How is it possible for those few persons sent from the National Secretariat in Abuja  to come into a State and organise a successful Congress in all the Wards, Local Governments Areas in the State without the input and support of the legitimate  State Exco on ground? What data did they use if I may ask?

"Under what provision of the Constitution of APC can the Congress Committee from the National Secretariat conduct the Congresses of the Ward and Local Government without the input of the legitimate State Exco?  Who handed over the various screened  contestants to the Congress  Committee that came  from the National Secretariat?

Uzuegbu further said that Chief Ikechi Emenike's parallel congress must not be allowed to stand as it is a product of illegality.

Raising some fundamental question on Chief Emenike's congress, he asked; Can any legitimate State Exco of the Party emerge in which the legitimate ward delegates, local government delegates, the State Exco officials who are statutory delegates and the over 30 statutory delegates neither participated nor supported?
Can such State Exco at any time  earn legitimacy either by law or logic?

Uzuegbu states categorically that the group that produced Acho Obioma as the Chairman was a product of the delegates elected at the Ward Congress on July 31 July, 2021 and with statutory members of the party from all levels.


"The State Congress that produced Obioma took place at indoor Hall at Umuahia Township  Stadium after accreditation of all Delegates. Six persons who purchased the nomination forms for the chairmanship made  themselves available and while the party leaders met and agreed on consensus candidates for all the other positions, it was resolved that the position of the chairmanship will be decided by the ballot.


"All the six candidates contested for the position of the chairmanship and they were Pastor Dike Nwankwo, Chidi Nwosu, Acho  Obioma, Princewill  Ukaegbu, Sylvanus Nwaji and Goldie Wabara. It was an open secret balloting system. Hon Acho Obioma who scored 298 votes to beat all others was declared winner in the election that was supervised properly in accordance with the Electoral Guidelines of the Party."

On the choice that the party leadership must make, Uzuegbu said: "The National Secretariat headed by Governor Mai Buni has the power and right to make a choice of either promoting harmony and unity of the party at Abia or destroy the party and its chances in 2023 by choosing the leadership that was never elected or chosen in accordance with the Party's Constitution and Guidelines. Nobody, I repeat, nobody puts something on nothing and expects a good result.

"The foundational emergence of leadership at this level of the ruling party at the State level is critical to the success of the party in 2023 elections and should be handled with caution and care. If the foundation be destroyed, the Holy book warns, that there is nothing the righteous can do.

"The Party leadership is hereby put on notice that treading the part of legality, caution with wisdom will save the party from the looming doom and explosion  that is waiting on the wings to happen. Let the leadership of the party  religiously search for the black goat  while it is day time."[color=#990000][/color]

By Admin

The Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law, NBA-SPIDEL, Dr. Monday Ubani has said that he will not hesitate to drag the federal government to court if it goes ahead to enforce the directive on compulsory vaccination for civil servants in the country.

Recall that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19, Mr Boss Mustapha had last week announced that all civil servants in Nigeria shall with effect from December 1, 2021 show proof of vaccination or present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours to gain access to their various offices  within Nigeria and Missions abroad.

Describing the directive as insensitive, Ubani stated that compulsory vaccination violates the existing labour terms and the fundamental rights of the civil servants to their privacy, life, movement, religious belief and faith, and liberty.

According to Ubani, "Any directive on compulsory vaccination is immature, needless, unacceptable and should be totally rejected.

"The punishment of denial of access to office by the directive is a clear violation of the contractual terms of employment, and secondly a restriction to freedom of liberty and movement guaranteed under chapter 4 of the 1999 constitution as amended,  Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

"When these civil servants were employed, compulsory vaccinations and its attendant punishment for non compliance were not part of their terms of contract.

"This new policy is a rude interruption to cordial labour relationship and is against international best labour practices.

"The Federal Government is hereby put on notice that any intention to pursue this illegal policy will be met with  stiff legal challenge."

Ubani further noted that in the absence of any substantive legislation that makes Covid-19 vaccination compulsory, such policy directive which would invariably take away guaranteed rights, is illogical, unlawful, null and void.

Ubani also insisted that the best policy for the country remains that the citizens be not allowed to lower the guard in preventive measures in dealing with the pandemic.

He said: "As the government have failed to concretely convince the citizens on the issue of health, safety and bodily harm of this vaccination, they are advised to desist from pursuing their present policy that is in collision course with the bodily integrity of the citizens.

"They should rather utilise persuasive methodology to get citizens convinced of the benefits of the said vaccinations but most importantly, they are  advised to pursue  free education, free health policies and other social welfare policies  and make them compulsory for the citizens which will in turn attract accolades for the government."

The Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law, NBA-SPIDEL, Dr. Monday Ubani has drawn the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari to the abandoned Umuahia(Ikwuano)/Ikot-Ekpene road project.

In a letter dated October 1, 2021 and addressed to the president, Ubani said that the contractors of the project, Messrs Hartland Nigeria Limited/Raycon Company Nigeria Ltd, which were awarded in 2019 with a 48 month completion target, have since abandoned the project over alleged non-release of funds by the federal government.

A copy of the letter was also forwarded to Abia  State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Senator T.A. Orji, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, House of Representative Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency. Hon Sam Onuigbo is the member who attracted the project. He also copied the Director in Charge of the Road, Ministry of Works and Housing.

According to Ubani, many communities and travellers who use the Umuahia(Ikwuano)/Ikot Ekpene road now suffer untold hardship due to the deplorable condition of the road.

Appealing to the President to urgently cause funds to be released for the completion of the project, Ubani said:  We do not want to believe that this present government awarded the road construction for the purpose of punishing the people.

"We appeal to Your Excellency to cause the release of funds for  the continuation of the work of the  contract on the said road and ensure a maximum supervision of the quality of work that is being carried out on that road that has socio-economic advantages to the entire nation.


"The people of Ikwuano in Abia has suffered enough concerning this road which every government has failed, refused and neglected to correct.

"We believe that your government will not join other governments that failed to fix this very important road that is critical to the survival of the indigenes of Ikwuano in Abia State." This is a road that connects Abia to Akwa Ibom, Cross River State and  as far as Cameroon in West Africa.

Ubani also raised concerns over the quality of jobs so far done by the contractor handling the project saying that is has been very poor.

He said: "The level and quality of work so far done on the Ikwuano axis of the project leaves a sour taste in the mouth. The little drainage work done at some of the places in Oboro in Ikwuano Local Government Area does not show that there is any good intention to do a thorough work that will surely stand the test of time and beneficial to the users of the road. The quality is not only below standard, it is utterly poor."

Ubani also claimed that the real terms of the contract remains a source of concern and appealed to the President to compel the Ministry of Works  to disclose the cost and scope of the project.

He said: Your Excellency, despite our joy for the award, some of us raised an initial alarm concerning the contract because of lack of specifics in the disclosure about the terms of the contract. The concerns were: Does  the contract include construction, dualization or just mere rehabilitation?

"Why will such an important road be left without  dualization and proper reconstruction that has good drainage system?

Ubani  requested that the contractor be changed if it is found out from the initial work(the drainage system) done by them, manifests their incapacity to do a thorough job that will stand the test of time.

Former 2nd Vice-President of Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Monday Ubani has threatened to the drag the federal government before the court for allegedly renewing the appointment of the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof Adewale Musa-Olomu despite an indictment against him.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos, Ubani stated that Prof Musa-Olomu who was appointed as MD of FMC, Abeokuta in 2017, ought not to have had his reappointment renewed since he was indicted for age falsification, gross misconduct and abuse of office by the board of medical centre two months ago.

Ubani noted that it is unfortunate that Prof Musa-Olomu who is also being investigated by the Nigerian Police, FCID, and is currently on administrative bail was not asked to step aside by the Federal Ministry of Health but was rewarded with renewal of his appointment.

According to Ubani who vowed to file a suit against the FG if the appointment is not reversed, such action negate the principle upon which the current administration under President Muhammadu Buhari claims to stand for.

He said: "President Muhammadu Buhari's administration was widely voted into power for first and second term because the president assured Nigerians that he will fight corruption in any form in the country to a stand still.

"I want to use this opportunity to remind the the APC led administration that what just happened in FMC, Abeokuta where a man who ought to have retired from service but clearly altered his age to get another term in office, is another form of corruption which if not reviewed, will certainly dent the image of this administration.

"I want to presume that the president personally may not be aware of what has happened in FMC Abeokuta with the connivance and collusion of the Federal Ministry of Health, but I believe it is not too late to revisit the matter.

"The old practice where public servants flagrantly violate the Public Service Regulations and Government Circular without punishment must be discouraged.

"Institution like FMC, similar Ministries, Departments and Agencies under the Federal Republic of Nigeria  is governed by rules known as Public Service Rule; this is where guidelines both on appointment and retirement of public servant are stipulated.

"Alteration or change in the date of birth presented while joining Public Service is a serious crime that should not  be taken lightly. The Public Service Rule is clear about  any Public Servant being investigated and proven to  have altered or changed  date of birth  which could lead to  summary dismissal from the civil service.

"I hereby call on the Federal Government review the process through which Prof Musa-Olomu's tenure was renewed and if found to have been fraught with corruption, should be reversed. Our health system is too important and critical to be handled by persons of questionable character.

"Federal government should also investigate the circumstances under which the Ministry of  Health suppressed the letter of the Board to the Ministry/office of the SGF withdrawing its earlier recommendation of Prof Musa-Olomu for a second term which was written before the petitions that came in were investigated.

"I also demand that Federal Government should investigate the circumstances under which Prof Musa who is being actively investigated by the Nigerian Police FCID and is currently on administrative bail was not asked to step aside by The Ministry of Health  but was instead recommended for a second term with the letter presented publicly to him by the Minister of Health despite the Ministry being in receipt of a court process seeking to forbid the step of renewal.

"Let me conclude by saying that if the Federal Government of Nigeria fails, refuses and/or neglect to address these weighty issues as raised in this press text, I shall without any further notice to them  take legal measures  and actions as a concerned citizen for the intervention of the judiciary into this crisis solely created by the Federal Ministry of Health."

Former 2nd Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dr. Monday Ubani has cautioned the national leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, not to impose any one as leader of the party in Abia State.

Decrying the perennial crisis that has bedevilled the party in the state, Ubani warned that the situation may worsen with the indication that an unpopular candidate is being imposed as leader of the party.

Calling on the national leadership of the party to check the excesses of some of it's executives, Ubani noted that it is the belief and conviction of the stakeholders and members of the party that the  quick resolution of this crisis in the state by the National Secretariat will place the party in greater strength, unity and cohesiveness to take over the leadership of the State from the ruling party due to their bad governance.

In a statement he issues on Friday, he said: "Abians in APC will never allow any  leadership to be imported into the State through an unknown means and procedure.

"As keen observers of the development in the State,  we watch, wait and see how  the whole resolution of this contrived crisis by the  national leadership of the party shall be resolved,  but let it be on record that the  leadership of the party in the State cannot be imported from Abuja.

"The present leadership, which  is a product of a democratic process, must, if any,  be removed democratically in accordance with the constitution of the Party. For now they are  recognised by the constituion, the people and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).  Every official correspondence and communications are  through them.

"They are the one representing  the party at all official and national functions and must be the one to ensure the success of every Congress in the State.

"No imposed or imported  leadership whose emergence is unknown to the constitution of the party shall be allowed to take a stand in the State."

A popular Christian cleric of C& S Movement,Divine Blessing Cathedral Ayo ni o Victory district, Dr. Aderemi Awode, who is also the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Chemstar Groups Limited, manufacturer of Finecoat and Shield Paints products today celebrate his 58 birthday.

He is a great Philantropist and man of the people. He helps people without going public on it.

Every year on his birthday the business moguls offered to many members of his church start up Capital for them to start a business. He also takes care of members children education by paying their school fees up to the university level’ .

Elated church members according to our correspondent Princess Oluwabukola Fasuyi expressed gratitude to the cleric for always coming to the aid of different members and their family members.

Many people had gotten help from this philanthropist’ they said.

The business moguls also offered million of naira as gifts to his church workers who work in different departments in the church’ .

While eulogizing the man of God philanthropist kind gesture most members of his congregation said this philanthropist always spent millions annually empowering people around the community of kola alagbado area of Lagos’ yearly .

"He distributed bags of Rice to people in the community every year’ said a member who does
not want her identity revealed.

"This Man of God has demonstrated that there should be no religious or ethnic biases towards helping the needy’ she added.

She also called on
every Nigerian philanthropist to emulate this man of God who has demonstrated the genuine love of God to all regardless of one status, religion, or show any ethnic biases towards helping the needy’. To this we say Happy Birthday Sir

By Admin

A serving Police officer, Adetokunbo Ogunjobi has been ordered by a Lagos State Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Ikeja, to refund the sum of N200,000 to a client, Ifeanyi Chinonso who purchased a car from him without customs papers.

Mr. Chinonso through his lawyer, Iwowo Anthony of Ubani and Co, had dragged Ogunjobi who doubles as a car dealer and owner of Ogunjobi Motors, before the court for reneging on an agreement to refund his money after it was discovered that the 2014 Toyota Camry he sold to him, had no customs documentation.

In his statement before the court, Chinonso claimed that sometime in 2019, Ogunjobi sold the said car to him for N2,800,000 and gave him assurance that the customs papers were genuine.

Upon inquiry at the customs office at Ikeja, Chinonso stated that it was discovered that the papers were fake as no customs duty was paid on the car.

He further stated that despite the discovery, Ogunjobi refused to take back the car, until his lawyer petitioned the Lagos State Commissioner of Police over the matter.

Following the intervention of the CP, Chinonso said Ogunjobi made a cash refund of N2.2million on May, 2020 with an undertaking to repay the balance by September 2020.

According to him, Ogunjobi has since refused every appeal to pay the balance.

Chinonso's claim before the court against Ogunjobi includes N200,000 refund, N250,000 for special damages, N100,000 for general damages and N100,000 for cost of action.

Delivering judgment on the matter, Magistrate T.R.A Oladele upheld the claims of the claimant which were unchallenged and ordered Ogunjobi to refund the balance for the car.

She said : "The defendant is to immediately pay to the cIaimant, the sum of N200.000 being outstanding debt owed to the Claimant by the Defendant borne out of a failed transaction for the purchase of a Toyota Camry 2014 model.

"The Defendant is also to pay to the Claimant, special damages in the sum of N50, 000.The Defendant is as well to pay to the claimant general damages in the sum of N25,000. The cost of N20,000 awarded against the defendant in favour of the Claimant."

By Monday Ubani

In February, 2020, a firm of Leading Forensic Auditors in the country was nominated and appointed at Federal Executive Council to look into the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from inception to August, 2019. It was not  only this lead Forensic Consultant that  was appointed, 16 other Field Forensic Auditors were  also procured to handle the complex audit process of the Agency.

The utilitarian value of the audit is to unravel the absurdities in the Commission since its inception as an interventionist Agency in the Niger Delta Region and to recommend the proper way to achieve its core mandate of developing the region. In other words, the findings and recommendations of the Auditors will reposition the Agency for optimal performance as against the practice of the past.

It must be pointed out at this juncture that the forensic audit was at the instance of the President of the country,  His Exellency, Muhammadu Buhari.  The stakeholders made up of the governors had earlier on pleaded with the President to heed to their advice to audit the Agency, a plea the President accede to and directed the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio to comply accordingly.

It is the belief of everyone including the President and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs that so much have been released to the Agency in the past and nothing on ground to show for it, thereby necessitating the audit into the finance and projects of the Commission.

As expected, the forensic audit did unearth several anomalies in the system indicating that all have not been well with the Agency.

Receiving the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations in his office sometime in July, 2021, the  Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio revealed that with Interim Report of the forensic audit, it was  discovered that  over 12,000 projects which  had  no clear-cut ownership were built and abandoned even as they have become sanctuaries for hoodlums and kidnappers.

In order to avoid such anomalies in future, the  Minister informed his guest that:

"A Systematic Implementation Work Plan has been developed within the Ministry to avoid duplication of projects".
                       
The forensic audit had the physical verification component. The field Auditors, sixteen in number were selected to identify and verify the over 12,000 projects across the nine Niger Delta States. Security Committee comprising the Army, Navy, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps provided adequate security for the Auditors as they carried out the forensic audit of the Agency.

On Monday, the 9th of August, 2021, the leader of the Security Team, Admiral Oluwagbamila presented the completed Security Report to the Minister of  Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The elated Minister while receiving the report thanked the entire team for a job welldone.  He specifically thanked the Security Team who discharged their duties professionally as there was no casualty either on the field or at the homes and offices of the Auditors. The Minister further stated:

"the report will be studied, salient area would be extracted for Mr President to take further action, noting that the exercise would reposition the NDDC as well as enhance the socio-economic status of the Niger Delta Region".

Encomiums have started to pour on Mr President, Mohammadu Buhari and on the Minister,  Senator Godswill Akpabio for driving the process through successfully.
As the people of the Region wait with bated breath  for the final submission of the Audit Report by the Lead Auditor to the President on the 19th of August or so soon thereafter, the Minister of Niger Delta, senator Akpabio, the interim Administrator of NDDC, Mr Effiong Okon Akwa and the team of Auditors will not forget in a hurry the various landmines, the booby traps, various blackmails and propaganda carefully orchestrated by the defaulting contractors and compromised political gladiators whose hands were not clean with regards to several contracts they collected from NDDC but which they failed to execute or executed poorly. They did everything humanly possible to stall the audit process but for the unwavering resolve of the President, the Minister and the entire audit and security team, the exercise would have suffered untimely abortion.

The recipients of the various contracts in the Region who are victims of uncompleted projects, poorly executed projects and not executed projects welcomed the forensic audit with enthusiasm and have prayed that the report of the exercise will be made known transparently and that the exercise will set the Agency on track as its mandate and objective have since been derailed.

The gains of the audit exercise are numerous and some of them are hereunder listed:
(a) There will be a restoration of the original objective of the Agency.

(b) Those who collected money from the Agency and abandoned the contract or poorly executed them will be recommended for prosecution and or be made to refund or to return to site to complete their contracts.

(c) Presently it is widely reported that since the setting up of the audit team, some of the defaulting contractors have since gone back to site and completed the contracts they abandoned or poorly executed.

(d) The Agency will never be the same again as it will not be business as usual after the implementation of the recommendations of the Report.

(e) The Agency will be properly repositioned to attain proficiency and optimal performance of the annual budgetary allocations of the Agency.

(f) There will be no future and further political and elitist interference on the Agency as all these encumbrances shall be annihilated based on the recommendations of the audit report.

(g) The people of the Region will be made to own all the projects designated for their various states in the Region.
Etc.

After the submission of the Audit Report with its recommendations to the President, it is believed that the President will have to study and act in accordance with the tacit purpose for which the forensic audit was initiated. The President is expected to constitute the much awaited Board in accordance with the NDDC Act so soon thereafter.

It is hoped that the new board will start on a clean state with clear direction from the comprehensive recommendations derived from the Forensic Audit Report that will be submitted. As a new beginning, the Agency  will henceforth carry out its mandate with an understanding that it is set up as an interventionist Agency in the Region to address the followings but not limited to these:

1. The infrastructural inadequacies of the region.

2. The environmental degradation of the Region occasioned by the destructive oil activities that have affected the socio-economic lifestyle of the people of the Region.

3. Develop the manpower capacity of the Region since their economic mainstay which is farming and fishing have been destroyed by the harmful oil explorational activities in the region.
Etc

Now that the right thing is being done by Mr President and the Minister, let the mandate and objective of the Agency be activated by the soon coming management of the Board to chart a new beginning for this interventionist Agency.
For completing the forensic audit as promised, it is kudos to Mr President, Mohammadu Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio for a promise well kept. Let the implementation of the recommendations of the Audit Report give birth to a new and revived NDDC, hopefully.

By Dr Monday Onyekachi Ubani
An Abian and A Legal Practitioner.

By Monday Ubani

In February, 2020, a firm of Leading Forensic Auditors in the country was nominated and appointed at Federal Executive Council to look into the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from inception to August, 2019. It was not  only this lead Forensic Consultant that  was appointed, 16 other Field Forensic Auditors were  also procured to handle the complex audit process of the Agency.

The utilitarian value of the audit is to unravel the absurdities in the Commission since its inception as an interventionist Agency in the Niger Delta Region and to recommend the proper way to achieve its core mandate of developing the region. In other words, the findings and recommendations of the Auditors will reposition the Agency for optimal performance as against the practice of the past.

It must be pointed out at this juncture that the forensic audit was at the instance of the President of the country,  His Exellency, Muhammadu Buhari.  The stakeholders made up of the governors had earlier on pleaded with the President to heed to their advice to audit the Agency, a plea the President accede to and directed the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio to comply accordingly.

It is the belief of everyone including the President and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs that so much have been released to the Agency in the past and nothing on ground to show for it, thereby necessitating the audit into the finance and projects of the Commission.

As expected, the forensic audit did unearth several anomalies in the system indicating that all have not been well with the Agency.

Receiving the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations in his office sometime in July, 2021, the  Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio revealed that with Interim Report of the forensic audit, it was  discovered that  over 12,000 projects which  had  no clear-cut ownership were built and abandoned even as they have become sanctuaries for hoodlums and kidnappers.

In order to avoid such anomalies in future, the  Minister informed his guest that:

"A Systematic Implementation Work Plan has been developed within the Ministry to avoid duplication of projects".
                       
The forensic audit had the physical verification component. The field Auditors, sixteen in number were selected to identify and verify the over 12,000 projects across the nine Niger Delta States. Security Committee comprising the Army, Navy, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps provided adequate security for the Auditors as they carried out the forensic audit of the Agency.

On Monday, the 9th of August, 2021, the leader of the Security Team, Admiral Oluwagbamila presented the completed Security Report to the Minister of  Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The elated Minister while receiving the report thanked the entire team for a job welldone.  He specifically thanked the Security Team who discharged their duties professionally as there was no casualty either on the field or at the homes and offices of the Auditors. The Minister further stated:

"the report will be studied, salient area would be extracted for Mr President to take further action, noting that the exercise would reposition the NDDC as well as enhance the socio-economic status of the Niger Delta Region".

Encomiums have started to pour on Mr President, Mohammadu Buhari and on the Minister,  Senator Godswill Akpabio for driving the process through successfully.
As the people of the Region wait with bated breath  for the final submission of the Audit Report by the Lead Auditor to the President on the 19th of August or so soon thereafter, the Minister of Niger Delta, senator Akpabio, the interim Administrator of NDDC, Mr Effiong Okon Akwa and the team of Auditors will not forget in a hurry the various landmines, the booby traps, various blackmails and propaganda carefully orchestrated by the defaulting contractors and compromised political gladiators whose hands were not clean with regards to several contracts they collected from NDDC but which they failed to execute or executed poorly. They did everything humanly possible to stall the audit process but for the unwavering resolve of the President, the Minister and the entire audit and security team, the exercise would have suffered untimely abortion.

The recipients of the various contracts in the Region who are victims of uncompleted projects, poorly executed projects and not executed projects welcomed the forensic audit with enthusiasm and have prayed that the report of the exercise will be made known transparently and that the exercise will set the Agency on track as its mandate and objective have since been derailed.

The gains of the audit exercise are numerous and some of them are hereunder listed:
(a) There will be a restoration of the original objective of the Agency.

(b) Those who collected money from the Agency and abandoned the contract or poorly executed them will be recommended for prosecution and or be made to refund or to return to site to complete their contracts.

(c) Presently it is widely reported that since the setting up of the audit team, some of the defaulting contractors have since gone back to site and completed the contracts they abandoned or poorly executed.

(d) The Agency will never be the same again as it will not be business as usual after the implementation of the recommendations of the Report.

(e) The Agency will be properly repositioned to attain proficiency and optimal performance of the annual budgetary allocations of the Agency.

(f) There will be no future and further political and elitist interference on the Agency as all these encumbrances shall be annihilated based on the recommendations of the audit report.

(g) The people of the Region will be made to own all the projects designated for their various states in the Region.
Etc.

After the submission of the Audit Report with its recommendations to the President, it is believed that the President will have to study and act in accordance with the tacit purpose for which the forensic audit was initiated. The President is expected to constitute the much awaited Board in accordance with the NDDC Act so soon thereafter.

It is hoped that the new board will start on a clean state with clear direction from the comprehensive recommendations derived from the Forensic Audit Report that will be submitted. As a new beginning, the Agency  will henceforth carry out its mandate with an understanding that it is set up as an interventionist Agency in the Region to address the followings but not limited to these:

1. The infrastructural inadequacies of the region.

2. The environmental degradation of the Region occasioned by the destructive oil activities that have affected the socio-economic lifestyle of the people of the Region.

3. Develop the manpower capacity of the Region since their economic mainstay which is farming and fishing have been destroyed by the harmful oil explorational activities in the region.
Etc

Now that the right thing is being done by Mr President and the Minister, let the mandate and objective of the Agency be activated by the soon coming management of the Board to chart a new beginning for this interventionist Agency.
For completing the forensic audit as promised, it is kudos to Mr President, Mohammadu Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio for a promise well kept. Let the implementation of the recommendations of the Audit Report give birth to a new and revived NDDC, hopefully.

By Dr Monday Onyekachi Ubani
An Abian and A Legal Practitioner.

The Court of Appeal, Lagos division has ordered the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, to pay an account officer in the Akwa Ibom State Accountant-General's office, Mrs Margaret Ukpe the sum of N1million for unlawfully  putting her name on a wanted persons' list published on the internet.

The NCS in a circular dated September 18, 2018, had placed Mrs Ukpe and four other officials of Akwa Ibom State Government on a watchlist in connection to a case of alleged conspiracy, money laundering and misappropriation of public fund and instructed all its Area Controllers to arrest them wherever they are sighted.

Vexed by the action of NCS, Mrs Ukpe through her lawyer, Dr. Charles Mekwunye approached a Federal High Court in Lagos seeking amongst other reliefs, a declaration that the NCS circular which was widely publicised constituted a gross violation of her fundamental rights guaranteed under the 1999 constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right and therefore illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgement delivered on July 28, 2019, by Justice Mohammed Hassan, the lower court granted 8 out of the 10 reliefs sought by the plaintiff including an order restraining NCS from arresting her, but failed to award any damages against NCS or accede to her demand for public apology.

Determined to prove her case, Ukpe filed an appeal in 2019 against the Federal High Court judgment insisting that the lower court was wrong by not granting her monetary damages  having held that her fundamental human right was breached.

In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Abdullahi Bayero on July 14, 2021, the Appeal Court restated that the order for Mrs Ukpe's arrest and detention by the NCS in 2018 amounted to a gross infringement on her fundamental human right.

The judge also faulted the decision of the Federal High Court not to grant the appellant monetary damages insisting that damages in compensation legally and naturally follow every act of violation of a citizens fundamental rights.

He held: "The law is trite and the case law on the issue is replete, that once the court has found that the fundamental rights of an applicant has been violated by the act/acts or conduct of the respondent, the applicant is  entitled to compensation.

"From the available evidence as shown in the record of appeal and the findings of the lower court, the appeallant's right has been breached by the respondent. The lower court has the sacred duty to prevent the violation of citizen’s rights. This appeal is therefore meritorious and is hereby allowed."

He subsequently ordered NCS to pay Ukpe N1million as compensation for the unlawful and unconstitutional order for her arrest and detention and to also publish a full apology to her on the front page of two widely read national newspapers.

Earlier while dismissing the preliminary objection raised by NCS, challenging the jurisdiction of the court , Justice Bayero held that the matter was properly brought before the appealate court and that NCS can be sued contrary to the argument of NCS counsel.

Two other judges on the panel, Justice Obande Ogbuinya and Justice Frederick Oho also agreed with the lead judgment.

Top contender for the Anambra State governorship election under the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, Paul Orajiaka has unveiled his six point agenda to transform the state.

Addressing party stakeholders at his campaign office in Awka, the state capital, Orajiaka stated that if voted into office come November, his administration would focus mainly on tackling the challenges of electricity, bad road network, unemployment, healthcare, education and security.

The Harvard scholar and highly successful businessman noted that his plan for the state was premised on a recent survey by his foundation, Paul Orajiaka Foundation, POF, conducted across the 21 local government area of Anambra State to get first hand on the needs and challenges of the people.

Orajiaka further stated that the survey and many other stakeholders' engagements and consultations with professionals and intellectuals from the state, informed his decision to tackle the identified challenges from his first day in office as governor.

"Apart from touring the entire 21 local government structures of our party, I've visited the public facilities of the local governments and my team and I came out with some findings. As a PhD research associate of Henley Business School of the University of Reading United Kingdom, I love data and analysis and I have itemized my findings.

"After due analysis, I can tell you the peculiarities of the challenges which my team and I have narrowed down to 6 key areas - electricity, road network, job opportunities, health, education and security. These things trouble us as a people and we're putting everything in place to address them."

Orajiaka appealed to his party members to have confidence in his ability to wrestle power from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, if given the party’s ticket insisting that his promise to transform the state was not in doubt in view of his academic and business antecedents.

He said, "Have faith in me. Have no doubt of my potentials and have no fear of our quest for victory. Whenever I give you my words, take it to the banks, it will never bounce. I'm assuring you that I will not retreat in this journey. I'm prepared in every facet of it.

" As a business man, entrepreneur per excellence, I've built my business from nothing to something. I am someone that sells baby toys, but was elevated by God to the point of aspiring to be a governor. It's all about God’s grace.

"I know what it takes to rule a state. I've taken my time to build my business, academics, and financial base. We're fully prepared for what is ahead. This journey is a collective one. We're all partners in this project. I can only be the governor, God willing and can't deputize myself or be a commissioner.

"The most important thing is how much love one has for his state and the people. That's the love I'm bringing on board in this election. I pray God sees me worthy of being the David of our time to take us to the government house."

Earlier, the State chairman, Basil Ejidike, thanked Orajiaka for convening the meeting, assuring him of level playing ground for all the party contestants.

He said the Orajiaka's choice of office location was strategic in view of its proximity to both the government house and the Secretariat of APGA, in the state.

"We'll continue to mount pressure on the ruling party so they'll begin to tidy up their handing over notes for the APC to take over," he added.