₦airaland Forum

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, refused to grant an application by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State asking it to vacate its September 26 interim order.

The interim order, made by the court following an ex parte motion by the Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, had restrained Akeredolu from nominating a new deputy governor and forwarding same to the lawmakers for approval, pending the hearing and determination of the interlocutory application.

Following an application by Akeredolu’s counsel on Friday for vacation of the interim order, the judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, said in a ruling that the court lacked jurisdiction to make such a pronouncement.

The judge adjourned the suit indefinitely instead.

According to the judge, the adjournment was because the Speaker and the State House of Assembly had filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in respect of the issue before him.

He also refused to grant Akeredolu and the Speaker’s request to strike out or dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

The judge held that it would be wise for the court to adjourn the matter “sine die” (indefinitely) pending the outcome of the appeal in order to avoid judicial rascality.

It would be recalled that the Speaker and the Assembly had, on October 20, appealed against the interim order made by Justice Nwite on 26 September.

Palpable tension has enveloped the premises of the Court of Appeal in Abuja as the Court is set to deliver a make or mar judgment in the legal battle on the Zamfara State Governorship election.

.ng reports that the battle is between the immediate past governor of the State, Bello Matawale of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and his successor, Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Matawale, who was roundly defeated with over 65,000 votes at the March 18 gubernatorial poll, is currently the Minister of State for Defense.

Specifically, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), credited Lawal of the PDP with 377,726 votes, while Matawalle of APC was said to have scored 311,976 votes.

A 3-man panel of Justices of the Court led by Oyebisi Folayemi and supported by Cordelia Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo and Sybil Nwaka Gbagi is being expected to deliver the verdict.

The Zamfara State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal had on September 18 affirmed the election of Lawal.

As of the time of this report, heavy security has been woven around the court to ward off possible breakdown of law and order after the judgment.

A group of sympathizers who had stormed the court as early as 8 am is being restricted to far distance by heavily armed mobile policemen.

Already, the court room has been jam-packed by friends, sympathizers and political associates of the two groups.

Meanwhile, the Justices are being awaited for the delivery of the judgment.

Some youths have reportedly attacked the convoy of the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, in Ugondu community in Makurdi LGA of the state on Wednesday.

The youths from Ugondu community of Makurdi LGA of Benue, who pelted the governor’s convoy with stones, were protesting over plans to bury the proprietor of Vaatia College, Makurdi, Engr. Michael Vaatia within the school premises located in their community.

.ng gathered that six of the protesting Ugondu youths were arrested by the police for throwing objects at the governor’s convoy.

Gov Alia had visited Vaatia College to assess the level of preparation for the burial of the deceased proprietor.

Engr Vaatia, who is the proprietor of the College, died a couple of days ago and is to be buried within the school premises on Thursday.

The angry youths from the host community of Ugondu allegedly invaded the school and destroyed the grave.

They were seen in large numbers chanting war songs when the governor was addressing leaders of the community in the school.

It was gathered that the said youths disrupted the proceedings as security escorts attempted to prevent them from accessing the school, while some of the governor’s entourage were trapped outside.

Sources said the youths allegedly fired gunshots into the air to scare people but were overpowered with the arrival of the police special unit, code-named Operation Zenda, and several of them were arrested.

Gov Alia, while addressing leaders of Ugondu community, among them were former Senator Fred Orti, retired Permanent Secretary Akange Audu, Ter Makurdi, and other traditional rulers, cautioned against acts that could create chaos and disunity in the state.

“I have come to correct some misgivings that happened in the rulership of your son as governor.

“I sent both the Tiv, Idoma, and other tribes overseas for training without discrimination.

“I want to believe you, the traditional and community leaders, denying involvement in what has happened.

“Surely, some youths arrested will make confessions and if they mention your name, be ready to go and answer.”

He added that about a week ago, an Igbo man and one other person who died were buried in Makurdi town without protest from any youth group and called for calm.

Gov Alia, who later addressed students on campus, assured them of safety during and after the burial.

He directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to ensure that peace prevails during the wake-keep and the burial slated for Thursday.

The reconstruction of the damaged grave by the irate Ugondu youths was ongoing at the time of this report ahead of the interment of the deceased proprietor on Thursday.

The Senate on Wednesday, set machinery in motion to establish the Federal Data Bank by passing for first reading, a bill sponsored to that effect by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC Ondo South)

The reason for the bill as explained by Senator Ibrahim in a chat with journalists, is to provide for an Act for the establishment of the Federal Data Bank that would cover every sector of the economy and provide data for development for both the public and private sectors.

Ibrahim explained that data is critical to economic planning and development, making the need for a Data Bank very important in any vibrant economy and for in-depth insights into customer behaviour, the state of internal processes and external risks, which will give room for variety, volume, velocity and value.

He said: “There is a need for the Federal Government and stakeholders to invest in a data bank that will drive the growth agenda.

“Centralised databases make managing and accessing information for national development easier.

“This is especially important for countries with a large amount of data, or that need to store data for an extended period.”

He added that all levels of government can also benefit from the federal to local government level with access to information.

“When established, the Federal Data Bank can be self-sustainable since it can receive data and sell data; again, the international community and institutions like the World Bank and IMF will give support for the take-off of the bank,” he stressed

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has disclosed the first thing he did after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Uzodinma said he went into the chapel and appreciated God for ensuring he emerged victorious in Saturday’s election.

The governor disclosed this during a press conference in Owerri, the state capital, on Monday.

Uzodinma also dedicated his victory to God Almighty.

According to him: “To the glory of God, INEC declared me the winner of the governorship election held in our state on Saturday.

“It’s with a deep sense of humility and abiding faith in God that I accept the great honour and privilege to serve as your governor for a second term.

“Because I acknowledge God in everything I do and because I know that power comes from God, the first thing I did on receiving the news was to proceed to the Chapel to thank God for his goodness to me and the people of Imo State.

“Of course, I can never thank God enough for doing it again for me. The Almighty God has shown that he did it four years ago and has done it again, so I dedicate this victory to God and the good people of Imo State.”

INEC on Sunday declared Uzodinma the winner of Saturday’s governorship election after polling the highest number of votes.

INEC’s Returning Officer for Imo State, Prof Abayomi Fasina, announced Uzodinma as the winner after polling 540,308 votes to defeat other candidates.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Anyanwu, was a distant second with 71,503 votes, while the Labour Party candidate, Athan Achonu, was third with 64,081 votes.

The incumbent governor of Bayelsa State and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Douye Diri, has maintained the lead after clinching five out of the six local government areas so far announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the last Saturday governorship election.

With the announcements of the results of three more local government areas after the break, the PDP won two LGAs while the All Progressives Congress (APC) won one.

The PDP won in Yenagoa, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Ogbia, Sagbama and Ekeremor LGAs while the APC won in Nembe LGA.

The PDP has so far garnered 137,909 votes, while the APC is trailing with 73,503 votes.

Meanwhile, the results for Brass and Southern Ijaw LGAs are still awaited as the State Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof Kuta Farouk, adjourned the collation till noon on Monday

The suspended Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudi Yunusa-Ari, on Monday, failed to show up at the Adamawa State High Court, where he was to be arraigned Monday.

Justice Benjamin Manji of the State High Court ordered INEC to produce him in court during its next sitting on November 23, 2023.

This came after the police failed to serve the hearing notice to Yunusa-Ari.

The prosecution counsel to INEC, Justice Rotimi Jacobs, claimed police made several attempts to serve him the hearing notice by visiting his home, but he could not be traced.

Wondering why the police, who granted him bail through a surety, could neither get the defendant nor the surety, the presiding judge, Benjamin Manji, granted the prosecution counsel’s request of two weeks for the defendant to appear before the court.

.ng reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja had given the INEC the go-ahead to prosecute Yunusa-Ari, who is facing a six-count charge over the role he played in the 2023 governorship election in the state.

The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has apologised to the people of the state over the recent political crisis in the state.

In a statement on Saturday, Fubara described the crisis as “regrettable anxieties.”

According to him, it was important to make sacrifices for peace to reign.

Fubara addressed the bombing of the state House of Assembly complex and the division among lawmakers.

The governor also expressed his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his intervention in the rift with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The statement reads, “My dear good people of Rivers State, I consider it necessary to issue this press statement on the developments of the past few days in our dear state

“Late on Sunday, October 29, 2023, I was inundated with reports that the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been gutted by fire. The blaze was successfully put out by the fire service, after which security agencies took control of the situation.

“My visit to the assembly complex on Monday, October 30, 2023, was to assess the level of damage and undertake remedial measures to protect lives and property within the assembly complex. I charged the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and report it to me.

“Shortly after, I got reports that the state House of Assembly had broken into two factions: one claiming to have impeached and suspended the House Leader and three others preparatory to initiating an impeachment action against me, and the other rival faction impeaching the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, thus sparking off some form of political crisis.

“I wish to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, for his fatherly intervention, which opened a series of communication channels to facilitate the timely resolution of the festering crises. I wish to also thank our elders who are currently intervening in the matter.”

Fubara added, “Let me clearly state that my actions are aimed at restoring peace and stability in our state. I am a man of peace and as governor, the advancement of our state is my primary concern.

“Consequently, no sacrifice is too much for me to make to achieve this objective. Furthermore, as leaders, it is the collective responsibility of the immediate past governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and my humble self, to leverage our positions and influences within and outside the state to advance the progress, security and well-being of our people.

“We must, therefore, not allow circumstances that could retard all efforts at achieving greatness for our people to prevail.

“On our part, we are always willing and ready to embrace the path to lasting peace and tranquility with a commitment to consummating all efforts and initiatives by Mr. President and other well-meaning Nigerians, including my brother governors and the elders.

“I assure the people of Rivers State that peace will certainly prevail and we shall continue to work together to advance the peace, security and progress of our state.”

The Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of businessman Cletus Ibeto who failed to appear in court for his arraignment over an alleged N4.8bn fraud.

A statement by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said Justice I.O. Ijelu gave the warrant on Friday.

The judge had, on October 5, 2023, adjourned till November 3, 2023, the arraignment of Ibeto alongside Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings on 10-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretences, fraudulent conversion of property, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and deception, following an application and appeal by his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu.

Mr Ikpeazu, while seeking an adjournment, had told the court that: “The law is not a respecter of any person. I am of the firm view that this is a matter that can be resolved, and if given some time.”

The defence counsel further told the court that he had no medical report with him in court to explain the absence of the defendant, adding that the issue at stake was one that could be resolved between the complainant and the defendants.

Responding, prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs said though plea bargaining was encouraged even in criminal matters, “the EFCC gave them the opportunity to go and resolve their differences, but they did not seize the opportunity, even before the charges were filed.

“There should be an arraignment first before the court will assume jurisdiction to do anything”, he said.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has described as ignorant those accusing him of demanding 25 per cent from the Rivers government.

Wike stated this when a delegation of the Rivers Caucus in the 10th National Assembly, comprising three senators and 11 members of the House of Representatives, visited him in Abuja.

A crisis had erupted in Rivers after an attempt by the Rivers Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

“I was governor for eight years. I am now FCT Minister, and some will say that I am asking for 25 per cent. That is madness. I am not interested in the governance of Rivers; I am not interested. I am here as a governor in FCT, but I am interested in the political structure of Rivers, which we have built over the years.

“If anybody dares to bring it down, the person will face the crisis he wants in his life. Perform or don’t perform, but don’t touch our political structure. Anybody who puts his hand in our structure, anything you see, take it,” Wike warned.

He urged members of the caucus not to disappoint the state but to work as a team for the good of the people of Rivers.

“When you make mistakes, we will call you and tell you that you are making a mistake. Take it in good faith that we are calling your attention because we think that you are derailing.

“But when we call you, don’t say we are expecting a kickback of 25 per cent from you or so and so per cent. All of us are one. We’ve built this political structure for a long time, since 2015, and we have emerged victorious.

“As the opposition party, from 2015, I saw hell. The Federal Government fought me left, right, and centre, but with your support, we survived. When you work as a team, you’ll discover that it is difficult for an outsider to defeat you at home,” Wike said.

The Court of Appeal has upheld the victories of three Delta senators and a member of the House of Representatives.

The senators are Prince Ned Nwoko, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, and Ede Dafinone, respectively of Delta North, South, and Central senatorial districts, and Francis Waive of Udu/Ughelli North/South federal constituency.

Delivering the judgement on the winners of the February 25, 2023, Delta National Assembly elections, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Courts of Appeal, Asaba Division, stated that the five issues of appeal filed by Thomas were meritorious, declaring the earlier judgement given by the tribunal set aside.

The court subsequently awarded N250,000 against Michael Diden (aka Ejele) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a related development, the Court of Appeal, Lagos, affirmed the tribunal judgement, declaring PDP’s Prince Ned Nwoko the legitimate winner of the Delta North senatorial election.

The court sitting in Lagos dismissed the appeals of Peter Nwaoboshi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ken Kanma of the Labour Party (LP) for lack of merit.

The National Assembly elections petitions tribunal in Asaba, Delta State, had earlier ruled in September that Nwoko overwhelmingly won the February 25 election.

Also, the Court of Appeal in Lagos upheld the election of Senator Dafinone against PDP candidate Chief Igboyota Amori.

Similarly, the court on Wednesday set aside the tribunal judgement that earlier nullified the election of Rev. Francis Waive, the member representing Udu/Ughelli North/South federal constituency, in a suit by PDP candidate Solomon Awhinawhi.

The lower court had ruled that Waive was not qualified to contest the 2023 general elections because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to publish his educational qualifications, which were submitted to INEC as required by law.

Waive, who is a member of the APC, challenged the tribunal’s verdict, arguing that he submitted all the necessary documents to INEC and that the non-publication of his qualifications on the INEC portal was not his fault and that it’s not a ground known to law for the nullification of an election.

In a unanimous judgement delivered in the case, the appellate court upheld Waive’s appeal and dismissed the cross-appeal filed by his opponent, Solomon Awhinawhi of the PDP.

The court granted all the reliefs sought by Waive and awarded N500,000 each as cost against Awhinawhi, PDP and INEC.

The court held that the non-publication of Waive’s qualifications by INEC was not a ground for disqualification and that there was no evidence to prove that he forged or falsified any document.

The court also affirmed Waive’s victory at the polls, saying that he scored the highest number of valid votes cast in the constituency.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, threatened to sack any of his cabinet members who fail to deliver on the specific mandate of his or her ministry as his administration settles down to the business of governance.

Tinubu handed down the threat while declaring the 2023 Cabinet Retreat for Ministers, Presidential Aides, Permanent Secretaries and Top Government Functionaries open at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking on the theme: “Delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda”, Tinubu said his administration was not oblivious to the challenges ahead but there must be a clear-cut decision and action plan by all stakeholders to wriggle out of the problems.

The President also stated that since becoming President, he had graciously accepted all challenges and liabilities thrown at him by his predecessor.

He said there would be no room for excuses, hence the reason he took his time to assemble all the best brains in his cabinet, who can aid the administration to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens.

The President said he had directed the Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Bala Hadiza to head the Result and Delivery Unit, through which key performance indicators of all ministerial appointees would be monitored.

He said at the end of the retreat all ministers would sign a bond of understanding to track those performing to expectation or not.

“If you are performing nothing to fear, if you miss the objectives, we review, if you have no performance you leave us, no one is an island because the buck stops on my desk,” Tinubu stated at the retreat.

Among the key priorities the Tinubu administration wants the cabinet members to focus on are food security, ending poverty, economic growth and job creation, access to capital, inclusivity: drawing on skill base, security, fairness and rule of law and anti-corruption.

David Emmanuel Ombugadu, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the blast governorship election in Nasarawa State, has extended his warm congratulations to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following her victory at the Appeal Court.

.ng recalls that the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, had affirmed Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the duly elected candidate for Kogi Central Senatorial Election earlier in February.

The court dismissed the appeal filed by Abubakar Ohere for lacking in merit.

Reacting, Ombugadu acknowledged Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s historic achievement as the first female senator representing Kogi State and commended her dedication to public service.

In his message, published on his Facebook page, Ombugadu said, “Congratulations on your groundbreaking victory at the Appeal Court and your achievement as the first female senator in Kogi State.

“Your resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to public service are an inspiration to many, especially the aspiring young women in your community and beyond.

“Your historic milestone marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of gender equality and empowerment. Your leadership serves as a beacon of hope and progress, and I have no doubt that your tenure will bring about positive change and transformation in Kogi State.

“May your journey continue to be filled with success and impactful contributions for the betterment of your constituents and the nation at large,” Ombugadu said.

The Labour Party (LP) has announced its decision to move on following the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the victory of Presidential Bola Tinubu in the February 25 election.

Julius Abure, the LP National Chairman, made the remark while accusing the Supreme Court of shredding the fabric of justice and good conscience in its verdicts.

The Justice John Okoro-led five-man panel of justices had thrown out LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s appeal challenging Tinubu’s victory in the last presidential election.

Obi had called for the disqualification of Vice President Kashim Shettima due to double nomination.

He claimed that Shettima was not qualified to serve as Tinubu’s running mate during the last presidential election.

But, Justice Okoro of the Supreme Court said it cannot allow the matter of double nomination to be relitigated.

The justice recalled that the apex court issued a judgement on the matter when it was before a lower court.

“This matter ought not to have come here. When the matter was pending at the trial court, this court delivered judgement on it. This appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” the court ruled.

In a similar vein, the apex court dismissed the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging Tinubu’s victory.

Faulting the Supreme Court judgment, Abure described the verdict as disappointing while expressing hope for the future.

A statement by Abure reads partly: “The leadership of Labour Party watched as the sacred fabric of justice and good conscience was shredded today at the Supreme Court as it delivered its verdict in the case between our party, the presidential candidate and the APC presidential candidate.

“We are indeed very shocked and surprised that even the apex Court will toe the line of an earlier judgement in spite of all the flaws associated with the judgement delivered by the Presidential Election Appeal Tribunal.

“Having conclusively exercised our fundamental rights as gifted to us by the laws of the land, we have no other choice but to move on. We may be disappointed and dismayed by the outcome of the exercise, but we have chosen to trudge on and to remain optimistic of what the future holds for the nation.

“We weep for our institutions that cannot rise to the occasion and courageously defend democracy and the voices of our people.”