Author: Kunle Dada

Sequel to an official letter written by Ondo State Assembly to the  Chief Judge, asking him to constitute the panel in line with section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The Chief Judge of the Ondo State Justice Olusegun Odusola has stepped down the process of setting up a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.   The CJ in a letter to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide, with ref No. CROD/1123/V.3/ dated October 6, 2023, cited Section…

 The industrial Court sitting in Bayelsa has ordered the Bayelsa State Government, Bayelsa State College of Technology and its Provost to pay Mr. Kieriseiye Erefagha the sum of N1, 673,418.15K (One Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighteen Naira, Fifteen Kobo) being his cumulative net salaries from May 2018 to July 2019, and N1m as general damages for the hardship and inconveniences suffered following the unlawful withholding of his salaries, with N500k cost of action within 30 days.  The Presiding Judge, Yenagoa Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Bashar Alkali has declared that Mr.…

 The Federal High Court, Abuja, has disqualified the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, from contesting the November 11 guber election in Bayelsa state.  Justice Donatus Okorowo ruled that Sylva, having been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of the state, would breach the 1999 constitution as amended if allowed to contest again. The judge also held that Sylva was not qualified to run in the November poll because if he wins and is sworn in, he would spend more than eight years in office as governor.  The case of Marwa vs Nyako…

 The Deputy Governor of Ondo State has filed an appeal against the ruling of the Akure High Court in respect of the case that he filed to challenge his impeachment proceedings by the Ondo State House of Assembly.  In a Notice of Appeal filed at the registry of the Akure High Court today October 10, 2023, the Deputy Governor raised five grounds of appeal against the decision of the judge. Captured in the grounds of appeal is a complaint that the judge erred in law in combining the hearing of his application for an amendment together with the application of…

 The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the case filed by the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, challenging his impeachment by the state House of Assembly, to October 16, 2023.  It was gathered that the adjournment was granted on Monday, on the request of the plaintiff’s counsel, who argued that the reconciliation committee set up by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to mediate on the dispute between some of the parties to the suit should be given an opportunity to intervene.  Counsel to the plaintiff also argued that the House…

 The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has instituted an “inquiry into alleged sale of three aircraft in the fleet of Arik Air Limited under the receivership of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON)” The Nation reported. It was also gathered that the deal is estimated to be around $40 million.   Meanwhile, the management of the airline admitted that it was cooperating with the NCS to provide details on the alleged aircraft sale, it, however said the controversial airplanes –  Q-400, CRJ-1000 and CRJ-900 – were taken over by their foreign owners who decided to sell them to new operators.…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has revealed on Sunday when he inspecting some drainage channels on the Island that Jankara, Bombata and Pelewura markets in Lagos Island will be fully demolished to allow for urban regeneration of the area.  According to reports, Sanwo-Olu said: “We have come here on a drainage and regeneration call. The entire stretch of Idumagbo Avenue is always flooded during the rainy season because of human activities, especially from the markets around the area. They have built on the canals and so prevented the free flow of water, so we need to do a total rebuild.”  “Hence, to…

 Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested a 67-year-old trafficker, Chukwuemeka Clement, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja for allegedly ingesting 100 wraps of cocaine.  Spokesman of the Agency, Femi Babafemi, who revealed this in a statement on Sunday, October 8, said Clement claimed he was forced into the illicit business to raise funds to marry a new wife and start life afresh after wasting 30 years of his life in Brazil, Ethiopia and Thailand.  Babafemi said Chukwuemeka was arrested on Tuesday 3rd October during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight…

 The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has given the operators of Arise Television final warning on alleged violation of Nigeria Broadcasting Code. Director-General of NBC, Balarabe Shehu llelah, issued the warning in a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Arise Global Limited on Saturday in Abuja. In the letter titled “Preponderance of derogatory and incendiary remarks: Final warning”, Ilelah said the commission had observed with concern, the preponderance of incendiary remarks allowed on Arise News. “This letter once again seeks to underscore the tremendous responsibility put on the broadcaster to manage array of guests that may feature on the station…

 The Federal Government has suspended N-Power programme indefinitely. According to The Nation, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu announced the suspension during an interview with TVC News. According to Edu, the decision to suspend the programme was necessary due to countless flaws inherent in the scheme. The Minister further opined that a government investigation into how the money has been spent since the program’s commencement has already kick-started. She said that some of the beneficiaries are not found in their place of assignments yet they expect monthly stipends. Some of the beneficiaries, according to the Minister,…

 Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja has sentenced the kidnappers of Prof. Mike Ozekhome and Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha to 20 years imprisonment.  Delivering Judgement, Justice Nyako convicted and sentenced Kelvin Oniarah and Frank Azuekor for  kidnapping and terrorism. Meanwhile, the Judge discharged Micheal Omonigho, a priest of a shrine, who was jointly arraigned with the convicts.  The Judge however, opined that some of the 14-count charges for which the convicts were arraigned for, carried life imprisonment but she had to apply her discretion to sentence them to 20 years imprisonment which…

 The High Court sitting in Akure has adjourned ruling on two applications in the suit filed by the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The applications include leave to amend the Originating Summons and to challenge the jurisdiction of the court, the applications were adjourned to October 10, 2023, after taking arguments from lawyers to the parties.  In the first application, Aiyedatiwa prays to strike out the name of the Governor and amend the reliefs sought in the Originating Summons. He argued that this is relevant to bring the real issues in controversy between the parties before the…

 One of the lawyers of Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has revealed that Tinubu might have forged the certificate of a black American. Kalu Kalu revealed this during a press conference today regarding the ongoing legal tussle between Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu in the United States. Kalu, addressing journalists, unveiled a document released by Chicago State University (CSU), saying the document suggests that Tinubu may have allegedly forged the certificate of another person. Atiku Abubakar initiated the lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over the authenticity of Tinubu’s academic record at Chicago State…

Three businessmen have been arraigned in an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday over the alleged theft of 375 bags of sesame seed worth N47.5 million. The three men, Ime Essien, 49, Nnamdi Obianuka, 36, and Chidera Stephen, 21, reside in Lagos and are being charged for conspiracy and stealing. According to The prosecutor, ASP Raji Akeem, he informed the court that the offences were committed on August 8 at No 9, Warf Road, Apapa, Lagos. Akeem said that the complainant, Mr Olubunmi Olumekun, employed the three men in loading and transporting 375 bags of sesame seed weighing 37.5 tonnes,…

 Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ari­woola, has sworn in his son Olukayode Jnr and 22 others as new judges of the Federal High Court. According to Daily Independent, the other judges sworn in on Wednesday at the Supreme Court Abuja are Dipeolu Deinde Isaac from Ogun; Ogundare Ke­hinde Olayiwola from Ekiti; Agbaje Olufunmilola Adetutu from Lagos; Musa Kakaki from Kaduna; Abdullahi Muhammad Dan-Ige from Sokoto; and Sharon Tanko Ishaya from Kebbi.  Others are Salim Olasupo Ibrahim from Ogun; Yilwa Hauwa Joseph from Gombe; Wigwe-Oreh Chituru Joy from Rivers; Owoeye Alexander Oluseyi from Kogi; Any­alewa Onoja-Alapa from Benue; Amina…

  A whistleblower known as Daniel Emeh, who is a member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, with the Nigeria Police, was arrested due to allegations of a case undergoing investigation by the Force Headquarters in which the police officers were  alleged  to  be involved in human organ trafficking, kidnapping and killing of suspects after extorting them.  Meanwhile, the counsel to the detained whistle-blower in Anambra State who accused two senior police officers in the state of organ harvesting, is trading words with a Deputy Court Registrar at the Federal High Court, Awka, over the allegation of   N1 million…

 Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state says he would appeal the judgment of the Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal that annulled his declaration as the winner of March 18 election.   In reacting to the judgement on Monday, He said that the judgment was a temporary setback that they would learn from in order to restrategise and come out stronger. “I still remain the governor till Supreme Court decides otherwise because the law allows me to appeal and we will do that to reclaim our mandate,” Sule said.  He urged the residents of the state to remain peaceful and particularly warned…

 The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has rejected the judgement of the Election Petitions Tribunal, which affirmed Dapo Abiodun as the duly elected governor of the state.  It should be recalled that on last Saturday, the three-member tribunal struck out the petition filed by Adebutu, saying it is “incompetent, defective, disjunctive and lack merits.”  Adebutu unsatisfied with the verdict of the Tribunal, reacted through his Director of Media, Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organisation, Afolabi Orekoya, by saying thus, “based solely on funny technicalities failed to consider the…

  Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has asked those crying and protesting over sack of 21 directors and heads of government owned companies to stop wasting their efforts in frustrating his reforms. The Minister said no sentiments or emotion would be considered in his strides to reform the nation’s capital. Reports confirmed that Staffs of Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company AUMTCO, were seen in a viral video protesting and crying over the sack of the company’s managing director. The MD and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Najeeb Abdulsalam, was among the 21 heads of parastatals, agencies,…

 In a very shocking manner, Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has invalidated the victory of Governor Abdullahi Sule. Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, leading a three-man panel, announced the decision via zoom, declaring Emmanuel Ombudagu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the rightful winner. Justice Ezekiel held that the petitioner successfully demonstrated their case beyond a reasonable doubt and deserves his victory. Report has it that notable political figures, including ex-Governors Abdullahi Adamu and Tanko Al-makura, were present at the court during the proceedings. It should also be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had initially declared Abdullahi…

There are indications that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is prepared to take strict action against individuals found invading the revoked landed properties, as validated by the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike. It was gathered that the officials from the Development Control Department of FCTA, headed by Director Muktar Galadima, checked an attempt by the owners of the revoked land in Maitama District who attempted to kickstart development on the sites, despite the revocation order in place. It should be recalled that the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike had revoked no fewer than 165 plots of land in the service…

  The federal government has denied claims suggesting that it entered into a nolle prosequi plea-bargain agreement with the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. The office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) in a statement on Sunday, October 1, AGF said no such deal currently exists, even though Emefiele’s legal team had spoken about it during a court hearing. The statement was signed and issued by the Director (Press and Public Relations) Federal Ministry of Justice, Modupe Ogundoro. The statement reads: “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the…

 Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State, Abubakar Achimugu, seeking to nullify the primary election of the party, which produced Usman Ododo as the APC governorship candidate for the election fixed for November 11 in the state. The dismissal was necessary considering the withdrawal by the appellant.   Achimugu had approached the trial court with a suit seeking to disqualify Ododo on the ground that he did not resign his employment with the Kogi State public service 30 days before contesting the governorship primary election. But the trial court, in…

 The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has directed his legal team to immediately proceed with an appeal against today’s judgment of the governorship election tribunal that upheld the election of Sheriff Oborevwori as governor of Delta State.  Senator Omo-Agege opined that the Tribunal failed to reckon with the fundamental flaws in the March 18, 2023 governorship election that mortally rendered the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the winner untenable. Thus, the election petition by Omo-agege was struck out by the Tribunal on Friday for lacking merit.  The three-member tribunal headed by Justice…

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kaduna has declared the 2023 governorship election in Kaduna state inconclusive. According to report from Vanguard, the tribunal, subsequent to the resumption of the proceeding on Thursday, in a divided decision of a ratio of 2:1, it was declared that the election is inconclusive and ordered that a supplementary election should be held by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within 90 days. The 3-man panel led by Justice Victor Oviawe therefore ordered a rerun of election in 24 polling units in seven wards of four local governments consisting of 16,300 registered voters.…

 The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Kaduna State, on Thursday, dismissed the preliminary objection filed by the State Governor, Uba Sani, on the timeliness of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Isah Ashiru.  In response, the three-man panel led by Justice Victor Oviawe affirmed that the petition was filed on April 10, 2023, thereby dismissing the argument of Sani – the second respondent.  Hence, the argument of Sani’s legal team that the petition put forward by the petitioners was filed outside the 21-day window allowed by the law couldn’t fly.  It should be recalled…

  The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo has discarded the petition brought before it by the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ezekiel Nyaetok, challenging the election of Pastor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The tribunal had earlier thrown out suit number EPW/AKS/GOV/03/23, brought by the governorship candidate of the NNPP, Senator John James Akpan Udoedehe, challenging the election of the governor. Nyaetok of ADC challenged other candidates who scored more votes than him, alleging that they were handicapped by litigations and legal bars which hampered their eligibility to participate in the elections.…

The Department of State Services (DSS), has established a new Directorate of Public Relations and Strategic Communications (DPRSC). According to the statement, the erstwhile public relations officer, Peter Afunanya, is to head the new unit as the supervising director.  He is also going to be in charge of the service’s public communications according to the statement. Additionally, the service commended it’s boss, Yusuf Buchi for bringing up such innovation and appropriate appointment.   The statement reads: “Afunanya comes to his new role with over 20 years vast and rich experience in Intelligence analysis, threat assessment, security administration, VIP protection/detailing, investigation,…

The Ebonyi Election Petitions Tribunal has struck out the petition filed by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and its governorship candidate, Bernard Odoh against the election of Governor Francis Nwifuru. The court ruled that all the requests made by the applicants were pre-election issues and consequently proceeded to dismiss them.  The Judgement on the second petition brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ifeanyi Odii against Nwifuru who was the candidate of the All Progressive Congress in the election is ongoing.

 The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Cross River State on Tuesday struck out the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Sandy Onor, against the election of Bassey Otu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).  According to the judgment delivered by the panel, the petition was dismissed for lack of merit.  The PDP candidate challenged the declaration of Otu by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the March 18 poll in the South-South state. The results announced by INEC put Otu’s tally of votes at 258,619, while Onor reportedly polled 179,636.  The APC…