Turaki Rejects Ibadan Judgment, Vows Legal Battle as Opposing Faction Claims Victory

The PDP crisis escalates as Tanimu Turaki dismisses the Ibadan court ruling nullifying the party’s national convention, while the rival caretaker committee celebrates the judgment as a decisive win for legality and constitutional order.

Court ‘Postpones’ Ruling On Kano Emirate Tussle

A Federal High Court in Kano has postponed its judgement on the Council Repeal Law 2024 to 2 pm, Thursday. The court judgement was initially scheduled for 12 pm today but was moved before noon. Recall that the incumbent Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, had dethroned the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and also overturned the establishment of four emirates in Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya, by his predecessor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. A newly passed state law was also used to reinstate the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was ousted by Ganduje in 2020, as the 16th Emir of Kano. However, a key figure in Kano emirate, Aminu Babba Danagundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, contested the legality of the law and requested the court, through his lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), to declare the law invalid. The judge, Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, upon receiving the motion last Friday, adjourned the case to Thursday for consideration of the request. The judge will also issue a decision on a request for a stay of proceedings made by A.G. Wakil, the lawyer for the State Attorney General and Kano State Government, who was also involved in the lawsuit against Danagundi. This case is of significant interest as it will shape the future direction of the emirate dispute. The Kano State command of the Nigeria Police Force has since admonished the public to remain peaceful and patriotic as the Court delivers its ruling. In a statement issued earlier, the command’s spokesman, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, reiterated the commitment of the command to protect lives and property while warning against any attempt to incite violence. “In collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, the command will strictly enforce the ban on public protests, processions, and unlawful gatherings imposed by the state government. “Violators and their sponsors will face legal consequences. Adequate security personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order. “The public is urged to cooperate with the security forces and provide actionable information to preserve peace and detect deviants. Non-state actors, including vigilantes and hunters, are advised to refrain from participating in security operations under any guise,” he said.

Ogun: Supreme Court Affirms Governor Abiodun’s Re-Election

The Supreme Court has affirmed the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State. The Apex Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja which dismissed the appeal filed by by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ladi Adebutu, seeking the nullification of the re-election of Governor Abiodun. Delivering the Lead Judgement, Justice Tijani Abubakar dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit

We’re Closely Monitoring Egina Spill Situation -NIMASA

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said it is closely monitoring the crude oil spill incident which took place during loading operations in Egina on 15th November 2023 at about 6:30am. The Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edwards, in a statement said the Agency is working closely with the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) from the Crisis Management Room CMR, where the spill is being monitored real time using oil spill monitoring software from the Emergency Response Centre. NIMASA explained that though the volume of the spill is not yet confirmed, Total Energies is providing aerial surveillance, dispersant application, while further mobilization is being considered.  “The Oil Spill Response Limited from the United Kingdom is also assisting with pollution control measures. Reconnaissance survey of the impacted area confirms that the shoreline communities of Andoni, Qua-Iboe terminals, Bonny Island, Opobo/Nkoro and Eastern Obolo, which are closest to Egina, are not yet affected,” the Agency said.  NIMASA Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, noted that the Agency is in collaboration with all stakeholders to control the pollution and also put in place measures to prevent such occurrences in the future, in line with provisions of the MARPOL Convention. “Since the incident happened, our men have been liaising with other organs of Government to ensure the pollution is effectively controlled and managed, to protect the marine environment and the communities close to the incident point. Accidents do happen, it’s what we do thereafter that matters and I believe that the IOC Total, working with NIMASA, NUPRC, NOSDRA and collaborating with international service providers, will surely ensure proper management of the spill,” he said.

Kano Guber Judgement Saga: Appeal Court Cites Clerical Error

The Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Mr Umar Mohammed Bangari has cleared air on the controversies surrounding the judgment delivered by the Court on Kano gubernatorial election dispute. Bangari in reaction to the controversies said that what happened in the judgment body was a clerical error that did not in anyway invalidate or change the findings and conclusion of the court. The Chief Registrar assured that the clerical error would be rectified once parties in the matter file formal application to that effect. He drew the attention of newsmen to Order 23 Rule 4 of the Court of Appeal Handbook which empowers the court to correct any clerical error once detected by the court or any of the parties in the matter. He however insisted that contrary to insinuations, the judgment of the court remains valid. “What happened in the part of the judgment is just a mere clerical error that ought not to draw any issue. The Court is empowered to correct such clerical error and would be done as appropriate. There had been misgivings and a series of interpretations into the judgment which upheld the judgment of Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that invalidated the election of Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as winner of the March 18 gubernatorial poll.

Court Adjourns Suit Challenging Olukoyede As EFCC Chairman To 2024

The Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed February 22, 2024, for hearing in the suit challenging the appointment of Mr Ola Olukoyede, as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).Justice Obiora Egwuatu stated this on Wednesday after the parties agreed that the date was convenient for all.When the matter was called, the plaintiff, Mr Victor Opatola, a lawyer who chose to represent himself, told the court that he had received the preliminary objections to the suit from the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation.Opatola, however, said that he had yet to receive any process from the National Assembly (NASS) and the EFCC chairman.The counsel representing NASS, Mr Israel Obaniyi told the court that the legal department of the Assembly passed the information to his team only on Tuesday.He said he would peruse the brief and file his response before the next adjourned date.The EFCC lawyer, Mr R.O Adakole also told the court that he would also put his house in order before the next adjourned date.The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until February 22, 2024.Opatola, an Abuja-based lawyer had dragged the federal government, NASS and Attorney-General to court over alleged illegal appointment of Olukoyede, as the Chairman of EFCC.The lawyer in the suit was challenging the validity of the appointment of the EFCC chairman.The lawyer asked the court to determine whether by the true construction and interpretation of Section 2 (1) (a) of the EFCC Act 2004, Olukoyede, who had not fulfilled the conditions of the Act, could be validly appointed as the EFCC chairman.He also asked the court to determine whether by the true construction and interpretation of Section 2(1)(a) of the EFCC Act 2004, the person appointed to the office of the chairman of the EFCC could be said to be above the rank of assistant commissioner of police or its equivalent.“Whether by the true construction and interpretation of Section 2(1) (a) (iii) of the EFCC Act 2004, the interpretation of subsection (iii) should be read disjunctively of subsection (ii) of the act in a manner that Olukoyede, who was appointed to the office of the chairman of EFCC can be said to have 15 Years of cognate experience in any field outside the government security or law enforcement agency.“Whether by the true construction and interpretation of Section 2(1) (a) (ii) (iii) of the EFCC Act 2004, the national assembly can validly confirm the appointment of Olukoyede who has not fulfilled the provisions of the law.”Opatola also prayed the court to make further declarations upon the determination of the above questions.“A declaration that pursuant to Section 2(1)(a) (ii)(iii) of the EFCC Act, the appointment of Olukoyede to the office of the EFCC chairman is illegal and void.“A declaration that pursuant to Section 2(1)(a) (ii)(iii) of the EFCC Act, any confirmation of the 4th defendant’s appointment made by the national assembly is void and of no legal consequence.”The counsel also asked the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the national assembly from confirming the appointment of the EFCC chairman.He further prayed to the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Olukoyede from holding office as chairman of EFCC.

Appeal Court Dismisses Uba, PDP’s Suit Against Gov Alia, Deputy

The Court of Appeal, Abuja division on Monday, dismissed an appeal instituted by the Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Titus Uba, challenging the election of Hyacinth Alia as the elected Governor of Benue State. In a judgement delivered by the lead Justice, Onyekachi Aja Otisi dismissed the allegations of non qualifications made by Uba against the Deputy Governor, Samuel Ode. In a unanimous judgment, the Appallate Court held that the PDP gubernatorial candidate failed to establish forgery of INEC form EC9 by Ode beyond reasonable doubt as required by law. Among others, the Court of Appeal said that the issues of non qualifications are pre-election matters which can only be challenged at a Federal High Court and not at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as done by Uba. Also, Justice Otisi said that a suit to challenge non qualifications can only be instituted within 14 days of occurrence of the subject matter. The Court also dealt with the allegations by Uba that the name of the Governor, Hyacinth Alia was not not submitted by the All Progressives Congress APC to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC within 180 days before the election of March 18. The Court held that the allegations can survive because the primary election that produce Alia was ordered by a High Court and was done within the period ordered by the court. In the final analysis, Justice Otisi held that the appeal of Uba against the judgment of Benue State Election Petition Tribunal delivered on September 23 lacked merit and was dismissed. The Court subsequently upheld the judgment of the Tribunal and rejected the plea of Uba to void it and set it aside.

Court Declares Zamfara Guber Election Inconclusive, Mandates Rerun in 3 LGAs

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, declared as inconclusive, the governorship election that held in Zamfara State on March 18. The court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, nullified the return of Governor Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) as the winner of the gubernatorial contest. It ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct a fresh election in three Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the state. The court however, did not award any cost to the respondents.  The court agreed with All Progressive Congress APC candidate that elections did not hold previously or where results from various polling units were not counted in the three LGAs. In the lead judgement that was read by Justice Sybil Nwaka, the court held that it was wrong for INEC to rely on information it obtained from its IReV portal, to collate the final result of the governorship election. The judgement followed an appeal that was lodged before the court by the immediate past governor of the state, Bello Matawalle, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the election. More details later…

Appeal Court Judgement: Police Ban Street Celebrations In Bauchi

Bauchi State Police Command has taken a decisive step to forestall potential unrest in anticipation of the impending judgment from the Court of Appeal on the gubernatorial election petition.  The Police Spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakil, emphasized the ban on street celebrations, roadblocks, and provocative statements by political party supporters. Scheduled for Friday, November 17, 2023, the judgment has led to the prohibition of all rallies or celebratory gatherings linked to the Gubernatorial Election Petition. SP Ahmed Wakil highlighted the directive’s aim to prevent any potential disruptions or tensions between supporters of the ruling party, represented by Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, and the opposition party, with its flag bearer, Air Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar (rtd). While recognizing the right to celebrate, Wakil emphasized the importance of supporters abiding by the law.  He emphasized that celebratory activities should not infringe upon the rights of others and urged compliance with legal provisions. He explicitly warned against road blockades, fireworks, inciting remarks, or attempts to intimidate the opposition party. The Police Command made it clear that any individual or group found violating the order or causing a breach of peace would face the consequences without hesitation. “Moreover, the blissful supporters must comport themselves in line with the provisions of the law; blockage of roads, fireworks, and inciting utterances or blackmailing the opposition party would not be condoned,” he said.

Appeal Court Sacks APC Reps Member Ilyasu Kwankwaso, Affirms Datti As New Winner

The Court of Appeal, Abuja division, on Monday sacked Musa Ilyasu Kwankwaso of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a ruling delivered on Monday, the appeal court affirmed and reinstated Yusuf Umar Datti of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as the rightful winner of the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency Election. The three-man panel led by Justice Tunde Oyebamiji Awotoye allowed an appeal by Yusuf Datti. Delivering its judgment, Justice Awotoye held that the tribunal was wrong to have counted the date of the appellant’s resignation on the date of his party’s primary election and that Section 77 of the Electoral Act was misapplied, saying no court has jurisdiction on the issue of membership of the party, report added. Earlier, the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed Danjuma Goje’s victory as the senator representing the Gombe Central senatorial district. An appeal by the PDP candidate, Abubakar Aliyu, regarding the February 25 senatorial election was rejected by a three-member panel of judges at the appellate court. The Court of Appeal in Abuja has rendered a verdict in the case of the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency election in Kano State. The panel upheld the decision of the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Gombe, which had previously dismissed Aliyu and the PDP’s petition against Goje and the APC.