Plateau Guber: Appeal Court Sacks Muftwang, Enthrones Goshwe As Governor 

The Court of Appeal, Abuja on Sunday sacked Governor Muftwang Manasseh of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of Plateau Sate. The Appallate Court, therefore ordered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to  recognize Nentawe Goshwe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the validly elected governor of Plateau state in the March 18 governorship election.  Consequently, on the strength of section 136 of the electoral act, the court order INEC to retrieve the certificate of return issued to Governor Manasseh and issue a fresh certificate of return to the Goshwe. A three-man panel headed by Justice Elfrieda Williams- Dawodu,  delivering the lead judgment, cited section 177 of the Constitution, noting that Manasseh was not a validly sponsored by the PDP during the election. The panel held that the party violated the court order that a valid Congress be conducted in the 17 local government areas of that state, by conducting Congress in only 5 local government areas of the state, and as such is a nullity. Dismissing the decision of Plateau state tribunal, the Appeal Court held that the issue of qualification is both a pre-election and a post-election matter contrary to the findings of tribunal which held that the appellant lacked the locus to contest the validity of the respondent. The court also noted that under section 134 of the electoral act it is the sole right of a political party to sponsor its candidate having met the necessary requirements to do so.

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 Dismisses PDP’s Appeal Against Sanwo-Olu’s Victory

In a significant development, the appeal court in Lagos has upheld the tribunal’s ruling, validating Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat’s positions as Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, respectively. The court’s justices, comprising Justice Yargata Nimpa, Justice Samuel Bola, and Justice Paul Bassey, reached a unanimous decision to dismiss the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) appeal on grounds of lacking merit. The affirmation of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat’s victory by the appeal court solidifies their mandate following the tribunal’s initial judgment. Justice Yargata Nimpa led the delivery of this pivotal verdict, cementing the continuation of the duo in their respective roles within the Lagos State government.

Supreme Court’s Verdict Sparks Exchange Between Peter Obi, Presidency

*This is not the end, Obi tells his supporters The recent Supreme Court judgment affirming Bola Tinubu‘s election as Nigeria’s president has ignited a fiery dispute between Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, and the Presidency. Obi expressed his apprehensions regarding the verdict, alleging that it undermined the citizens’ trust in the judiciary. Despite the dismissal of Obi and Atiku Abubakar’s appeals by the apex court, he steadfastly stood by his commitment to a vision of a “New Nigeria” characterized by transparency, accountability, and the equitable distribution of resources. Obi made his position clear during a world press conference held at the LP National Headquarters in Abuja, stating, “This Supreme Court ruling may represent the state of the law in 2023 but not the present demand for substantive justice.” “Without equivocation, this judgment amounts to a total breach of the confidence the Nigerian people have in our judiciary. To that extent, it is a show of unreasonable force against the very Nigerian people from whom the power of the Constitution derives,” Obi said during a world press conference at the LP National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday. “This Supreme Court ruling may represent the state of the law in 2023 but not the present demand for substantive justice. “The judgment mixed principles and precepts. Indeed, the rationale and premise of the Supreme Court judgment, have become clearer in the light of the deep revealing and troubling valedictory remarks by Hon. Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad, (JSC) on Friday 27th October 2023.” Obi further told his supporters that the quest for a new Nigeria has not ended. “Where the value and import of the recent Supreme Court ruling ends is where our commitment to a New Nigeria begins. Our mission and mandate remain unchanged. From the very onset, our mission has been more about enthroning a new Nigeria,” the LP presidential candidate added. Meanwhile, in a swift response to Obi’s critique, the Presidency issued a rebuttal, highlighting the apparent inconsistency in his stance. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reminded Obi that he had previously benefited from judicial decisions when he successfully reclaimed his governorship mandate in 2007. Onanuga emphasized the paramount importance of judicial pronouncements being grounded in evidence, legal precedents, and the rule of law. Onanuga continued by urging Obi and the Labour Party to embrace their role as the opposition and begin preparations for future elections. He expressed the hope that in the upcoming electoral contests, Obi and his party would concentrate on addressing pertinent issues rather than resorting to divisive tactics based on religious and ethnic sentiments. “We are at a loss as to how the copy-cat Obi and his faction of Labour Party convinced themselves they won an election in which they came a distant third,” Onanuga said. “At the press conference where he tried, in vain, to gaslight Nigerians with false claims and innuendos, Mr. Obi contradicted himself. Here was a beneficiary of judicial pronouncements in the past now castigating the same court because its judgment did not go his way.” Onanuga said Obi and his party should know that the Supreme Court or any other court does not give judgment based on public opinion and mob sentiments. “Judicial pronouncements are based on evidence, precedents and the rule of law,” he said. The presidential aide said the ex-governor of Anambra should quit criticisms and congratulate Tinubu. “Having admitted that the Supreme Court ruling brought an end to litigation and any challenge to the bona-fide of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the validly elected leader of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Obi should have congratulated President Tinubu for his victory and pledge his support, in the spirit of statesmanship.”

Supreme Court Has Legalized Forgery In Nigeria -Atiku

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the February 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has described the recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld President Bola Tinubu’s election as a legitimate endorsement of forgery. Speaking in a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, Atiku Abubakar expressed his disappointment with the Supreme Court’s verdict of October 26, 2023.  Atiku claimed that the apex court had effectively legalized forgery and illegality by affirming Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as Nigeria’s President. Atiku argued that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the 2023 presidential poll and criticised the Supreme Court’s decision, stating that it left much to be desired. The PDP had also expressed its dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court’s judgment, claiming that the court had failed Nigerians by upholding Tinubu’s victory. Atiku and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, had previously challenged Tinubu’s victory, citing various issues, including double nomination, alleged certificate forgery, non-transmission of election results electronically, and concerns about the vote percentage in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).  However, the Justice John Okoro-led panel of the Supreme Court dismissed all their appeals, upholding Tinubu’s electoral victory.

Supreme Court Victory: Senate President Congratulates Tinubu

President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the reaffirmation of his victory by the Supreme Court describing the decision as reflective of the will of the people. Akpabio in a congratulatory message to Tinubu by Eseme Eyiboh, his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, said the decision of the apex court was a welcome relief. He said the victory finally unfastens the last bolts to the path for social-political engineering that President Tinubu promised the nation. “Mr President, I am personally elated that the jurists of the Supreme Court saw through the arguments and even without much technicalities easily confirmed your victory in the poll. “There is no doubt that victory came at a cost, but Mr President, that makes it even sweeter. “I know you have in your years of public service yielded your personal and other comforts for the collective good and what it cost to confirm the victory in the courts should be seen with a similar vista,” he said. Akpabio also urged the president not to relent in being a father figure to his former rivals, saying that it is superfluous to remind the president of his well-known big heart. He also called on the major rivals of the president to sheath their swords of political combat and join hands with his administration in the collective goal of making the nation great again. “The elections have been announced by the electoral authorities and confirmed by the courts, and I call on all former political rivals of the president to show good faith by joining hands with the Bola Tinubu’s administration in its ongoing efforts to take the nation to a higher level,” he said. He said that the National Assembly would continue to support the Tinubu Administration by leveraging its legislative tentacles to raise the level of governance to a higher pedestal.

Ozekhome’s Kidnappers Bag 20 Years Imprisonment

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja has sentenced the kidnappers of Prof Mike Ozekhome and and Delta Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Hope Eghagha and others to 20 years imprisonment. Their alleged offences are said to be punishable under sections 1(2)(f), 8(1)(b), 10, 15(1), 17, d 19 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011(as amended). The judgement, which was coming 10years after, had Kelvin Oniarah Eziegbe, Frank Azuekor convicted and sentenced for kidnapping and terrorism, which will commence from the date of their arrest. However, the court discharged and acquitted Michael Omonigho, a priest of a shrine, who was arraigned along with the convicts. According to the Judge, some of the 13-count charge for which the convicts were arraigned carry life imprisonment but she had to use her discretion to sentence them to 20 years imprisonment. Justice Nyako ordered the transfer of the convicts from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to the correctional centre to serve their imprisonment. Earlier before the sentencing, the convicts prayed Justice Nyako for mercy in the sentencing saying that, they have never been convicted for any offence before now. The first convict. Kelvin Eziegbe specifically pleaded the court for mercy in the sentencing because of his health challenges which he had been battling with since the past ten years he had been in the custody of the DSS. While the counsel to the convicts, Mr. Bala Dakum joined the convicts in pleading for mercy in the sentencing, the prosecution counsel, Chioma Onuegbu reminded the court of the gravity of the offences for which the convicts were convicted. Speaking shortly after the judgement, Counsel Onuegbu expressed gratitude for the judgement as she said it will serve as a deterrent to other criminals that the office of the criminal justice act are working. Ahmed Tijani counsel to the fourth defendant in the charge sheet, Haruna Momoh, who was said to have escaped from custody said his client, slammed with a five-count charge, bordering on kidnapping and terrorism did not escape from lawful custody. The court had, in the judgement told the DSS to find, arrest and arraign the 4th defendant to face his trial, a directive Tijani said, will be addressed, “When we get to the bridge”. Charges against the convicts, who were docked in 2023 include, conspiracy to commit terrorism act to include kidnapping, accessory to act of terrorism, inciting persons to commit act of terrorism, recruitment, escape and abetting escape. The duo of Eziegbe and Azuekor were, accused in counts two and three of conspiracy to commit terrorism act of murder by shooting and killing five police officers and two prison officials; commuting of intentional murder by shooting to killing five police officers and two prison officials. Azuekor was accused, in count seven, of escaping with others from lawful custody when the prison vehicle in which they were being conveyed to court was allegedly attacked by Eziegbe and others. Michael Omonigho was accused, in counts 12 and 13 of acting as the group’s herbalist by providing “spiritual and moral support” to it, and failing to reporting the groups activities to security agencies.

Terrorism Charges: Nnamdi Kanu Knows Fate Dec 15

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has officially set December 15, 2023, as the date for delivering its judgment in the highly anticipated case involving the federal government of Nigeria and the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. This announcement was made by the apex court on Thursday, following the completion of final submissions by the legal teams representing both the federal government and Nnamdi Kanu.  Recall that the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on October 13, 2022, ordered the release of Kanu from detention, while also dismissing a 15-count terrorism charge brought against him by the FG. The three-member panel unanimously reached this decision, stating that the Nigerian government had violated established laws by forcibly bringing Kanu from Kenya for trial, thus stripping the trial court of jurisdiction.  Following this verdict, the FG, dissatisfied with the ruling, appealed to the Supreme Court and obtained a suspension of the judgement’s execution pending the appeal’s determination.

Tribunal Ruling: Shettima, Gbajabiamila, Ribadu, govs, arrive court

The Vice President of Nigeria,  Kashim Shettima, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC),  Abdulahi Ganduje and six state governors have stormed the presidential election petition court for the judgement on the petitions challenging the February 2023, Presidential Election. The governors are Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed, Nasarawa state governor, Abdulahi Sule, Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni, Ekiti state governor, Biodun Oyebanji  are among those that have arrived the PEPC. Others are Imo state governor, Hope Uzodima, his Kogi state counterpart, Yahaya Bello, Minister of state for Defense, Bello Matawale, the Labour Party chairman, Julius Abure, lawyers and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).  The petition court sitting at the Court of Appeal in Abuja will be giving judgement in the three petitions challenging the emergency of Bola Tinubu as the winner if the election. Already, television stations had, the previous day, set  up their outside broadcast equipment in preparation for the live broadcast of the judgement. Recall that the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Umar Mohammed Bangari had, on Monday confirmed the judgement day and added that the judgement will be televised live by interested television stations for the public to follow to promote transparency and openness. Access to the court room was tough as security officials had to identify people with accreditation tag before accessing the court room. The Labour Party, PDP and their presidential candidates as well as the APM, in their petitions, are seeking the nullification of Tinubu’s election on the ground of substantial non compliance with the law. The five member panel of Justices will soon commence sitting. NIGERIAN ANCHOR had reported earlier this morning that there is heavy security presence at the appellate court. More details later…

Tight security measures in place as Presidential Tribunal readies for verdict

The Court of Appeal Complex, situated in the Three Arms Zone along Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District of Abuja, is currently under heightened security as the Presidential Election Petition Court prepares to deliver its judgment. Additionally, there has been an extensive security presence at the entry routes to the Federal Capital Territory’s satellite towns leading to the city centre. Armed soldiers and military personnel have set up checkpoints, causing some commuters to experience delays. This increased security presence persists despite the ongoing NLC warning strike, which is in its final day. The Tribunal is set to deliver its judgment on three cases challenging the outcome of the presidential election held on February 25. This decision comes approximately a month after the court heard the closing arguments from the parties involved in the petitions and only two weeks before the expiration of the statutory 180-day timeframe for hearing and determining cases filed in March. The five-member panel of the court, led by Haruna Tsammani, had reserved judgment on the petitions after concluding the closing arguments in early August. Multiple security operatives from various branches, including the armed forces, police, Department of State Service (DSS), and the Civil Defence, are currently stationed along all routes leading to the Court of Appeal Complex. Similar security formations are in place within the court complex itself. In a statement issued on Monday, the Chief Registrar of the Court, Mr. Umar Bangari, assured that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the smooth and secure delivery of judgment in the three pending petitions. He explained that access to the courtroom will be restricted, allowing only invited members of political parties and the general public to enter to prevent congestion and security breaches. Furthermore, media outlets interested in broadcasting the judgment live will be permitted to do so at no cost to the court. As of 7.30 a.m., security personnel were conducting checks on lawyers and journalists entering the premises. Key government buildings, including the Federal Secretariat, the National Assembly Complex, and the access points to the Presidential Villa, were heavily guarded by security personnel. The three petitions challenging President Tinubu’s victory were filed separately by Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), receiving 8.8 million votes, defeating 17 other candidates in a largely competitive race. Atiku secured second place with 6,984,520 votes, followed by Obi with a total of 6,101,533 votes, according to INEC’s official results.