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.

I’ll Appeal Tribunal Judgement Sacking Me, Says Gov Sule

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state says he will appeal the judgement of the Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal that invalidated his victory in the March 18 election on Monday. He acknowledged the tribunal’s decision as a temporary setback and expressed a commitment to learn from it and come back stronger. Governor Sule maintained that he remains in office until the Supreme Court decides otherwise, citing his legal right to appeal. He urged his supporters to remain calm and discouraged them from engaging in street protests or responding to opposition, especially on social media. The tribunal’s split judgment annulled Governor Sule’s election as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the rightful winner. Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, the tribunal’s chairman, read the majority judgment in favor of David Ombugadu. Justice Chiemelie Onaga, another panel member, supported the lead judgment. Justice Ibrahim Mashi delivered the dissenting judgment, dismissing the petition filed by the PDP candidate and upholding Governor Sule’s declaration by the INEC.

Just In: Labour Party rejects Tribunal’s verdict, promises legal consultation

The leadership of the Labour Party has officially rejected the verdict handed down by the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, following the dismissal of their petitions by the panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani. In a swift reaction to the tribunal’s judgment, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, issued a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, stating their firm rejection of the outcome. The party’s petitions had been dismissed by the tribunal, which referred to them as being “clearly based on rhetoric.” The Labour Party had raised several claims in its petitions, including the nullification of Bola Tinubu’s declaration as the election winner due to his failure to secure 25 percent of the votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), doubts about Tinubu’s eligibility following legal issues in the United States, and allegations of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s failure to transmit election results to the INEC election results viewer, among other issues. While urging its supporters to remain calm, Obiora Ifoh hinted at the party’s intention to consult with its legal team before making a final decision on the next course of action. He emphasized, “The Labour Party watched with dismay and trepidation the dismissal of petitions by the five-man panel of the Presidential Election Petition Court… we reject the outcome of the judgment in its entirety because justice was not served and it did not reflect the law and the desire of the people.” Ifoh also acknowledged the party’s legal team for their unwavering dedication and commitment in the face of a challenging legal battle. He concluded by expressing the party’s determination to pursue the cause of democracy in Nigeria, promising that the party’s official position would be communicated after a thorough review of the Certified True Copy of the judgment. The statement concluded with an encouraging message, emphasizing that “a new Nigeria is ‘POssible’,” and called on all supporters of democracy to remain focused and hopeful in the pursuit of justice.