Obi/Abure petition meant to defraud LP of $15m, N12bn -Apapa

*Says LP accepts Tribunal ruling Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, the leader of a faction within the Labour Party, has responded to the Presidential Election tribunal’s verdict, alleging that the petition by its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, was an attempt to defraud the party of substantial funds. Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, conveyed the party’s reaction to the tribunal’s ruling. He expressed disappointment that Peter Obi’s legal team had not provided proper advice before pursuing the case. While the Labour Party accepts the tribunal’s verdict without bias, Arabambi described the entire process as a waste of time. He criticized Peter Obi for failing to fund the party adequately to engage the required polling agents, as well as for filing witnesses outside the stipulated time. Arabambi further claimed that Peter Obi’s motive for going to the tribunal was to justify the money collected during the campaign, suggesting that the funds were corruptly misappropriated. He accused Obi of failing to convince the tribunal of the polling units where he was allegedly rigged out. Arabambi pointed out that the tribunal ruled against Obi and the Labour Party, asserting that they did not sufficiently detail their allegations of corrupt practices and irregularities. The court rejected reports and documents, emphasizing that they were not properly tendered and were already submitted in a previous case. Regarding the requirement of securing 25% of the vote in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Arabambi highlighted the tribunal’s stance that Abuja is equal to every other state in Nigeria, and residents do not have special privileges. In conclusion, Arabambi accepted the tribunal’s verdict and expressed the party’s commitment to reevaluating their approach moving forward.

Again, Emefiele’s arraignment stalled; ex-CBN gov settles for plea bargain

Suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele’s arraignment on alleged breach of procurement laws and contract inflation, was again stalled on Wednesday. Strong indications have also emerged that the detained former CBN Boss, has opted for a plea bargain policy to settle with the Federal Government, hence, the indefinite hold on the arraignment. NIGERIAN ANCHOR gathered that the arraignment on a 20-count charges slated for Wednesday August 23, was not listed in the cause list before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja It was also gathered at the courtroom that the arraignment was shifted at the instance of the detained CBN Chief. Authoritative sources confided in our correspondent that Emefiele and his-co accused, Saadat Yaro have opted for a plea bargain policy to settle with the Federal Government. Speaking on the development and the defendant’s absence in court, counsel to the defendant, Kehinde Akinlolu, confirmed the shift in the arraignment.  Emefiele’s lawyer, Kehinde Akinlolu SAN confirmed the shift in the arraignment when contacted on phone, adding that a new date may likely be issued by the court’s Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf. At the time of filing this report, operatives of the Department of State Service DSS who used to escort him to court were not seen, as well as his legal team. Meanwhile, the court has commenced proceedings on matters on the cause list. More details later…