FG Files Terrorism Charges Against Miyetti Allah President

The Nigerian government has taken action against Bello Bodejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, by filing terrorism charges against him.  The charges alleged his involvement in establishing and arming an unauthorized ethnic militia group, deemed a threat to national security. Bodejo was apprehended on January 23 for purportedly organizing and arming a vigilante group from the Miyetti Allah office in Nasarawa State.  The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, filed a motion seeking Bodejo’s remand, which was granted for 15 days by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo. Despite the court’s directive to charge Bodejo within seven days of the remand expiration, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) failed to produce him before the court for arraignment.  The prosecution explained the delay, stating that charges were filed on March 12, prompting the defense to request bail for their client. However, the prosecution vehemently opposed the bail plea, citing national security concerns. Justice Ekwo reserved ruling on the matter for March 22.

Alleged terrorism: Fubara’s loyalists trial adjourns to March 19

The Federal High Court Abuja, has adjourned the trial of five loyalists of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on terrorism charges has been adjourned to March 19. The adjournment was on the instances of Lukman Fagbemi, SAN, that the Inspector General of Police(IGP) filed a counter affidavit that raised more issues against the defendants. The five men charged with terrorism offences by the IGP, are Chime Eguma Ezebalike; Prince Lukman Oladele; Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa; Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod. At resumed proceedings, Fagbemi told the court that he had filed a motion on notice challenging the competence of the terrorism charges and the territorial jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge. He however, said that the Inspector General of Police responded to his motion through a counter affidavit that raised grievous allegations against his clients. He submitted that the counter affidavit was served on him during the proceedings and that he needed time to study the affidavit and respond to it appropriately. The Inspector General of Police, who was represented at the proceedings by Aliyu Garba, admitted that he served the counter affidavit opposing the application of Fagbemi in the court room. Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon after checking the case file found that the copy of the counter affidavit had not been served on the court. Based on the request of Fagbemi, Justice Olajuwon shifted the trial till March 19 with an order on parties to file and exchange processes before the date to ensure unhindered proceeding. The Inspector General of Police IGP had on January 25 slammed the terrorism charges on them for allegedly invading, vandalizing and burning down Rivers State House of Assembly last year. They were accused of committing the alleged terrorism offences during the wake of political upheaval that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year. In the charges against them marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, police alleged that apart from burning down the State House of Assembly, some of them were said to have killed a Superintendent of Police, (SP) Bako Agbashim and five police informants at Ahoada community of the state. The police informants said to have been killed by the defendants are Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi. They are also accused of using various cult groups, namely- Supreme Viking Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland and Greenland to unleash mayhem on the people of the state and their commercial activities. Specifically, they are alleged to have on October 29, 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt conspired to commit acts of terrorism by wilful destruction of public properties by invading, attacking, destroying and burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly, an offence punishable under section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. The defendants have since been at Kuje Prison in Abuja on remand having been denied bail by the court on account of gravity of charges against them.

Alleged N4b fraud: Obiano prays court to quash charges against him

Willie Obiano, the former Anambra State Governor, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to quash the N4billion corruption charges brought against him by the federal government. He premised his motion on notice pursuant to provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015. The ex-gov argued that there is a subsisting appeal by the Anambra state government challenging the authority of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC’s authority to investigate the funds. He argued through his counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, that there was no connection between the proof of evidence and the alleged accusation against him. Obiani maintained that there was no testimony from any witness indicating that he issued directives for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to the Anambra state government. He emphasised that the he cannot be held accountable for any alleged unlawful actions by officials of the Anambra state government as there is no concept of vicarious liability in criminal justice system. The former governor is being prosecuted by EFCC on 9- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N40 billion. The anti-graft agency alleged that Obiano bypassed financial institutions in numerous unlawful cash transactions using funds allegedly stolen from the state’s account. The EFCC claimed that the cash amounts involved in the transactions exceeded legally permitted limits. The motion on notice was brought pursuant to section 6 (6) (a) and (b) and section 36(6) (6) b of the 1999 constitution as amended and section 1(1) & (2), 266, 271(b), 383(4) &492 (3) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015. Among others, Obiano is seeking “An order of the court quashing the instant charge for it amounts to flagrant abuse of judicial process and a mockery of the criminal Justice “An order quashing the charge for non disclosure of a prime facie case being vague and devoid of precision in respect of all the 9 count charges. “No prima facie case has been disclosed against the defendant in this charge.There is no link between the proof of evidence and the purported allegation made against the defendant in the charge “No evidence exist from any witness showing that the defendant passed down directive for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to Anambra state government. “The defendant cannot be made answerable for any purported unlawful actions of officials of Anambra State government as there is no vicarious liability in our criminal jurisprudence. “The thinking and conclusion of the prosecution on the counts arose from speculation and suspicions “The subject matter of the charge borders on accountability for security vote funds. The honorable court lacks the requisite jurisdiction to entertain issues on accountability for security vote funds “There is an appeal filed by the Anambra state government challenging the powers of EFCC to investigate the security vote of Anambra state government. “The preferment of the entire charge is in bad faith. This honourable court has inherent judicial power to grant all the reliefs sought above. At Thursday’s resumption of trial, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), counsel for the EFCC, informed the court that he had received the defendant’s motion and had responded accordingly with counter affidavit. However, he said while attempting to serve the defendant’s counsel with his response, he found their gate locked but that he managed to deliver the response in the court room. Responding, Patrick Ekweto (SAN), counsel to Obiano requested time to respond to EFCC’S counter affidavit. In a short ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the defendant two days to file and serve their process on the EFCC. The matter continues March 13 for the motion to be heard.

Appeal Court Affirms Abure As Labour Party Chairman, Fines Apapa

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court which restrained Julius Abure and two others from parading themselves as national officers of the party. Ruling on an ex parte application on April 5, 2023, Hamza Muazu, the Presiding Judge, had restrained Abure, Farouk Ibrahim, Clement Ojukwu, and Oluchi Opara from acting as national officers of the LP. The court also dismissed the objection raised by Abure challenging his removal as chairman of the LP. The suit which was filed by Martins Esikpali John, Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, John Elomah, and Ayobami Arabambi accused Abure and others of forging several documents of the FCT high court to carry out unlawful substitutions in the last elections. The defendants, however, approached the appeal court for redress. Delivering the lead judgement on Wednesday, Justice Hamman Barka held that the high court was wrong to have assumed jurisdiction on the matter. He also awarded N1m in favour of the appellants.

Alleged N7.6B fraud: Appeal court strikes out move to retry Gov, Orji Kalu

The Federal Government move to retry the former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, in the N7.6billion fraud and money laundering, had been strike out. Justice Joseph Kayode Oyewole of the Appeal court, court sitting in Abuja dismissed the suit for incompetent and unreliable for any court to use to grant the request of government. Among others, Justice Oyewole said that the record of appeal was not compiled, signed and certified by any person known to law. Specifically, Justice Oyewole said that the name of the person who compiled, signed and certified the record were not reflected as required by law. Recall that a Federal High Court had on December 5, 2019, jailed the former governor now s a senator representing Abia North for 12 years for stealing N7.6billion from the Treasury of Abia State as a governor. However, the supreme court voided the judgement of the lower court on the ground that Justice Mohammed Idris who delivered it was already a Justice of the Court of Appeal having been elevated. The Apex court, in a judgement delivered by Justice Ejembi Ekwo held that Justice Mohammed Idris cannot operate as a Federal High Judge and Justice of the Court of Appeal at the same. Consequently, the Apex court ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to give the trial to another Judge for a fresh trial. Kalu however went back to the Federal High Court and and Justice Inyang Ekwo granted him an order prohibiting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from instituting a fresh prosecution. The Judge held that Orji Uzor Kalu was not expressly stated in the judgment of the Supreme Court. Not satisfied with the decision of Justice Ekwo, the prosecution appeal against the decision of the high court. The matter was Wednesday, dismissed for the failure to produce proper records of proceedings of the high court.

Protesters storm Maitama over ‘Illegal’ enforcement by Asabe Waziri, Police, FCT court officials

Protesters in their large numbers stormed Maitama district of the Federal Capital Territory, to protest what they described as illegal siege on a property, located at No. 1 Mekong Close. Two flats in the property of 15 flats have been in dispute between Abeh Signatures Limited and Asabe Waziri, a millionaire civil servant and staff of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPCL) for over two years. The Resident Facility Manager, Monday Fada, who led other protesters, said in the last one week, the peace of the area and the property has been disrupted. He alleged that the police are being used to perpetuate illegalities by aiding Mrs Waziri to gain possession of the property. Therefore, they called on the Inspector -General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun to call his men to order to avoid breakdown of law and order. “We had an invasion here on Friday by one Madam Asabe Waziri, using the police to come and disrupt the peace in our property without any valid court, no notice, nothing. “They had the backing of the police and they came and vandalized people’s property here. “We are calling on President Bola Tinubu, the FCT minister, and the Inspector -General of Police to intervene and restore peace to this property because that is what we need in here. “If there is any issue on the property, the court is there to hear the grievances of all parties. We want the rule of law to prevail, things should be done with due process. “These are investors who have invested heavily, so the president should not allow this to happen as it will discourage other investors,” he said. Last week, a lawyer, Mr Victor Giwa, wrote the IGP to halt the illegalities being perpetuated by the Nigerian Police and Ms Asabe Waziri. In the letter dated March 1, 2024, signed by Barrister Giwa, the lawyer accused policemen under the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations of giving backing to break into a property located at No. 1Mekong Close, Maitama, Abuja. The lawyer called for the intervention of the IGP to halt what could lead to breakdown of law and order in the area. Giwa said in the, letter, “Staff of our client approached them to find out why they were criminally intimidating and trespassing into the property without any authorization or any valid Order of Court which no body answered. The hoodiums accompanied by the Police went straight to Flat 3B and 3C, broke down the entire doors and windows without consent or authorization of the resident who were not even at home and began to vandalize, destroy and bring out all the belongings inside the 2 Flats. “The Manager of the apartment upon approaching the hoodlums to find out what is actually going on, was threatened that if he tried anything funny, he will be shot and brutalized. The manager later found out from one of the policemen that they were instructed to come there upon the malicious instigation of one Asabe Waziri and the FCT High Court Director of Enforcement Mr Tony Chukwuemeka Ubani who are both parties to various Court cases revolving around this particular property. “Asabe Waziri and Mr Tony Ubani hoodwinked the DIG Police Force Operations to enforce an Order of Court which is not enforceable. The Case is already pending before the Court of Appeal Abuja Judicial Division and even the Court was of the opinion that the Order/Judgment cannot be enforced as it was just an Order to maintain Status quo. “The property that was criminally trespassed is also currently Lis Pendens and a subject of Litigation pending before a Court of law. This development is totally strange and unlawful as there is an already subsisting Court Order from FCT High Court Bwari restraining Asabe Waziri from interfering, trespassing, disturbing the quiet possession of the residents and she was further estopped from doing anything adverse to the property described as a two (2) bedroom unit of flat 3B and 3C, Abeh Signature Apartments, 1 Mekong Close Maitama Abuja pending the determination of the substantive suit with reference number: CV/3261/22. Please find attached a copy of the Court Order and pictures taken from the incidence annexed to this petition. The unlawful actions of parties involved caused a lot of damages to the properties of the residents worth Millions of Naira. We respectfully call on your good office to investigate into these illegal and unlawful acts and subsequently prosecute them accordingly. Please accept the assurances of our professional regards always.”

Alleged Terrorists: Imo monarchs killers face fresh charges, March 12

The two suspected terrorists, Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe who allegedly kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community of Imo State, Eze Basil Njoku are to face fresh terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja on March 12. Iheme, 52 years of Amagwu Amanze Obowo local government area of Imo and Madukwe, 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo local government area also of Imo State were said to have killed the traditional ruler on December 17, 2022. The defendants were accused of killing the monarch while coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4M cash from his family. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) filed the 3-count terrorism charges against them. In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, Iheme and Madukwe alongside others said to be at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. They were also said to have armed themselves with guns and offensive weapons, attacked, kidnapped and killed the monarch on December 17, 2022. The IGP also accused them of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies which could have led to apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to section 16 of the same Terrorism Act. When the charges were read to them before Justice Binta Nyako, they pleaded not guilty. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN),.Simon Lough who is leading the prosecution for the Inspector General of Police told the court that Police has amended the charges following the arrest of more suspects by operatives. He requested for a date for the other suspects to be brought to court to take plea in the amended charges. Justice Binta Nyako granted the request and fixed March 12 for the fresh arraignment. The Judge ordered that the two defendants be remanded at Kuje Prison in Abuja and be returned to court on the adjourned date. Count One of the charge read “That you Jude Iheme ‘M’ 56 yrs of Amagwu Amanze Obowo LGA of Imo state, Chika Madukwe ‘M’ 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo LGA Imo State and others now at large on about the 17th December, 2022 at 71/2 junction Umumegwu Amanze village Obowo LGA Imo state within the jurisdiction of this court while acting in concert conspired together to commit Felony to wit: acts of terrorism and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. Count two “That you Jude Iheme ‘M’ 56yrs of Amagwu Amanze Obowo LGA of Imo state, Chika Madukwe ‘M’ 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo LGA of Imo State and others now at large on about the 17th December, 2022 at 71/2 junction Umumegwu – Amanze village Obowo LGA of Imo state within the jurisdiction of this court while acting in concert and armed with guns and other offensive weapons attacked, kidnapped and killed HRH Eze Basil Njoku of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community in Imo State on his way from Federal Medical Centre Umuahia having collected a ransom of N4,000,000.00 (four million naira) from his family and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 2(2) (f) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. Count three “That you Jude Iheme ‘M’ 56 yrs of Amagwu Amanze Obowo LGA of Imo state, Chika Madukwe ‘M’ 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo LGA of Imo State and others now at large on about the 20th December, 2022 at Amanze village Obowo LGA of Imo state within the jurisdiction of this court while acting in concert and having information through your communication with the kidnappers that HRH Eze Basil Njoku of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community in Imo State was attacked and kidnapped on his way from Federal Medical Centre Umuahia which information was material to the apprehension of the kidnappers, you failed to immediately disclosed the information to relevant agencies and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 16(1)(b) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

NBA-NEC removes SPIDEL’S leadership

The leadership of the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) has been removed by a unanimous vote of the Nigerian Bar Association’s National Executive Council (NBA-NEC). All the court cases that the outgoing SPIDEL executives filed are to be withdrawn, according to a caretaker committee that has been constituted. This was the outcome of the most recent NEC quarterly meeting, which took place in Jos. The caretaker committee is comprised of Ben Oji of the Warri Branch, Funke Aderemi of the Ilorin Branch, Yakubu Philemon, SAN of the Abuja Branch, and Eva Amadi of the Port Harcourt Branch. The committee was also mandated to withdraw all court cases filed by the removed SPIDEL leaders. The NBA NEC further proscribed the Forum of Body of vice chairmen and any other forum or body unknown to the NBA constitution. Additionally, the NEC passed a vote of confidence on the NBA executive committee led by President Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN. Maikyau had accused SPIDEL chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins of taking unauthorized actions beyond the section’s mandate. He consequently ordered officials to halt activities pending a meeting on February 1st. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has scheduled its 2024 national officers elections to take place on July 20th.

Alleged N4bn fraud: Court hears Obiano’s motion on jurisdiction, March 7

The Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed March 7, to hear a motion filed by former Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the alleged N4 billion fraud charge filed against him by the federal government. The former governor is answering a nine-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of N4billion, proffered against him the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC). He allegedly directed the diversion of the total N4 billion from the state’s account between April 2017 and March 2022, and spent the money for purposes unconnected to the security affairs of Anambra. On Monday, the Prosecution which was scheduled ready to called their witnesses was halted as Counsel to Obiano, Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, informed the court that he had filed a motion challenging jurisdiction on behalf of his client. Confirming the service of the motion on notice, the prosecution counsel, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, however, said that he had yet to file a reply because he was served the motion on Monday morning in court. He drew the attention of these court that the issue on jurisdiction had been settled by the Supreme Court, adding that charges bordering on money laundering are decided at the Federal High Court. Justice Inyang Ekwo advised the prosecutor to do his part by filing his response to the motion. “It is not for you to tell the court the Supreme Court’s decision on the issue. Respond to the motion and leave the court to decide.” Obiano, who was governor from March 2014 to March 2022, allegedly diverted the money from the state’s account dedicated to security funds in his last five years in office. The Prosecution alleged that the finds were diverted through companies that had no business relationship with the Anambra government, converted to dollars and handed over to the former governor in dollars. The case, filed by EFCC detailed the nine companies allegedly used for diverting the funds from the state government’s security vote account. The federal government claimed that from Feb. 16, 2018 to March 9, 2018, an aggregate sum of N223,371,000 was paid from the security vote account into the account of Connought International Services Limited. The charge sheet claimed that from Oct. 30, 2018 to Nov.13 2018, a total sum of N95 million was paid from the security vote account into the bank account of S.Y. Panda Enterprises. Also, the prosecution alleged that from April 11, 2017 to June 21, 2019, a total of N416,000,000 was diverted from security vote account into the account of Zirga Zirga Trading Company Limited.

Bayelsa Guber: Election Petition adjourns indefinitely as Sylva, APC allege bias

The former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have passed a vote of no confidence on the Panel of the Election Tribunal sitting on a petition filed against the election of Governor Duoye Diri. Consequently, the tribunal adjourned indefinitely pending the decision of the Court of Appeal President, Mrs Monica Dongban-mensem, on a petition against the three-member panel led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye. At the resumption of the petition, Monday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were called up to open its defence, however, counsel to the petitioners, Mr R. O. Balogun, SAN, informed the tribunal of a petition and letter written to the President of the Court of Appeal and the Secretary of the tribunal, complaining of bias and lack of fair hearing. The former governor and his party, in the petition specifically asked the president to disband the panel and constitute a new one, adding that the petitioners still have up till May 28, for the expiration of their petition. They moved to adjourned further proceedings, pending the decision of the Court of Appeal President. Although, INEC, Diri, and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, had initially opposed the request for adjournment, but made a u-turn, after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), pointed out that it is the petitioners case and they can spend the whole year, arguing it. In their petition, they posited that record of proceedings obtained so far, showed that observations comments made by the tribunal suggested that they have already made up their minds to favour the respondents. They maintained that the record showed that the tribunal on its own made observation in writing to the extent that the pattern of writing witness statement on oath by the witnesses called by the petitioners are the same. The petitioners also said to have observed in the record of proceedings that the signatures of the witnesses are the same without calling experts, to establish so. While pointing out that the panel have already concluded that the polling units results tendered by the petitioners are fake, they submitted that it was wrong for the tribunal to make the observation on the record of proceedings. They said based on the above they no longer have faith and confidence in the panel and urged the panel to suspend further trial until their petition is resolved by the president of the Court of Appeal. Former governor and immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva and the APC, are challenging INEC’s declaration of Diri as the winner of the November 11 governorship poll in Bayelsa State. According to them, the electoral umpire denied them of votes in their “strong areas”, when it cancelled results in three Local Government Areas of Nembe, Ogbia and Southern Ijaw, on alleged disruption of the electoral process and diversion of electoral materials. However, after calling a total of 52 witnesses, out of the 224 lined up to prove their allegations against the election, the petitioners announced that they were satisfied with the prosecution of their case and would like to close it. Following the closure of their case last week, the panel fixed March 4, for the respondents to open their defence. However, the respondents could not open their defence due to the petition against the panel. INEC had declared Diri and the PDP winner of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa State, having won majority of the votes cast at the election. According to the Returning Officer, Professor Faruq Kuta, the PDP and Diri polled 175, 196 votes to defeat his closest rival, Timiprey Sylva of the APC who scored 110,108 votes. Dissatisfied, Sylva and APC had approached the tribunal to challenge the declaration of Diri as winner of the November 11 governorship election. The petitioners are asking the tribunal to hold that contrary to the position of the electoral umpire, election held in some polling units and winners declared at the said units, adding that it was wrong of INEC to disregard the results at the ward and local government level. It is their claim that if the said cancelled results were restored by the court, they would emerge winner of the November election. But the respondents especially INEC which conducted the election submitted that election in three local governments of Southern Ijaw, Ogbia and Nembe, did not hold due to incidents of alleged diversions of materials and disruption of the electoral process over alleged bypass of the BVAS machine. They had tendered the Form EC40G to confirm that there were no elections in the said polling units. In addition the respondents brought CTCs of results from INEC to prove that the results brought before the court as evidence that election held at the polling units were forged by the petitioners.