The Kano State House of Assembly has dissolved the four emirate councils created by the immediate past administration led by Abdullahi Ganduje.
Muhammadu Bello Butu, the deputy speaker of the assembly who confirmed the development said that the dissolution of the 4 new emirate councils was sequel to deliberations on the floor of the house during plenary.
He disclosed that the Kano state emirate council amendment bill was considered on the floor of the house after scaling second and third reading on Thursday morning.
Butu explained that repealing the law would revive the lost glory of Kano as the division of Kano emirate to five reduced the capacity and dignity of the state at national level.
The majority leader Lawan Hussaini Dala said that the emirate council served as a custodian of culture which was distorted by the creation of additional emirates.
The majority leader explained that with the amendment of the law, all the five emirate councils were abolished while the commissioner for local governments would serve as the overseer.
The house also adopted a motion to create new second class emirate council in the state.
However, sources close to the state legislatures indicates that there is a strong indication that the despised Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11, might be restore later today, as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is set to assent to the new Act later today.
Author: Vivian Michael
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Kano assembly dissolves four new emirates, may reinstate Sanusi
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Police Arrest, Detain Another Editor in Abuja
Police operatives have arrested the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Global Upfront newspapers (Online), Madu Onuorah, in Abuja.
It was gathered that Onuorah was arrested by the police at about 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
About ten fully armed policemen in two Sienna buses were said to have stormed his residence in the Lugbe area of Abuja.
The management of Globalupfront Newspapers, in a statement on Wednesday, said the Editor was arrested in the presence of his wife and children who fruitlessly demanded from the police why they were arresting the head of the family.
The organisation added: “The police have seized Onuorah’s phones, thereby completely cutting him off from communication with people, including his family members.
“He was not even allowed to contact his lawyer or any of his relations before he was whisked away to the Lugbe police station by the stern-looking operatives.
“To make sure Mr. Onuorah did not get attention or bail, the policemen who arrested him, though not of the Lugbe Police Station, simply dumped him at the Station and left no traces for friends and family members to reach them.”
The management said the police should release Onuorah “immediately and unconditionally”.
The platform noted: “Mr. Onuorah is an experienced Journalist, former Abuja Bureau Chief of The Guardian Newspaper, former Managing Director of The AUTHORITY Newspaper, who operates within the ambit of the law.
“Anybody who has any issue against Mr Onuorah should approach the law court and not turn the Nigerian Police into a Gestapo outfit that bullies a man in the presence of his wife and children.
“Any second Mr Onuorah spends in police custody constitutes a serious infringement against his fundamental rights and a continuation of the assault on freedom of expression that has become frequent occurrence in Nigeria recently.”
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Tax Evasion: Absence of Binance official, Gambaryan, stalls arraignment
For the third time, the arraignment of Binance Holding Limited and it’s official, Tigran Gambaryan, on tax evasion charges brought against them by the federal government failed to hold due to the absence of the defendants at the federal high court Abuja.
The company, alongside its officials, Tigran Gambaryan (2nd defendant)and Nadeem Anjarwalla (3rd defendant)who fled the country on March 22, 2024, were dragged to court for tax evasion by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
FIRS, had in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, preferred on them a 4-count charges of failing to register with the FIRS for the purpose of paying all relevant taxes administered by the service.
The FIRS also alleged that while it was offering taxable services to subscribers on its trading platform, the company failed to issue invoices to the subscribers for the purposes of determining and payment of its Value Added Taxes.
In the last adjourned date, Counsel for the FIRS, Moses Ideh, served the second defendant, Gambaryan with the charges, with the leave of the court, as the case was adjourned for his arraignment.
However, in Thursdays proceedings, Gambaryan failed to appear in court
The Counsel for the second defendant Chukwuka Ikwuazo (SAN), said he was not in court because the correctional service was yet to bring him. He asked for a stand down to find out what might have happened.
Moses Ideh, representing the FIRS, expressed displeasure over the failure of the defendant to show up and opposed a stand down on the matter.
He accused the defense counsel of knowing his client was not going to be present in court and not doing enough to make him available.
Ikwuazo (SAN), who denied the claims, said the defendant is in the custody of the Correctional service and they are to blame for not providing him.
He then asked for an adjournment and promised to ensure that the defendant is present in court on the next adjourned date.
The motion for adjournment was not opposed by Ideh or T.J. Krukrubo (SAN), who represented the first defendant.
Justice Emeka Nwite therefore adjourned the matter till July 14, for arraignment.
It would be recalled that two executives of the company were arrested and detained after they flew into the country as a result of a ban on their website, by the Nigerian government, over allegations of handling illicit flow of cash through their platform.
A Federal High Court in Abuja subsequently ordered Binance to provide the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with comprehensive information on all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform.
This led to a spat between Binance and the Nigerian authorities who detained two of Binance’s executives upon arrival into the country.
Nadeem Anjarwalla, one of the detained Binance executives escaped to Kenya according to Interpol and was tried in absentia. Documents for his Extradition to Nigeria have been prepared by the Interpol.
The Crypto exchange company now faces two separate cases, with that of the EFCC, billed to continue tomorrow.
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IPOB: “You are a terrorist” Kanu berates FG lawyer Awomolo
Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Monday, blasted counsel to the Federal Government, Asiwaju Awomolo SAN, for perpetrating an act of illegality in a bid to prosecute him.
The visibly angry Kanu, told the court that he cannot be tried in Nigeria because the Supreme Court had declared his forceful rendition from Kenya, an act of illegality.
“My Lord, I don’t understand why my trial is being conducted contrary to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kanu said.
He insisted that the Supreme Court had made a pronouncement on his issue, stressing that “Anything you do on the contrary is an act of terrorism.
“This man is a terrorist for conducting a trial in violation of an international treaty that Nigeria entered into. Once a treaty is entered into and signed, it becomes a law.
“You are a dishonest man. You are a terrorist. Who the hell are you” Kanu yelled at Awomolo.”
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Stay in DSS custody, court tells Nnamdi Kanu
The Biafra nation agitator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, loses bid for restoration of his revoked bail and the removal from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to a house arrest or prison custody.
Ruling on the request, Justice Binta Nyako held that she found as a fact that Kanu jumped the bail earlier granted him and escaped out of the country.
The Judge also held that the sureties who stood for him in the earlier bail had applied to be discharged and had been discharged on the ground that they could not locate Kanu and did not know his whereabouts.
Therefore, she delared the application not meritorious and dismissed it.
However, the court proffered that the detained IPOB leader had Kanu’s only option is to approach the Court of Appeal to exercise his right of appeal.
On the argument that by Kanu’s lead Counsel that Supreme Court held that the earlier bail granted him ought not to have been revoked, the court said that it perused the Supreme Court judgment copy and did not see the claim of the lawyer.
At the time of this report, Kanu shouting on top of his voice is insisting not to stand trial before any court in Nigeria.
He is claiming that any attempt to put him on trial would amount to a breach of Nigeria’s Constitution and the international laws.
Details later.
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Court refuses terrorists negotiator, Tukur Mamu’s request for transfer to Kuje Prison
Mohammed Tukur Mamu, a terrorist negotiator’s bid to be transfered from the custody of the Department of the State Service, DSS to Kuje Prison in Abuja has been refused by the federal high court, Abuja.
Mamu was arrested at the Aminu Kano International Airport upon his arrival from Egypt on September 6, 2022, over his alleged relationship with the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, 2022.
Consequently, DSS is trying Mamu on 10 counts charge of terrorism financing, among others, but he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He has been at the custody of the prosecution agency following the refusal of the Court to admit him to bail.
In the ruling, the court said that the federal government had raised the issues of incessant jail breaks in prisons as a major ground to oppose the request for transfer to Kuje.
According to the judge, since the averments were not challenged by Mamu, they are deemed to be true facts and facts admitted need no further proof.
The judge subsequently ordered Mamu to remain in DSS custody throughout his trial in the criminal charges against him.
Justice Ekwo, however, affirmed his earlier order that the terrorist negotiator be allowed to access his personal physician for medical treatment with the supervision of the DSS.
Mamu, through his lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, had on April 29, alleged that the order of the court made on December 19, 2023, that he be allowed access to his personal physician for medical treatment was not complied with by the DSS.
In his motion on notice argued by Mohammed, the terrorist negotiator claimed that he was allowed access to the physician once during which a report of comprehensive medical examination to be carried out on him was submitted to the DSS.
Since the submission of the report, Mamu alleged that the physician had not been allowed to access him and that he needed urgent surgical operations in any hospital in the country.
The defendant further claimed that his health had since deteriorated and that he may lose his life any moment if he was not moved out of DSS custody to Kuje Prison.
He promised regular attendance in court, adding that he can only stand trial when alive.
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Client’s Death: Court Convicts Lagos Cosmetic Surgeon
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted a medical doctor and founder of MedContour Services Ltd., Dr. Anuoluwapo Adepoju, over a failed plastic surgery that resulted in the death of one Nneka Onwuzuligbo in 2020.
The conviction was disclosed by a former Director-General of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukera, on Friday.
Irukera was the one who instituted the case against the convict.
In his tweet, Irukera, tweeting as #TundeIrukera, wrote, “Today is a day of pride for me that I personally prosecuted Anu Adepoju and her medical practice. Though I’ve left public service, the case has ended in a conviction, strengthening the accountability framework for all in society, professionals, or otherwise.
“This is how society should work and grow.
“Dr. Anu Adepoju and her medical practice convicted in all 5 counts charged by FCCPC. The wheel of justice may grind slowly, but we must see it through. What we need are enforced with audacity and the will to prosecute competently and diligently. Good day for consumers of professional services.”
Adepoju was arraigned in 2020 on five counts before Justice Mohammed.
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NJC Bars 3 Judges From Elevation …issues warning letter to them
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has barred three judges from elevation for two to three years over a series of offenses and also issued warning letters to them.
The decision followed resolutions reached at the NJC’s 105th plenary meeting on May 15 and 16, 2024.
Therefore, the chairman of the council, Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, had issued warning letters to Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court and Justice GB Brikins-Okolosi of the Delta State High Court.
In a statement, NJC’s Director of Information, Soji Oye, said Justice Ekwo was warned for abusing his discretionary power by improperly granting an ex parte order in the case between Juliet Ebere Nwadi Gbaka & 2 Ors. vs. Seplat Energy Plc & 12 Ors.
The NJC therefore barred Justice Ekwo from elevation to a higher bench for two years.
Similarly, Justice GB Brikins-Okolosi was warned for failing to deliver a judgment within the stipulated period in the case of Joseph AneneOkafor vs. Skye Bank, despite the parties having filed and adopted their final written addresses.
Consequently, Justice Brikins-Okolosi was prohibited from elevation to a higher bench for three years.
Furthermore, the NJC cautioned Justice Amina Shehu of the Yobe State High Court for issuing a writ of possession conferring title on the defendant in a case without any subsisting judgment from any court to justify the issuance of the writ.
During the meeting, the Council reviewed two reports from its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees, which examined 35 petitions against judges from the Federal and State High Courts.
The Council decided to form eight committees to further investigate the petitions deemed meritorious by the assessment committees.
Additionally, the NJC considered recommendations from its Interview Committee on the Appointment of Judicial Officers for all Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria.
As a result, the NJC resolved to recommend 86 judicial officers for appointment to the Court of Appeal, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Sharia Courts of Appeal, and Customary Courts of Appeal of various states in Nigeria.
These candidates will be sworn in after the NJC’s recommendations are approved by the President and their respective state governors.
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DHQ Declares Nigerian Terrorist Halilu Buzu Wanted
Nigeria Defence Headquarters, has declared Nigerian terrorist, Halilu Buzu, wanted.
Director Defence Media Operations, Maj. General Edward Buba made the declaration at a media briefing on Thursday at the Defence Headquarters Abuja.
According to General Buba, this terrorist leader settled in Subbubu Forest as well as lives in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State.
He has a camp for illegal gold mining located at Kawayi, in Anka LGA of Zamfara State, and has a lot of boys working for him and also a prominent cattle rustlers.
He revealed that last week his boys killed 19 villagers at Farar Kasa. He is a High Value Target and we hereby declared him wanted.
Furthermore, he is a major arms supplier, trusted by arms dealers supplying arms from Libya.
“We have been on his trail and whenever, we close in on him. He bolts across the border into Republic of Niger for refuge.
“At this time, we are through appropriate channels calling on the Nigerian authorities, regional and international bodies to support in effecting his arrest to hold him accountable for his atrocities.
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Abuja property: Court rules in Abacha family/FG legal battle, June 27
The Federal High Court, Abuja, will on June 27, deliver judgment in a suit by the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha challenging the revocation of the property of the former Military ruler in the Maitama District of Abuja.
The suit was instituted before Justice Peter Lifu by wife of the late General Abacha, Hajia Maryam Abacha and her eldest surviving son, Mohammed Sani Abacha.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/463/2016, have the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Salamed Ventures Limited as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.
The plaintiff, through her council, Dr Reuben Okpanachi Atabo SAN, wants the court to nullify and set aside the purported revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy(CoO) of the property of the late General Sani Abacha located in the Maitama District.
The Certificate of Occupancy marked FCT/ABUKN 2478 covering plot 3119 issued on June 25, 1993 was said by the family to have been illegally and unlawfully revoked by the defendants.
In their statement of claims, the Abacha family said that the FCT under Nasir El-Rufai had instructed them to submit the Certificate of Occupancy in their possession for re-certification.
They claimed that the 2nd plaintiff, Mohammed Sani Abacha promptly complied with the directive by delivering the Certificate of Occupancy to the FCDA and acknowledgement copy issued to him.
While waiting for a new Certificate of Occupancy to be issued to them, plaintiffs asserted that Mohammed Abacha received a letter on February 3, 2006 notifying them that the Certificate of Occupancy had been revoked without any reason adduced in the letter.
Besides the failure to give any reason for the revocation, the Abacha family alleged that adequate compensation was not paid as required by law.
The family therefore asked the Judge to declare as unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal, null and void and of no effect, the purported revocation of the property.
They sought order of the Court setting aside the purported revocation and holding that their Certificate of Occupancy is valid and subsisting having been revoked without payment of adequate compensation.
According to them, the Certificate of Occupancy issued to the late Head of State was maliciously revoked without legal basis or justification
The plaintiffs asked for an order of injunction prohibiting the defendants from taking any further step on the disputed revocation.
Similarly, the prayed Justice Lifu to award N500M as damages to be paid to them by the four defendants.
Meanwhile, counsel to the defendants, Dr James Ogwu Onoja SAN, in their counter affidavits and preliminary objections asked for outright dismissal of the suit.
Among other reasons, the defendants claimed that the suit at the time it was instituted had become statute barred having not been filed within time allowed by law.
Although, some of the defendants were not in court at Wednesday’s proceedings, Justice Lifu invoked the rule of the Court in adopting their processes already filed.