Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

  • ICJ Orders Israel To Ensure Prevention Of Genocide In Gaza

    ICJ Orders Israel To Ensure Prevention Of Genocide In Gaza

    The International Court of Justice (ICJ) Friday, ordered Israel to ensure it prevents genocide in the Gaza Strip.

    In a judgement in the suit filed by South Africa, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, the court did not order an immediate ceasefire in the protracted war.

    The presiding judge, Joan Donoghue, in the judgement said Israel must try to contain death and damage in the Gaza Strip.

    The 1948 treaty defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.”

    All states that signed the convention, including Israel and Palestine, are obliged to not commit genocide and to prevent and punish it.

    Riding on the strength of this Treaty, South Africa had petitioned the ICJ in December, saying the war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, violates the 1948 genocide convention.

    In the petition, the African country had requested immediate measures, saying the court should order an end to the violence against Palestinians in order to protect their rights “from further serious and irreparable harm.”

    Although Donoghue did not order a ceasefire, she said Israel must take immediate, effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in the enclave.

    The judge said the ruling creates international legal obligations for Israel, and asked the Jewish nation to report to the court within a month on what it is doing to uphold the order to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.

  • Action Alliance: Appeal Court affirms Kenneth Udeze as authentic Nat’l Chair

    Action Alliance: Appeal Court affirms Kenneth Udeze as authentic Nat’l Chair

    The Action Alliance (AA) prolonged National Chairmanship tussle has been put to rest today as the court of Appeal Abuja division has affirmed Chief (Barr) Kenneth Udeze As the authentic National Chairman of the party.

    The three man panel of justices presided over by Hon. Justice H.A. Barka dismissed the Appeal filed by one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje in Appeal number:CA/ABJ/CV/955/2022 challenging the judgement of the FCT High Court in suit number:FCT/HC/CV/174/2022 delivered on 28th day of March,2022 by Hon.Justice Eleojo Enenche hich had earlier Affirmed Chief (Barr) Kenneth Udeze As the authentic National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) and validated the 14th, March,2021 National Convention of the party.

    The Appeal court also awarded the cost of N4 million against Adekunle Rufai omoaje in favor of Chief (Barr) Kenneth Udeze and other three Respondents.

    In the judgement a three-man panel of justices presided over by Justice. H.A. Barka affirmed Chief (Barr) Kenneth Udeze as the authentic National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA)in Appeal number:CA/ABJ/CV/526/2022 Between one CHIEF UZEWURU NWACHUKWU Vs KENNETH UDEZE AND 2ORS.

    The parties in this appeal submitted themselves to the Court of Appeal where all issues regarding the position of the National Chairmanship of AA was resolved in favor of Barr Udeze

    The spokesman of the party, Rev. Dennis Ubani, shortly after the judgement was delivered said, “With the two Court of Appeal judgements affirming Barr Udeze as the authentic National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) ,it is now finally put to rest the party prolong legal tustle on the National Chairmanship.

    “We express our profound gratitude to the Nigerian judiciary, that indeed it is the last hope for a common man.

    “We thank our party legal team led by Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN) former Attorney General and minister of justice for a deligent procecution of the matters .

    “We thank all the party faithfuls across Nigeria and beyond for their prayers and we urge you to have faith and always support Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led National Executives of the Action Alliance (AA).”

  • Guber Appeals: Supreme Court Affirms Fubara, Kefas, Aliyu elections

    Guber Appeals: Supreme Court Affirms Fubara, Kefas, Aliyu elections

    The Supreme Court of Nigeria, Thursday, affirmed the elections of Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state, Kefas Agbu of Taraba and Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto state.

    The five-man panel of justices of the Apex court, had in separate judgments, unanimously dismissed the different appeals for lacking in merit.

    RIVERS

    Recall that the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, had on November 28, 2023, affirmed the election of Fubara as the governor of Rivers State.

    The court had dismissed the petition filed by Fubara of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Patrick Tonye-Cole, against Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    TARABA

    In the case of Taraba state, the appeal was filed by
    Prof. Yahaya Sani of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) for grossly lacking in merit.

    Prof. Sani had prayed the apex court to set aside the victory of Governor Kefas Agbu, in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

    He had alleged non compliance with the Electoral Act, irregularities and other malpractices, but the appellate court dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

    SOKOTO

    Similarly, the Supreme Court affirmed the election of Ahmad Aliyu as governor of Sokoto state.

    Aliyu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the governorship election with 453,661 votes to defeat Sai’du Umar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who secured 404,632 votes.

    But Umar alleged that the governor and his deputy Idris Gobir, forged the certificates they presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The petitioners also alleged electoral fraud during the poll.

    The tribunal in its judgment said the petitioners were unable to prove the six grounds contained in their petition.

  • Burning of Rivers House: Fubara’s loyalists arraigned, sent to prison

    Burning of Rivers House: Fubara’s loyalists arraigned, sent to prison

    The five Port Harcourt-based men accused of burning down the State House of Assembly were, Thursday, arraigned by the Federal Government on terrorism charges, have been remanded at Kuje Prison in Abuja.

    The five defendants are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.

    They were also accused of killing a Superintendent of Police, (SP) Bako Agbashim and five police informants at Ahoada community of the state.

    Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Thursday, ordered they remain in prison custody till February 2 when their respective bail applications would be determined.

    In the 7-count charges, the defendants were accused of committing alleged terrorism offences by invading, vandalizing and burning down Rivers State House of Assembly during the wake of political crisis that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year.

    The police informants alleged to have been killed are Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi.

    Government also accused them 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.

    However, when the charges against them marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024 was read, they all pleaded not guilty to the offences..

    Although the immediate past factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Edison Ehie was not listed in the 7-count terrorism charges, he was however represented in court by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Oluwole Aladedoyin on the ground that his name featured prominently in the alleged offences.

    He challenged the allegations that he was at large alongside other suspects.

    Justice Olajuwon did not however allow further arguments on the ground that he was not yet a defendant in the charges.

    Shortly after the arraignment, the leader of the prosecuting team, Audu Garba applied for a date for full blown trial of the defendants.

    However, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Lukman Fagbemi who stood for Chime Eguma Ezebalike and Prince Lukman Oladele who are 1st and 2nd defendants, sought to move applications for their bail on the ground that they have been in the police custody since last year.

    The government lawyer, Audu Garba vehemently opposed on the reason that he had just been served with the bail applications and needed time to study them and file counter affidavit.

    Justice Olajuwon agreed with the prosecution lawyer that the bail applications were not ripe for hearing and fixed February 2 for hearing of all bail applications.

    Pending hearing and determination of the bail applications, the Judge ordered that the five defendants be taken to Kuje Prison on remand and be returned to court on the adjourned date.

    Specifically, the defendants were 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.

    Part of the charges read, “That you, Chime Eguma Ezebalike, 37 years, business man of Street 5, Radio Estate Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Prince Lukman Oladele, 47 years of Okocha Street, Port Harcourt, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Hon Edison Ehie and others now at large on 29th of October 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, while acting in concert conspired together to commit felony to wit: acts of terrorism by wilful destruction of public properties by invading, attacking, destroying and burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 26 (1) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

    “That you Chime Eguma Ezebalike, 37 years, business man of Street 5, Radio Estate Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Prince Lukman Oladele, 47 years of Okocha Street, Port Harcourt, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Hon Edison Ehie and others now at large on 29th of October 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, while acting in concert and armed with dynamite, iron rods, lighters and other offensive weapons willfully and maliciously invaded, attacked and set fire on the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

  • Supreme Court affirms Fubara as Rivers Gov

    Supreme Court affirms Fubara as Rivers Gov

    The Supreme Court, Thursday, upheld the election of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the authentic governor of Rivers State.

    The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Tonye Cole, filed to challenge the outcome of the governorship election that held in the state on March 18, 2023.

    The Apex court five-member panel led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

    The court said it found no reason to disagree with the concurrent decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld Fubara’s victory at the poll.

    It further established that the appellant failed convince the court that the election was not conducted in compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    The APC pulled out from the case against governor Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while it was being heard by the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

    Despite the position of the party not to challenge the declaration of Fubara as winner of the gubernatorial contest by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr. Cole, vowed to prosecute his petition to its logical conclusion.

    INEC had declared that Fubara of the PDP polled a total of 302,614 votes to defeat his closets rival, Cole of the APC who got a total of 95,274 votes.

    Dissatisfied with the outcome of the poll, Cole approached the tribunal to challenge it.

    The appellant, among other things, alleged that the Rivers State governorship poll was marred by corrupt practices, insisting that it was not conducted in substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

  • Court Nullifies Passage of Rivers State 2024 Budget

    Court Nullifies Passage of Rivers State 2024 Budget

    Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Monday, declared unlawful the presentation and passage of Rivers State 2024 Budget by a group of unlawful four member legislators in the State.

    Also, the court ordered the governor of the State Siminalaye Fubara to represent the budget to the legally constituted House of Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule.

    Ruling on the matter before the court, James Omotoso also held that the government has no Constitutional power to withhold the Hose of Assembly fund.

    The court restrained Governor Fubara from frustrating House of Assembly under Amaewhule from sitting or interfering in the affairs of the House.

    The redeployment of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk done by the Governor was declared null and void and was set aside.

    The Inspector General of Police was ordered to immediately give adequate security to the Speaker and legislators loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.

    Justice Omotoso ordered the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk to resume office immediately and unhindered.

    The National Assembly barred from taking over the Rivers State House of Assembly or accept or treat any request from Governor Fubara.

    Governor Fubara was ordered to release all monies standing in the credit of the House of Assembly to Martin Amaewhule.

    In all, all issues in dispute on Ribers State House of Assembly were resolved in favour of Wike’s loyalists.

    Details later.

  • Ogun: Supreme Court Affirms Governor Abiodun’s Re-Election

    The Supreme Court has affirmed the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State.

    The Apex Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja which dismissed the appeal filed by by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ladi Adebutu, seeking the nullification of the re-election of Governor Abiodun.

    Delivering the Lead Judgement, Justice Tijani Abubakar dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit

  • Kaduna: Uba Sani wins at the Supreme Court

    The Supreme Court has affirmed the Victory of Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the March 18 governorship election in Kaduna state.

    The Apex Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja which set aside the decision of the Kaduna governorship election tribunal sacking Sani and declaring the governorship election in the state as inconclusive.

    Delivering the Lead Judgement, Justice Tijani Abubakar dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

    More Details later

  • S’Court Upheld Nasir Idris as Kebbi State Gov

    S’Court Upheld Nasir Idris as Kebbi State Gov

    The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Nasir Idris of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Kebbi State.

    The Apex Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja dismissing the appel filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aminu Bande challenging the victory of at the March 18 governorship election.

    Delivering the Lead Judgement, Justice Abba Aji dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit

    More Details later

  • Gombe Guber: Gov Yahaya election affirmed a S’Court

    Gombe Guber: Gov Yahaya election affirmed a S’Court

    The Supreme Court on Friday, dismissed an appeal by Jibrin Barde of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)challenging the election of Governor Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe state.

    The Apex court lead judgment read
    by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, unanimously dismissed an appeal by Barde for want of merit, incompetent and liable to be dismissed.

    Consequently, the apex court has affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, which had in November, 2023, upheld the election of Yahaya as Governor of Gombe State.

    The appellate court had upheld Yahaya’s election after dismissing two separate appeals challenging his declaration as winner of the March 18, governorship election in the state.