Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

Alleged Harassment: OAU Lecturer Sues Colonel, Police CP, Seeks N10m Damages

A University lecturer and human rights activist, Prof. Chijioke Uwasomba has dragged Colonel Abubakar Abdulkadir Alkali of the Special Investigation Bureau of the Nigeria Army Military Police before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory over alleged harassment and violation of his fundamental human rights.

He also demanded the sum of N10 million as exemplary damages for threat to arrest him by the police at the instance of the Army Colonel.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, was also listed as second respondent in the suit marked W/7744/23.

The plaintiff in the fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by his lawyers, Onyeisi Chiemeke and Abdul Mahmud, claimed he got series of invitations with threats of arrest from the police following a breach of agreement by the respondent.

Uwasomba, a lecturer in the Department of English at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife therefore demanded, among others, “the sum of N10 million as exemplary damages for the said wrongful invitation” and threat to arrest him by the personnel of the police at the instance of Colonel Alkali for no legal justification.

He also demanded a declaration that the orders for his invitation and arrest by the police and its agents “based on the misleading information” by Alkali of a business transaction (agency relationship) between them was wrong, unlawful, illegal and a violation of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed by Sections 35, 41 and 44 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Article 6, 12 and 14 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The OAU don asked the court to restrain the respondents, their servants, agents and/or privies, jointly or severally, or any law enforcement agency acting pursuant to their instructions from threatening, harassing, arresting or detaining him and members of his family based on the complaint of the first respondent, in violation of his rights to dignity of human person, personal liberty, freedom of movement and right to work guaranteed by Sections 34, 35, 37 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

Uwasomba also asked the court to declare that the first and second respondents were not empowered by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any other statute or instrument to threaten, harass, arrest or detain him in violation of his Fundamental Rights to dignity of human person, personal liberty, freedom of movement and right to work guaranteed by Sections 35, 37 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for hearing of the case.

10/03/2023
UK Police Arraign Diezani Over Bribery Charges

A former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London over charges of bribery offences.

The former minister had on August 22, charged to court by the United Kingdom (UK) government over an alleged £100,000 bribe.

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said they suspected Diezani had accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts.

The Head of the National Crime Agency’s International Corruption Unit, Andy Kelly, said “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.

“These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation.”

10/02/2023
Rivers: Tribunal Dismisses Labour Party’s Petition Against Fubara’s Election Victory

The Rivers State Governorship Election petition, convened in Abuja, has rejected the petition submitted by the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, Beatrice Itubo.

She was challenging the victory of Simnalayi Fubara from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

After the announcement of Fubara as the victor in the March 18 governorship election, both the Labour Party (LP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), along with their respective candidates, submitted petitions to the tribunal.

Fubara secured 302,614 votes, defeating his closest rival Tonye Cole of the APC, who garnered 95,274 votes. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Senator Magnus Abe, and Itubo trailed behind in third and fourth places, with 46,981 and 22,224 votes, respectively.

On September 13, the tribunal reserved its judgment on Cole’s petition, which sought the annulment of Fubara’s victory. After the parties presented their final written arguments and made their case for or against the petition, the three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Cletus Emifonye, adjourned the matter for judgment.

However, in its ruling on the LP’s petition on Monday, the Justice Emifonye-led tribunal dismissed the petition, citing a lack of merit and the failure to substantiate the allegations made.

10/02/2023
Petrol Tanker Explosion Claims 5 Lives In Delta –PPRO

The Police Command in Delta says five persons lost their lives in a petrol tanker explosion in the state.

The spokesman of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen in Warri, saying the incident occurred on 1 October at Ugbenu in Ethiope West Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

He said that the tanker, laden with petrol, was heading towards Benin City in the morning when the unfortunate incident happened.

“In the early hours of October 1, 2023, at about 0200hrs, the Command recorded a tragic incident where a tanker, laden with petroleum product, being driven towards Benin on the Warri – Benin Road fell at Ugbenu Koko Junction.

“Its content spilled into the nearby swamp and the spillage attracted a couple of youths who took advantage of the incident and started scooping fuel into jerry cans and other containers.

“While they were at it, an explosion erupted and the fire from the explosion engulfed the whole area.

“The fire claimed lives of five persons among the youths who had come to scoop fuel,” Edafe said.

He said that several properties, including eight buses of different makes, two tankers, five trailers, two motorcycles, a Sienna space wagon and a ‘C’ Class Mercedes Benz car were also burnt.

Edafe said that the remains of the victims had been deposited at the Oghara General Hospital’s morgue in Ethiope West.

He added that police operatives attached to the Oghara division, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) at Ethiope West, had mobilised to the scene to ensure the free flow of traffic.

Edafe said that the Commissioner of Police, Delta Command, Mr Wale Abass, had expressed his sympathy with the families that lost their loved ones in the incident.

“It is sad that we never learn from past occurrences, since this is not the first time such incident has happened.

“Nonetheless, I appeal that Nigerians should do away with greed and avoid scenes where there is an occurrence of oil spillages.

“It poses a serious threat to their lives and the lives of others,” Edafe warned.

10/02/2023
CJN To Inaugurate 23 Federal High Court Judges Oct 4

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will on Wednesday October 4, 2023, swear-in the newly appointed 23 Judges of the Federal High Court.

A statement by the Court’s Director of Press and Information on Sunday, Dr Festus Akande said that the Judges are to be inaugurated at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at 11am.

The new Judges are: Dipeolu Deinde Isaac from Ogun State; Ogundare Kehinde Olayiwola from Ekiti State; Agbaje Olufunmilola Adetutu from Lagos State; Musa Kakaki from Kaduna State; Abdullahi Muhammad Dan-Ige from Sokoto State; and Sharon Tanko Ishaya from Kebbi State.

Others are Salim Olasupo Ibrahim from Ogun State; Yilwa Hauwa Joseph from Gombe State; Wigwe-Oreh Chituru Joy from Rivers State; Owoeye Alexander Oluseyi from Kogi State; Anyalewa Onoja-Alapa from Benue State; Amina Aliyu Mohammad from Katsina State; Abiodun Jordan Adeyemi from Kwara State; Hauwa Buhari from Federal Capital Territory; and Aishatu Auta Ibrahim from Borno State.

The rest are Hussaini Dadan-Garba from Bauchi State; Ibrahim Ahmad Kala from Gombe State; Mashkur Salisu from Zamfara State; Onah Chigozie Sergius from Enugu State; Egbe Raphael Joshua from Bayelsa State; Ariwoola Olukayode Jnr. from Oyo State; Ekerete Udofot Akpan from Akwa Ibom State; and Ogazi Friday Nkemakonam from Ebonyi State.

Also, a valedictory Court session will be held on Tuesday 10th October, 2023, in honour of the late Justice Chima Centus Nweze at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court at 10am.

As is customary, the Chief Justice of Nigeria will preside over the session which will, among other things, feature the presentation of tributes by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and President of the Nigerian Bar Association, in honour of the departed Jurist.

It will be recalled that Justice Nweze died on Saturday, 29th July, 2023 in Abuja after a brief illness at the age of 64 years.

He was sworn-in as Justice of Supreme Court on 29th October, 2014. He was born in Obollo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State on 25th September, 1958.

He attended St. John Cross Seminary, Nsukka from 1972 to 1977, emerging with a Distinction in the West African School Certificate Examination.

He gained admission into University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus in 1979 where he graduated with a Degree in Law in 1983. In the same year, he represented the Law Faculty and, indeed, all Nigerian Law Faculties, at the Philip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington DC, as the Chief Oraclist.

Justice Nweze did his NYSC between 1984 and 1985 in Bauchi, after being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984.

He equally had his Doctorate Degree in Law from the same University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

10/01/2023
Atiku Vs Tinubu: US Court Confirms Nigeria’s Supreme Court Can Consider New Evidence

In a recent ruling by Justice Nancy Maldonado of the United States Court, it has been confirmed that the Supreme Court of Nigeria possesses the mechanism to consider new evidence under “exceptional circumstances.”

This significant decision comes in response to President Ahmed Tinubu’s objection to presenting documents from Chicago University as evidence in Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s case.

The US court emphasized that President Tinubu failed to provide any testimony or evidence indicating that the Court of Appeal’s decision somehow prevented the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in its discretion, from considering new arguments and evidence under “exceptional circumstances.”

It was noted that President Tinubu, in fact, conceded this procedural mechanism before Judge Gilbert and did not dispute its existence.

The court further clarified that President Tinubu’s suggestion that the evidence “cannot be considered under any circumstances” is unsupported by the record, highlighting that the US court cannot speculate on Nigerian law and procedure.

However, it recognized the undisputed existence of a mechanism allowing Mr. Abubakar to potentially introduce the requested discovery into foreign proceedings. The decision regarding whether the Supreme Court of Nigeria will accept these documents or consider them in its decision lies within the jurisdiction of that court.

The court stressed the undeniable significance of the discovery and the crucial issues at stake. It acknowledged that Chicago State University (CSU) is the sole source of the sought-after information concerning President Tinubu’s diploma and education, with no alternative means for Mr. Abubakar to access it.

Based on Rule 26 considerations and the paramount importance of the discovery, the court supported the request for discovery. It affirmed that it would not obstruct the flow of discovery when it is within the possession of a US institution, especially given CSU’s readiness to provide it. The court concluded that Mr. Abubakar’s interest in the discovery outweighs President Tinubu’s privacy concerns.

Considering these factors, the court found that the discretionary factors support granting Mr. Abubakar’s application. It also noted that President Tinubu did not specifically object to the scope of the discovery requests and that the requests were appropriately tailored to seek relevant information.

In conclusion, the US court overruled President Tinubu’s objections and adopted Judge Gilbert’s ruling in full. Mr. Abubakar’s Application for discovery was granted. An expedited schedule was set for completion of discovery, aligning with the pending Supreme Court of Nigeria deadline.

CSU was directed to produce relevant documents and complete the deposition, ensuring compliance with the established timeline.

10/01/2023
Alleged N600m Fund Diversion: ICPC Quizzes Top Agric Ministry Officials

*Seizes landed properties, including bakery, herbal hospital, N250 million

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has invited for questioning, four senior officials in the Department of Farm Inputs Supports Services of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, over alleged diversion of funds meant for monitoring exercise and sensitisation programmes.

The civil servants invited by the ICPC are the Director of the Department Mr. Kwaido Sani, Deputy Director Mr. Buba Ardo Ishaku, Mr. Elam Sam, and Head of Accounting Unit Mrs Morenike Damola.

The ICPC invitation was via a letter referenced: ICPC/OPS/GBP/OBS/220, addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, drawing the attention of the Head, Farm Inputs Support Services Department.

The letter dated July 19, 2023 and signed by Akeem Lawal, Director, Operation, on behalf of the ICPC Chairman, was received and acknowledged on July 20, by the office of the Permanent Secretary.

Titled: “Investigation Activities”, the Commission stated that it was investigating alleged violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Relates Offences Act 2000.

“Pursuant to Section 28 of the said Act, you are kindly requested to release the underlisted persons to appear before the undersigned at the ICPC headquarters on Thursday, July 20, 2023” the letter stated.

Another similar letter referenced: ICPC/OPS/GBP/OBS/222, dated July 21, 2023, was written by the ICPC to the Permanent Secretary (Agric Ministry) for the attention of the Director, Finance and Account.

The letter titled, “Investigation Activities” requested Permanent Secretary to release the Director, Finance and Account to appear at the ICPC.

“The Commission is investigating alleged violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

“Pursuant to Section 28 of the above Act, you are kindly requested to release the Director, Finance and Account to appear before the undersigned on Wednesday 26th July, 2023 at the ICPC Headquarters Abuja, by 10:00am.

“The officer is to come along with Certified True Copies of the under listed documents of ALL payments made to the following staff of Department of Farm Input Support Services Department from 1st January 2022 to date. Kwaido Mohammed S; Buba Ishaku Ardo; Damola Morenike; Elam Sam; Aminu Dayyabu Mohammed; Mohammed Ayuba George and Chimezie Bright” the letter stated.

The documents requested by the ICPC were payment vouchers, minutes of authorizing the payment, authority letter to make payment, and any other relevant documents.

It was learnt that the civil servants were arrested in a sting operation in their office and ended up being remanded in the ICPC custody for five days, aside the Director that was released on health ground.

A source hinted that a cummulative amount of over N600m withdrawals were made from one of the Director’s account and changed to dollars and allegedly given to the Permanent Secretary.

Asides this, it was learnt that huge sums of money were allegedly moved from the accounts of the department into private accounts of the affected civil servants.

Also, it was gathered that over N200m was found in the bank account of one of the officials that was grilled, while over N100m was found in the bank account of one of his children.

A source said that over N250m cash was found in the Abuja house of one of the suspects just as investigation by the ICPC detectives revealed an inflow of over N60m in six months into the bank account of one of the suspects.

The ICPC has also seized landed properties, including a bakery and one herbal hospital, it was revealed.

In addition, it was said that over N200m was discovered from the account of one of the civil servants, over N100m also found in the child’s account, with over N250m cash found in his house around Lokogoma /Prince and Princess, 2 mansion properties at Karu Abuja, 2 plazas in Abuja; one around Lokogoma and the second at Karu, Abuja, one bakery, one herbal hospital.

Also, a building property at Apo resettlement and another at Dawaki, an account linked to 2 companies account with huge sums of money etc were said to have been allegedly linked to the civil servants.

Speaking on grounds of anonymity, a source said, “The world is watching to see how this case will be handled by the ICPC despite overwhelming evidences against the PS, Director, Deputy Director and the other 3 staff.

“It appears the investigation of the case has been stalled because the five senior staff of the department has resumed office, carry on as if nothing happened and have also continued work.

“Some staff are being targeted and witch-hunted in the Department because of this issue.

“This is to draw the attention of the ICPC Chairman so that Nigerians will know what’s going on and to avoid the image of ICPC not to be tarnished because.”

10/01/2023
FG Denies N50bn Plea Bargain With Emefiele

The Federal Government on Sunday, distanced itself from a purported N50 billion planned non-prosecution plea bargain with the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

The detained ex CBN Boss was reported to have entered into a plea bargain with government on condition of surrendering N50b to facilitate his early release from the custody of the Department of the State Service DSS and cancelling his trial on charges comprising money laundering, breach of Public Procurement Act and abuse of office.

However, on Sunday, the Attorney General of the Federation AGF and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi said neither his office or the Presidency have had anything of such nature with Emefiele.

The position of the Federal Government was made public in a statement by the Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Justice Mrs Modupe Ogundoro.

The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has

been drawn to a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, have agreed to a non-prosecution plea bargain arrangement.

“The report further alleges that Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, have signed a non-prosecution plea bargain agreement and that the agreement is awaiting the signature of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,

“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice hereby states clearly that these reports are completely false.

“It would be noted that the legal team representing Mr. Godwin Emefiele had expressed their intention in court at the last hearing to initiate a plea bargain

arrangement.

“However, no such arrangement has been reached with Mr. Godwin Emefiele or his

representatives.

“We wish to advise the media and members of the public to kindly disregard the said false report.

“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will continue to take all actions in the interest of the Nigerian public,” Fagbemi assured.

10/01/2023
US Court Mandates Chicago Varsity to Disclose Tinubu’s Academic Records to Atiku

A United States Court has issued a directive to the Chicago State University (CSU) regarding the release of President Bola Tinubu’s academic records to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The presiding judge, Nancy Maldonado, has dismissed Tinubu’s objections and set a two-day deadline for CSU to provide the requested documents to Atiku.

Judge Maldonado upheld the earlier ruling made on September 20 by US Magistrate Judge Jeffery Gilbert, which had ordered CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records in response to Atiku’s request.

The judge emphasized that Atiku, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had the right to access these records.

In her ruling, Judge Maldonado stated, “For the reasons stated in the Court’s accompanying Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Court overrules President Tinubu’s objections and adopts Judge Gilbert’s recommended decision in full.

The Court, therefore, grants Mr. Abubakar’s application under 28 U.S.C. § 1782.”

Furthermore, the court has set a timeline for CSU to comply with the directive. CSU is instructed to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents in response to specific requests by Atiku’s legal team by 12:00 p.m. (noon) CDT on Monday, October 2, 2023.

Additionally, the Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of CSU’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

Atiku’s request for Tinubu’s academic records stems from his ongoing legal challenge to the outcome of the February 25 presidential election in Nigeria.

Atiku, the PDP candidate, has argued that the documents are essential in supporting his claim that Tinubu allegedly forged a certificate from CSU in 1979, which he submitted to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2023 presidential election.

This court ruling represents a significant development in the legal proceedings surrounding the presidential election and the authenticity of Tinubu’s academic qualifications.

10/01/2023
Tribunal Validates Gov Agbu Kefas’ Mandate In Taraba

In a significant verdict that reverberated through the political landscape of Taraba State, the Taraba Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, convening in Jalingo, delivered a resounding affirmation of Governor Agbu Kefas’ victory under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The three-man tribunal, led by Justice Ayo Sunmonu, rendered its judgment on a petition lodged by the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Prof. Yahaya Sani, who contested the election, alleging irregularities.

The crux of the tribunal’s decision was the insufficiency of evidence presented by the petitioners to substantiate their claims. Justice Sunmonu firmly asserted that the petitioners failed to provide convincing arguments to challenge Governor Kefas’ election, rendering their case bereft of merit.

“The petitioner failed to prove his ground that the governor was not duly elected, and therefore, the petition lacked merit,” declared Justice Sunmonu.

In the wake of this decisive ruling, Governor Kefas and his legal counsel, Mr. Sam Adda, welcomed the judgment with jubilation. Mr. Adda described it as a “landmark judgment,” highlighting the victory as a reaffirmation of the people’s choice and the integrity of the electoral process.

The NNPP and its candidate had petitioned the tribunal, seeking the annulment of the election on the grounds of alleged irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act of 2022. They also pressed for the tribunal to order a fresh election in Taraba State.

However, with the tribunal’s dismissal of the petition, Governor Kefas remains firmly in the saddle as the duly elected governor of Taraba State. This verdict not only solidifies his mandate but also underscores the importance of substantiated evidence in challenging electoral outcomes.

It stands as a testament to the resilience and strength of the democratic processes in Nigeria, where justice is served through the careful examination of evidence and adherence to due process.

09/30/2023