Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

Mobhad: Justice Will Not Be Aborted, Falana Assures Nigerians

Mrs Funmi Falana, wife of Mr Femi Falana (SAN), at the weekend expressed confidence that justice would be served concerning the death of a young musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba (a.k.a Mohbad).

Mrs Falana is a Partner at the Falana Falana Chambers, which is a concerned party in the death of the musician.

She is also counsel to the family of Aloba.

She gave the assurance at the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court, venue of a coroner’s inquest into the musician’s death.

The musician died on September 12 and was buried the following day. He was aged 27 years.

His death has been generating controversies, prompting Lagos State Government to direct a coroner’s inquest into the death.

A preliminary meeting on the inquest took place on Friday at the court’s premises.

Mrs Falana told journalists that the meeting was to discuss the modalities for the inquest including witness to bring before the court.

“I am sure you all know that the essence of the coroner’s inquest is to inquire into the cause of the death.

“By God’s grace, we want to assure the public that justice will definitely be served,” she said.

She said that by October 13, witnesses would be testifying before the court, urging members of the public to be calm.

“We want to assure the public that justice will not be aborted.

“We are here to get to the root cause of the death of the young man to serve as deterrent,” she said.

The controversy being generated by the musician’s death also made the police command in Lagos State to set up a 19-man special team to investigate the incident.

The body of the late musician has also been exhumed by the police for further investigation.

09/30/2023
Tribunal Declares Kaduna Governorship Election Inconclusive

The Kaduna Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has declared the governorship election held on March, 18 as inconclusive.

In a split decision of a ratio of 2:1, the three-man tribunal panel led by Justice Victor Oviawe declared the election inconclusive and directed that a supplementary election should be held by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within 90 days.

INEC is also to conduct election in seven wards, four local govts, 24 polling units consisting of 16,300 register voters.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is challenging the election of Uba Sani as the Governor of Kaduna State on the grounds of alleged irregularities and electoral fraud, saying that its candidate, Isa Mohammed Ashiru won the election.

During the hearing of the petition, the PDP and Ashiru called 24 witnesses and presented claims and documents to prove their case.

09/28/2023
Kogi APC Guber Pry: Smart Adeyemi Knows Fate Oct 3

The Supreme Court on Thursday in Abuja fixed October 3 for final judgement in a suit filed by Senator Smart Afolabi Adeyemi challenging the conduct of the April 14, 2023 primary election of the All Progressives congress (APC), for Kogi state governorship election.

Adeyemi is challenging the validity of the primary election which produced Ahmed Usman Ododo as APC’s flagbearer for the November 11 governorship election.

The grouse of the appellant is that the provisions of Electoral Act 2022 and the guidelines of the APC were compromised during the primary election.

Specifically, Adeyemi who recently represented Kogi West senatorial district in the Senate is claiming that the result brought out by APC in support of Ododo was fraudulent and invalid on the ground that the primary election was conducted in only 11 out of 239 wards in the state.

A Federal high court in Abuja and the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal had however delivered judgments against him on the ground that the allegations of malpractices were not proved as required by law, promoting him to go to Supreme Court.

At Thursday’s hearing of the Appeal at the Supreme Court, Adeyemi lawyer’s Musibawu Adedtunmbi, SAN, after adopting his briefs prayed the Apex Court to grant the reliefs sought by Adeyemi.

The Senior lawyer argued that the primary election of April 14 was conducted in gross violation of section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The senior lawyer claimed that Election did not hold in 228 wards and that the claim was supported by INEC’s field officers in their report on the primary election.

However, the APC represented by AbdulWahab Mohammed prayed the Supreme Court panel headed by Justice John Inyang Okoro to dismiss Adeyemi’s appeal on the ground that it is against the concurrent findings of fact by the Court of Appel and the Supreme Court.

On its part the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) represented by Adeyemi Adeniyi SAN, after adopting his briefs told that Apex Court panel that the appeal was grossly incompetent and that the decision of the two lower courts should be affirmed because there was no allegation of perversion of justice in the decisions of the two lower courts.

Similarly, the third respondent, Usman Ahmed Ododo through his counsel, Francis Ekpa asked the Supreme court to dismiss the appeal on the ground that it has become academic, adding that the 180 days within which APC can conduct another primary election for nomination of candidate has since lapsed.

Justice Okoro after taking arguments from the parties announced that the final judgment will be delivered on October 3.

09/28/2023
Ebonyi: Tribunal Dismisses APGA’s Case Against Nwifuru

In a recent development, the Ebonyi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, situated in Abuja, has dismissed the legal petition filed by Prof. Benard Odoh, representing the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), against Governor Francis Nwifuru, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, who led the three-member panel, rendered the judgment, emphasizing that the petitioners lacked the necessary legal standing to initiate the lawsuit. The tribunal ruled that the issues raised in the petition pertained to the internal affairs of the APC.

It’s worth noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had previously declared Governor Nwifuru as the winner of the Ebonyi State governorship election held on March 18.

Dissatisfied with this electoral outcome, Prof. Benard Odoh and APGA submitted their petition, identified as EPT/EB/GOV/01/2023, against INEC, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, and the APC. Their primary argument revolved around the alleged improper nomination of Nwifuru by the APC. They claimed that Nwifuru was still a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the Speaker of the House of Assembly when the APC nominated him.

However, the tribunal’s verdict clarified that APGA had neglected to challenge a prior Federal High Court judgment affirming Governor Nwifuru’s defection.

09/27/2023
Flood: NEMA Distributes Relief Materials To Households In Enugu

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced the distribution of relief materials to 10,040 households affected by the 2022 flood disaster in Enugu State.

The Director-General (DG) of the agency, Mr Mustapha Ahmed, said during the distribution in Enugu that the gesture was under the Special National Economic and Livelihood Emergency Intervention (SNELEI).

Ahmed, who was represented by the Enugu State team supervisor of SNELEI, Mr Ladan Ayuba, said that the distribution was to improve the socio-economic conditions of the affected households in the state.

He identified the items as livelihood equipment which included sewing machines and grinding machines while the food items include rice, beans, garri, sorghum, vegetable oil, salt, tomato paste sachets and seasoning cubes.

According to him, the non-food items are mosquito nets, nylon mats, blankets, form mattresses, set of cooking pots, cooking stoves, toilet soaps and detergents.

The agricultural inputs also distributed, included water pumps 3HP, growth enhancers, liquid fertilizers, pesticide, herbicide, yam seeds, rice seeds and maize seeds.

He explained that the agricultural inputs were given to take farmers back to their farm lands, to stimulate crop production, and safeguard national food security in the middle of economic downturn.

The DG added that the livelihood support was to help artisans improve their businesses and grow the economy.

He urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the items to improve their socio-economic conditions.

“Beneficiaries are advised to avoid selling the items and destroying the good intention of the Federal Government,” he said.

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, lauded NEMA for its support to the state.

“We want to extend our gratitude to the DG, NEMA, for always partnering with the state in times of emergency.

“It is important that we acknowledge that President Bola Tinubu has made commitment to continue to support the states that are going through flood- related matter through NEMA,” he said.

Some beneficiaries expressed their joy for the items they received.

09/27/2023
Court Halts Ondo Assembly Impeachment Move Against Dep Gov Aiyedatiwa

A Federal High Court Abuja on Tuesday, halted the impeachment process against the Ondo State House of Assembly Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over alleged gross misconduct, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit before it.

Justice Emeka Nwite also restrained Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from nominating a new deputy governor and forwarding same to the lawmakers for approval.

The ruling was following an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to Aiyedatiwa, Kayode Adewusi.

Justice Nwite held that after listening to Adewusi, he was of the view that the interest of justice would be met by granting the application.

“Therefore, the application of the applicant succeeds,” he said.

The embattled deputy governor had, in a motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023, sued the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services.

Others are Akeredoku, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Ondo State, and the House of Assembly as 1st to 6th respondents respectively.

In the application dated and filed by Mr Adelanke Akinrata on September 21, Aiyedatiwa sought four reliefs.

The judge further made an order of interim injunction restraining Akeredolu, his servants, or privies from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing, and preventing Aiyedatiwa from carrying out the functions of his office as deputy governor of Ondo state.

Justice Nwite, who granted all the reliefs adjourned the matter until October 9 for a hearing.

Aiyedatiwa had, also in another suit marked: AK/348/2023 asked the High Court in Akure to stop the state’s house of assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in the court on Monday.

09/26/2023
Bayelsa Guber: Suit Seeking Timipire Sylva’s Disqualification Dismissed

The Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday, dismissed a suit seeking to disqualify former Petroleum Resources Minister, Timipire Sylva from contesting in the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, while dismissing the suit instituted against the All Progressive Congress (APC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Sylvia, held that it was lacking in merit and wants of enough meat to warrant disqualification.

According to the judgement, the plaintiff, Hon Isikima Ogbomade Johnson failed to establish the allegation that the APC did not conduct a lawful primary election that produced Sylva.

The court insisted that the INEC’s report was clear beyond any doubt that a valid primary election was conducted by APC and monitored by the electoral umpire as required by law.

On the police reports tendered by the plaintiff which claimed that no primary election was conducted by APC, Justices Ekwo said that the purported police reports were worthless and products of illegality because police were not mandated by any provisions of law to do what they did in favour of the plaintiff.

The Judge, among others, faulted the police reports for not being on police letter head papers to give it semblance of originality while he also said that the duty of police at primary elections is to give protection and safety to election materials and voters.

Besides, Justice Ekwo held that most of the documents brought by the plaintiff were done through the back doors in disregard to the well known established procedures.

Also, the court rejected the suit because it was not instituted within 14 days the subject matter occurred, hence, it became academic matter adding that since court is not an academic institution, it would not dabble into such a matter.

“In all, I find the case of the plaintiff to be weak having not been established by preponderance of evidence as required by law.

“In the same vein, the case of the plaintiff, having been demolished by overwhelming exhibits tendered by APC and Timipire Sylva, has no legs to stand upon in the face of law.

“I make an order, dismissing this case and it is hereby dismissed for lacking in merit,” the Judge held.

The plaintiff had by an originating summons dragged APC, INEC and Sylvia before the Court praying for an order to disqualify Sylva from being allowed to participate in the coming November governorship election in Bayelsa State.

He predicated his grouse against Sylvia on two grounds that Sylva had been elected into governorship office twice, took oath of office and oath of allegiance twice while he also claimed that the April 14 primary election that produced Sylva was illegal and unlawful having been allegedly done in contravention with APC’s guidelines.

09/26/2023
Appeal Court Has Delivered 7,295 Judgements, 3,665 Motions -President

The President of Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem has revealed that the court delivered a total of 7,295 judgments and 3,665 motions in the 2022/2023 legal year.

Speaking at the commencement of the 2023/2024 new legal year, Justice Dongben-Mensen recalled that a total of 98 panels were constituted to hear election petitions across the country to handle a total of 1,209 petitions that were filed.

Breaking down the delivery, she noted that among the petitions, five were filed at the presidential election petition court and have been concluded, while some of 147 filed at the Senatorial election tribunal have been delivered and 417 petitions from the House of Representatives election are also being attended to.

Also, a total of 557 petitions associated with the State Houses of Assembly, and 83 Gubernatorial Elections petitions are being disposed off, added that twenty-eight States participated in the Governorship elections, and petitions were filed in 24 states.

Concluding, she appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Nyeson Wike to provide a large piece of land for the construction of the Abuja Division, adding that Abuja division is currently overwhelmed by voluminous documents and suffers from lack of adequate storage facilities and office space.

A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN) said on Monday that Nigeria’s continued survival greatly depends on the transparency of judicial officers in the discharge of their judicial functions.

Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria has therefore pleaded Judges and Justices not to lose confidence and principles in themselves no matter the challenges.

He expressed that, in spite of the contributions and sacrifices of judicial officers to the survival of the country, they are still been unwarantedly attacked and criticised.

He warned that the country would be doomed unless the unjust attacks against judicial officers are stopped.

“It is only here that judicial officers work harder than slaves and yet, they are not appreciated. But the consolation is that the Judges in Nigeria are no match to the devil they are contending with.

“Whether we like it or not, we have to be proud of our Justices. They are brilliant and bold and some of them appointed as Justices in other countries.

“A mistake by one Justice should be not be generalised to warrant general condemnation from any quarter. They surpass Judges from other countries. They deserve commendation for resisting the evils.

“Majority of judicial officers are standing in the face of challenges and unless we are careful with the way we attack Judges, we will lose our minds and conscience”, he said.

He said, those who criticise judicial officers are at liberty to do so, but they have to cautious in the way they go about it adding that, while criticising the judiciary, they must not abuse it.

The former Minister of Justice spoke against granting of outlandish bail conditions to suspected criminals.

He noted that the law presumes them innocent until guilt is established adding that, granting of outlandish bail that will keep them in custody is unconstitutional

According to him, “We need not to slam bail conditions that are unattainable as the principles which govern bail conditions are the same as fine governed by the constitution”.

He challenged the current AGF to use his office to improve the welfare and work conditions of judicial officers.

In his speech, the AGF and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will address the issue of shortage of Justices at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

09/25/2023
Kano Guber: Don’t Allow Tribunal Truncate Justice In Kano, CCLCA Cautions FG

*As Kano women beg FG for intervention

A coalition of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accredited foreign and domestic observers for the 2023 Kano Governorship election, has warned the political gladiators to desist from truncating the will of the Kano people.

The group, made up of seven civil society organization, maintained that INEC’s declaration of the NNPP candidate, Abba Kabir Yusuf as the winner of that election, represents the voice of the people and in consistent with their observation in the field.

Meanwhile, Kano woman have cried out to the federal government, to allow justice prevail in Kano, adding that they will have no home and their children will have no school to attend if problems escalated.

Addressing the press on Monday, the Director General, Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), Dr Gabriel Nwambu, decried the miscarriage of justice perpetrated by the Kano state tribunal.

To drive home his point, Dr Nwambu noted that Justice Flora Azinge, one of the justices of the State Assembly tribunal raised alarm over an attempt to offer N10 million to one of his staff, with the intension to subvert justice in the course of the proceedings of the tribunal.

According to him, this implies that there has been an unprecedented attempt to subvert justice and subvert the popular wish of the electorate in Kano state.

The group also expressed shocked over the Tribunals ruling bothering on the disqualification of the Governor of Kano state as member of the NNPP, adding that the matter is a pre-election matter which the tribunal had no jurisdiction.

They were also dismayed on the nullification of over one hundred thousands valid votes which was an integral part of the power exercised by the electorates as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended has never been seen before in the history of Nigeria.

They therefore, call for caution, noting how the spate of coup d’etat in Africa is spreading very fast and advise the political elites to look beyond their personal gains and focus on the unity and coexistence of the Nigerian nation.

“By this medium, we wish to advice the political elites in Kano state to shield their swords and allow the people’s votes to count. Kano state is a cosmopolitan City in Nigeria, therefore igniting issues capable of causing breakdown of law and order would not be in the interest of the Nigerian nation.

“The present situation in Kano could deteriorate even further if not treated with utmost caution and urgency. The Judiciary is said to be the hope of the common man. We, hereby advice that care should be taken in Kano state to resolve the present judicial process with utmost caution. Let us allow the NNPP which is the party that truly won the 18th March, 2023 Governorship election serve the people of Kano,” he concluded.

The coalition group includes Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Pan African Women Projects, African Union and Organization orf Justice and Equity.

Also among the coalition are Intercontinental Leadership Initiative, Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption and Initiative for Voter Awareness and Electoral Reform.

09/25/2023
Breaking News: Fire Engulfs Supreme Court Complex

In a shocking development, a section of the Supreme Court complex, located in the heart of the Three Arms Zone in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been engulfed in flames.

Reports, although unconfirmed at this time, suggest that the offices of the three Justices of the Court have been affected by the fire.

The incident has thrown a shroud of uncertainty over the nation, as the perpetrators and the Justices directly impacted by the attack remain unknown.

This unfortunate event has occurred at a particularly sensitive juncture, with all eyes fixed on the Supreme Court due to its pivotal role in handling presidential election petitions. The news has left Nigerians deeply concerned.

Further details on this developing situation will be provided shortly as the investigation unfolds.

More details shortly…

09/25/2023