Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

  • Tinubu’s Inauguration:Court awards N17m against 3 litigants, lawyer 

    Tinubu’s Inauguration:Court awards N17m against 3 litigants, lawyer 

    Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Friday awarded N17 million fine against  three litigants and their lawyer for filing a frivolous suit seeking to stop the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The decision is coming just hours after the Supreme Court dismissed another suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to void the candidacy of Tinubu and the Vice-president elect, Kashim Shettma.

    The litigants, Praise Ilemona,  Pastor Paul Issac Audu  and Dr Anongu Moses jointly instituted the suit praying for an order to halt the May 29 swearing-in of Tinubu.

    Dismissing the suit, the court held that it was frivolous and an abuse of court process.

    The Judge held that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to file the suit, adding that the court could not exercise jurisdiction to hear it because it relates to a presidential election.

    The three litigants are to jointly pay the President-elect a sum of N10 million and another N5 million to the All Progressives Congress (APC) who were part of the seven defendants in the suit.

    The judgement held that an interest of 10 percentage be placed on the judgment debt per year until when finally liquidated.

    Meanwhile, counsel to the petitioners, Daniel Elomah who filed the suit was ordered to pay N1m to Tinubu and the APC each.

    Elomah in his motion alleged that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu supplied false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about his age and citizenship status.

    Elomah had pleaded with the court to pardon his clients and advised that the court should counsel them against embarking frivolous suit in future.

    In his argument, counsel to Tinubu, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, had argued that the suit be dismissed on the ground that the three plaintiffs lacked locus standi to institute it

    He submitted that non of the plaintiffs participated in the primary election that produced the President-elect but chose to harass, intimidate and irritate Tinubu through frivolous suit.

    Fagbemi SAN further argued that the litigants engaged in gross abuse of court by their multiple cases against Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress in various courts without any reasonable cause of action.

  • Supreme Court dismisses PDP’s double nomination suit against Tinubu, Shettima

    Supreme Court dismisses PDP’s double nomination suit against Tinubu, Shettima

    The inauguration of Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as President and Vice President respectively has been sealed as the Supreme Court has struck out a suit seeking their disqualification over alleged double nomination.

    The appeal was filed  by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through their counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

    The PDP alleged that Shettima had double nomination as senatorial candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District and vice-presidential candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The five man panel of Justices of the Apex court, led by Justice Adamu Jauro, held that the PDP’s appeal praying disqualification of Tinubu and Shetima on ground of alleged double nomination by Shetima was grossly lacking in merit and dismissed it.

    Consequently, the court awarded a cost of N2million on PDP.

    It held that PDP has no right to meddle in the internal affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC)in the conduct of its primary elections and nomination of its candidates.

    Justice agreed with Tinubu’s lawyer, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN that PDP acted as busy body and meddlesome interloper in the ways and manners it dabbled into APC’s affairs unjustly.

    The Apex Court held that apart from the fact that PDP lacked requisite jurisdiction to institute the suit, the party also failed to prove by documentary evidence that Shettima engaged in double nomination.

    It maintained that Shettima withdrew from the Senatorial race before accepting the nomination as Vice Presidential candidate for the APC

    Therefore, the Apex court described the PDP’s claim on the alleged double nomination of the Vice President-elect as most unfortunate and a clear deliberate mischief to mislead the Court and the country.

    The Supreme Court also agreed with lawyer Fagbemi (SAN) that no matter the pains of PDP on how APC conducted it’s primary election and nominated its candidates, PDP must remain an onlooker.

    “It is abundantly clear that the Appellant (PDP) in the totality of its position in the instant case, is peeping and poke-nosing into the affairs of another party as a busybody and meddlesome interloper,” Fagbemi had said.

    The Court held that the action of PDP was painful because it used the social media to set a trap for the Supreme Court to blackmail it.

    “This is most unfortunate, unwarranted and uncalled for and I advise the perpetrators to desist from it,” the court said.

  • We’ve never had it so bad like under Buhari- MACBAN, COPAN

    We’ve never had it so bad like under Buhari- MACBAN, COPAN

    *Say Nigeria lost over N500bn to farmers-herders’ conflicts; Buhari failed

    Cattle breeders in Nigeria have expressed displeasure at the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as it concerns the security of lives and property during his tenure.

    They claim that Buhari, who claims to be a cattle breeder, ought to have brought cattle breeders and farmers together with a view to finding an amicable solution to the persistent conflicts that had led to loss of several lives in virtually all states of the federation.

    At a joint press conference, the Cattle Breeders however, expressed hope that incoming administration will restore peace between herders and farmers.

    The joint press conference was attended by the National President, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Dr. Baba Othman Ngelzarma; President General, Fulbe Global Development and Rights Initiative (FGDRI) Dr. Salim Musa Umar; Vice President, Tabital Pulaaku International Nigeria Chapter, Alh Auwal A. Gonga under the umbrella of Pastoralists Association of Nigeria (COPAN).

    Dr. Salim Musa, who spoke at the forum demanded that the incoming President look into activities of security agents in charge of these areas and mandate them to do more in protecting innocent people who are continuously harassed by the activities of those described as criminal vigilante and bandits.

    COPAN called on the security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute all those involved to serve as a deterrent to other criminally minded individuals.

    While calling on elected officials at all levels of government to be responsive to factors that may escalate insecurity in the country, the coalition also urged pastoral communities in the states to exercise restraint in the face the calamity that has befallen them.

    Responding to questions, Alh. Auwal Gonga urged the incoming administration to establish the Federal Ministry of Pastoralist Affairs to manage issues around this aspect of the economy, in line with global best practices, and as obtainable in most neighbouring countries and other ECOWAS member countries.

    According to them, the ministry will be charged with the responsibility of harmonizing and managing the affairs of both farmers and pastoralists, instead of leaving it in the hands of security agencies whom he said have shown themselves to be biased.

    Concluding, the MACBAN president said;

    “You see, wether we are happy he’s going or not, one thing is clear:

    “It is on record that after eight years of his (Buhari) administration, over N500 billion was spent on agronomy and nothing was spent on livestock farmsteads. 

    “And we have never had it so bad like when Buhari was in government.

    “This is the worst era for the Nigerian pastoralists – we’ve never had it so bad like this time.”

  • Suit against Tinubu’s Inauguration: A/Court slams N40m fine on Owuru

    Suit against Tinubu’s Inauguration: A/Court slams N40m fine on Owuru

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Thursday, slammed a fine of N40 million on a former Presidential candidate, Chief Ambrose Albert Owuru, for filing a frivolous suit to stop the inauguration of president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29.

    The Appellate Court ordered the politician to pay the fine of N10 million each to President Muhammadu Buhari, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Tinubu whom he made 1st to 4th defendants in the suit.

    Justice Jamil Tukur, who read the lead judgment of the three-man panel of the court, held that Owuru embarked on a gross abuse of court process by filing a frivolous, vexatious and irritating suit to provoke the respondents.

    The Court of Appeal held that the grievances of Owuru against the 2019 presidential election was not only strange but uncalled for because the grievances had been pursued up to Supreme Court and was dismissed for want of merit.

    Justice Tukur said that the action of Owuru to resuscitate the case that died since 2019 at the Supreme Court was aimed at making the lower courts to go on collision course with supremacy of the Apex Court.

  • APGA Nat’l Chair, Njoku files contempt charge against Oye

    APGA Nat’l Chair, Njoku files contempt charge against Oye

    The National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Edozie Njoku has filed a contempt charge against Chief Victor Oye for disobeying a valid court order. 

    Recall that Justice  Mohammed Madugu of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Bwari, had on May 10, restrained Oye from parading himself as the National Chairman of APGA or holding any meetings or gatherings, be it NWC, NEC etc, Congresses or Convention in the name of APGA, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice before the court. 

    The court also ordered INEC from recognizing Chief Oye as the National Chairman of APGA based on Supreme Court Judgement of 24th March, 2023.

    The application was filed by Otunba Camaru Lateef Ogidan, (National Vice Chairman South West of APGA) and Alhaji Mustapha Rabiu, National Welfare Officer of APGA under the Chief Edozie Njoku led APGA.

    At a resumed sitting on Wednesday, Mike Ajara, counsel to the APGA National Chairman Njoku, informed the court of the flagrant disobedience of it’s order by Oye and his group. 

    Ajara said the contempt proceedings were  filed and served on May 22, 2023, and “has dire implications on Oye and on the Ward, Local Government and State Congresses which has been organized by Oye and his men”. 

    Meanwhile, counsel to the defendants, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN informed the Court that they have filed Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal to strike out the Originating Summons for lack of jurisdiction. 

    While presenting his evidence of interlocutory appeal, Ikpeazu prayed Justice Madugu to refer the matter to the Appeal Court and wait for the superior Court to decide on the matter. 

    Reacting, Ajara  narrated how Oye, his assigns and privies violated the court order.

    Ajara faulted Ikpeazu’s appeal process and referred to it as ‘purported’ notice of appeal.

    Njoku’s lawyer asked the court to discountenance Ikpeazu’s submission because he did not secure leave of court.

    To buttress his point, Ajara availed the Court a copy of the letter from the Office of the Chief Registrar of the FCT Court Apo (Appeal Section) which denied ‘not receiving any application for compilation and transmission of Record of Proceedings in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/4068/2023’ to support his assertion. 

    Ajara explained that

    from the point of law, “if such application is submitted, due process demands that it is after 45days, without compliance, that Oye can approach the Appeal Court for any relief whatsoever.”

    Ajara told the Court that the Notice of Appeal was designed to derail and stampede the Court. 

    He reminded the Court that C.I. Mbaeri that represented Oye agreed with the Court’s decision of May 10, 2023 that parties, their assigns or privies should not hold meetings, Congresses or Convention of any sort pending the hearing of the substantive matter. 

    Citing extant notable authorities to buttress his point, he prayed the Court to continue with the business of the day, so that afterwards, the Ikpeazu will have ample materials to proceed on Appeal. 

    However, after taking submissions, the Judge reserved ruling on the issue of jurisdiction for June 2, 2023.

  • CJN inaugurates 39 new election petition tribunal members

    CJN inaugurates 39 new election petition tribunal members

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has inaugurated 39 additional members of the 2023 Election Petition Tribunals.

    While swearing them in at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja, Justice Ariwoola advised them to willingly submit themselves to the sanctity of the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution in the discharge of their judicial functions.

    Justice Ariwoola also charged them with the power to adjudicate on electoral disputes and take decisions in accordance with their convictions, which according to him, must be deeply rooted in law and not on sentiments or
    public opinion.

    He therefore urged them to be mindful of the oath they had taken and restore the confidence in the judiciary.

    “| pray the Almighty God will grant you the courage and wisdom to carry out this responsibility without faltering or failing. | congratulate you and look forward to hearing good commentaries on your conduct and sterling performance at the end of your assignment,” he said.

  • FG sets to launch National Cybercrime Centre 

    FG sets to launch National Cybercrime Centre 

    The war against cybercrime in Nigeria has taken a centre stage as the Federal Government disclosed readiness to launch the National Cybercrime Centre to curb the increasing wave of cyber-related crimes in the country.

    1st National Consultation on the Cybercrimes Legal Framework jointly sponsored by the GLACY+ and OCWAR-C (both EU funded projects) projects in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice.

    The Cyber security centre which will be supervised by the Nigeria Police Force would among others synergise with both National and international security communities for robust legislation, and strategies to protect Nigeria’s cyberspace. 

    This was made known by the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, at the first Consultation forum on the national legal framework on Cybercrime held in Abuja. 

    In a remark, National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno pointed out that Nigeria’s cyberspace is currently threatened by money laundering, child pornography, and fishing among other cyber-related crimes.  

    Monguno said to reverse the growing trends of cybercrimes and to properly harness the revolution’s benefits from the potential of cyberspace,  there is a need for collaborative efforts by agencies to cope with the threats.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the African Union Cybersecurity Group of experts, Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, also stressed the need to improve legislation along with the cyber security architecture in the country.

    Ajijola said, “I urge Nigeria to ratify and accede to the Malabo convention as Africa has started moving forward on it without us. 

    “However, legislation alone is not enough. We need to fortify our digital frontiers with advanced cybersecurity technologies.”

    In the same vern, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Ali Isa Pantami also called for collaborative efforts by Ministries and agencies of government to tackle the menace of cybercrime.

    The Digital and communication minister also stressed the need for an improved legislative framework that will combat the complexity of the crimes. 

    Pantami said, “Let us remember the profound importance of our collective efforts. Cybercrime knows no borders, and its impact transcends individual nations. 

    “We must work together as stakeholders from various sectors – government, law enforcement agencies, industry, civil society, and academia – to address the multifaceted challenges 

    “We must seize this opportunity to develop a robust national legal framework that encompasses the complexities of cybercrimes and electronic evidence gathering. 

    “Our legislation should empower law enforcement agencies, enable effective investigation and prosecution of cybercriminals, and safeguard the rights and privacy of our citizens. It should promote international cooperation and information sharing to combat cyber threats effectively.”

    Also  the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi stressed the need for an improved legal framework to combat rising threats to Nigeria’s cyberspace. 

    He said, “A cybercrime legislative framework Is one of those critical areas that needs to be addressed in order to promote a healthy digital economy. “

    He added, “As we embark on this collaborative journey, let us embrace the principles of inclusivity, innovation, and resilience. Let us seize this opportunity to devise legal frameworks that strike a delicate balance between security and privacy, empower law enforcement agencies, protect our citizens and critical infrastructure, and foster trust in our digital ecosystem.” 

    Earlier, the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, in a welcome address, urged the participants at the forum to harness the opportunities provided by the three-day consultative forum to improve modalities towards curbing cybercrime in Nigeria.

    The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho on his part, pledged the commitment of the courts towards achieving the aims of Act, -2015 cybercrime Act.

    Represented by Justice D.U. Okorowo, the CJ stressed that the Federal High Court is not just a critical stakeholder, but a decisive partner in the achievement of the aims of the Act.

    Justice Tsoho said, “The Federal High Court as an institution is committed to providing adequate support to all relevant stakeholders to achieve the aims of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Preventions) Act, 2015

    “Section 50 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Preventions) Act, 2015 conferred on the Federal High Court exclusive jurisdiction over offences committed under the Act.”

  • Tribunal: Tinubu’s legal team bars media interviews

    Tribunal: Tinubu’s legal team bars media interviews

    The Bola Ahmed Tinubu legal team in the ongoing Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has barred media interviews throughout the defense of their client in the three petitions filed against his victory.

    The position of the team was relayed to the court by Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) during Tuesday’s proceeding.

    Akintola said that it was the decision of the team that any lawyer that flouts the ban, no matter his rank or how highly placed, would be kicked out of the defense team.

    He, however, did not disclose any reason why the ban was adopted.

    He said that the same ban has been extended to their client and President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The senior lawyer said that the ban on media interview by the legal team would be strictly observed and enforced.

    The panel led by Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, however did not react to the decision when it was presented in open court.

  • Court dissolves businesswoman’s 19-year ‘loveless marriage’

    Court dissolves businesswoman’s 19-year ‘loveless marriage’

    An Upper Area Court in Kubwa, Abuja, has dissolved a 19-year-old marriage between a businesswoman, Fawzah Alimi and her husband, Jibril Aladejana.

    The Judge, Garba Gambo dissolved the marriage according to Islamic Law, following Alimi’s prayer for divorce on grounds of lack of love.

    Gambo said that Aladejana refused to appear in court for once and did not send a message or representative to the court.

    He held that the attitude of the respondent clearly showed he had no respect for the court nor love for the petitioner but wanted to torment and oppress her.

    The judge however ordered the petitioner to pay the dowry of N20,000 to the registry of the court which would be kept for the respondent to collect and dissolved the marriage under “Khuli” in Islamic law.

    Khuli is a procedure through which a woman can divorce herself from her husband in Islam, by returning the dowry and everything she received from him during their life together, or without returning anything, as agreed by the spouse or judge.

    Gambo said that filing a case of custody of children or maintenance while in marriage is premature and ordered the petitioner to file the same afresh.

    Earlier, the petitioner had told the court she got married to the respondent under Islamic law in 2004 and is blessed with six children ages 19, 18, 14,12,9, and 4.

    She said that since she got married, the respondent had been living in Ekiti state while she stayed in Abuja where he visited from time to time.

    Alimi further said she was tired of the marriage and all efforts made to make it work proved abortive.

    She however begged the court to dissolve the marriage on grounds of lack of love under Khuli, in order to protect her faith.

    The petitioner also sought the court to mandate the respondent to take responsibility for providing shelter, food, clothing, and other necessities for their children.

  • Tribunal orders Obi, Atiku to present joint petitions in 3 weeks

    Tribunal orders Obi, Atiku to present joint petitions in 3 weeks

    The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has ordered the Presidential candidates of the Labour Party (LP) Mr. Peter Gregory Obi and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, to present a joint petition against Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s February 25 presidential election victory, within three weeks.

    On Obi and LP petitions, the court ordered the Respondents, Bola Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to defend the petition against them within five days. 

    On the part of Respondents in Atiku’s petition, the 1st Respondent (INEC) has two days to present its defense, 2nd Respondent (Tinubu) has five days, while 3rd Respondent (APC) also has five days to present its defence.

    The five-man panel of the court led by its Chairman, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani issued the order on Tuesday, adding that it arrived at the decision because of the limited time within which the petition must be disposed of.

    Further breakdown ordered that the Petitioners to present their matter from 30the May to June 23rd. INEC has two days, from 21st June to June 28 to present their defense, Tinubu has five days, from June 29 to July 6, while APC has five days, from July seven to July 16.

    Concluding, the court held that all pieces of evidence will be closed by July 16.

    Shortly after the order of the Court was handed down, Obi who was in court to witness the proceedings took permission from the court and left on the ground that they were going to prepare for the full-blown hearing of the petition.

    Meanwhile, the Court discountenanced Tinubu and APC’s objection for the consolidation of the applications.

    Consequently, the Court ordered the consolidation of the petitions so as to ensure an expeditious hearing.