metro
UPDATED: Appeal Court sets aside N20b damages awarded Igboho
The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan has set aside the judgement of an Oyo State High Court, which awarded N20 billion damages to Yoruba self-determination activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho.
Delivering judgement in the appeal filed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Department of State Services and Director, Department of State Services in Oyo State, against the judgement of the Oyo State High Court, Justice Muslim Hassan held that Justice Ladiran Akintola, acted on the wrong principles of law in awarding the cost to Igboho.
The Nation reports that Justice Akintola on September 17, 2021, awarded N20billion as damages against the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Department of State Services (DSS) over the invasion of Igboho’s Soka Ibadan residence, on July 1.
But Justice Hassan held that the judgement of the lower court was not supported by any evidence, but by two affidavits.
He said Justice Akintola cannot assess damages using his own conceived parameters, adding that there was no evidence that quoted the value of damages at Igboho’s residence.
Justice Hassan also held that there was no evidence including autopsy to support the claim that two people were killed at the activist’s residence during the invasion.
According to the judge, the lower court assumed jurisdiction of the case to look at the enforcement of fundamental human rights suit filed by Igboho without looking at the merit of the case.
He said the court should not have assumed jurisdiction of the case without looking at its merit.
The judge added that the case did not qualify under the enforcement of human rights because there is a threat to national security.
“When there is a threat to national security, the enforcement of fundamental right is secondary. I have read the judgement of the lower court and the Article 20:1 of the African Charter on self determination and Article 3 and 4 of the United Nations Charter on rights of the indigenous people which the judgement was based upon. A statute cannot be treated in isolation.
“When considering a statute, entire provision should be considered and not a section. The same charter talks about the sovereignty of a nation. Neglecting Article 27, 28, 29 of the African charter will not give proper interpretation to it.
“Therefore, the United Nations declaration is not enforceable in Nigeria. The judge acted on wrong principles of law and the action of the respondent constitute a threat to unity of Nigeria. The respondent has no right to take up arms against Nigeria,” Justice Hassan held.
The appellants filed six grounds of appeal.
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They want the court to determine “if the trial judge was right to determine the issue of fundamental human right;
“If the trial judge was right to assume jurisdiction of the case against a Federal Government agency;
“If the originating motion of the respondent was competent;
“If the respondent was right to take up arms against the government in his quest for self determination;
“If the trial judge was right to enter judgement in favour of the respondent;
“And if the trial judge was right to award damages to the respondent.”
Justice Hassan resolved issues 1,4,5 and 6 in the applicants favour and resolved issues 2 and 3 in favour of the respondent.
The judge subsequently held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit and set the judgement aside.
He also said respective parties in the case should bear their costs.
Reacting to the judgment, the legal head of DSS in Oyo State, Barr. Nurudeen Abdulrahman, said the judgement affirmed the position of 1999 constitution.
Counsel to Igboho, Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN) also commended the judge for a well considered judgement.
Efforts to react the Spokesman of the Yoruba Activist for his reaction on the judgement was futile as at the time of this report.
metro
No Sallah durbar festival in Kano this year – Police warn
No Sallah durbar festival in Kano this year – Police warn
There will be no Sallah Durbar celebrations in Kano during this year’s Eid-el-Fitr festivities, the state police command has said.
It cited security concerns and the need to prevent potential unrest as reasons for the ban announced on Friday ahead of the end of Ramadan fast festival holding on Sunday or Monday.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, announced the decision while addressing journalists at the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano.
He said intelligence reports revealed plans by certain groups to use the Durbar to create instability.
“In pursuit of a safe and secure celebration, and to maintain peace and public order, the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has assessed the rising tensions and uncertainties surrounding the Durbar activities,” Bakori said.
“Following credible intelligence reports about plans to use the Durbar as a proxy for unrest, a ban has been placed on all Durbar activities throughout the state during the 2025 Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebrations.”
The Police Commissioner emphasized that the decision was taken after extensive consultations with the Kano State Government and other key stakeholders.
The police command has urged worshippers to conduct their Eid prayers only at designated prayer grounds and to adhere to security guidelines.
Some of the restrictions in place outlined by CP Bakori include worshippers should avoiding carrying unnecessary objects that may cause suspicion., no horse riding (Kilisa), car racing, or reckless driving will be allowed, and parents and guardians must caution their children against involvement in disruptive activities.
He further warned that anyone caught violating these directives would face legal consequences.
metro
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured Muslims in the state that he has no objections to the operation of Sharia panels, emphasizing that individuals are free to seek dispute resolution through them if they so wish.
Speaking at the 2025 Iftar event organized by the state government at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde clarified that he has no plans to challenge the legality of Sharia courts in the state. His comments were conveyed in a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
Earlier in the week, Dr. Rafiu Bello, Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, had confirmed that a Sharia panel had already been established in Oyo town and had begun sittings. This led to renewed discussions regarding the panel’s constitutionality.
In response, Makinde reiterated his stance that the Constitution remains the supreme authority in all legal matters while acknowledging the role of Sharia panels in alternative dispute resolution.
“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position,” the governor stated. “My position is that we will support anything that is in our Constitution.”
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Makinde explained that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Sharia panel, could ease the burden on the courts, provided they do not conflict with constitutional provisions.
He further emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining religious harmony and unity in the state, cautioning against attempts to use religion for political gains.
“As we move towards the next election, there will be elements that only think about the next election. But what we have done in this administration is to think about the next generation,” he said.
The governor also used the occasion to appreciate the Muslim community for their support and prayers, acknowledging the contributions of religious leaders, lawmakers, and security agencies in fostering peace and development in Oyo State.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin (represented by Deputy Speaker Mohammed Fadeyi), and other key figures from the judiciary and legislative arms of government.
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
metro
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and one Christian Taylor were on Thursday rearraigned for an alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before Justice Mojisola Dadap of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
They were re-arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 57-count charge, following new findings in the case.
The defendants had initially been arraigned on a 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.
At the scheduled trial for the adoption of final written addresses on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.
There was no objection from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade, SAN.
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Consequently, the court granted the request.
The defendants, thereafter, pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges preferred against them.
In the amended charge, the defendants, as well as Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, who are both at large, allegedly “fraudulently obtained money from the Federal Government on or about September 9, 2011.”
The defendants also allegedly forged a document titled: “ GASOLINE ANALYSIS” on board MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat on the said date.
Following the re-arraignment, Kolade requested time for the defence to amend its written address in response to the new charges.
Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing.
The case was adjourned till April 15, 2025 for the adoption of final written addresses.
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
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