Politics
Appeal court nullifies Metuh’s conviction, orders fresh trial
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Wednesday nullified the conviction of former spokesman for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on alleged money laundering and corruption charges.
The court held that Okon Abang, judge of a federal high court in Abuja, exhibited bias in Metuh’s case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Metuh on seven counts of allegedly receiving N400 million from the office of the National Security Adviser.
On February 25, 2020, the trial court pronounced him guilty and sentenced him to seven years in prison.
Metuh through his counsel filed an appeal in March 2020.
As part of the 10 issues raised by the appellant for determination by the appellate court, Metuh argued that he was not given a fair trial.
He submitted that the trial judge was biased, considering some of the remarks made during the trial.
He prayed the court to upturn the judgment of the lower court.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, a three-man panel of justice agreed that the trial judge showed influence of bias against the appellant.
Stephen Adah who read the court’s decision, said, “The narrative of the trial judge suggests someone who didn’t enjoy trying the appellant and counsel because he said they were picking on him.
“He was struggling with the case and even wished that he should be recused out of the case. The influence from this narrative is indisputably to say the least that a trial judge was angered only in his mind that he was wrongly influenced and showed bias against the appellant in this case as this is what manifests from all the outburst, he has infused in his judgment.
“Learned trial judge showed in his comments, the influence of an abnormal desire all inclination to pursue a predetermined line of action against the appellant.
“This no doubt is an influence of bias against the appellant. There is no way the learned trial judge can be seen to be detached from the malice against the appellant in the case as alleged.
“The duty of a trial judge is to be completely neutral in the case before him. A judge must not only be impartial; he must be seen to be impartial to both sides.
“His duty is to sit and determine the issues raised by parties and to conduct an examination into the parties. He is not an umpire just yet. His job is to find out the truth and do justice according to law.
“Appellants have been able to convince us in this court from the records shown and from all the utterances of the judge that there is likelihood of bias signifying that he was no freeman while the trial was going on.
“If this is allowed, it will set a dangerous president and that is never allowed by our constitution. Trial that was conducted in a hostile atmosphere without any regard to the constitutional right of the person accused can never be upheld.
“The learned trial judge unfortunately has shown the whole world that much was into that judgment than what was put in evidence before the judge.
“It was in this respect that we cannot ignore it. This court in its duty, set that decision aside. Judgment of the lower court delivered on 25th of February 2020 cannot stand because of the evidence of bias. It is accordingly annulled.”
Justice Adah subsequently ordered a return of the suit to the Federal High Court for fresh hearing by another judge.
Politics
Omisore Sues APC Over Osun Governorship Primary Disqualification
Omisore Sues APC Over Osun Governorship Primary Disqualification
Fresh tension has rocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State after former national secretary and senator Iyiola Omisore filed a lawsuit challenging his disqualification from the party’s governorship primary ahead of the August 15, 2026 election. The legal action has reignited debates about internal party democracy and unity within the APC in the state.
Omisore filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Osogbo, seeking a judicial review of the circumstances surrounding his disqualification. The case, listed as FHC/OS/CS/261/2025, directly challenges the decision of the APC Screening Committee, which barred him and six other aspirants from contesting the primary held on December 13, 2025. (osundefender.com)
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Party insiders say the disqualification created dissatisfaction among several APC members, with critics arguing that the process lacked transparency and was politically motivated to favor the consensus candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji. Omisore has maintained that the screening was flawed, and the decision undermines internal party fairness. (politicsnigeria.com)
The lawsuit has deepened divisions within the Osun APC, raising concerns that unresolved grievances could weaken party cohesion ahead of the governorship campaign. Analysts suggest that the legal challenge could significantly influence the party’s political dynamics and its preparedness for the election. (thisdaylive.com)
In an effort to maintain unity, a delegation of party elders recently visited Omisore at his residence in Ile-Ife, urging him to reconsider his stance and support the party’s governorship candidate. The reconciliation efforts reportedly involve Adegboyega Oyetola, former governor of Osun State and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, a key figure in the state APC. (thisdaylive.com)
Despite mediation efforts, the dispute is expected to continue unless an out-of-court settlement is reached. Observers say the case will test the APC’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms and could shape the party’s electoral strategy and image in Osun State ahead of the 2026 governorship election. (politicsnigeria.com)
Omisore Sues APC Over Osun Governorship Primary Disqualification
Politics
Rivers West Senator Ipalibo Banigo Defects to APC, Citing PDP Crisis
Rivers West Senator Ipalibo Banigo Defects to APC, Citing PDP Crisis
Senator Ipalibo Banigo, representing Rivers West Senatorial District, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal party crises and a desire to support national development and economic reforms. The announcement was made on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, during plenary at the Nigerian Senate, when her letter of defection was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In her letter, Banigo explained that the decision followed extensive consultations with her constituents, political associates, and key stakeholders across Rivers West. She highlighted ongoing leadership disputes, internal divisions, and litigations within the PDP as factors that undermined party cohesion, making it difficult to pursue her legislative and developmental agenda effectively.
“I write to formally inform you and my distinguished colleagues in the Senate of my decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and subsequently join the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Banigo’s letter read. She added that the APC provides a more stable and progressive platform to advance her constituency’s interests and contribute to national governance.
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Banigo also expressed her support for President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies and reforms, noting that the APC aligns with her vision for political stability, economic growth, and infrastructural development in Rivers State and across Nigeria. She thanked prominent political figures such as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for their mentorship and influence in her political journey.
“This decision is predicated on my resolve to join my political mentors in supporting President Tinubu’s administration and re-election bid,” she stated. She also emphasized her commitment to collaborate with APC lawmakers in the 10th Senate to further legislative initiatives and development projects for her constituents.
Political analysts say Banigo’s defection is part of a wider wave of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several governors, senators, and House of Representatives members leaving the PDP for the APC. Observers note that such movements are reshaping party dynamics, particularly in Rivers State, and strengthening the ruling party’s legislative presence.
Banigo’s defection underscores the ongoing political fluidity in Nigeria and reflects the strategic alignment of lawmakers seeking platforms that best support their constituencies and national development goals.
Rivers West Senator Ipalibo Banigo Defects to APC, Citing PDP Crisis
Politics
Turaki‑Led PDP Rejects Court of Appeal Ruling, Heads to Supreme Court
Turaki‑Led PDP Rejects Court of Appeal Ruling, Heads to Supreme Court
The Turaki‑led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected a recent Court of Appeal ruling that nullified the party’s national convention held on November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, and announced plans to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Kabiru Turaki, said in a statement that the appellate court judgment, which barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the results of the Ibadan convention, would impose “untold hardship” on party members if implemented. In the statement, the PDP spokesperson for the Turaki faction, Mr. Ini Ememobong, confirmed that lawyers had been instructed to immediately file an appeal at the Supreme Court to seek a definitive ruling. “We are confident that the apex court will swiftly resolve the dispute in the interest of democracy,” Ememobong said, urging party members to remain united during the legal proceedings.
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The Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld a Federal High Court decision which held that the Ibadan convention, which produced Turaki and other national officers, did not comply with constitutional and statutory requirements, including proper conduct of congresses in at least 14 states and valid notice to INEC. The court also rejected the Turaki faction’s claim that the matter was purely internal and awarded ₦2 million in costs against the appellants. The ruling has deepened a long-standing leadership dispute within the PDP, which has seen rival factions contest control of the party’s organisational structure and decision-making processes. Legal analysts note that the case raises important questions about intra-party democracy, constitutional compliance, and the judiciary’s role in political disputes.
Observers say the escalation to the Supreme Court comes at a sensitive time for the PDP, as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections. While the Turaki faction asserts that the appeal seeks to protect party members and maintain order, opponents argue that the ongoing legal battle risks undermining organisational cohesion and may affect the PDP’s electoral readiness. Analysts suggest that the Supreme Court’s final determination could set a legal precedent for how internal party disputes are resolved under Nigerian law, particularly concerning the interpretation of party constitutions and the conduct of national conventions.
The Turaki-led faction reiterated its call for members to remain calm and united, assuring that the legal process would soon provide clarity and resolution. The statement emphasized the need to rescue the PDP from elements “masquerading as opposition leaders”, highlighting the faction’s commitment to restoring proper leadership and protecting the party’s democratic structures.
Turaki‑Led PDP Rejects Court of Appeal Ruling, Heads to Supreme Court
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