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NYSC Certificate: FG drags Former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah to court
NYSC Certificate: FG drags Former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah to court
The Federal Government has lodged an eight-count charge against Stella Oduah, the former Minister of Aviation, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to court documents made available on Monday, the charges were officially filed on June 26, 2023.
One of the counts states, “That you SENATOR STELLA ODUAH AND D.A.O OSHINOWO (at large) sometime in the year 2017, at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a felony, namely, making a document titled ‘Re: Request for National Youth Service Confirmation,’ which you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3(6) of the miscellaneous offences Act CAF M17 of the revised edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under section 3 (1) (c) of the same Act.”
Another count accuses the former minister of forwarding false credentials, including an affidavit and an extract from the police crime diary, to the Federal Government in 2011. These documents purportedly claimed that she had lost her NYSC certificate, leading to her nomination as a cabinet minister. The count states that she committed an offence contrary to Section 39 (2) (a) and punishable under Section 39 (2) (b) of the same Act.
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Furthermore, it is alleged that Senator Stella Oduah forwarded the aforementioned false representation, which she knew to be untrue, resulting in her nomination as a cabinet minister. This act is said to contravene Section 157 of the Penal Code Act and is punishable under Section 158 (1) of the same Act.
This development follows the revelation by the NYSC last year that the former Anambra North senator did not complete the mandatory one-year program.
In a separate lawsuit last year, Mr John Emeka, a senatorial aspirant in Anambra, sued Oduah at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He sought an order invalidating her nomination as the Senatorial Candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra State. Emeka alleged that the former minister provided false information under oath in her expression of interest and nomination forms, including the INEC Form CF001, which she submitted to the commission for the 2023 Anambra North Senatorial District seat.
He argued that she had used this fabricated information in previous elections as the PDP’s candidate for the 2015 and 2019 Anambra North Senatorial District polls. Emeka claimed that these actions violated Sections 12(1)(a)(b)(c) and 13(1)(a) of the NYSC Act.
However, Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the suit on November 22, 2022, ruling that it was status barred.
NYSC Certificate: FG drags Former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah to court
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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