He said that the appointment of the former Finance Minister to lead the 29-member national caretaker committee of the Labour Party at a meeting convened by the Abia State governor, Alex Otti, lacks legitimacy and is a waste of time and resources.
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
Power belongs to God, Otti replies Deputy Speaker Kalu over 2027 Imo gov poll
Power belongs to God, Otti replies Deputy Speaker Kalu over 2027 Imo gov poll
Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has revealed why he chose not to respond to a recent claim by the House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu. Kalu had stated that Otti would be the last Governor of the Labour Party (LP) in Abia, predicting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would take over the state in 2027.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Government House in Umuahia, Otti explained that he decided to remain silent on Kalu’s remarks because he believes it is pointless to predict the future. He stressed that power belongs to God, not man.
“It is foolhardy for me to talk about what will happen tomorrow. I chose not to respond to Ben Kalu’s comment because I believe that power belongs to God, and He gives it to whom He wills. I cannot sit here and say what will happen in 2027. I do not subscribe to playing God,” Otti said.
Meanwhile, Chief Okezie Usim, a chieftain of the APC in the state, warned members of the Labour Party against attacking the Deputy Speaker. Usim defended Kalu’s comments, pointing to an interview by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, who stated that the LP would take over power from the APC in Lagos in 2027.
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Usim questioned the difference between Kalu’s Abia prediction and Rhodes-Vivour’s Lagos claim. “Only a hypocrite would praise Hon Rhodes-Vivour for his assertion but launch an attack on Hon. Ben Kalu for making similar predictions,” he argued.
He criticized the Labour Party’s response to Kalu’s comments, describing it as hostile and intolerant. Usim compared the reactions in Lagos and Abia, stating, “When Rhodes-Vivour expressed the desire to defeat and take over power in Lagos State, which is APC’s stronghold, nobody called for his head. The APC and their supporters took it in good stride and completely ignored Rhodes-Vivour.”
Usim further argued that it is troubling and anti-democratic for the Abia Labour Party to attack anyone who desires to take over from the LP Governor in 2027. “What is the sin of Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu in merely expressing his desire for his political party to replace the Governor in 2027? Why treat the two statements differently?”
He concluded, “If Hon. Rhodes-Vivour is praised for supporting the Labour Party to take over Lagos State Government House, why shouldn’t Hon Ben Kalu’s fearless claim of APC’s imminent victory in Abia State be commended?”
Power belongs to God, Otti replies Deputy Speaker Kalu over 2027 Imo gov poll
Politics
Imo electoral body denies releasing candidates list ahead LG poll
Imo electoral body denies releasing candidates list ahead LG poll
The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has refuted allegations that it has prematurely released the names of political party candidates for the upcoming elections.
Recall that the local government elections are slated for September 21.
In response to these allegations, ISIEC Chairman Charles Ejiogu issued a press statement advising political parties and the public to ignore the report.
Ejiogu described the report as “misleading and potentially disruptive” to the Commission’s plans for transparency.
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“The attention of ISIEC has been drawn to the news making the rounds to the effect that the Commission had released the names of candidates in the upcoming local government council elections. This piece of information, in its entirety, is both misleading and mischievous” the statement stated
Ejiogu explained that the Commission will only release the list of candidates from all registered political parties after verifying their personal details, as required by law.
Following this clarification, the ISIEC Chairman instructed all participating political parties, their candidates, and the general public to disregard the rumor, which he described as a “blatant falsehood” with outright ignominy.
Imo electoral body denies releasing candidates list ahead LG poll
Politics
Kaduna LP rejects Nenadi Usman as Party’s national chair
Kaduna LP rejects Nenadi Usman as Party’s national chair
The Labour Party, LP, in Kaduna State, has expressed its opposition to the appointment of a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman as the party’s National Caretaker chairman.
Recall that the Usman-led National Caretaker Committee was inaugurated at a stakeholders’ meeting at Umuahia, Abia State, some days ago.
The party’s National Working Committee led by Barrister Julius Abure had rejected the outcome and resolution reached at the stakeholders meeting, saying Abia governor, Alex Otti, lacked the power to convene such meeting.
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Reacting to the development, Kaduna State LP chairman, Auwal Tafoki, in a statement, described the emergence of Usman, an indigene of the state, as illegal and unconstitutional.
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