metro
Asset declaration: Court stops INEC chairman’s removal
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Wednesday frustrated plans to scuttle the 2023 general election by removing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged failure to declare his assets.
Apart from quashing the allegations of false assets declaration against Yakubu, the court stopped security agencies from investigating him.
Meanwhile, the coalition of United Political Parties and other socio-political organisations have hailed the judgement, describing the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
The Spokesperson for CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere, hailed the judgment as “a major New Year gift to Nigerians by the judiciary.”
According to him, the court verdict was “a victory for a credible, free and fair election.”
He said the plans to scuttle the 2023 general election by those who know they cannot win free and fair elections have been squashed by the judiciary.
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Ugochinyere also commended the court for going ahead to bar security agencies from investigating him over his valid assets declaration.
He said, “I’m happy that the judiciary over the months has proven that they are the last hope of the common man. Since our intelligence discovery of plans to compel INEC chairman to stop the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation system in the 2023 elections, these evil politicians have not rested, they are looking for non existing faults.”
The plaintiff, Somadina Uzoabaka, had in an originating summons marked FCT/HC/GAR/CV/47/2022 filed against the Attorney-General of the Federation and Yakubu, sought among others, an order of mandatory injunction directing and compelling the INEC chairman to recuse, excuse and exclude himself and or step down as chairman, pending the investigation and consideration of the various allegations against him by the various law enforcement agencies.
The plaintiff also sought an order of the court stopping him from holding or assuming any public office for a period of ten years.
In his defence, Yakubu tendered several exhibits to show the sources of money for the purchase of the properties which, the plaintiff alleged, were illegally acquired and insisted that his assets declarations were validly done.
Delivering his judgment, Justice M. A. Hassan held that the declaration of assets by Yakubu was lawful, valid and in compliance with the law.
According to him, the INEC chairman cannot be investigated by any of the security agencies listed by the claimant that should all investigate him. The judge declined to grant any of the 14 prayers of the claimant and declared that the INEC Chairman cannot be removed over fabricated allegations of false assets declaration.
The judge, therefore, dismissed the claims of the claimant and allowed Yakubu’s counter-claim.
Ugochinyere regretted that security agencies were now being used for other responsibilities.
He said, “First, it was the CBN Governor because of the cash limit policy and now the INEC chairman. The security agencies are a disappointment; at a time the masses need their protection and help, they are busy serving the interest of evil politicians.”
The President of the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Movement, Ochiagha Nnadi, said the judiciary has yet again saved the Nigerian democracy from collapse as politicians do not mind the collapse of democracy in their pursuit of power.
“Can Nigerians imagine what would have happened if in about 50 days to a general election, there is a sudden change in the leadership of the electoral commission? Many people who pose as leaders do not mean well for the country”, he said.
The national chairman of the Action Alliance, Kenneth Udeze, in his response, applauded the judge for being bold.
Udeze wondered why any person would wait until a few days before a general election to seek the removal of the INEC boss from office.
“It would have thrown the entire country into political crisis as there would be allegations and counter-allegations in an already highly charged polity. Security agencies should live up to their mandate and stop being apolitical,” he said. Eagle
metro
EFCC Drags Fuji Musician to Court Over Alleged ₦21.2m Fraud
EFCC Drags Fuji Musician to Court Over Alleged ₦21.2m Fraud
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Fuji musician, Felix Duke Osagie, before a Lagos State court over an alleged ₦21.2 million fraud.
The musician was reportedly arraigned on Thursday before Justice Ismail Ijelu in connection with allegations of financial fraud, according to a report published on the EFCC’s social media platform.
The arraignment marks another high-profile case involving the anti-graft agency’s investigation and prosecution of alleged financial crimes.
However, details of the charge, including how the musician allegedly obtained the money, the identity of the complainant and the specific transactions involved, were not visible in the available excerpt.
EFCC Drags Fuji Musician to Court Over Alleged ₦21.2m Fraud
metro
‘Tinubu Graduated in 1979, You Arrived in 1985’: Omowaiye Challenges Pearse Over CSU Claims
‘Tinubu Graduated in 1979, You Arrived in 1985′: Omowaiye Challenges Pearse Over CSU Claims
ABUJA, Nigeria – A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oluremi Omowaiye, has challenged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, over his claims concerning President Bola Tinubu’s academic records, drawing attention to their respective educational backgrounds.
Omowaiye’s reaction followed Pearse’s recent television interview in which the former Chicago State University (CSU) lecturer questioned Tinubu’s attendance at the American institution and alleged that the President never studied there.
Pearse had claimed that he worked at Chicago State University between 1985 and 1990 and served as the director of the programme Tinubu reportedly attended.
However, Omowaiye dismissed the claim, arguing that Tinubu had graduated from the university in 1979, six years before Pearse said he began working there.
According to Omowaiye, the timeline raises questions about Pearse’s assertion that he directed the programme attended by the President.
The APC chieftain also questioned Pearse’s academic background, pointing to his reported studies in English at Bayero University, Kano, and subsequent academic pursuits at the University of Sheffield and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he reportedly obtained a doctorate in Contemporary African Literature.
Omowaiye argued that Pearse’s academic specialisation was in English and the humanities rather than Accounting, the discipline Tinubu studied at Chicago State University.
On Tinubu’s educational records, Omowaiye cited the October 2023 testimony of Chicago State University’s Registrar, Caleb Westberg, during legal proceedings in the United States.
Westberg testified that Tinubu attended the institution between August 1977 and June 1979 and graduated on June 22, 1979, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting.
The testimony was accompanied by university documents presented during the proceedings.
Omowaiye also maintained that the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s academic qualifications had been addressed by the Nigerian Supreme Court.
The APC chieftain reportedly gave Pearse seven days to retract his allegations and apologise publicly, threatening legal action and petitions to the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services if he failed to comply.
He said his intervention was motivated by concerns about the spread of claims concerning the President’s educational background, particularly among young Nigerians.
The controversy followed Pearse’s appearance on News Central Television, where he questioned the President’s academic history and accused the Minister of Education of misleading Nigerians over Tinubu’s educational records.
However, Pearse’s allegations remain disputed, particularly in view of the testimony and documentary evidence presented by Chicago State University during the 2023 US court proceedings.
The latest exchange has further intensified political arguments surrounding Tinubu’s educational qualifications as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
‘Tinubu Graduated in 1979, You Arrived in 1985’: Omowaiye Challenges Pearse Over CSU Claims
metro
Schoolboy Foils Kidnap Attempt After Suspect Uses Father’s Name to Lure Him
Schoolboy Foils Kidnap Attempt After Suspect Uses Father’s Name to Lure Him
EDJEKOTA-OGOR, DELTA STATE — A schoolboy identified as Marvellous has reportedly escaped a suspected kidnapping attempt after a commercial motorcycle rider allegedly tried to lure him away by claiming that his father had sent him.
The incident occurred in Edjekota-Ogor community in Delta State, where the unidentified motorcycle rider reportedly approached the boy and attempted to gain his confidence by mentioning his father’s name.
The suspect allegedly told Marvellous that his father had instructed him to pick him up, apparently hoping to deceive the young boy into following him.
However, Marvellous reportedly became suspicious of the rider’s claim and refused to go with him, thereby foiling what could have been an abduction.
Following the incident, community leaders reportedly intervened to ensure the boy’s safety and facilitate his return to his family.
The President-General of Edjekota-Ogor community subsequently directed the community’s Secretary-General to take necessary steps to protect the boy and reunite him with his relatives.
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Acting on the directive, the Secretary-General reportedly contacted members of Marvellous’s family and successfully ensured that he was returned safely to his relieved parents.
The incident has drawn attention to the need for increased vigilance among parents, guardians and community members over the safety of children.
Parents have been urged to educate their children never to follow anyone, including familiar-looking strangers, without first confirming such arrangements directly with them.
Children should also be taught not to rely solely on someone mentioning their parents’ names as proof of familiarity or authority.
The identity and whereabouts of the suspected motorcycle rider were not disclosed in the account of the incident.
Schoolboy Foils Kidnap Attempt After Suspect Uses Father’s Name to Lure Him
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