BREAKING: Appeal court sacks APC’s Kaduna Assembly Speaker

The Appeal Court in Abuja has nullified the election of Hon Yusuf Dahiru Liman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Makera constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly and ordered a re-run in 5 polling units.

Earlier, Hon Solomon Nuhu Katuka of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had filed a petition before the tribunal challenging the election of the speaker, Hon Yusuf Dahiru Liman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Makera constituency in the House of Assembly.

The PDP candidate argued that there were gross irregularities regarding the election of the speaker, stating that he won the election.

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However, in its ruling, the tribunal nullified the election of Liman on the 30th of September, 2023 and ordered a rerun in 42 polling units.

The polling units, it was gathered, are 37 PUs in Makera ward, 2 PUs in Barnawa ward, 1 PU in Kakuri Gwari ward, 1 PU in Television ward, and 1 PU in Kakuri Hausa ward, making it 42 polling units.

Dissatisfied with the judgement of the Tribunal, APC, Dahiru Liman, and INEC filed an appeal against the judgement of the Tribunal while filing a cross-appeal seeking an outright declaration.

BREAKING: Appeal court sacks APC’s Kaduna Assembly Speaker

BREAKING: NCAA suspends all wet-lease aircraft under United Airline

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended all wet-leased aircraft operated by United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) after one of its planes was diverted to Asaba International Airport on Sunday rather than the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

According to a source close to NCAA, the supreme civil aviation regulatory body made the decision on Monday via a letter sent to the airline’s Chief Operating Officer (COO).

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Immediate suspension according to the source, all the wet-leased aircraft in the operations of the airline would remain suspended pending the outcome of an investigation on the Sunday incident, involving one of the wet-leased aircraft in the fleet of the airline.

It was gathered that immediately the incident gained traction on social media on Sunday, the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Musa Nuhu called an emergency meeting of the agency, where it was resolved that the excuse given by the airline was not tenable to the authority.

BREAKING: NCAA suspends all wet-lease aircraft under United Airline

Freedom of Expression: ECOWAS Court orders amendment to Nigeria Press Council

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has requested the Nigerian government amend specific sections of the Nigerian Press Council Act of 1992. The order aims to bring the Act in line with international standards that endorse free, pluralistic, and professional journalism.

This decision comes after two Nigerian journalists filed a lawsuit against the government, alleging a violation of their freedom of expression. They contended that the 1992 Press Council Act imposed restrictive criteria, particularly discriminating against online and citizen journalists while neglecting the recognition of public interest media.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled in favour of the journalists, instructing the government to amend the contested sections of the Act. The judgment, delivered by Hon Justice Dupe Atoki, the Judge Rapporteur, declared that Sections 19 (1)(a), 27, and 37 of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) Act did not acknowledge public interest media, including the rights of online and citizen journalists. This, the Court ruled, violated Article 9 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), as well as Article 8 (1) and 10 (2) of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa.

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While dismissing some of the journalists’ claims, such as unlawful arrest and detention, the Court did not grant their request for one million USD in damages. The case, with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/31/21, was filed on June 14, 2021, by lawyers representing the applicants, Mr. Isaac Olamikan and Mrs. Edoghogho Ugberease—online and citizen journalists advocating for freedom of expression, opinion, and access to information.