Court Dissolves Parallel EXCOs of Rivers PDP, Questions Legitimacy of Governor-Elect Fubara's Candidacy

 

In a landmark ruling, the Abuja High Court has dissolved the parallel executive committees (EXCOs) of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. The court declared that the EXCOs responsible for nominating Siminialayi Fubara as the party's governorship candidate, in the primary were not the authentic EXCOs recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The case, with suit number W/6084, was brought before the court by Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo and Chief Abiye Davies, who represented the genuine state executive committee members of the Rivers PDP. The defendants named in the case were the PDP, along with Amb. Desmond Akawor and Dr. Benibo George, who were part of the parallel EXCOs falsely presenting themselves as the legitimate representatives, and INEC.

The court's decision has now raised doubts about the legitimacy of Siminialayi Fubara's candidacy and his subsequent victory in the March 18 governorship election. The entire process that led to his assumption of office as the Governor of Rivers State has been called into question.

The ruling of the Abuja High Court discrediting the parallel EXCOs has significant implications for the political landscape of Rivers State. Governor Nyesom Wike, who was believed to have been spurring and supporting the parallel EXCOs, may now face challenges regarding the validity of his actions and decisions.

Political analysts and legal experts have voiced concerns over the potential consequences of this judgment. They believe that if the EXCOs responsible for Fubara's nomination were indeed not the authentic representatives recognized by INEC, his candidacy could be considered illegitimate. This situation could potentially lead to legal disputes and a reevaluation of the governor-elect's tenure.

As the news of the court ruling spreads, stakeholders within the PDP and the wider political community are closely monitoring the developments. Many are eagerly awaiting further clarification on the implications for the Rivers State government.

The judgment of the Abuja High Court serves as a reminder of the critical role played by INEC in the electoral process and underscores the importance of adhering to due process and established guidelines in selecting candidates for public office. It remains to be seen how this ruling will impact the political landscape of Rivers State and what steps will be taken to address the concerns raised regarding the legitimacy of Governor-Elect Siminialayi Fubara's candidacy.

Crisis Hits Seplat Boss, ABC Orjiakor As Court Freezes His Personal Assets, Company Funds

Until he got shamed by some Nigerian banks over unpaid loans, the life of Dr. A.B.C Orjiako bloomed like a prairie dotting the promenade of acclaim. This minute, however, the world unfurls for the Chairman and Co-founder of the energy company in bleak blossom.

There is no gainsaying the uncanny resemblance between him and the lead character of Anezi Okoro’s famous novel, One Week, One Trouble. Like the 1972 novel’s character, the businessman has been hugging negative spokes of the limelight in the past few months.

Like a sewer rat fleeing the onslaught of an unrelenting charwoman, Orjiako is running hither, thither  in the wake of an order from a Federal High Court instructing his company not to transact with him anymore.

The court, sitting in Lagos blocked Seplat Energy Company from transacting with its Chairman and Co-founder, Orjiako.

The oil and gas firm disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement signed by Edith Onwuchekwa, Director Legal/ Company Secretary.

Justice Yellin Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos made an interim order while granting ex-parte Mareva application filed by Zenith Bank Plc through its counsel, Mr. Kemi Balogun (SAN), in the case of an alleged $78,426,578.64 debt.

The restriction stems from a loan granted to Cardinal Drilling, and Kalu Nwosu, the former Managing Director of Cardinal Drilling by Zenith Bank back in 2014.

Cardinal Drilling failed to repay the outstanding amount leading Zenith to sue Seplat.

Cardinal Drilling was promoted by Orjiako as the debt was transferred to Seplat.

Seplat said it “has been made aware of the ex-parte Interim Orders of Mareva Injunctions which were granted by the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Nigeria in a court action instituted by Zenith Bank PLC against Shebah Exploration & Production Company Limited and 8 others, with an additional 29 cited parties.

“The Interim Orders give an administrative mandate to Seplat Energy Plc and others not to deal with the assets of (or transfer funds to) Shebah Exploration & Production Company Limited, Shebah Petroleum Development Company Limited, and Dr. A.B.C. Orjiako.

“The order has no impact on the operations of Seplat Energy. We understand the injunction relates to loans made by Zenith Bank PLC to Shebah Exploration & Production Company Limited in 2014.”

We’ll Appeal N20billion Awarded By Court For Sunday Igboho – Attorney-General, Malami

The Federal Government will appeal the judgment of an Oyo State High Court which awarded N20billion in damages against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN), announced the decision of the Federal Government to appeal the judgment while speaking on the development in an interview on Friday.

The suit, bordering on breach of fundamental human rights, was brought by the Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, more commonly Sunday Igboho, to the court.

The court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, awarded N20billion in damages against the AGF and the DSS over the alleged invasion of the residence of Sunday Igboho on July 1 this year at the Soka area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Malami said that efforts were already being made to commence the process of appealing the judgment.

NAN recalls that Igboho’s Counsel, Mr Yomi Alliyu (SAN), had filed a N500 billion fundamental human rights enforcement suit against the AGF, DSS and Director of the DSS in Oyo State over the incident.

Alliyu also claimed that his client’s house and cars were damaged, while two occupants of the house were killed by security agents during the incident.

But Counsel to the AGF, Mr Abdullah Abubakar, had argued that there was no evidence before the court that the blood seen in the video clip tendered by Alliyu belonged to a human being.

Abubakar also said that there was nothing in the video clip that showed that the house that was invaded belonged to Igboho or linked the AGF with the invasion.

He had urged the court to disregard the exhibits and dismiss the entire suit.

The Counsel to the DSS, Mr T. A. Nurudeen, aligned with the submission made by the counsel to AGF, insisting that there must be proof from a hematologist to show that the blood seen in the video belonged to a human being.

Nurudeen also tendered a video clip which was admitted by the court, where Igboho allegedly threatened to create an Oduduwa Republic, while urging the Yoruba to protect themselves with charms and guns.

However, delivering his judgment, Justice Ladiran Akintola, said the style and procedures adopted by the DSS during the incident was unprofessional.

Akintola said that the applicant had demonstrated to the court that his fundamental right to personal liberty, right to life and blocking of his account amounted to violation of his fundamental rights.

He awarded N20billion as exemplary and aggravated damage in favour of the applicant and N2million cost also in favour of the applicant for instituting the case.

Chris Ngige Threatens To Drag House Of Reps Member To Court Over N2b Allegation

Dr. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment has threatened to sue the Chairman of the House of Representatives on Finance, James Falake, over claims of inserting N2 billion projects in the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) 2020 budget.

Woman In Court For Chopping-Off Penies Of Man Who Raped And Killed Her 5years-Old Daughter

Veronique Makwena a 23-year-old mother have appeared in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, November 20, for assaulting and cutting off penis of man who allegedly raped and murdered her 5-year-old daughter in August.

Breaking News: The Dakolo's In Trouble As Court Dismisses Rape Allegation Against Fatoyinbo, Awards N1m Against Busola

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting at Bwari, Abuja has dismissed the sexual assault case filed by Busola Dakolo and exonerated Fatoyinbo.

N400m Fraud Case: Invite Ex-President Jonathan For Evidance -Olisa Metuh Tells Court

The former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Olisa Metuh, on Tuesday, September 24th insisted that the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice O.E. Abang should invite former President Goodluck Jonathan to give evidence in his ongoing trial.

Lagos State Police Arraign Singer Dammy Krane In Court

Dammy Krane will on Monday September 16th, be arraigned before the Igbosere High Court in Lagos by the Lagos state police command.
Punch reports that DammyKrane will be arraigned on a three-count charge bothering on threat to life, defamation and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

Witness Tells Court How N1.2bn Cash Was Handed Over To Musiliu Obanikoro

On Monday June 24, 2019 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  presented a fresh witness, Damola Otuyalo, former Head of Cash and Transit, Diamond Bank PLC, who told Justice Nnamdi Dimg alt='How N1.2bn cash was handed over to Musiliu Obanikoro -?Witness tells court' class='img-responsive text-center' style='margin: auto;'ba of the Federal High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, how a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, was handed over the sum of NI.2Billion cash.

Return My Virginity If You Must Divorce Me- Woman Tells Husband In Court

One Suliat a 28-year-old Nigerian lady has asked her husband, Lateef, to return her virginity and health if he wants their 2-years old marriage to be dissolved.

Lateef had approached an Iseyin Grade C Customary court to seek the dissolution of their marriage on grounds that she constantly brought him shame and embarrassment. He alleged that Suliat was always in the habit of picking a fight with him in public.

2019 Elections: Buhari Hints At Going To Court If He Loses

President Muhammadu Buhari has hinted at seeking redress in court if next month’s election does not end in his favour.
Buhari gave the indication when he featured on The Candidates, a programme on the elections.

You Have 72hours To Produce Diezani Alison-Madueke- Court Tells, EFCC, DSS and Police

Justice Valentine Ashi of a Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, on December 4, 2018, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of States Security Service and all other security agencies to apprehend and arrest a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison Madueke within 72 hours.

Court Stops Probe Of Bribery Allegations Against

The Kano state governor is facing scrutiny over a video of him allegedly receiving a bribe

Justice Ahmed Tijjani of the Kano State High Court on Monday issued a restraining order on the state Assembly ad-hoc committee investigating allegations of bribery against Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Court Revokes Ex-Abia State Governor Orji Kalu’s Bail

A Court has revoked the bail granted ex-Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, for failure to appear for proceedings, News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Court Stops NLC, TUC From Embarking On Planned Strike Over Minimum Wage

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has ordered the organised labour, comprising the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress not to embark on its indefinite strike scheduled to commence on November 6.

Court Orders Man To Give Police 24 Hours Notice Every Time He Wants To Have Sex

A HIV-positive man has been ordered by a court to give police 24 hours’ notice every time he intends to have sex.

Norman O'Neill, 44, who had unprotected sex with women after failing to tell them about his condition, was branded a "danger to women" by a judge at Southampton Magistrates' Court and slapped with a four-year Sexual Risk Order - and if he breaks it he could face up to five years in jail.

'I paid $1m ransom to Evans' - Witness Tells Court

A witness, Izuchukwu Ezeuko, on Thursday told an Igbosere High Court in Lagos how he dropped $1 million dollar ransom for the alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans.

Court Sentences Lagos Man To 1,230 Years Imprisonment

A Lagos State High Court on Thursday sentenced an estate agent Babatunde Habeeb, fondly called Babatunde Salawudeen to 1,230 years in jail for duping clients off N28m.