Flowerbud News

Month: January 2024

  • Court restrains I-G, DSS from withdrawing security details attached to Rivers lawmakers

    Court restrains I-G, DSS from withdrawing security details attached to Rivers lawmakers

     

     

    Abuja:  A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, gave an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from withdrawing the security details attached to the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers House of Assembly.

    Justice Donatus Okorowo made the order in a ruling on a motion on notice moved by Steve Adehi, SAN, and which was not opposed by the defence counsel including Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s National Legal Adviser.

    Justice Okorowo directed the police and DSS to provide them with adequate security in carrying out their legislative functions.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the motion on notice, dated and filed on Dec 13, 2023, sought five orders of interlocutory injunctions.

    The 26 lawmakers had, in the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023/, sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, the assembly, clerk of the assembly, I-G and DSS as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

    The motion was deposed to by Amaewhule, the Speaker of the assembly.

    Upon resumed hearing, Adehi informed the court of the pending application and went ahead to move the motion, which was not opposed by other lawyers.

    Responding, Ajibade said though he would not object to the application, he said the PDP was preparing for trial and would file its pleading in the next adjourned date.

    He insisted that the 26 lawmakers would have to vacate their seats, having dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in disregard to the provisions of the law
    Ken Njemanze, SAN, who appeared for the house of assembly (3rd defendant) and Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, who represented the clerk of the assembly (4th defendant), did not oppose Adehi’s application.

    Delivering the ruling, Justice Okorowo made an order of interlocutory injunction restraining INEC and the house of assembly from declaring vacant ot taking any step to declare vacant the seats of the lawmakers pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    The judge also made an order of interlocutory injunction restraining INEC from withdrawing their certificates of return or conducting fresh elections to fill their seats pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    He made an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants jointly and severally from interfering with the official rights and privileges of the speaker, deputy speaker and members of the assembly.

    Justice Okorowo adjourned the matter until Feb. 16 for mention.

    NAN earlier reported that the judge had, on Dec. 17, 2023, gave an interim order restraining all the defendants from taking any action over the defection of the lawmakers until the substantive suit is determined.

    Okorowo gave the ruling in an ex-parte motion moved by counsel who appeared for the defected lawmakers, Peter Onuh.

    Besides, a brother judge, Justice James Omotosho, on Monday, set aside the N800 billion 2024 budget passed by five members of the house led by its factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, and signed into law by Gov. Siminalayi Fubara on Dec. 14, 2023.

    Justice Omotosho, in a judgment, also barred the National Assembly from taking over the assembly’s function, among others.

    However, Justice J. O. Abdulmalik of a FHC, in her ruling on Monday, directed the parties not to take further steps pending the hearing and determination of the suit brought before the court by six elders of the state.

    Abdulmalik ordered all the parties to maintain status quo and adjourned until Feb. 28 for hearing.(NAN)(www nannews.ng)/ Flowerbudnews

  • Police Service Commission Appoints Galadanci DIG, Promotes 1897 Senior Officer

    Police Service Commission Appoints Galadanci DIG, Promotes 1897 Senior Officer

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Police Service Commission (PSC) has appointed Dasuki Galadanci as Deputy Inspector General of Police, promoted 14  CPs to Assistant Inspector General (AIGs

    A PSC statement by Ikechukwu Ani
    Head, Press and Public Relations disclosed that others promoted were,  21 DCPs TO CPs, 20 ACPs TO DCPs, 109 CSPs TO ACPs, 184 SPs TO CSPs,1549 ASPs TO DSP

    – Longe, Garba, Abass, Adeniyi, Asabi, Okoro, Chuku, Nagoyo others Now AIGs -Ogunlowo, Opara, Musa, Jimoh, Akpanudom, Dung, Ayilara, Uka, others CPs; Aniedy Udoh, Badmos , Ahmadu, Eruogu, Igometi , Chinna Joe-Iruobe others Now ACPs;

    PSC Chairman, Retired IG, Solomon Arase charged the newly promoted senior officers to ”go win the war against insurgency says PSC uncomfortable with the trend of events”.

    The statement read:

    The Police Service Commission on Tuesday, January 23rd 2024 approved the appointment of AIG Dasuki Galadanci AIG incharge of Zone 12 Bauchi as a Deputy Inspector General of Police to represent the North West Geopolitical zone of the country. He will replace DIG Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje who is expected to retire 2nd of February this year.

    The Commission also approved the promotion of 1897 senior Police Officers to their next substantive ranks.

    The Commission elevated 14 Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police. However, one of the Commissioners for promotion to AIG was stepped down to enable the Commission review the Pending Disciplinary Matters against the Officer which was sent to the Commission by the Nigeria Police Force.

    The new AIGs are; Yetunde O. Longe, CP Eastern Ports, Portharcourt; Haruna Gabriel Garba, CP Federal Capital Territory; Tajudeen Akinwale Abass, CP Delta State; Rex Dundun, CP General Investigation, FCID Annex Kaduna; Durosinmi Olatoye, CP Akwa Ibom State; Afolabi Babatola Adeniyi, CP Adamawa State; Abiodun Oladimeji Asabi, CP Ondo State; CP Julius Alawari Okoro; CP Plateau state; George Chijioke Chuku, CP Benue State; Paul Alifa Omata, CP K9 Force Headquarters; Yusuf Adesina Akeem, CP Research and Development, Force Headquarters; Bzigu Yakabu kwazhi Dali, CP Osun State; Idris Nagoyo, Police Mounted troop Squadron and Cp Ogundare Dare Emmanuel, Cp Ekiti state.

    The Commission also promoted 21 Deputy Commissioners of Police to the substantive rank of Commissioners ; 20 Assistant Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners, 109 Chief Superintendents to Assistant Commissioners and 184 Superintendents to Chief Superintendents.

    It also considered and approved the promotion of 1549 Assistant Superintendents to Deputy Superintendents.

    The Commission Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police who presided over the Management Meeting of the Commission has accordingly given anticipatory approval for the appointment of one DIG and promotion of 1897 senior Police Officers recommended to the Commission by the Inspector General of Police.

    The 14 Commissioners of Police and 21 Deputy Commissioners appeared before the Management of the Commission for an interactive promotion interview, a condition precedent for their elevation to the next ranks.

    Dr. Arase at the interactive session charged the Officers to quickly settle down to their new ranks and go forth and win the war against banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes in the country.

    Dr. Arase said the nation is facing an avoidable unprecedented wave of criminal assaults on all fronts and said the Commission is uncomfortable with the trend of events.

    The PSC Chairman enjoined the Officers to settle down and crime map their various areas of responsibility by being conversant with trends and patterns of crimes in their domain and should be able to engage in predictive policing to mitigate the current criminal disorders by criminal gangs now mauruding across the lenght and breadth of the country.

    As senior Officers, he said they must be held responsible for any relapse in the security apparatus of the nation adding that they must see their new ranks as a call to greater dedication to the service of their fatherland. “These promotions should further ignite the indomitable fighting spirit of the Officers and Men”,he admonished the newly promoted Officers.

    The Deputy Commissioners promoted to the next rank of substantive Commissioners are; Olanrewaju Peter Ogunlowo, Assistant Chief of Mission in Somalia; Mohammed Dahiru, DCP State CID Adamawa; Sunday Olukayode, DCP Operations, Plateau State; Peter Ukachi Opara, DCP Admin, Imo State; Illiyasu Yahaya Kwarbai, DCP investagion Zonal Command Bauchi; Bello Mohammed Sani, DCP Projects Monitoring, IGP Secretariat; Mohammed Umar Abba, DCP State CID, Delta Command; Dankombo Faling Morris, DCP Ops Adamawa Command; Bello Shehu, National Defence College; Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba; DCP Zonal CID Kano; Ahmed Musa, DCP State CID, FCT Cmd, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, former Force Public Relations Officer and currently DCP General Investigation Unit, FCID Annex, Gombe; Simeon Udofia Akpanudom, DCP Ops Cross Rivers State Command; Olugbemiga Emmanuel Adesina, DCP Benue State Command and David Iloyanomon, DCP Administration. Anambra Command.

    Others are; Haruna Olufemi, DCP Force Intelligence Bureau; Rose Chollom Dung, DCP Administration, Bauchi Command; Obono Nnaghe Itam, DCP Operations Zone 6 Calabar; Adedamola Waheed Ayilara, DCP FCID Panti Lagos; Abel Jangnap Miri Zwalchir, DCP ICT Administration Force Headquarters and Ifeanyi Uka DCP/ second in Command Works, Force Headquarters Abuja.

    The 20 Assistant Commissioners of Police promoted to Deputy Commissioners, include ; Gerald Ngoziabata, Nigerian Army Resource Centre; Okenla Oluseyi ACP DFA, Cooperatives, Lagos; Olubunmi Fakeye, ACP Police College Ikeja; Ayodeji Adelogagunduro, Area Commander Ayetoro, Ogun State; Samuel Dalti Dang of Armament section, Force Headquarters;

    Some of the CSPs promoted to Assistant Commissioners are; Casmir Ihiezu, Lagos Command; Charity Belema Megbope, Ogun Command; Gamaliel Alex, Rivers State Command ; Sani Ahmed, DPO Awada Anambra stste; Cecilia Aniedy Udo, DPO Mini Okoro, Portharcourt; CSP Dalapo Badmos, CSP Administration Provost Marshal Force Headquarters; Adamu Ahmadu, Commander C41 Intelligence Unit, Rivers State Command; CSP Collins Eruogu, former Commanding Officer 33PMF and presently Commander AKS/RRS Anambra State Command; CSP Isreal Effiong Ukpong 2/ic 19PMF Portharcourt; CSP Linus Uche Nwaiwu, Police Training school, Nekede, Imo state; CSP Onoh Charles, CSP Administration ICT, Force Headquarters; CSP Abubakar Abdulkarim, DPO Kubwa FCT; CSP Taiwo Oladipupo Akingbehin, Commander EOD, Force Headquarters Annex Ikeja; CSP Moses Odu Osor, Zone 7 Abuja; CSP Garba Bala, DPO Dawakin, FCT; CSP Benjamin Igometi and CSP Chinna Joe-Iruobe of the Veterinary section, Force Headquarters.

    Some of the 184 Officers promoted to CSP from the rank of SPs are; Victor Olowola; Ibrahim Abdullahi; Hassiani Audu; Stephen Bob Samuel; Mohammed Alhaji; Onukafor Kingsley Nkuma, CSP to the Governor of Anambra State; Fabian Iloabanafor, Commander CP Monitoring and Surveillance team, Ebonyi state Command; Luka Paul Sambo, DPO New Benin, Benin City, Edo State and Agboni Jacob Christopher, 54 PMF, Onitsha;

    The approval has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.(Flowerbudnews)

  • APGA chair seeks Tinubu’s intervention in INEC’s alleged disregard to court orders

    APGA chair seeks Tinubu’s intervention in INEC’s alleged disregard to court orders

     

    Abuja: Chief Edozie Njoku, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to obey orders of courts, affirming him as national chairman.

    Chief Njoku also urged the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to intervene on the matter.

    He made the call while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
    He wondered why an agency of government would vehemently flout valid court orders and choose the ones it would obey.
    “It’s not just that INEC is not obeying a Supreme Court judgment delivered on March 24, 2023; INEC has also disobeyed an injunction and an order of a High Court of the FCT, Bwari, to recognise me as the National Chairman of APGA.

    (Chief Edozie Njoku, National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), speaking to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.)

    “Instead of INEC to obey the enforcement judgement of the High Court or appeal same, they rushed and got a stay on a committal charge, which had given them 14-day grace period to purge themselves of contempt.

    “The court has come out to say that INEC Chairman is in contempt of court and Victor Oye who submitted the names and held a congress and convention is also in contempt.
    “But that’s not our problem.

    “We are calling on Nigerians, we are calling on President Bola Tinubu and also calling on the AGF to look into the issue.
    “Where it is that a parastatal can get a stay from the Court of Appeal, on a committal judgement that already had been given?
    “Prof Mahmood Yakubu and Oye are relying on the stay to flout and disobey a direct order of the court,” he said.
    Njoku, therefore, called on well-meaning Nigerians to appeal to the INEC chairman to obey a valid order of the court.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Supreme Court had, on March 24, 2023, in a suit marked SC/687/21, affirmed Njoku, as the Chairman of APGA.
    Meanwhile, Njoku had expressed the readiness of the party for the forthcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

    He disclosed that party’s primaries for the governorship elections in the two states are expected to commence next week and last for about one month, adding that the party’s timetable would soon be out.
    Njoku told the people of the states that “APGA is a party that has a lot to offer them, irrespective of any setbacks that we may have been passing through.

    “I want to assure all that governorship aspirants from Edo and Ondo that have been calling to express their willingness to contest on our party platform that they should be rest assured that a free, fair and transparent primary which has remained elusive to others will be made the cardinal virtue and practice in APGA.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)/ Flowerbudnews

  • EFCC Arraigns Ex-Anambra Gov. Obiano for Alleged N4bn Fraud

    EFCC Arraigns Ex-Anambra Gov. Obiano for Alleged N4bn Fraud

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned a former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano for an alleged N4 Billion Naira fraud.

    He was arraigned  before Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.on Wednesday.

    He was arraigned on nine- count charges bordering on money laundering, diversion of funds, stealing and corruption to the tune of N4billion, EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale disclosed in a statement, a copy of which was made available to Flowerbudnews.

    Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the Executive Governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 – March 2022, sometime between the 16th February, 2018 and 9th March, 2018 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did make cash transaction through a non-financial institution by instructing one Uzuegbuna Okagbue, your then Chief Protocol Officer / Deputy Chief of Staff to transfer the aggregate sum of N223,371,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty Three Million, Three Hundred and Seventy One Thousand Naira only)  from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No 5030050875 domiciled at Fidelity Bank Plc into Connought International Services Limited, Fidelity Bank No 5540007709 ( a non-financial institution) which was converted to the equivalent of $600,000.00 (Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) and collected in cash from one Ayuba Tanko and handed over to you in cash by the said Uzuegbuna Okagbue and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of the same Act.

    Count four of the charge reads: “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the Executive Governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 – March 2022, sometime between 13th February 2018 to 2nd March 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N1, 206, 760,310 Billion ( One Billion, Two Hundred and Six Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand,  Three Hundred and Ten Naira only)  from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Plc into the Fidelity Bank Plc Account No: 5600251033 belonging to Moment of Peace Ventures (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government ) which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated / unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the  proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2912 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act”.

    He pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him.

    In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Slyvanus Tahir, SAN,  asked for a trial date while praying the court for the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Centre pending the date of the trial.   Counsel to the defendant,  Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN,  drew the attention of the court to a bail application before the court.

    While ruling, Justice Ekwo thereafter  asked the prosecution to provide  the particulars of the administrative bail  granted the defendant by the EFCC, stating that the court will adopt the terms of the bail.

    He also ordered that the defendant’s passport and traveling documents be kept in the custody of the court and the Nigeria Immigration Service be notified of the arrangements.

    Additionally, Justice Ekwo ordered the defendant  not to travel outside jurisdiction without the permission of the court and

    adjourned  the matter to March 4, 5,6 & 7, 2024 for trial. (Flowerbudnews)

     

  • NAFDAC receives expired seedlings surrendered by marketers in Sokoto

    NAFDAC receives expired seedlings surrendered by marketers in Sokoto

     

    By Habibu Harisu
    Sokoto:  National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken custody of 41 bags of expired seedlings surrendered by some marketers in Sokoto State.

    NAFDAC Coordinator in the state, Mr Garba Adamu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday that some marketers surrendered the 41 pieces of 100kg of the expired seedlings.

    Adamu said that the forfeited items, comprising maize and corn seedlings, were part of the support given to farmers in Zamfara by the Federal Government, but which were sold to traders.

    ”When the traders realised that the products had expired, they voluntarily surrendered them to NAFDAC, which is commendable.

    ”We really commend the efforts of the Agro-allied Dealers Association and reassure them of our continued collaborations.

    ”I urge traders to be more committed to the struggle to sanitise the country of adulterated and counterfeit products,” he said.

    The NAFDAC coordinator noted that some marketers were in the habit of dumping expired or about-to-expire products in markets in Sokoto and environs.

    ”Some of them even take these products to border markets and rural areas for consumption,” he said.

    Adamu cautioned traders against selling adulterated, counterfeit, unregistered and expired products to the public, reiterating that NAFDAC would continue the enforcement at all times.

    He urged Nigerians to always check the NAFDAC registration levels as well as the manufacturing and expiry dates of items before buying and using them.

    The coordinator commended sister agencies, law enforcement agencies, traders’ associations, individuals and groups for their supports to NAFDAC toward safeguarding public health. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)(Flowerbudnews)

  • Star-studded film, “Dead Serious” to hit cinemas Feb. 9

    Star-studded film, “Dead Serious” to hit cinemas Feb. 9

     

    By Joshua Olomu
    Abuja:. Comic Nollywood film, “Dead Serious” starring veteran Nollywood actor Nkem Owoh and ace comedian Oga Sabinus, is to hit cinemas on Feb. 9, its Director, Moses Inwang, has said.
    Inwang stated this on his instagram page while sharing the official trailer of the comic film.

    He noted: “We are dead serious about bringing you the most hilariously awkward romantic couple this Valentine’s! Prepare to laugh till your sides hurt and shed a few tears as well.

    “Brace yourself for the mind-blowing movie, “Dead Serious,” the craziest romantic serious comedy of the year.

    “This must-see film will hit cinemas nationwide on Feb. 9.”

    The star-studded film also features, Sharon Ooja, Lillian Afegbai, Emem Inwang, Deyemi Okanlawo, and Saeed Mohammed, among others.

    Popular skit maker, Lawal Bolaji, Popularly known as’ Nasboi’, also starred in the comic film. (NAN)(nannews.ng)/ Flowerbudnews

  • India: Profile of an Astitute Diplomat Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister

    India: Profile of an Astitute Diplomat Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister

     

    By Flowerbudnews
    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is India’s External Affairs Minister since May 30th, 2019. He is a Member of the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) of India’s Parliament from the state of Gujarat.

    He was Foreign Secretary from 2015-18, Ambassador to United States (2013-15), China (2009-2013) and Czech Republic (2000-2004). He was High Commissioner to Singapore (2007-2009).

    He has also served in other diplomatic assignments in Embassies in Moscow, Colombo, Budapest and Tokyo, as well in the Ministry of External Affairs and the President’s Secretariat. He was also President – Global Corporate Affairs at Tata Sons Private Limited from May 2018.

    Dr S. Jaishankar is a graduate of St. Stephen’s College at the University of Delhi. He has a Masters in Political Science and an M. Phil and Ph.D in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.

    He is a recipient of the Padma Shri award in 2019 and has written a widely acclaimed best-selling book: The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World, which was published in 2020. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Senior staff files N150m suit against JAMB for alleged unlawful dismissal

    Senior staff files N150m suit against JAMB for alleged unlawful dismissal

     

     

    Abuja:  Mr Yisa Usman, a Deputy Director with Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has filed a N150 million suit against the board over alleged unlawful dismissal.

    Usman, in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/266/2023 and filed by his lawyer, Oseini Bamigbaye from the Chambers of Mohammed Shuaibu, at the National Industrial Court, Abuja, sought nine reliefs.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while Usman is the claimant, JAMB is the sole defendant in the case dated and filed Sept. 29, 2023.

    The claimant is praying the court to declare that the constitution of the Board’s Directorate Staff Disciplinary Committee set up by the office was wholly irregular, illegal, null and void for failure to comply with Article 3.5.4 of the Board’s Staff Manual and Conditions of Service.

    He is also praying the court to declare that the composition of the committee, mostly consisting of the board’s registrar and other directors who were beneficiaries of infractions exposed by him “in Item No. 6, Page 5 of his response dated April 3, 2023, to the query issued on March 31, 2023, is unconstitutional,null and void.”

    He premised his argument on the grounds that his right to fair hearing could not have been guaranteed before the committee.

    Usman is equally urging the court to declare that “the claimant’s purported dismissal by the defendant without the consideration of the Committee’s Report by the defendant’s board is unlawful, illegal null and void.”

    The claimant, who sought an order setting aside his “purported dismissal” by the board, prayed the court for an order reinstating him “to his position with full entitlements, benefits and perks due to him by virtue of his position.”
    He sought “an order granting to the claimant all the salaries, allowances, perks due to him or that would have been due to him but for the purported dismissal.

    “An order compelling the defendant to promote the claimant as the Director of Finance and Account, being the most senior and qualified director in the Finance Department; the current Director of Finance and Account (DFA), having been holding that office illegally since May 9, 2022, when he turned 60 years old.

    “Exemplary damages in the sum of N150, 000, 000.00(one hundred and fifty million naira) for illegally and unlawful dismissing the claimant as well as the emotional, reputational, psychological pain and trauma caused by the malicious, illegal, and arbitrary actions of the defendant.

    “The cost of this action including reasonable cost to cover solicitor’s fees.”
    In his statement of material facts, Usman averred that he joined JAMB in Sept 11, 1997 as an Accountant II and rose to the position of deputy director after receiving several promotions in the board.

    He said at the time of the dismissal, he was in his eight years as deputy director in federal service and next in line to be the DFA.
    He said his professional education, training, experience, and personal principles “shaped him as an accountable, honest, transparent, efficient, and anti-corruption individual who cannot tolerate any form of infractions and always speak up against them.”
    According to him, this nature resulted in conflicts with the management of the board, as he is seen as an obstacle that needs to be removed.

    He said his commitment to due process and aversion to corrupt practices led him to lodge complaints to the management of JAMB, the Head of Service, the EFCC, ICPC and the office of the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education about financial interactions in the board.

    Usman said unfortunately, these actions did not sit well with the board’s management, particularly its Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.
    NAN observes that no fewer than 33 letters, exhibited in the court documents, were written by the claimant to different government agencies in his efforts to blow the whistle on various infractions, violations of due process, laws, and civil service rules against the board in relation to procurement, bookkeeping and employment regulations.

    Against this background, Usman averred that he suffered continuous transfers despite his constant pleas due to his physical and health issues.
    According to him, within a period of five years, the claimant was maliciously transferred from Abuja to Kogi to Kaduna and then to Port Harcourt and back to Kaduna, despite his physical challenges and the distance from his family.

    He alleged that the purpose of these transfers was to remove him from important core activities of the board and prevent him from raising concerns about any notable infractions.
    Besides, he said that in the bid to shut him down, a trumped up charge was filed against him at Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja.
    “Despite all these challenges, the claimant diligently and commendably performed his duties and responsibilities,” he said.

    Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae adjourned the matter until March 11 for further mention due to non-representation of JAMB in court when the matter came up on Monday.
    The judge also directed that a hearing notice be issued and served on the defendant against the next adjourned date.

    NAN reports that the police had, on June 14, 2023, arraigned Usman before Justice Nkeonye Maha of a FHC on allegations bordering on threatening Mrs Raheemat Oloyede on the phone with the intent to blackmail her husband, Prof. Ishaq, the JAMB’s registrar, among other counts.

    But Usman’s lawyer notified the FHC court, when parties returned to court, that while the trial was still ongoing, his client was dismissed when parties ought to respect and submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the court and maintained a status quo pending the hearing and determination of the charge.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

  • Court adjourns Saraki’s suit against EFCC, ICPC, others

    Court adjourns Saraki’s suit against EFCC, ICPC, others

     

     

    Abuja:  A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned two separate suits filed by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, said the adjournment was to await the report of the Court of Appeal on application for stay of proceedings filed by the ex-lawmaker.

    Upon resumed hearing, Saraki’s lawyer, Tunde Afe-Babalola, SAN, informed that he had a pending application for stay of proceedings filed on July 30, 2021..

    He said all the parties had been served and that they were ready to proceed.

    The judge then asked whether the motion for relisting had been taken.

    “Yes, we filed a stay at the Court of Appeal,” he responded.
    But the EFCC’s counsel, Christopher Mshelia, who said he was not sure if the commission had been served, said he was not ready for today’s hearing.

    Ekenma Okafor, who appeared for Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), said his client had not been served.

    “I remember on one of the sittings, the counsel appearing for the applicant had given the court his word that he is withdrawing their appeal.
    “We are surprised with this development,” Okafor said.

    Afe-Babalola, who said he was not aware of Okafor’s information, said the important thing was that the motion was pending.

    “If you had filed a stay at the Court of Appeal, why did you also file a stay here?

    “If I grant you stay here, have I not done their duty at the Court of Appeal?” the judge asked.
    Justice Ekwo, therefore, said he would give Afe-Babalola a date to enable him to sort himself out at the Court of Appeal and report back.

    The matter was then adjourned until April 18 for report of proceedings at the Court of Appeal.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Ekwo had, on Jan. 25, 2023, struck out the suits for lack of diligent prosecution.
    After the suits were struck out, Saraki file an application to relist the cases.

    The motion on notice seeking an order of re-listing the suits was dated Feb. 1, 2023 and filed Feb. 3, 2023 by Sunday Onubi from Afe Babalola & Co Law Firm.

    NAN reports that Saraki, the applicant, had filed the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/507/2019 and FHC/ABJ/CS/508/2019 at the FHC.
    In the suits, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and State Security Service (SSS) are 1st to 3rd defendants.

    Others are EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and CCB as 4th to 6th respondents respectively.
    The ex-senate president had filed the suits following the EFCC’s decision in 2019 to probe Saraki’s earnings between 2003 and 2011 when he was governor of Kwara.

    The anti-graft commission was reported to have seized some of his houses in the Ikoyi area of Lagos then.

    However, Saraki, on May 10, 2019, filed the two separate suits before retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo to challenge the action of the EFCC.
    Justice Taiwo, who was the presiding judge then, ruled on an ex-parte application filed along with the substantive suits.

    The judge ordered the anti-corruption agency (4th respondent) and the other five respondents to the suits to stay action on the probe pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the applicant.

    The order was granted after Sunday Onubi, Saraki’s lawyer, moved the application, on May 14, 2019.

    The court had directed the parties to maintain the status quo by suspending the probe.
    But the EFCC later applied that the judge should recuse himself and the matter be transferred to another court.

    Justice Taiwo sent back the case file to the chief judge and the matter was reassigned to Justice Anwuli Chikere for adjudication.

    When the matter came up on July 14, 2021 before Justice Chikere, EFCC Counsel, Chile Okoronkwo, complained that Taiwo’s order had hindered the agency “from performing its duty for about two years now.”

    The lawyer, who stated that Saraki continued to hinge on the order of the court any time he is invited, urged the court to vacate the order.
    But the suits were reassigned to Justice Ekwo following the retirement of Chikere.(NAN)/ Flowerbudnews