Flowerbud News

Category: General News

  • Court orders DSS to release Bodejo, says detention unlawful

    Court orders DSS to release Bodejo, says detention unlawful

     

     

    An Abuja High Court on Monday, ordered the release of Alhaji Bello Bodejo, President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, from the Department of State Service (DSS) detention.

    Justice Mohammed Zubairu, in a ruling, described Bodejo’s detention since Dec. 9 after his arrest and without being charged to court as unlawful.

    Justice Zubairu made the order following an application for the order of habeas corpus subjiciendum moved against the respondents by Bodejo’s lawyer, Reuben Atabo, SAN.

    The judge held that the application was meritorious having not been challenged by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the DSS DG, who are 1st and 2nd respondents.

    “The applicant is hereby released from the 2nd respondent’s detention,” he declared.
    Justice Zubairu, however, said that Bodejo’s release from detention is not tantamount to an acquittal.

    He, therefore, ordered Atabo, who appeared for him, to ensure that Bodejo is produced before the respondents should there be any reason to file charges against him.
    He equally warned the respondents not to detain him beyond the constitutional provisions.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bodejo, in an ex-parte motion marked: M/16976/2024, sued the AGF and DSS DG.
    Bodejo, in the motion dated and filed on Dec. 19, had prayed the court to order his release from the detention of DSS pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.
    He also sought an order granting him leave to apply for the order of habeas corpus subjiciendum against the respondents.
    NAN reports that habeas corpus subjiciendum is a Latin phrase and a legal term used to describe a writ that is directed to someone who is detaining another person to inquire into the legality of the detention.
    Justice Zubairu grant leave to Bodejo’s lawyer to apply for an order of habeas corpus.
    He also ordered that the substantive application be filed within 24 hours from the day tye order was made for the purpose of determining the merit or other wise of the application.
    The judge held that having found out that Bodejo was yet to be arraigned before a court of law since his arrest, made an order that he should be produced before the court today, Dec. 30, or admit him to an administrative bail.
    When the matter was called on Monday, Atabo informed the court that Bodejo was yet to be produced in court.
    He, however, said that the respondent’s lawyer told him that his client was within the court premises.
    He sought a stand down for him to be produced in court.
    When the court reconvened, Bodejo, in company of security agents, walked into the courtroom.
    Atabo then informed the court that his client was in court and that he was ready to move their substantive motion slated for today for hearing.
    He said the motion, dated Dec. 24, was filed “pursuant to your lordship order that we should filed within 24 hours.”
    He said it was also brought pursuant to Order 47 of the Civil Procedure Rules of the court and in compliance with Sections 34, 35, 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
    “We sought for your lordship order of habeas corpus subjiciendum commanding the respondents to produce the applicant from custody for the purpose of being released from detention and for such further order,” he said.
    He said the application was supported by a 13-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Hauwa Bodejo, the senior wife to the applicant.
    According to Atabo, before your lordship, there is no counter affidavit in opposition to the deposition of Hauwa Bodejo.
    Citing a previous case, the senior lawyer argued that where there is affidavit and there is no opposition, it is deemed to be correct.
    “We urge your lordship to deem the deposition of Hauwa Bodejo as the correct deposition,” he said.
    The lawyer further said that Bodejo had been in detention from Dec. 9 and had not been charged to court.
    “This is contrary to the provision of our constitution.
    “We urge the court in the interest of justice and respect for the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria to invoke your judicial power under Order 47 to release the applicant in custody,” he prayed.
    Atabo undertook to produce Bodejo before the court in the event of prosecution by the state.
    Although the AGF was not represented in court, the DSS counsel, A.M. Danlami, told the court that they had not filed any counter affidavit in opposition to the applicant’s affidavit.
    Danlami, who said he was not opposed to the application for Bodejo’s release, urged the court to make an order that Bodejo should be produced to the respondents in the event a charge is preferred against him.

  • Court orders temporary forfeiture of $49, 700 recovered from ex-INEC REC

    Court orders temporary forfeiture of $49, 700 recovered from ex-INEC REC

     

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, ordered the temporary forfeiture of the sum of 49, 700. 00 US dollars allegedly recovered from Dr Nura Ali, former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for Sokoto State in the 2023 general elections.

    Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after Osuobeni Akponimisingha, counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), moved an ex-parte motion to the effect.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) was the applicant, Ali was the sole respondent in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024.

    The motion, dated Dec. 20 and filed Dec. 24, was jointly filed by the ICPC and the Department of State Service (DSS).

    Mr Usman Dauda, the Director of Legal, signed the application on DSS’ behalf, Akponimisingha, Assistant Chief Legal Officer in ICPC, was part of the legal team that drafted the process.

    The motion sought an order of the court temporarily forfeiting the sum of $49,700.00 (forty-nine thousand, seven hundred dollars), “recovered from one Dr. Nura Ali during a search operation by the Federal Government of Nigeria being property suspected to be proceed of an unlawful activity.”

    It also sought an order directing the applicant i.e., the FRN, through the ICPC and the DSS to jointly conduct a thorough preliminary investigation into the alleged unlawful activities of Ali, in respect of the moveable property sought to be forfeited and make a report to the court within 90 days.

    It sought an order directing the applicant i.e., FRN, through the ICPC and the DSS to deposit the 49,700.00 dollars in an escrow account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN.)

    The application equally sought an order directing the applicant to publish a notice in any national newspaper calling for persons whether, human, juristic or artificial, having Interest in the money to show cause why it should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Giving nine grounds why the application should be granted, the applicant said the victim of the alleged crime was the Federal Government of Nigeria and innocent taxpayers which include judges of courts across the country.

    It said the money was recovered during a search operation by operatives of the DSS at the residence of Ali.
    “The alleged moveable property of $49,700.00 was bribe money received by Dr Nura Ali when he was the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Sokoto State.
    “The alleged moveable property is not the legitimate earning of Dr Ali as independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner. S
    “The alleged moveable property is suspected to be proceed of crime,” it said.
    The applicant argued that INEC does not pay its staff members with United States Dollar as salaries or allowances.
    It said the essence of the application was not to compulsorily acquire the alleged moveable property from the alleged owner, but to preserve the property from dissipation.
    It said if the court grants the reliefs sought, interested persons including the alleged owner will be given opportunity to offer an explanation as to the legitimacy of the alleged property.
    “Where cogent and verifiable explanation exists as to how the property was acquired, devoid of crime, the alleged owner or any other person having proprietary interest in the property will be allowed unrestricted possession of the property.
    “This application is not in conflict with the provisions of Sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which guarantee the rights of citizens of Nigeria to acquire and own immoveable and moveable properties in any part of Nigeria,” it said.
    When the matter was called, Akponimisingha, who appeared for the FRN, told the court that the motion ex-parte prayed the court for four orders.
    The lawyer said four exhibits were attached to the motion, including Exhibit DSS 1 to Exhibit DSS 4.
    He urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice.
    He said a search was conducted in Ali’s residence in Kano and the sum of 49, 700, 000 US dollars was retrieved from the building.
    He told the court that Ali allegedly said that the sum of $150, 000 US dollars was given to him by the former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, and Sen. Aliyu Wamakko.
    The ICPC lawyer, who alleged that Ali made this disclosure in his extra-judicial statement to the DSS, said the former REC also wrote a letter to the security outfit in the bid to reclaim the money.
    He insisted that INEC does not pay his workers or RECs in dollars.
    Also in the affidavit in support of the motion ex-parte deposed to by Iliya Markus, a litigation officer with ICPC, he said that Akponimisingha informed him that he read through the case file and comprehended facts forming the allegations leading to the execution of e search warrant by operatives of the DSS at Ali’s residence.
    Markus said the DSS received an intelligence report on Dr Ali on allegations of bribery received from stakeholders, i.e politicians in the course of his official duties as INEC REC in charge of Sokoto State.
    He said the intelligence report was processed and residence of Ali in Kano was searched pursuant to a search warrant executed jointly by operatives of the ICPC and DSS.
    “A copy of the search warrant is hereby attached and marked as exhibit DSS 1,” he said.
    The officer said in the course of the execution of the search warrant, the sum of $47,000.00 was recovered from the house.
    According to him, Dr Ali also made statement(s) with respect to the search on his residence and the subsequent recovery of the alleged $49,700.00.
    “A copy of the said extra-judicial statement is hereby attached and marked as exhibit DSS 2,” he said.
    He said invitation letters had been written to invite persons he claimed gifted him the alleged $49,700.00.
    “I also know as a fact that Dr Nura Ali did not report the gift of the alleged $49,700.00 to any law enforcement agency as required by extant laws of the land.
    “Dr Ali had in the past written letters to the State Security Services requesting for release of the alleged $49,700.00 bribe money to him.
    “Copies of the said letters are hereby attached and marked as exhibits DSS 3 & 4 respectively,” he said.
    Markus said the investigation was yet to be concluded, hence, the need for the 90 days’ application.
    Justice Nwite, who said that the application was meritorious, granted the prayers.
    The judge adjourned the matter until Jan. 30, for report of compliance on the publication in the media and adjourned until March 31 for hearing of the matter

  • University Don Petitions FCCPC Over Alleged Extortion by Ikeja Electricity Distribution Coy (IKEDC)

    University Don Petitions FCCPC Over Alleged Extortion by Ikeja Electricity Distribution Coy (IKEDC)

     

    By Biola Lawal
    FLOWERBUDNEWS:  An Associate Professor at the Lagos State University (LASU), Dr. Tunde Akanni, has petitioned the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, (FCCPC) over alleged financial extortion by the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC).

    In the petition titled, SOS ON MASSIVE EXTORTION OF CUSTOMERS BY IKEJA ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, IKEDC, Dr Akanni sought the urgent intervention of FCCPC on ”the rampaging extortion drive by the above mentioned company.”

    Dr. Akanni wrote:

    ”This is to formally alert and seek your urgent intervention on the rampaging extortion drive by the above mentioned company.

    As the sole supplier of electricity in Ikeja where I live in government quarters, IKEDC recently began to deactivate the UNISTAR PRE-PAID METERS SERVING RESIDENTS OF LASG QUARTERS at 47 Sobo Arobiodu Street, Ikeja GRA..

    The deactivation continued after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, warned IKEDC against activities on the UNISTAR meters.( https://guardian.ng/news/respect-directives-on-obsolete-meters-fccpc-warns-discos/; https://thenigerialawyer.com/ikedc-ekedc-cannot-replace-unistar-meters-without-compliance-fccpc)1

    What they do is await the exhaustion of the running credits on meters, allow customers to re-charge their cards but ensure they are not able to reload. Once this happens and you report back with your complaints, they would tell you that your meter is bad and due for replacement and that they have new meters in abundance.

    They would convince you to allow the retrieval of the UNISTAR meter. Once the customer begins to feel that his hope is merely hanging, the customers  would be compelled to make desperate request for reconnection and they would deceitfully reconnect you but that would make customers pay through their nose.

    In the past, customers like me whose monthly consumption hardly exceeded N50,000 following the banding regime had been summarily billed as much as N270,000.

    Fellow residents of government quarters have had to complain to me on their helplessness and their dramatic bankruptcy on account of this arbitrary billing.

    In my own case specifically, my meter was retrieved on Dec 27, 2025 after recharging with N25,000 but failing to reload following their treacherous deactivation.

    Against my stated position that I was aware of the FCCPC directive to them, they insisted that should  immediately  apply online for a new meter reiterating that they had new meters in abundance but that I would have to pay N120,000.

    For fear of wasting all the foods stocked up in the house and to also avoid being slapped with any humongous arbitrary bill, I went to their office to follow up.

    The response from their customer care operatives at the Ikeja Office was that their portal was down implying that all processes of new meter application had been stalled and therefore, arbitrary billing would continue for as long as the portal was down.

    I therefore seek your immediate intervention from the shenanigan of IKEDC to stall their onslaught against lawful customers.

    If they have the effrontery to subject LASG employees living in government quarters to this embarrassing situation, one can imagine what helpless private citizens are being subjected to by IKEDC.  Sincere thanks as I await your immediate intervention for a new meter.” (FLOWERBUDNEWS)

    (Tunde Akanni Associate Professor, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, FCMS.)

  • Gov. Adeleke signs N427bn budget for 2025 into law

    Gov. Adeleke signs N427bn budget for 2025 into law

    By Flowerbud News

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, on Monday, assented to the N427,746, 925,170 budget passed by the legislature for year 2025 into law.

    Adeleke after signing the budget directed the state’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure its full implementation for the benefits of the people.

    “We are here to further demonstrate our readiness to forge ahead in the new year with the growth and development of our dear State.

    “For record purposes, the budget I am signing today is tagged “Budget of Sustainable Growth and Transformation.

    “The total sum for the 2025 budget is ₦427,746,925.170.

    “Consequently, I direct Ministries, Agencies and Departments to vigorously pursue the implementation for the benefit of the citizens of the state,” he said

    The governor equally directed the Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development to monitor the implementation process to ensure delivery according to targets and expectations.

    “The Appropriation Act will be our faithful instrument to deliver on the five point agenda for good governance,” he said

    Adeleke commended the Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development for upholding professionalism all the way.

    He also thanked members of the Treasury Board and other top government functionaries who worked tirelessly to deliver on the budget.

    The governor equally appreciated the Speaker of Osun Assembly and the state lawmakers for the work on the budget

    He stated that the executive arm looks forward to the legislative carrying out its oversight functions to ensure accountability and transparency.

    Adeleke further urged members of the State Executive Council to cooperate with the lawmakers in the exercise of their mandate, during the 2025 budgetary year.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osun Assembly on Dec. 23 passed the budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

    NAN

  • Speaker Tajudeen Abbas Warns Against Nigeria’s Over-reliance on Oil

    Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has warned that Nigeria’s continued over-reliance on oil will only lead to inequality, greater poverty among Nigerians and mass unemployment.

    Delivering the 14th convocation lecture of Nigeria’s first Islamic faith-based university, the Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin on Monday, titled, Beyond oil: exploring alternative revenue potentials for economic growth and sustainable development in Nigeria, the Speaker said that Nigeria should harness its abundant resources and human capital to diversify the nation’s economy to ensure long-term growth and sustainability.

    The Speaker said that to secure Nigeria’s economic future, the country must decisively move beyond oil and develop sustainable pathways for inclusive growth.

    According to him, with dwindling oil revenues, global shifts toward renewable energy, and the increasing need for job creation, it is imperative that we chart a new course for economic transformation.

    “This requires deliberate efforts to unlock the potential of other sectors, such as agriculture, solid minerals, technology and the creative industries. Achieving this transformation will secure Nigeria’s economic future and address poverty, inequality, and unemployment-critical barriers to sustainable development.

    “This lecture has underscored the urgency of harnessing Nigeria’s abundant natural resources, fertile agricultural lands, burgeoning creative industries, and vibrant technology sector to build a resilient economy.

    “Targeted policies, institutional reforms and partnerships can unlock the potential in agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing, ICT and renewable energy,” he said.

    He also said that Nigeria’s economic transformation demands collective responsibility, adding that the government must lead with visionary policies, transparent governance, and strategic investments in infrastructure and education.

    He urged Nigerian government to pay more attention to agriculture, agro-industrialisation, ICT and Digital economy, Creative industries and Tourism, Human Capital Development, Infrastructure Development among others.

    On the part of the legislature, the Speaker said that Parliament should continue to enact enabling legislation and ensure rigorous oversight of policies and programmes aimed at diversification.

    “Academia has a vital role in conducting research, generating data-driven insights and developing skills essential for the new economy,” he said.

    The Speaker, who charged the nation’s universities to strengthen collaborations with industries to drive innovation and entrepreneurship, said that the private sector must embrace investments in emerging industries, support small and medium enterprises and leverage technology to boost productivity.

    “As the backbone of Nigeria’s workforce, youths, including all of you in this hall must seize opportunities in entrepreneurship, agriculture, digital technology and creative industries to redefine Nigeria’s economic narrative.

    “Examples from countries like Malaysia and Singapore demonstrate how aligning government policies, academic research, and private-sector innovations can drive transformation.

    “Malaysia’s focus on manufacturing and industrialisation, coupled with sustained investments in education and technology, propelled it into a diversified economy. Singapore leveraged its strategic policies and talent pool to become a global hub for finance and innovation. These models show that with sustained commitment, Nigeria can achieve economic stability and prosperity,” he said.

    The Speaker also said that examples of such countries as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates had demonstrated that economic transformation is achievable through deliberate diversification strategies anchored on policy reforms, infrastructure investments and human capital development.

    Earlier,  the Vice Chancellor,  Al-Hikmah University,  Prof Noah Yusuf thanked the Speaker for honouring the institution’s invitation to give the lecture, saying that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima gave the lecture last year.

    Meanwhile, the convocation lecture programme was followed by the commissioning of the faculty of Management Sciences of the university by the Speaker.

    Dignitaries present at the event include a representative of the Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, members of the House of Representatives and the state House of Assembly, founder of the university, Chief Abdulraheem Oladimeji, pro-chancellor and chairman, Governing Council, Alhaja Sekinat Yusuf, the university vice-chancellor, and Professor Noah Yusuf.

    Other dignitaries include the Vice-Chancellors of the Kwara University Consortium (KU8+) led byits chairman, and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, and other members of the consortium, notable industrialists, royal fathers, among other Nigerians.

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  • FG’s decision to lift a 5-year ban on mining in Zamfara, a major boost for Nigeria’s mining sector-Group

    FG’s decision to lift a 5-year ban on mining in Zamfara, a major boost for Nigeria’s mining sector-Group

     

     

    By Danladi Ahmed

    The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has commended the federal government for lifting the five-year ban on mining activities in Zamfara State.

    In a statement signed by its Chairman Ahmad Sajoh and Secretary Josiah Afolabi, the group described it as a good move that will boost the economic diversification agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

    The statement read: “This decisive action, as announced by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake marks a significant milestone in harnessing the economic potential of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the ban was originally imposed in 2019 to address escalating insecurity fueled by illegal mining operations, but it later became a double-edged sword.

    “While it curbed some immediate threats, it inadvertently created opportunities for unregulated exploitation, environmental degradation, and loss of national revenue.

    “We at TSF applaud the administration’s strategic approach in restoring security to Zamfara, which has now paved the way for regulated and lawful mining operations.

    “This is coming at a time when the Tinubu administration’s commitment to addressing security challenges through intelligence-driven and coordinated military operations have yielded commendable results.

    “The neutralization of notorious bandit commanders, including the once-dreaded Halilu Sububu, underscores the success of these efforts. Such advancements, in our view, demonstrate the administration’s resolve to ensure the safety of lives and properties while promoting economic growth.

    “Zamfara’s abundant mineral deposits, including gold, lithium, and copper, present a golden opportunity to significantly boost Nigeria’s revenue. So, the resumption of mining activities is expected to create jobs, stimulate infrastructure development, and attract foreign investments.

    “These developments align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to drive inclusive economic development across the nation.”

    The group, however, urged the authorities to take steps to ensure that local communities benefit from mining operations in the domain.

    “With the benefit of hindsight, we are emphasizing the importance of robust regulations and oversight to ensure that the exploitation of these resources does not compromise environmental sustainability or social equity.

    “We urge the relevant authorities to ensure that mining operations prioritize the welfare of local communities as well as their active participation to enable them to benefit from the sector’s growth.

    “We also acknowledge the clarification provided by Dr Alake regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with France, which focuses on training and capacity-building for Nigeria’s mining professionals.

    “As Nigeria’s mining sector begins to reclaim its role as a key contributor to national prosperity, we call on all stakeholders to uphold best practices and work collectively toward sustainable development. Together, we can ensure that this new chapter in Zamfara’s mining history translates into tangible benefits for the Nigerian people,” it added.

    TSF also urged all stakeholders to continue their collaboration with the government to combat misinformation and support the sector’s reforms.

    End

  • Gov. Adeleke Presents Staff -of-Office to New Owa Obokun

    Gov. Adeleke Presents Staff -of-Office to New Owa Obokun

     

    PHOTONEWS: Adeleke Presents Staff-Of-Office To New Owa Obokun Of Ijesaland

    Governor Ademola Adeleke on Sunday presented the staff of office and instrument of appointment to the new Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup.

    Haastrup, a former deputy governor of Osun State, was announced the 41st Owa Obokun, on Friday December 27, after the demise of his predecessor, Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, on September 11, 2024.

    The event was attended by dignitaries from all walks of life including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Akanbi, Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Kayode, top government functionaries, among others.

    Source

     

     

  • Matrix Energy promises to sustain Ifiekporo Unity Cup

    Matrix Energy promises to sustain Ifiekporo Unity Cup

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Gentlemen Football Club has won the maiden edition of the Ifiekporo Unity Cup sponsored by Matrix Energy Group in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

    Gentlemen FC defeated Young Boys Football Club by one goal at an electrifying final at Ifiekporo community football field on Tuesday.

    The football fiesta was organised for soccer teams in the five host communities by Matrix Energy Group, a leading Nigerian indigenous oil company.

    After a keenly contested first half that ended goalless, Solomon Anote put Gentlemen FC ahead with a powerful strike at 30 minutes of the second half.

    The final, which was attended by leaders of the various host communities of  Ifiekporo, Ijala-Ikeren, Ubeji, Egbokodo, and Aja-Etan communities, also had in attendance management staff of Matrix Energy Group.

    The football tournament was also to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Matrix Energy Group as well as to celebrate the yuletide season with the people of the host communities.

    Speaking with journalists at the end of the competition, Matrix Energy’s Executive Director (Downstream), Mr. Luqman Salam-Alada, described football as a globally unifying game and praised the host communities for their unwavering support of the company.

    Represented by the company’s Human Resources (HR) official, Mr. Yekini Abayomi, Salam-Alada promised to sustain the Ifiekporo Unity Cup as a catalyst for uniting the people of the area.

    He noted that drawing the lessons learnt from the maiden edition, the next edition would be bigger and more attractive to competing teams drawn from the various communities.

    “As part of our 20th anniversary, we are very happy to sponsor this football competition, which is aimed at deepening our (Matrix Energy Group) relationship with host communities. Today, we are proud of what we have achieved with this tournament.

    “As you all know, Matrix Energy Group is keen on the development of her host communities. This is one of the many supports Matrix is giving to the communities within our operation base. When the idea of this tournament was sold to us, we immediately bought into it.

    “We are interested in sustaining the existing peace in this area. You can see the smiles on the faces of the leaders of the five communities. If there’s peace among the host communities, it will cascade to our operation. The Ifiekporo community has been very hospitable to us.

    “The two teams that advanced to the finals are not indigenous teams but are resident here. I can assure you that next year will be better than this. We will do more in organising the tournament. We are proud of the outcome,” Salam-Alada noted.

    On his part, the public relations officer of Ifiekporo community youth body, Engr. Andy Omagbemi Eyifoma, congratulated Gentlemen FC for winning the maiden edition of the trophy, stressing that the tournament would be sustained to promote peace and unity among communities in Matrix operations lines.

    He commended Matrix Energy Group for sponsoring the game and ensuring that there is peace in its areas of operation in the Warri South Local Government Area.

    Other leaders of the various host communities, including Amb. Peter Ede and Pa. Francis Eyifoma commended Matrix Energy Group and competing teams for the success of the tournament, stressing that the competition will engender peace and unity among the host communities and oil firms operating in the area.

    The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of trophies, cash gifts, and medals to the competing teams and organisers of thmatrixe tournament.

  • GTBank’s Persecution of Bloggers

    GTBank’s Persecution of Bloggers

    By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

    By the time Muhammadu Buhari ran for a second presidential term in 2019, it seemed clear that the judicial process in many parts of the country had been actively co-opted in the intimidation of civic opponents of the government, both real and imagined.

    The case of Steven Kefas was a defining moment in that process.
    Steven was a compelling activist and amplifier of the human security crisis in Southern Kaduna under former governor, Nasir el-Rufai.

    For this, el-Rufai arranged the abduction of Steven from his residence in Rivers State on 8 May 2019. From there they bundled him into interminable detention in Kaduna on the imagined crime of criminally defaming Cafra Caino, an acolyte of the governor who was also Chair of the Kajuru Local Government Council.

    For this invented crime, el-Rufai had Steven charged before a Magistrate in Kaduna who refused him bail, even when the crime was clearly a misdemeanour.

    Steven renewed his application for bail before the Federal High Court in Kaduna where the presiding judge, Peter Mallong, incredulously ruled that his suit was “an abuse of court process” because the Magistrate had previously refused bail.

    Turning judicial precedent on its head, Peter Mallong held that the decision of the Magistrate was binding on the Federal High Court.

    Gloria Ballason, who argued Steven’s case, was also my lawyer when el-Rufai sought to abduct me in circumstances that would have been similar to what he did to Steven.

    On the eve of the presidential election in 2019, el-Rufai went public with claims of a massacre of scores of Fulanis in Kajuru, a community against whom he appeared to have an implacable beef. The following morning, I publicly rebutted his claims. The security services were pointedly unable to support his claim.

    After the 2019 elections, el-Rufai instructed my prosecution before the Magistrate’s Court in Kaduna on fanciful charges of incitement and injurious falsehood. The case did not even have a charge number.

    The magistrate called up the case on two successive occasions and, when I did not show up, decided the time was ripe to issue a warrant for my abduction.

    Contrary to my entitlements under the Nigerian constitution, even bothered to bring the charges to my attention. It seemed as if the entire objective from the beginning was to set me up for abduction.

    Informed off-record about the case by sympathetic law enforcement agents subsequently, Gloria Ballason first issued filings objecting to how the court had chosen to proceed. Thereafter, she instituted proceedings before Peter Mallong’s Federal High Court in Kaduna against el-Rufai and the police arising out of these facts alleging a breach of my constitutional rights.

    One year after the case was instituted, in October 2020, Peter Mallong issued his decision. He claimed that the affidavit in support of my court processes sworn to by a litigation clerk in the law firm of my lawyers, was incompetent because the deponent was someone other than me.

    It was as if he had never heard of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules which allowed for what the litigation clerk did. As a result, Peter Mallong said, my case was incompetent, and his court lacked jurisdiction over it. After holding that he lacked jurisdiction, however, Peter Mallong went on to “dismiss” my case.

    The judgment was manifestly crooked on the face of the record. A judge can only dismiss a case they have had the opportunity to consider, but a judge cannot consider a case over which s/he lacks jurisdiction. So, a judge who rules that he or she lacks jurisdiction cannot thereafter decide to dismiss the same case.

    That is exactly what Peter Mallong did. Having accomplished such crookedness, he went on to award punitive costs against me.

    This type of casuistic and crooked jurisprudence emboldened el-Rufai and his ilk to routinise the persecution of Nigerian citizens by abduction under cover of law. I was lucky. Steven Kefas was not.

    Gloria Ballason’s tenacity and an international campaign eventually enabled to Steven to make bail after 162 days in pre-trial detention in Kaduna prison.

    According to Steven, while he suffered prolonged pre-trial detention for an imaginary crime framed against him for being a government critic, he witnessed kidnappers caught in the act being released without charges.

    Steven’s explanation is: “What the oppressive elites do in Nigeria is that they will hire rogue lawyers to help them draft all manner of petitions to get critics and ‘enemies of the government’ abducted and locked up….”

    This appears to be the perfect description for what is happening in an ongoing case involving the prosecution of Precious Eze, Olawale Olurotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa and Seun Odunlami before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The accused are all bloggers who run different platforms as citizen journalists or aggregators.

    On 19 September 2024, Country Hill, a law firm acting on behalf of Guarantee Trust Holding Company (GTCO) and its CEO, Segun Agbaje, wrote a petition in which they complained against the accused for what they called “acts of cyberbullying, criminal extortions (sic) and conducts (sic) likely to cause a breach of public peace” arising reportedly from material published on their blogs about Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank).

    Importantly, the complaint omitted any mention of the sums that any of the suspects allegedly extorted or sought to extort. A subsequent investigation by the police showed clearly that upon the material being brought to their attention by intermediaries, the suspects had voluntarily pulled down the publications complained about.

    Acting on this petition, nevertheless, the police promptly arrested and detained Precious Eze and Olawale Olurotimi, both of whom have been held in pre-trial custody since then.

    By the date you read this, each of them would have been in pre-trial custody for over 91 days. That is more than double the maximum duration of 42 days of pre-trial custody allowed by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

    It took the police just four days to conclude the investigation. Michael Abu, the Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) who led the investigation into GTBank’s petition, wrote in his report of 23 September 2024 with reference to Precious Eze and Olawale Olurotimi that “these types of people be used as scapegoats” and recommended that they be “charged to court for the offence (sic) of conspiracy, cyberbullying, attempt to extort money through fraudulent means and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.”

    On 14 October, the police re-arraigned them. Ten days later, the amended charges filed against them included six counts of cyberbullying and two each of conspiracy and extortion. To prosecute them, GTBank secured the “fiat” of the Inspector General of Police to instruct a high-powered team of ten lawyers, including three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

    This is a classic example of “oppressive elites” capturing the criminal process for destructive purposes against poor citizens.

    Until now, the people who orchestrate these travesties and their judicial and legal co-travellers have enjoyed earthly impunity.

    Judges like Peter Mallong made this possible. The one lesson, however, of the Dele Farotimi case is that citizens now have the wherewithal to make these kinds of perversion of the legal and criminal process costly for those who orchestrate them.

    In the case of Precious Eze and Olawale Olurotimi, that should be even more so, given that the travesty is procured at the instance of a commercial and corporate actor.

    We are both citizens and customers. In this dual capacity, we have the muscle to resist the determined conspiracy of politicians and corporates who seek to muzzle and destroy informed and responsible civics. It is not too late for GTBank to retrace its steps.

    (A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu)