FEATURES
The Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has threatened to take action over the political crisis rocking the state.
The congress said the crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and state lawmakers loyal to the immediate past governor of the state and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was adversely affecting workers in the state.
The state NLC Chairman, Alex Agwanwo, stated this after a joint labour meeting in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
Recall that two factions emerged in the state House of Assembly after the explosion that rocked the legislative complex on October 29, 2023, following moves to impeach the governor.
About 26 lawmakers in the state House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, said to be loyal to Wike recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Five members of the Assembly loyal to the governor led by the factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, declared the seat of the defecting lawmakers vacant.
The crisis led to the demolition of the state House of Assembly complex on Wednesday on the orders of the state government, which claimed that it was no longer ideal for legislative duties following October’s attack on it by political thugs, which resulted in the damage of some sections.
A close aide to the governor had told Saturday PUNCH that the list of commissioners, special advisers and other key aides as well as their portfolios was handed over to Fubara by his predecessor.
The aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Fubara had no input into the appointments as his predecessor was solely responsible for their selection and appointment.
The source said the resignation of some of the commissioners was a confirmation that they were not the governor’s choices, but were rather imposed by Wike, who installed Fubara as his successor.
The aide stated, “Yes, the resignation of the commissioners has shown that they were not appointed by the governor. They were never his nominees. The list of the commissioners and advisers was handed over to the governor by the former governor with instructions on portfolios and offices to occupy. Even security agents were handed over to the governor with clear instructions on where to post them.
“Is there a way the governor can appoint commissioners, advisers and others and they will be resigning this way? It is not possible. Don’t forget that we are just about seven months in office. Commissioners appointed by the governor won’t leave.”
Responding to the claim by the FCT minister that the governor and all elected officials in Rivers State did not buy nomination forms from their pockets, the source said, “Yes, the former governor was correct to say he bought the forms for everyone. But pray, with which money? You know the salary of a governor and you know the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for the Peoples Democratic Party.
“Let those who want to go leave and the governor will assemble members of his team, and not moles planted to spy on the administration.”
As a result, nine of the commissioners have resigned their appointments and there are indications that more will follow this week.
But Agwanwo condemned the plot to distract the governor from delivering good governance to the people of the state and called on all those involved to maintain the peace.
He condemned the crisis, adding that workers were being affected negatively as the focus on the crisis was not allowing the government to focus on their welfare.
The NLC chairman said, “We categorically condemn the crisis in Rivers State and we call for immediate restoration of peace among all the political actors involved so that we can have peace and prosperity in the state.
“Honestly, this crisis is not helping us. When two elephants fight, the grasses suffer. As workers, we are feeling the impact.
“The state is tensed. Our members are beginning to complain about the uprising and how their welfare is now being affected.
“The N35,000 wage award has been implemented by the Federal Government, but the state workers are yet to benefit from it.
“We have been engaging the state governor on how to implement this, but due to this crisis, the governor has not been able to have time for us.
“He has been very busy. For us, this distraction must stop.”
Agwanwo noted that the hope of workers in the state to have a good festive season had been dashed as the political war had prevented the governor from giving attention to governance and the welfare of workers.
He added, “It (crisis) is affecting governance, because it has not given the governor time to concentrate on the issues of state. In this festive period, we had expected that workers would rejoice because we hoped that we would have been paid the 13th month salary, which has not happened in this state for years.
“This is what we wanted to discuss with the governor, but because of these distractions we have not been able to meet with the governor, who has proven that he is worker-friendly.
“If this crisis continues and the political actors will not allow peace to reign in this state, we will have no choice but to make efforts to protect the benefits of our members. We will take every step legally to make sure that we advance the course of our members.”
[Punch]
The last may not have been heard about post-election cases in many states as the fate of no fewer than 13 governors depends on the outcome of lawsuits challenging their electoral victory at the Supreme Court.
The affected states where the Court of Appeal judgments are being challenged by the opposition candidates in the March 18 governorship election include Kano, Plateau, Abia, Delta, Cross River, Rivers, Lagos, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Taraba and Bauchi.
Teams of lawyers representing some of the aggrieved parties in the affected states have formally filed their processes in court as at last Friday while others who had vowed to approach the Supreme Court are expected to file their papers during the week at the registry of the court.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, is also expected to empanel justices to hear the cases soon.
This is the last stage of the battle for the governors’ seats across the states where elections were held on March 18.
In essence, any governor who loses the case at the Supreme Court has to vacate office.
This is unlike the outcomes of the election dispute cases at the lower courts (election petition tribunal and the Court of Appeal) which permitted the governors to stay in office regardless of whether they won or lost.
The Supreme Court decision on appeals arising from the decision of the lower courts on gubernatorial elections in the country is final.
Between 1999 when the Fourth Republic birthed and 2019, not less than eight sitting governors whose elections were challenged to the Supreme Court were removed from office by the apex bench.
For instance, the apex court, in 2006, removed from office Dr Chris Ngige who was declared as the winner of the 2003 gubernatorial election in Anambra State when Ngige had almost completed his four-year tenure and replaced him with Mr Peter Obi of APGA. Peter Obi was eventually sworn in on March 17, 2006.
It had also towards the end of October 2007 sacked Chief Celestine Omehia who was sworn into office on May 29, 2007 as Rivers State Governor and ordered the immediate past Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, to be sworn-in as replacement having been found to be the authentic candidate of the PDP which was returned as winner of the April 2007 election in the state.
Omehia had ruled Rivers for five months before the Supreme Court sacked him and declared Amaechi as the validly elected governor of the state.
Other sitting governors who had, in the past, lost their seats to their rivals by virtue of the decision of the Supreme Court included Andy Uba of Anambra State who was sacked for Peter Obi, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor of Edo State who was sacked for Adams Oshiomhole, Olusegun Oni of Ekiti State who was sacked for Kayode Fayemi, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State who was sacked for Rauf Aregbesola, Mukhtar Idris of Zamfara State who was sacked for Bello Matawalle, Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State who was sacked for Hope Uzodinma and David Lyon of Bayelsa State who was sacked for Douye Diri.
Apart from Kano State governor, Yusuf Abba, and Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau, the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja and Lagos had recently affirmed other governors’ victories at the March 18 election.
But the verdicts only left many opponents more aggrieved, forcing them to approach the apex court for justice.
Some of the judgments like the Kano and Plateau cases where the incumbents were sacked ended up heightening tensions in the respective states.
At the moment, both states appear to be sitting on a keg of gunpowder as they await the verdict of the Supreme Court.
Of the 36 states of the federation, elections were held in 28 states, with the All Progressives Congress, APC, winning 16, PDP, 9, Labour Party, LP, one, and New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, one.
The states include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
But in what seems to have underscored the reading of the Supreme Court through its past decisions, some candidates had declined to challenge the Appeal Court judgments, describing any attempt at such as a futile effort.
However, others who vowed to challenge the verdicts at the Supreme Court have either approached the court, stoking tensions in the process, or on their way to lodge their processes at the registry of the apex court.
According to the law, an appeal to the Supreme Court should be filed within 14 days from the date of the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
The apex court has 60 days to hear the cases and deliver judgment.
The state-by-state analysis of the issue reveals reasons opponents are in court as well the pulse of the people ahead of the Supreme Court cases.
SOKOTO
Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Sokoto State, Mallam Saidu Umar, alongside his party, has filed an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had upheld the election of Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto as the winner of the election.
In a notice of appeal submitted to the Supreme Court, the appellants listed the incumbent governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, his deputy, Mohammed Gobir Idris, APC, and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as respondents.
Umar and the PDP also listed nine grounds upon which they are asking the Supreme Court to set aside the concurrent judgments of the election petition tribunal and the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the election of Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto as governor.
LAGOS
The PDP in Lagos State said it has resolved to challenge the Court of Appeal judgment affirming Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (APC) as the winner of the March 18 governorship election.
State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hakeem Amode, disclosed this in a chat.
The party had earlier said it would review the judgment of the Court of Appeal before taking further action on the matter.
According to him, justice has not been properly served in the PDP governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran’s petitions against Sanwo-Olu’s re-election.
NASARAWA
The PDP governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, David Ombugadu, has approached the Supreme Court to nullify the victory of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
A copy of the notice of appeal filed by his legal team listed INEC, Sule Audu Alhaji, and APC as respondents.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed the election of Abdullahi Sule as governor of Nasarawa State on November 23, 2023.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices, voided the verdict of the Nasarawa State governorship election petition tribunal, which sacked Governor Sule, candidate of APC.
BENUE
Dissatisfied by the dismissal of his suit challenging the victory of Governor Hyacinth Alia by the Court of Appeal, PDP governorship candidate in Benue State in the last general elections, Titus Tyoapine Uba, said he would approach the Supreme Court for final arbitration on the matter.
A statement by the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Bemgba Iortyom, said the poll was won by Uba.
A three-man panel of justices at Appeal Court Abuja Division had dismissed the case filed by the PDP and its candidate seeking a declaration that both Alia and his deputy, Dr Sam Odeh, were not qualified to contest in the election.
The Appeal Court, in a unanimous judgment, held that Uba and PDP failed to prove allegations of forgery against Odeh, while others were pre-election issues which were statute barred.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court upon receipt of the appeal from the appellants, ordered that all processes relating to the matter be served on the governor and his deputy through substituted service.
The court gave the order while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the counsel of the PDP and Uba.
It also fixed December 18, 2023, as the return date for proof of service on the respondents.
RIVERS
In Rivers State, governorship candidate of LP, Beatrice Itubo, said she has directed her legal team to challenge the Appeal Court judgment validating the victory of Governor Sim Fubara at the Supreme Court
Recall that a three-man panel of Appeal Court Justices dismissed Itubo’s petition alongside the petition of the governorship candidate of APC ,Tonye Cole, for lacking in merit.
Reacting to the ruling during a forum with the leadership of the South-South Youth Initiative, Itubo said although she is pleased with the activities of Fubara, her decision to challenge the judgment is to ensure justice is served.
PLATEAU
In Plateau, the state government said it has instructed its lawyers to file an appeal at the Supreme Court against the verdict of the Court of Appeal which sacked Governor Caleb Muftwang from office.
A three-member panel, in a unanimous decision, held that Muftwang was not validly sponsored by the PDP as provided by Section 285(2) of the Constitution.
According to a statement, the governor expressed “strong optimism that the mandate overwhelmingly given to him by the people of Plateau State would be restored, as he has instructed his legal team to file an appeal at the Supreme Court.”
The Court of Appeal verdict has resulted in a charged political atmosphere across the state.
AKWA IBOM
The victory of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State is still being contested.
According to the governorship results declared by INEC, Eno polled 354, 348,000 votes to emerge winner of the election, while Senator Bassey Akpan of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, followed with 136, 262 votes. Obong Akan Udofia of the APC scored 129,602 votes.
Apart from the YPP and APC governorship candidates, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe of the NNPP, Ezekiel Nyak-Etok of African Democratic Congress, ADC, Mr Abraham Akpan of the Action Alliance, AA, and Emem Coffie of the Accord Party, AP, also challenged the outcome of the election.
On November 10, 2023, the Court of Appeal reaffirmed Eno as the validly elected governor and dismissed the appeals filed by the governorship candidates of AA and AP.
The three-man panel of the Appeal Court, Lagos Division ruled that the cases lacked merit.
The Appeal Court also quashed the appeals by the candidates of APC, YPP and NNPP for lacking merit
The court ruled that the appellants missed the point by arguing that since they were not parties in the case, the judgment on Eno’s certificate matter was not binding on them.
“The declaratory judgment of a competent court is a judgment in rem that is binding on the whole world, and not only on those who were parties in the case,” it said.
Aggrieved parties have since approached the Supreme Court, challenging the ruling.
However, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Easier Ndueso, told Sunday Vanguard that the date for hearing of the cases pending at the Supreme Court was yet to be communicated to the parties.
According to him, the parties that approached the apex court were the YPP, APC and AA.
The matter seems not to be generating any tension in the state as the opposition appears doubtful of getting justice.
CROSS RIVER
Prof Sandy Onor, the PDP governorship candidate in Cross River, has relentlessly tried to upturn the outcome of the March governorship election result in his favour.
He started litigation soon after Governor Bassey Otu picked the ticket of APC.
Onor alleged that Otu does not possess the prerequisite qualification to contest the election, claiming his West African School Certificate and degree certificates were forged.
He also claimed Otu’s running mate, Mr Odey, has United Kingdom citizenship.
The state High Court Calabar where he took the matter ruled in favour of the governor.
Not satisfied with the ruling, he proceeded to the Appeal Court in Calabar which again ruled in favour of Otu
After the declaration of the election results which he lost including his polling unit, Onor still instituted the same issues at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Calabar.
But the tribunal struck out all three grounds of the petition by the PDP governorship candidate, saying the petition was incompetent, shambolic and a mere academic exercise.
All the three judges, Justice Okenya Inneh, Justice M Omar and Justice O Olatawusu, read their judgment in favour of Otu
The tribunal did not award costs.
But this was not the situation at the Appeal Court, Lagos Division where Onor headed after the tribunal ruling.
He was fined N4million for wasting the court’s time.
Not satisfied, Onor has taken the matter to the Supreme Court.
ABIA
At press time, it was not yet clear if there was any pending appeal against the election of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State at the Supreme Court.
Although the PDP, APC, and their candidates, Chief Okey Ahiwe and Chief Ikechi Emenike, respectively, had challenged Otti at both the tribunal and Court of Appeal, they lost.
In their respective initial responses after losing out at the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, both parties had vowed to proceed to the apex court in pursuit of justice.
But inquiries by Sunday Vanguard to confirm if they finally made real their threats were fruitless as none of the parties could volunteer any useful information on the matter.
While APC Chairman in the state, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, did not pick up calls, PDP spokesman, Abraham Amah, declined comments on the matter.
APC and the PDP were the only political parties whose candidates challenged Otti’s victory.
Although it is not very clear what the situation is, Abia residents do not seem to lose sleep over both parties.
There is a general perception in the state that Otti does not have any litigation any more.
The spontaneous eruption of joy across the state that greeted Otti’s declaration as winner of the March 18 governorship poll is still fresh in the minds of Abians.
KANO
Ever since the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja nullified the victory of Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, the ancient city of Kano has been gripped by tension.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices, held that Yusuf was not a valid candidate in the gubernatorial election held in the state on March 18.
It maintained that evidence that was adduced by the parties established that the governor was not a member of NNPP at the time the election was held.
There had been several interpretations of the judgment following a difference between what was read in the court and the contents of the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the judgment.
At the court, the three-member panel, led by M. A. Adumein, upheld the judgment of the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which sacked Yusuf.
But in the concluding part of the CTC, it read that the issue was resolved against the APC and its candidate.
Consequently, Yusuf filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging his dismissal.
In the notice of appeal filed by the NNPP, INEC and APC were joined as respondents.
The document, which listed 10 grounds of appeal against the judgment of the appellate court, is seeking three reliefs from the apex court.
They include “an order allowing the appeal and setting aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on November 17, 2023, an order upholding the portion of the judgment of the Court of Appeal setting aside the judgment of the trial tribunal in petition No: EPT/RV/GOV/11/2023 and making an order as costs in favour of the appellant.”
The matter has generated so much interest, with several stakeholders calling on all parties to tread with caution.
There is uneasy calm among supporters of the governor and APC candidate, Nasiru Gawuna.
BAUCHI
Following the judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming the victory of Governor Bala Mohammed of the PDP, the major opposition candidate, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, retd, of the APC, has headed to the Supreme Court.
The judgment, which was earlier slated for December 18, was adjourned to an unknown date. This has created anxiety among politicians and their supporters in the state.
A civil engineer with a construction firm in Bauchi, Sule Adamu, told Sunday Vanguard that Mohammed seemed unbothered over the pending case because he is embarking on projects across the state.
“Politics is dynamic and diverse. Everyone is surprised at how the governor is going about governance as if there’s no case at the Supreme Court”, Adamu said.
“People are not worried about him. Just two weeks ago, he awarded contracts for over 16 road projects.
“I think he will win at the Supreme Court because the two lower courts affirmed his victory”.
A politician, who pleaded anonymity, on his part, however, said the APC governorship candidate has a genuine case.
“As a politician, I can tell you that it is not over until it over. APC still has a case in the court because everyone that knows that there was over-voting in some local government areas,” he said.
TARABA
In Taraba State, the gubernatorial candidate of NNPP, Professor Sani Yahaya, rejected the judgment of the Appeal Court affirming the victory of Governor Kefas Agbu in the March 18 election.
The Court of Appeal had dismissed the appeal by Yahaya.
Yahaya and his party had challenged the result of the election on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, stating that Agbu didn’t score the majority of lawful votes cast.
But delivering judgment, the appellate court held that the reliefs sought by the NNPP candidate were inconsistent having faulted the outcome of the polls on grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, yet praying the court to declare him winner of the same election.
DELTA
The fears that had gripped Delta State weeks before the November 24, 2023, Court of Appeal judgment seem to be no more after the appellate court in Lagos affirmed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as the duly elected governor of the state.
The Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Asaba, had, September 29, upheld the declaration of Oborevwori as winner of the March 18 governorship election by INEC.
The electoral body said Oborevwori won the election after securing 360,234 votes to defeat Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of the APC, who scored 240,229 votes. However, dissatisfied with the appellate court’s ruling, Omo-Agege and his Social Democratic Party, SDP, counterpart, Kenneth Gbagi, have since headed to the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict.
Omo-Agege, who is the immediate past Deputy Senate President, is seeking to be declared the winner of the polls.
Gbagi, who is also challenging the outcome of the election, in addition, is seeking the disqualification of Oborevwori and the gubernatorial candidates of all other political parties that contested with him in the governorship election.
No date has been fixed for the commencement of the hearing at the apex court, Sunday Vanguard learnt.
Dissatisfied by the dismissal of his suit challenging the victory of Governor Hyacinth Alia by the Court of Appeal, PDP governorship candidate in Benue State in the last general elections, Titus Tyoapine Uba, said he would approach the Supreme Court for final arbitration on the matter.
A statement by the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Bemgba Iortyom, said the poll was won by Uba.
A three-man panel of justices at Appeal Court Abuja Division had dismissed the case filed by the PDP and its candidate seeking a declaration that both Alia and his deputy, Dr Sam Odeh, were not qualified to contest in the election.
The Appeal Court, in a unanimous judgment, held that Uba and PDP failed to prove allegations of forgery against Odeh, while others were pre-election issues which were statute barred.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court upon receipt of the appeal from the appellants, ordered that all processes relating to the matter be served on the governor and his deputy through substituted service.
The court gave the order while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the counsel of the PDP and Uba.
It also fixed December 18, 2023, as the return date for proof of service on the respondents.
RIVERS
In Rivers State, governorship candidate of LP, Beatrice Itubo, said she has directed her legal team to challenge the Appeal Court judgment validating the victory of Governor Sim Fubara at the Supreme Court
Recall that a three-man panel of Appeal Court Justices dismissed Itubo’s petition alongside the petition of the governorship candidate of APC ,Tonye Cole, for lacking in merit.
Reacting to the ruling during a forum with the leadership of the South-South Youth Initiative, Itubo said although she is pleased with the activities of Fubara, her decision to challenge the judgment is to ensure justice is served.
PLATEAU
In Plateau, the state government said it has instructed its lawyers to file an appeal at the Supreme Court against the verdict of the Court of Appeal which sacked Governor Caleb Muftwang from office.
A three-member panel, in a unanimous decision, held that Muftwang was not validly sponsored by the PDP as provided by Section 285(2) of the Constitution.
According to a statement, the governor expressed “strong optimism that the mandate overwhelmingly given to him by the people of Plateau State would be restored, as he has instructed his legal team to file an appeal at the Supreme Court.”
The Court of Appeal verdict has resulted in a charged political atmosphere across the state.
AKWA IBOM
The victory of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State is still being contested.
According to the governorship results declared by INEC, Eno polled 354, 348,000 votes to emerge winner of the election, while Senator Bassey Akpan of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, followed with 136, 262 votes. Obong Akan Udofia of the APC scored 129,602 votes.
Apart from the YPP and APC governorship candidates, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe of the NNPP, Ezekiel Nyak-Etok of African Democratic Congress, ADC, Mr Abraham Akpan of the Action Alliance, AA, and Emem Coffie of the Accord Party, AP, also challenged the outcome of the election.
On November 10, 2023, the Court of Appeal reaffirmed Eno as the validly elected governor and dismissed the appeals filed by the governorship candidates of AA and AP.
The three-man panel of the Appeal Court, Lagos Division ruled that the cases lacked merit.
The Appeal Court also quashed the appeals by the candidates of APC, YPP and NNPP for lacking merit
The court ruled that the appellants missed the point by arguing that since they were not parties in the case, the judgment on Eno’s certificate matter was not binding on them.
“The declaratory judgment of a competent court is a judgment in rem that is binding on the whole world, and not only on those who were parties in the case,” it said.
Aggrieved parties have since approached the Supreme Court, challenging the ruling.
However, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Easier Ndueso, told Sunday Vanguard that the date for hearing of the cases pending at the Supreme Court was yet to be communicated to the parties.
According to him, the parties that approached the apex court were the YPP, APC and AA.
The matter seems not to be generating any tension in the state as the opposition appears doubtful of getting justice.
CROSS RIVER
Prof Sandy Onor, the PDP governorship candidate in Cross River, has relentlessly tried to upturn the outcome of the March governorship election result in his favour.
He started litigation soon after Governor Bassey Otu picked the ticket of APC.
Onor alleged that Otu does not possess the prerequisite qualification to contest the election, claiming his West African School Certificate and degree certificates were forged.
He also claimed Otu’s running mate, Mr Odey, has United Kingdom citizenship.
The state High Court Calabar where he took the matter ruled in favour of the governor.
Not satisfied with the ruling, he proceeded to the Appeal Court in Calabar which again ruled in favour of Otu
After the declaration of the election results which he lost including his polling unit, Onor still instituted the same issues at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Calabar.
But the tribunal struck out all three grounds of the petition by the PDP governorship candidate, saying the petition was incompetent, shambolic and a mere academic exercise.
All the three judges, Justice Okenya Inneh, Justice M Omar and Justice O Olatawusu, read their judgment in favour of Otu
The tribunal did not award costs.
But this was not the situation at the Appeal Court, Lagos Division where Onor headed after the tribunal ruling.
He was fined N4million for wasting the court’s time.
Not satisfied, Onor has taken the matter to the Supreme Court.
ABIA
At press time, it was not yet clear if there was any pending appeal against the election of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State at the Supreme Court.
Although the PDP, APC, and their candidates, Chief Okey Ahiwe and Chief Ikechi Emenike, respectively, had challenged Otti at both the tribunal and Court of Appeal, they lost.
In their respective initial responses after losing out at the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, both parties had vowed to proceed to the apex court in pursuit of justice.
But inquiries by Sunday Vanguard to confirm if they finally made real their threats were fruitless as none of the parties could volunteer any useful information on the matter.
While APC Chairman in the state, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, did not pick up calls, PDP spokesman, Abraham Amah, declined comments on the matter.
APC and the PDP were the only political parties whose candidates challenged Otti’s victory.
Although it is not very clear what the situation is, Abia residents do not seem to lose sleep over both parties.
There is a general perception in the state that Otti does not have any litigation any more.
The spontaneous eruption of joy across the state that greeted Otti’s declaration as winner of the March 18 governorship poll is still fresh in the minds of Abians.
KANO
Ever since the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja nullified the victory of Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, the ancient city of Kano has been gripped by tension.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices, held that Yusuf was not a valid candidate in the gubernatorial election held in the state on March 18.
It maintained that evidence that was adduced by the parties established that the governor was not a member of NNPP at the time the election was held.
There had been several interpretations of the judgment following a difference between what was read in the court and the contents of the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the judgment.
At the court, the three-member panel, led by M. A. Adumein, upheld the judgment of the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which sacked Yusuf.
But in the concluding part of the CTC, it read that the issue was resolved against the APC and its candidate.
Consequently, Yusuf filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging his dismissal.
In the notice of appeal filed by the NNPP, INEC and APC were joined as respondents.
The document, which listed 10 grounds of appeal against the judgment of the appellate court, is seeking three reliefs from the apex court.
They include “an order allowing the appeal and setting aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on November 17, 2023, an order upholding the portion of the judgment of the Court of Appeal setting aside the judgment of the trial tribunal in petition No: EPT/RV/GOV/11/2023 and making an order as costs in favour of the appellant.”
The matter has generated so much interest, with several stakeholders calling on all parties to tread with caution.
There is uneasy calm among supporters of the governor and APC candidate, Nasiru Gawuna.
BAUCHI
Following the judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming the victory of Governor Bala Mohammed of the PDP, the major opposition candidate, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, retd, of the APC, has headed to the Supreme Court.
The judgment, which was earlier slated for December 18, was adjourned to an unknown date. This has created anxiety among politicians and their supporters in the state.
A civil engineer with a construction firm in Bauchi, Sule Adamu, told Sunday Vanguard that Mohammed seemed unbothered over the pending case because he is embarking on projects across the state.
“Politics is dynamic and diverse. Everyone is surprised at how the governor is going about governance as if there’s no case at the Supreme Court”, Adamu said.
“People are not worried about him. Just two weeks ago, he awarded contracts for over 16 road projects.
“I think he will win at the Supreme Court because the two lower courts affirmed his victory”.
A politician, who pleaded anonymity, on his part, however, said the APC governorship candidate has a genuine case.
“As a politician, I can tell you that it is not over until it over. APC still has a case in the court because everyone that knows that there was over-voting in some local government areas,” he said.
TARABA
In Taraba State, the gubernatorial candidate of NNPP, Professor Sani Yahaya, rejected the judgment of the Appeal Court affirming the victory of Governor Kefas Agbu in the March 18 election.
The Court of Appeal had dismissed the appeal by Yahaya.
Yahaya and his party had challenged the result of the election on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, stating that Agbu didn’t score the majority of lawful votes cast.
But delivering judgment, the appellate court held that the reliefs sought by the NNPP candidate were inconsistent having faulted the outcome of the polls on grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, yet praying the court to declare him winner of the same election.
DELTA
The fears that had gripped Delta State weeks before the November 24, 2023, Court of Appeal judgment seem to be no more after the appellate court in Lagos affirmed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as the duly elected governor of the state.
The Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Asaba, had, September 29, upheld the declaration of Oborevwori as winner of the March 18 governorship election by INEC.
The electoral body said Oborevwori won the election after securing 360,234 votes to defeat Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of the APC, who scored 240,229 votes. However, dissatisfied with the appellate court’s ruling, Omo-Agege and his Social Democratic Party, SDP, counterpart, Kenneth Gbagi, have since headed to the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict.
Omo-Agege, who is the immediate past Deputy Senate President, is seeking to be declared the winner of the polls.
Gbagi, who is also challenging the outcome of the election, in addition, is seeking the disqualification of Oborevwori and the gubernatorial candidates of all other political parties that contested with him in the governorship election.
No date has been fixed for the commencement of the hearing at the apex court, Sunday Vanguard learnt.
[Vanguard]
Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, has been conferred with the chieftaincy title of Gbobaniyi of Ijebuland.
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland confered the former governor with the title on Saturday
Jimi Lawal, a former governorship hopeful in Ogun, and his wife, Maryam, were also cconferred with chieftaincy titles by the monarch.
El-Rufai is the first person outside the south-west to be conferred with chieftaincy title by the monarch.
El-Rufai served as the governor of Kaduna between 2015 and 2023.
Seun Kuti, the Afrobeat singer, has revealed why he does not believe in God.
In an interview with Hip TV, Seun said he doubts the existence of a creator responsible for the world.
He critiqued the idea that humans are God’s most prized possession, stating that the widespread poverty and suffering contradicts the claim.
The singer alluded to the possibility of “something” beyond what traditional religions portray.
“I do not believe in God. I do not believe in the concept of this guy watching everyone and he will judge you when you die,” he said.
“I do not believe in the concept that people believe in God. I do not believe that there is something responsible for the creation of the world.
“I mean who wants to create this? If someone created this, are we supposed to be giving the person credit?
“80 percent of human beings are living in hunger and we are supposed to be his most prized possession. There is something but not the way we are told that it is.”
Seun has always been vocal about his stance on religion.
In 2013, he said he was happy being an atheist.
The singer has released songs like ‘Bad Man Lighter’, ‘Opposite People’, ‘African Soldier’, ‘Kalakuta Boy’, and ‘Slave Masters’.
He has also received several recognitions for his craft.
The family of John Okafor, the ailing actor better known as Mr. Ibu, has dismissed claims that his second leg was amputated.
On November 6, Ibu’s family revealed that the actor’s leg had been amputated after undergoing seven surgeries.
On Saturday, rumours swirled that the actor’s condition had deteriorated and that he could barely speak.
There were also claims that his second leg had been amputated.
But in a statement via his Instagram page, the actor’s family debunked the rumours.
The statement said further amputation was done on the same leg because the initial procedure did not improve the actor’s condition.
It added that the cause of Ibu’s ailment was a “constant clotting of the blood” in his leg.
The actor’s family urged his industry colleagues and fans to stop circulating unconfirmed reports and pray for him.
“First we would like to state that our daddy wasn’t amputated on both legs but only one,” the statement reads.
“The first amputation didn’t completely correct his health predicament so the doctors had to amputate the same leg further to ensure we didn’t lose him.
“Daddy’s cause of sickness is also not diabetes but he’s had constant clotting of the blood in his leg (diseased blood vessels) and other health challenges, therefore the need for the amputation.
“Lastly, the only reason why the family has not flown him out of the country to date is because the doctors have tagged him not fit to fly.
“Daddy is currently admitted at one of the best hospitals in Nigeria and the hospital has availed him a pool of very astute professionals.”
[VIDEO] Uyo based lawyer publicly beats up his wife until she bleeds during argument - NBA begins investigation
AdminA lawyer identified simply as Mr Ebong, beat up his wife during an argument over a key.
The man brutalised his wife until he broke her mouth and she started bleeding.
"Give me the key," he kept saying as he attacked the woman.
It took the intervention of neighbours to stop him from further attacking her.
A video shared online shows the lawyer standing over his wife as she lay on the floor. Blood covered the front of her shirt and some of her blood pooled on the floor.
Neighbours are heard saying that he has been abusing his wife for over 4 years.
A voice is heard saying: "Since when I was living up here, every night he'll be beating this woman. You no get shame? What kind of lawyer are you?
"No be today. I've lived in this compound for four years. When I was living there, every night, he'll be beating this woman."
They confronted him for his actions but he got angry at them for interfering and dared one of the men to house his wife.
The husband told the neighbour: "If she's a woman, let her sleep in your house. If she sleeps in your house. If she sleeps there."
"You want to take her to your house. Take her to your house," the husband said threateningly.
The neighbour responded angrily, saying: "You have been doing this thing for over 4 years now. Today will be your last. I'm telling you."
The neighbour then threatened to hit the husband with a stick (pako).
The neighbour said: "Pako, sir, pako, your life. If you try anything, your life. What's wrong with you?"
NBA begins investigation into viral video
The Nigerian Bar Association says it has began an investigation into the viral video of a lawyer assaulting his wife in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
In a statement released, the National Publicity Secretary of the Association, Akorede Habeeb Lawal says the lawyer has been identified as Ekere S. Ebong. He added that the President of the NBA, Yakubu Maikyau, has ordered the Uyo branch of the association to investigate the incident as a way of establishing a case of professional misconduct against the lawyer.
Read the statement below
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Media
An Uyo based lawyer Mr Ebong brutalizing his wife. So horrendous ???????????? pic.twitter.com/RDN8OAqr90
— Nkirukamma (@SabinaNkiru) December 16, 2023
A 68-year-old man from Ondo State, Joseph Ibironke, who claimed to have spent nine years in the United Kingdom and 21 years in the United States before he found himself in Nigeria after a strange illness, shares his experiences with FATTEH HAMID
Where are you from?
I’m Pastor Joseph Ibironke. Officially, I was born on February 2, 1955. I’m from Igbara Oke, in the Ifedore Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Where do you live now?
Currently, I live in Lameco, Sango Ota, Ogun State. The place is very close to the Nigerian Breweries in Sango.
What do you do to earn a living now?
I’m a minister of God, and some people support me to earn a living.
Where were you born?
Ondo State.
How many siblings do you have?
We were 11 (children). I’m the last child. Before I left Nigeria, two died and after I left Nigeria and came back, I had six siblings, but at the moment, I have three siblings from my parents left.
Which schools did you attend?
I attended Anglican Grammar School, Igbara Oke, Ondo State, before I proceeded to the University of Lagos. However, I didn’t finish my programme over there. While I was there, I joined the National Bank in 1980. While working in the bank, I was studying for a certificate programme. I passed stage one in Nigeria before I moved to London. I can remember that Union Bank snatched me from National Bank at the time. So, I was working with Union Bank before I moved to London for further studies. When I got to London, I attended a Bible college and I also attended Unity College, North London.
What did you study at UNILAG?
I studied Banking and Finance in UNILAG, though I didn’t graduate before moving to the UK.
When did you leave Nigeria and how old were you then?
I left Nigeria in the 1980s. If memory serves me right, I was in my 30s when I left Nigeria and that should be between 1983 and 1984.
What took you abroad?
Just the same reason many Nigerians leave today. The system in the country was bad and all my friends and I were seeking greener pastures. I left Nigeria for a better life.
How many years did you spend in the United Kingdom?
I spent nine years in London before moving to the United States.
What did you spend your time doing during those years? Did you also have a job there?
I was working. I worked as a security officer after I was trained as a security guard at Burns International Security Services Limited, United Kingdom. I was trained as an armed guard. When I moved to the US, I also worked with them for a while.
Did you become a UK citizen?
I had a British passport.
Where’s your passport?
I misplaced it. I declared it missing and the British Government replaced it, but it went missing again. I went back for the passport and I was told that I was careless with the British property and that it wouldn’t be replaced for me.
When was that?
I can’t remember but it was in 2007.
Why did you leave the UK for the United States?
It was because the UK was too tight but America was free. You can make it very fast in the US. At that time, my friends were there and advised me to move to the US.
How many years did you spend in the US?
I spent 21 years in the United States of America.
Did you get another job there?
As I earlier said, I worked with Burns and I also worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Police Department before I resigned because God called me to be a pastor. That was when I resigned in Los Angeles after working for about two years. Also, I had a store in Orange County, California, which was predominantly occupied by whites, no blacks lived there. In Orange County, I sold sophisticated electronics. I was always going to Japan to buy electronics and sell them. I was also the only black in Orange County at the time who made it (was successful).
Were you married with children when you were abroad?
Yes, I was married with four children. Right now, I don’t know their whereabouts and it’s very painful knowing you have children somewhere and you don’t know where they are. But I know that they can’t suffer over there. Their mother left me after my sickness.
What is your wife’s name and where is she from?
Her name is Helen, Helen Jones. She’s a citizen of the United States and is from Texas.
Where did you meet her?
We met in California before we moved to Tampa, Florida. From Tampa, we moved back to California and later back to Texas.
What are the names of the children you had together?
I don’t want to disclose their names.
In a video on social media, you claimed not to have known how you found yourself in Nigeria after spending 21 years in the US and nine years in the UK. Does that mean you never wanted to return to Nigeria?
No, I wanted to return home but was regularly stopped by my brother.
Were there times your family (parents or siblings) in Nigeria wanted you to return home for one reason or another?
When I wanted to come home, I was advised not to return home and that Nigeria was bad. Also, I had people I knew in New York who came and returned to the United States. I felt that (returning to Nigeria) wasn’t anything to bother about and that I was going to return to Nigeria. If they (my family members) couldn’t be hurt, I wouldn’t be hurt. On my birthday that year, I called my brother and told him that I was going to visit Nigeria and celebrate the next Easter. I sent N25,000 to them in Nigeria and told them to help me prepare for my arrival but before February ended, I became sick.
What was the nature of your sickness?
My wife told me that one midnight after making love together and we slept, I started barking like a dog, and that I was foaming in my mouth. She told me that she was scared, called for help and an ambulance was called and they rushed me to Cal State Teaching Hospital, California. I was there for 14 months and the doctors couldn’t detect what was wrong with me. Nigerians over there (in the US) who saw me and my condition said it was a spiritual attack and advised that I be taken back to Nigeria for treatment. My family in Nigeria was called and it was arranged that I be taken to Nigeria. My elder brother, Williams, and his first son, Kayode Ibironke, whom I sponsored throughout his education, both received me at the airport (in Nigeria) and took me to the psychiatry hospital in Sabo Yaba, where I was abandoned.
What type of treatment did you receive at the hospital?
At the psychiatric hospital, they dragged me out because no one visited me or asked about me. Later, I was taken to (a correctional service in) Kirikiri by the hospital when they saw me wandering on the road. I was in Kirikiri when the Redeemed Christian Church of God came to visit the prison and heard about me, saw my records, and saw my documents, that I was from the United States. The church took me back to the psychiatric hospital and was responsible for my treatment, clothing, and feeding.
However, no one checked on me again after some time and I ended up under a bridge in Oshodi. I was there for a while before some policemen saw me. I told them my story and they checked my documents. One of them took me to Ikeja, gave me N5,000, and told me I would be able to get help there. On the third day, I was in Ikeja when Kolawole Olawuyi’s Labe Orun team came to see me with some human rights activists. I didn’t have an idea how they got to know my story. They told me that they were informed that someone from the US was sleeping there (under the bridge). It was Labe Orun who took me to Pakoto Prayer Mountain in Ifo, where I spent six years before I recovered, even though not completely. It was under the leadership of Prophet Ezekiel Oladeinde, popularly called Baba Pakoto, that I recovered.
At what point did you realise that you were in Nigeria?
After my recovery at Pakoto.
What year was that?
That was in 2014.
Do you have properties in Nigeria?
I used to have one before leaving Nigeria. I had a house on Number 14, Olasumbo Street, Sabo Yaba, Lagos State. It was only my brother that knew about it.
Who was managing the property for you when you were away?
My elder brother, Williams Ibironke.
Have you been able to take possession of the property? Or what happened to it?
When I was going to the UK, I called my siblings and I showed them all the documents of the house which I handed over to my Nigerian wife who I was living with, with two children at the time. In the presence of my siblings, after handing it over to her, she knelt in front of my brother and asked him to keep the house documents for us since he was a father figure in the family at the time. My wife gave it to my older brother and my other siblings also said that it was the best thing to do. I left for the UK after that time. I didn’t spend up to six months before my wife was kicked out of my Nigerian house, and it was sold. My wife ran to our village where my eldest son died after she was unable to pay N150 for his treatment as I was later told by my wife. She had to run to her village to take care of my second son who was barely four months old when I left Nigeria.
Where are your second son and wife now?
The boy is now 43 years old. He is married with three children. I met him physically this year in June after I fully recovered from my illness and went to visit his mother. He narrated to me how life was tough for him and he is still struggling.
Where is your brother and his son now?
Both are dead. Kayode died a few years ago.
Having claimed that your siblings took over your property, did you contact the police?
The police didn’t help me build my house. I don’t believe in the policing system in Nigeria. In a rotten system like Nigeria and against a dead person? Not happening.
Can you remember the exact day you returned to Nigeria?
I cannot remember.
Do you desire to go back to meet your family in the US if you’re cleared to travel back?
Yes, I intend to go back to the United States but my intention is not to die over there. I just want to live a good life.
What do you plan to do next?
To live a good life for the rest of my life.
A former deputy secretary of state in the Vatican and nine others were yesterday found guilty in the enclave’s biggest financial corruption scandal.
Cardinal Angelo Becciu, Vatican employees and two outside Italian brokers were among 10 defendants described by prosecutors as “actors in a rotten predatory and lucrative system.”
Becciu, the highest ranking Vatican-based church official to be charged with financial crimes, was handed a jail term of five and a half years.
They were found guilty of embezzlement, corruption, abuse of office, fraud, witness tampering and extortion – with the trial revolving mostly around a luxury building in Chelsea.
Becciu was the pope’s chief of staff, serving as a key diplomat between 2011 and 2018.
They had been implicated in the purchasing of a showroom in London‘s Sloane Square formally used by Harrods, which was bought for €140m more than its market value – defrauding the Vatican.
The two-year-long trial, led by jury president and former anti-mafia prosecutor Giuseppe Pignatone, centered on the management of the funds of the secretariat of state and the sale of a property on London’s Sloane Avenue paid for with donation funds.
The former Harrods showroom was bought for €350m (£300m), while the real value was just €210m (£180m). The botched real estate deal defrauded the Vatican and caused a €140m loss (£120m).
This landmark probe exposed the Vatican’s financial dysfunction and was considered an indication of Pope Francis’ desire to fix the money mismanagement.
The scandal was exposed by Italian journalist Massimiliano Coccia, prompting Pope Francis to fire Becciu in 2020.
Becciu subsequently filed a defamation suit against Mr Coccia alleging that his ruined reputation had crushed his chances of becoming pope.
An Italian civil court recently dismissed the suit and awarded costs against Becciu.
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disclosed that the International Passport will henceforth be processed and collected within two weeks of registration.
The NIS Comptroller General, Caroline Adepoju, represented by DCG Saadatu Hassan, made the information known during the commissioning of the NIS Passport Front Office in Offa at the weekend.
“We are now in the era of getting passport within two weeks, unlike in the past when people waited for weeks before they could get their passport.
“This development started since the appointment of the present Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Ojo, whom the Almighty has used to perform the good work, for the benefit of Nigerians,” Adepoju said.
The Comptroller General, who said that the passport with 32 pages and which is to expire after five years, is meant for minors while the one for 64 pages, and valid for 10 years, is specifically for adults.
She advised applicants to report any problem encountered during the period of registration, by informing them physically or through their available website and not complain on social media.
“We have people that receive complaints in the office, also report through our website, Facebook page and other official channels, but don’t drag our name on social media, just to gain attention,” she said.
Adepoju also advised applicants to ensure that all their National Identity Number (NIN) information tallies with information on International Passport, saying it should be arranged accordingly.
“This is one of the major things that caused delays in collection of passports and make many people complain of the time taken to process passport,” she explained.
The NIS boss thanked the Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Badamasi Esuwoye II, for his kind gesture in donating the NIS Passport Office and providing all necessary things for the structure.
“Offa is one of the few states in Nigeria that has two passport offices and I am happy for them as it will spring up lots of opportunities and help to increase economic activities in Offa Town,” she said.
State Comptroller of Immigration, Compt. Aminu Shamsuddin thanked the Organization of Development Union (ODU) in Offa, most especially the Olofa of Offa for his kind gesture, human friendliness and determination.
Shamsuddin said that Olofa had always wanted to ease the stress of his subjects and so, immediately he suggested NIS Passport Front office to him, he was ready to sponsor it.
He also thanked Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for the good work of his administration, most especially the Minister and CG for the approval and assistance rendered towards making it successful.
Earlier, Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Badamasi Esuwoye II said that delay in passport collection and lots of complaints from his subjects and other people prompted him to sponsor the establishment of a passport office in Offa.
He further said that with the assistance of the hardworking Minister of Interior and NIS CG, the project became a reality and a dream came through.
“Many people complained that it takes months to collect passport abroad, but things have changed for good, as those in diaspora now get their passport within a month.
“While those in Nigeria now have the opportunity to get their passport within two weeks,” he said.
Olofa, who said that demand for passport had increased, added that the effort of the Minister and CG to open up more Passport Front offices was commendable.
He further said that the presence of Passport Front office in Offa would save his subjects from travelling to other states to get passports done as well as increase productivity.
The first class traditional ruler urged all Nigerians to maximize the opportunity and get their passport, saying that the new NIS office belongs to the whole nation and not only for Offa people.
I learnt about the use of human head for money rituals on social media — Man who beheaded OAU student in Abeokuta
AdminA 35-year-old suspect, Akeem, who was arrested by detectives in Ogun State Police Command after he allegedly murdered an 18-year-old student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Quadri Salami, to get body parts for sale, has revealed how he learnt about use of human heads from Facebook groups.
The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Quadri for almost a month unravelled when Akeem was arrested after technical investigation and intelligence gathering were adopted by the detectives. This was followed by the recovery of the deceased’s decomposing body parts in a shallow grave on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, by the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, who led a team to the suspect’s house at Mile 6, Ajebo area of Abeokuta, the state capital.
Giving an insight to how the discovery was made, the police spokeswoman, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed that the deceased’s father reported the case of his missing son at Kemta Police station on November 14, about six days after he was last seen.
The PPRO said that the father told the police that he had not seen his son since November 8, and all efforts to locate him had proved abortive.
She stated further that the report led to intelligence gathering which yielded fruits with the arrest of Akeem to whom the missing boy’s phone was traced.
On interrogation, Akeem reportedly opened up on how he killed the teenage student and dismembered his body for sale to another native doctor, Ifaniyi, and other prospective buyers.
It was further learnt that Akeem called Ifaniyi after dismembering Quadri, handed the head and a palm to him, while Ifaniyi paid the sum of N130,000 into Akeem’s account for the body parts.
To hide his criminal act, Akeem reportedly burnt Quadri’s clothes and threw away his footwear and phone. Not done, Akeem reportedly put the remaining body parts in a plastic bucket, soaked them in alcohol and buried the bucket until needed for use or purchase. However, one of his pair of footwears was found not too far away from Akeem’s house during investigation and search by detectives, Saturday Tribune learnt.
“The suspects are currently at the State Criminal Investigation Department at Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigations, and will definitely be prosecuted after the conclusion, SP Odutola said.
In an interview Saturday Tribune had with Akeem, who hailed from Osun State, he said that he started living in Abeokuta in 2014.
The married father of three narrated: “I am a native doctor. Before becoming one, I was selling phones and accessories. I started learning divination in 2015 from my paternal grandmother who told me to do so as she didn’t want it to become extinct in her family lineage. I went to stay with her in Sagamu. When my grandmother died, I returned to Abeokuta and went round native doctors who were versed in the practice to learn more. I started practising it in 2018.
“My practice involved taking care of diabetic patients (egbo adaajina), breaking spiritual bondages (atude), opening ways for success (asina), fortune making (asiri bibo) and others. I was using python’s head (ori ere), cobra’s head (ori oka), dog’s head (ori aja), okete’s head and others which would be added to herbs and roots to prepare the native medicines for awure, asiri bibo and the rest.
How I learnt using human heads
“In divination and native medicine training, we were not taught to use human heads. I learnt it from Facebook accounts after joining the groups. They would write about things to use for rituals and I would copy and put them in writing for use. This was about three years ago.
“I started using pieces of dry human skull I got from fellow native doctors. I would grind them into powder and mix them with native black soap or to make aseje (d:d:r). We would just ask other native doctors if they had ‘ajiyo (r:r:d)’ (pieces of dry human skull) which could not be decoded by non-native doctors.
“I got two human heads from a native doctor, Ifayemi. He is currently on the run. Before I got them, another native doctor, Ifaniyi, told me that he needed them. I told Ifayemi and when he got one, he brought it and charged N50,000 for it. I gave it to Ifaniyi. That was in July this year. He brought the second one for Ifaniyi in September. He also paid another N50,000 for it. I didn’t know how Ifayemi got the heads.”
How I knew the OAU student that I eventually killed
“Quadri was learning barbing from a man, Ahmed. I used to barb in the shop too. One day, the boss called me and said that he was told to perform rites to the god of iron (bo ogun) for Quadri. The barber brought Quadri and I carried out the task.
“Two weeks after, the boy came to me and asked that I prepared a fortune soap for him. He told me he was a yahoo guy but was not making enough money from the foreigners he was scamming. The boss didn’t know of his coming to me. I made ‘asina’ soap for him using lizard, herbs and a candle stuffed in the middle of the soap. He lit the candle and went to have a bath with the soap in my backyard. This was in October.
“He came back to me and said the job had not picked up as he wanted. I told him look for N70,000 to do the job. He left and came back after two weeks again and said he couldn’t get any money, asking me to help him. I told him to return after a week, promising to make some charms (eyonu d:m:m and atude r:m:d) that would favour him.
“Some days after, Ifaniyi called and told me that he needed another human head and I should let him know if the native doctor who usually got it for me had one. On November 8, when Quadri came, I gave him a prepared soap to have a spiritual bath at my backyard. As he was having the bath, I crept into the backyard from a side and struck him with a machete on his neck from the back.
“He fell down immediately and I struck him the second time, severing his head. I also cut his palms from his wrists before dismembering other body parts. I cleaned the blood as if nothing happened in my house. This was at about 3pm. My wife and children were not at home. I called Ifaniyi and he came to collect the head and a palm at about 4pm. He paid N130,000 – N100,000 for the head and N30,000 for the palm. He didn’t know that I killed the victim whose body parts he got.
“On December 6, police came to my house after discovering my involvement, and I confessed everything to them. I now realise that what I did was very bad. I just pray for God’s forgiveness.”
The second suspect, Ifaniyi, who purchased Quadri’s head and palm also narrated his involvement, saying that he never knew that Akeem killed someone to get the head for him.
The 28-year-old father of one narrated his side of the story thus: “I’m a native of Abeokuta. I live at Ita Oshin. I grew up in Ifa divination household and never attended school. I started learning from childhood and also went to other native doctors in addition to what I learnt from my parents. We had worship points (ojubo) for Ifa, esu, ogun, and used to perform rites to cleanse heads (ori bibo) and make sacrifices. We usually appease (bo) esu with palm oil, salt, alcohol and chicken.
How I got human heads from Akeem
“I knew him long ago when he was selling phones and accessories. He was so nice that he would even give phone or accessories free of charge if one didn’t have money. He was also coming to me for divination (da ifa) and sacrifices (aajo and irubo). He later went to learn divination from his paternal grandmother. When he started practising, he told me he had someone who used to bring human heads to him for purchase. I told him to help me get one whenever the person had it.
“I used the human heads for myself to open ways (asina). We were not taught to use human parts during training. We learnt it from the social media. Unfortunately, I didn’t experience any improvement.
“On the last human head he gave me that got me into trouble, he called me a day before to tell me that it would be brought by the usual supplier, promising to give me a call. He did the following day and said that the body from which the parts were got was freshly exhumed as he was told. I paid N130,000.
“The following day, I checked the nylon and saw that the head and palm were still fresh. I called my colleague and asked if he was sure that the body was exhumed and not that someone was killed. He repeated that it was exhumed, most likely on the day it was buried.
“I prepared the charm by burning the head and palm along with a turtle (ijapa), Ega bird, alligator pepper (ataare) and certain herbs (ewe oge d:d) in a black earthenware until it became powder. I mixed it with native soap in preparation to bathe with it. However, I was arrested before I started using it.”
Thirty-year-old Ahmed, the barber who had Quadri as an apprentice before his murder, said that he knew Akeem as a customer and a diviner, but never thought he could commit such an act.
According to Ahmed, “I am from Abeokuta. I am a father of two and own a barbing salon and Quadri was learning from me. He usually came whenever he had a break from school. We were in the shop in September when Osun worshippers passed by and started blessing us. I gave them money in appreciation of the prayers and Quadri also did so.
“They went on their way but suddenly turned back and asked for the shop owner. I said I was the one. They asked me to tell Quadri togive sacrifices to Ogun because of family issue. Quadri himself heard it. That same evening, Akeem a.k.a Ogbon came to my shop. I intimated him of what we were told by Osun worshippers and he said I should allow him to get home and make findings on it.
“Later, I called him to know what he thought about it, and he said we should do what we were told. He prescribed usage of chicken, palm oil and alcohol for the rites and Quadri paid for them. We went to his house two days after and performed the rites. We didn’t spend more than an hour with him and we went back to the shop. Two or three weeks after, Quadri told me that he was going back to school and wanted to be home to prepare. I bade him bye and told him to be careful about his life.
“After almost a month, Quadri’s father came to my shop to ask if I saw his son. I was surprised at the question and asked him if the boy had yet to return to school as he told me. The father replied in the negative, saying that they were trying to gather money for him to take to school. The father told me that his son left home after telling him that he wanted to work onn his SIM card at Oke Ilewo and would stop by my shop to eat. I told him that Quadri did not come to the shop. I called his phone number but it was not going through. I remember that the dad asked me whether I suspected Quadri of being a yahoo boy. I replied that I would be telling a lie if I said he was not doing so. I pointed out to the father the expensive phones he had even before he started apprenticeship with me which I could never afford. The father left.
“I called Akeem and told him what I heard of Quadri. He expressed surprise, saying that he thought he had gone back to school. He said that the boy had not been to his place since the last time I came with him. He said he would check from Ifa. He called me back later and said what he saw was that the boy was alive but just went playing.
“A customer came to my shop and I also mentioned the search for Quadri. He gave me a number and said I should call a pastor to enquire about Quadri. When I called the pastor, he said he would like to speak with his parents. I forwarded the number to Quadri’s mother.
“I was sitting in front of my shop on December 6 when Police came to arrest me. I got into Police van and saw Akeem in it. I later got to know that he was the one who killed Quadri and sold his body parts.”
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In less than 10 days to Christmas, the price of poultry birds in Ibadan is projected to be higher than last year mostly because of the current rise in inflation, which specifically affects the cost of feeding for the birds.
According to a recent survey conducted among some poultry farmers in Ibadan, TRIBUNE ONLINE gathered that residents of Ibadan should expect that the price of poultry birds may not be any less than N10000 for fowl and N25,000 for turkeys.
A poultry farmer based in Challenge Ibadan, Jumoke Olagunju, said, “Poultry birds will be sold at a higher price this year. The people who are buying from us are buying at a higher price so definitely they will sell at a higher price. I intend to sell female turkeys to resellers between ₦9000 and ₦10,000 and male turkeys between ₦24,000 and ₦25,000.
“Presently giant local turkey is about ₦30,000 while the female is about ₦12,000 but for foreign giant turkey, it is about ₦70,000 and ₦80,000 while the female is about ₦50,000 and ₦60,000. Whatever you buy, that is what you sell. With the current situation, especially the cost of feeding is skyrocketing, otherwise it shouldn’t have cost as much as that,” Engr. Omoyeni poultry farmer from Onibure, Ibadan.
Emphasising further on the possible price of poultry birds, Mr Adewole Kehinde from Olorunda, Ibadan, a poultry farmer said “I will be selling local giant turkey this season for ₦25,000 to ₦35,000 depending on the weight and size. For imported giant turkeys, it is between ₦40,000 to ₦60,000. For broiler, it is going between ₦7,000 to ₦12,000 depending on the size and weight.
The Executive Secretary of Calabar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kenneth Assim Ita, has disclosed that there are over 24 million unemployed youths in Nigeria.
He said that if nothing is done to deliberately create jobs, in the next five years, the figure can rise above 60 million.
Ita spoke at the 2023 Nkonib Qua Clan, Calabar Municipality Council Symposium, with the theme, ‘Sustainable Development and Traditional Institutions In The 21st Century’.
Speaking on ‘The Roles and Responsibilities of Youths in Community and National Development’, he said, “Those legally seen as the youths in Nigeria are more than 54% of the total population. 24 million youths are unemployed in Nigeria. In the next five years, it can rise to 60m, if nothing is done to engage them.”
He however cautioned Nigerian youths against waiting on government for jobs.
Ita advised youths to develop entrepreneurship ideas, create jobs and become employers.
“You must persevere, be intentional, dream big but start small.
“Work out your ideas in every sphere of life. If you don’t establish yourself, nobody will give you attention. Entrepreneurship is way out of unemployment.”
In the spirit of Christmas festival, a California, United States of America based Phillantropists, who was also an Old Pupil of St. Augustine Nursery and Primary School, Abeokuta, Rev. (AGSOBA) Olakunle Onaleye A.K.A Ghana and wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Esther Onaleye celebrated the Management, Teachers and pupils of the school with cash and gifts awards.
Rev. Onaleye was known for his generosity, kindness and cheerful giving and with that he has inscribed notable milestone in the lives of the people, especially vulnerable ones through the use of his God giving fortune to bring joy, comfort and succour to the people.
Adekunle and wife Wife Esther have once again established the feat of their kind gesture in the lives of teachers and pupils of his old school by Organising a befitting Christmas party that featured, presentation of cash awards to teachers as a way of appreciating their efforts in nurturing the learners to realise their dreams and fulfil their potentials.
AGSOBA Onaleye also gave prizes to outstanding pupils from primary two to six that took 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their respective examinations . He also provided school sandals for the vulnerable students, in order to encourage them to focus more on their academics and for them to be proud leaders of the future.
Through the gesture bestowed on them, the beneficiaries could not hold their expression of happiness, as they continue to shower praises and encomiums on the Phillantropists and wife for the gesture that will continue to linger on in their minds.
Speaking during the Christmas celebration with pupils and staff of St. Augustine, the kind hearted man, Rev. Olakunle Onaleye said the help was done out of his passion to support the young ones to grow up and fulfill their desires in life and to put smiles on the faces of people, especially vulnerables.
Onaleye represented by his childhood friend, Prince Ademola Gbadebo noted that Christmas season is the time of love, giving and merry making, hence the need to emulate God that gave the mankind the most appreciative gift, Jesus Christ his son, urging people to always fear God and do anything within their capacity to bring joy to the hearts of fellow human beings.
In her appreciative notes, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Abiola Odewole mentioned that this was not the first time such a notable gesture will be carried out by their helpers, because they have donated perimeter fencing for the safety of the pupils, computer and printers to make them ICT complaints, stationers to aid smooth running of the administrative works, donation of sewing machines to encourage vocational skills from elementary level and provision of school uniforms for some pupils.
Speaking, the Coordinator, Abeokuta Local Government Zonal Education Office, Mr. Ali Muhammed and the representative of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Sunday Odebowale lauded Rev. Kunle Onaleye for being there for the school always and that his kind gesture was worthy of emulation and commendation, promising to reward him with letter of commendation.
Also appreciating the donors on behalf of other pupils, the Senior Boy and Girl of the school, Mayowa Edibo and Agai Ifechukwu respectively, emphasised that the initiative was a giant stride that was capable of assuring them a secured future, saying, if others can take after Rev. Onaleye, poverty will soon be eradicated in the society, as they pray for continous Divine Provision for him and his family.
Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total sum of N1.08 trillion in November 2023 revenue actual to the federation account to the federal, state and local government areas.
As contained in a communique issued by the FAAC at its December 2023 meeting, the N1.08 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N376.306 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N335.656 billion, electronic money transfer levy revenue of N11.952 billion and exchange difference revenue of N364.869 billion.
According to the communique that was issued at the end of the 3rd of the meeting on Friday, the total revenue of N1. 62 trillion was available in November 2023 as statutory revenue. Total deductions for cost of collection was N60.960 billion; total transfers, interventions and refunds were N470.592 billion.
Gross statutory revenue of N882.56 billion was received for November 2023. This was higher than the N660.090 billion received in October 2023 by N222.47 billion.
The gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in November 2023 was N360.455 billion. This was higher than the N347.343 billion available in October 2023 by N13.112 billion.
The communique stated that from the N1088.783 billion total distributable revenue, the federal government received a total of N402.86 billion, the state governments received N351.7 billion and the local government areas received N258.81 billion.
A total sum of N75.410 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
From the N376.306 billion distributable statutory revenue, the federal government received N174.908 billion, the states received N88.716 billion and the LGAs received N68.396 billion. The sum of N44.286 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.
The federal government received N50.348 billion, the 36 states received N167. 828 billion and LGAs: N117.480 billion from the N335.656 billion distributable VAT revenue.
The N11.952 billion electronic money transfer levy was shared as follows: the Federal Government received N1.793 billion, the State Governments received N5.976 billion and the Local Government Councils received N4.183 billion.
The federal government received N175.817 billion from the N364.869 billion Exchange Difference revenue. The State Governments received N89.177 billion, and the LGAs received N68.751 billion. The sum of N31.124 billion (13 percent of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.
In November 2023, Companies Income Tax (CIT), Excise Duty, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Oil and Gas Royalties and Value Added VAT increased considerably, while transfer levies, import duty and money transfer recorded decreases.
The balance in the excess crude account remains $473,754.57.
[Leadership]