The trial of former Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti before a Federal High Court Lagos was stalled on Monday, following the absence of the 12th prosecution witness, Mr Musiliu Obanikoro.
Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence, who began his evidence on Jan. 31, is still undergoing cross-examination by the defence.
Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over alleged fraud and money laundering charges.
The former governor was first arraigned on Oct. 22, 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offences.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018 in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.
The defendant was, however, subsequently re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, on July 2, 2019, after the case was withdrawn from Justice Olatoregun, following EFCC’s petition.
He had also pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted, while the case was adjourned for trial.
The commission has since opened its case before Justice Aneke, and is still leading witnesses in evidence.
When the case was called on Monday, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) announced an appearance for the prosecution, while Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN) appeared for the second defendant.
Meanwhile, Mr Ahmed T. held the brief of Mr Ola Olanipekun (SAN) for the first defendant.
The prosecutor, who informed the court that the case was for continuation of cross-examination of Pw12, added that he was informed by the witness’ aide that he was out of the country.
Specifically, Jacobs urged the court to grant an adjournment to the already existing dates in June.
This application for adjournment was not opposed by the defence counsel.
Ojo, second defence counsel, however, said that if “the trend continues on the next adjourned date”, he would have no choice but to make the “necessary application”.
On his part, the first defence counsel informed the court of an application seeking leave of the court for medical travel of the defendant
He told the court that his application was dated May 5 but filed today.
The prosecutor did not oppose this application.
Justice Aneke consequently, granted the defendant’s application to travel for medicals.
He adjourned the case to the already existing dates of June 6 and June 8 for the continuation of trial
In December 2021 EFCC called its 11th witness, Mrs Joanne Tolulope, who had narrated how Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Fayose, bought properties worth several millions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that during the trial before Justice Olatoregun, the prosecution had called witnesses, from several commercial banks, as well as Obanikoro.
According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.
Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of five million dollars, (about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.
He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million, which sum he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.
Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd to retain the aggregate sums of N851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.
Besides, the defendant was alleged to have used the aggregate sums of about N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which sums he reasonably ought to have known formed part of the crime proceeds.
He was also alleged to have used the sum of N200 million, to acquire a property in Abuja, in the name of his elder sister Moji Oladeji, which sum he ought to known also forms parts of crime proceeds.
The offence, the EFCC said, contravenes the provisions of sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.
Afrobeats star, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido has sought God’s intervention ahead of a Supreme Court ruling which involves his uncle and governor of Osun, Ademola Adeleke, in being made legitimate number one citizen of the state.
The Supreme Court had fixed May 9, 2023, to deliver a judgment in the July 16 governorship election tussle in Osun State. A five-member panel of Justices led by Justice John Okoro fixed the date after all the parties involved adopted their written briefs in the matter.
Recalled that the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, had set aside the decision of the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which nullified the election of Senator Ademola Adeleke as Governor of Osun State.
Consequently, the Appellate Court affirmed Adeleke as the winner of the State’s governorship election of July 2022.
Speaking ahead of the ruling, Davido who was actively supportive of his uncle’s bid prior to the polls, was optimistic of a favourable outcome.
He tweeted, “Osun State Election Petition hearing comes up at the Supreme Court today. We look forward to the judicial affirmation of @AAdeleke_01
(The people’s) mandate. The hardest part is done, winning a free and fair Election. May God let the court do the right thing.”(sic)
The Presidential Election Petition Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, barred Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State from standing before it as the representative of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The Plateau state governor had immediately the first petition that was lodged against the outcome of the 2023 presidential election was called up, stood up and announced himself as Tinubu’s representative.
“My Lord’s my name is Simon Lalong and I am here to represent Tinubu,” the governor stated.
However, Justice Haruna Tsammani led a five-member panel that declined to recognize him as Tinubu’s representative.
“You cannot represent an individual. Tinubu is not a corporation that would need a representative,” the presiding justice held.
“My Lords, in that case, I will represent the All Progressives Congress, APC,” Governor Lalong responded.
Meanwhile, the court has adjourned further pre-hearing session on the petition the Labour Party and its candidate, Peter Obi filed to nullify Tinubu’s election victory till Wednesday.
The court equally fixed the same date for another petition by the Action Peoples Party, APP, while it adjourned the case of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, till Tuesday.
While adjourning the cases, the court urged the parties to identify all the witness statements and documents they would rely on or object to during the actual hearing of the petitions.
Among those in court to witness the proceedings included the presidential candidate of the LP, Mr Peter Obi.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will fix Nigeria with God’s help.
Adeboye gave this assurance at the monthly thanksgiving service at the RCCG Headquarters in Ebute-Metta.
The cleric, represented by his Special Assistant, Pastor Dele Balogun, said Nigeria would prosper under Tinubu’s administration.
The RCCG General Overseer urged Tinubu to fulfil Nigerians’ dream of a new nation.
He stated, “Let us pray for the incoming government that God will support it and give it the Grace to do the right thing.
“Thank God the President-elect has promised to fix Nigeria. If God helps him, Nigeria will prosper in his hands.”
The President-elect would be inaugurated on May 29 as the next President of Nigeria as President Muhammadu Buhari moves out of the Office.
Recall that the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja has struck out the petition by the Action Alliance (AA) challenging the victory of Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The five-member panel held that the petition Justices Haruna Simon Tsammani with Stephen Adah, Bolaji Yusuf, Moses Ugo and Abba Mohammed as members.
The presiding justice, Justice Tsammani held that the dismissal was in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Earlier, two lawyers Oba Maduabuchi (SAN) and Malachy Nwaekpe Esq announced their appearances for the AA.
Both lawyers claimed to have been instructed by different factions of the political parties to withdraw the petition.
The party’s presidential candidate, David Okonigbuan had brought the petition against INEC, APC, Bola Tinubu and Hamza Al Mustapha challenging his exclusion from the election.
The party also fielded Al-Mustapha as the presidential candidate who was listed by INEC.
The respondents in the matter did not object to the withdrawal of the petition.
There are now four petitions left out in the proceedings
The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal began hearing petitions today from dissatisfied presidential candidates contesting the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Timubu was declared winner of the 2023 presidential polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While Tinubu won with 8,794,726 votes, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came in second with 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party came in third with 6,101,533 votes.
In separate petitions, Atiku and Obi, however, have challenged the results of the 2023 general election, which Tinubu won.
Meanwhile, INEC, Tinubu, Shettima Kashim, and the APC are named as respondents in Obi’s petition, which he and his party filed jointly.
Let’s see the five prayers of Obi at the tribunal:
Election cancellation
Obi and his party are seeking the nullification of the February 25 presidential election.
According to the, “The Presidential election conducted on 25th February 2023 is void on the ground that the election was not conducted substantially in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.”
25% in FCT
The second prayer is the issue of 25% in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This has continued to stir controversies as INEC has come out to say Tinubu didn’t need 25% in the federal capital territory to be declared the winner because he had scored majority and in more than 25% in several states.
However, Obi and Labour Party want the tribunal to declare;
That the 2nd Respondent (Tinubu) having failed to score one-quarter of the votes cast at the Presidential Election in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja was not entitled to be declared and returned as the winner of the presidential election held on 25 February 2023.
Fresh election
In addition to the election cancellation, the Labour Party and its presidential candidate asked the court to compel INEC to conduct a fresh election.
Eligibility
The petitioners argue that Tinubu should not have been eligible to run for the top office due to his “ineligibility”.
Obi’s lead lawyer, Livy Uzoukwu in his submission, said the president-elect “was not duly elected by majority of the lawful votes cast at the time of the election.”
Also, Obi claimed the APC candidate “was linked to drug trafficking by US court” leading to his eventual forfeiture of the sum of $460,000 to the American government, adding the latter is “not qualified to contest Nigerian presidency.”
Disqualify Tinubu, Shettima from contesting for fresh polls
The Labour Party flag bearer said both Tinubu and his deputy should be disqualified from the fresh polls because they are allegedly not qualified.
Obi and his party in the petition said;
The nomination of Kashim Shettima as vice presidential candidate was defective as he did not withdraw from his nomination as a senatorial candidate of his party before accepting to serve as vice presidential candidate of Mr Tinubu.
Five kidnapped Nigerian girls forced into prostitution in Tripoli have been rescued by the Libyan Criminal Investigations Agency.
According to the Libyan Observer, the human trafficking gang abducted the girls from their villages in Nigeria, and smuggled them to Tripoli, where they were forced into prostitution.
“The Libyan Criminal Investigation Agency has busted a human smuggling gang from Nigerian and freed 5 Nigerian girls who had been abducted by gang members from their villages in Nigeria and smuggled into the Libyan capital of #Tripoli where they were sold and forced into sex,” the report reads.
It was gathered that the agency, at the weekend, raided the house where the victims were locked up and arrested some suspects after a 17-year-old girl escaped.
Another report published by a Libyan news agency on Sunday, May 7, 2023, says the rescued girls have been handed over to the Consul General of the Nigerian Embassy while effort is ongoing to arrest other members of the criminal gang.
“The Criminal Investigation Office, Tripoli, arrests a gang that kidnaps girls from Nigeria and brings them to Libya, in a crime considered transnational,” the post read.
“On 5/5/2023, I received information from the investigation members of the Criminal Investigation Office at the Tripoli Security Directorate, stating that there is a girl who escaped from the place of a gang formation that is exploiting girls of Nigerian nationality, who are minors, in prostitution in exchange for sums of money.
“And in the presence of the girl, accompanied by one of the consular employees of the Criminal Investigation Office, Tripoli, to file the complaint and infer with her.
“She reported that she is a 17-year-old high school student who was kidnapped along with other girls in front of her school in Nigeria and brought to Libya via desert and illegal roads.
“She also reported that she was placed in a house on the outskirts of Tripoli with the other girls who are still locked inside the house and forced to practice prostitution.
“Immediately, a work team was formed from the members of the Criminal Investigation Office in Tripoli. The investigation began, the collection of information was opened, and a report was opened and presented to the Public Prosecution, which ordered the arrest of this gang.
“The members of the office went to the location of the house and raided it, and the perpetrators were arrested and all the girls were freed.
“And by reasoning with the arrested and accused in this incident, they confessed to what was attributed to them, and all legal measures were taken regarding the incident and the Nigerian embassy was informed.
“The Consul General of the embassy attended the headquarters of the office and expressed his thanks to the Ministry of Interior, its presidency and members.
“He also thanked the Tripoli Security Directorate and the Criminal Investigation Office for the great security efforts that were made in following up this incident, liberating the girls and apprehending the criminals.
“He said he will inform the authorities in Nigeria that the girls are safe and work will be done to return them to their country after the end of the legal and diplomatic procedures.”
'We’ll Deliver Justice But Avoid Delays' - Presidential Election Court Warns Tinubu, Obi, Atiku’s Lawyers
AdminThe Chairman of the Presidential Election Petition Court panel sitting in Abuja, Justice Haruna Tsammani has warned petitioners and respondents to avoid “unnecessary technical arguments” and “sectional comments” as proceedings on the outcome of the 2023 presidential election is set to begin by 10:30 am.
Tsammani said this while officially declaring the five-man panel to preside over five petitions before them.
“Let us avoid giving sectional comments. We are determined to look at all the matters, and give justice,” Tsammani said.
He assured lawyers , parties and the press that the panel is not unaware of its responsibility and the importance of the case to Nigeria’s democracy and jurisprudence.
“Knowing very well that election matters are time bound, let us avoid unnecessary technical arguments,” he said, adding that there was no need for lawyers to file time wasting applications.
Responding to the panel, the lead counsel for president-elect Bola Tinubu, Wole Olanipekun SAN promised to cooperate with the court.
On his part, the lead counsel for Peter Obi and Labour party, O. Livy SAN, said while the case has involved a lot of “public interest”, he was confident that the outcome of the case will impact on Nigeria’s jurisprudence.
Counsel representing Atiku Abubakar of the People Democratic party, Chris Uche SAN, assured the court of the cooperation of the legal team.
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu, has said politicians should be sworn in using African deities like Amadioha and Ogun.
Ibegbu said using African deities to swear in politicians would prevent them from looting the government’s treasury while in office.
The public affairs analyst urged the National Assembly to enact laws that would permit politicians to be sworn in using African deities.
According to Ibegbu, I advocate that all political office holders in Nigeria be sworn into office using Africa Oaths with our deities.
Politicians are no longer afraid of the Bible and Koran and should be sworn in with African deities to instil fear and honesty in them. Unless this is done, our politicians will continue to loot us dry and mess up our lives.
Politicians should swear with Amadioha, Ogun, Chockonoze, they will think twice before looting our patrimony. We, therefore, call on the National Assembly to pass a law to that effect immediately.
Ibegbu also called for the abolition of security votes, adding that the “immunity clause and full-time national and state legislature, at Nigeria’s cost is inhumane and outrageous.
80 percent of our resources go into servicing non-productive politicians and elites leaving the masses in agony.
The Supreme Court on Monday fixed May 9, to deliver its judgment in the disputed July 16 governorship election in Osun State.
The apex court fixed the 24-hour period for the judgment delivery after taking arguments from parties involved in the matter.
At the centre of the disputed election is the incumbent Governor Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, who stood for the poll on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Adegboyega Oyetola who was the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate.
However, while Oyetola is the appellant in the Supreme Court matter, having lost at the Court of Appeal, Adeleke is the major respondent who won the Court of Appeal decision.
The Supreme Court will deliver the final verdict by 2 pm on May 9.
At today’s proceedings, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN argued for the APC.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had on Friday, March 24, vacated the tribunal judgment that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal was meritorious.
Aside from setting aside the judgment of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgment that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500,000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.
An aide to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Daniel Bwala, said President-elect Bola Tinubu has dropped certain nominees considered for appointment.
The public affairs analyst, who earlier predicted the composition of the incoming government, made the claim in a Twitter post.
Bwala noted that Tinubu took the action because some individuals expected to get portfolios have been displaying “a sense of entitlement”.
The former All Progressives Congress (APC) member also said there are concerns about the number of outgoing governors that may join the next cabinet.
“After I shared that some nominees in Tinubu’s list dropped for conduct considered as a sense of entitlement, you are hearing perspectives saying they are not interested in the job? Connect the dots.
Bwala tweeted, Growing concern also that the number of former governors in Tinubu’s ministerial list is scary and might undermine good governancec.
The legal practitioner added that Babatunde Ogala, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, could replace Babatunde Fashola for the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) slot.
Though Femi Gbajabiamila looks set to emerge as Chief of Staff, Fashola (SAN) should not be ruled out for the role.
Ogala, ex-APC Legal Adviser, headed the Legal Directorate of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation; Fashola is Minister of Works and Housing and former Lagos governor.
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The presidential election petition tribunal has adjourned its sitting to Wednesday, May 10, matters brought before it challenging the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.
This was disclosed in a tweet on Monday by one of the spokespersons for the Labour Party, LP, Kenneth Okonkwo,
After a brief pre-hearing trial, the case was adjourned to Wednesday, 10th May 2023 at 2 pm prompt, Okonkwo wrote.
The presidential election petition tribunal commenced proceedings in Abuja, on Monday.
Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and his counterpart in the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi are challenging the declaration of Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as winner of the February 25 presidential poll.
Victor Osimhen is now the highest-scoring African in the Italian Serie A following his strike against Fiorentina on Sunday.
The Nigerian, who was pivotal to Napoli’s first league triumph in 33 years, netted his 47th Serie A goal in the 1-0 win, eclipsing Liberian legend George Weah (he scored 46).
47 – Victor Osimhen has scored his 47th Serie A goal, his first one from penalty in the competition. He became the African player with the most goals in the top-flight (overtaked George Weah with 46 goals). Superpower.#NapoliFiorentina pic.twitter.com/F9Bw5S3U9D
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) May 7, 2023
Weah’s record had stood since 1999.
The 24-year-old Nigeria had scored the equaliser last week to earn his side their first Scudetto since 1990.
Sunday’s strike took his tally in the league to 23rd this season. With four goals ahead of Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez, the Super Eagle is keen to become the first African to win the highest-scorer gong in Italy. He has four games to do that.
“I think the curse is about to be broken, we still have four games to go and I want to get as many goals as possible while winning the games,” he told DAZN after Sunday’s victory.
Party Mood
A party mood has enveloped Naples since Thursday’s draw in Udine, and on Sunday afternoon fans let off fireworks and flares in the jammed streets around the stadium named after their icon Diego Maradona on a gorgeously sunny day in southern Italy
Packed bars and restaurants did a roaring trade with locals and tourists alike decked out in blue as a festive but relaxed mood dominated the city.
Before kick-off today, supporters put on a display of the Italian flag with the number three in honour of their title wins and hailed their heroes with loud chants of “we are the champions”.
The Supreme Court has fixed May 9 for judgment in the appeal filed by former Osun Governor, Gboyega Oyetola against the election of Ademola Adeleke.
In his appeal, Mister Oyetola is seeking the reversal of the March 25 judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which affirmed Adeleke’s victory in the last governorship election in Osun State.
The Appeal Court had, in its judgement, set aside an earlier judgment by the Osun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which held in favour of Oyetola and removed Ademola Adeleke.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court announced the date after taking arguments from lawyers to parties on Monday.
The Action Alliance has withdrawn its petition against the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
At the commencement of the pre-hearing of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Monday in Abuja, no reason was given for the withdrawal.
The head of AA’s legal team, Oba Maduabuchi (SAN), a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said he filed the petition on behalf of the 1st and 2nd petitioners.
Subsequently, Maduabuchi formally applied to withdraw the petition of the party.
Prior to the announcement of the withdrawal, another lawyer had announced himself as the representative of the AA.
Justice Haruna Tsammani subsequently struck out the petition after the respondents – the All Progressives Congress (APC), the President-Elect and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said there had no objection