World News

Alleged Money Laundering: Yahaya Bello drags EFCC to Supreme Court

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The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to the Supreme Court for declaring him wanted.

The anti-graft agency filed a 19-count charge against him over his alleged complicity in money laundering, to the tune of N80.2billion while in office. He was billed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday for his arraignment.

However, when the matter was called, the team of lawyers representing the former governor, led by A. M. Adoyi, informed the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, that they had a pending appeal before the apex court that was filed on September 23. Adoyi said the appeal is seeking to set aside the arrest warrant that was issued against his client on April 17.

Consequently, he urged the trial court to suspend the planned arraignment to await the outcome of the appeal before the Supreme Court.

“My lord, the appeal number is SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024. We believe that the most appropriate thing to do is to await the decision of the Supreme Court in the aforesaid appeals, before taking any step for arraignment so as not to render the appellant’s appeal null or to pull the rug out of the feet of the Supreme Court,” the defence lawyer pleaded.

However, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, urged the court to recommend Bello’s lawyer to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for sanction, accusing him of helping his client to ridicule the integrity of the judiciary.

He noted that the lawyer was part of Bello’s defence team when the court held that it would no longer entertain any application from the defendant until he made himself available for trial.

“My lord, what counsel to the defendant has demonstrated before this court is nothing but the audacity of irresponsibility. I urge this court to impose its coercive powers to let him know that the court is not a place for entertainment,” he submitted.

More so, the prosecution counsel noted that rather than presenting himself for trial, the erstwhile governor claimed he went to EFCC’s office.

“What is worrisome is that the defendant, by his own admission, went to EFCC’s car park holding the hands of a person with immunity, who came with full compliment of all the paraphernalia and security of his office.

The implication is that if there was an attempt to extricate him from the person with immunity, there would have been an altercation and an invitation to anarchy.

By their own admission too, an invitation that was sent later in the day for him to come alone was resisted,” EFCC’s lawyer added.

After he had listened to both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter till October 30 for the ruling.

World News

Supreme Court fixes date to hear Atiku’s appeal against Tinubu’s victory at PEPT

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The Supreme Court has fixed Monday, October 23, 2023, for hearing of an appeal filed by Atiku Abubakar, challenging the judgement of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC’s Bola Tinubu.

Atiku had pleaded with the Supreme Court to jettison technicality and grant his application for leave to tender fresh and additional evidence to support his claim that Tinubu submitted a forged document to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest the February 25 presidential election.

Atiku predicated his plea on the grounds that presenting forged documents by any candidate, especially by a candidate for the highest office in the land, is a very grave constitutional issue that must not be encouraged.

The former vice president stated this in his reply on point of law to Tinubu’s objection to the grant of leave to Atiku to present the fresh evidence before the apex court.

And in a memo on Thursday, the apex court fixed Monday, October 23, for hearing of the appeal.

Politics

Supreme Court approves FG’s request to file more grounds in appeal against Nnamdi Kanu

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The Supreme Court has granted leave to the Federal Government to bring nine new grounds of appeal against the release of pro-Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu.

The ruling was given on Thursday, April 27, by a five-member panel led by Justice John Okoro, following a motion by the counsel to the Federal Government, Mister Tijani Gadzali.

The Federal Government is also allowed to include these nine new grounds as part of its amended notice of appeal dated 28th October 2022.

During the resumed hearing today, counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Mike Ozekhome, informed the court of his motions seeking for bail of his client and another seeking for his transfer to the Kuje Correctional Facility to get proper medical attention citing his failing health at the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

He stated that Kanu is seriously ill and needs medical attention he can’t get at Kuje prison.

Further hearing on the case has been adjourned till May 11.

Politics

Supreme Court fixes March 3 for ruling on states’ lawsuit against Buhari

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday scheduled judgement on the lawsuit filed by governors against the Buhari regime for March 3 over naira notes.

At least 17 states have joined a consolidated suit demanding the prohibition of President Muhammadu Buhari from suddenly implementing the redesign of the national currency.

The Supreme Court, after hearing from dozens of lawyers on both governors and federal government’s sides, said a judgement would be delivered on the matter next month.

The judgment date will be after the presidential election on February 25.

The court had previously issued an order saying the old notes should remain in circulation.

Arguments in today’s hearing focused on a contempt decision against Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, who had failed to implement the court’s decision for old notes to keep circulating until a substantive ruling on the matter.

The states, including Kaduna and Lagos, sued the Buhari regime earlier this month, arguing that implementing a change of banknotes at this time would hurt citizens.

Banks have not been able to make available new notes to Nigerians, which has caused economic hardships.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, which introduced the new notes on Mr Buhari’s directive, said it would try to make available the much-sought N500 and N1,000 notes.

Politics

Supreme Court affirms Olawuyi as APC candidate for Oke-ero federal constituency

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The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the appeal filed by Oluwasegun Adebayo, challenging the candidacy of Tunji Olawuyi as the authentic representative of APC for Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke-ero federal constituency of Kwara.

A five-man panel of justices led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun affirmed the candidacy of Mr Olawuyi, currently representing the constituency.

Mr Kekere-Ekun dismissed the appeal for having filled out of time and therefore is statute-barred.

Mr Adebayo, who had challenged the candidacy of Mr Olawuyi, was seeking to be recognised as the duly elected candidate of the party.

Adebayo Afeez, the defendant’s counsel, spoke after the case and said the appeal was a defect in the originating summon and was subsequently dismissed.

He said that the name of Mr Olawuyi on the INEC list remains the recognised candidate by the party.

In his reaction, Mr Olawuyi described the ruling as a no victor, no vanquish while commending Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the APC leadership in Kwara.

He commended the doggedness of Mr Adebayo, describing him as a fighter, urging him to bury the hatchet and join hands with APC to ensure victory in the February 25 elections.

Lifestyle

Naira Scarcity-MURIC urges Buhari to obey Supreme Court’s ruling

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The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to abide by the pronouncement of the Supreme Court on the naira swap.

The group’s director, Ishaq Akintola, made the appeal in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

He lamented that Nigerians had faced starvation and hardship due to the policy, leading to psychological trauma.

Mr Akintola called on the presidency to call the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to order without further delay.

“It is obvious that this institution has failed to effectively distribute the new notes as well as monitor its disbursement to members of the public.

“Apart from this, Mr President must find a way of abiding by the decision of the Supreme Court, which earlier ruled that the old and new currencies should run parri passu,” he said.

He also appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience.“This cup will pass. Any resort to violence will only cause more harm to the poor masses and struggling businessmen and women,” he said.

He called on religious leaders to intensify prayers for the nation.“Prayer points should include peaceful 2023 elections, smooth transition, political stability and economic buoyancy for our dear country, Nigeria,” he said.

Business, Lifestyle

Old Naira notes remain legal tenders – Supreme court

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In spite of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s insistence on old Naira notes no longer being legal tenders, the Supreme Court has ruled that its February 8 order barring the Federal Government and its agencies from enforcing the February 10 deadline for the use of old 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes still subsist. 

The ruling was made on Wednesday, February 15, following complaint by lawyer to Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN) that the Federal Government and its agencies have failed to comply with the order and have allegedly directed the rejection of the old notes. 

Mustapha who also revealed that they’ve filed a notice of non-compliance with the order of the court order made on February 8, urged the court take action against the respondent to protect the dignity of the court. 

He added; 

That order has been flouted by the government. We are talking of executive lawlessness here. We have filed an affidavit to that effect.

We want the court to renew the order for parties to be properly guided.

Justice John Okoro who led the seven-member panel of the court, asked Mustapha to filed a proper application to put forward his complaints and to enable the respondent respond appropriately. 

Justice Okoro who also noted that there’s no need for a renewal of the court’s order since the motion is yet to be heard.  

The Supreme Court fixed February 22 for hearing of the suit filed Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states challenging the propriety the naira swap policy of the Federal Government.

Business

Ignoring Supreme Court, CBN governor Emefiele says old naira notes illegal tender

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In defiance of the Supreme Court’s ruling, Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has insisted that the N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes became illegal tender following the expiration of the February 10 deadline to exchange the banknotes for the so-called redesigned notes.

“No doubt there are pockets of pressure in some areas. The CBN is working hard to shift pressure and resources to those areas in order to ease the tension,” Mr Emefiele claimed.

“The situation is substantially calming down since the commencement of over-the-counter payments to complement ATM disbursements and the use of super-agents.”

The CBN governor added;

“There is, therefore, no need to consider any shift from the deadline of February 10.”

Mr Emefiele stated this on Tuesday in a meeting with the diplomatic community at the foreign affairs ministry. Reports across the country indicate that the naira scarcity has worsened, while the CBN governor accused politicians of mopping up the new naira notes from circulation.

But Femi Gbajabiamila, the speaker of the House of Representatives, alleged the scarcity was to cripple the ruling APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu’s chances at the poll.

“The CBN has also noticed that some politicians are buying the new notes and storing them for political purposes,” Mr Emefiele told the diplomatic community.

Explaining the rationale for naira redesign in the meeting, Mr Emefiele said the CBN conducted “extensive in-house analysis and consultation which suggested the need for a policy to redesign some Nigerian banknotes,” stressing that the move has resulted in “inflation trending downwards and exchange rates relatively stable.”

“Secondly, we aim to increase financial inclusion in the country by reducing the number of the unbanked population.

Thirdly, our aim is to support the efforts of our security agencies in combating banditry and ransom-taking in Nigeria through this program, and we can see that the military is making good progress in this important task,” the CBN chief added.

In October, CBN announced the redesign of N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes.

Business

Supreme Court stops CBN’s withdrawal of old naira notes

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The Supreme Court has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria from enforcing the February 10 deadline to stop the old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes from being used as legal tender in the country.

Three governors—Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and Bello Matawalle of Zamfara—had filed an ex parte motion before the Supreme Court petition for a temporary restraining order to stop President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime and the Central Bank of Nigeria from continuing the implementation of the naira redesign policy.

The motion, accompanied by a request for an expedited hearing, seeks a declaration that the demonetisation policy of the regime is in violation of the extant provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, the Nigerian Constitution and relevant laws.

The governors also requested the court to declare that the three-month notice issued by the CBN with authorisation of Mr Buhari, wherein the older versions of the denominations will lose their legal tender status is in flagrant violation of Section 20(3) of the CBN Act 2007, which states that reasonable notice must be given.

The attorneys general of the three northern states are the motion’s plaintiffs, and Abubakar Malami, the justice minister, is the only respondent.

The plaintiffs claimed that the Buhari regime failed to fulfill its responsibility to facilitate a seamless transition from the old banknotes to the new currencies.

The plaintiffs contended that the latest extension of the deadline for submitting old notes was insufficient to remedy the numerous issues plaguing the policy, citing a severe shortage of new notes in Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara.

The governors said the policy’s short implementation timeline, coupled with its attendant chaos and the misery it is causing Nigerians was unacceptable.

They are also requesting a declaration from the court that, in light of the plain stipulations of Section 20(3) of the CBN Act 2007, the federal government, acting through the CBN, lacks the authority to set a deadline for accepting and redeeming banknotes issued by the Bank, with the exception of the circumstances described in Section 22(1) of the CBN Act 2007.

The suit followed the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele’s comment over the weekend that the apex bank would not extend the deadline but would instead work with relevant stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of the policy.

Lifestyle

Supreme Court dismisses Abacha family’s bid to stop fresh probe

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed a bid by the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, to stop moves by the Federal Government to reopen criminal forfeiture proceedings against the ex-Head of State.

The fresh move to reopen the fraud probe is targeted at some family members over their alleged complicity in looting the nation’s treasury during Abacha’s administration.

The Supreme Court on Friday, Jan. 13, upheld the judgments of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had earlier endorsed the power of the Federal Government to reopen criminal forfeiture proceedings against the family. The presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Agim, dismissed the suit for want of merit and substance.

The appeal marked:

SC/641/2013 was filed by the eldest surviving son of the late Abacha, Mohammed and his brother, Abba (for themselves and on behalf of the family of Gen. Abacha).

Listed as respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), DCP P. Y. Hana (Chairman, Special Investigation Panel), the National Security Adviser (NSS) and Magistrate Sonja Nachbaur (of the Principality of Liechtenstein).

Lifestyle, Politics

Nnamdi Kanu approaches supreme court over appeal court judgement

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Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu has appealed to the Supreme Court to set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal staying the execution of the court’s judgment discharging him.

Kanu’s lawyers in a statement released, said the ruling has no foundation in law or facts placed before the court.

The statement read;

“We have appealed to the Supreme Court to set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal staying the execution of the court’s judgment discharging and placing further bar to any further detention and prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on any charge/indictment before any court in Nigeria.

“Recall that on October 28, 2022, a three-man panel of Learned Justices of the Court of Appeal (Abuja Judicial Division) granted an application for the stay of execution of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, pending the determination of the Appeal filed before the Supreme Court by the Federal Government.

“After a thorough review of the said ruling by our defence team eminently led by foremost leading Senior Advocate of Nigeria – Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), an informed decision was taken by the erudite Senior Advocate and the entire team that the said ruling, which has no foundation in law or facts, placed before the court, should be immediately appealed against, for it to be set aside by the Apex Court.

“Our well-informed position was given a final nod by our indefatigable client, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, during my last visit to him.

“We are, therefore, by this medium, informing the general public, and Umuchineke in particular, that we have filed an appeal against the said Ruling of the Court of Appeal delivered October 28, 2022, and will proactively follow up on the administrative process to ensure that both appeals are given [an] accelerated hearing in line with the extant fast track rules of the Supreme Court.

“We shall keep everyone abreast of the development in the appeals as we progress. We respectfully urge you all to still remain peaceful and law-abiding, as always, and rest assured that the ruling of the Court of Appeal now appealed against will be reviewed on merit by learned Justices of the Supreme Court.

“Let us reiterate, for the avoidance of any doubt, that the said ruling did not interfere in any way with the status of the judgment of the Court of Appeal discharging Onyendu.

“The judgment of the Court of Appeal discharging Onyendu and striking out the seven-count charge still subsists; it has not been set aside. Thank you all, and remain blessed, Umuchineke.”

Lifestyle

‘Nnamdi Kanu is a flight risk’- FG tells Supreme Court

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The Federal Government has claimed that Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a flight risk.

The FG made this known in legal documents as it filed seven grounds of appeal against the Court of Appeal judgment which discharged Kanu on October 13.

It asked the Supreme Court to set aside the judgment and restore the charge against the respondent to be tried at the trial court.On Thursday, October 20, the federal government, in a motion on notice in support of the appeal, says it seeks a stay of execution of the judgment of the court presided over by Justice Jummai Sankey, pending the hearing and final determination of its appeal, noting that the IPOB leader posed a flight risk.

The notice of appeal dated October 18 was signed by the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, Assistant Chief State Counsel, D. Kaswe and A. Aluko and Senior State Counsel, G. Nweze, Department of Public Prosecution, Federal Ministry of Justice.

The appellant said that the appellate court wrongly interpreted the law when it held that the trial court had no jurisdiction to try Kanu because of “the extraordinary rendition of the respondent.”

It stated,

“There was no evidence led by the respondent before the court of the first instance and indeed before the court below to show how he was allegedly abducted and rendered to Nigeria as required by Section 139 of the Evidence Act, 2011 since he alleged that he was abducted without following due process of law.”

The appellant said that the appellate court wrongly interpreted the law when it held that the trial court had no jurisdiction to try Kanu because of “the extraordinary rendition of the respondent.”It stated,

“There was no evidence led by the respondent before the court of the first instance and indeed before the court below to show how he was allegedly abducted and rendered to Nigeria as required by Section 139 of the Evidence Act, 2011 since he alleged that he was abducted without following due process of law.”

The appellant also contended that the court erred when it held that the executive arm must not be allowed to benefit from the abduction of the respondent “when in fact and by its judgment, the respondent was allowed to benefit from his illegality of disobeying the orders of the court when he jumped bail and was rewarded with a discharge from the charges pending against him at the trial court thereby occasioning a miscarriage of justice against the state and the victims of the crimes perpetrated by the respondent.”

The government claimed that the appeal court was wrong by saying that how Kanu was brought back to the country can indeed weaken the criminal charges of treason, treasonable felony and terrorism brought against him.

The FG added that the appeal court made that decision without taking into account the fact that the nature of the “entry’’ of the respondent is not relevant in the determination of the charges against him.

The appellant further stated that the appeal court justices failed to be bound by established judicial precedent on the mode of “entry” of a defendant charged with the commission of an offence established by the Supreme Court.

“The court below overlooked the submissions of the appellant with regards to the ACJA, 2015 which takes its taproot from the grundnorm Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to the effect that it is the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 that governs the trial of every Nigerian charged with the commission of a crime, this failure occasioned the miscarriage of justice,’’ the appeal notice read.

The FG further argued that the court below erred in law when it discharged the respondent of the offences mentioned in counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 15 bordering on terrorism offences contained in the amended charge dated January 14, 2022, and retained by the trial court for want of jurisdiction.

“If the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal had taken into consideration the act of illegality of the respondent in jumping bail and the corresponding duty of the appellant to ensure his presence in court, the decision of the court would have been different,’’ the appeal read.

Politics

APC governors hold emergency meeting after Akeredolu’s narrow win at Supreme Court

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Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will today (Friday) hold an emergency meeting in Abuja over Wednesday’s ruling of the Supreme Court in the case between the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state’s October 2020 gubernatorial election.

The Supreme Court judgment had attracted controversy, as the Judges at the Apex Court had reportedly unanimously agreed that it was illegal for Mai Mala Buni to be the governor of Yobe State and also hold an elective position in the party, noting that a sitting governor cannot hold a dual position of governor and party national chairman.

However, four out of the seven-member panel of judges dismissed Jegede’s appeal over his failure to add Buni as a defendant in the suit.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, had in a memo which leaked on Wednesday, called on the party’s leadership to urgently remove Buni as chairman of the caretaker committee, warning that the party risks imminent legal tussles if the governor remains its interim leader.

Keyamo also advised that the party should postpone its planned congresses under Buni’s leadership, arguing that the “unity” in the party might be cut short if the APC continued with the congresses scheduled to hold nationwide on Saturday under Buni’s leadership.

It was gathered that following the controversy that greeted the Supreme Court ruling, APC governors will meet today to discuss the state and local government congresses scheduled to hold on Saturday (tomorrow).

APC Chairman in Borno State and Chairman of the party’s Chairmen’s Forum, Ali Bukar Dalori, gave hints that the outcome of the meeting would determine whether or not the party would go ahead with the state and local government congresses.

You know I am a loyal party man. The party communicated to us to continue with preparations for the congresses pending the outcome of their meeting.

“The state governors are meeting tomorrow (today) so I cannot categorically say whether we’ll hold the congresses or they will say we should postpone them.

The governors have converged on Abuja for an emergency meeting tomorrow. After that meeting, we’ll know the position of the party and the direction they want to follow. Don’t worry, by tomorrow we shall know what’s going to happen,” Dalori was quoted to have said

However, Senator Magnus Abe, who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District of Rivers State in the National Assembly, on Thursday, slammed Keyamo’s statement on the Governor Mala Buni-led All Progressives Congress (APC) committee, which called for Buni’s removal.

Ripples Nigeria reported that Abe had in a statement on Thursday said Keyamo’s argument based on his interpretation of the judgement of the Supreme Court in Jegede Vs Akeredolu was baseless since the defence of Buni, who heads the National Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party was never heard.

He expressed surprise over Keyamo’s position on the matter, especially his call for the party to immediately suspend all preparations for the forthcoming congresses.

However, he noted that the party leaders who had reservations about the constitution of the caretaker committee were informed that the decision to establish the Committee was reached after extensive legal examination of the issues confronting the APC at that time by a body of eminent lawyers in leadership positions in the party.

“The Buni- led caretaker committee in the determined effort to reposition the party and carry out its difficult assignment has adjusted the seating arrangements in a lot of states and this may explain the stand that some party leaders will take on this issue. But it is important that we deal with facts and the law,” he said.

Politics

Supreme court affirms ex-gov Dariye’s 10-years jail term

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The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a former governor of Plateau state, Joshua Dariye, over a branch of trust which carries 10-year jail term.

The judgment delivered on Friday by Justice Helen Ogunwumiju also dismissed the charges of misappropriation of funds which carries a two-year jail term.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged the former governor to court in 2007, accusing him of diverting N1.126 billion from Plateau government’s ecological fund.

Politics

Dismissed Oyo LG chairmen kick against council polls ahead of Supreme Court judgment

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The dismissed local government chairmen in Oyo State under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) have kicked against the state government’s decision to conduct the council polls ahead of the May 7 Supreme Court judgment.

Speaking at a media parley held on Monday at their Ibadan Secretariat, the ALGON members, led by Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, alleged that Governor Seyi Makinde made a surreptitious move of “perfecting ways to buy off the judgment.”

Aleshinloye said the scheduled council election billed for May 15, was a premeditated fraud targeted at forcing the ALGON and other political parties in the state to participate in the poll if the Supreme Court judgment does not favour it.

He said if the group wins in court, it would boycott any election conducted by the government, as its affected members would move straight into office if the judgment favours them.

He maintained that three main reasons could be adduced for Governor Makinde’s jumping the gun, by releasing the election time table and proceeding to implement it before the Supreme Court judgment.

His words: “Governor Makinde may have perfected a way to buy off the judgment as being boasted by his political acolytes. But this may be very difficult for him to achieve because of the integrity of the bench and their precedent judgments on similar cases like ours.

“It may be an organised OYSIEC ‘come and contest’ election scam, an election advance fee fraud where many unsuspecting candidates will be encouraged to invest in an election that may never hold. But like in yahoo yahoo deals, many would have been fleeced of their hard-earned monies.

Speaking further, he alleged plans by the governor to carry out an executive coup against the Supreme Court judgment if it does not favour him, by going ahead with the election after the judgment even if it does not favour him and his government.

“He will encourage his handpicked elected chairmen and councillors to go to court and obtain an injunction to challenge returned elected Chairmen based on lapsed tenure in case Supreme Court does not make a declaratory judgment on the continuation of tenure.

Nobody is going to participate in any kangaroo election. None of my colleagues is going to be part of it. The party (APC) is also not going to be part of it. Our three-year tenure ordinarily expires on May 14, 2021, but it is not impossible that the Supreme Court will elongate our tenure so that we can complete our remaining two years of which we were sacked from office,” he added.

He, therefore, advised political parties and candidates “not to invest in OYSIEC electoral market process which will lead to nowhere if ALGON wins at the Supreme Court on May 7.

However, the PDP in its reaction to ALGON’s allegations, said the group was trying to build upon nothing, noting that the election of May 2018 that brought them into office was illegal.

The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Alhaji Akeem Olatunji, said, “What the government is doing is in order but it seems that they are ignorant of what the law says. An election is a process on its own. You don’t wait till the end of tenure before you conduct an election. The tenure of the sacked council chairmen would end by May 12 as the court would decide on May 7 and the election would hold on May 15. Where is the illegality there?

“By now they should have started the process of producing candidates. Being that their party is in disarray and they are not popular, they are looking for ways of evading the election.

Had it been they won at the Supreme Court they would not have proceeded to Supreme Court. The law is on our side. When they were conducting the election that produced them we were telling them that they flouted the constitution. Instead of conducting election into the 33 local government areas recognised by the constitution, they conducted election into 58 councils and LCDA. You can’t build something on nothing.”

Politics

Supreme Court rejects Abacha family’s move to access ex-dictator’s accounts in Switzerland, UK

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application filed by the family of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha to have access to his bank accounts in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Island of Jersey, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration had in 1999 moved to freeze all the accounts traced to the late dictator in the five countries.

In an application filed by the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), asked to freeze all accounts traced to Abacha, his family members, relatives and agents in the countries between 1993 and 1998.

The government requested the Swiss authorities to seize and detain all banking and other documents relating to the affected accounts, charge and prosecute all holders of such accounts, in order to recover all stolen monies for Nigeria.

In Friday’s proceedings, a five-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Centus Nweze dismissed the appeal filed by the brother to the late head of state, Alhaji Ali Abacha.

He had applied for the family to be granted access to the accounts.

The panel held that the substantive case that led to the appeal was already statute barred as at April 2004 when it was commenced at the Federal High Court, Kaduna.

The panel recalled that a similar appeal filed on behalf of the Abacha family by one Alhaji Abba Mohammed Sani was dismissed in February last year.

The Supreme Court insisted that no fresh reason was adduced in the new application to warrant a different decision on the accounts.

Abacha died mysteriously on June 8, 1998

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