News & Announcements

At the Presidential Election Petition Court, the Peoples Democratic Party and Atiku Abubakar, its candidate for president in the most recent election, called their first summoned witness on Wednesday.

Atiku and the PDP are contesting the results of the presidential election that resulted in Tinubu being elected president in a petition with the filing number CA/PEPC/05/2023.

Chris Uche, SAN, the PDP’s legal representative, informed the court at the resumed hearing that the petitioners planned to call an Adhoc staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission as their first subpoenaed witness.

The All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, and INEC’s legal counsel, however, opposed to the witness’ testimony being taken in the case.

A.B. Mahmoud, SAN, the INEC attorney, rose to object to the witness’s hearing as soon as he entered the witness box and just before the witness could take his oath.

He told the court that the witness’s statement had only been served on him this morning and that he would need to review it in order to conduct a comprehensive cross-examination.

Akin Olujimi, SAN, the attorney for Tinubu, and Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the attorney for the APC, both had the same opinion and were opposed to the petitioners’ action.

In response, Uche contended that the witness’s remark was not odd enough to call for an adjournment.

He begged the judge to call at least one of the witnesses who had been subpoenaed so they might spend their given time wisely.

Justice Haruna Tsammani, the chairman of the five-person PEPC panel, sought to adjourn the trial for 30 minutes so that respondents could review the materials and then cross-examine the first subpoenaed witness.

Nevertheless, INEC claimed that the witness could not be questioned today because he “is said to be an Adhoc staff of the commission” and as a result, would need to visit INEC’s records in order to adequately prepare.

After the respondents’ claims, Uche petitioned the court to postpone the hearing until tomorrow, June 8, so that the three witnesses who had been subpoenaed could be called.

Earlier, Ndubuisi Nwobu, the head of the PDP in Anambra, was called as the PDP and Atiku’s 11th witness to testify in court.

During cross-examination by counsel for the APC, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, the witness informed the court that the results were challenged at the lower levels before they reached the state level.

He continued by saying that they had no choice but to compile the results.

When questioned about whether he included that in his under oath witness testimony, he responded that it was impossible to include every detail.

Kashim Shettima, the vice president, is also present for the conference.

Cyril Kenneth, a Nigerian student who arrived in the UK in February, has been detained by police after they claim he tried to sexually harass kids in the Belfast region of the nation.

Kenneth was being interviewed in a video that Far and Wide TV uploaded on YouTube with the headline, “Nigerian man arrested in UK for dating children,” and he admitted to talking to the kids, who were between the ages of 14 and 15.

The police acknowledged that there was proof of his sexual harassment and grooming of the young girls.

Kenneth admitted, “We talk, I inquire about their age and ask if they like me. 14, they informed me.

“They are just two and we began talking after I got here because I was bored and new to the country.

“I always asked if their mothers were at home to be sure of the kind of messages I send to them,” he added.

Kenneth sent the victims distressing text messages, including his unwanted pornographic images, requests for some of their home addresses, and an invitation to have sex at his place.

But the suspect claimed that the crime was the result of the devil tempting him, while pleading for forgiveness and promising to stop doing such things in the future.

He was then turned over to the police for additional inquiry and potential legal action.

The governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has given his approval for the hiring of 1,684 secondary school teachers, extension personnel, and Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare, staff members.

Alhaji Yahuza Adamu Haruna, the state’s chief civil servant, said this on Tuesday.

A total of 1,000 teachers for English language, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and ICT were approved to be hired out of the 1,684 who were eligible for employment.

According to Haruna, the approval came after Governor Mohammed lifted the ban on hiring into the state civil service in his inaugural speech on May 29.

Alhaji Adamu also revealed that, in order to fulfill the Governor’s promise during the start of the 2023 growing season and fertilizer sales in Azare, 150 staff members are to be hired for the Aminu Saleh College of Education in Azare and 206 extension workers and farm managers are to be hired by the state Ministry of Agriculture.

He then thanked the governor for approving, saying that this would not only make the necessary manpower in pertinent sectors available but also improve the economic standing of the state.

In response, the state council of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, hailed the development and praised Governor Mohammed for removing the employment ban in the state as evidence that he was a receptive leader.

Comrade Dauda Maidara Shu’aibu, the state NLC chairman, praised the governor for his initiatives to lower the state’s unemployment rate.

Lai Mohammed has been named managing partner of an international lobbying firm, Ballard Partners, less than two weeks after leaving office as Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture.

On Tuesday, a statement announcing his hiring was posted to the company’s official Twitter account.

“Ballard Partners, one of the top government relations firms in the United States, is opening its first office in Africa in Abuja, Nigeria, the nation’s capital,” the statement reads.

“Lai Mohammed, the immediate past Nigeria minister of information and culture, will serve as the managing partner of the Abuja office and the firm’s satellite office in Lagos, the nation’s financial centre.”

Mohammed was awarded the position because he is “one of the most respected officials in the country,” said Brian Ballard, president of the company.

“Opening our first African office in Nigeria expands our firm’s international footprint to three continents and builds upon the important work we have done on behalf of African nations and companies in Africa and the U.S.,” the firm’s president said.

“We are honoured to have former minister Lai Mohammed join the firm as our managing partner in Nigeria. He has a long record of public service and is one of the most respected officials in the country. His outstanding reputation and exceptional experience will be invaluable to our firm’s clients.”

Reacting to his new appointment, Mohammed said Ballard Partners has a perfect record globally and is delighted to be a part of the firm.

“I am very pleased to join Ballard Partners and to open the firm’s first office in Africa,” he was quoted as saying.

“Ballard Partners has an impeccable reputation internationally and is well known for its success representing African countries and American firms in Africa.”

The contentious National Water Resources Bill, 2023, was rejected by the Senate on Tuesday after being placed on the order paper for discussion.

In order to give the federal government control over water resources instead of the states, former president Muhammadu Buhari presented the contentious measure to both chambers of the National Assembly in 2017.

The National Council on Water Resources, Nigeria Water Resources Regulatory Commission, River Basin Development Authorities, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, and National Water Resources Institute were among the organizations that the bill attempted to create.

Upon establishment, the proposed organizations would “provide for the regulation, equitable and sustainable development, management, use, and conservation of Nigeria’s surface water and groundwater resources.”

The debate that the measure had sparked among governors and federal parliamentarians, many of whom were from the south of the country, was put to an end on Tuesday when the Senate rejected the bill.

Senator Gabriel Suswan of Benue North-West raised Order 85 of the Senate Rules, which states that senators must be fully informed on the terms of any bill that is up for concurrence, when the bill was being read for concurrence on the Senate floor.

The Delta South senator James Manager, who seconded Suswan, emphasized the importance of having the bill’s specifics as just its title was provided for in the legislation.

Later, Ahmad Lawan, the president of the Senate, decided in favor of the cited rule.

After siding with those who opposed the bill, the Senate withheld its support for it.

Recall that in 2020, the House of Representatives passed the law over opposition from its members and the public.

The then-minister of justice and attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as well as the commissioners for justice and attorneys general of the 36 states of the federation, had been consulted, according to House Committee on Water Resources Chairman Sada Soli before the bill was passed, and the opinions obtained would be attached to the bill and distributed to all members.

On Tuesday, the Senate agreed to the President Bola Tinubu’s proposal to designate 20 special advisors.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, read the President’s request on the floor of the upper legislative body, and it was approved.

Commenting on the request, Lawan said, “It is utmost urgency” that the president has his team to work with.

“Because there is no name for special advisers we will just approve it from here. We feel that that this is something of utmost urgency.”

However, Tinubu omitted to include the 20 special advisers’ names.

Days before to the announcement, Tinubu named George Akume, a former minister of special responsibilities, as his secretary to the government of the federation and Femi Gbajabiamila, the House of Representatives’ departing speaker, as his chief of staff.

Additionally, he appointed Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, a former deputy governor of Jigawa State, as deputy chief of staff and George Akume, a former minister of special duties, as secretary to the government of the federation.

This was revealed in a statement signed on Friday by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, titled ‘President Tinubu appoints Gbajabiamila COS, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, DCOS, George Akume, SGF.’

“In a meeting with Progressives Governors Forum, the President also named former Governor of Benue State and immediate past Minister of Special Duties, George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” the statement read.

A 30-year-old Zimbabwean woman, Christine Yolanda Gumira, has been shot dead outside a courthouse in Cape Town, South Africa.

The deceased was killed after leaving Wynberg court while making her way to a taxi rank on 25 May 2023.

Christine, a mother-of-one, was walking with two others when an unidentified man approached her from behind and fatally shot her in the head.

It is believed that Christine had attended a court case in which she was a witness against a man who killed her friend.

Christine had reported multiple threats against her life to the South African Police but was not provided with any protection.

South African authorities have announced the arrest of four suspects in connection with Gumira’s murder.

The police conducted extensive investigations, tracing the suspects to different locations in Cape Town. They also seized a silver Nissan Tiida and cell phones for further examination.

The suspects, aged between 24 and 33, are set to appear in court on Monday, June 5, 2023.
This devastating incident has left Gumira’s loved ones in deep grief.

They believe that the South African state failed to protect her despite her pleas for help.

Gumira’s niece, Mollyn Matangambiri, expressed her frustration, stating, “She told police that she was getting threats from the people that killed her friend, they told her that if she continued testifying they were going to kill her.”

Gumira’s funeral arrangements are underway, and her body will be transported to Mhondoro Ngezi, Mashonaland West.

Her family is devastated by the loss, especially considering that she had plans to move to New Zealand this month to be with her boyfriend.

Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has been re-elected by his colleagues to lead the Lagos State House of Assembly as Speaker for the third consecutive time.

The lawmakers also elected Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the Deputy Speaker.

Obasa was unanimously re-elected after a proclamation of the 10th Assembly of the Lagos State House of Assembly by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was present with Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and top government officials at the chamber of the House.

Obasa, the most ranking member of the House, was nominated by Hon. Temitope Adewale, who was seconded by Sylvester Ogunkelu.

Hon. Noheem Adams, the Deputy Majority Leader in the ninth Assembly, was elected as the new Majority Leader, while Hon. Adedamola Kasunmu was elected the Deputy Majority Leader.

Hon. Mojeed Fatai of Ibeju Lekki 1 was elected as the Chief Whip while Hon. David Setonji was elected the Deputy Chief Whip.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Justice Darius Khobo presided over a Kaduna High Court that found Solomon Eke guilty of impersonation and sentenced him to three years in prison.

The anti-graft organization announced on Monday that Eke, who had used the Facebook pseudonym Kelvin James to run his business, had been found guilty of impersonating John Smith, an agent with the American Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Eke and 24 other alleged online fraudsters were apprehended at Kurudu Phase 5, Abuja, according to an EFCC statement based on an intelligence report.

The statement partly read, “The defendant was arrested by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at Kurudu Phase 5, Abuja, alongside 24 others following intelligence on his alleged internet fraud-related activities.

“Investigation revealed that he operated a Facebook account with the name Kelvin James. Further investigation showed he impersonated an agent of the American Federal Bureau of Investigation by the name, John Smith.”

According to EFCC, the one count read, “That you, Solomon Eke (a.k.a Kelvin James) and others now at large, sometimes in July 2022 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this court, committed an offence to wit; falsely presented yourself as Kelvin James; a white man and a Trading Manager to several unsuspecting victims via ‘Facebook’ (a social media application) in a bid to lure them into love scam, which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.”

The offender entered a guilty plea to the charge, the anti-graft agency said, and was consequently given a sentence of three years in prison, with the possibility of an additional N150, 000 fine, and was had to return his iPhone 14 Pro Max phone to the Federal Government.

Abiye Sekibo, the Peoples Democratic Party’s coordinator for the presidential election in Rivers State, claimed on Monday that the Electoral Act of 2022’s rules on the use of electronic transmission of results had been broken.

Sekibo testified in support of the PDP’s case challenging Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the February 25 presidential election at the Presidential Election case Court in Abuja.

During cross-examination by Tinubu’s attorney, Akin Olujimi (SAN), the witness admitted to the court that the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System had not recorded the results from polling places throughout Rivers State.

He said, “All the polling units I went to, they could not upload the results.”

However, he acknowledged that Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s presidential nominee, did not receive up to 25% of the vote in the Federal Capital Territory.

Additionally, Ibrahim Hamza, the PDP’s collation officer for Nassarawa State, said that the state had engaged in electoral fraud.

Hamza said in court that he was forced to sign the presidential election results.

He said, “Due process was not followed…I had to sign to obtain a copy of the results because there was this intimidation that if I did not sign, I would not be given the result. I signed it under duress.”

The Labour Party and Peter Obi, their candidate, also filed a petition to challenge Tinubu’s victory, and the court accepted the last set of results from several local government areas as evidence.

The final batch of the EC8A series of documents presented by the LP and Obi before the court consisted of those records that were admitted from the local government regions of eight states.

Ebonyi, Nassarawa, Delta, Kaduna, Imo, Ondo, Kogi, and Sokoto are the states from which the exhibits were sourced.

The five-member PEPC panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani accepted the bundle of documents from all eight states offered despite opposition from the legal teams for the APC and Tinubu. They then designated them as exhibits in the suit by Obi and LP.

The court then postponed further discussion of the petitions until today, Tuesday.