The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has fixed Saturday for adoption in the governorship appeal by the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

Caleb Mutfwang was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state.

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The state tribunal had also affirmed his victory.

However, the APC candidate appealed the tribunal judgement and asked the appellate court to declare him winner on the grounds that the PDP lacked structure and was not qualified to sponsor any candidate in an election.

The APC candidate also told the Appellate court in his notice of appeal that there was over-voting and noncompliance with the 2022 Electoral Act during the 2023 governorship election in the state.

In the hearing notice of the case, the court said, “November 11, is for the adoption of briefs of the case.”

Meanwhile, Caleb Mutfwang, had appealed to the people of the state to remain calm in the face of the appeal court judgement against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Mutfwang said in spite of the judgement against his government, he still had confidence in the integrity of men and women in the judiciary.

He stated this while addressing large party supporters and top government officials who came to receive him at the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang, Jos on his return from foreign trip.

He said, “I was following the judgement of the appeal court while I was away, and I know that Plateau people who actually voted massively for the PDP are not happy on those judgements.

“Let me appeal that in a contest, the wind can blow but does not mean it will bring you down. And I want to assure the people of Plateau State that the victory they gave us will be sustained. We have had some setbacks; we will be looking at it these few days to see what we will be able to do to remedy such situations.

“We are on top of the situations, and there is no cause for alarm. Our confidence in the judiciary has not been broken. We have confidence that the judiciary consists of men and women of integrity that will still do what is right when the time comes.”

The Court Of Appeal sitting in Lagos state on Thursday says it will on Friday, November 10 2023, deliver verdict on the appeal filed by the Enugu Labour Party Governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, challenging the declaration and return of Mr. Peter Mba of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, by INEC.

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Daily Gazette recall that the appalate court had on Monday reversed judgment on the petition after counsels to both Petitioners and respondents adopted their briefs.

According to the results announced by INEC, Mr. Peter Mba of the PDP got 160,895 votes to defeat his closest rival, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party who secured 157,552 votes.

Not satisfied with the outcome of the march 18 governorship elections in the state, Barr. Edeoga proceeded to the Governorship/House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal seeking Mba’s disqualification on the ground that he (Mba) presented a forged certificate of national service, NYSC to INEC.

Other grounds of the petition include; Over-voting, deliberate non use of BVAS in Nkanu East LGA, computational errors, result swap among other irregularities.

Justice Kudirat Akano led tribunal on September 16, while delivering her judgment, dismissed the petition and upheld the declaration of Mba by INEC.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Labour Party and her candidate went to the court of appeal praying the appalate court to set aside the judgment of the lower court, void the return made by INEC and grant the reliefs sought in their petition.

As Court Of Appeal delivers judgment tomorrow being Friday, November 10, Ndi Enugu are waiting with high expectation that the appalate will deliver justice without fear or favor.

The Senate on Tuesday indicted the Comptrollers of Customs in Kaduna, Katsina and Ogun States for jettisoning rules of engagement in the use of firearms.

This was contained in a report by the Senate Adhoc Committee on Abuse of Forearms by Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service which was presented during plenary by the chairman Senator Francis Fadahunsi.

The committee probed the alleged abuse of firearms by Customs officers at border towns in different parts of the country.

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The report, which was adopted by the Senate, said traders and non-traders were allegedly forced to obtain unofficial receipts before they were allowed to pass with legitimate goods.

It also said the disbanded Strike Force of the Federal Operation Unit shot at innocent citizens, raided markets and chased smugglers into towns which always led to loss of lives.

The Senate therefore asked the Comptroller General of Customs to investigate issuance of unofficial receipts at the borders.

It also asked the federal government to lift the 20-kilometre ban on sales of petroleum products in border communities.

Unions in the aviation industry have directed the withdrawal of all flights to Owerri, Imo State, from all airports in Nigeria.

This is in response to the directive of the Labour Union, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) following last week’s brutalization of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri.

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The aviation unions including the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots And Engineers (NAAPE), said this in a joint statement.

The joint statement by their General-Secretaries, including Comrades Ocheme Aba; NUATE, Frances Akinjole; ATSSSAN, Abdul Rasaq Saidu; ANAP and Umoh Ofonime, NAAPE, also declared Governor Hope Uzodimma persona non grata in all airports.

The statement read: “Following the escalation of the imbroglio created by the mayhem unleashed on workers by the Imo State Government of Hope Uzodimma and continued insensitivity of the Government over the matter; and in compliance with the directive of the joint NEC session of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the above named unions, being affiliates of NLC and TUC, hereby direct all aviation workers (both public and private) to withdraw all services to all Owerri flights (inwards and outwards) from any airport in Nigeria with effect from midnight of 08/11/2023 (today).

“In addition, the person of Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State is hereby declared persona non grata at all airports in Nigeria until he purges himself of bestial tendencies.

“Our unions will make further efforts through our international affiliations to blacklist Hope Uzodimma worldwide.

“Furthermore, all aviation workers in Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, owerri are hereby directed to stay at home, also with effect from midnight today (08/11/2023) as directed by NLC and TUC.

“Based on the above, the State Councils and all Branches of the unions will meet today at 5pm in Lagos and Abuja to agree on modalities for carrying out the above directive. The meeting in Lagos will hold at NUATE Secretariat, while that of Abuja will be at GAT (pilgrims’ terminal).

“By this notice, the airports’ managements, airlines operating into and out of Owerri, intending airport passengers into and out of Owerri, and the general public are hereby advised about this situation so as to be forewarned.”

The strike action is of indefinite nature until otherwise directed by NLC and TUC.

The Court of Appeal, sitting in Lagos, on Wednesday, unanimously affirmed the election of the member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, as the validly elected member of the House of Representatives.

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In a unanimous judgment, the panel headed by Justice Abubakar Babandi Gumel overruled the judgment of the Imo State National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which had disqualified Ikenga and nullified his election on a pre-election matter of the primary election of the PDP despite plethora of authorities by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal to the effect that Election Tribunals do not have jurisdiction over pre-election matters.

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Speaking after the judgment, counsel to Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Emeka Ozoani, SAN, described the judgement as victory for democracy and an end to political rascality.

He said the travesty of the tribunal judgement led to the filing of nine appeals before the Appeal Court, the highest number of appeals ever against a singular judgement in the nation’s election petition jurisprudence.

While commending the President of the Court of Appeal and the three members of the Panel, Barr Tochukwu Ohazuruike, said: “The President of the Court of Appeal and the three Panel members deserve all the commendation for resisting the attempts of Hope Uzodimma to undermine them like he did to Justice Akpovi who has lost all his respect for such strange judgment he delivered after the Tribunal hearing. It is only those who that Hope Uzodimma stops at nothing when he wants to desecrate the judiciary that will understand why this commendation is necessary and apt.”

In his own reaction, Hon. Ugochinyere said God always vindicates the innocent.

He said this was not the opportunity cost for those that were killed in the battle, but it will, at least, show they did not die in vain.

He further stated, “Uzodimma is a sore loser. His candidate won only one polling unit out of 346 Polling units. Finished a distant third in the election yet went to the Tribunal to ask that he be declared the winner of the election and the Governor was spending public funds on such shameful enterprise to undermine the judiciary. But we thank God for this day.

“We can now start the burial arrangements for my uncle who was murdered in cold blood on 7th January so he can now rest in peace having been here till this final victory.” He also cautioned Governor Hope Uzodimma to desist from sanctioning with continued existence of his non state armed group the killing and maiming of Imo indigenes and residents as power is transient and he would answer for his crimes either here on earth or before God in heaven.”

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, on Wednesday appeared before an Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama to answer corruption charge that the Federal Government preferred against him.

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi granted Emefiele bail and ordered that he should be released immediately to his lawyers, who were charged with the responsibility of producing him in court for his arraignment next week or at any other day.

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According to the judge, the ex-bank chief must also deposit his travel documents before the chief registrar of the court, pending his arraignment.

The judge also pointed out that there must be an end to detention, without trial.

Justice Adeniyi noted that the court must also not overlook the fact that he had been in detention for 151 days, adding that the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation must abide by court order.

The substantive motion on notice as well as the preliminary objection, were adjourned to November 17, 2023 for hearing.

There were protests in Jos, Plateau State capital on Wednesday following a court of appeal judgement which sacked four federal lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The protesters blocked major roads within Jos metropolis, expressing their displeasure with the ruling of the appellate court which nullified the victories of the lawmakers based on pre-election matters.

The points where the protests were held include Old Airport Junction, Maraban Jos and some other major junctions in Jos.

One of the sacked lawmakers is Napoleon Bali.

Appeal Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday affirmed the tribunal’s decision that pronounced the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, as the legitimate winner of the Plateau South Senatorial seat.

The appellate court made this known on Tuesday in a ruling read by Justice Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu, who held that the matter was both a pre-and post-election matter.

Justice Williams-Dawodu added that the tribunal’s decision was correct on the matter.

Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party was announced as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission after he secured 148,844 votes to defeat Lalong who got 91,674 votes.

But the Tribunal, while deciding on a petition filed by Lalong, ruled that Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party did not have a valid right to participate in the election.

The panel ruled that Bali’s votes in the general election on February 25, 2023, were void.

Bali approached the appeal court, asking the court to set aside the judgment.

The Appeal Court has also held that the PDP was wrong not to have obeyed subsisting orders asking that a new congress should be conducted in the state.

“Section 287 of the Nigerian Constitution said all are expected to observe orders of the court. The order was in the realm. It is binding on all persons. It is immutable and until it is set aside and must be complied with.

“This issue is hereby resolved against the appellant. Invalidly nominated candidates cannot attract lawful votes. This appeal fails. The tribunal judgment is hereby affirmed,” Justice Williams-Dawodu said.

The Court Of Appeal sitting in Lagos state on Monday reserved verdict in the appeal filed by the Labour Party Governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections in Enugu state, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, challenging the declaration of Mr. Peter Mba of the People’s Democratic party, PDP.

On Monday, the three-member panel of justices adjourned for judgment after taking arguments from counsel to the parties.

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Counsel to the Petitioners told the apallate court to set aside the judgment of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Enugu which earlier affirmed Mbah’s election, on the ground that Peter Mbah of the PDP was at the time of the election not constitutionally qualified to contest having presented a forged certificate of national service, NYSC, to INEC.

He avarred that Justice Kudirat Akano led tribunal erred in law by dismissing a proven case of certificate forgery, stamping the repulsive act of illegality with judicial imprimatur.

Labour Party and her candidate further prayed the court to void the judgment of the lower court and grant the reliefs sought in their petition.

According to the Petitioners, aside the proven case of certificate forgery against Mba, there were proven case of over-voting in Nkanu East local government area of the state, computational errors in Udenu Council area, results swap among other irregularities.

Counsel to the respondents asked the court to dismiss the petition for lacking in merit and uphold the decision of the Enugu governorship Tribunal.

The onus is now on the justices of the appalate court to dispense Justice without fear or favor.

Attan Achonu, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party for the Novermber 11 governorship election in Imo State, on Sunday accused the police of attacking him and his convoy.

He also accused the police of preventing him from attending a church service in Owerri, the state capital.

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Achonu told journalists on Sunday that he had gone to the church to honour an invitation but was prevented by police personnel and some thugs from gaining access to the church premises.

The LP governorship candidate said the police told him that the state governor, Hope Uzodimma, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the election, was in church, therefore, he would not be allowed in.

Achonu alleged that the police personnel and some thugs attacked his convoy when he questioned them.

He also accused them of shooting at his vehicles.

Achonu said, “Today, I was attacked by policemen together with thugs working for APC. Myself and my supporters were attacked and they shot at us. We were at St Peter’s Anglican church at Obibiezena in Owerri North to attend a church service. I was dully invited by the church to attend its synod but policemen stationed Amoured Personnel Carriers and thugs said I was not going to be allowed to enter the church. They said that the governor was worshipping there.

“I confronted them and asked them why should I be stopped from worshipping God in my own state simply because the governor is there. I called the Director of the DSS who called the state Commissioner of Police who spoke to one Officer Ola, who literally disobeyed the Commissioner of Police. A lower ranked officer disobeying a Commissioner of Police. I have not seen this one before. I confronted them but my wife held me and I was with women, I had to obey her.

“We turned our vehicles around and went home. They attacked my vehicles and shot at them. If not that my cars are bullet proof, there would had been casualties.

“I want to put the president of Nigeria and all Nigerians on notice about what Hope Uzodimma is using the police and thugs to do in Imo State. They want to annihilate us but I am more emboldened to lead this charge. I am leading the charge to liberate my people.

“Imo people should come out and vote Labour Party and defend their votes so that we will take back our state. I am happy that everybody has embarrassed Labour Party in Imo state and we are working towards having the Imo state of our dreams.”

However. the spokesperson for the state police command, Henry Okoye, denied the attack.

He said that the police only advised Achonu not to campaign in the area since the candidate of the APC was already campaigning there.

Okoye said, “Nobody attacked the Labour Party candidate. We only advised him not to campaign in the area at the same time the APC candidate was campaigning in the area to avoid a clash of interest and possible breakdown of law and order in the state.

“The Labour Party candidate didn’t inform us about his campaign in the area but the APC candidate informed us and we were there to provide security. The Commissioner of Police advises political players in the state to stop misinforming the public. This misinformation is capable of escalating things which may lead to breakdown of law and order in Imo State.”