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Ambition In Limbo As Appeal Court Disqualifies Ondo Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Ebiseni

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has disqualified Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s candidate for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16, 2024.

In a unanimous ruling delivered on Wednesday, a three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Hamma Barka and Justice Adebukola Banjoko, upheld the appeal filed by the Labour Party, effectively invalidating Ebiseni’s candidacy.

The appeal, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024, challenged the earlier ruling by the Federal High Court, which had recognized Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s official candidate for the election.

The appellate court’s decision overruled the Federal High Court’s judgment, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, which had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept and publish Ebiseni and his running mate, Ezekiel Awude, as the party’s nominees.

Justice Banjoko, who delivered the lead judgment, stated that the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s ruling would be provided to the parties for further review.

Justice Abba Mohammed, in his contribution, also agreed with the majority decision.

This development follows a legal dispute over the Labour Party’s internal primary election process. In the suit filed by Ebiseni and Awude, Justice Nwite had previously affirmed that the second primary election conducted by the Labour Party, which produced the duo as its candidates, was valid.

The court had noted that Ebiseni had paid N20 million for the nomination form and N5 million as compensation to Festus Olorunfemi, who had withdrawn from the race to make way for Ebiseni.

Despite the Federal High Court’s ruling in favour of Ebiseni, the Court of Appeal’s decision on Wednesday overturns that judgment, disqualifying him from running as the Labour Party’s candidate in the November election.

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Court Admits More Evidence Against Obiano In Alleged N4bn Fraud Case

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The trial of former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano continued on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the court admitting additional evidence in the form of bank statements.

The documents were submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of its case against the former governor, who is facing allegations of embezzling over N4 billion from the state treasury.

The EFCC presented several new witnesses during the trial, including a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, Alhaji Ayuba Tanko Abdullahi, who detailed how funds were diverted from the Anambra State treasury and funneled into his company’s accounts.

Abdullahi, testifying as the fifth prosecution witness, explained that he received funds in Naira, which were then converted into U.S. dollars and handed over to Obiano’s associates.

Abdullahi stated that over a period of eight months, he received a total of N416 million, which was converted into $1.137 million and delivered to Obiano’s aides.

He confirmed that the EFCC only questioned him about the transactions in 2023, several years after the events had occurred.

Despite this, the witness admitted under cross-examination that he had no direct dealings with the former governor.

The court accepted the bank documents as evidence and marked them as exhibits.

Following Abdullahi’s testimony, three bank officials took the stand to present further details about suspicious transactions linked to Anambra State government accounts.

The sixth witness, Mr. Jeremiah Nnamdim, provided evidence of over N473 million being deposited into the account of Connought International Services Limited, which is allegedly linked to the fraudulent activities.

He outlined a series of payments made between February and March 2018, including multiple deposits totaling N110 million.

Nnamdim clarified that he had no knowledge of any legal proceedings involving Connought International Services related to these transactions.

Another witness, Ms. Iwu Onyinyechi, a banker, testified about several large payments into the account of a company called S. Y. Panda Enterprises.

She confirmed that N58 million was transferred to the company on October 30, 2018, followed by another N36 million on November 13, 2018, all from Anambra State government funds.

The court adjourned the case until February 24, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.

Obiano, who served as governor from March 2014 to March 2022, is facing a nine-count charge brought by the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency has accused him of embezzling over N4 billion from the state’s Security Vote Account, which was allegedly converted into dollars and delivered to him in cash.

Obiano was arrested at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport on March 17, 2022, shortly after leaving office.

He was about to board a flight to the United States when he was detained by the EFCC.

The EFCC’s case alleges that between February 16, 2018, and March 9, 2018, Obiano instructed his Chief Protocol Officer, Uzuegbuna Okagbue, to transfer N223 million from the state’s Security Vote Account to Connought International Services Limited.

This money was then converted into $600,000 and delivered to Obiano in cash.

The agency also claims that between October 30, 2018, and November 13, 2018, Obiano directed Okagbue to transfer N95 million to S. Y. Panda Enterprises, which was converted to $260,000 and delivered to him in cash.

Obiano has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted bail, with the court seizing his international passport as part of the bail conditions.

The EFCC has lined up 15 witnesses to testify in the case, which remains ongoing.

Earlier in the proceedings, Obiano’s legal team filed a motion seeking to quash the charges on the grounds that the court in Abuja did not have jurisdiction to hear the case, as the alleged crimes occurred in Anambra State.

However, Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the motion, allowing the EFCC to continue presenting its case against the former governor.

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With 1999 Constitution, Even Angel Gabriel Won’t Save Nigeria From Miseries – Anyaoku

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Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has warned that Nigeria’s continued reliance on the 1999 Constitution will prevent the country from achieving meaningful development.

Speaking at the launch of the biography The Noble Academic and Patriot: A Biography of Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos on Wednesday, Anyaoku described the 1999 Constitution as a unitary document that has hindered Nigeria’s progress.

He emphasized that nations with diverse populations, like Nigeria, must adopt true federal constitutions to manage their diversity and foster unity and development.

The event, which drew notable personalities such as First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, media mogul Dele Momodu, and others, focused on the life and legacy of Professor Akinjide Osuntokun, a distinguished academic and patriot.

Anyaoku used the occasion to stress the need for Nigeria to reform its constitution, saying that only a truly federal system would allow the country to overcome its deep-rooted challenges.

Nigeria’s Pluralism Requires True Federalism, Anyaoku Asserts

In his address, Anyaoku highlighted Nigeria’s pluralistic nature, with its many ethnic groups, languages, cultures, and religions, and the importance of addressing this diversity through a federal system.

He pointed to countries like India, Canada, and Switzerland, which have succeeded in maintaining unity and stability by adopting federal constitutions that respect their pluralism.

In contrast, he noted, countries like Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Sudan—where true federalism was lacking—eventually fragmented.

Anyaoku further argued that Nigeria’s political instability, economic underperformance, insecurity, and widespread corruption cannot be resolved without a shift to a true federal constitution.

He warned that, under the current 1999 Constitution, even divine intervention, like that of Angel Gabriel, would not be sufficient to address Nigeria’s problems.

He urged the Nigerian government and lawmakers to act swiftly to introduce a new constitution, one rooted in the principles of the 1960/1963 Constitution, which he argued was a product of careful negotiation by Nigeria’s founding fathers and led to a more stable and unified nation.

Obi Critiques Nigerian Leadership and Role Models

During the event, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, lamented the state of Nigeria’s education system and its impact on national development.

Obi criticized the country’s habit of celebrating individuals who contribute little to nation-building, suggesting that this mindset has led to a deterioration of societal values.

He pointed out the disparity between the low pay of university lecturers and the high earnings of those with criminal or dubious reputations, calling for a reassessment of Nigeria’s role models.

Fayemi Details the Making of Osuntokun’s Biography

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who reviewed the book, shared insights into how the biography of Professor Osuntokun came to be.

He revealed that the project began in 2018 after Osuntokun’s tenure as Pro-Chancellor of Ekiti State University.

The authors, Fayemi explained, had access to Osuntokun’s archives and conducted numerous interviews with him, allowing them to produce a comprehensive account of his life.

The biography traces Osuntokun’s roots, his family’s historical role in Ekiti and Ijesa’s military resistance against the Ibadan army in the 19th century, and his father’s success as a wealthy trader who journeyed to Ghana in pursuit of wealth.

The event, which celebrated both the biography and the broader contributions of Osuntokun, underscored the importance of understanding Nigeria’s history and the need for intellectual engagement to address the nation’s current challenges.

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Judge Handling Our Case Is Governor’s Appointee, PDP Cries Out

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The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday accused Justice Sunday Adeniyi, the State High Court judge overseeing a case challenging the party’s candidates for the upcoming local government elections, of bias.

The PDP claims that Adeniyi is a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was appointed to the bench by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The party also alleged that Adeniyi was once the Campaign Director General for Abiodun’s 2015 senatorial bid and served as Caretaker Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, the Governor’s hometown.

The case in question was filed by a faction of the PDP led by Sikirullahi Ogundele, which is contesting the validity of the candidates nominated by the party for the November 16 local government elections.

The faction argues that the candidates’ names do not appear on the list of registered members approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) following the recent Ward Congresses.

The plaintiffs, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kazeem Gbadamosi, are asking the court to rule on whether candidates whose names are not included in the authentic register can be nominated for the election.

The PDP’s state chairman, Abayomi Tella, expressed concern that the lawsuit was part of a wider strategy to disqualify the party’s candidates and prevent them from participating in the election.

He accused the state government of being behind the suit and pointed out that the judge’s alleged connections with the APC might undermine the fairness of the case.

Tella called on Justice Adeniyi to either recuse himself or deliver an impartial judgment that aligns with the rule of law.

“We believe in the rule of law and respect for the judiciary, but we are also aware of the political background of the judge handling this case. We are not questioning his integrity, but we urge him to either step down from this case or ensure that justice is done without any bias.” he said.

Tella also emphasized the PDP’s growing popularity in the state, claiming that the ruling APC was feeling threatened by the party’s increasing chances of winning the election across the 20 local governments.

The state government, through Governor Abiodun’s spokesperson Kayode Akinmade, dismissed the PDP’s claims, stating that the state government operates separately from political parties, and the issue should be directed to the party’s leadership.

Responding, the APC’s spokesperson, Tunde Oladunjoye, criticized PDP for seeking excuses for its internal divisions, particularly citing the party’s parallel congresses and multiple lawsuits filed by its factions.

When asked about the allegations against Justice Adeniyi, Oladunjoye remarked, “Attacks on judges by parties involved in legal matters only undermine the integrity of the judiciary. If the PDP feels strongly about the matter, there are legal avenues they can pursue to address their concerns.”

The case is expected to be ruled on Thursday, just two days before the election.

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Gunmen Attack Army Checkpoint, Kill Two Soldiers

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Two soldiers were killed in an early morning attack on a military checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

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The attack occurred in the Umuokpara area of Umuahia South Local Government Area.

A statement from the Joint Task Force South East, Operation Udoka, confirmed the incident, blaming the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), for the assault.

According to the statement, the gunmen targeted the checkpoint along the Umuahia-Owerri Road and engaged in a firefight with the troops stationed there.

The soldiers reportedly repelled the attackers, forcing them to flee after sustaining gunshot wounds.

Two vehicles— a Sienna minibus and a Lexus SUV— were abandoned at the scene.

However, the military confirmed that two soldiers were killed during the exchange of fire.

The Joint Task Force South East called for help from the public, urging residents of Abia State to provide credible information that could lead to the arrest of the attackers.

In the statement, Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, spokesperson for Operation Udoka, reiterated the military’s commitment to maintaining security in the region and pledged to continue its operations aimed at protecting lives and property in line with established rules of engagement.

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Fire Hits Eco Fitness Hub In Abuja

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Dailygazettenig
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A fire broke out on Wednesday at the Eco Fitness Hub, a well-known fitness center located in Gwarinpa, Abuja.

The blaze quickly spread across a significant part of the facility, causing extensive damage. However, eyewitnesses reported that no casualties were recorded in the incident.

As at the time this report, the cause of the fire remains unclear.

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Edo Governor, Okpebholo Dissolves Boards, Terminates Appointments

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has dissolved all existing boards, agencies, and parastatals, as well as terminated the appointments of all political appointees, including Permanent Secretaries who were appointed from outside the civil service.

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A statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the move, announcing that the dissolution of these bodies and the termination of appointments took effect immediately.

The statement read: “Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the dissolution of all executive boards, agencies, and parastatals within the Edo State public service, effective immediately. Furthermore, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the state public service, as well as all political appointees, have been relieved of their duties.”

The statement further instructed that all affected appointees are to immediately hand over any government property in their possession to the senior-most public officer in their respective ministries, departments, and agencies.

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WTO To Hold Special Meeting For Selection Of Next Director-General

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The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced plans to convene a special meeting of its General Council to advance the process for selecting the next Director-General.

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The meeting is scheduled for November 28-29, 2024.

A statement released on Tuesday by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council, confirmed that the session would proceed after it was revealed that no new candidates had emerged for the role by the November 8, 2024, nomination deadline.

The only candidate currently standing is the incumbent Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Ambassador Ølberg outlined that, following discussions with WTO delegations in recent days, and based on precedents when the incumbent is the sole nominee, a special formal meeting of the General Council will take place.

During the first day of the meeting, DG Okonjo-Iweala will present her vision for the future of the WTO, followed by a question-and-answer session with member states.

The second day of the meeting will provide an opportunity for WTO members to formally decide on the appointment of the next Director-General.

The process for selecting a new DG officially began on October 8, 2024, with a nomination deadline set for November 8.

Okonjo-Iweala’s current term is set to expire on August 31, 2025.

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BREAKING: FG Suspends 13 Students For Bullying Colleague In Enugu

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The Federal Government has suspended 13 students involved in the violent assault of a senior secondary student at the Federal Government College (FGC), Enugu.

The suspension, lasting six weeks, comes as authorities investigate the disturbing incident that raised concerns about student safety at the institution.

According to a statement released by the Federal Ministry of Education, the assault occurred on November 7, 2024, when a group of students ganged up on a day student in Senior Secondary 1.

The incident gained widespread attention after a video of the attack was shared on social media.

In response, the Ministry of Education set up a disciplinary committee to look into the matter. Pending the committee’s findings, the 13 students involved in the assault have been temporarily suspended.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, emphasized the government’s dedication to ensuring a safe and secure learning environment in all federal schools. He reassured parents and the public that the situation would be thoroughly addressed.

The Ministry has instructed the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) to cooperate with law enforcement in investigating the incident further, including examining any possible links to external groups.

In addition, immediate steps have been taken to improve security at the school, with a review of safety protocols and increased law enforcement presence.

As part of the response to the incident, the Ministry also announced plans to provide counseling and rehabilitation services for both the victims and the students involved in the assault.

This initiative aims to restore a positive school climate and promote the reintegration of all affected students.

Dr. Alausa called on all stakeholders, parents, school officials, and security agencies to work together to ensure a safe, supportive, and conducive learning environment for all students at FGC Enugu.

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Poll On Enugu Senator’s Performance One Year After: See Criteria For Voting

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Enugu State has three senatorial zones, and therefore, three senators.

These senators are all first-time officeholders.

In terms of lawmaking (number of bills and motions), oversight, and representation, which of them has performed well in the past one year and five months?

State your reasons and suggest areas for improvement.

You can vote here 👇  

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Enugu State has three senatorial zones, and therefore, three senators. These senators are all first-time officeholders. In terms of lawmaking (number of bills and motions), oversight, and representation, which of them has performed well in the past 1 year
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DAILY GAZETTE team of experts will collate and analyze the poll.

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