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  • Presidential Poll: We have no hand in Buhari’s Cambridge document – WAEC Deputy Registrar

    The Deputy Registrar of the West African Examination Council, WAEC, Oshindehinde Adewumi, yesterday, told the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja that he was the one that certified President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement of results.

    Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), However, under cross-examination, the witness, who was subpoenaed to appear before the Justice Mohammed Garba-led five-member tribunal, said he could not confirm Buhari’s Cambridge Assessment International Certified Statement Of West African School Certificate issued in 1961, which was earlier admitted in evidence as exhibit R-21.

    “This document is not bearing my name or signature. You cannot expect me to certify a document that is not from WAEC.

    This document is bearing Cambridge Assessment International Certified Statement. It is not a document from the WAEC”, the witness insisted. Meanwhile, the witness had earlier, when he was introduced by President Buhari’s lawyer,  Chief Wole Olanipekun, maintained that he certified the certificate.

    Fielding questions from counsel to the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adewumi told the tribunal that the statement of result Buhari tendered emanated from an examination WAEC conducted in conjunction with University of Cambridge.

    He told the tribunal that 18 candidates sat for the exam in 1961, with President Buhari listed as number two. Adewumi who said he has worked for WAEC for about 30 years, confirmed that Buhari sat for eight subjects, out of which he got five credits in Oral English, History, Geography, Hausa and Health Science.

    He said Buhari came out with an aggregate score of 32 and was categorized in Grade 2. “I confirm that whoever has this result has secondary certificate”, he added.

    When it was his turn to ask questions, counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who are the petitioners before the tribunal, asked the witness to spell the name on the certificate.

    The witness told the tribunal that the name on both the list of candidates and the certificate was “Mohamed Buhari.” It was at this juncture that the witness sought to clarify that the documents did not emanate from WAEC.

    Presidential Election Tribunal: We’ll determine petitions, without fear or favour, tribunal assures Nigerians(Opens in a new browser tab) Asked if he had ever worked in University of Cambridge, the witness said: “I have never worked there.”

    Besides, though Buhari was said to have registered for eight subjects, when he was shown Exhibit R-19, the witness told the tribunal that only six subjects were listed for the 2nd respondent.

    Asked if he knew one Dr. Iyi Uwadiae, the witness answered in the affirmative, identifying him as current Registrar of WAEC. Asked if he was aware that Dr. Iyi had on November 2, 2018, “purported to give President Buhari attestation certificate”?, the witness said: “Yes I am aware.”

    Nevertheless, he said it was not true that such attestation could only be given when a candidate misplaced or lost his certificate.

    Adewumi was the fourth witness, RW-4, President Buhari has produced to testify in his bid to defend the petition challenging both his re-election and the allegation that he lacked the requisite educational qualifications.

    Another witness, Mohammed Abba, a Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari, identified the president in a group photograph of the 1961 set of Katsina Provincial Secondary School.

    Under cross-examination, he told the tribunal that he has been close to President Buhari for over 30 years, even as he admitted that the result sheet that was tendered before the tribunal was not the same as a certificate.

    The RW-5, said he never served in the Nigerian Army, saying he was also not President Buhari’s classmate.

    He told the tribunal that the fact he deposed to in his witness statement on oath were obtained from Buhari’s Curriculum Vitae.

    When he was presented with Buhari’s CV, Abba, told the tribunal that although schools attended by Buhari were listed, he admitted that no certificate was attached. However, the witness told the tribunal that there is no difference between Muhammadu and Mohamed.

    “The Hausa man will say Muhammadu, English man will say Mohamed, while the Yoruba man will call it Mamodu”.

    After Abba was discharged from the witness box, President Buhari called two persons that served as collation agents during the presidential poll, to testify for him.

    The witnesses, Mohammed Kwatu, a retired broadcaster in Niger State and Usman Dagona, a businessman in Nasarawa State, maintained that the February 23 presidential election was free and fair.

    They told the tribunal that there was no incident of over-voting, insisting that the Smart Card Reader Machines were used for accreditation. 

     The tribunal adjourned further proceedings till Thursday for President Buhari to call more witnesses to defend the outcome of the February 23 presidential election.

  • FG saves N500bn through PICA

    The Federal Government has saved about N500 billion through Presidential Initiative for Continuous Audit, PICA.

    Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Dikwa, disclosed at a meeting with the Alumni of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Abuja chapter.

    He told the visiting alumni that most of the achievements were recorded under his leadership as a result of his training at NIPSS.

    He said:  “If you recall, over the last four years, this administration has put in place a lot of policies and I am part of the financial policies put in place at the Ministry of Finance.

    “I headed most of the reforms at the Ministry of Finance for the past four years.

    There are tangible results we have got over the years.

    “One of the fundamental achievements was saving the government over N500 billion from leakages and wastages under my leadership at PICA.

    “If the initiative was not in place, this amount of money we are talking about would have been spent by MDAs.

    It was because of this initiative that was put in place that we were able to save that money from treasury looters.

    “We have also put in place so many other measures like the whistle-blowing policy. The policy was initiated under my chairmanship in PICA.

    We were able to succeed not only from recoveries, but also stopped people from doing the wrong thing as far as government circle was concern.

    In his remarks, head of the delegation, Dr. Mobolaji Olowo, said the team was at the ministry to congratulate Dikwa  on his appointment as Permanent Secretary and urged him to be a good ambassador of the institute.

  • Presidency announces transition of Tijani Yusuf

    THE Presidency has announced the passing of Alhaji Tijani Yusuf on Wednesday morning after a brief illness. Aged 63, Alhaji Yusuf, popularly called TJ, was until his transition, the Special Assistant (Special Duties) to Jalal Arabi, Permanent Secretary, State House, Abuja.

    A very likeable and unassuming gentleman, Yusuf was known for his excellent administrative skills, most notably, his pivotal roles during Swearing-in/Oath-taking ceremonies of top appointees of the Federal Government before Nigerian leaders.

    In recognition of his meritorious services, Yusuf was given the national honours of Member of the Order of Niger, (MON 2006), and Officer of the Order of Niger, (OON 2012) after receiving several commendation letters including one from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

    Deployed to the State House in 1994 from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, he rose to the rank of Director in 2013, and retired in 2016 after decades of serving several Nigerian military and civilian leaders.

    Following his mandatory retirement on the basis of age, he was appointed Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina said that the late Yusuf will be sorely missed by the Management and Staff of the State House.

    After prayers at the Abuja National Mosque, his remains were conveyed for interment in his hometown, Minna, Niger State. Alhaji Yusuf was married and had children.

  • Babalakin, Nnamani, Kashamu, others on AMCON’s top 20 debtors’ list

    THE Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, yesterday, released names of its top 20 debtors, barely 24 hours after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo set up a new task force to recover the over N5trillion owed the agency.

    At the meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, AMCON’s chairman, Muiz Banire, said the top 20 debtors owed 67% of the N5 trillion debt.

    The debtors include Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, N115.952bn; NICON Investments Limited, N59.544bn; Dr. Wale Babalakin’s Bi-Courtney Limited (MMA2), N40.798bn; Josepdam & Sons Limited, N39.056bn; Cross Rivers Govt’s Tinapa Business Resort, N36.006bn; and Home Trust Savings, N30.626bn. Others are Prof. Barth nnaji’s Geometric Power Limited, N29.844bn; Wale Babalakin’s Roygate Properties Limited, N28.137bn; SPDC West Multi-purpose Co-operative Society Limited, N26.475bn; Anyiam Osigwe Limited, N20.533; Platinum Capital, N20.379bn; and Flotsome Investment Limited, N20.219bn.

    Also on the list were Lonestar Drilling, N20.208bn; Ugoji Egbujo’s N19.577bn; Chimaroke Nnamani’s Lorna Global Resources, N18.919bn; Hosanna Properties Limited, N18.060bn; Minajo Holdings Limited, NN17.307bn; Afrijet Airlines Limited, N13.122bn; Petroleum Brokers Limited, NJ13,076bn; and Kashamu Buruji’s Hotel De Island Kasmal Properties, Island Autos & Nacoil, N13.016bn.

  • Epia is a Politician Hiding Under Journalism to Defame Me - Nwulu

    My attention has been drawn to media reports citing claims by Oke Epia, a politician and publisher of Order Paper stating that I am using the Nigerian Police to attack or persecute him. This is false.


    Epia is not a journalist but a political hatchet man simply doing the bidding of his sponsors under the umbrella of the press. He has been whipping up sentiments, hiding under the false allusion that he is a journalist and tagging media houses both locally and abroad. But the truth is, he is not a journalist. He is a politician that has held political office as the Chief Press Secretary to Emeka Ihedioha, the incumbent governor and my rival during the last governorship elections in Imo State.


    I have a lot of respect for journalists and the media as the fourth estate of our democracy, especially in the face of the risk that they undertake on a daily basis to keep us informed. I say this with special tribute to the late Precious Owolabi, a corper who served as a correspondent with Channels TV but was shot dead while on duty.


    The Not Too Young to Run bill that I sponsored enjoyed the greatest media support because of the tireless efforts of journalists who supported me. But I charge journalists to device means of identifying those I call wolves in journalist's skin. As a major stakeholder and beneficiary in journalism, I can never undermine a journalist. I believe in freedom of the press.


    Rogues claiming to be journalists must be identified and shamed. Some are nothing but grant hunters that set up projects to defraud unsuspecting development partners and NGOs. Journalists must be careful to identify those that are truly their colleagues otherwise such individuals will undermine the daily sacrifices being made by genuine journalists across the world who leave their families unsure if they will return alive and others who fled their countries and are today exiled because they dared to speak the truth. No one should be allowed to rubbish their sacrifices, certainly not a criminally minded fellow.


    I am aware Epia has equally alleged that I have issued threats to his life. Nothing could be further from the truth and I challenge him to produce any evidence of such threats. These are barefaced lies calculated to court public sentiments.


    I am the one who went to the Police. I did this to exercise my constitutional rights as someone who has been defamed under the guise of "journalism". I reported this issue to the Police because of the weight of the allegations made against me. These allegations are unsubstantiated and no responsible media house anywhere in the world should use words like "missing funds" or "tens of millions" without any shred of evidence to back up such claims. It is against the tenets of professional media practice just as it is a common principle of law that he who alleges must prove.


    It is my hope that at the end of this whole process, the law takes its course and the truth is allowed to prevail. I also hope that this will serve as an incident that enriches broad conversations around the professional ethics that guide the practice of real journalism.




    Signed

    Hon. Tony Nwulu

    31st July 2019


  • AMCON N5trn debt: FG goes after top Nigerians, companies

    In a move to ensure the effective recovery of over N5trillion being outstanding debts owed the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) by some Nigerians and companies, the Nigerian government has set up a new task force to get the job done without fail.
    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, gave the indication during a meeting with board members and management of AMCON and selected heads of government agencies, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
    The agencies include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and also the Permanent Secretaries of the Justice and Transport Ministries.
    The force comprising Heads of AMCON, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Ministry of Justice, will be working to develop and implement new strategies that will ensure that the determination of the FG to recover the money is speedily achieved.
    Prof. Osinbajo said, all the relevant agencies have to re-strategize to achieve the desired results.
    “The key is collaboration. We need a small team comprising these agencies to look at the next steps that we need to take, especially the criminal aspect, forfeiture, and all of that,” the VP directed.
    He said the task force should look at the top 20 AMCON defaulters closely and develop a plan of action that brings results.
    It would be recalled that the Vice President had previously in May met with AMCON management to discuss how to resolve the issue.
    According to the AMCON Chairman, Mr. Muiz Banire, SAN, almost 67 per cent of the outstanding N5tn debt is owed by just 20 individuals/entities.
    Banire noted that the agency had been “trying its best in its attempt to recover this through the civil judicial process, but had encountered several challenges.”
    Also present at the meeting was the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu; Chairman, ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye; Director/Chief Executive, NFIU, Mr. Modibbo Tukur; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Sabiu Zakari; and other senior government officials.

  • BBNaija: Gedoni, Khafi caught having sex again

    Big Brother Naija, #BBNaija, 2019 housemates, Gedoni and Khafi, have again been caught having sex.

    The #BBNaija love-birds were seen having sex while others were sleeping on Sunday night.

    The inseparable pair were caught on camera having passionate sex under the sheets while other housemates were fast asleep.

    Gedoni and Khafi had on two different occasions been caught in the house having sex.

    This would make it the third time the duo were caught making out in the house.

    Both housemates were recently seen kissing while under the sheets.

  • Court Shifts El-Zakzaky’s Bail Hearing Till August 5

    According to reports, State High Court sitting in Kaduna has fixed August 5th to rule on the bail application filed by the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat.

    Ibraheem El-Zakzaky
    IMN leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky
    El-Zakzaky and his wife have been in detention since their arrest in 2015 after members of their religious group clashed with men of the Nigerian Army.


    Femi Falana, the counsel to the leader of the Shiite group informed the court that the embattled couple were absent from court hearing on health grounds.

    Also Read: Tunde Ednut Slams Tacha For Failing To Define Characteristics


    Members of the Shi’ites group have consistently staged protests demanding the release of their leader.


    The protest by the group went violent in Abuja last week Monday July 22nd, which resulted in the death of a youth corp member, Precious Owolabi and a police deputy commissioner of police, Umar Bebel.

  • President of Congo DRC Received By The Honorary counsel Of The Country to Nigeria, HE Prince Don Okonkwo

    The President of Democratic Republic of Congo, His Excellency, Felix Tsisikedi, has been received in Nigeria by the Honorary Counsel of Congo DRC to Nigeria, His Excellency, Prince Don Okonkwo, at the Presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja few hours ago.

    The visit of Congo President, HE  Felix Tsisikedi was in view of strategic deliberations to further  broaden the bilateral trade relationship between the both West African Nations. Speaking with Prince shortly after receiving Congo President, he told our correspondent that the  engagement would leave notable impacts on the relationship that exists between Nigeria and Congo.
    The Anambra state governorship candidate and Managing Director of Tetrazzini Group, Prince Okonkwo stressed that Nigeria and Congo DRC has maintained a mutual relationship that has overtime enabled relative benefits for both countries. 

    He also noted that more productive engagements as regards development projects and otherwise will be looked into for furrher implementation and impacts amongst bother nations.


  • Presidential Tribunal: INEC to defend Buhari’s victory over Atiku today

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will commence defence of President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in the 2019 presidential election today, Monday.
    INEC will open its defence in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, against the conduct of the February 23, 2019, election.
    The electoral umpire declared Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner.
    INEC will in the next six days defend the allegations contained in PDP and Atiku’s petition where 62 witnesses gave evidence against the credibility of the election.
    Atiku and PDP had closed their case at the Justice Mohammed Garba led five-man Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.
    The tribunal had adjourned till July 29 for the first respondent, INEC, to open its defence.
    One of the major issues that will dominate the tribunal session is the controversy generated by the existence and usage of a server by INEC.
    Atiku and PDP are contending that the result of the election was downloaded into INEC server, while both the INEC, Buhari and APC vehemently denied the claim.

  • Atiku tells Buhari how to prevent future rigging of Nigeria’s elections

    Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 2019 presidential candidate, on Monday, highlighted how to prevent the rigging of Nigeria’s future elections.
    He said the immediate implementation of the recommendation of the Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais-led National Electoral Reform Committee would avert rigging of future elections in the country.
    In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists, Atiku also called for the creation of Electoral Crimes Commission as a way of averting rigging.
    The former Vice President insisted that the credibility level of 2019 elections fell below that of 2015.
    According to Atiku; “One way of addressing the lapses is to implement the salient recommendations of the National Electoral Reform Committee, NERC, headed by former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais. The second, is the creation of Electoral Crimes Commission.
    “One of such recommendations, which will enhance the independence of the supposedly Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is the recommendation that the power to appoint the Chairman and board of the INEC be taken away from the President and given to the judiciary.”
    Advocating free and credible elections, Atiku said: “Our electoral system needs not just to be brought up to date, by the acceptance of the amendments to the Electoral Act passed by the eight National Assembly, we also need to be up to tomorrow, by taking steps today to ensure that the lapses that made it possible for the 2019 elections to be manipulated or rigged are addressed.
    “Of all three arms of government, the Judiciary is the least affected by-elections, meaning that it has the highest objectivity in matters relating to the INEC. It is therefore in the best position of the three arms, to appoint a chairman and board members for the electoral body that are impartial, competent and patriotic.
    “This recommendation may seem like a small change, but my experience in life has taught me never to underestimate the big difference small changes can make.
    “Nigeria today faces a lot of challenges, chief of which are security and economic revival. To effectively tackle these problems, a government must have an honest and indisputable mandate.
    “Where you have an administration whose mandate is considered tainted, such a government will lack sufficient moral authority to tackle the myriad of problems this great nation currently faces.”

  • Precious Owolabi: Buhari sends Osinbajo to family of NYSC member killed during Shiites protest

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday urged family members of the deceased corps member, Precious Owolabi to accept the will of God in good faith.
    Owolabi was killed during a protest by members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shiites in Abuja on July 22.
    Buhari, who was represented by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, advised the family to take heart, saying that the loss would never be forgotten.
    NAN reports that during the condolence, Osinbajo engaged the father of the deceased, Owolabi Ayo in a heart-to-heart discussion.
    Director-General, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Shu’aibu Ibrahim addressing Journalists shortly after Vice President’s condolence visit to Precious Owolabi’s family in Zaria on Saturday
    Addressing Journalists during the condolence, the Director-General, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Shu’aibu Ibrahim, described last Monday as a very sad day for the NYSC family.
    “Actually, last Monday was a very sad day for the NYSC family and for the Vice President to come on behalf of the President on condolence with the family is an indication that the Federal Government really cares for the NYSC.
    “And the welfare of the NYSC is paramount to the Federal Government, we appreciate it and I can assure you that we have learnt a lesson from what had happened.
    “As you can see, the corps members are very proud of the Federal Government for the President to come to this house, this indicated that Precious Owolabi is a hero, he died in the service of our country.”
    NAN reports that the Vice President was accompanied by Gov. Nasiru el-Rufai of Kaduna State, Council Chairmen of Zaria, Sabongari and Kudan Local government Areas.

  • Buhari dragged to Supreme Court over alleged perjury

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been dragged to the Supreme Court for alleged perjury over the information he supplied to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the just concluded February 23, presidential election.
    The appellants who are Kalu Kalu, Labaran Ismail and Hassy El-Kuris are challenging the qualification of Buhari for the election and seeking the apex court to retroactively nullify his candidacy.
    The latest move was premised on the dismissal of their suit at the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja on grounds that it was statute barred and as such cannot be heard.
    The appellants specifically wants Buhari’s nomination and subsequent victory at the February 23 presidential election nullified on the grounds that President Buhari lied on oath in his form 001 he submitted to INEC for the purpose of clearance for the presidential election.
    The appellants, Kalu Kalu, Labaran Ismail and Hassy El-Kuris in the Notice of Appeal marked: CA/A/436/2019, are asking the apex court for an Order to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal and hear the matter on merit and grant the reliefs sought in the Originating Summons.
    The Court of Appeal in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris, had on July 12, held that the singular fact that the suit was filed outside the 14 days provided by the law robbed the court of jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
    The suit was accordingly dismissed for being incompetent and lacking in merit.
    In the Notice of Appeal dated and filed July 24, the appellants through their counsel, Ukpai Ukairo, presented 12 grounds for the setting aside of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, amongst which are; that the “Learned Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law in relying on a Preliminary Objection withdrawn and struck out by the Court of Appeal in striking out and dismissing the appeal.
    He added, “The Learned Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law and breached the right of the Appellants to fair hearing by relying on a Preliminary Objection, withdrawn by the 2nd Respondent and struck out by the Court, thus being a case not made out or relied upon or abandoned by a party in entering a decision in a judgment.
    “The Learned Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law in holding that “the failure of the Registrar to sign the Originating Summons is fatal and goes to the issue of jurisdiction” and thereby struck out the Originating Summons.
    “The Learned Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law in holding that the cause of action for the purpose of calculating the 14 days provided for in Section 285(9) of the 1999 Constitution, (4th Alteration) Act, 2017 within which to file an action under Section 31(5) of the Electoral Act arose on the day the 1st Respondent submitted his Form CF 001 to the 3rd Respondent.
    “The Learned Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law in holding that the Appellants did not put a date as to when the cause of action arose.
    “The Learned Justices of the Court of appeal erred in law by denying the right of the Appellants to fair hearing by failing to decide on issue one argued by the Appellants which challenged the competence of the processes filed by the 1st Respondent.
    “The Learned Justice of the Court of Appeal erred in law in relying for the purpose of determining the appeal, on the processes filed by the law officers in the Ministry of Justice.
    “The Learned Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law in holding that delving into the other issues raised in the appeal will be regarded as an academic exercise as the case has been held to have been statute barred by virtue of Section 285(9) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 4th alteration and robs this court of its jurisdiction”.
    According to Ukairo, the appellants in the brief of argument distilled two issues for determination, (i) Whether the Learned Trial Judge was right in relying on the processes filed by the 1st defendant through a Law Officer in the Ministry of Justice?
    (ii) Whether the Learned Trial Judge was right in holding that the suit was statute-barred by computing the number of days from the 28th day of September, 2018 when the 2nd Respondent held its primary election wherein the 1st Respondent was elected as a candidate of the 2nd Respondent?
    “The issue one was distilled from ground one of the notice and Ground of appeal which said ground of appeal was a challenge to the refusal of the trial court to uphold the challenge by the appellants of the competence of the process filed on behalf of the 1st respondent by a law officer from the Ministry of Justice.
    “One of the processes that was the subject of the challenge to competence is the further affidavit of the 1st respondent filed on the April 15, 2019 to which is attached a written address which are the only processes wherein the issue of 14 days in Section 285(9) 0f the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (4th Amendment) Act, 2017 was raised.
    “The Court relying on the documents assailed by objection to competence arrived at a decision and then held the challenge to the competence academic”, he said.
    The appellants had approached the appellate court to nullify and set aside the Judgment of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court which declined to hear their suit instituted to challenge the educational qualification of President Buhari before the conduct of the 2019 general election.
    But the appellate court in a judgement delivered held that the suit has been cut up by the Fourth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution which stipulate a 14 days time period within which an election matter must be filed.
    Though the appellate court agreed with the trial court that the suit was statute barred having filed out of time, it however, disagreed with the trial court on the date the cause of action took place.
    Justice Ahmed Mohammed had in his judgment held that the cause of action took place on September 28, 2018 when the APC held its primary election to select candidate of the party in the 2019 general election.
    But the appellate court held that the cause of action took place on October 18, 2018, the date Buhari submitted his form 001 to INEC for the purpose of clearance for the presidential election.
    The appellants had filed the suit on November 5, 2018, claiming October 25, the date INEC published the list of successful candidates in the 2019 general election as the date the cause of action arose, making the suit to be competent.
    The three man panel of the justices of the Court of Appeal had also dismissed the suit based on the preliminary objection filed by the APC’s lawyer challenging the jurisdiction of the suit on the grounds that it is incompetent.
    The judge held that the failure of the Registrar of the Federal High Court to transmit the record of proceedings was fatal to the originating summon and makes the suit incompetent.
    The decision prompted the appellants to approach the apex court in their further quest for justice.
    Among the reliefs sought are a declaration that Buhari submitted false information regarding his qualification and certifcate to INEC for the purpose of contesting election into the office of the President of Nigeria and that he should be disqualified.
    They also prayed for an order of court directing INEC to remove Buhari’s name as a candidate of APC and another order restraining Buhari from parading himself as a candidate in the 2019 presidential election and also APC from recognizing Buhari as a candidate.

  • MAJESTY!!! The Christian Musical Show Records Impressive Turnouts In Abuja City

    The city of Abuja was ignited in spiritual warmth as the entire public gathered to a magnificent and impressive event tagged "Majesty -The Christian Musical". An occasion which entertained several musical praise-performance, dance highlights, eating and merriment amongst guests who expressed their undaunted appreciation to God Almighty.

    The event, according to its organizers "Millie House", was amazing and filled with the anticipated atmosphere as envisaged abinitio. The event was held few days ago, at Agnes Place, along Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse2 Abuja.
    Impressively, the event was well attended by top Nigeria entertainment influencers, music producers, performing Artist/entertainers, top and reputable persons across relevant sectors in Nigeria and particularly Abuja. 

    Unlike the regular showbiz outlook in Abuja, "Majesty The Christian Musical" may have defined a new path in gospel or christian based events in the country, especially with relevance as regards moral standard, ethics and discipline, basically for the growing youths/Teens

    The organizers have appreciated guests, performing arts and other invitees for their supports in different ways, noting that without them, the event wouldn't have recorded such huge success.























  • El-Zakzaky: Buhari breaks silence on proscription on Shiites in Nigeria

    The presidency says proscription of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-zakzaky has nothing to do with banning the larger numbers of peaceful and law abiding Shiites in the country from practicing their religion.

    A statement by Garba Shehu, spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari, noted that instead, it was to discourage wanton violence, murder and willful destruction of public and private property.

    The Presidency explained that contrary to the claim by IMN that it had been banned from practicing its religion, President Buhari’s administration has not banned Shiites from observing their five daily prayers and going to Mecca to perform the Holy pilgrimage.

    “Their position is blatantly false and deceptive”, it added.

    “The IMN is deliberately changing the narrative in order to gain sympathy and divert the attention of the world from its terrorist activities, including attacking soldiers, killing policemen and a youth corps member, destroying government ambulances and public property, consistently defying authority of the state.

    “The Presidency notes that the banned organization was taken over by extremists who didn’t believe in peaceful protests and instead employed violence and arson, driving fear and undermining the rights of others and constituted authority.

    “The Presidency agrees that the constitution protects freedom of worship, but not to the detriment of the society, especially where such freedom harms others, and breaks law and order.

    “The Presidency insists that such criminal behavior and disregard for rights of others and human life will not be tolerated by any responsible government, explaining that everywhere in the world protesters operate within legal boundaries and conduct themselves peacefully without molesting others, or engaging in murder and killing of security personnel or destroying public and private property.

    “The Presidency regrets that despite all efforts by the government and other well-meaning Nigerians to make the IMN militants to see reason and abandon violence, such appeals fell on deaf ears as they killed, maimed and destroyed willfully, constituting daily nuisance to workers, commuters and other innocent citizens.

    “Having defied appeals to operate peacefully, and given their seeming determination to destabilize the country, the government had to act before the situation goes out of control, after admonishing many times over that people should not use religion to perpetuate lawlessness.

    “We are fighting lawlessness and criminality and not pursuing a policy of discrimination against any group,” the Presidency stressed. “You cannot be in court while at the same time engaging in violent protests, molesting people and inflicting pains on others, which includes taking innocent lives.”

  • El-Zakzaky: Shiites speaks on ‘attack’ on Nigerian states

    The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, on Sunday demanded for the release of its leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat.

    It said there was no plans to attack Nigerian states in order to press home its demands.

    The South West Coordinator, IMN, Muftau Zakariya, on Sunday, advised residents to go about their normal activities.

    He told Vanguard: “What we are seeking for is the release of our leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife. That is all. We have never taken arms against the law enforcement agencies.

    “Rather they are the one that have continued to use arms against us. We are law abiding citizens and we believe in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria.

    “So we urge everyone in South West to disregard any information claiming we are planning to attack government facilities.”

    Meanwhile, the military Special Task Force (STF) in charge of security in Plateau said it had taken steps to avoid any protest by Shiites.

  • Access Bank: More winners emerge in DiamondXtra monthly draw


    Ten Nigerians have emerged in the monthly draw of the DiamondXtra savings scheme season eleven initiated by Access Bank.
    The presentation which took place in various states across Nigeria saw Samuel Ebu, Stanley Igwe, Olusina Fadare, Amos Tochukwu, Orungbala Anna amongst others winning N1Million naira each.
    Samuel Ebu, a businessman, could not hide his joy, having become a million naira richer, said, “I feel so good and excited to have N1 million with Access Bank and I have had a DiamondXtra account for three years now and since I started banking with the Bank, everything has been perfect, no complaints whatsoever as they are reliable.
    “I had initially thought their call was a mistake because I did not think I could win but here I am, a winner of N1Million. I want to encourage Nigerians to partake in this initiative and bank with Access Bank”.
    Another customer, Stanley Igwe, an IT professional thanked Access Bank for the opportunity and called on Nigerians to participate in the rewarding scheme.
    Speaking during the cheque presentation to winners, Head, Products Insights and Capabilities, Access Bank, Robert Giles, revealed that the initiative has paid off immensely in which over N5 billion have been given out to winners while adding that DiamondXtra savings scheme has not only transformed lives in short term but will do that for years to come.
    According to Giles, the DiamondXtra rewarding scheme has improved year-in-year-out and Access Bank remains in constant engagement with its customers on what they would like in subsequent season of the rewarding scheme.

    “The initiative has been very successful for the bank and when we have happy customers, we have happy numbers. so customers who use DiamondXtra stay with us a lot longer and they do more with us because effectively our customers get rewarded for something they were doing before, they save and in addition to them keeping their money, they build for the future and getting interest on their savings, we give them the opportunities to win more amazing prizes, so it is a win-win situation for the bank.
    “We have millions of customers now on DiamondXtra and so we are no longer counting in hundreds or thousands because the initiative is a lot bigger and much more improved now”.
    Giles further said, “You can come to the bank, open a Diamondxtra account in any one of our access bank branches accross the country or you can call us and we will send an agent to you, then fund the account with N5000. Every N5000 you have in that account, you have an opportunity to be in draw to win salary for life, education allowance for 5 years and so many prizes”.


    DiamondXtra is an interest yielding hybrid account which allows deposit of both cash and third party cheques. Hybrid means a combination of both savings and current account features. The DiamondXtrareward scheme was launched in 2008 and has been running till date.

  • AAC expels Ezenwa, reaffirms Sowore as National Chairman


    The African Action Congress (AAC) has reaffirmed Mr. Omoyele Sowore as its National Chairman, while expelling Mr. Leonard Ezenwa, former Treasurer and Secretary of the party.

    Mr. Joshua Adeoye, AAC Deputy National Secretary, read the resolution after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party on Saturday in Abuja.

    Sowore is the National Chairman and the 2019 Presidential candidate of AAC, while Malcolm Fabiyi is the Deputy National Chairman of the party and both were suspended.

    Adeoye said allegations against Sowore leading to his purported expulsion from the party were manufactured, adding that there was no case of financial impropriety against him.

    Adeoye noted that Sowore as a candidate declared campaign money, adding that the he carried the people along as money was being spent to the end of the campaign.

    “The NEC outrightly rejects, cancels, reverses and totally repudiates the purported suspension of Sowore and Fabiyi from their offices.

    “The NEC hereby affirms and reinstate Sowore as the one and only national chairman of AAC and Fabiyi as the deputy national chairman of the party.

    He said that all actions carried out by Nzenwa in the name of AAC including documents signed or authored by him” are dismissed, set aside and nullified forthwith”.

    According to him, Ezenwa’s expulsion followed his failure to appear before the NEC to defend himself in line with article 80 of AAC constitution which found him guilty of the alleged offence.

    The highest decision making body of the party called for immediate arrest and prosecution of Ezenwa for alleged forgery and perjury among others criminal acts.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AAC had been involved in leadership crisis leading to the removal of its presidential candidate by a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged financial impropriety.

    Mr. Inibehe Effiong, the National Legal Adviser of the party, however, said the party was not joined in the case filed by Ezenwa, adding that the person, who also filed the case at the FCT High court was still unknown.

    Mr. Murtala Adamu, Niger state Chairman moved for adoption of the resolution of the NEC, while Mr Rotimi Ogunlana, Chairman, Oyo state seconded the resolution.