A High Court sitting in Yola, the Adamawa state capital, has thrown out the application by the state House of Assembly seeking to impeach Governor Murtala Nyako and his deputy.
The acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ambrose Mamadi, who presided over the case also barred the legislators from going ahead with the impeachment process thus bringing to an end the impeachment moves made by the lawmakers.
Details later. [myad]
The Federal High court sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital has ruled that the defection of the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Razak Atunwa and 21 other members of the state House of Assembly from the People Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) was legal and constitutional.
The presided judge, Justice Olayinka Faji held today that the defendants cannot lose their seats simply on account of defecting from PDP to APC, adding that there is an established case of crisis in PDP which prompted their defection.
A PDP member of the assembly who did not defect to APC, Mr. Ibrahim illiyasu, had dragged the defected law makers before court.
The suit Number Is FHC/IL/CS/6/2014,PDP, Illiasu Ibrahim Vs Razaq Atunwa and twenty others and the Independent Electoral Commission.
Illiasu had prayed the court to declare that they should vacate their seats and stand another election having defected to APC.
The plaintiff’s counsel, Salman Jawondo a had urged the court to declare the seats of Atunwa and 20 others vacant because they were elected on the platform of PDP, but had defected to APC. One of the defected law makers is dead.
Jawondo argued that having left PDP for APC, the seats of the defendants should be declared vacant.
He further argued that they must stand another election for them to retain their seats.
But the counsel for the defendants, Wahab Bamidele, Tosho Yakubu, led by Bola Gold, argued that because of the claimed crisis in PDP, the defendants had the rights to defect to any other party.
In his judgement, Faji ruled that the defection of the lawmakers was legal and constitutional, relying heavily on the judgment which restrained Alhaji Kawu Baraje from parading himself as the INEC recognised Chairman of PDP.
According to Faji, the ruling that Bamagar Tukur was recognized as the official chairman of PDP and a restraining order was filed for Baraje not to parade himself as the INEC recognized chairman showed indeed that there was a faction.
He stated that at the time of the defection by the defendants, there was indeed a faction in PDP which made their defection legal and constitutional.
A member of the House of Representatives, representing Ilorin East/Ilorin south,Dr Ahmad Ali said that Faji’s judgement has laid to rest the constitutionality of defection by the legislators.
“It is a landmark judgment on the issue of defection. This is the first final judgment, compared to various conflicting interlocutory orders, by the Federal High court in Nigeria.
“It supercedes all other previous non-judicial gratuitous statements. I urge PDP to quickly appeal this sound judgment if they so wish.
“We are comforted that in the Federal High Court there are still many judges who are bold and still stand as a bulwark between the dregs of the society and the powerful forces.
“The judgment for the first time answered the question: was there a division in PDC when the legislators defected? The court said yes. If it is yes(as any reasonable man already acknowledges) then any member can constitutionally defect.” [myad]
Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives has resolved to probe the level of operational strength of the nation’s security forces, including the regular army, police and para-military personnel.
This is coming on the heels of the two simultaneous bomb blasts, by suspected members of the dreaded Boko Haram, which claimed the lives of 21 people and wounded 52 others yesterday at a busy shopping mall in Abuja.
The House which made the resolution at the today sitting, also urged the police to quickly mobilise reinforcement of mobile policemen to troubled communities in Sanga local government area of Kaduna state where more than hundred lives have been lost from Tuesday till today.
The House also endorsed motions moved by Hon. Haruna Musa Fatahi (APC, Kano) and Uche Ekwunife (APGA, Anambra) for the immortalization of late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and erstwhile Director General of the National Administration for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Details later. [myad]
The world football ruling body, FIFA has finally sent the Uruguay striker, Luis Suarez out of ongoing world cup tournament in Brazil having been banned from all football activities for four months for biting an opponent at the World Cup. With the ban, Suarez has also been ruled out of the start of the upcoming Premier League season.
The ban also covers Uruguay’s next nine international games, which goes beyond the next four months and rules him out of next year’s Copa America. It will likely carry over to qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup.
FIFA also fined the Liverpool striker 100,000 Swiss francs ($112,000).
Uruguay’s football federation said it plans an appeal to FIFA before the team’s round-of-16 game against Colombia on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro.
Suarez bit the shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s 1-0 win in the group stage on Tuesday, but escaped unpunished as the referee did not see the incident.
“Such behavior cannot be tolerated on any football pitch and in particular not at a FIFA World Cup, when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field,” Claudio Sulser, chairman of the FIFA disciplinary committee, said in a statement.
Uruguay federation president Wilmar Valdez said it was “a severe punishment.”
“It feels like Uruguay has been thrown out of the World Cup,” Valdez said in Rio.
This is the third time Suarez has been banned for biting an opponent after similar incidents with Ajax in the Dutch league and Liverpool. He was given a 10-match ban by the Premier League for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in April 2013.
“Hopefully he will realize now that behavior of this type will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” said FIFA vice president Jim Boyce of Northern Ireland.
In Uruguay, even fans who agreed Suarez’s action was “stupid” did not agree with the sanction.
“Uruguay is a small country that eliminated two big nations like Italy and England and it’s not for FIFA’s benefit to let Uruguay continue playing,” supporter Juan Jose Monzillo said in Montevideo.
By banning Suarez from all football activities, FIFA also prohibited Suarez from entering a stadium or team hotel at the World Cup. It also stops him from even training with Liverpool until the ban ends in late October.
“He cannot be actively involved” with a club, FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer said.
Suarez and the Uruguay football federation can appeal the sanctions, though Liverpool could not be formally involved in any legal challenge, Fischer said.
The four-month ban includes Liverpool’s first three Champions League group-stage games in the five-time European champion’s return after a five-year absence. Suarez will also miss the first nine matches of the Premier League.
Suarez would still be allowed transfer to a different club during the ban, but would not be able to play for a new club until the sanction ends, Fischer said. He has been linked to a move to Barcelona.
Sports manufacturer adidas, which sponsors both Suarez and the World Cup, said it agreed with the ruling. The company said it will not use Suarez for “additional marketing” during the World Cup but would not immediately drop him as a client.
“We will again be reminding him of the high standards we expect from our players,” adidas said in a statement.
Any appeal by Uruguay must first go to the FIFA appeal committee, Fischer said. If rejected, Suarez and Uruguay could take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.
At CAS, Suarez could first appeal to have the sanctions frozen during the process which would clear him to return early for Liverpool.
In a statement, Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre said the club “will wait until we have seen and had time to review the FIFA Disciplinary Committee report before making any further comment.” [myad]
Minister of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has described the slain Managing Editor, Northern operations, of the New Telegraph Newspaper, Mallam Suleiman Bisalla as an outstanding journalist who practiced the journalism profession in line with its guiding ethics and principles.
Suleiman Bisala was identified as one of the victims of the bomb blast, by suspected members of the dreaded Boko Haram, which occured at the Emab Plaza, Wuse II, Abuja yesterday. His elder brother, Mohammed Bisala, who confirmed the death and said that Suleiman’s corpse was found at the Maitama Hospital mortuary.
In a statement by his special assistant on media and publicity, Nosike Ogbuenyi, the minister noted that there are valuable lessons to be learnt from the life of Suleiman Bisalla.
According to him, humility, hard work, honesty and integrity were the guiding principles of the deceased, even as he advised the younger generation of journalists to emulate his sterling qualities by shunning blackmail and sensationalism.
Senator Bala said he was greatly saddened by the news of the death of the Editor who he described as a humble and thorough-bred journalist.
“From the information I gathered about the late Suleiman Bisalla, I can confidently state that he was an exceptional professional journalist who always stood for the truth and objectivity in the discharge of his duties. He certainly left positive imprints, which will make his memory to endure for many years to come.”
He said that the late Editor did not die in vain as his dedication to the unity of the country and peace would triumph over the dark activities of his killers and their collaborators, adding that although those who took away Suleiman Bisalla could kill the flesh, but they cannot kill his spirit.
Earlier, the minister had condemned the bomb blast and said that it was a savagery act even as he directed free medical services for all those injured.
The minister who spoke when he visited the scene of the bombing immediately it occured, as well as the Maitama District Hospital, Abuja where most of the injured were receiving treatment, restated his directive for stricter security in all public places and other soft targets which usually witness large gathering within the FCT.
He said that the security plans of action are being developed to forestall any attack by insurgents, describing the incident as most unfortunate.
He commended the security agencies for their efforts in combating terror in the FCT and pledged more support by the FCT Administration.
Senator Bala also praised the emergency services, especially the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the FCT Hospital and Human Services Secretariat for rising promptly to the occasion.
The Secretary of FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya told the minister that the injured ones were rushed to Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse and National Hospital by emergency workers.
He added that the victims of those who died had also been deposited at the various morgues in these hospitals.
The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba said that arrests have been made by the security forces in connection with the bombing.
The FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Chukwu, the Force PRO, Mr. Frank Mba, the Director of State Security Services (DSSS) in FCT, Mr. John Okojie and other officials were with the minister during the visits.
[myad]
Ekiti State Governor Elect, Ayo FayoseHearing in a case of corruption against the Ekiti state Governor-elect under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayodele Fayose, comes up for hearing at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti on July 15.
The Head of Media and Publicity for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement, said that Fayose or his representative is expected to be present in the court.
He explained that the governor-elect, who will be sworn-in in October, has not started to enjoy immunity because the clause in the Constitution only applied to the President, the Vice President, sitting governors and their deputies, and not governors- elect.
He said that the media reports that EFCC had dropped corruption case against Fayose is untrue, explaining that his being elected as governor cannot affect his trial at the Federal High Court.
“The EFCC has not dropped the case against the former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.
“The trial is still going on; it is continuing at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti. In fact, further hearing comes up on July 15, 2014.
“As you know, immunity from prosecution applies only to the President, the Vice President, sitting governors and their deputies.”
Uwujaren added that the case against Fayose has made substantial progress as the commission had called two witnesses to testify in the case.
Uwujaren said that the issue of whether the case against the governor-elect would be withdrawn or not when he takes over as governor is a matter for the court to decide.
“It is the court that would decide whether the case would be discontinued or not; all arguments will be canvassed in court and it is the court that would decide.”
[myad]
Vice President, Namadi SamboNigeria’s Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has said that Boko Haram whose members have been bombing and killing innocent Nigerians across many parts of the North is only marking time as it cannot survive for long.
The Vice President who visited the site of the bomb blast, Wednesday, at the Emab Plaza Wuse II and also the injured victims who were admitted at the Maitama General Hospital, Abuja today, emphasized that terrorism will never gain ground in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world.
He added that the group cannot also dampen the spirit of Nigerians even as he called on Nigerians to be extra security conscious and vigilant at all times.
“This cowardly and unjust act will be defeated. Evil can never be sustained. Insha Allah, this administration and Mr. President will not leave any stone unturned until we defeat these terrorists. Terrorism cannot survive in Nigeria or in any part of this world.
“We are doing everything possible and exerting every effort to ensure that within the shortest possible time, it will become a thing of the past. I want to assure all Nigerians that the government is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians and our visitors.”
Sambo sympathized with families of the victims of the bomb blast and appealed to Nigerians to cooperate with security agencies as they tackle crime and criminality in the country.
“I appeal to all Nigerians to be very vigilant and be very observant and report any suspicious act to the security agencies. I want to also urge us to resume our normal duties, our normal services and to cooperate with the administration so that we will jointly succeed in solving this problem.”
The Vice President walk round the site of the bomb blast and visited the injured victims of the bomb blast who are on admition at the Maitama General Hospital.
Vice President Namadi Sambo was accompanied by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Morro, Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and the Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide. Others were the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
[myad]
The battle for the next round of the ongoing World Cup tournament in Brazil between Nigeria and Argentina was fought this evening with Ahmed Musa of the Super Eagles and Lionel Messi of Argentina at each other’s throat, even as Argentina managed a 3-2 win.
The match began with Messi scoring the first goal just within three minutes into the first half, but Musa quickly replied a minute later to net-in the equalizer.
Messi closed the first half, at exactly 45 minutes with a second goal while Musa returned in the second half, at 47th minute to level up. But the Argentina’s third and winning goal came in the 50th minute of play by M. Rojo.
Here is a minute by minute account of the match:
Scene of the explosionOne of the busiest Plazas, Emab plaza in Wuse II, the heart of Abuja, Nigeria Federal Capital Territory has just gone up in smokes as suspected Boko Haram bombed it. The bomb went off in a taxi cab at the time many people were shopping in the Plaza at about 4.02pm.
Only last week, a Directorate of Security Service (DSS) had warned that Boko Haram planned an attack in Abuja, using a fuel tanker.
Our correspondent reports a few minutes ago that the bomb went off about 500 metres from where he stood but could not say whether there was casualty.
The bomb went off just a few minutes after President Goodluck Jonathan took off from Abuja, heading to Equatorial Guinea where he will participate in the 23rd Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Summit of Heads of State and Government.
The President who is expected back in the country on Friday, was accompanied by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina , the Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe and the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.
Meanwhile, no official security report has been made yet.
But there is a report this afternoon that Military officers and men have been placed on red alert in view of the increasingly daring moves of the deadly Boko Haram sect.
Sources said that the military hierarchy has recalled those on leave even as other personnel have been stopped from taking annual leave or travelling out of their official postings.
“A red alert” is issued when there are reasons to believe there will be a major security risk,” a military source said even as officers and men are said to have been cautioned to separate their personalities from official calling.
The military opted for these measures as part of the ongoing “re-strategising plan” against the insurgents, who are trying to extend their operation areas beyond the Northeast.
“The security challenges in the country require a state of alertness on the part of officers and men in the Armed Forces. This is why everyone has been placed on what I may describe as ‘red alert’.
“We are at a stage in the fight against insurgents that we cannot take things for granted. It is just a way of re-strategising.
“Do not forget that if all options fail, we may move heavily against the insurgents and make the battle a decisive one. But, the military is looking forward to options being explored by the government.
“So, the alertness is to ensure that all officers and men are within reach and accessible in case of any task,” a top military source said.
He added: “We want everyone restricted to his or her duty post and barracks to avert infiltration by the insurgents. Some of these insurgents have been trying to induce military men but they have never succeeded. We need to be proactive.
“Do not forget several attempts made by the insurgents to strike in some military/ police barracks and formations in Abuja, Jaji, Bama, Maiduguri, Gombe, and other places.
“After screening of all these places and beefing up security, the next stage is to prevent officers and men from inducement by these insurgents.” [myad]
EkitiDecides: A Forerunner To NigeriaDecides 2015, By Josephine Babatunde
Not even the most politically naïve Nigerian can fail to appreciate that the recent governorship election in Ekiti State is a forerunner to the 2015 presidential elections. The two major candidates in Ekiti: incumbent Governor John Kayode Fayemi and Governor-elect Ayodele Fayose, represent the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) respectively. Taking this into consideration, the outcome of the Ekiti election was always going to be more than just a reflection of what the people think of these individuals. It was also a referendum on the political parties they represent. #EkitiDecides, the social media hash tag created by the Independent National Electoral Commission for Nigerians and the world at large to follow the election online in real time, has been hailed as a universal success. Even die-hard critics of electoral processes in Nigeria, especially those in the civil society sector, have all conceded that the results announced, with Fayose as the winner, reflect the true will of the people. An example worth mentioning here is that of Jibrin Ibrahim, Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the civil society organization which Governor Fayemi led before his foray into politics. Ibrahim declared, “Having spent a week observing the run up to and the election in Ekiti, it appeared clear to me that Fayemi was not rigged out; he was simply voted out by the people…” Also, the National Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group, Alhaji Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said: “the Ekiti election was generally conducted properly with most polling units opening on time and polling officials following the prescribed procedure. Voters and contestants can have confidence that the INEC result is a true reflection of the will of the voters of Ekiti State.” It is important to reflect the views of these civil society leaders on #EkitiDecides because when #NigeriaDecides in 2015, they are the same people that Nigerians and the international community will look to before concluding if the poll has been conducted freely and fairly. Their verdict on #EkitiDecides is therefore a validation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s longstanding commitment to always ensure that all contestants have a level play-field at all elections in the country. Indeed, let the truth be said: the success of #EkitiDecides, which is being celebrated today, would not have been possible without the commendable leadership shown by the very liberal and exceedingly tolerant President Jonathan. It is Jonathan’s leadership and statesmanship that has consistently allowed the will of the people to hold sway at every election conducted under his watch since he came into office. Besides Ekiti, the list includes Ondo State governorship election, where the Labour Party won; Edo State governorship election, where the APC won, and Anambra State governorship election, where the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won. Without taking anything away from President Jonathan, it must be said though that perhaps the most significant outcome of #EkitiDecides is that, after the people of Ekiti had expressed themselves at the polls and the results were announced, incumbent Governor Fayemi immediately bowed to their wishes by conceding defeat. This is a first in the annals of Nigerian politics. The rejection of Governor Fayemi and the APC at #EkitiDecides is a clear indication that the party is no match for the PDP. Even in the State of Osun, which is next in line in the elections timetable, the likelihood is that the PDP will trounce incumbent Governor Rauf Aregbesola. This is because he is a governor who has never been tested at the polls, having won his seat through a legal technicality in court. When Osun people go to the polls in August 2014, there is every possibility that the candidate of the PDP may triumph in a free and fair election devoid of violence. In the same vein, in 2015 when #NigeriaDecides will take place, there is little doubt that the PDP will have an easy ride to victory at the presidential polls. The reason for this is not rocket science. Any politically-aware Nigerian knows that President Jonathan, on the basis of his transformational programmes, will have no difficulty in re-emerging as the flag bearer of the PDP. Also, on the side of the APC, former Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari will have little difficulty trouncing anybody who contests for the APC presidential ticket with him. Therefore, with Jonathan and Buhari almost certain to square off again, there is no discerning Nigerian who cannot appreciate that what happened in 2011 will surely repeat itself in 2015. [myad]