Politics
Unelected Anambra councils: Soludo, others know fate March 4
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Published
3 weeks agoon
By
Ekwutos Blog
Justice Amina Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Awka Judicial Division has fixed March 4, 2025 for ruling on a motion to enable Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo and six others properly file their defence in a suit brought against them for running the affairs of the 21 local government areas in the state without democratically elected officials, contrary to the law.
The second to eight defendants respectively, in suit no. FHC/AWK/CS/90/2024, initiated by an activist, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, include the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Governor of Anambra State, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State and Anambra State House of Assembly.
Others are former governors, Senator Chris Ngige, Peter Obi, Willie Obiano, for themselves and on behalf of their transition chairmen and councilors, and Mr. Livinus Onyenwe for himself and on behalf of transition chairmen who served under the Soludo administration.
Notable among several reliefs sought by the plaintiff is that the court should ban Soludo and his affected predecessors from contesting election, seeking for re-election or occupying public office, having acted contrary to the 1999 constitution (as amended), which they swore to uphold.
Also, the plaintiff wants an order of the court to compel the 2nd to 8th defendants to render public account before the court, of all funds, expended by them or agents and privies, during their respective administrations, while executing their illegal and unconstitutional usurpation of offices at the local government council areas in Anambra State.
In addition, he is demanding for exemplary damages of N100 billion in his favour, against the 2nd to 8th defendants.
When the matter came up before Justice Mohammed Wednesday, a Senior State Counsel from the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Peter Odili, told the court that the second to eight defendants filed a preliminary objection to the originating summons filed by the plaintiff, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.
Odili said they also filed a motion on notice for extension of time, within which the second to eight defendants will be expected to file their counter affidavit, written addresses and other processes in opposition to the plaintiff’s originating summons and deeming the processes as properly filed and served, the appropriate fees having been paid.
According to Odili, the motion for extension of time was dated May 28, 2024 and filed on June 13, 2024.
He prayed the court to grant the motion for extension of time in their favour, relying on all the documents they filed, including their preliminary objection to the suit and
reply to the plaintiff’s written address in opposition to their application for extension of time on point of law.
Responding, Okonkwo who appeared for himself, told the court that he opposed the preliminary objection on point of law.
The plaintiff said he would adopt the written address that he filed in opposition to the motion for extension of time on point of law.
The plaintiff argued that a court cannot take an application for extension of time in a case where its jurisdiction is being challenged.
He, however, asked for the leave of the court to add authorities, which tie the hands of the court on the matter, once jurisdiction is in contention, particularly Nwankwo versus Ononeze Madu (2005) and Britania versus Seplat.
He maintained that a court has no power to make an order in respect of a case, in which its jurisdiction to try the case has been challenged.
Justice Mohammed after hearing the submissions of the parties in the suit, fixed March 4, 2025 for ruling and hearing of the substantive suit.
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Politics
Osun LG poll: APC commends election boycott
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Published
5 hours agoon
February 22, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has commended the people of the state for boycotting what it described as an illegal local government council election conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, on Saturday.
The party expressed satisfaction with the massive boycott of the election across the 30 local government council areas and Modakeke Area Office. It stated that the reaction of residents to what it called a charade promoted by the government was proof that the people of Osun are law-abiding, democratic, and committed to the rule of law. This, the APC claimed, stood in sharp contrast to the actions of Governor Ademola Adeleke, who, despite security advisories urging him to suspend the controversial poll, chose to proceed, demonstrating what the party called infamy, perfidy, and disobedience to the law of the land.
The opposition APC argued that the decision of Osun citizens to stay away from the sham election further reinforced their commitment to equity, fairness, and justice as the foundation of any democratic process.
In a statement signed by Kola Olabisi, the APC Director of Media and Information, the party said: “We are pleased with the conduct of the citizens and residents of Osun, who abandoned what can best be described as a ‘naming of imbeciles’ called an election today. We monitored the process and are delighted at how the people boycotted it.
“Everything failed the unpleasantly partisan OSSIEC today. Elections did not take place in most parts of the state. In a few areas, such as Ede, the governor’s hometown, where the electoral commission attempted to save face, the process was shambolic. No election materials were distributed to OSSIEC local government offices, and security operatives exposed pre-thumbprinted ballot papers that had been stuffed before reaching the selected polling units.
“Furthermore, there was no voter register at the few polling units where an electoral drama was staged, including the governor’s polling unit, where he voted without accreditation.”
APC also expressed sympathy over the reported loss of life in Irojo, Ilesa, describing it as an unnecessary tragedy caused by what it called a cosmetic and inconsequential election. It argued that the Appeal Court in Akure had already ruled on 10 February 2025 that there was no vacancy in Osun’s local government administration.
The party also commended security agencies, particularly the police and the Department of State Services, DSS, for maintaining order and preventing what it described as PDP violence and brigandage.
However, it called for an investigation into the death of an unidentified young man allegedly shot in Irojo, Ilesa, as well as the arrest of individuals found with firearms in Boripe Local Government Council Area.
The statement further read: “It is regrettable that, despite security agencies’ advice to suspend the election, OSSIEC ignored the counsel, leading to a security breach.
“Once again, we salute the people of Osun State for proving to the power mongers in the state that they stand for the rule of law and not for lawlessness. Their patriotic decision to boycott the election is significant and will be remembered in the state’s history.
“We thank the people for standing by our chairmen and councillors, who have been validly reinstated by the Court of Appeal.
“As previously stated, the shenanigan called an election is none of our business. By the grace of God, our council chairmen will return to their duty posts on Monday as usual.
“We assure the people of Osun State of good governance at the grassroots level.”
Politics
Gov Soludo supports NAFDAC to eradicate fake drugs in Anambra
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Published
6 hours agoon
February 22, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra has pledged to collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, to eliminate fake, substandard, and adulterated drugs from the market.
Soludo made this commitment on Saturday in Onitsha while addressing traders at Ogbo Ogwu and surrounding markets, which were recently shut down by NAFDAC for dealing in counterfeit and expired drugs.
The governor recalled that the market had previously been shut for four months in 2007, stressing that such actions were necessary for public safety.
“The enforcement is being carried out by NAFDAC. We are here to solve the problem,” he said.
Soludo also referenced a meeting with the head of the plumbing market, who expressed shock at the discovery of counterfeit drugs in the area.
“He did not know that such illicit drugs could be found here.
“I’m not here as a politician, but to address the issue at hand—the high rate of fake drugs in the market.
“These drugs are so dangerous that taking malaria pills, for instance, can cause further health problems instead of curing malaria,” he warned.
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all the chairmanship and councillorship seats in all the 30 local government areas (LGAs) in Osun State. The election for the seats were conducted today, February 22.
The Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, announced this on Saturday, February 22.
The election was held today despite calls by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, and the Police to suspend the elections.
The AGF had argued that the Court of Appeal, Akure division, on February 10, 2025, nullified the judgement of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, delivered on November 25, 2022.He stated that the verdict of the appellate court implied that the All Progressives Congress (APC) local council chairmen formerly sacked by the lower court have been restored.
The police on its own hinged the decision to call for a suspension of the polls on intelligence report of security threats during the election.
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Osun LG poll: APC commends election boycott
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Pope Francis in critical condition — Vatican
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Gov Soludo supports NAFDAC to eradicate fake drugs in Anambra
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