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Court declares Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary

Senator Samuel Anyanwu.


Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the valid National Secretary of the People Democratic Party (PDP).
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Justice Ekwo, in a judgment, also made an order of injunction, restraining the national leadership of the PDP from appointing any person as acting national secretary when Anyanwu’s four-year tenure is still running and subsisting until Dec. 9, 2025, in line with the party’s constitution.

Justice Ekwo also declared that any meeting held or resolution reached by the party to prematurely remove or prevent Anyanwu from exercising the powers of his office would violate Article 47 (1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), hence, becomes null and void and of no effect.

The judge also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “from recognising any purported appointment of any person as national secretary of the party whether in acting capacity or otherwise other than Anyanwu, the elected national secretary of the 1st defendant (PDP).”
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The Court had, on Nov. 23, 2023, stopped the PDP from removing Anyanwu as national secretary pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.

The order followed an ex-parte motion by Dr Joshua Musa( SAN), on behalf of two members of the party; Geoffrey Ihentuge and Apollo’s Godspower.

The plaintiffs had sued the PDP; Umar Damagun, party’s acting national chairman; National Executive Committee (NEC); the National Working Committee (NWC) and INEC as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

The plaintiffs, who sought five reliefs, prayed for an order of interim injunction, restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants from carrying out the threat to remove the national secretary (Anyanwu).

This, they said, was in violation of the provisions of Article 47 (1) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
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They argued that Anyanwu was duly elected on Dec. 10, 2021, and was entitled to remain in office till Dec. 9, 2025.

They said that an elected national officer of the 1st defendant cannot be arbitrarily removed from office in any manner without his resignation and in breach of the party’s constitution.

But in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants’ counter affidavit, the party’s leadership averred that contrary to the plaintiffs’ argument, Anyanwu applied for leave of absence to enable him concentrate on his election as PDP candidate in the Imo governorship poll which took place on Nov. 11, 2023.

They, therefore, said that contrary to Paragraphs 22 and 23 of the plaintiffs’ affidavit, the NWC approved the deputy national secretary to act in place of the national secretary as provided for in Article 36(2) of the party’s constitution.
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Meanwhile, when the matter was called for judgment, two lawyers announced appearance for parties interested to be joined in the suit.

While G.E Ejekela announced appearance for Dr Ali Odefa, the national vice chairman of South East of PDP, P.O. Akpogwu represented Hon S.K.E. Ude-Okoye, who was listed as national secretary of the party.

But plaintiffs’ counsel, Musa, called the attention of the court to Ude-Okoye’s motion for joinder filed on his behalf.

The senior lawyer said though the motion was filed yesterday, he had responded to it.

He, however, faulted the process on the grounds that the exhibits attached to the one served on him were different from the exhibits attached to other parties’.

After much arguments, Akpogwu applied to withdraw the motion for joinder and the plaintiffs’ lawyer sought a cost of N1 million but the judge awarded a N100, 000 fine against the lawyer for filing an untidy process.
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Moving his motion for joinder on Odefa’s behalf, Ejekela said the application dated Dec. 22, 2023, was filed on Dec. 27, 2023. He urged the court to grant their prayer.

But Musa, who opposed the plea, said a counter affidavit had been filed.

He argued that the application was an attempt to arrest the judgment, urging the court to dismiss it for constituting an abuse of court process.

Justice Ekwo then stood down the matter for ruling and judgment.

Delivering the ruling, the judge dismissed Odefa’s motion for lack of merit and for being an abuse of court process.
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In his judgement, Ekwo held that the plaintiffs had been able to demonstrate, with credible evidence, the threat and move by the PDP leadership to remove its national secretary without due compliance with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

Justice Ekwo consequently held, “The court is duty bound to prevent that from happening.

“The plaintiffs do not have to wait until the 1st to 4th defendants carry out their threat before coming to seek redress.

“In such situation, the court is bound to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.”
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Metro

Radda approves N70,000 minimum wage for Katsina workers

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for Katsina State workers

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has approved the implementation of N70,000 as the new minimum wage for all workers in Katsina State.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed made the announcement on Saturday morning in a post he shared on X.

According to Mohammed, Governor Radda said that the comprehensive wage implementation will cover employees across the state, local government and local education authority sectors with effect from December 2024.

“This decisive action follows our extensive negotiations and careful financial planning in line with our promised dedication to support workforce while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” the governor stressed.

Governor Radda emphasized the importance of this wage adjustment, calling on civil servants to redouble their commitment to productivity, integrity and public service.

In the same vein, he acknowledged the resilience of Katsina State’s workforce, noting that this wage increase represents more than a financial transaction.

Radda said it is also a recognition of the critical role public servants play in driving state development.

The governor concluded by saying that the Katsina State Government is a progressive and employee-centred administration committed to implementing meaningful economic reforms and capacity building as enshrined in the Building Your Future Blueprint.

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Metro

Customs CG orders subsidised sale of smuggled petrol to Yola residents

Customs CG, Adewale Adeniyi has ordered the sale of smuggled petrol to Yola residents at a subsidised rate

There was jubilation among the residents of Yola in Adamawa State after the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi ordered the sale of smuggled petrol at a subsidised rate.

The NCS made this known on Thursday afternoon in a press statement it shared on both its official X and Facebook accounts.

“Following the recent seizure of petroleum products by operatives of Operation Whirlwind in the Adamawa-Taraba region, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi has authorised the sale of the seized PMS to Yola residents in Adamawa State at a subsidised rate with proceeds remitted to the Federation Account,” the statement read.

Speaking to journalists on 27 November, 2024 in Yola, Adamawa State capital, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Comptroller Hussain Ejibunu, praised CGC Adeniyi and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu for their support.

Ejibunu during his address to reporters also clarified that the initiative will help in alleviating the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy in Adamawa State.

Ejibunu explained that the seized products intended for illegal export were confiscated through intelligence and surveillance operations, significantly easing fuel scarcity in the region.

The total seizure included 1,124 jerrycans (25, 40 and 60 litres), 53 drums (200 litres each) and 21,000 litres transported in two tankers, amounting to 71,965 litres valued at over ₦81.5 million.

He also revealed that most of the seizures occurred along the Cameroon-Nigeria border. In a collaborative effort, the Customs transferred 13 of the 14 intercepted tankers to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Yola.

Ejibunu confirmed that a suspect linked to smuggling activities had been arrested and is currently facing prosecution.

He further noted that Operation Whirlwind had helped stabilise the fuel supply in Adamawa State, reducing scarcity and price volatility.

According to him, the operation’s broader strategy aims to ‘’curb the activities of illegal oil bunkerers and marketers.’’

He urged legitimate oil marketers to continue their businesses without fear of harassment, appreciating their contributions in the fight against smuggling.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) Adamawa/Taraba Command, Comptroller Garba Bashir stressed the need for collaboration among all stakeholders.

“This fight requires collective responsibility,” Bashir said, calling on the press, stakeholders and Nigerians to share intelligence to combat smuggling and boost economic growth.

A representative of NMDPRA in Adamawa, Humuri Timothy commended the Customs for its efforts to tackle fuel smuggling across Nigeria’s borders.

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Metro

NAF launches airstrikes against terrorists in Borno

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched airstrikes against terrorists in Borno State

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Component of Operation Hadin Kai, launched a devastating air strike against terrorists in Kukawa, Borno.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Akinboyewa said the NAF fighter jets destroyed a gun truck and neutralised several fighters in the first strike while the second was to provide close air support to repel an attack on ground troops.

He said that the first operation began with credible intelligence on the location of a terrorists’ gun truck, approximately five kilometers west of Kukawa.

According to him, the NAF fighter jets swiftly responded, acquiring and attacking the target with precision, destroying the gun truck and crippling the terrorists’ capacity.

“In the second operation, the air component responded to a distress call from ground troops in Kukawa, who were under intense attack by terrorists on motorcycles.

“The NAF air assets rapidly responded, engaging the terrorists at various intervals.

“The strike neutralised many terrorists, and our ground troops recovered over 20 abandoned motorcycles. Following the strike, ground troops are capitalising on the momentum, pursuing wounded and fleeing terrorists.

“The NAF reaffirms its commitment to the collective effort to restore peace and security in the country, and will continue to provide airpower in support of our ground forces and other security agencies,” he said.

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Metro

Studio, offices destroyed as fire guts Radio Nigeria in Ikoyi

The main studio and several offices were destroyed as fire gutted Radio Nigeria in Ikoyi, Lagos

Several offices including the main studio were destroyed in the fire incident which occurred at the building which houses Radio Nigeria in Ikoyi, Lagos State.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) in a statement signed by its Permanent Secretary Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu on Thursday, however, said no casualties were reported at the fire scene.

“A fire outbreak has caused “significant” damage to properties of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in Ikoyi, Lagos,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

“The fire, which started on Wednesday night, emanated from an air conditioning unit before escalating to adjoining buildings.”

He stated that the fire affected three studios, roofs of the buildings as Radio Nigeria suffered significant damages.

According to the LASEMA boss, several offices in the storey buildings were also affected while properties lost to the inferno were significant.

The emergency agency said that the fire was “swiftly combated” but it was not “completely extinguished” as of 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

“Response Team, alongside Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service and LASAMBUS officials were able to combat the fire to prevent any secondary incident,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

He also said that the rescue team was able to salvage valuable properties during the recovery operation.

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Metro

Warning strike: Labour directs C’River workers to resume Wednesday

 The organised labour in Cross River has directed state civil servants to return to work on Wednesday.

The directive is contained in a statement issued by the state chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Mr Monday Ogbodum, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday.

Ogbodum stated that the directive followed the success of the two-day warning strike over the government’s non-implementation of the new minimum wage.

According to him, negotiations between the state government and labour would resume on Thursday.

“The strike committee wants to thank all workers for their total compliance in the just concluded warning strike from Sunday midnight, November 24 toTuesday, November 26.

“This demonstrates our collective resolve to ensure that our workers get their due.

“We appreciate your resilience, not minding the excruciating working conditions we are subjected to.

“It is our firm belief that together we can move mountains,” the statement added.

It would be recalled that the workers had embarked on the warning strike, after the negotiation between labour and the government brokedown.

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Metro

Fake doctor jailed for using friend’s certificate to operate

Imo Police Arrest Activist in Cyberstalking Case

A fake doctor, Martins Ugwu, has been jailed for using his friend, George Daniel Davidson’s, certificate to operate.

A federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Jabi, Abuja, convicted Ugwu for impersonation, thereby, securing a job at the federal ministry of health.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) spokesperson, Demola Bakare, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

According to Bakare, the ICPC said the commission filed a seven-count charge against Ugwu in February 2016.

“Ugwu was charged in court for making a false statement to the federal Civil Service Commission chairman, through which he secured employment in 2006,” he said.

“For 10 years, Ugwu earned N17.2 million in salaries and allowances while falsely presenting himself as a qualified medical doctor.

“The offence contravenes section 25(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

According to him, Ugwu also used the forged documents to obtain a staff identity card, apply for annual leave, and enroll in a postgraduate programme in epidemiology, which could have earned him a master’s degree.

During the sentencing hearing, Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, the counsel to the ICPC, urged the court to order Ugwu to return the N17.2 million he fraudulently earned.

The presiding judge, Abubakar Idris Kutigi, condemned Ugwu’s actions and sentenced him to six months imprisonment on each of the seven charges, to run consecutively, totalling three and a half years while ordering him to refund the N17.2 million he had earned illegally.

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