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Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has described the death of the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Adewunmi Onanuga, as a colossal loss to the country. Onanuga, who represented Sagamu, Ikenne, and Remo North Federal Constituencies, died on Wednesday after a brief illness. The governor, during a visit to the Sagamu residence of
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Nigeria’s Samuel Kekere has expressed pride in making history as the first blind African athlete to compete at the World Sambo Championships, despite losing his bout to a fighter from Kyrgyzstan in Kazakhstan, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The 44-year-old Lagos-based athlete, who competes in the T11 classification for total blindness, reflected on his groundbreaking achievement
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Nigeria’s Samuel Kekere has expressed pride in making history as the first blind African athlete to compete at the World Sambo Championships, despite losing his bout to a fighter from Kyrgyzstan in Kazakhstan, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The 44-year-old Lagos-based athlete, who competes in the T11 classification for total blindness, reflected on his groundbreaking achievement
The National Judicial Council, NJC, has dismissed four separate petitions filed against Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja over judgements he delivered on Rivers State political matters. The petitions written to the NJC were predicated on allegations that the judge was induced with $1 million, a bulletproof car and a gift
Rivers State cases: NJC dismisses $1m, bullet-proof car, land gift allegations against Justice Lifu
The National Judicial Council, NJC, has dismissed four separate petitions filed against Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja over judgements he delivered on Rivers State political matters.
The petitions written to the NJC were predicated on allegations that the judge was induced with $1 million, a bulletproof car and a gift of a plot of land in the discharge of his judicial functions.
The chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Chief Emeka Beke, is one of those who authored the petitions.
However, after the appearance of the judge before the NJC probe panel and the blunt refusal of the petitioners to show up to establish their allegations, it was held that the petitions were unsubstantiated and could not be relied upon.
The NJC report on the petitions obtained by judiciary journalists read in part: “The Council deliberated on 4 petitions against Hon. Justice Peter O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as follows:
“Petition by Mr. Douglas W. Chukwu, the Secretary of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, against Hon. Justice Lifu was discountenanced, as the petitioner, who had earlier indicated interest to participate in the hearing of his petition, failed, neglected and refused to appear before the Committee.
“The Council also finds that the allegations of inducement to the tune of $1 million, a bullet-proof car and gift of a plot of land to Hon. Justice Lifu by Chief Emeka Beke, Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC), Rivers State, were not substantiated in any form.
“It was also found that the same parties who appeared before the High Court in Rivers State also appeared before Hon. Justice Lifu at the Federal High Court in Abuja but failed to disclose or bring to the notice of the Hon. Judge the existence of a sister case at Rivers State High Court.
“The Council noted that the acts of misconduct alleged were actually perpetrated by the petitioners who filed the case at the Rivers State High Court, after the case at the Federal High Court, Abuja had been instituted, suggesting forum shopping.
“Council finds that Hon. Justice Lifu neither exhibited personal interest in the matter nor misconducted himself in the procedure and noted that the complaints contained in the petitions are now subject of appeal by the petitioners.
“Similarly, Council dismissed the two petitions by Abednego Oli Benjamin, Chairman, Boot Party, Rivers State Chapter, against Hon. Justice Lifu, as it finds the allegations of bribery and other corrupt practices against the Subject Judge were unsubstantiated.
It also finds that there is no proof of misconduct in the ex parte orders made by the Subject Judge. Council also noted that the ex parte orders are now the subject of appeals.
“On the petition by Dr. G. M. Giles-West, Clerk, Rivers State House of Assembly, against Hon. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, the Council finds that the petition was not supported with a verifying affidavit and was therefore discountenanced.”
In the same vein, the Council resolved that legal practitioners who, by themselves or in collusion with litigants, write frivolous petitions to blackmail the judicial officers will be reported to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee, LPDC, or the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, LPPC, for appropriate action.
Meanwhile, NJC has set up seven committees to investigate allegations of judicial misconduct against other judicial officers.
Rivers State cases: NJC dismisses $1m, bullet-proof car, land gift allegations against Justice Lifu
A Zambian police officer is facing arrest and disciplinary action after reportedly freeing 13 detainees from custody on New Year’s Eve to allow them to celebrate the holiday. Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, described as being “in a state of intoxication,” allegedly seized the cell keys from Constable Serah Banda at Leonard Cheelo Police Station in
Drunk Zambian policeman frees 13 suspects to celebrate New Year
A Zambian police officer is facing arrest and disciplinary action after reportedly freeing 13 detainees from custody on New Year’s Eve to allow them to celebrate the holiday.
Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, described as being “in a state of intoxication,” allegedly seized the cell keys from Constable Serah Banda at Leonard Cheelo Police Station in Lusaka.
According to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, Phiri unlocked the male and female cells, instructing the suspects to leave and “cross over into the new year.”
The suspects, who were being held for serious charges including assault, robbery, and burglary, are now on the run. A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the fugitives.
Of the 15 detainees in custody at the time, 13 escaped, while the officer himself fled the scene after releasing them.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions, with some drawing parallels to a similar occurrence in 1997.
Former presidential spokesperson and lawyer Dickson Jere commented on Facebook, calling the situation “comical” but recalling the time when the late Judge Kabazo Chanda ordered the release of 53 detainees, citing the injustice of their prolonged detention without trial.
Authorities have assured the public that they are taking the matter seriously, with investigations underway to locate the escaped suspects and hold Detective Phiri accountable.
Drunk Zambian policeman frees 13 suspects to celebrate New Year
