Day: February 26, 2025

Joseph Aloba, the father of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has refuted claims that he dismissed the nurse who reportedly treated his son before his death. Aloba’s remarks come in response to allegations made by Mohbad’s widow, Wunmi, during an interview with media personality Chudity on February 19. Wunmi had claimed
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Joseph Aloba, the father of the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has refuted claims that he dismissed the nurse who reportedly treated his son before his death. Aloba’s remarks come in response to allegations made by Mohbad’s widow, Wunmi, during an interview with media personality Chudity on February 19. Wunmi had claimed

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The Secretary-General of the  Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Mr Haitham Al-Ghais has tasked Africa to unlock its proven oil y of over 120 billion barrels. Al-Ghais, made this known while delivering a keynote address titled “Driving Cross-Continental Investments: Scaling Africa’s Energy Frontier”, at the ongoing Nigeria International Energy Summit 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria
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The Secretary-General of the  Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Mr Haitham Al-Ghais has tasked Africa to unlock its proven oil y of over 120 billion barrels. Al-Ghais, made this known while delivering a keynote address titled “Driving Cross-Continental Investments: Scaling Africa’s Energy Frontier”, at the ongoing Nigeria International Energy Summit 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria

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The National leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party has described the purported suspension of the party’s senator and three other House of Representatives members as a ruse. The Kwankwasia group, led by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, had announced the suspension of four senior party members, including Senator Kawu Sumaila, Ali Madakin Gini, Sani Abdullahi Rogo,
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The National leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party has described the purported suspension of the party’s senator and three other House of Representatives members as a ruse. The Kwankwasia group, led by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, had announced the suspension of four senior party members, including Senator Kawu Sumaila, Ali Madakin Gini, Sani Abdullahi Rogo,

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The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday arrested two suspects, Pastor Ijebor Simon (45 years) and Destiny Okojabhole (23 years), over the murder of seven-year-old Evans Okojabhole. According to a statement by the state command PPRO, Moses Yamu, the incident was reported by the deceased father, John Okhojibole, of the Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu
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The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday arrested two suspects, Pastor Ijebor Simon (45 years) and Destiny Okojabhole (23 years), over the murder of seven-year-old Evans Okojabhole. According to a statement by the state command PPRO, Moses Yamu, the incident was reported by the deceased father, John Okhojibole, of the Jehovah Witness Road, off Elebesunu

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The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has commended the Igbos for their contribution to the Oyo State economy and reiterated his commitment to peaceful co-existence amongst the various ethnic groups in the ancient city. According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gbenga Ayoade, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday, Oba Olakulehin
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The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has commended the Igbos for their contribution to the Oyo State economy and reiterated his commitment to peaceful co-existence amongst the various ethnic groups in the ancient city. According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gbenga Ayoade, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday, Oba Olakulehin

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A coalition of civil society organizations under the Coalition for Good Governance and Transparency in Nigeria, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the National Judicial Council, NJC, to investigate allegations against the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese. At a press conference on Wednesday, the group, led by Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, accused Justice
Group gives NJC 48-hour ultimatum to probe allegations against Benue Chief Judge

A coalition of civil society organizations under the Coalition for Good Governance and Transparency in Nigeria, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the National Judicial Council, NJC, to investigate allegations against the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.

At a press conference on Wednesday, the group, led by Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, accused Justice Ikpambese of bias, political interference and misconduct, warning that failure to act could lead to mass protests aimed at restoring integrity to the judiciary.

Their demand followed a resolution by the Benue State House of Assembly last week recommending the Chief Judge’s removal after a petition from Governor Hyacinth Alia, citing alleged infractions deemed incompatible with his judicial office.

The group further called on the Attorney General of the Federation to intervene in the ongoing judicial crisis in Benue State, stressing the urgency of upholding due process and ensuring accountability within the judiciary.

“Recent events involving the Benue state Judiciary is an example worthy of mention. The Benue State House of Assembly passed a resolution and recommended the removal of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Honorable Maurice Ikpambese based on petitions recieved on his alleged misconduct, abuse of office among other infractions.

The House relied on section 292 subsection (3) of the 1999 constitution as amended which states that, the Chief Judge of a State can be removed from office if it is backed by two third majority of the State House of Assembly.

“The National Judicial Council (NJC) is a body saddled with the responsibility to discipline judicial officers.

“Let it be on record that, there is no part of the constitution that empowers the NJC to remove a chief judge from office but to discipline and recommend same to the Governor of a State who has the powers to remove a chief judge if found wanting.

“In the case of Benue State, we have investigated the entire process and discovered that, the NJC is in receipt of several petitions against Justice Maurice Ikpambese but has deliberately refused to investigate him. Since 2010, there have been petitions against him even before he became the Chief Judge of Benue State.

“Infact, for the NJC’s statement that it received a petition against Justice Maurice Ikpambese just on Monday 19th February 2025 is misleading. Our findings show that the 19th February petition was the latest in recent time.

“Outside this petition, there are other petitions, including the one acknowledged by the NJC itself on the 2nd of December, 2024, which is yet to be investigated even now.

“Most worrisome, is the political waver granted by the embattled Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Ikpambese to petitioners of the local government election petition tribunal which is a clear case of bias, favoritism, compromise and political interest. It is unholy for a Chief Judge of a state who set up the election petition tribunal panel and also constituted the appeal panel to have shown such bias, which is already a miscarriage of justice.

“It is obvious that under Justice Ikpambese, the judiciary is dead in Benue State.

“We wish to state in a clear term that, it is within our constitutional rights to insist that the NJC, NBA and other relevant bodies to do the needful by allowing justice to prevail but under Ikpambese as the Chief Judge, Benue Judiciary has collapsed.

“We strongly call on the Benue State Governor and the State House of Assembly not succumb to the antics of the political enemies within and outside Benue State who are now using some officials to distract this current purposeful and working government in the State.

“While we give the NJC 48 hours ultimatum to constitute panel, investigate, and prosecute Justice Ikpambese for his wrongful act of compromise, sabotage and bias, we recommend the Governor of Benue State Rev Fr Hyacinth Iormen Alia to immediately swear in the next judge in line as the Acting Chief Judge of State.

“In an ideal society, Justice Ikpambese should have stepped outside to pave way for proper investigation but instead, he was quoted on Sunday 23rd February 2025 during a church program that, he personally selected Judges that would be too difficult for the governor to access.

“This is a clear testimony that he has compromised every step of the judiciary, including the local government election petition tribunal and its judgment. The people no longer trust Ikpambese to preside over the affairs of the judiciary as he has permitted and waved the security deposit as required by law in favor of a section of the political class.

“We call on the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately intervene and ensure the constitutional provision of the rights and privileges of the Benue State House of Assembly members as well, the constitutional powers of the Executive Governor who has the powers to remove a Chief Judge in line with section 292 of the 1999 constitution as amended should be exercised.

“We make bold to say that, failure of the NJC and the Attorney General of the Federation to read the riot act to Justice Ikpambese and advise he step outside, we shall occupy the NJC premises in a mass protest to press home our demand, we will do this to save democracy and restore order in Benue State.

“We will do everything possible to ensure that a peaceful Benue State is not thrown into political crisis and the good governance people are now enjoying in the state is not corrupted by some individuals who are suspected to be agents of opposition political parties in Benue State,” the group said.

Group gives NJC 48-hour ultimatum to probe allegations against Benue Chief Judge

The legal team of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has approached the Chief Justice of the Federation, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to prevail on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, to reassign his case or transfer it to the South-East. Kanu’s trial commenced in 2015
Assign Nnamdi Kanu’s case to another judge or transfer to South-East – IPOB lawyers write CJN

The legal team of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has approached the Chief Justice of the Federation, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to prevail on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, to reassign his case or transfer it to the South-East.

Kanu’s trial commenced in 2015 and was pending trial before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako of the Abuja Federal High Court until 24th September, 2024, when the judge pursuant to the request of the IPOB leader recused herself from presiding over the trial.

Nyako also entered and enrolled an Order of recusal thereof after stepping down.

In a letter addressed to Kekere-Ekun dated February 19, 2025, Kanu’s lead Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, said: “Despite the foregoing, the Complainant wrote to the Court on 5th December 2024, requesting that the case be re-listed for trial before the recused Judge (i.e Honourable Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako). In our reaction, we countered with a reply, opposing the re-listing or reassignment of the case to the same Judge because the order of recusal – being extant and subsisting – legally barred His Lordship from presiding over the trial or has otherwise ousted the jurisdiction of that particular Court.”

The letter obtained by DAILY POST, titled, ‘Request for your lordship’s intervention in FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 (Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu)’, added: “We have approached the Chief Justice of the Federation to intervene with the Chief Judge of Federal High Court on the matter of proper reassignment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case to another Judge in Abuja or to transfer the case to South-East, where the offenses allegedly occurred and where all of our witnesses are located.

“We are Solicitors-of-Record to the Defendant (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) in the above-referenced case pending before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. The said Defendant may hereafter be referred as our Client or the Defendant.

“The purpose of this communication is to most respectfully request Your Lordship’s prompt administrative intervention, directing the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to abide by the law and assign this case for trial to a Court that possesses the requisite jurisdiction.

“In total disregard of the incontrovertible facts enunciated above, the Honourable Chief Judge proceeded to reassign this case for trial before the same Judge who stands recused by the said order of recusal; and on 10th February 2025, our Client was summoned to appear for trial before the same Judge.

“Upon the receipt of the hearing notice, we wrote a Letter to the Honorable Chief Judge, protesting the reassignment of the case to the said recused Judge and, in the alternative, requesting for transfer of the case to the South-East (prompted by credible information at our disposal indicating that no other Judge in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court is willing to take the case, in addition to the fact that South-East is the place where the offenses were alleged to have had impact).

“In the meantime, the Defendant had – on 14th January 2025 – filed a Complaint against the said recused Judge before the National Judicial Council and the said Complaint is still pending.

“Despite the foregoing, the said Honourable Judge neither responded to our said letter nor reassigned the case to a Judge other than the said Judge that was recused. Thus, on the said 10th February 2025, we – out of our abiding respect for the sanctity of the court – appeared under protest before the recused Judge, whereupon the said court (sans jurisdiction) entered an order of adjournment sine die.

“Your Lordship, for avoidance of doubt, we are minded to respectfully call Your Lordship’s attention to the following, which are on point:

“In Okoduwa v. State (1988) NWLR (Pt. 76) 333, the Supreme Court held that a Judge’s withdrawal from a case due to allegations of bias renders any subsequent involvement in the same case improper. Similarly, in Rashidi v. Ministry of Health (1990) 2 NWLR (Pt. 133) 324, the court emphasized that judicial integrity requires that recusal decisions be final unless properly reviewed.

“This apex court has pronounced in a plethora of cases that a Judge who has demonstrated bias or is perceived to be biased ought to recuse himself. This stare decis was emphasized in Deduwa v. Okorodudu (1976) 10 SC 329, in which the Supreme Court held that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. And to be sure, recusal of a Judge is anchored on the constitutional right to a fair hearing as provided under Section 36(1) of the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees the right of our Client to be heard by an impartial tribunal.

“Thus, once a judge voluntarily recuses himself, the immediate legal consequence is that such a Judge is disqualified from further proceedings in the matter. In plain terms, decision or an Order of recusal is akin to a decision on jurisdiction which cannot be reversed arbitrarily. In order words, a subsequent formal order (made with jurisdiction) – not a mere internal memo – is strictly required. In Ogboru V. Ibori (2005) 13 NWLR (Pt. 942) 319, it was pronounced that: “.. it is settled law that once a Court has delivered its decision on a matter, it becomes functus officio with regard to that matter. What this means is that a Court cannot sit as an appellate Court over its decision; once it has decided a matter, it ceases to be seised of it, and it cannot re-open it for any purpose whatsoever.”

“To be sure, public perception and the integrity of the judiciary are at stake in this case. A Judge’s unilateral return to a case after recusal will surely create a public perception of partiality, thus eroding the much-cherished public confidence in the courts.

“Your Lordship, it is thus on the basis of the foregoing that we were left with no other choice than to bring this matter before Your Lordship, praying that Your Lordship invoke your administrative powers as the head of the judiciary in Nigeria to halt this gross miscarriage to the Defendant and direct the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign this case to another Judge in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court or any of the Divisions in South-East Nigeria.”

Assign Nnamdi Kanu’s case to another judge or transfer to South-East – IPOB lawyers write CJN

A Sudanese army plane crashed on Tuesday in a residential area near the Wadi Seidna military airport in northern Omdurman, killing no fewer than 46 people, including military personnel and civilians. The Antonov aircraft was said to have crashed late on Tuesday during takeoff from the Wadi Seidna military airport in northern Omdurman, part of
46 killed as Sudanese army plane crashes in Omdurman

A Sudanese army plane crashed on Tuesday in a residential area near the Wadi Seidna military airport in northern Omdurman, killing no fewer than 46 people, including military personnel and civilians.

The Antonov aircraft was said to have crashed late on Tuesday during takeoff from the Wadi Seidna military airport in northern Omdurman, part of greater Khartoum.

The Khartoum Media Office on Wednesday said the crash also injured 10 others.

The initial death toll of 20 was provided by the health ministry, which said the aircraft crashed over a civilian house in the Karrari district in Omdurman.

It was gathered that a senior commander in Khartoum, Major-General Bahr Ahmed, was among the dead.

The Sudanese military, which has been at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, RSF, since April 2023, released a statement confirming that military personnel and civilians had been killed, reporting that firefighting teams had managed to contain the blaze at the crash site.

Residents in northern Omdurman reported a loud explosion from the crash, which damaged several homes and caused power outages in surrounding neighbourhoods.

At the time of filing this report, the cause of the crash cannot be ascertained.

46 killed as Sudanese army plane crashes in Omdurman