Law
Abba Kyari fights back, sues NDLEA for N500m in damages

Over what he allegedly described as unlawful arrest and detention embattled suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, has demanded N500 million in damages from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA)
In an originating motion on notice, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/182/22, filed before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, Kyari
also is demanding for an order directing the NDLEA to tender a written apology to him in two national dailies.
The motion, dated February 16 and filed February 17 by his lawyer, C. O. Ikena, also wants an order “restraining the respondent (NDLEA), its agents, servants, police, privies or anyone acting on their behalf from further harassing, detaining, intimidating, arresting the applicant unlawfully.
“An order of this court directing the respondent to pay the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five hundred million nairas) to the applicant, for unlawful violation of the applicant’s constitutional right provided for in Sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended).”
In the motion to enforce his fundamental rights, Kyari also wants a declaration that his arrest and detention by the NDLEA “without bringing him before a court of competent jurisdiction from February 12 till date is unlawful, illegal, and a gross violation of his fundamental rights.
It would be recalled that Kyari and others were arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Last Monday, for alleged links with an international narcotics cartel.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) in a follow up suspended the officers indicted for links with the international drug cartel last Thursday.
“DCP Abba Kyari, who prior to this allegation was on suspension, shall remain so,” the PSC wrote.
Earlier, the anti-narcotics agency revealed the statements Kyari made to undercover operatives investigating the cocaine seizure.
Law
Appeal Court Sacks Nasarawa speaker

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has sacked the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a judgement delivered on Tuesday, the court declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon. Sa’ad Abdullahi Ibrahim (Turakin-Opanda), as the rightful winner of the election for Umaisha/Ugya State Constituency.
Law
Appeal Court affirms Hyacinth Alia’s victory as Benue Governor

The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, on Monday, upheld the election of Hyacinth Alia as declared by INEC after the March 18th, 2023 election as governor of Benue State
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the March 18 governorship election, Titus Uba, had approached the appellate court to set aside the judgment of the tribunal that upheld Alia’s election.
At the tribunal, Uba accused Alia’s deputy, Samuel Ode, of presenting a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) contrary to Section 182(1)(j) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)
He also alleged that Alia’s name was submitted less than 180 days before the election date, and Ode was also not submitted to INEC after the party conducted a further re-run primary election.
A three-member panel of the tribunal, headed by Justice Ibrahim Karaye, dismissed the petition on the ground that it was a pre-election matter and was statute-barred.
Ruling on the appeal on Monday, the appeal court’s three-member panel led by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi held that Uba failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the allegations of forgery against Ode
Law
As long as God remains on the throne our mandate will be preserved, says Mutfwang

Plateau Governor, Caled Mutfwang spoken with confidence that as long as God remains on the throne, the people’s mandate will be preserved and protected as he reiterated his commitment to the rule of law, while assuring the people that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Mutfwang who was reacting to the Appeal Court judgement that sacked him on Sunday described the verdict as a temporary setback that will not deter him from repositioning the state.
“We have unwavering faith in the judiciary and the Constitution of Nigeria,” he added.
The Governor said he has instructed his legal team to file an appeal at the Supreme Court, admonishing citizens of the state and PDP supporters to remain calm.
Mutfwang gave the indication in a press statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, expressed optimism that the mandate overwhelmingly given to him by the citizens would be restored.
Mutfwang polled 525,299 votes in the March 18 governorship election in the state, while Goshwe polled 481,370 votes.
Goshwe challenged the victory of Mutfwang at the tribunal, claiming that the Governor was not validly nominated and sponsored by his Party, insisting there was non-compliance with the Electoral Act in the election.
In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of the tribunal headed by Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh dismissed the petition for lacking in merit.
Displeased with the judgment, the APC candidate appealed the tribunal judgment.
The appellate court ruling on Sunday, led by Justice Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu, held that the PDP did not validly sponsor the Governor during the election.
She held that the Party violated a court order to conduct a valid Congress in that state’s 17 Local Government Areas.
She said there was no evidence that the PDP complied with a subsisting High Court order which had directed it to conduct a valid party congress before sponsoring the governorship and other candidates.
The court held that the issue of qualification is both a pre-election and a post-election matter contrary to the tribunal’s findings, which held that the appellant lacked the locus to contest the validity of the respondent.
-
Crime1 month ago
Police nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News2 months ago
IPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
News From Kogi3 months ago
Echocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News From Kogi3 weeks ago
INEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
Appointment3 months ago
Tinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
Crime1 month ago
FUT female lecturer Murdered in her Minna residence
-
News from Jigawa4 weeks ago
Group applauds Jigawa Gov over N500m Malnutrition Medicine procured for 10, 000 Children
-
Politics2 months ago
Ododo/Oyibo campaign in harvest of decampees as NNPP reps candidate, Amanabo Joins APC with Supporters