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Group mocks judiciary over miscarriage of justice ..calls on CJN to set review panel

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Group mocks judiciary over miscarriage of justice ..calls on CJN to set review panel By Ifeoma Ikem Civil Society Group, Imo Liberation Movement (ILM), has described as a travesty of justice the nullification of election of Honourable Jonas Okeke of the Ehime-Mbano/Ihitte-Uboma/Obowo federal constituency (Okigwe South) of Imo State, in favor of Honourable Chike Okafor of the All Progressive Congress (APC). The justices of the Appeal Court in their judgment, asserted that the appellant in the suit Honourable Okeke was not qualified to contest the said election based on the primary election of the party held outside the constituency which was clearly a pre-election matter. The nullification of the people's mandate to Okeke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) according to ILM was a misnomer committed by Justices Abraham Georgewill, B. Aliyu and F. Ojo of the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos State. The Imo based crusaders, the constituents and Nigerians home and abroad have condemned the judiciary for failure to ensure that justice and fairness prevailed in the Nigerian political space. A statement issued by Chuks Obiodu, the Okigwe Zonal Coordinator of the group on the panel's judgment, said the learned justices by the said judgement have thwarted the mandate of the people having departing from existing precedents established by superior court of record (the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal) that had clearly started that sponsorship and nomination of a candidate by a political party is a pre-election matter, domestic affair of the party which cannot be adjudicated at the Tribunal as it lacks jurisdiction to entertain such. Regretted that Chike Okafor and other contestants to the seat however admitted that PDP sponsored Hon. Jonas Okeke, as such the issue of his sponsorship can no longer be challenged by interlopers, neither could it be determined by the appeal Tribunal. This perversion of justice the group said had totally contradicted the common law principle of "stare decisis”, which states that when a particular point of law is decided by superior courts, all future cases containing the same facts and circumstances must be bound by that decision. The release read, "It's disheartening that Okeke will be singled out for victimisation when the same court, same prayers, issues and facts, upheld the election of Hon Emeka Chinedu of Ahiazu/ Ezinihitte Mbaise federal constituency and Hon Imo Ikenga Ugochinyere of Ideato North/South." These candidates the group argued were also of same PDP, and participated in the same PDP primaries that the APC candidates challenged. So, what really necessitated this miscarriage of justice, they asked. It continued, "There was no other known ground in the matter upon which the judges relied on to murder justice and democracy as there has never been any civil or criminal charge against Hon. Okeke in any known court in the land or overseas. "He won the said election squarely regardless of efforts by the APC government in Imo state to deny him victory. "Worst still, the judges till this day have refused to release Certified True Copy (CTC) of the mockery of judgment delivered on the 4th November, 2023 which Okeke applied for on the 6th of the same month. "Whereas the same court and judges have since 8th November, 2023 signed orders of the judgment which Chike Okafor has used to approach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obtain Certificate of Return (CoR). It's laughable that the judgement from which it emanates from is not yet ready, the expressed. "By this particular development, one wonders whether the learned Justices think about the effect of their actions on the image of the country. "We make bold to say that the decision by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, to transfer all election petition cases pending before the various divisions of the court to Abuja and Lagos to enable her have a closer and painstaking monitoring of the judges has been defeated. "Fully aware that the Tribunal serves as the final court in this matter, we therefore, call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to direct the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dongban-Mensem to immediately set up a review panel to look into the judgment and circumstances that birthed this grave injustice by those entrusted with the power to deliver justice without fear or favour."

Group mocks judiciary over miscarriage of justice
..calls on CJN to set review panel

By Ifeoma Ikem

 

Civil Society Group, Imo Liberation Movement (ILM), has described as a travesty of justice the nullification of election of Honourable Jonas Okeke of the Ehime-Mbano/Ihitte-Uboma/Obowo federal constituency (Okigwe South) of Imo State, in favor of Honourable Chike Okafor of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

 

 

 

Group mocks judiciary over miscarriage of justice ..calls on CJN to set review panel By Ifeoma Ikem Civil Society Group, Imo Liberation Movement (ILM), has described as a travesty of justice the nullification of election of Honourable Jonas Okeke of the Ehime-Mbano/Ihitte-Uboma/Obowo federal constituency (Okigwe South) of Imo State, in favor of Honourable Chike Okafor of the All Progressive Congress (APC). The justices of the Appeal Court in their judgment, asserted that the appellant in the suit Honourable Okeke was not qualified to contest the said election based on the primary election of the party held outside the constituency which was clearly a pre-election matter. The nullification of the people's mandate to Okeke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) according to ILM was a misnomer committed by Justices Abraham Georgewill, B. Aliyu and F. Ojo of the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos State. The Imo based crusaders, the constituents and Nigerians home and abroad have condemned the judiciary for failure to ensure that justice and fairness prevailed in the Nigerian political space. A statement issued by Chuks Obiodu, the Okigwe Zonal Coordinator of the group on the panel's judgment, said the learned justices by the said judgement have thwarted the mandate of the people having departing from existing precedents established by superior court of record (the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal) that had clearly started that sponsorship and nomination of a candidate by a political party is a pre-election matter, domestic affair of the party which cannot be adjudicated at the Tribunal as it lacks jurisdiction to entertain such. Regretted that Chike Okafor and other contestants to the seat however admitted that PDP sponsored Hon. Jonas Okeke, as such the issue of his sponsorship can no longer be challenged by interlopers, neither could it be determined by the appeal Tribunal. This perversion of justice the group said had totally contradicted the common law principle of "stare decisis”, which states that when a particular point of law is decided by superior courts, all future cases containing the same facts and circumstances must be bound by that decision. The release read, "It's disheartening that Okeke will be singled out for victimisation when the same court, same prayers, issues and facts, upheld the election of Hon Emeka Chinedu of Ahiazu/ Ezinihitte Mbaise federal constituency and Hon Imo Ikenga Ugochinyere of Ideato North/South." These candidates the group argued were also of same PDP, and participated in the same PDP primaries that the APC candidates challenged. So, what really necessitated this miscarriage of justice, they asked. It continued, "There was no other known ground in the matter upon which the judges relied on to murder justice and democracy as there has never been any civil or criminal charge against Hon. Okeke in any known court in the land or overseas. "He won the said election squarely regardless of efforts by the APC government in Imo state to deny him victory. "Worst still, the judges till this day have refused to release Certified True Copy (CTC) of the mockery of judgment delivered on the 4th November, 2023 which Okeke applied for on the 6th of the same month. "Whereas the same court and judges have since 8th November, 2023 signed orders of the judgment which Chike Okafor has used to approach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obtain Certificate of Return (CoR). It's laughable that the judgement from which it emanates from is not yet ready, the expressed. "By this particular development, one wonders whether the learned Justices think about the effect of their actions on the image of the country. "We make bold to say that the decision by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, to transfer all election petition cases pending before the various divisions of the court to Abuja and Lagos to enable her have a closer and painstaking monitoring of the judges has been defeated. "Fully aware that the Tribunal serves as the final court in this matter, we therefore, call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to direct the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dongban-Mensem to immediately set up a review panel to look into the judgment and circumstances that birthed this grave injustice by those entrusted with the power to deliver justice without fear or favour."

 

 

 

The justices of the Appeal Court in their judgment, asserted that the appellant in the suit Honourable Okeke was not qualified to contest the said election based on the primary election of the party held outside the constituency which was clearly a pre-election matter.

The nullification of the people’s mandate to Okeke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) according to ILM was a misnomer committed by Justices Abraham Georgewill, B. Aliyu and F. Ojo of the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos State.

The Imo based crusaders, the constituents and Nigerians home and abroad have condemned the judiciary for failure to ensure that justice and fairness prevailed in the Nigerian political space.

A statement issued by Chuks Obiodu, the Okigwe Zonal Coordinator of the group on the panel’s judgment, said the learned justices by the said judgement have thwarted the mandate of the people having departing from existing precedents established by superior court of record (the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal) that had clearly started that sponsorship and nomination of a candidate by a political party is a pre-election matter, domestic affair of the party which cannot be adjudicated at the Tribunal as it lacks jurisdiction to entertain such.

Regretted that Chike Okafor and other contestants to the seat however admitted that PDP sponsored Hon. Jonas Okeke, as such the issue of his sponsorship can no longer be challenged by interlopers, neither could it be determined by the appeal Tribunal.

This perversion of justice the group said had totally contradicted the common law principle of “stare decisis”, which states that when a particular point of law is decided by superior courts, all future cases containing the same facts and circumstances must be bound by that decision.

The release read, “It’s disheartening that Okeke will be singled out for victimisation when the same court, same prayers, issues and facts, upheld the election of Hon Emeka Chinedu of Ahiazu/ Ezinihitte Mbaise federal constituency and Hon Imo Ikenga Ugochinyere of Ideato North/South.”

These candidates the group argued were also of same PDP, and participated in the same PDP primaries that the APC candidates challenged. So, what really necessitated this miscarriage of justice, they asked.

It continued, “There was no other known ground in the matter upon which the judges relied on to murder justice and democracy as there has never been any civil or criminal charge against Hon. Okeke in any known court in the land or overseas.

“He won the said election squarely regardless of efforts by the APC government in Imo state to deny him victory.

“Worst still, the judges till this day have refused to release Certified True Copy (CTC) of the mockery of judgment delivered on the 4th November, 2023 which Okeke applied for on the 6th of the same month.

“Whereas the same court and judges have since 8th November, 2023 signed orders of the judgment which Chike Okafor has used to approach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obtain Certificate of Return (CoR). It’s laughable that the judgement from which it emanates from is not yet ready, the expressed.

“By this particular development, one wonders whether the learned Justices think about the effect of their actions on the image of the country.

“We make bold to say that the decision by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, to transfer all election petition cases pending before the various divisions of the court to Abuja and Lagos to enable her have a closer and painstaking monitoring of the judges has been defeated.

“Fully aware that the Tribunal serves as the final court in this matter, we therefore, call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to direct the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dongban-Mensem to immediately set up a review panel to look into the judgment and circumstances that birthed this grave injustice by those entrusted with the power to deliver justice without fear or favour.”

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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EMIR OF BIU CONFERRED TRADITIONAL TITTLE ON MAJOR GENERAL BULAMA BIU mni (Rtd)

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8 hours ago

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April 1, 2025

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EMIR OF BIU CONFERRED TRADITIONAL TITTLE ON MAJOR GENERAL BULAMA BIU mni (Rtd)

 

His Royal Highness Alh (Dr) Mustapha Umar Mustapha Aliyu II CON, the Emir of Biu elogised the great contributions of Major General Bulama Biu mni (Rtd) in the promotion and sustenance of security in Biu Emirate, Borno State and Nigeria in general.

 

 

The Emir descibed Gen Bulama Biu as a true and worthy patrotic son of the Emirate. He recalled the bold steps exhibited by General Bulama in fighting BokoHaram across the state, a situation that greatly brought about peace and security. “The people of Biu Emirate are proud of you as a very distinguished professional soldier.”

 

In appreciation thereof, His Royal Highness has conferred on General Bulama Biu mni (Rtd) the traditional tittle of SARKIN YAKI BIU EMIRATE. It is hoped that General Bulama Biu mni (Rtd) would bring to bear his wealth of experience in the defense and security of Biu Emirate, Borno State, and Nigeria at large. Former Chief of Army Staff and Ambassador,His Excellency Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai CFR the Betara Biu commended His Royal Highness the Emir of Biu for finding General Bulama Biu worthy of the tittle, stating that General Bulama Biu roles in fighting Boko Haram and other professional military engagements will not be forgotten soon.

 

 

He described Gen Bulama Biu as an astute soldier who was quick to consolidate on his military background, being a son of a very distinguished, outstanding and higly regimental military trainer, the first NDA Regimental Sergent Major, late Major Bulama Biu MON. I remain proud of General Bulama Biu, especially his stewardship as then GOC 7Division and Commander Sector 3 MNJTF. Iam confident that Gen Biu will discharge his responsibility with all sense of commitment. Gen Buratai thanked the Birma of Biu, other Kingmakers, and the good people of Biu Emirate for applauding the good decision of His Royal Highness. In the same vien, the Borno state Deputy Governor His Excellency

 

 

Alh Umar Usman Kadafur rejoices with the Emir in conferring a title welldeserved on General Bulama Biu, who has undoubtedly represented well the good people of Biu Emirate. In words, ” we are all living witness to how General Bulama Biu displayed high level of military dexterity in fighting BokoHaram. He was a fairless, pragmatic, and highly professional who enjoyed good followership of his troop and other security organizations in Borno state, especially the civilian JTF and Hunters. He was always in the bush and never got tired. I heartly congratulate and wish him great success. The traditional turbanning ceremony is slated for a date to be announced.

EMIR OF BIU CONFERRED TRADITIONAL TITTLE ON MAJOR GENERAL BULAMA BIU mni (Rtd)

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Senator Jibrin Barau: Why He is North West’s Most Important Political Force

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11 hours ago

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April 1, 2025

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Senator Jibrin Barau:
Why He is North West’s Most Important Political Force by Tayo Williams

_“Senator Jibrin is a steady and stabilising force in the Senate and beyond. He is blessed with the moral authority and rare ability to put an issue on the national agenda that wouldn’t naturally be there. Although he may not be getting the desired coverage or recognition for his legislative, political, and social interventions, the deputy senate president has mastered the art of being relevant in the centre and indispensable at home.”_

The Northwest, Nigeria’s most populous geopolitical zone with over 22 million registered voters, is the coveted ‘bride’ for all presidential aspirants. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, three states in the region – Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina – rank among the top 10 in the list of states with the highest number of registered voters. Kano State, number two on the list behind Lagos, has 5,921,370 registered voters. Kaduna and Katsina have 4,335,208 and 3,516,719 registered voters respectively. The closest to it is the southwest with about 18million registered voters.

The gulf is, indeed, wide and almost unassailable.

During the last presidential election, the northwest gave President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2.7 million votes – the highest by any region. Even in the southwest, Tinubu’s traditional political base, he could only poll 2,279,407 votes. From the five southeast states, he got a measly 127,605 votes and did not score 25 percent in any of them. The South-South’s 799,957 votes contributed nine percent to the APC’s total votes.

 

Though it is still early in the day, sustaining influence and popularity in the northwest will be critical to the survival of the APC in the next electoral cycle. Former President Muhammadu Buhari, a Katsina native, is the singular most formidable political figure from the region. However, his legendary aloofness to party politics is a deal-breaker. And after serving out his two-term presidency, he has been ‘far from the madding crowd’ of party nay Nigerian politics. Though he still has a cult following in the north, his reluctance to participate in any electioneering will not help the party.

 

Conversely, Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, would have been the natural successor to Buhari’s political leadership in the region. However, the fractious El-Rufai has left the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Social Democratic Party. Kano State, with the highest number of registered votes behind Lagos, is a major battleground considering the popularity of the Rabiu Kwankwaso-led NNPP, which inflicted considerable damage on the APC in the last elections.
This is where Senator Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, comes in.

Senator Jibrin is the highest-ranking APC Senator in the North-West region. An understated force of nature with admirable charisma and eloquence, Barau has been in the National Assembly since the dawn of the Fourth Republic starting as a member of the House of Representatives representing the good people of Tarauni Federal Constituency of Kano State from 1999 to 2003.

A thoroughbred, successful accountant, he chaired the Appropriations Committee and served as a member of others. After his first legislative odyssey, Jibrin returned to his private practice, but not for long, as he was tapped to serve as chairman of the Kano State Investment and Properties Ltd and, later, Commissioner of Science and Technology. He is a foundation member of the APC on which platform he contested and won the Kano North Senatorial District seat in 2015. This is his third term as a senator, and he was the only APC senator in 2023 from Kano, as the other two seats were won by the NNPP, a testament to his formidable political acumen and grassroots appeal. But for political expediency, he would have been the Senate president.

Having won the Kano North senatorial seat three consecutive times, there is no controverting that Jibrin has excelled as a legislator and, therefore, comes well-acquitted to help the APC reclaim Kano, and provide the leadership crucial for the success of the party in the region. Indeed, the president needs not to look far for who to lead the charge in the northwest; that is a role that has naturally fallen on the lap of Senator Jibrin.

Cerebral and controversy-free, Senator Jibrin is a steady and stabilising force in the Senate and beyond. He is blessed with the moral authority and rare ability to put an issue on the national agenda that wouldn’t naturally be there. Although he may not be getting the desired coverage or recognition for his legislative, political, and social interventions, the deputy senate president has mastered the art of being relevant in the centre and indispensable at home.

Assertive, but never abrasive, Jibrin is a man whose thinking has often proved to be ahead of the curve. He was the brain behind the North West Development Commission to address gaps in infrastructural development in the region, which has now been replicated in other regions. He also supported and sponsored a bill to build the Federal University of Education Technology in Bichi, Kano State, and the Federal Polytechnic Kabo, where his father was born.

While other politicians are engaged in a never-ending race to amass riches to guarantee eternally their obscene residence in their snug life of luxury and privilege, Senator Jibrin strives to spread joy daily among kith and kin, and the next needy family on the block. Evidence of his amazing compassion and superior culture of philanthropy abound everywhere in the region whether in education, agriculture, health, and youth empowerment. He is there when the people need him.

The ranking senator recognises the role that fate has inadvertently thrust upon him and he has been playing the part pretty well by reaching out to opposition politicians and convincing them that the APC needs them. Recently, he hosted a strategic meeting with the former Secretary to the Kano State Government, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, and other NNPP stalwarts, including the former Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Muhammad Diggol, in his Abuja residence.

Jibrin said, “We had fruitful discussions with them on the development of our dear state and the country. The development of our state and the country is always at the top of our agenda. We will continue to collaborate with other stakeholders to advance our state and the nation. Let’s do it together to better the lots of our people.” For him, it is about Kano and Nigeria, not any self-serving purpose.

Indeed, there is no clear-cut path to greatness in politics. It requires a special kind of talent that is rare in today’s politicians, but which Senator Jibrin embodies in large quantity. For the APC to make any headway in the northwest in the next general election, it would need, most importantly, Senator Jibrin, leading the charge.

_*-Williams is a Lagos-based media executive*_

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Coalition of Nigerians Write African Union Over State of Emergency in Rivers

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14 hours ago

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April 1, 2025

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Coalition of Nigerians Write African Union Over State of Emergency in Rivers

Coalition of Nigerians Write African Union Over State of Emergency in Rivers

 

A coalition of Nigerians has expressed dismay and disappointment over President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a gross abuse of power and a blatant disregard for the Constitution, democratic principles, and the rule of law.

Coalition of Nigerians Write African Union Over State of Emergency in Rivers

In a letter to the African Union Commission, the coalition urged the commission to take immediate action to address the situation and ensure that democratic principles are upheld.

See full letter below:

*COALITION OF NIGERIANS*
No. 24 Seriki Street, Off Odunsi Street, Bariga Shomolu Lagos, Nigeria.

March 26, 2025

His Excellency, Alhaji Mahmoud Ali Youssouf,
The Chairperson, African Union Commission,
P. O. Box 3243, Roosevelt Street W21K19,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Your Excellency,

UNCONSTITUTIONAL DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE: A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA AND AFRICA

We are writing to express our utmost dismay, disappointment, and disillusionment over the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. This decision is not only a gross abuse of power but also a blatant disregard for the Constitution, democratic principles, and the rule of law.

With President Tinubu as the Chairman of ECOWAS, Nigeria is expected to be a shining example of democratic governance in Africa. Unfortunately, President Tinubu’s actions have fallen woefully short of this expectation. His decision to suspend the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminilayi Fubara, and the State House of Assembly, is a clear violation of the Constitution and an affront to democratic principles.

Section 305 of the Constitution, which the President cited as the basis for his action, does not grant him the power to suspend or remove elected officials. The Constitution is clear on the grounds for removing a governor, which is explicitly stated in Section 188. The President’s action is a blatant disregard for the Constitution and the democratic process.

This action is not only a threat to democracy in Nigeria but also sets a dangerous precedent for the suppression of democratic institutions and the rule of law in Africa. It is imperative that the African Union Commission takes immediate action to address this situation and ensure that democratic principles are upheld.

The implications of this action are far-reaching, and if left unchecked, could lead to a breakdown in law and order, undermine the legitimacy of democratic institutions, and damage Nigeria’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa. Furthermore, this action raises serious concerns about the President’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law. It is worrisome that the President would resort to such draconian measures, rather than exploring democratic solutions to the challenges facing Rivers State.

We are also concerned about the potential consequences of this action on the stability of Nigeria and the African region. The suspension of democratic institutions and the imposition of emergency rule could lead to widespread unrest, violence, and instability. In addition, this action undermines the principles of federalism and the autonomy of states in Nigeria. The President’s decision to suspend the Governor and the State House of Assembly is a clear infringement on the powers of the state government and a violation of the principle of separation of powers.

We urge you to prevail upon President Tinubu to immediately lift the State of Emergency in Rivers State and restore the democratically elected government. We request that the African Union Commission take concrete steps to ensure that Nigeria, as a member state, upholds the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. We also request that the African Union Commission take the following steps:

*Condemns the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the democratically elected Governor and State House of Assembly.
*Calls on President Tinubu to immediately lift the State of Emergency and restore the democratically elected government.
*Sends a fact-finding mission to Rivers State to investigate the circumstances surrounding the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of democratic institutions.
*Takes concrete steps to ensure that Nigeria, as a member state, upholds the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

We look forward to your prompt response and action.

Signed;
Professor Senator Opeyemi Ola
Professor Adah George
Rt. Hon Dr James Oloko
Dr. Mrs Evelyn E. Ogolime

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