Connect with us

News

More trouble for Ekweremadu as Enugu lawyer seeks declaration of seat vacant

Published

on

 

There seem to be more troubles for former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who has been in detention in the United Kingdom since June this year over allegation of organ harvesting, as a lawyer, Chief Ogochukwu Onyema, has asked the Federal High Court, Enugu, to declare his seat vacant by default of representation.

Onyema, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had contested the primary of the party for Enugu West Senatorial ticket in 2018 for 2019 general elections, but lost to Ekweremadu. He, however, finished third behind another aspirant, who is said to have died two years ago.

In the suit where he listed Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; Clerk of the National Assembly; National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu and INEC as defendants, Onyema asked the court to declare that, by the contemplation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended; the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended, and the Senate Legislative calendar 2022, that the seat of Enugu West Senatorial District in the 9th Senate will be declared vacant by default, if the Senator representing it is, without just cause, absent from meetings of the Senate for a period amounting, in the aggregate, to more than 1/3 of the total number of days during which the House or Senate meets in any one year, which is 1/3 of 181 days.

READ  Adams threatens to curse politicians causing problems, divisions in Yoruba nation

He argued that going by denial of several bail applications on Ekweremadu by the United Kingdom Metropolitan Court till date, “and the fixing of his pre-trial on or about October 4, 2022, and trial on or about May 28, 2023 as judicially noticed, it cannot be rightly said that Ekweremadu will still perform his duty of representing Enugu West Senatorial zone as provided in the constitution.”

Onyema, who asked the court to compel the Senate President, PDP and INEC to declare Ekweremadu’s seat vacant, also requested for the order of court on the PDP to forward his name (Onyema) as replacement for Ekweremadu within the seven days of service of the order.

He asked the court for an order to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Ekweremadu and fresh certificate of return issued in his favour, as well as a perpetual injunction barring the party from submitting the name of any other person except him.

READ  Ekiti 2022: Fayose's ex-commissioner, Funmi Ogun rejects PDP deputy gov nomination

When the matter came up, yesterday, Justice I.N Buba had granted the leave of the court to serve the defendants on their individual addresses outside jurisdiction and substituted service of the originating summons, as well as other court processes in the matter.

He also adjourned to October 5, 2022, for possible hearing and addresses on jurisdiction.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Soldiers’ Killings: Army transfers surrendered Delta monarch to Abuja

Published

on

By

 

The Army has reportedly flown the Ovie of Ewu kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Clement Ikolo,  who surrendered himself to the Police in Asaba on Thursday to Abuja.

 

The Delta State Police Command handed over the king, who the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, declared wanted with seven others over the killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama on Friday morning.

 

The Commanding Officer Commanding Officer, 63 Brigade,  Nigeria Army, Asaba, the Delta State Police Commissioner,  and other senior military officers escorted the monarch to the Asaba International Airport.

 

The monarch was reported to have boarded an Air Peace airline, and the plane departed Asaba Airport tarmac at about 9.10 am to Abuja.

 

 

 

 

 

READ  Ekiti 2022: Fayose's ex-commissioner, Funmi Ogun rejects PDP deputy gov nomination
Continue Reading

News

Don’t condemn or curse Nigeria in your sermons — this is a beautiful land, Tinubu urges clerics

Published

on

By

 

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to religious leaders to desist from laying curses on the nation in their sermons.

The president spoke on Thursday while breaking the Ramadan fast with traditional rulers and religious leaders at the presidential villa.

Tinubu harped on the significant role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion and promoting unity in the country.

The president asked the clerics to be constructive in their criticisms of government officials, saying his administration is determined to address Nigeria’s challenges.

 

“The love of the nation is in your hands. Pray for our country. Educate our children. The sermons we preach to the members of our churches and mosques are important,” Tinubu said.

 

“Do not condemn your own nation. As a Yoruba man and as our fathers will say: ‘no matter how slippery the bottom of your child is, you must leave the beads there’.

 

“Leave the beads there. This is your country, do not condemn it in sermons, and do not abuse the nation. Leadership is meant for changes.”

READ  Keyamo mocks, says it has lost control

 

Tinubu said instead of condemning the country, “bad” leaders should be shown the exit during elections.

 

“Yes, this leader is bad, fine. Wait until the next election to change him, but do not condemn your country. Do not curse Nigeria. This is a beautiful land,” Tinubu said.

 

Also speaking, Kashim Shettima, vice-president, advised religious leaders to continue to “build bridges that transcend ethnic and religious divides”.

 

“The president means well for the nation, and he has continued to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership,” he said.

 

”For many years, fuel subsidy was an albatross. The president took a bold decision from day one, and he hit the ground running. Now the economy is turning the corner.”

 

Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, said the monarchs are in support of Tinubu’s administration.

 

“You are not alone, Mr. President. The prices of food items and goods are gradually coming down. You are doing your best on security, and we cannot allow you to do it alone. We will join hands to support your vision for the betterment of our nation,” Ogunwusi said.

READ  Photos from Lying-in-state service for TB Joshua

 

Ahmed Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau, who spoke for the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said Ramadan is a period of reflection, empathy, and unity.

 

“I am happy to see representatives of Muslim and Christian communities in this room. I pray God Almighty blesses the president for him to do more to take the country to the Promised Land,” he said.

Samson Fatokun, general secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), commended Tinubu for fostering unity in the country.

 

”We are encouraged that your administration has shown great determination in tackling the challenges of kidnapping and banditry and bringing to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act,” he said.

”We shall continue to show our support to your administration so that you can execute your noble intention for the nation.”

Continue Reading

News

Tompolo rejects Tinubu’s wish for low-key birthday, buys out frontpage of dailies

Published

on

By

 

Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s wish for a low-key birthday celebration by buying the frontpages of a slew of national newspapers to celebrate the 72nd birthday of President.

Tompolo is the chairperson of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, an oil pipeline surveillance firm that tackles crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

 

Last Sunday, the presidency announced that Tinubu will not celebrate his 72nd birthday on March 29 “in deference to the challenging times” in the country.

The presidency said the president “does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name”.

Tinubu also “enjoins friends and associates who may wish to place goodwill advertorials to kindly donate the money to charity organisations of their choice in his name”.


However, on Friday, Tompolo placed birthday messages for Tinubu on the frontpages of at least eight national dailies.

READ  NDA invasion: Father Mbaka warns of more troubles

TheCable understands that a frontpage newspaper advert of the size Tompolo splurged on costs an average of N10 million.

 

This is not the first time the Tantita boss will use the frontpage of dailies to celebrate Tinubu.

In October 2023, after the supreme court affirmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, Tompolo bought the frontpages of several dailies to celebrate the judgment.

Continue Reading

Trending News