News

Alex Otti Reacts To Supreme Court Ruling

Published

4 months ago

January 12, 2024

Editor

Abia State Governor Alex Otti, on Friday, commended President Bola Tinubu for his non-interference with the judgment delivered in different election matters by the Supreme Court.

Otti made the commendation on Friday while reacting to the apex court’s verdict that affirmed his election as governor in the governorship election held on March 18, 2023.

He spoke in an interaction with newsmen in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

He thanked Tinubu for remaining firm in his resolve to ensure that the judiciary remains independent.

According to the governor, this gesture has made the judicial process produce positive results in the country.

“If he did not do that, some of the judgments and verdicts that were given today might have been different.

“That is why today the NNPP governor in Kano State was returned, though he lost at the lower tribunal and Appeal Court.

“I want to encourage the president to continue in that light.

“I believe that his non-intervention in the judicial process has produced positive results in the country today.

“A few places where people were getting ready to burn down places today, they have shelved their plots because the rule of law prevailed,’’ Otti said.

He also commended the judiciary for remaining firm and not allowing the people’s will to be truncated by desperate politicians.

He said that the development had indeed reaffirmed that “the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man”.

The governor thanked the governorship candidates in Abia, especially those who did not go to court, for being supportive as well as the men of God, who kept praying for him and Abia Government.

“I want to invite everyone, including my opponents who were in court with me, to say now that the battle is over, you have no choice but to sheath your sword.

“I invite you to come with every good idea you have, let us sit down and discuss because the most important thing is Abia.

“Anybody that has anything to contribute to the positive development of the state is welcomed, irrespective of their political, ethnic and religious leanings, we are one and the same people.

“From now on, division cannot be allowed in Abia. We are all in one boat.

“Anybody who wants the good of our state should join us in this boat and the boat is large enough to accept and receive everyone,” Otti said.

He thanked God for the victory as well as the people of Abia for supporting him in his effort to rescue Abia from maladministration.

He congratulated all the governors, who also won their cases in court and appreciated other Nigerians who, he said, admired his style of leadership.

Otti further said that the Supreme Court verdict had renewed his resolve to deliver the dividend of democracy to the citizens and restore the dignity of the people of Abia.

He said that he was desirous to ensure that the state would be positively reckoned with in the comity of states of the federation.

NAN

News

EFCC Trial: ‘Even The Prophets Went To Prison’ – Buhari’s Minister Comforts Self In Court

Published

6 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Editor

A former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, standing trial for an alleged N7.2bn fraud, said he was ready to go to prison just like the prophets.

Sirika, his daughter, and three others were arraigned at a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday on a six-count amended criminal charge before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.

A video of the ex-minister speaking in court with his lawyers surfaced on X on Thursday.

In the video, Sirika, dressed in cream Babariga, could be heard saying, “It’s okay. Fatima, it’s okay,” while comforting his daughter.

He continued, “Even prophets have gone (to prison). Those that went, haven’t they finished theirs already?…whatever Allah says”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused the ex-minister, his daughter, son-in-law and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, of fraud in connection with the botched Nigerian Air project.

Meanwhile, the court granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N100m with two sureties each.

Before the trial judge, Justice Sylvanus Orji granted the bail request of the defendants, they pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them after it was read out to them.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, had informed the court of an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7, and filed on May 8, which was not opposed by the counsel for the defendants.

Sirika’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court of his client’s bail application dated May 6.

The other defendants similarly, moved their bail applications and prayed the court to be liberal in the bail conditions.

Jacobs, on his part, told the court that all the defendants were on administrative bail and asked the court to grant bail on the condition that would make them appear for their trials.

Apart from the N100m bail, Justice Osuji added that one of the sureties must own a landed property with valid land titles in like sum within the Federal Capital Territory.

The judge also held that the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means while he barred the defendants from travelling outside the country without its permission.

He added that failure to fulfil the bail conditions would earn the defendants a stay in a correctional facility.