Metro

APGA Dispute: Court Okays Contempt Charge Against INEC Chairman

Published

2 years ago

November 12, 2023

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Bwari, has okayed a contempt proceeding that was initiated against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, over his alleged disobedience to a subsisting court judgement.

Justice Mohammed Madugu gave the INEC boss 14 days to comply with the judgement that recognised Chief Edozie Njoku as the authentic National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, or risk jail.

Equally cited as a Respondent in the committal proceeding (Form 49) marked FCT/HC/CV/4068/2023, is a factional Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Oye.

It was two aggrieved chieftains of the party, Otunba Camaru Lateef Ogidan (the National Vice Chairman, South West Geopolitical Zone of APGA) and Alhaji Rabiu Mustapha (the National Welfare Officer of APGA), who initiated the court action.

The Applicants told the court that they are members of the National Working Committee of APGA who emerged at a convention the party held on May 31, 2019, under the leadership of Chief Njoku.

Justice Madugu, in his judgement, held that from the totality of affidavit evidence that was adduced before him, both the INEC Chairman and Chief Oye were found to have disobeyed a valid court order concerning APGA leadership, saying he was however minded to grant them a 14-day grace period to purge themselves of the said contempt of court.

Specifically, the Applicants had in the committal charge, sought an order of the court to commit Prof. Yakubu to prison for spurning a valid order the court made on May 10, which had restrained Oye and APGA from conducting Ward, Local Government, State Congresses and Convention.

The court had directed the INEC Chairman and Chief Oye, who were joined as parties in the case, “to maintain status quo ante bellum,” pending the hearing of a notice of preliminary objection that was filed before it.

“For the avoidance of doubt and the purpose of clarity, parties herein whether by themselves, agents, privies, assigns, authorized representatives or whosoever acting on their behalf are restrained from holding the planned Congresses, National Convention or any other meetings or gatherings in whatever name called of APGA, pending the hearing of notice of preliminary objection filed on May 9, 2023 by the 1st Defendant/Applicant, Chief Oye,” Justice Madugu added.

However, despite the order, the Chief Oye-led faction of the party went ahead and conducted the Congresses under the supervision of INEC.

They subsequently submitted names of candidates for various elective positions, which were accepted by INEC.

Dissatisfied with the development, the Applicants initiated the contempt charge.

In his judgement last Thursday, a copy of which Vanguard obtained on Sunday, Justice Madugu held that because the order the court made on May 10 was not appealed, the INEC Chairman and Oye, “were in contempt of court”.

“A court does not make an order in vain; a court order must be disobeyed. Disobedience to a valid court order undermines the integrity and sanctity of the court.

“This insanity of flouting court order must stop, and it cannot continue. The disobedience to the order made by this court on May 10, is undoubtedly an affront to the sanctity of the court” Justice Madugu stated.

Consequently, he ordered the 1st Respondent (Oye) and 2nd Respondent (INEC Chairman) to purge themselves of contempt of court within 14 days or face the full wrath of the court.

The court held that Oye’s submission that APGA conducted the Congresses based on the May 12 order of an Anambra State High Court at Otuocha, was not tenable.

Justice Madugu queried if the order of the Anambra State High Court was capable of overriding that of an Abuja High Court made on May 10, noting that both courts are of the same coordinate jurisdiction.

The judge noted that the Respondents had the opportunity to appeal against the court order, but failed to do so.

“Placing reliance on the order of an Anambra High Court, made on May 12, does not absolve the Respondents from the dire consequences of the commital charge,” Justice Madugu held.

Metro

Man Stabs Colleague To Death In Lagos Over Money Dispute

Published

10 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Editor

A deadly confrontation occurred on Wednesday in the Mandilas area of Lagos Island, leaving one person dead after a stabbing incident.

The Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, through CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Police Public Relations Officer, clarified in a statement made available to The PUNCH that there was no tribal clash or ethnic conflict at Balogun Market, where the incident took place.

According to the police, “The Lagos State Police Command hereby wish to inform the general public that there was no tribal clash or disturbance between any ethnic groups and others inside Balogun Market today.

“There was an incident of a free-for-all fight between some hoodlums and miscreants in the Balogun Market in the early hours of today at around 11 am.

“During the fight, one Ebuka Adindu from Abia State stabbed one Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State to death, and the said Ebuka Adindu in turn stabbed himself on the shoulder and became unconscious. He is currently under arrest in the hospital, where he is being treated.

“Investigation into the matter will be concluded, and he will be prosecuted after he has been discharged from the hospital. There was no loss of innocent lives or injury to any person or damage to the goods and properties of marketers inside Balogun Market.”

The police emphasised that no innocent lives were lost beyond the victim, no other injuries were reported, and there was no damage to goods or property at the market.

Normalcy has been restored, and residents and traders have been urged to continue their activities without fear.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, called on residents to remain law-abiding and cooperate with the police to sustain peace in the state, stressing that Lagos remains generally peaceful.

Eyewitnesses said the conflict began as a disagreement between the two men over the division of money from a recent job. The argument escalated, resulting in the fatal stabbing.

Bystanders reportedly restrained the attacker before handing him over to authorities. Tensions briefly flared again when friends of the deceased protested, but order was quickly restored.

Metro

Police Rescue 16 Kidnap Victims Along Benin-Lagos Road

Published

10 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has rescued 16 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated operations along the Benin–Lagos and Benin–Akure highways.

Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the operations followed separate incidents on August 23, 2025, when armed kidnappers blocked sections of the highways and abducted several travellers.

According to the statement, distress calls prompted the swift mobilisation of operatives from the Iguobazuwa and Ekiadolor Divisions, supported by tactical teams, local vigilantes, and hunters. The teams embarked on intensive bush-combing operations to track the abductors and free the victims.

It was noted in the statement that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led the operation along the Benin–Akure axis, deploying drones and other technical support to enhance precision.

“Six victims were rescued along the Benin–Akure Road, including one with a gunshot injury who is now receiving treatment. Three more victims were freed on the Benin–Lagos Road, while an additional seven regained their freedom on August 25,” the statement read.

Agbonika commended the operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters for their collaboration, stressing that the partnership between security agencies and communities remains vital in tackling violent crime.

He assured the public that efforts are ongoing to rescue remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators, adding that the command would continue to deploy human and technological resources to secure Edo highways.

Metro

Suspected Cultists Invade Rivers Compound, Rob Students, Residents

Published

10 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Editor

Suspected cultists on Wednesday attacked a residential compound at Ekwulobia Street in the Mile 3 area of Diobu, Port Harcourt, breaking into tenants’ rooms and stealing valuables.

Two of the victims were female university students in the state.

Stolen items included laptops, mobile phones, and other personal belongings.

It was gathered that the gang, reportedly led by a man named Graham, gained access to the compound by breaking a back window and removing the iron protector.

One of the victims, David Eze, who lives on the second floor, narrated the ordeal to newsmen, saying he and other tenants are now living in fear.

He said, “I live upstairs on the second floor. Around 4 a.m., I woke up and found that my two phones and laptop were missing. I didn’t hear anything during the night, so I suspect they came in quietly.

“When I stepped out to raise the alarm, I discovered that other tenants had also been robbed.

“My door had been pierced with a knife, and someone had manipulated the lock to gain entry. They took my laptop and phones. By the time I came downstairs, security personnel and my co-tenants were already outside, reporting the incident.”

Similarly, a female resident who identified herself as Chidinma recounted a terrifying encounter

“Last night (Tuesday), I woke up to a noise and saw a young man standing beside my bed with a knife. He told me not to shout, threatening to stab me if I did. I was very scared.

“He took my phone and my brother’s two phones before leaving. It felt unreal, like a dream,” she said.

Our correspondent gathered that the hoodlums broke into four rooms in total, making away with five mobile phones, one laptop, and an unspecified amount of cash.

Two kitchen knives were left behind when the criminals fled after being chased by members of a local vigilante group who arrived at the scene.

Residents confirmed that the incident had been reported to the Azikiwe Police Division, Illabouchi, in Mile 2, Diobu.

When contacted, the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe Koko, said she would follow up with the Divisional Police Officer and provide feedback.

As of Wednesday evening, no update had been received.