Metro

Court Orders APC Served Hearing Notice In ₦10m Refund Suit

Published

5 months ago

May 20, 2025

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the service of a hearing notice on the All Progressives Congress following the absence of a representative to appear for the party in the ongoing nomination fee refund suit brought against it by a former aspirant.

The complainant, a former aspirant for the position of APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Sunny Moniedafe, in a suit marked FCT/HC/CV/2434/2024, sued the ruling party, demanding the refund of the ₦10 million he paid for a Nomination Form in 2022.

Moniedafe explained that ahead of the APC’s National Convention on March 26, 2022, he purchased the ₦10 million Nomination Form to contest the position of Deputy National Chairman (North).

He further stated that during the convention, the party’s leadership, under then-President Muhammadu Buhari, urged aspirants to step down, as the position of Deputy National Chairman had been agreed to go to someone from Borno State in the North-East geopolitical zone.

According to Moniedafe, the leadership had reached a consensus on a candidate and directed other aspirants to step down, with ex-President Buhari instructing that those who complied should be refunded their money.

However, Moniedafe said, “Disappointingly, the leadership of the defendant reneged on its promise and blatantly refused, failed, and neglected to refund the said ₦10 million from March 2022 to the time of filing this case, despite repeated demands by me.”

At the resumed sitting on Monday, both the plaintiff, Moniedafe, and his lawyer, Okoi Obono-Obla, were present in court. However, no appearance was made for the defendant, nor was there any legal representative for the APC in court.

The presiding judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, ordered that a hearing notice be served on the APC ahead of the next hearing date.

“The defendant is not in court and not represented,” Justice Halilu noted.

Justice Halilu acknowledged the statement of defence before the court but added that there was no proof that the plaintiff had been served. “I can see no proof of service here,” he said.

He instructed the court registrar to expedite the process by contacting the defendant’s counsel and providing them with the necessary documents so they could be served.

Obono-Obla responded, “My lord, we are very diligent. If we are served, we will respond immediately.”

The court acknowledged an application filed by the APC seeking an extension of time. In a brief ruling, Justice Halilu granted the request, stating, “The application filed by the defendant seeking an extension of time is hereby moved and granted.”

He proceeded to adjourn the case to July 15, 2025, for a hearing to determine whether the defendant had been served the hearing notice.

Metro

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

2 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Fire Service Rescues Woman From 60-foot Well In Ikorodu

Published

3 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved a 32-year-old woman who accidentally fell into an uncovered well approximately 60 feet deep at No. 14 Mustapha Bolatiwa Street, off Agric Bus Stop, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The incident, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, was described by residents as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Eyewitnesses said the woman, whose identity had not been immediately confirmed, reportedly wandered from a nearby compound and was seated on the edge of the well before losing balance and falling in.

Following a distress call, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived swiftly and launched a well-coordinated rescue operation.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the woman was pulled out alive after a tense and delicate rescue effort.

“She was immediately stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Adeseye said.

She cautioned residents to ensure all open wells and similar structures are securely covered to prevent avoidable accidents.

Adeseye also praised the professionalism and prompt response of her team, reaffirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

Metro

DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

Published

3 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested two dismissed officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accused of impersonating the Service to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The DSS, in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirmed that both individuals, earlier declared wanted in separate public warnings, have been arrested and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Department of State Services recently issued disclaimers on two dismissed personnel of the Service, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin. These individuals were alleged to be cloaking under the Service to engage in fraudulent activities.

“The public is hereby notified that these culprits have been apprehended and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the Service said.

This comes after a series of alerts by the DSS warning Nigerians against dealing with the former officers dismissed for misconduct but still parading themselves as active operatives.

Recall that the secret police had raised the alarm over the activities of Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accusing him of using the DSS name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

In the same vein, on October 8, a separate statement was issued concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer alleged to be impersonating the agency for fraudulent purposes.

The DSS said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from impostors and maintaining public trust in the Service. It also revealed plans to publish the names of other previously dismissed personnel to prevent citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

The DSS urged members of the public to verify all official engagements through its verified communication channels and to report any suspicious activities involving persons claiming to represent the Service.