News

FG Explains Why El-Zakzaky Was Not Released

Published

4 years ago

December 27, 2019

Editor

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), said on Friday that the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat, were not released because they were being prosecuted by a state government.

He said this in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Umar Gwandu, who quoted him as speaking to the BBC Hausa and the Hausa Service of the Voice of America.

Explaining why El-Zakzaky and his wife were not released like Dasuki and Sowore, Malami said, “The Federal Government does not interfere with the cases that are being prosecuted by a state government.

“El-Zakzaky and his wife are being prosecuted by the Kaduna State government on charges of murder.”

He, however, said that the release of the Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, from detention by the Federal Government was based on compassionate grounds.

Sowore and Dasuki’s release came after about four years of government disobeying at least five separate court orders granting bail to the ex-NSA, and two orders granting bail to Sowore in September and November 2019.

Malami maintained that their release was not due to any domestic or international pressure.

He said, “The only reasons for the release of Omoyele Sowore and Sambo Dasuki revolved around our commitment to the rule of law, obedience to court orders and compassionate grounds.

“It is important to understand the fact that as far as the law is concerned and in relation to the Nigerian justice system, one has multiple options after a court has ruled on a matter.”

(PUNCH)

News

JUST IN: FG Suspends Air Nigeria Project Indefinitely

Published

6 mins ago

May 27, 2024

Editor

The Federal Government has suspended Air Nigeria Airline project indefinitely.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo announced this at the Ministerial briefing to mark the first year of the Tinubu administration.

He said the airline was never a Nigerian airline but an attempt to use a foreign airline to pose as a Nigerian national airline.

News

JUST IN: Tribunal Affirms Ododo As Kogi Governor, Dismisses Ajaka’s Case

Published

43 mins ago

May 27, 2024

Editor

The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Monday, affirmed Usman Ododo as the valid winner of the gubernatorial contest that held in the state on November 11, 2023.

The Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu led three-member panel dismissed the petition that was brought before it by the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Murtala Ajaka.

The tribunal held that Ajaka failed to prove his allegation that governor Ododo, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, did not secure the highest number of valid votes cast at the election.

It equally dismissed Ajaka’s allegation that the election was not only fraught with irregularities, but also conducted with substantial non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The tribunal held that it found no reason to dislodge the result the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared in favour of Ododo and the APC.

It will be recalled that INEC had announced that Ododo polled a total of 446,237 votes to defeat Ajaka who came second with 259,052 votes.

Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, came a distant third with 46,362 votes.

Though Melaye declined to challenge the outcome of the election, however, Ajaka approached the tribunal to invalidate the Certificate of Return that was issued to the APC candidate, Ododo.

News

Edo Guber: LP State Exco Sacked, Caretaker Committee Set Up

Published

2 hours ago

May 27, 2024

Editor

The national leadership of the Labour Party headed by Barrister Julius Abure has constituted a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the Edo State chapter of the party.

The 17 man caretaker committee is headed by Hon. Mrs Elizabeth Ativie, a former speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.

The new state executive committee of the Labour Party was inaugurated today in Benin city by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi.

REAS ALSO: Edo Guber: APC Candidate, Okpebholo, Lacks Cognitive Experience To Govern – Tenebe

While administering the oath of office, Dr Olorunfemi said the new leadership of the party in Edo state came on board due to the expiration of the tenure of the Ogbaloi-led executive council which ended in April , 2024.

He said the new leadership of the party in the state is expected to take charge of the affairs of the party pending when a fresh congress will be held to elect a new executive in the state .

He said the party decided to appoint Ativie to head the committee due to her positive and result-oriented track record in all her political positions so far.

He called for unity in the party and assured that the party will be more united in Edo state with Hon Ativie.

Responding, Ativie promised to move the party to a higher level in the state.

She vowed to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party, adding that a reconciliation team to resolve all pending issues in the party will be put up.

The secretary of the Party, Oses Emmanuel Eromwonsele lauded members of the party for their turn out during the inauguration.

In line with the letter signed by the National Chairman of the party, Abure, the new executive of the party in Edo state are expected to work in conjunction with the party ‘s governorship candidate , Barrister Olumide Akapata towards ensuring victory in the governorship election coming up on 21 September, 2024.