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Palace Jubilates As court Sacks Obong Of Calabar, Orders Fresh Nomination

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria has sacked  the Obong of Calabar, Édidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V after 15 years  of legal tussle over stool.

In view of the development, the Palace has been thrown into jubilation after hearing the judgement of the apex Court .

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Recall that the judgment written by Justice Amina Augie and read by Justice Akomoye Agim upheld the judgment of the Appeal Court, Calabar and ordered for a fresh election which the “sacked” Obong is still qualified to contest and this will the fourth time the Obong had to step down for another selection exercise.

However, in a swift reaction from the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V where there was wild jubilations after hearing the judgement of the Supreme Court which qualifies the incumbent to participate in a fresh nomination process that has been ordered hinted that there was no cause for alarm.

Even though the verdict has technically but temporarily sacked the Obong, the Palace is upbeat and confident of his return.

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Etubom Anthony Ani, M.O.N and others in Suit No. HC/102/2008, filed by his lead counsel,  Mr. Joe Agi, SAN, sued Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu and others in their capacities as members of the Etubom’s’ Traditional Council for jettisoning the screening process of the Western Calabar under the then Chairman, Etubom Abasi-Otu, now the Obong of Calabar that had screened and selected Etubom Ani as their sole candidate .

Contrary to speculations, Etubom Ani had instituted the suit immediately after the Etuboms’ Conclave met and declared Etubom Abasi Otu as the Obong elect, not after he had been crowned the Obong of Calabar.

READ ALSO: Supreme Court Dethrones Obong Of Calabar

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High Court of Cross River state Judgement of Justice Obojor A. Ogar had sacked Abasi Otu as the Obong of Calabar on      January 30, 2012  in favour of Etubom Anthony Ani and jettison the Appeal court judgement that was in favour of the deposed Obong.

However, the Obong and others challenged the High Court Judgement at the Appeal Court, Calabar and was sacked and a fresh election ordered.

Delivering judgment on June 4, 2013, the Lead Judge then, Justice Garba Lawal who is now a Justice of the Supreme Court, ordered that “the 1st Respondent (Etubom Ani) who admittedly was not capped/inducted into the Etuboms’ Council of the Palace of the Obong by the Obong at the time of the selection process of the Obong of Calabar, was not traditionally qualified and eligible to vote and be voted for as the Obong of Calabar under Exhibit 1/20.

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That the 1st Appellant (Abasi Otu) was traditionally qualified and eligible to vote and be voted for as the Obong of Calabar under Exhibit 1/20 at the time of the selection process”, hence the Appeal court set aside the selection process that produced Etubom Ani as candidate.

The court also set aside the March 31 proclamation of Etubom Abasi Otu as Obong Ordered by the Etuboms’ Conclave of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, whose mandate it is under Article 5(a) (ii) (iv) of Exhibit 1/20, to do so and it “to conduct another process of selecting a new Obong of Calabar, in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit 1/20 and in strict compliance with the rules of natural justice”.

The summary of the judgment made available available to some newsmen in Calabar immediately after it was delivered on January 13, 2023, states that fresh election will be held in accordance with the 2002 constitution of the Palace, in line with equity and actual justice.

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PALACE REACTION

Speaking on Friday at the private residence and Palace of the Obong, the Chairman of Etubom traditional council in the Palace, Etubom Bassey Okor Bassey Duke, noted that they are yet to get full brief of the Apex Court verdict but “so far so good and we are confident that Obong of Calabar will remain and peace will continually prevail in the kingdom”.

The legal tussle to dethrone the Obong of Calabar ,  Édidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V have been on for about 15 years beginning from the High Court to the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court.

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READ ALSO: Woman Stabs Husband To Death, Cuts Off Penis

Friday in Abuja, the Supreme Court in it’s final verdict through a   judgment read by Justice Amina Ahgid  upheld some aspects of the judgment of the Appeal Court, Calabar and ordered for a fresh nomination which the Incumbent Obong is still qualified to contest.

However the Etuboms’ in Council, promised to brief the media next week after full study of the Supreme Court verdict.

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Vanguard learned that this was the first time in the history of the throne that an Obong would be dethroned by the Apex court .

VANGUARD

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Community Violations: TikTok Removes Over 3.6m Videos in Nigeria

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TikTok on Tuesday said that it has removed over 3.6 million videos in Nigeria between January and March 2025 for violating its Community Guidelines.

It represented a 50 per cent increase from the previous quarter, according to TikTok’s Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report.

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The report said that TikTok prioritised creating a safe, respectful, and trustworthy digital environment.

The report highlighted TikTok’s proactive approach, with a detection rate of 98.4 per cent for content removed before user reports and 92.1 per cent of videos removed within 24 hours.

READ ALSO:Most Followed Tiktoker Khaby Lame Deported From US Over Visa Violation

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Globally, TikTok removed over 211 million videos in Q1 2025, with more than 184 million removed through automation.

“The platform’s global proactive detection rate reached 99 per cent.

“TikTok has intensified its LIVE Monetisation Guidelines and prioritised LIVE content enforcement.”

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According to the report in Nigeria, 42,196 LIVE rooms were banned, and 48,156 streams were interrupted for violating community guidelines.

READ ALSO:EFCC Arrests TikToker For Spraying, Stepping On Naira Notes In Kaduna

It said that the platform also removed 129 accounts in West Africa tied to covert operations in partnership with Cece Yara, a child-centred non-profit organisation.

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The report said that TikTok is expanding in-app helpline resources to Nigeria.

This initiative provides young users with access to local helplines for expert support on issues like suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment.

READ ALSO:Trump Gives TikTok Extra 75 Days To Find Buyer TikTok

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The report also noted that TikTok Digital Well-being ambassador, Dr. Olawale Ogunlana, collaborated with experts to promote digital well-being.

It said that TikTok encouraged community participation through user reporting and education, advocating for a collaborative approach to creating a respectful online environment.

The Q1 2025 report reflects TikTok’s efforts to safeguard its Nigerian user base, strengthen enforcement systems, and remain transparent about measures taken to uphold platform integrity.”
(NAN)

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Buhari Buried In Daura Amid Prayers, Tributes

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Former President Muhammadu Buhari was laid to rest on Tuesday evening in his Daura residence in Katsina State, following Islamic funeral rites attended by President Bola Tinubu, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Niger Republic Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, family members, top government officials, and dignitaries.

His body was committed to Mother Earth at about 5:50 p.m.

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Buhari had passed away on Sunday, July 13, in London at the age of 82, following a brief illness. His remains were received in Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu.

READ ALSO: Guinea-Bissau President, Niger Republic PM, Others Attend Buhari’s Burial In Daura

The body arrived in Daura at approximately 4:33 p.m. in a military ambulance. It was accompanied by President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, businessman Aliko Dangote, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and other dignitaries.

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Here are things to know about late Buhari.

Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17, 1942, to Adamu and Zulaiha Buhari in Daura, Katsina State. He belonged to the Fulani ethnic group and was a devout Muslim.

He joined the Nigerian Army and rose to the rank of Major General. Buhari became Nigeria’s military Head of State following a coup on December 31, 1983, and led the country until August 27, 1985.

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READ ALSO:VIDEO/PHOTOS: Moment Buhari’s Remains Arrival In Nigeria

In 1994, Buhari was appointed Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) by the Sani Abacha administration, overseeing infrastructure projects funded by oil revenues.

After three failed attempts at the presidency, Buhari won the 2015 presidential election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. He was re-elected in 2019.

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He was married to Aisha Buhari and had several children. Known for his austere lifestyle, Buhari maintained a reserved and disciplined public persona throughout his life.

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Guinea-Bissau President, Niger Republic PM, Others Attend Buhari’s Burial In Daura

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President Bola Tinubu, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, and Niger Republic Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine were among thousands of people who attended the funeral rites of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the remains of Buhari were conveyed to Nigeria by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

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NAN also reports that the remains were brought aboard a Nigerian Air Force flight -FGT 001, which touched ground at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, around 2 p.m., on Tuesday.

The body was received by Tinubu, Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Governors, and other dignitaries.

READ ALSO:North West Govs Declare Tuesday Public Holiday To Honour Buhari

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After a farewell parade in honour of the late former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his remains were conveyed to Daura by road.

Imam Hassan Yusuf led the funeral prayer at 4 p.m. at the Daura Helipad.

Many dignitaries performed the prayer, notable among them were the former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

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Others were members of the National Assembly, including the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk-Umar, and the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir-Usman, as well as the Emirs of Zazzau, Dutse, and Kazaure, among others.

READ ALSO:APC Secretariat Shuts For Three Days To Honour Late Buhari

Captains of industries, such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal, also attended the burial.

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After the funeral prayer, the corpse was taken to his residence, where he was buried.

The funeral rites were attended by thousands of people who were earlier denied access to the venue but later allowed to enter.

Some of the people interviewed praised the virtues of the late former President, who was distinguished for his integrity, honesty, and discipline.

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READ ALSO:FG Declares Public Holiday To Honour Buhari

Salisu Lawal stated that Buhari was a great man who loved being among his people and offering a helping hand to them.

Aliyu Nasiru, another resident, described the death of Buhari as a great loss not only to his immediate family but to the state and the country.

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The death has created a vacuum that is difficult to fill, he will continue to be remembered for his good virtues,” he said.

He prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.

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