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S’Court To Hear Wike, Fubara loyalists’ Appeals February 10

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The Supreme Court has scheduled February 10, 2025, to hear two separate suits filed by the All Progressives Congress, challenging the validity of the local government elections conducted in Rivers State in 2024.

The apex court also scheduled the same date to hear five other cases bordering on the political crisis in Rivers State.

The crisis in the state erupted in October 2023 when a faction loyal to the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, attempted to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

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READ ALSO:Rivers Crisis: Why I Won’t Settle Rift With Fubara – Wike

In response, Fubara stormed the Assembly complex and sealed it off.

Subsequently, the lawmakers declared their defection to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party, while Fubara dismissed their legitimacy and began engaging with a three-member Assembly instead.

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The legitimacy of the three-member assembly, especially in the passage of the 2024 budget, and screening of commissioner-nominees, among others, became a legal issue heard at the Rivers State High Court, Federal High Court, up to the Court of Appeal.

The Supreme Court consolidated four appeals: Rivers State House of Assembly and others vs. Rivers State Government and nine others; Rivers State House of Assembly and others vs Rivers State Governor and nine others; Rivers State House of Assembly and others vs. RSIEC and nine others and Rivers State House of Assembly and others vs Accountant General of Rivers State and nine others, for easy hearing and judgment.

READ ALSO: Certificate of Occupancy Debt In FCT Hits N300bn, Says Wike

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The date was determined by a five-member panel of Justices of the Supreme Court, after addressing all preliminary issues raised by the parties involved in the legal disputes.

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission fixed October 5, 2024, to conduct the local government election in the state.

Not satisfied with the arrangement by the electoral body and for violating the bills passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly, extending the tenure of the LG chairmen in the state, the state APC took the RSIEC to court.

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The faction of the APC loyal to Wike, thereafter, withdrew from the election, while the faction loyal to the former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, participated.

The state chapter of the PDP loyal to Wike also refrained from participating in the exercise.

However, Fubara insisted the election would be held, while most of his loyalists defected to the Action People’s Party in the state to contest the election.

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Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024, filed by the APC, issued an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from releasing the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission for the conduct of the local government election.

Justice Lifu also barred the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Security Services from participating in or providing security for any local government election in Rivers State.

Furthermore, Justice Lifu barred RSIEC and the Rivers State Attorney General from using or accepting the voter register from INEC for the elections.

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The court’s decision was based on Justice Lifu’s finding that RSIEC did not follow the conditions precedent required for conducting such elections.

However, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, overturned the lower court’s decision, ruling that it lacked jurisdiction to issue the orders in favour of the APC.

The election was held and swept by the APP, winning 22 chairmanship seats out of the 23 in the state.

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Dissatisfied with the appellate court’s judgment, the APC filed an appeal at the Supreme Court in two separate cases, marked SC/CV/1106/2024 and SC/CV/1107/2024.

The APC, represented by Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Ogwu Onoja (SAN), urged the apex court to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision and reinstate the judgment of the Federal High Court.

Chris Uche (SAN) led the legal team for the respondents.

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After hearing motions for the two appeals, the panel of Justices, led by Justice Uwani Musa Aba-Aji, directed the parties to file and exchange their respective briefs of argument before the February 10 hearing date.

The five-member panel also consolidated four appeals for easier determination.

This was granted upon the request of the appellant’s counsel, Daudu (SAN), who represented the Rivers State House of Assembly.

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In addition, the court fixed February 10, 2025, for the hearing of SC/CV/1071A/2024, following the withdrawal of a cross-appeal filed on November 18, 2024, by the Rivers State House of Assembly against the National Assembly and 16 others.

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

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“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

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According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

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READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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