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Supreme Court Judgement: Accept It In Good Fate, APC Begs Bayelsans

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The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Thursday February 27, appealed to the people of the state to accept the judgement of the Supreme Court that nullified its victory at the November 16th, 2019 governorship election.

Speaking in Yenagoa, the state capital, Chairman of the party, Jothan Amos, said the party and its sacked Governor-elect, Chief David Lyon, appreciated the confidence reposed in them by the people.

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Amos said despite how painful the judgement was, party members and the people of the state should accept it in good faith, remain calm and maintain the peace.

READ ALSO: Dickson, Diri Praise God In Styles As Supreme Court Rejects APC Application

Nation quoted Amos as saying, “Let me use this opportunity to extend warm greetings from Chief David Lyon and the headship of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Let me also thank all Bayelsans of the voting age who sacrificed in their numbers to turn out to vote on the 16th November 2019.

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“We are indeed specially honored and humble to have over three hundred and forty thousand (340,000) votes, that to us demonstrated the change matrix we all yearn and desire.

“You may recall that on the 13th of February 2020, the supreme Court disqualified the APC -ticket and ordered for immediate swearing-in of Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewrujakpor as Governor and Deputy Governor respectively. The new news led to pockets of violence across the state which Chief David Lyon had condemned earlier.

READ ALSO: FG Commissions Multi-million flood, Erosion Control Project In Bauchi

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“The party not satisfied with the decision made an appeal to the same Apex Court for a review. Yesterday 26th February 2020 the Supreme Court expressed its audacity of finality by upholding her earlier judgement

“Therefore, let me thank all party faithful and Bayelsans for their support, prayers, encouragement and sacrifice in the course of the campaigns through to the election and even to this present moment.

READ ALSO: ICPC Convicts 4, Other Cases Pending In Edo, Delta

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“Let me also encourage all party faithful and Bayelsans in general to accept the decision of the Supreme Court in good faith and ensue peace and love.”

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Indecent Dressing Punishable Offence, Attracts N50,000 Fine In Delta — Police Warns

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The Delta State Police Command has warned that indecent dressing in Delta is now a punishable offence under the state’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, attracting a fine of N50,000 or community service.

The warning on indecent dressing in Delta was issued in a post shared via the Command’s official X handle on Saturday.

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The police noted that many residents may be unaware of certain state laws, adding that it would begin a weekly sensitisation campaign to educate the public.

READ ALSO:Operatives Storm Kidnappers’ Hideout In Delta, Kill Five

There are some laws that you don’t know the state frowns against.

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“So, every weekend, we will be dropping some of these laws so that you will be aware,” the post read.

Addressing indecent dressing in Delta specifically, the Command stated: “As you no like wear cloth wey dey cover your body well, and you prefer dey waka go work, school, or anywhere with clothes wey dey show everywhere for your body, make you hear am – Delta state government nor dey smile for that kain dressing. VAAP law don ready to punish anybody wey no dress well.”

Under Section 29 of the Delta State VAPP Law, anyone who intentionally exposes their private parts, wholly or partially, in public is guilty of indecent exposure.

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READ ALSO:Police Arrest Eight Suspected Kidnappers, Recover N4m Ransom In Delta

Upon conviction, offenders may be ordered to perform community service, pay a fine not exceeding N50,000, or both.

The law, originally passed at the federal level in 2015 and domesticated in Delta State in 2020, seeks to address all forms of violence against persons in both public and private life, and to protect vulnerable groups within the state.

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It states: “(1) A person who intentionally exposes any of his or her private parts wholly or partly in public commits the offence of indecent exposure.

(2) “A person who commits the offence provided for in subsection (1) of this Section is liable on conviction to perform such community service as the court may order or to pay a fine not exceeding N50,000.00 or both.”

 

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Security Votes: SERAP Gives Governors Seven Days To Explain Spending

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to all 36 state governors across Nigeria, demanding immediate disclosure of how security votes have been spent since May 29, 2023.

In letters dated June 28, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged state governors to not only make public the details of their security vote expenditures but also to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly investigate and monitor the funds disbursed under this opaque category of spending.

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The escalating insecurity in several states is taking a devastating toll on socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians, driving up extreme poverty, intensifying hunger, and leading to other grave human rights violations,” SERAP stated.

The organisation referenced the recent massacre in Benue State and broader national insecurity as a compelling justification for their demand.

READ ALSO:SERAP Kicks As Bill To Jail Nigerians Who Don’t Vote Is Proposed

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According to SERAP, despite billions of naira being allocated annually for security votes, many governors are failing to uphold their constitutional duty to ensure the security and welfare of the people.

Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, SERAP emphasised that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” warning that the persistent secrecy surrounding these funds has enabled widespread misuse and undermined public trust.

“In 2021 alone, state governors and local government chairmen reportedly collected over N375 billion in security votes.

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“Yet, insecurity continues to spiral out of control in many states, highlighting a dangerous disconnect between allocated resources and actual results.”

Security votes—typically large, discretionary funds allocated to state executives ostensibly for improving security—are widely criticised for their lack of transparency and accountability. While governments often cite national security as a reason for nondisclosure, SERAP argues there is no legal basis for hiding public spending under this guise.

READ ALSO:SERAP Drags Tinubu To Court Over Fubara, Deputy, Lawmakers’ Suspension

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While authorities may keep certain matters of operational secrecy from the public, there is no constitutional or legal justification for withholding basic information on how public funds are spent,” the letter read.

Referring to a landmark Supreme Court ruling, SERAP reminded governors that the Freedom of Information Act applies to all levels of government, including states.

The judgment sends a powerful message that state governors can no longer escape accountability for how they spend security votes,” the group added.

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SERAP warned that failure to respond within seven days of the receipt or publication of the FoI request would prompt legal action to compel compliance.

The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold it,” SERAP stated. “The people have a right to know how their money is being used, especially in matters as crucial as security.”

READ ALSO:‘It’s Patently Unlawful,’ SERAP Sues Akpabio Over Natasha’s Suspension

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The group further argued that the misuse and secrecy around security votes have hindered meaningful oversight and contributed to a culture of impunity, where governors view these funds as personal entitlements rather than tools to enhance public safety.

Years of secrecy in the spending of security votes have limited the ability of Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable,” the statement continued.

This is a grave violation of public trust and a breach of the Nigerian Constitution, national anti-corruption laws, and international obligations,” SERAP noted.

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Quoting Section 15(5) of the Constitution, SERAP reminded governors that they are mandated to “abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of office.”

It added that proper use of security votes should be directed at improving the security situation or returned to the public treasury.

READ ALSO:SERAP To Court: Stop CBN From ‘Implementing ‘Unlawful, Unjust ATM Fee Hike’

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SERAP’s position came as a result of the recent assessments from international organisations.

According to the World Bank, Nigeria has been listed among 39 countries classified as being in “fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS).”

“The World Bank noted that insecurity is contributing to extreme poverty in Nigeria.

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“Millions are experiencing acute food insecurity, while severe gaps in education and healthcare undermine national development,” SERAP said.

The organisation concluded by urging governors to lead a transparent and honest national dialogue about the security crisis and the real impact of security vote expenditures.

Disclosing these details will not only build public trust but also catalyse more effective, collective responses to the worsening security challenges across the country,” SERAP stated.

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10 Things To Know About Late Kano-born Business Mogul, Aminu Dantata

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Renowned Kano-born business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, has passed on at the age of 94 after a prolonged illness associated with old age.

The news of billionaire businessman’s demise was disclosed via a social media post on Saturday by the Deputy National Treasurer of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Uba Tanko Mijinyawa.

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Here are 10 things to know about the late icon:

1.Alhaji Aminu Dantata was born on May 19, 1931, into the prominent Dantata family of Kano. He was the son of Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, one of West Africa’s most successful merchants and a pioneer in long-distance trade and commerce in Nigeria.

READ ALSO:Court Orders Arrest Of Dana Air MD In N1.3bn Fraud Case

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2.He began his business career as a produce buyer at Alhassan Dantata and Sons Limited. Over time, he built an empire with vast investments in finance, real estate, agriculture, construction, and the petroleum sector.

3.In 1962, Dantata became a member of the Steering Committee of the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank and was later appointed as one of its directors, playing a key role in Nigeria’s early industrial development.

4.He was elected into the Northern House of Assembly in 1966. In 1967, he was appointed as a Commissioner in the Kano State Government, a position he held until 1973. He also contributed to Nigeria’s democratic evolution as a member of the 1979 Constitution Drafting Committee.

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5.Dantata led several trade missions abroad, representing Nigeria’s private sector on the global stage. He was known for promoting international partnerships and strengthening commercial ties between Nigeria and other countries.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Dana Air Staff Protest Mass Sacking, Non-payment Of Salaries

6.He was honoured with several academic accolades, receiving honorary doctorate degrees from top Nigerian universities such as Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, Abia State University, Imo State University, and Usman Danfodio University.

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7.A recipient of two prestigious national honours — Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the National Republic of Niger (CONN) — Dantata was widely recognized for his contributions to national development.

8.He was deeply involved in philanthropy, investing heavily in education, youth empowerment, and skills acquisition. His efforts supported thousands of Nigerians in accessing better opportunities and improving their livelihoods.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Renowned Businessman, Aminu Dantata, Is Dead

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9.He was a patron and life member of various business and industry organizations, including the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Kano Chamber of Commerce, the National Council of Farmers, and the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industries.

10.Alhaji Aminu Dantata married Hajiya Rabi Aminu Dantata, who conducted all his business dealings with women. He later married Maimuna, and between both wives, he had many children. He was also Chancellor of Al-Qalam University and served as a Non-Executive Director of Jaiz Bank Plc, continuing his legacy in both education and Islamic finance.

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