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Alleged Okuama killings: Court adjourns N2bn suit against Nigerian Army until Nov. 28
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, adjourned a N2 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Mr Lucky Okodeh, a former Caretaker Chairman, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa until Nov. 28.
Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the case following an oral application by Okodeh’s counsel, Asmau Yunusa, to enable her respond to a counter affidavit filed by Mimi Ayua, lawyer to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okodeh, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/590/2024 dated and filed on May 3 by Mr Femi Falana, SAN, had sued the CDS Musa and Chief of Army Staff (CAS) Taoreed Lagbaja, as 1st and 2nd respondents.
The applicant is accusing the defendants of allegedly publishing his photograph among those wanted in connection to the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama in Delta.
He, therefore, prayed the court to award a N2 billion in damages against the respondents for alleged violation of his rights to personal liberty and dignity.
The applicant also prayed the court to set aside his declaration and award the fine as compensation for damages suffered over the action of the Defence Headquarters Abuja.
Upon resumed hearing on Thursday, Yunusa:, who appeared for the applicant, told the court that the matter was slated for mention.
She said she was in receipt of a counter affidavit by the 1st respondent (CDS) on Wednesday and that she would need little time to respond.
She said the 2nd respondent (Lagbaja) was not represented in court.
Justice Nyako, however, told the lawyer who represented the CDS, Mimi Ayua, and Yunusa that the issue is what the parties can sit down together to resolve amicable.
According to the judge, it is not what we should waste the tax payers’ money for.
Justuce Nyako then adjourned the matter until Nov. 28 for further mention.
She ordered that the 2nd respondent be served with the hearing notice.
In the affidavit in support of the suit, Okodeh averred that the action of the defendants had affected his political career and made him to go into hiding.
It will be recalled that on March 14, 17 officers of the Nigerian Army were murdered by unknown persons in Okuama in Delta, causing the Defence Headquarters Abuja to declare 8 persons wanted.
Though Okodeh’s name was not published among the wanted list, his photograph was posted on a name which was not his, which he also said no member of his family or extended family bears.
Okodeh, who was the chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the April 11 LG elections in the state, was forced to drop his name and substitute it with another candidate following the publication of his photograph in the wanted list.
Other prayers sought in the suit include an order of perpetual injunction restraining the CDS and CAS from arresting him as he is a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria who had never had any criminal record right from childhood.
He equally prayed the court to order the respondents to tender an apology which should be published on both print and electronic media, so that he could have his freedom to live his normal life.(NAN)
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday quizzed the immediate-past Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, for her alleged roles in the misappropriation, violation of procurement process and diversion of public funds of ₦138.4m in the course of disbursing the 2023 budgeted funds for the Ministry.
According to authoritative sources, the ex-minister arrived at the Commission’s headquarters around 11am on Thursday and faced interrogators on her alleged involvement in the fraud.
The sources claimed that investigations by the EFCC showed that funds donated for the funding of P- Bat Cares for Women Initiative were diverted for her self-enrichment.
She reportedly has not been admitted to administrative bail, as the sources added that investigations are still ongoing.
Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye was one of the ministers President Bola Tinubu relieved of their duties in October 2024.
She was appointed as the Minister of Women Affairs by Tinubu on August 21, 2023.
A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of an Independent Authority for the registration, regulation, and funding of political parties in Nigeria has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill seeks to establish a dispute tribunal and regulate the funding of political parties as well as utilisation of the funds.
The bill, which was sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, and another lawmaker, Marcus Onobun, further seeks to ensure transparency and a stable democracy.
At the moment, there are 19 registered political parties in Nigeria. The roles to be performed by the new independent authority are currently the responsibilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The independence and neutrality of INEC have been questioned by many including former President Goodluck Jonathan and former INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega, who decried the influence of political interference on the appointments of electoral commissioners.
“The electoral commission must be fully independent and we must have credible people. Political leaders who are so domineering and over-pressuring you (INEC staffers) to do what is wrong should resign and leave,” Jonathan said at a Yiaga event recently.
Similarly, Jega said, “There is political interference in the appointment or removal of electoral commissioners and other election officials.”
Bishop Isaac Idahosa, the 2023 Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), also lamented that nobody puts INEC in check.
Meanwhile, INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu has been pushing for the creation of an electoral offence tribunal.
“A major obstacle to the speedy dispensation of justice in this regard is that electoral offences are not time-bound as is the case with post-election offences through the tribunals. Furthermore, they are solely prosecuted by the Magistrate and State High Courts in the jurisdiction where the alleged offences are committed.
“No priority attention is given to such cases as the courts deal with a variety of other cases. Consequently, electoral offences are carried over from one General Election to another which may sometimes affect the diligent prosecution of the cases.
“It is therefore imperative to renew our call for the creation of the Electoral Offences Tribunal that has a specific jurisdiction and limited timeframe for the speedy dispensation of cases,” he said.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to remain committed to fostering a strong working relationship between the National Assembly and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement released on Monday, NANS President-elect Comrade Oladoja Olushola emphasized the importance of synergy between the two arms of government in delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians.
“Leadership is often tested by storms, but true leaders rise above turbulence to achieve remarkable progress,” Olushola said.
The student body expressed concerns over the current political climate in the Senate, warning that it could undermine good governance and disrupt effective collaboration between the legislature and other arms of government.
“As Nigerian students, we will not stand idly by while the integrity of our political institutions is eroded,” Olushola stated.
“We call for calm, restraint, and a renewed commitment to peace-building for national progress and the well-being of all Nigerians.”
While reaffirming its confidence in the leadership of the 10th Senate under Akpabio, NANS stressed the need to uphold accountability and maintain the integrity of the legislative process.
Addressing the ongoing controversy in the Senate, the student body urged all lawmakers to adhere strictly to legislative rules and avoid actions that could destabilize governance.
“It is crucial that we maintain a high standard of accountability to uphold public trust and confidence in our government,” Olushola said.
Given the ongoing legal proceedings concerning the matter, NANS advised all parties involved to exercise caution and refrain from making statements that could inflame tensions.
The association further recommended that disciplinary action be taken against any senator found guilty of misconduct after a court verdict, warning that continued unrest could escalate political tensions and deepen national divisions.
“If these tensions persist, they risk further heating up the political landscape, triggering unintended negative consequences for both the Senate and the country,” Olushola said .