A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, has affirmed a seasoned media practitioner, Kie Obomanu, as Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Rivers State.
Obomanu had dragged one Mr. Collins Akpanah and five others before the court, seeking to get backing of the court to complete his tenure in office.
Delivering judgement in a suit, Chief Magistrate Omonigho Nwibani, acknowledged the current executives of the association as duly elected to run the affairs of JONAPWD in the state.
The Court, which also declared that the Obomanu-led executives remains in office until end of June 2023, called on all parties to remain together as one indivisible community in the state.
The Court further admonished the association to remain an egalitarian association where every person with disabilities in their different cluster should be welcomed and their interest protected.
Reacting to the court judgement, JONAPWD Chairman in the state, Kie Obomanu, described the judiciary as the hope of the common man.
Obomanu noted that the judgement has put to rest all the anomalies, controversies, rancour and bitterness surrounding the leadership of the association in the state.
He called on all the contending parties to sheath their sword and support his administration to move the association forward.
The Chairman of Northern Youth Wing Christians Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Musa Misal, has denied issuing any press statement in support of Rev Yakubu Pam, the former Northern CAN chairman, stating that their allegiance is with Rev John Joseph Hayab.
Misal in a statement issued to journalists said some people wrote an earlier statement and asked him to sign, but he refused because he was present when the State Chairmen in the 19 Northern States and FCT elected Rev John Joseph Hayab as their leader.
“I was present, live and direct when the State Chairmen and Secretaries, together with Christian Stakeholders, elected Rev Joseph John Hayab as chairman, an election that has brought joy and relief to many Christians in the region,” he said.
The Northern States YOWICAN and the general public should disregard the fake statement. We are children of God who will give account before God on the day of Judgement.
“I, therefore, wish to disassociate myself from the “Northern CAN Youth Wing Stands Firm for REV Pam ” press statement and also appeal to any of my colleagues that has allowed anyone to use him to stop henceforth.
“My appeal also goes to the former leaders to stop the desperation and join the joy of the moment with Rev Hayab as our New Chairman,” he added.
EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, their arrest follows credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent internet activities.
”Items recovered from them include seven exotic cars, laptop computers and phones.
”They have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.
“As in the previous days, the night was quiet, and the pope is now resting,” a spokesman said.
The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church has been in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for two weeks, where he is being treated for a severe bilateral pneumonia.
In recent days, Francis’ condition had slightly improved, according to official reports. Sources close to him revealed in the evening that he was “out of the most critical phase.”
The pope is receiving medication along with physiotherapy aimed at easing the respiratory infection, he is repeatedly being provided with extra oxygen through a face mask or a nasal tube.
This therapy is evidently effective as since the weekend, Francis has had no breathing difficulties, according to official reports. His blood values have also improved.
However, a discharge is not expected soon: “Given the complexity of the medical condition, further days of clinical stability are required,” an evening bulletin stated.
The pontiff has now been in hospital for longer than ever. Doctors still emphasise how dangerous such a severe pneumonia is at Francis’ age.
He was elected as the head of the Church in March 2013, succeeding the German Benedict XVI. Francis is now the second oldest pope in history.(dpa)
