News
Court fixes Feb. 19 for hearing of VDM’s defamatory suit
An Ikeja High Court on Thursday fixed till Feb. 19 to hear a preliminary objection filed by Martins Otse also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), challenging a defamation suit against him.
A human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, Folarin, popularly known as Falz, filed the defamatory suit against VDM.
Falana filed the suit following an audio recording of a one sided narrative by a cross dresser, Bobrisky, alleging perversion of justice by Falana and son.
However, VDM, through his counsel, Mr Marvin Omorogbe, filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the suit and the jurisdiction of the court.
When the case was called on Thursday, the defendant’s counsel informed the court that the plaintiffs had filed a counter-affidavit against his preliminary objection.
He said the counter affidavit was made available to him on Wednesday.
Omorogbe, therefore, requested for more time to respond to the counter-affidavit.
The plaintiffs’ counsel, Mr Omotade Omotunbosun, did not object to the application for adjournment.
Following the development, the Judge, Justice Matthias Dawodu adjourned the case until Feb. 19 for hearing.
In the preliminary application, VDM, through his counsel, argued that by the provisions of Order 4 Rule 1(4) of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, the court did not have the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
According to Omorogbe, VDM is domiciled and carries on his business in Abuja, outside the jurisdiction of the court.
He also submitted that the alleged defamatory publication was made in Abuja.
He, therefore, urged the court to strike out the suit.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the last proceeding, on Nov. 14, 2024, the court adjourned until Jan. 23, to hear the alleged defamation suit against VDM.
On that date, counsel to Falana and Falz, Mr Muiz Banire (SAN), informed the court that the claimants had filed the originating process and served to the parties.
Banire also mentioned that a motion on notice was served on Oct. 25, 2024, but the court said the originating process was not before it.
The claimant’s counsel, however, prayed the court to adjourn the case to enable him file an administrative process.
Omorogbe, in his response, urged the court to strike out the suit, arguing that there was no valid writ of summon before it.
He argued that the writ already filed was invalid as it was not before the court.
NAN also reports that the court had on Oct. 14, 2024, ordered VDM to bring down the alleged defamatory video on his social platform which he made on Sept. 24, 2024 against the plaintiffs.
The court made the order following an ex parte originating application filed by Falana and his son against the actions of VDM. (NAN)
The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has alleged that Nigerian security officials are planning to arrest her upon her return to Nigeria.
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who’s still in the US, claimed the move is linked to her participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York on 11 March, where she raised concerns about her suspension from the Senate and sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
She disclosed this to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview on Sunday.
She said, “I’m aware there are plans underway to have me arrested as soon as I arrive Abuja.”
IPOB Lawyer Demands Probe By Security Operatives
Onitsha-based trader had been hospitalised following the
reported looting of her medicine store by officials of the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The looting as contained in a viral footage, has attracted wild condemnation.
Consequently, a lawyer and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has demanded an investigation by security into the act perpetrated by NAFDAC officials.
As at the time of this report, NAFDAC is said to be preparing its response to the allegation.
While describing the heart-wrenching testimony of the devastated trader as both troubling and unacceptable, he said the woman is currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital after suffering severe shock from the traumatic incident.
Ejiofor, also a lawyer to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in a statement said it is not just an economic assault but a direct attack on her dignity and well-being.
He said, “I am deeply saddened by the viral video showing a female trader alleging that her shop was looted by officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). This alarming footage exposes a grave injustice that demands urgent action.
“Recently, I strongly condemned the indiscriminate closure of shops under the guise of combating counterfeit drugs. While the fight against fake pharmaceuticals is crucial, it must be carried out through lawful and ethical means that do not jeopardize the livelihoods of innocent traders. Unfortunately, our worst fears have now materialized.
“In my previous public statement, I urged security agencies and NAFDAC to investigate their personnel implicated in these allegations. However, despite the gravity of the situation, no action has been taken.
“This latest evidence – captured on video – clearly exposes officials entrusted with regulatory enforcement, allegedly engaging in outright looting, betraying public trust.
“The heart-wrenching testimony of this devastated trader is both troubling and unacceptable. Disturbingly, information available to us confirms that this innocent woman is currently receiving medical care at an undisclosed hospital after suffering severe shock from this traumatic incident. This is not just an economic assault but a direct attack on her dignity and well-being.
‘I, therefore, call upon the relevant security agencies to conduct a swift, transparent, and comprehensive investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for this reprehensible act.
“NAFDAC must urgently assess and provide commensurate reparations for this devastating loss, ensuring that justice is not only served but also felt by the victims. Justice delayed is justice denied. Immediate disciplinary and legal measures must be enforced to restore public confidence in our institutions.
“Such misconduct has no place in a society striving for justice, peace, and economic stability. The livelihoods of hardworking citizens must be protected, and those who abuse their positions of trust must face the full weight of the law. If we fail to act decisively, we risk enabling a culture of impunity that will only deepen public distrust in our institutions.”
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
The quest to upgrade , promote and advance Secondary Education by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike through technological advancement is undaunted, not minding some drawbacks brought about by the operators before his assumption of duty.
Under his special arrangements and Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that is attracting massive infrastructure development, provision of equipment and manpower to the FCT secondary schools by discouraging the manual , local and outdated infrastructures, hence embarked by Wike led administration through massive construction, renovation and reconstruction of schools across the FCT with modest high tech equipment, including the provision of mobile clinics and portable water for students consumption, the desire to place them in line with the global standards with the attainment and provision of ICT equipment in line with the modest policies became germane.
Without mincing words , he announced the massive reorganisation, reactivation and rehabilitation of all facets of Secondary Education in the nation’s city , to bridge both the dearth of learning , equipment among many others lacking in the FCT, including the inculcation of Information and Communication Technology ICT facilities.
Aside the provision of secondary schools education to FCT residents , 36 states indigenes residents in the FCT including the adjoining states of Kogi , Niger, Nasssarawa, Kaduna and Plateau state took advantage of the proximity to move their wards into benefiting from the secondary education curricula in the FCT.
Since Secondary Schools Education is now inculcated into Basic Education in line with the new policy thrust of the federal government, the need to rejig it cannot be overstressed, therefore desiring Urgent and adequate attention through manpower reorientation, equipment rejigging ,provision and monitoring.
The Nyesom Wike led FCT administration as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed confronted by tackling the issue of Information and Communication Technology ICT, that will bring in tandem programs of the secondary schools , exposed the pupils and teachers , streamline it to compete favourably with both local and international programs.
Having tackled the gradual reconstruction, rehabilitation and replacement of major equipment including manpower and technical know how , he embarked on the provision of ICT equipment and facilities in all secondary schools in FCT with initial supplies of 850 computer tablets and 45 laptops distributed across 20 public senior secondary schools across six area councils of Bwari , Gwagwalada , Kuje, Abuja Municipal Council AMAC, Kwali and Abaji area councils with each school taken initial possession from the maiden distribution of Information and Communication Technology ICT facilities of 42 computer tablets for students and two laptops for ICT teachers and instructors.
According to the FCT Minister, the new policy thrust on provision of ICT facilities debuted in the 20 public schools will gradually trickle down to all the public schools across the FCT before the end of the first term of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu first term to boost not only information and communication technology ICT, not only in secondary schools, but across educational institutions in the FCT.
According to him, these resources will boost digital literacy, improve teaching methodologies, and ensure that students are equipped for the technology-driven world, it will also contribute positively to academic performance in FCT schools as training for optimal use will commence immediately .
Accordingly , these resources provided by the Minister , Nyesom Ezenwo Wike will boost digital literacy, improve teaching methodologies, and ensure that students are equipped for the technology-driven world.
The facilities if used effectively and efficiently will contribute positively to academic performance in FCT schools as training for optimal use will commence immediately, in line with the vision and mission of the Wike led FCT administration.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.