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Court strikes out motion against Philip Shaibu’s reinstatement as Edo deputy governor
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, also awarded the cost of N200, 000 each against the state government and the assembly, making a total of N400, 000.
The development followed an application by lawyer to the state’s Attorney-General (AG), Marvin Omorogbe, and that of the house of assembly, Sonia Egbunia,seeking to withdraw the motions for stay of execution.
Although Reuben Egwuaba, who appeared for Shaibu did not opposed their intention to withdraw the two motions, he, however, asked the court for a N50 million cost each against the AG (3rd defendant) and the assembly (6th defendant).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Omotosho had, on July 17, voided the impeachment of Shuaibu as the deputy governor of Edo.
The judge, in a judgment, ordered his reinstatement to office on the grounds that the house of assembly failed to comply with due process in the purported impeachment.
Justice Omotosho had held that the allegation on which the assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and did not constitute a gross misconduct.
The judgment was on the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 with Shuaibu as the plaintiff.
The reinstated deputy governor had sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Deputy Governor of Edo, the AG, Chief Judge of Edo, Speaker of Edo House of Assembly and the Edo State House of Assembly as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.
Dissatisfied with the judgement, the AG, through his lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, and the assembly’s counsel, Ken Mozia, SAN, filed separate motions for stay of execution before Justice Omotosho.
NAN reported that the judge fixed Sept. 24 for hearing of the two motions.
When the matter was called on Tuesday, Egbunia, who represented the assembly, told the court that though the matter was slated for hearing, she said in view of the fact that the record of appeal had been transmitted to the Court of Appeal, she would be withdrawing the motion for stay which they filed on July 19.
Also, Omorogbe, who appeared for the AG, sought to withdraw their motion for stay filed on July 18.
They said similar motion had been filed at the Court of Appeal,” she said.
Responding, Egwuaba did not oppose the application for withdrawal.
“However, we are asking for a cost of N50 million each. Our reason for the substantial cost is that the order of your lordship on July 17 is so clear and it was a declaration order,” he said.
The lawyer, who argued that issues had been joined in the motion, said the assembly and the AG knew that no stay of execution of such order could have been granted by the court.
He said the assembly had been truncating the order of the court and that was what led to their filing of Form 48.
He said they were duly served with the court judgment but their motions were done in a way to interfere with the course of justice and to prevent Shaibu from benefitting from the fruit of his legal victory.
“We urge you to grant our prayer,” he said.
Egbunia and Omorogbe objected to Egwuaba’s application for award of fines against their clients.
Ruling, Justice Omotosho, struck out the two motions seeking for stay.
The judge then ordered that the house of assembly and the AG should pay a N200, 000 fine each in favour of Shaibu.(NAN)
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of N1.29 billion to the Federal Government in favour of Sterling Bank Plc, following allegations of fraudulent withdrawals due to a system glitch.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Justice Deinde Dipeolu granted the final forfeiture order after hearing a motion on notice dated January 8 and filed by EFCC counsel, Hannatu KofarNaisa.
The funds were reportedly part of a larger sum of N2.5 billion unlawfully withdrawn by certain individuals after a system malfunction at the bank.
Acting on a petition from Sterling Bank, the EFCC launched investigations that led to the tracing of the stolen funds to several bank accounts.
The affected accounts include:M Sharif Inter-Trading and Marketing Company Ltd’s UBA account (N900 million),Mustapha Abubakar’s UBA account (N255.8 million),Mustapha Sharif Abubakar’s UBA account (N12.2 million),Jaiz Bank account (N41.1 million),First Bank account (N19 million), and and Sterling Bank Imal account (N30.8 million).
An interim forfeiture order was earlier granted by the court on March 12, with the directive that it be published in a national newspaper to allow any interested parties to contest the forfeiture. The publication appeared in The Punch on March 24.
KofarNaisa told the court that no objections were filed, and urged the court to grant the final forfeiture as the funds were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Dipeolu, in his ruling, said, “Having gone through the motion and attachments, I find the application meritorious and same is accordingly granted,” ordering the final forfeiture of the N1.29 billion to the Federal Government.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has urged the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the bill aimed at establishing state police forces.
During a joint meeting with members of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Kaduna on Saturday, Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, emphasized the need for this legislative action. He also called for a comprehensive review of the nation’s security strategy to effectively address the recent surge in Boko Haram attacks and violent incidents in the north-central region.
Yahaya indicated that the forum reached a consensus regarding tax reform bills, highlighting the collaborative efforts involved. He commended President Bola Tinubu for engaging with stakeholders and reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive governance.
Through platforms such as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the National Economic Council, Yahaya stated that a productive path forward has been identified, emphasizing the importance of a cooperative approach in managing intergovernmental relations for the benefit of the populace.
The Gombe governor expressed significant concern over the state of infrastructure in Northern Nigeria, noting that many previously awarded projects have suffered from neglect. While recognizing President Tinubu’s dedication to completing key infrastructure initiatives, such as the Kaduna-Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway, he pointed out that other vital projects, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line and the Kano-Maiduguri expressway, remain unaddressed.
Yahaya stressed the necessity for innovative financing solutions, such as public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds, to bridge the existing gaps and establish a robust foundation for agricultural production and industrial growth.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the forum declared its intention to create inter-state platforms aimed at enhancing surveillance along shared borders. Additionally, they resolved to collaborate with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to develop strategies for bolstering support for federal security forces.
The forum reiterated its backing for the establishment of state police, urging the National Assembly to take swift action in enacting the necessary legal framework for its implementation.
Currently, the state police bill is under consideration in the National Assembly, proposing to move the term “police” from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
However, some critics caution that such a system could be misused by state governors to suppress dissent. Supporters argue that state police would empower local authorities to effectively address security challenges without relying solely on federal intervention.
Two members of the 135 Special Forces Battalion are currently under investigation for suspected collaboration with ISWAP terrorists, raising significant concerns about national security in Yobe State.
Security operatives intercepted and analyzed the soldiers’ phone conversations, which indicated their involvement in the May 9 abduction of commuters along the Gashua–Azare highway.
A reliable source involved in the investigation reported that the soldiers allegedly disclosed the movements of their patrol team along the Buratai–Kamuya–Azare–Gashua route, facilitating an ambush by ISWAP fighters that temporarily hindered civilian travel until a counter-offensive successfully dispersed the terrorists.
Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama indicated that this betrayal likely allowed the terrorists to orchestrate the ambush. However, the same battalion’s troops quickly intervened, leading to the rescue of four kidnapped civilians and the recovery of weapons and equipment.
Military authorities have initiated a comprehensive internal inquiry into the incident. The two soldiers are presently in custody, and their identities are being withheld pending further investigation.
This development has raised alarms about potential internal sabotage and underscores the urgent need for enhanced intelligence monitoring within military ranks to prevent future breaches and safeguard the integrity of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the North-East.
A senior security official emphasized, “The system will not tolerate any uniformed personnel found collaborating with enemies of the state. The fight against insurgency must be supported by unwavering loyalty and trust.”