News
NNPC director faces contempt charge over alleged court order violations
A Director with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mrs Fatima Yakubu, has been slammed with the contempt of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for allegedly violating the orders of the court.
If found guilty, the director would be risking a jail term of two years as punishment for disobedience to lawful order of court.
The contempt charge was Instituted against her by four staff of the NNPC, who are contributors to the NNPC Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
The four aggrieved staffers had in a suit marked: FCTHC/ABJ/CV/2640/2024, obtained an order from the Abuja high court which restrained 14 leaders of the NNPC Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society from parading themselves as officers of the Cooperative society.
Justice Charles Agbaza who issued the order while ruling on an ex-parte application of the four staffers also stopped the 14 people from taking any step in respect of the leadership of the Cooperative Society or holding themselves out as officers of the cooperative.
However in spite of the order of the court, Mrs Fatima Yakubu who is in charge of Human Resources Department of the NNPC was alleged to have given the portal of NNPC to the 14 people which they used to carry out a purported election for officers of the Cooperative Society.
At the proceedings however, the contempt charge could not proceed as two lawyers engaged in fierce legal battle on who should represent the NNPC Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
The two lawyers comprising a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) , Anthony Malik and Andrew Eche in the open court laid claim and counter claim to being the valid lawyer to the Cooperative Society.
In the drama that ensued, the senior lawyer, Anthony Malik pleaded with Justice Charles Agbaza to give him and the junior lawyer, Andrew Eche time to settle the issue of legal representation out of court.
Counsel to the aggrieved 4 Staff, George Ibrahim SAN from Ogwu James Onoja and Associates cut in and informed the court that the 14 persons sued are in contempt and cannot have any say until they have purged themselves of the contempt.
The senior lawyer pleaded with the court to resolve the issue of legal representation so as not to delay the case of his clients any further.
On his part, Eche drew the attention of Justice Charles Agbaza to an earlier order for one, Olalekan Ogunbayo, the President of the Cooperative Society to be in court to clear the issue of lawful legal representation for the Cooperative Society and that the person was in court.
Sensing the implications, Malik SAN objected to the move on the ground that it can lead to ridicule and embarrassment to his person and insisted that the issue be resolved with the junior lawyer out of court.
In a brief ruling, Justice Charles Agbaza shifted the matter till October 17 for the legal representation issue to be resolved and for the substantive issue to be determined.
The four plaintiffs in the suit are Eze Onwuneme, Chamberlin Ajagba, Alhaji Ibrahim Yakubu and Bello Mohammed Garba.
The defendants are Engr Josiah Gbemi Omole, Udo Iboro, Ituah Aikhena, Osondu Ibeji, Farouk Achimugu, Prince Etuwewe, Nura Bello, Micheal Adejoh, Sambo Abdulaziz. Vincent Orji, Saint Kamvene, Braimoh Sunday Joseph and Galadima Immanuel.
The rest are Engr Iliya Yusuf, Musa Garba Abubakar, NNPC Ltd Staff multipurpose Cooperative Society. Abuja.
The plaintiffs had applied for an order nullifying the purported appointment of the 2nd and 3rd defendants as President and General Secretary of the 16th defendant as well as the 4th and 15th defendant as members of the Management Committee.
They also sought an order of injunction restraining the 1st Defendant, his assigns, privies, servants or body or group of persons acting on his behalf from recognizing or giving effect to the 2nd-15th Defendants as President, General Secretary and members of the
Management Committee of the 16h Defendant.
Besides, they asked the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 2nd- 15th Defendants and their agents or servants from parading themselves as Management Committee of the 16th Defendant.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has interrogated former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, in connection with an alleged N700 billion fraud.
Reports indicate that his questioning followed a petition alleging his involvement in money laundering, fund diversion, and corruption.
Emmanuel’s detention occurred after he complied with the EFCC’s invitation to address allegations put forth by an anti-corruption organisation.
Investigations have revealed alarming findings, including the withdrawal of N31 billion in cash from a single account titled “Office of the Governor,” with further cash withdrawals taking place progressively from 2019 to 2023.
These transactions have raised serious concerns regarding the potential misappropriation of state funds.
The EFCC’s ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the alleged fraudulent activities and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
… Insists he was duly elected in Abuja
… We now have someone we can turn to – Bishop Naga
The Executive members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja have declared that Rev John Joseph Hayab Is their authentic leader.
The Northern CAN expressed their confidence in the newly elected Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, saying that they now have someone they can turn to as a leader.
During a press conference held in Maiduguri on Tuesday, the General Secretary of the association and Chairman of the North-East CAN, Bishop Mohammed Naga, announced that the election, which took place on 25th February 2025 in Abuja, was conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, leading to the appointment of Rev. Hayab and other Executive Committee members.
Bishop Naga, who is also the General Overseer of the Biblical Christian Church (BCC), encouraged Christian faithful, particularly those from the Northern region, to continue praying for peace, unity, and progress in an area beset by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
He further urged all Christians to offer their prayers and support to the Muslim community during the Holy Month of Ramadan, in accordance with the teachings of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the pioneer Patron of CAN in Northern Nigeria.
Bishop Naga stated, “I wish to emphasise our support for our substantive Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab. He was duly elected alongside other executive members, and all churches and Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria remain loyal to him.”
He continued, “Any group that believes it should hold power indefinitely is mistaken. The stakeholders from Northern Nigeria, including the former General Secretary of national CAN and representatives from various states, honour the legitimacy of this election. We are committed to our loyalty.”
Naga added, “I want to assure both our local and international communities, particularly those in Northern Nigeria, that we have a leader to whom we can turn for guidance on Christian matters. We are advocates for peace, and we acknowledge the historical context of Northern Nigeria. CAN itself was founded here, inspired by our esteemed leader, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, the first patron of CAN. This underscores our unity as brothers and sisters, committed to peaceful coexistence.”
He concluded, “We call upon all Nigerians to embrace one another, particularly our Muslim brothers and sisters who are observing the fast, to pray for peace in Nigeria and for the progress of our beloved country, especially in the North.”
Sixteen passengers were burnt to death in a lone accident involving a Mazda bus along Buhari Estate on the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State.
The spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun State, Florence Okpe, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.
She stated that the accident, which occurred around 1pm, involved the Mazda bus marked KJA 949 YJ, traveling from Ibadan via Abeokuta to Ota in Ogun State.
According to her, the accident was caused by a fire outbreak in the vehicle, adding that the vehicle was also having a filled gas cylinder in it, which led to an explosion.
She added that 21 people were involved in the accident and that while 16 died, others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“The Sector Commander, Akinwumi Fasakin, quickly moved to the crash scene with his team for rescue operation but he was not pleased with the occurrence.
“The driver should have objected to carrying a cylinder filled with gas.
“He stated that highly flammable items should be transported with care and by designated vehicles driven by trained drivers only,” Okpe stated.
Okpe added that the sector commander advised motorists and passengers to put safety first while using the roads.
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