News
Pay Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer N5.5m, Court Orders Activist
A High Court has ordered a lawyer and activist to pay N5.5 million in damages to the counsel of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and also impose an injunction to prevent further libelous publications.
In a landmark ruling, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued a judgment awarding N5.5 million in damages against Emeka Ugwuonye, a lawyer and Executive Director of Due Process Advocate.
The court ordered Ugwuonye to pay the sum to Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme not only granted the monetary damages but also imposed a perpetual injunction, prohibiting the defendant and his associates from engaging in any further libelous publications against Ejiofor.
This ruling comes as a result of a suit filed by Ejiofor, demanding N5.1 billion for defamatory publications made by Ugwuonye.
The defendant, Ugwuonye, allegedly published and circulated defamatory content about Ejiofor on the internet between February 5 and February 8, 2022. He claimed that Ejiofor was under investigation for fraud and forgery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, Ejiofor sought legal recourse, seeking several reliefs from the court.
Among the reliefs sought by Ejiofor were a declaration that the publications made by Ugwuonye were defamatory, an order for a full retraction and an apology in three national newspapers with wide circulation, and a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from publishing any further libelous content.
Ejiofor also demanded N5 billion in general and exemplary damages and N100 million as the cost of the legal action.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme, in her judgment, not only awarded the requested damages but also ordered Ugwuonye to publish a full retraction and apology in three national newspapers, including PUNCH, Daily Times, and PREMIUM TIMES. Furthermore, the court directed Ugwuonye to provide a written undertaking to refrain from publishing any similar defamatory content in the future.
The court’s orders also included a perpetual injunction restraining Ugwuonye and his associates from publishing any further libelous content about Ejiofor. Additionally, Ugwuonye was directed to pay N5 million as general and exemplary damages, along with N500,000 as the cost of the legal proceedings.
Reacting to the judgment, Ejiofor expressed his determination to see the court’s ruling executed fully. He thanked his colleagues and Barrister Maxwell Opara for their dedicated efforts in securing this victory. Ejiofor also issued a warning to Ugwuonye and others involved, stating that the law would catch up with them, regardless of their status or affiliation.
Ejiofor further revealed his intention to pursue criminal proceedings against these cyberstalkers in accordance with the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act of 2015. He emphasized that those who have the audacity to commit crimes should be prepared to face the inevitable consequences.
Ejiofor concluded by mentioning that his ongoing legal actions against certain individuals on social media will continue, and he will provide updates on their progress in due course. This resolute stance underscores his commitment to seeking justice and holding those responsible for the irreparable damages accountable.
By Abubakar Yunusa
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed its ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N825.
Esan Sunday, head of media relations and branding communications at Dangote Group, announced the reduction in a statement on Wednesday.
The development comes more than three weeks after the refinery reduced petrol price from N950 per litre to N890.
The new price means that the refinery has significantly cut the ex-depot price by N125 from N950 per litre in January.
“This recent price reduction will also ensure that Nigerians pay between N860 and N865 per litre for petrol at the pump in Lagos,” the statement reads.
“This strategic price adjustment is designed to provide essential relief to Nigerians in celebration of the Ramadan season, while also supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery policy by alleviating the financial burden on the Nigerian populace.
“It is important to note that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently lowered the prices of petrol and other refined petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians.
“This marks the second reduction of PMS prices in February 2025, following a previous decrease of N60 earlier in the month.
“Additionally, in December 2024, during the yuletide period, the refinery reduced the price of PMS by N70.50, from N970 to N899.50 per litre, as part of its commitment to easing the cost of living and providing relief to Nigerians during the holiday season.”
The oil firm refinery also said previous reductions have positively impacted the overall cost of living, benefiting various sectors of the economy.
Dangote refinery added that its high-quality products, which have become a favourite in both domestic and international markets, will remain available nationwide, particularly through its key partners — MRS Holdings, AP (Ardova Petroleum), and Heyden — at market-friendly rates.
The organisation assured the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand and a surplus for export, thereby boosting the country’s foreign exchange (FX) earnings.
The refinery also called on marketers to support the initiative, ensuring that Nigerians remain the primary beneficiaries of its effort
Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the ruling party had a debt of N8.9 billion when he assumed office.
Ganduje took over from Abdullahi Adamu, who was the national chairman of the APC until his resignation in July 2023.
Speaking during the APC’s NEC meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the former Kano governor said the expenses were incurred during pre-election legal battles, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.
“The current NWC inherited debts and legal liabilities to the total tune of N8,987,874,663, arising from various legal engagements,” Ganduje said.
However, the APC chairman said Kareem Kana, the national legal adviser, has been working to reduce the debt burden.
“We still passionately appeal to the national executive committee to intervene accordingly,” he said.
Earlier today, the chairman said the party is making efforts to mend internal divisions and bring aggrieved members back into the fold.
Ganduje explained that the APC had initiated high-level discussions among party leaders and stakeholders to address lingering disagreements and strengthen party unity.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge
One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, applied for a date for hearing as well as for the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility pending trial.
The defendant’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application. He asked for a short date for the hearing. Effiong also asked that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.
Aso objected to the request for the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody. He argued that the EFCC custody was already congested with suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional facility since he had taken his plea.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.