EDHA Moves To Appeal Court To Stop Philip Shaibu Reinstall As DG

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Edo State House of Assembly has filed a stay of execution application at the Appeal Court of Justice following the Judgement of Federal High Court Sitting in Abuja that ruled and declared the impeachment of Philip Shaibu as Edo State Deputy Governor by the lawmakers as illegal, politically motivated and ordered the Inspector General of Police to immediately mobilize his men to reinstate the impeached deputy governor.

According to Channels Television, the Edo State House of Assembly, EDHA appealed the judgement delivered by Justice J K Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which set aside the impeachment of the state’s former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu and also filed a stay of execution on the judgement pending the appeal.

It would be recalled that the Edo State House of Assembly, had on Monday, April 8, 2024, impeached Shaibu following the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the state chief judge to probe allegations of misconduct against the former deputy governor.

The investigative panel set up was headed by retired Justice S A Omonua and probed Shaibu on allegations of perjury and leaking of government secrets, ending its sittings with the former deputy governor refusing to appear before it.

Shaibu was impeached by the vote of eighteen out of 19 members of the Assembly present at the plenary, while one abstained from the headcount and voting process.

In the wake of Shaibu’s impeachment, Governor Godwin Obaseki picked Omobayo Marvellous Godwins as his deputy to complete his second tenure in office which will end on November 11, 2024.

We had reported that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Inspector General of Police to mobilize his men to reinstate Philip Shaibu to continue his constitutional duties as Edo State Deputy Governor, ruling that his impeachment by the state House of Assembly is illegal and politically motivated.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja passed the judgement on Wednesday.

Justice Omotosho, while delivering judgment in the lawsuit brought before the court, ordered that Shaibu be reinstated to office because the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in carrying out impeachment on  him.

Justice Omotosho also set aside the appointment of the new Deputy Governor who was appointed by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to replace Shaibu.

The court held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and did not constitute gross misconduct.

He ordered the Inspector General of Police to provide him with needed security to enable him to resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure.

Justice James Omotosho held that the removal of the Plaintiff, Shaibu from office as Deputy Governor of Edo State and the subsequent appointment of Omobayo Godwins as his replacement by the Governor of Edo State was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

Reports from news reporters that covered the court proceeding indicated that the Court held there was a breach of the provisions of the procedure laid out in Section 188(1) to (9) in the way and manner the impeachment process was conducted. The court noted that the ouster clause in Section 188(10) limiting the jurisdiction is not a stand alone provision.

The Court referred to the decision of the Nigerian Supreme Court in Inakoju versus Adeleke(2007).

Justice Omotosho held that the impeachment was politically motivated, because of Shaibu’s aspiration to contest the office of Governor of Edo State.

The Court, therefore, ordered the 1st Defendant, the Inspector General of Police to immediately restore the security of the Plaintiff, Shaibu as Deputy Governor of Edo State.

The judgment has thrown supporters of Philip Shaibu into mood of celebrations with some of the supporters seen in Edo North and parts of Benin city dancing on the streets.

Some of the supporters of Shaibu were also seen within the court premises, Abuja celebrating the court verdict.

Earlier in April, 2024, we had reported that the Edo State House of Assembly has impeached the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu over a court affidavit filed before a Federal High Court siting in Abuja.

The Edo State House of Assembly had stated before the panel of investigation set up by the state Chief Judge that the affidavit filed by Philip Shaibu contained information about the Edo State Executive Council meeting which 22 out of the 24 lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly considered such as leaking official secrets.

Philip Shaibu had approached Federal High Court in Abuja in 2023 praying the court to stop the conspiracy or plot by the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and members of the state assembly to impeach him from office over his political ambition to contest as governor in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Philip Shaibu in a video press release after his impeachment, described his impeachment by the lawmakers as illegal. Adding that, the action of the lawmakers is a threat to democratic practice in the state.

The lawmakers carried out the impeachment despite an order of court siting in Abuja asking the assembly to stop action.

It was gathered that the Assembly began sitting at 9:41am and voted for the impeachment of the deputy governor by a vote of 18 against one who voted against, among the 20 members present with the speaker expected to give the deciding vote in case of a tie.

Shaibu, according to retired Justice Stephen Omonua led seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate the allegation of gross misconduct levelled against the deputy governor, submitted that the deputy governor was guilty of disclosure of official secret.

In recent time, there was drama in the state ruling political party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP primary election to pick the flag bearer for the forthcoming governorship election.

The impeached Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu was elected as the PDP governorship candidate during a parallel primary election conducted at a location in Benin City.

Asue Ighodalo, reportedly the preferred choice of Governor Godwin Obaseki was also announced winner of another PDP primary exercise which took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the Edo State Capital.

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had recently declared the election of Asue Ighodalo as PDP candidate as illegal, null and void.

That aside, the panel of investigation, however, exonerated the impeached deputy governor on the allegation of perjury as it was not “made up”, that is proven.

It would be recalled that on April 4, Philip Shaibu objected to the seven-member investigative panel proceeding with his planned impeachment, urging them to adhere to an interlocutory injunction issued by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

On April 5, the deputy governor failed to appear before the seven-man panel that probed allegations of perjury and leaking of the government’s secrets against him.

Following the impeachment of Philip Shaibu, Governor Obaseki swiftly moved to fill the vacancy by appointing Omobayo Marvellous Godwin. A 37-year-old Electrical Electronics Engineer with experience in the oil and gas sector.

The newly appointed Deputy Governor of Edo State, Marvellous Omobayo, was sworn in same day Philip Shaibu was impeached by the State Chief Judge, Daniel Okungbowa.

In his inaugural speech, Omobayo thanked his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, for finding him worthy of the appointment.

He said: “The oath of office l have just taken is my legal acceptance speech. It defines the legal limits that l can or cannot exceed while in office. Beyond this legal ceremony, it is imperative that l publicly express my profound gratitude to our respected Executive Governor, His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

“After all the very painful and thought-provoking distractions of the past few months, our governor is determined to finish his second term very strong. From his dialogue with me, it is clear that he is very determined to bequeath a legacy of peace, unity, progress and visible development to Edo State. A legacy that the next PDP regime will find exciting to proudly build upon and maintain the leadership position Edo has achieved over time in the comity of states in Nigeria.”

Born July 19, 1986, Omobayo hails from Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the State.

Meanwhile, The Edo State House of Assembly, had explained how the state’s  Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, allegedly leaked the government’s secrets and committed perjury, which, it said, were impeachable offences.

The Assembly, represented by its Deputy Clerk,  Joe Ohaifa, stated its case at the inaugurating sitting of the seven-man panel probing Shaibu.

The panel, headed by retired Justice S.A. Omonuwa, was raised by the Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, at the instance of the state Assembly, which on March 5 commenced impeachment proceedings against the deputy government.

The Assembly, according to Punch Newspaper, said the impeachment proceedings were based on a petition accusing Shaibu of perjury and leaking the government’s secrets.

The impeachment is believed to be the latest development in the rift between Shaibu and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.

“There had been an uneasy calm between the deputy governor and his principal since last year when Shaibu declared his interest to join this year’s Edo governorship race.

Presenting the Assembly case, the Deputy Clerk said Shaibu leaked the state’s secrets in the affidavit he filed in support of an Abuja lawsuit.

He said Shaibu rendered documents relating to the State Executive Council’s meeting.

According to Ohaifa, Shaibu violated the Oath of Secrecy he took and acted contrary to the provisions of  Schedule 7 of the 1999 Constitution.

The panel, after hearing the Assembly’s case, adjourned for Shaibu to enter his defence.

Earlier at the proceedings, Shaibu’s lawyer, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), had excused himself from the hearing after the panel declined his application to suspend the proceedings.

Awoyale, in his submission, urged the panel to halt the impeachment proceedings pending the outcome of a suit filed by Shaibu before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Awoyale told the panel that the Abuja court had fixed April 8 for parties in the suit to appear to show cause why it should not grant Shaibu’s prayer for an interlocutory injunction to halt the impeachment proceedings.

But opposing the prayer, the Deputy Clerk said by virtue of Section 188 (10) of the 1999 Constitution, no court had the right to prevent the House of Assembly, or the seven-man panel from performing their constitutional duties.

Ohiafi said Shaibu’s lawyer must convince the panel that the provision of the constitution had been altered for the panel to sustain his argument.

In his ruling, the panel chairman, Justice Omonuwa, agreed with Ohiafi.

The retired judge noted that the invitation for the parties to show cause was not an order to halt the impeachment proceedings.

Justice Omonuwa said the panel would continue with the proceedings and asked the House of Assembly to state its case.

Responding to the ruling, Awoyale told the panel that his client would not be able to continue to participate in the investigation and sought the panel’s permission to be excused.

When asked whether he was waiving his right to defend his client, the SAN answered in the negative, stressing that parties must obey the court decision and that they should appear before it to show cause.

Probed further if he was “arresting the ruling of the panel”, Awoyale answered again in the negative and reiterated the need to obey the court which would be sitting on Monday, April 8, 2024.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday resumed sitting in the lawsuit filed by the impeached Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, challenging the move by the state House of Assembly to impeach him.

The SAN, subsequently, took his leave”.

Justice I E Ekwo had on March 28 adjourned till April 8 for the defendants in the suit to appear before him to show cause why Shaibu’s prayer to halt the impeachment proceedings should not be granted.

Since last year, the impeached Deputy Governor had been in the news from one case of intimidation to harassment allegedly by the state governor.

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, in one of the television interviews granted last year, said that his ambition is personal and he is 100 percent loyal to Obaseki.

He made this known during a live interview with Arise news.

Shaibu said in quote, “Ambition is personal, loyalty is given. I am 100 percent loyal to my governor, and that is why he has, I have been intimidated and harassed.

“As I speak to you, I am relocated from government house. I didn’t go to court to check the legality of that action. That is loyalty.

“My office for the fourth or fifth month, no allocation has been given to my office. And this evening, my aides told me that the governor has also instructed that the fuel they used to give to my vehicle should no longer be given to the vehicle, so why all this? I cannot be intimidated.”

During the political battle last year, local media reported that the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, sacked the former Permanent Secretary of the State Sports Commission, Mrs Sabina Chikere.

“Recall that Obaseki had in August redeployed Chikere from the Sports Commission to Central Administration, Government House, Benin City, amid feud with his deputy, Philip Shaibu.

Mrs Chikere, until her last redeployment, was also the General Coordinator of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin.

She is a sister-in-law to the deputy governor, Shaibu, who is at the moment enmeshed in a battle of wits with his principal, Obaseki, on the 2024 governorship succession plans.

The former Insurance General Coordinator, Chikere, is the elder sister to the Wife of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Mrs Maryann Shaibu.

A government house source who confirmed the development, said it was not unconnected with the rift between Obaseki and his deputy.

The source said Madam Sabina Chikere has been fired by Mr Governor.

The development is coming barely 72 hours after the Edo Deputy Governor,  Shaibu initially withdrew his impeachment lawsuit against his principal, Governor Obaseki.

Shaibu had approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking amongst others, an order restraining Obaseki, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Edo State and others from commencing impeachment process against him.

However, on September 5, 2023, the Edo Deputy Governor, Shaibu withdrew the lawsuit he filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, aimed at thwarting the effort by his principal, Governor Obaseki to unseat him (Shaibu) from office.

In a statement, Shaibu said his decision was based on the need to respect the intervention of several prominent individuals, including religious and traditional leaders, while also appreciating the governor for agreeing to the peace initiatives”.

Punch Newspaper also reported that there was a mild drama last year August  when a security aide to Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, stopped his deputy, Philip Shaibu, from accessing his principal.

According to Punch Newspaper: “this happened at the 32nd anniversary of Edo State, held at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, Edo State.

In the photos obtained, a security operative was seen blocking Shaibu’s access to Obaseki during the event.

But speaking after the event, Shaibu had pledged his loyalty to his principal, despite their rift.

This is coming after weeks of dispute between the governor and his deputy. The deputy had gone to a Federal High Court in Abuja and obtained an injunction to stop the governor and state assembly from plots to impeach him”,.

‘US President Joe Biden Tests Positive To Covid’

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Information from the annual Unidos US conference where the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden was expected to deliver a speech as part of his campaigns to win voters ahead of the forthcoming election indicated that the president has tested positive to covid following his campaigns earlier in the day at Nevada.

A video of the announcement was made available through the live broadcast on Facebook page of President Joe Biden whose handlers have hooked up to the event to cover and broadcast the expected president speech live through facebook from the venue in Las Vegas.

Unidos US President and CEO, Janet Murguía took to the podium on Wednesday, saying, Biden spoke with her on the phone apologizing for not being able to make it.

“Thank you all so much for your patience and understanding regret. I was just on the phone call with President Biden, and he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon.

The President’s been at many events, as we all know, and he just tested positive for covid”, said Janet Murguía.

The 81-year-old was expected to speak to a room full of Hispanic voters in the swing state ahead of the November election in which he will contend with the former president of USA, Donald Trump who earlier in the week narrowly escaped death after a gunman shot at him severally while on stage campaigning at Butler, Pennsylvania.

The former President sustained injuries from one of his ears hit by the bullets.

Officials at the White House had stated that Biden is experiencing mild symptoms. They also added that the president is vaccinated and boosted.

“Earlier today following his first event in Las Vegas, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19. He is vaccinated and boosted and he is experiencing mild symptoms.

He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.

The White House will provide regular updates on the President’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation”.

Murguía told the guests that the president had sent his regrets.

“So of course, we understand that he needs to take the precautions that have been recommended. He did not put anybody at risk.

He said to tell my folks said we’re not going to get rid of them that quickly. We’re going to have a chance to hear from him in the future directly.

He’s just really sorry he couldn’t be with us, and obviously we share that disappointment, but we’ve seen how covid is still happening in our community still, and we understand that protect all of us”, Murguía stated in quote.

Court Orders IGP, Reinstates Philip Shaibu As Edo DG, Says Impeachment Illegal, Political

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Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Inspector General of Police to mobilize his men to reinstate Philip Shaibu to continue his constitutional duties as Edo State Deputy Governor, ruling that his impeachment by the state House of Assembly is illegal and politically motivated.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja passed the judgement on Wednesday.

Justice Omotosho, while delivering judgment in the lawsuit brought before the court, ordered that Shaibu be reinstated to office because the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in carrying out impeachment on  him.

Justice Omotosho also set aside the appointment of the new Deputy Governor who was appointed by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to replace Shaibu.

The court held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and did not constitute gross misconduct.

He ordered the Inspector General of Police to provide him with needed security to enable him to resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure.

Justice James Omotosho held that the removal of the Plaintiff, Shaibu from office as Deputy Governor of Edo State and the subsequent appointment of Omobayo Godwins as his replacement by the Governor of Edo State was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

Reports from news reporters that covered the court proceeding indicated that the Court held there was a breach of the provisions of the procedure laid out in Section 188(1) to (9) in the way and manner the impeachment process was conducted. The court noted that the ouster clause in Section 188(10) limiting the jurisdiction is not a stand alone provision.

The Court referred to the decision of the Nigerian Supreme Court in Inakoju versus Adeleke(2007).

Justice Omotosho held that the impeachment was politically motivated, because of Shaibu’s aspiration to contest the office of Governor of Edo State.

The Court, therefore, ordered the 1st Defendant, the Inspector General of Police to immediately restore the security of the Plaintiff, Shaibu as Deputy Governor of Edo State.

The judgment has thrown supporters of Philip Shaibu into mood of celebrations with some of the supporters seen in Edo North and parts of Benin city dancing on the streets.

Some of the supporters of Shaibu were also seen within the court premises, Abuja celebrating the court verdict.

Earlier in April, 2024, we had reported that the Edo State House of Assembly has impeached the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu over a court affidavit filed before a Federal High Court siting in Abuja.

The Edo State House of Assembly had stated before the panel of investigation set up by the state Chief Judge that the affidavit filed by Philip Shaibu contained information about the Edo State Executive Council meeting which 22 out of the 24 lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly considered such as leaking official secrets.

Philip Shaibu had approached Federal High Court in Abuja in 2023 praying the court to stop the conspiracy or plot by the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and members of the state assembly to impeach him from office over his political ambition to contest as governor in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Philip Shaibu in a video press release after his impeachment, described his impeachment by the lawmakers as illegal. Adding that, the action of the lawmakers is a threat to democratic practice in the state.

The lawmakers carried out the impeachment despite an order of court siting in Abuja asking the assembly to stop action.

It was gathered that the Assembly began sitting at 9:41am and voted for the impeachment of the deputy governor by a vote of 18 against one who voted against, among the 20 members present with the speaker expected to give the deciding vote in case of a tie.

Shaibu, according to retired Justice Stephen Omonua led seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate the allegation of gross misconduct levelled against the deputy governor, submitted that the deputy governor was guilty of disclosure of official secret.

In recent time, there was drama in the state ruling political party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP primary election to pick the flag bearer for the forthcoming governorship election.

The impeached Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu was elected as the PDP governorship candidate during a parallel primary election conducted at a location in Benin City.

Asue Ighodalo, reportedly the preferred choice of Governor Godwin Obaseki was also announced winner of another PDP primary exercise which took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the Edo State Capital.

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had recently declared the election of Asue Ighodalo as PDP candidate as illegal, null and void.

That aside, the panel of investigation, however, exonerated the impeached deputy governor on the allegation of perjury as it was not “made up”, that is proven.

It would be recalled that on April 4, Philip Shaibu objected to the seven-member investigative panel proceeding with his planned impeachment, urging them to adhere to an interlocutory injunction issued by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

On April 5, the deputy governor failed to appear before the seven-man panel that probed allegations of perjury and leaking of the government’s secrets against him.

Following the impeachment of Philip Shaibu, Governor Obaseki swiftly moved to fill the vacancy by appointing Omobayo Marvellous Godwin. A 37-year-old Electrical Electronics Engineer with experience in the oil and gas sector.

The newly appointed Deputy Governor of Edo State, Marvellous Omobayo, was sworn in same day Philip Shaibu was impeached by the State Chief Judge, Daniel Okungbowa.

In his inaugural speech, Omobayo thanked his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, for finding him worthy of the appointment.

He said: “The oath of office l have just taken is my legal acceptance speech. It defines the legal limits that l can or cannot exceed while in office. Beyond this legal ceremony, it is imperative that l publicly express my profound gratitude to our respected Executive Governor, His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

“After all the very painful and thought-provoking distractions of the past few months, our governor is determined to finish his second term very strong. From his dialogue with me, it is clear that he is very determined to bequeath a legacy of peace, unity, progress and visible development to Edo State. A legacy that the next PDP regime will find exciting to proudly build upon and maintain the leadership position Edo has achieved over time in the comity of states in Nigeria.”

Born July 19, 1986, Omobayo hails from Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the State.

Meanwhile, The Edo State House of Assembly, had explained how the state’s  Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, allegedly leaked the government’s secrets and committed perjury, which, it said, were impeachable offences.

The Assembly, represented by its Deputy Clerk,  Joe Ohaifa, stated its case at the inaugurating sitting of the seven-man panel probing Shaibu.

The panel, headed by retired Justice S.A. Omonuwa, was raised by the Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, at the instance of the state Assembly, which on March 5 commenced impeachment proceedings against the deputy government.

The Assembly, according to Punch Newspaper, said the impeachment proceedings were based on a petition accusing Shaibu of perjury and leaking the government’s secrets.

The impeachment is believed to be the latest development in the rift between Shaibu and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.

“There had been an uneasy calm between the deputy governor and his principal since last year when Shaibu declared his interest to join this year’s Edo governorship race.

Presenting the Assembly case, the Deputy Clerk said Shaibu leaked the state’s secrets in the affidavit he filed in support of an Abuja lawsuit.

He said Shaibu rendered documents relating to the State Executive Council’s meeting.

According to Ohaifa, Shaibu violated the Oath of Secrecy he took and acted contrary to the provisions of  Schedule 7 of the 1999 Constitution.

The panel, after hearing the Assembly’s case, adjourned for Shaibu to enter his defence.

Earlier at the proceedings, Shaibu’s lawyer, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), had excused himself from the hearing after the panel declined his application to suspend the proceedings.

Awoyale, in his submission, urged the panel to halt the impeachment proceedings pending the outcome of a suit filed by Shaibu before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Awoyale told the panel that the Abuja court had fixed April 8 for parties in the suit to appear to show cause why it should not grant Shaibu’s prayer for an interlocutory injunction to halt the impeachment proceedings.

But opposing the prayer, the Deputy Clerk said by virtue of Section 188 (10) of the 1999 Constitution, no court had the right to prevent the House of Assembly, or the seven-man panel from performing their constitutional duties.

Ohiafi said Shaibu’s lawyer must convince the panel that the provision of the constitution had been altered for the panel to sustain his argument.

In his ruling, the panel chairman, Justice Omonuwa, agreed with Ohiafi.

The retired judge noted that the invitation for the parties to show cause was not an order to halt the impeachment proceedings.

Justice Omonuwa said the panel would continue with the proceedings and asked the House of Assembly to state its case.

Responding to the ruling, Awoyale told the panel that his client would not be able to continue to participate in the investigation and sought the panel’s permission to be excused.

When asked whether he was waiving his right to defend his client, the SAN answered in the negative, stressing that parties must obey the court decision and that they should appear before it to show cause.

Probed further if he was “arresting the ruling of the panel”, Awoyale answered again in the negative and reiterated the need to obey the court which would be sitting on Monday, April 8, 2024.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday resumed sitting in the lawsuit filed by the impeached Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, challenging the move by the state House of Assembly to impeach him.

The SAN, subsequently, took his leave”.

Justice I E Ekwo had on March 28 adjourned till April 8 for the defendants in the suit to appear before him to show cause why Shaibu’s prayer to halt the impeachment proceedings should not be granted.

Since last year, the impeached Deputy Governor had been in the news from one case of intimidation to harassment allegedly by the state governor.

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, in one of the television interviews granted last year, said that his ambition is personal and he is 100 percent loyal to Obaseki.

He made this known during a live interview with Arise news.

Shaibu said in quote, “Ambition is personal, loyalty is given. I am 100 percent loyal to my governor, and that is why he has, I have been intimidated and harassed.

“As I speak to you, I am relocated from government house. I didn’t go to court to check the legality of that action. That is loyalty.

“My office for the fourth or fifth month, no allocation has been given to my office. And this evening, my aides told me that the governor has also instructed that the fuel they used to give to my vehicle should no longer be given to the vehicle, so why all this? I cannot be intimidated.”

During the political battle last year, local media reported that the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, sacked the former Permanent Secretary of the State Sports Commission, Mrs Sabina Chikere.

“Recall that Obaseki had in August redeployed Chikere from the Sports Commission to Central Administration, Government House, Benin City, amid feud with his deputy, Philip Shaibu.

Mrs Chikere, until her last redeployment, was also the General Coordinator of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin.

She is a sister-in-law to the deputy governor, Shaibu, who is at the moment enmeshed in a battle of wits with his principal, Obaseki, on the 2024 governorship succession plans.

The former Insurance General Coordinator, Chikere, is the elder sister to the Wife of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Mrs Maryann Shaibu.

A government house source who confirmed the development, said it was not unconnected with the rift between Obaseki and his deputy.

The source said Madam Sabina Chikere has been fired by Mr Governor.

The development is coming barely 72 hours after the Edo Deputy Governor,  Shaibu initially withdrew his impeachment lawsuit against his principal, Governor Obaseki.

Shaibu had approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking amongst others, an order restraining Obaseki, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Edo State and others from commencing impeachment process against him.

However, on September 5, 2023, the Edo Deputy Governor, Shaibu withdrew the lawsuit he filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, aimed at thwarting the effort by his principal, Governor Obaseki to unseat him (Shaibu) from office.

In a statement, Shaibu said his decision was based on the need to respect the intervention of several prominent individuals, including religious and traditional leaders, while also appreciating the governor for agreeing to the peace initiatives”.

Punch Newspaper also reported that there was a mild drama last year August  when a security aide to Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, stopped his deputy, Philip Shaibu, from accessing his principal.

According to Punch Newspaper: “this happened at the 32nd anniversary of Edo State, held at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, Edo State.

In the photos obtained, a security operative was seen blocking Shaibu’s access to Obaseki during the event.

But speaking after the event, Shaibu had pledged his loyalty to his principal, despite their rift.

This is coming after weeks of dispute between the governor and his deputy. The deputy had gone to a Federal High Court in Abuja and obtained an injunction to stop the governor and state assembly from plots to impeach him”,.

Confirmation 2

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Confirmation

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I Didn’t Break Into A Radio Station, I Sneaked In – Wole Soyinka Speaks At 90

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Professor Wole Soyinka on the occasion of his 90th birthday celebration has explained why he broke into a Radio Station during the military era in Nigeria which seemingly fueled the political public unrest in the then Western Region and aftermath of it, directly or indirectly led to the Nigeria-Biafra Civil war that ended with millions of people including children and women killed.

Wole Soyinka who is known to be the founder of Pyrates Confraternity, a group also known to be the first Secret Cults in Nigeria was charged with armed robbery for breaking into the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation studio in Ibadan during the heady days of the Western Region’s political crisis in 1965.

Wole Soyinka who was said to be fully armed, was alleged to have asked the man in the studio to use his own (Soyinka’s) recording, asking the premier  to get out.

Wole Soyinka received the Nobel Prize for Literature from King Gustaf of Sweden on December 1986 as the first Africa Noble Laureate in Literature.

As part of activities to mark his 90th birthday celebration, at the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, Professor  Wole Soyinka was awarded the Gold Medal “for his contribution to the development of world literature”. The award wast presented to him by Margarita Al, President of the World Organization of Writers (WOW).

Professor Wole Soyinka in a statement on Monday,  said he did not envisage that he would live up to 90 years.

Soyinka stated this at the 2024 edition of his International Cultural Exchange Programme, held at his ARI residence,Ijegba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Noble Laureate said he decided to be a writer to correct some anomalies from stories he listened to while growing up.

Giving the reason he broke into a radio station during the military era, Soyinka said: “I never broke into a radio station, but sneaked in. The radio station was holding on to something that belonged to the people, and I decided to retrieve it. If that item had been played, it would have demoralized the people and established the culture of brutality.”

Wole Soyinka condemned Nigerians for always criticizing the State, but refused to examine themselves.

According to him, crimes like kidnapping and robbery, among others, are not because of poverty or inequality, but selfishness and the desire to live a luxury life.

The 2024 Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme drew students from different parts of the country who participated in an essay competition on national and international topics.

The Ogun State Government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, awarded scholarships to nine students who excelled in an essay competition marking Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday.

The competition was part of the 2024 Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Programme, which aims to promote education, cultural exchange, and leadership.

Celebrating Wole Soyinka at 90, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a statement he personally signed said in quote thus: “I am pleased to join admirers around the world in celebrating the 90th birthday of Nigeria’s iconic son and the world-renowned Professor Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde, famously known as Wole Soyinka.

Tomorrow, July 13th, will be the climax of the series of local and international activities held in his honour.

To underscore the literary giant’s global relevance, a symposium and poetry reading were held in Rabat, Morocco, on 9 July. The event was organised by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA).

Professor Soyinka, the first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize in 1986, deserves all the accolades as he marks the milestone of 90 years on earth. Having beaten prostate cancer, this milestone is a fitting testament to his ruggedness as a person and the significance of his work.
It is also fitting we celebrate this national treasure while he is still with us.

I am, accordingly, delighted to have the honour to announce the decision of the Federal Government to rename the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, as The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.

We do not only celebrate Soyinka’s remarkable literary achievements but also his unwavering dedication to the values of human dignity and justice.

Our paths crossed during our just struggle for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

When faced with a trial in absentia and death sentence by the military regime at home, he galvanised opposition in exile through NALICON and NADECO. His global stature made him the face of our struggle to validate June 12 and restore democracy in Nigeria.

Today, I join the world to celebrate his profound influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists who have been inspired by his work. I celebrate him for giving us the spark to fight and confront military dictators in our country.

I celebrate him for his enduring spirit and for teaching us that literature and drama can be used as a powerful tool to challenge the status quo.

I wish Professor Soyinka an incredibly happy 90th birthday. May he continue in good health to find creative fulfilment in the next decade leading up to his centennial.

May he continue to inspire us all to build a nation where people are free from oppression and our teeming youths can live up to their dreams without being a wasted generation”, President Bola Tinubu words end in quote.

No Evidence Emefiele Is ‘Sick’ – Court Refuses Ex-CBN Gov Abroad Medical Trip

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Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has refused to grant medical leave application filed by former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele on the ground that there is no evidence that the former apex bank Governor is plagued with any ailment.

The Court on Tuesday thereafter refused to release his international passport to travel to the United Kingdom for medical trip.

Details of the court proceeding as made available by the Public Relations Unit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in its news release few minutes ago are presented verbatim below:

“Justice Hamza Mu’azu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 dismissed the application of a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele for a leave of the court to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for medical examination, stating that there was no evidence to show that the defendant is plagued by any ailment.

Emefiele had through his lawyer, Labi-Lawal on Monday, July 8, 2024 filed an affidavit seeking the release of his passport to enable him embark on a UK medical trip, which was opposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC through its prosecution counsel, Muhammad Abbas Omeiza.

Omeiza, through a counter-affidavit, told the court that there was no medical report before it that showed that the defendant was plagued by an ailment, and if there was, no evidence was advanced by the defence to show that it could not be treated locally in Nigeria.

The prosecution counsel in addition noted that Emefiele deposited his passport with the court as part of the fulfilment of his bail conditions, arguing that releasing it to him would amount to the court varying his bail conditions.

Arguing also that Emefiele was a flight risk, the prosecution counsel noted that “the defendant has co-conspirators all over the world.

One Anita and Tony are all aides of the defendant who are currently in the UK. The defendant might be tempted to jump bail because he is standing trial in three different courts.”

In response, the defence counsel dismissed the prosecution’s arguments as speculative, noting that the EFCC can issue an international red alert on Emefiele to enable his arrest if he made the foreign medical trip and refused to come back.

In dismissing the application on Tuesday,, Justice Mu’azu held that there was no medical report indicating that
Emefiele was plagued by any ailment and that the fact that he is standing trial in three different courts was fatal to the application.

“It is an exercise of the court’s discretion to allow the defendant to go on a medical trip. The defendant through his counsel undertook an affidavit to produce him in court, and his offences are bailable and where there is need for the court to grant him the application to travel, the court should do so, but as it is, I failed to see any letter of medication in the defendant’s applications.

“As it stands, I cannot exercise my discretion to allow the defendant to travel out of the shores of the country, moreover he is also standing trial in three other courts, therefore the application has failed, and hereby dismissed,” the judge held.

The EFCC is prosecuting Emefiele on 20-count amended charges bordering on conferment of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretences to the tune of $6,230,000.00 (Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United States Dollars)”.

Kenya Replaces All Police Officers In Mukuru After Dozens Of Killed, Dismembered Female Bodies Found

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Kenya Police authority has redeployed all police personnel in Mukuru area within the country capital, Nairobi, following the discovery of dozens of bodies mostly female wrapped in a rubbish bags and dumped into a sea of Mukuru slum which is very close to one of the country’s police stations.

Police chiefs said they were pursuing possible links to cults, serial killers or rogue medical practitioners in their investigation but the discovery has since endangered tension and caused anger among the citizens in the country.

Kenya last month experienced wide spread unrest following bloody protest over tax hike in which scores of the demonstrators were killed by security operatives after some of the protesters broke into the Kenya Parliamentary building.

Videos posted online showed onlookers gathered at the dumpsite where numbers of bodies were found in the landfill in Mukuru slum in Nairobi on July 12, 2024.

Details of the happening is presented verbatim as reported by AFP international news agency.

“Kenya’s under-fire police on Sunday pledged a “transparent” investigation into the shocking discovery of eight mutilated female bodies dumped in a Nairobi garbage site.

But tensions were running high at the crime scene in the Mukuru slum area in the south of the Kenyan capital, as police briefly fired tear gas to disperse a crowd of angry residents, an AFP journalist said.

Police chiefs said they were pursuing possible links to cults, serial killers or rogue medical practitioners in their investigation into the macabre saga, which has horrified and angered the nation.

The mutilated and dismembered bodies, trussed up in plastic bags, were hauled out of a sea of floating rubbish in an abandoned quarry in Mukuru.

The discoveries have thrown another spotlight on Kenyan police and added more pressure on President William Ruto, who is struggling to contain a crisis over widespread anti-government protests that saw dozens of demonstrators killed.

Acting national police chief, Douglas Kanja said six corpses were found in Mukuru on Friday and more body parts were retrieved on Saturday, with preliminary investigations revealing that all were female.

“They were severely dismembered in different states of decomposition and left in sacks,” Kanja told a press conference, describing it as a “heinous act”.

He said police were committed to conducting “transparent, thorough and swift investigations” adding that they aimed to wrap up their inquiries in 21 days.

Kanja, who was appointed only on Friday amid the fallout over last month’s protest bloodshed, also said that all officers at the police station located near the quarry had been transferred.

Kenya’s police watchdog, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), on Friday had said it was investigating whether there was any police involvement in the dumped bodies, noting that the dumpsite was just 100 metres (yards) from the police post.

The IPOA also said it was looking into claims of abductions of demonstrators who went missing after last month’s protests.

But it did not make any link to those missing and the dumped bodies.

Trouble briefly erupted when locals tried to take a bag they had hauled out of quarry to the police station, but were met with volleys of tear gas, the journalist said.

MohamedAmin, the head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, said the ages of the victims ranged from 18 to 30 and that all had been killed and butchered in the same manner.

“Are we dealing with a cult that is associated with criminal activities, are we dealing with serial killers?” he said at the press briefing alongside Kanja.

“We even could be dealing with rogue medical practitioners.”

Kenya was left reeling last year by the discovery of mass graves in a forest near the Indian Ocean coast containing the bodies of more than 400 members of a doomsday sect, one of the world’s worst cult-related massacres.

On Monday, self-proclaimed pastor #Paul Nthenge Mackenzie went on trial on terrorism charges, along with 94 co-defendants, over the deaths, accused of inciting his followers to starve themselves to death in order to meet Jesus.

He and the other accused also face charges of murder, manslaughter and child cruelty in separate cases over what has been dubbed the “Shakahola forest massacre”.

The country’s law enforcement services are already under scrutiny over the protest deaths, with rights groups accusing police of using excessive force.

Kanja took up his post only this week after national police chief, Japhet Koome resigned in the face of public fury over the alleged police brutality.

A total of 39 people were killed and more than 630 injured during the unrest, Kenya’s national rights commission said earlier this month.

Kenyan police are often accused by rights groups of using excessive force and carrying out unlawful killings or running hit squads, but few have faced justice”, AFP report ends in quote.

NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Opioids Hidden In Shoes’ Soles Onboard To EU, UK, US, Cyprus

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Men of the Nigeria National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA have intercepted some kilograms of cocaine and opioids concealed in soles of shoes and clothes at International Airport in Lagos State while being shipped to Europe, Cyprus, United States of America, USA and  United Kingdom, UK.

According to news statement made available by the NDLEA Spokesperson Femi Babafemi on Sunday, the anti drugs operatives also burst tramadol pills hidden inside custard containers, laughing gas warehouse in VGC area in Lekki and recovered 11,096 kilograms of illicit drugs in Edo, Borno, Ogun and Katsina states during raids.

NDLEA statement reads verbatim below thus: “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids such as tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, ketamine injection, among others concealed in soles of shoes, clothes and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus.

While no less than 250 grams of cocaine going to Cyprus was hidden in soles of custom-made shoes, over five kilograms of opioids heading to the US and UK were discovered by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, DOGI, in clothes and other household items meant to be shipped through some courier firms in Lagos.

In the same vein, a consignment of 440 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis coming from Canada to Lagos was equally intercepted by operatives in one of the logistic companies.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Edo state on Wednesday 10th July 2024 intercepted a vehicle marked Abuja GWA 273 DD at Ewu junction, Esan Central Local Government Area following credible intelligence.

The luggage of one of the occupants, Aminu Abdullahi, 32, was searched and found to contain custard containers, where 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg were buried in the custard powder.

In his statement, the suspect claimed the drugs were bought in Onitsha, Anambra state and he was taking them to Mararaba area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to sell.

In another operation, operatives on Thursday 11th July raided the Ohen forest, Abudu area of Edo and destroyed 5,429.751kg of cannabis on 2.918 hectares of farmlands where four suspects: Godday Ariye, 37; Friday Okafor, 59; Obinna Nwosu, 48; and Yusuf Adamu, 27, were arrested.

Similarly, 300 kilograms of the same substance were recovered from Uzzeba Obi camp in Owan West Local Government Area when NDLEA officers raided the location on Saturday 13th July.

In Ogun state, operatives on Tuesday 9th July, recovered a total of 2,865 kilograms of cannabis at Afami Ibese while the suspected owner, Umar Ibese is currently at large.

At least, 2,455 kilograms of materials for the production of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance (NPS), were recovered from a warehouse in #Konduga town, Konduga Local Government Area, Borno state on Tuesday 9th July when NDLEA operatives in a joint operation with men of the Nigerian Army raided the area.

The following day, Wednesday 10th July, operatives in Katsina state arrested a 54-year-old Sabo Sule with 47kg cannabis in Katsina town.

In Lagos, operatives on Monday 8th July raided a warehouse in VGC, Lekki where they recovered 148 cartons of non-medical nitrous oxide popularly called laughing gas; 108 cartons of fast gas cylinder; 134 pieces of balloon and 109 cartons of infusion charger, among others. A female suspect, Suliyat Abdulsalam was arrested in connection with the seizure.

With the same zeal, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students of Saint Louis Grammar School Senior, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo state; students and staff of Infant Jesus Model Secondary School, Oron, Akwa Ibom state; students and teachers of Ede High School, Ede, Osun state; students of Government Day Secondary School, Kalga Gari, Daura, Katsina state; and students of Rehoboth Secondary School, Okpuno Awka, Anambra state, among others.

While commending the officers and men of Edo, Borno, Ogun, Katsina, Lagos, and FCT Commands as well as those of DOGI for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired) noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities while he charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the current tempo”.

Donald Trump Narrowly Escape Death With Gunshots Injuries

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Former United States of America President and Republican Presidential candidate in the forthcoming USA general elections, Donald Trump narrowly escaped death on Saturday when a gunman shots severally into his campaign rally at Butler in Pennsylvania causing the face of the politician to be filled with bloodstains.

Donald Trump was seen being helped off the stage with thin streaks of blood on his face by US Secret Service members after shots were fired while he was onstage at the campaign rally.

The 20-year-old male who took position at the rooftop outside the campaign ground that shot at former US president Donald Trump during a Pennsylvania rally is alleged to be Thomas Matthew Crooks, according to The New York Post.

Videos posted online and residents testimones indicated that the shooter was positioned on a building rooftop just outside the venue where former President Donald Trump was holding his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

We gathered that the shooter positioned 50 metres away on a rooftop, according to passersby who drew the attention of security operatives to the direction of the shooter.

Donald Trump was shot in the right ear during the campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, sparking panic and streaking the Republican presidential candidate’s blood across his face

Earlier, Security Officials say they were doing DNA testing of the person who fired shots at former President Donald Trump, because the suspected shooter did not have ID.

According to ABC News’ Aaron Katersky: “The authorities are saying tonight that they are confident that there are no additional threats.”

While former President Donald Trump was speaking at his Pennsylvania rally, someone can be heard screaming “he’s got a gun.” We then hear someone scream “he’s on the roof, he’s got a gun.” Immediately after, the sound of gunshots begins.

As the gunshots continue, a person continues to warn people “he’s on the roof, don’t go over there”, according to videos posted online by residents who witnessed the moment the gunshooting started with the videos showing the actions in real time.

Both the gunman and a rally attendee were saaid to be dead following the incident, according to the Butler County district attorney.

The Trump campaign said in a statement on Saturday evening that Trump was “fine” and that he is “being checked out at a local medical facility.” Donald Trump Jr. also told ABC News that his father is “in good spirits” as he remains under medical observation.

A suspected gunman and one audience member are dead, the AP reported, citing Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger. Another spectator is in a serious condition.

President Joe Biden denounced the violence during remarks on Saturday night and said in a statement earlier that he’s “grateful” Trump is safe.

Trump and Biden are locked in a close election rematch, with most opinion polls showing the two evenly matched.

Trump is due to officially receive the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention that kicks off in Milwaukee on Monday.

Supreme Court Ruling Will Be Able To Make The Poor Hold Local Leaders Accountable – Tinubu

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Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that poor people can now hold their local leaders accountable following the Supreme Court judgement on Thursday that prohibited state governments from dissolving democratically elected local government area councils and control the councils’ funds and allocations.

President Tinubu in a press statement signed and made available few hours ago by the Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, said the clog in the wheel of progress for Nigeria advancement over the years has been ineffective local government administration, stating, the grassroot governance is nearly absent in Nigeria.

The statement reads in quote: “President Bola Tinubu welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of local governments.

The President states that a fundamental challenge to the nation’s advancement over the years has been ineffective local government administration, as governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent.

The President emphasizes that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us. This country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.

“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people. This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people,” President Tinubu states.

President Tinubu notes that the provision of some essential amenities and public goods, such as the construction and maintenance of certain roads, streets, street lighting, drains, parks, gardens, open spaces, and other residual responsibilities, including community security, has tottered owing to the emasculation of local governments.

The President affirms that the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of local governments as regards financial autonomy, and other salient principles, is of historic significance and further reinforces the effort to enhance Nigeria’s true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.

President Tinubu commends the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.

The President states that his administration remains committed to protecting the principles of the charter governing citizens, institutions of government, arms, and tiers of government in furtherance of building an efficient and performance-driven governance system that works for every Nigerian.

We had reported that the Nigeria Supreme Court of Justice has ruled that state governments have no power or authority to dissolve democratically elected Local Government Area Councils or set up caretaker committee inline with the spirit, purpose and intent of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution.

The Supreme Court on Thursday also ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governments to control the funds or allocations of local government area councils. Stating that Federal Allocations should be paid directly into Local Government Area Councils’ accounts, putting an end to agelong practice of councils’ allocations received through state governments.

The judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim on Thursday, the apex court declared that it is unconstitutional for State Governments to withhold and utilise allocations meant for Local Government Areas without transferring the funds to them, as mandated by Section 162 (3) of the Constitution. 

The Supreme Court ruled that the Federal  Government must pay funds allocated to Local Governments directly to the respective Local Government Areas, which are to be managed by democratically elected officials. 

A seven-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Garba Lawal passed the judgement after hearing the case in which all the 36 state governors were made the defendants by the Federal Government.

Last month, the Supreme Court had reserved its judgement in a lawsuit brought by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) to call for local governments’ autonomy in the country.

The suit filed by Fagbemi seeks full autonomy for the local government areas in the country.

The government asked the apex court to ban state governors from arbitrarily dissolving democratically elected local government councils.

The Nigerian Government also asked the apex court to stop the governors from maintaining joint accounts with local governments, describing it as unlawful and in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.

The Federal Government also wants the Supreme Court to prohibit governors from forming Caretaker Committees to manage local governments in violation of the Constitution’s recognised and protected democratic system.

The Federal Government also sought an injunction prohibiting governors, their agents, and privies from receiving, spending, or tampering with funds released from the Federation Account for the benefit of local governments in states without a democratically elected local government system.

According to the suit, Nigeria as a federation, was created by the 1999 Constitution, as amended, with the President as Head of the Federal executive arm, swearing on oath to defend and give effect to sections of the Constitution.

The apex court had earlier given 36 defendants seven days to file their defence and also given the AGF two days to file his reply upon receipt of the governors’ defence.

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The Supreme Court judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim on Thursday described the agelong practice by governors as a violation of the 1999 Constitution.

The Supreme Court thereafter barred all state governors in Nigeria from dissolving democratically elected Local Government councils in the country.

The suit by the AGF was on 27 grounds.

­A careful analysis of the Supreme Court rulings indicated that the apex court  orders the Federal Government to henceforth withhold allocations to Local Governments governed by unelected officials appointed by the Governor.

The apex court barred the Federal Government from further paying Local Government allocations through the State Governments since the practice has been abused by Governors.

Close watchers said that the 774 local government areas in the country always experience undemocratic practices from state governments over the years.

According to them, efficient governance at the level of the third tier of government has been hampered by the overbearing influence of state governors.

“Funds meant for local governments in the Federation Account are paid monthly to them through their respective state governments. But against expectations, the governors of the states retain the funds in joint accounts in the respective states and only release to the local governments what they wish.

The local governments in each state have no say in the use of the funds in the joint accounts controlled by the respective state governors”, the close watchers said.

The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had instituted the suit at the Supreme Court, seeking an order to better guarantee the independence of the local governments.

In the suit marked: SC/CV/343/2024, the federal government urged the court to issue an order prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.

The plaintiff also prayed the Supreme Court to make an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them from the Federation Account in line with the provisions of the Constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.

Immediate compliance ordered as the Supreme Court  declared any action contrary in above as illegal and a breach of the Constitution of Nigeria

Meanwhile, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP has commended the Supreme Court of Nigeria for its landmark judgment barring state governors from withholding funds meant for local government administrations.

A statement signed by the CNPP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, notes that for far too long, governors have usurped the powers and resources of local governments, stifling grassroots development and perpetuating poverty.

“This judgment marks a new dawn for local government autonomy and a significant blow to the impunity and recklessness of state governors in the last two decades.

The CNPP sees this ruling as a significant step towards decentralizing power, promoting grassroots development, and enhancing the overall quality of life for Nigerians.

We believe that this judgment will go a long way in addressing the issues of poverty, inequality, and social injustice that have plagued our nation for decades.

We urge all stakeholders to respect and implement this judgment, and we demand that governors who violate this ruling be prosecuted after leaving office. It is time to hold our leaders accountable for their actions and ensure that the rule of law is upheld.

The CNPP calls on the Federal Government to ensure the immediate release of funds due to local governments directly to their respective accounts and to monitor their utilization to prevent further abuse.

We also urge civil society organizations and the media to join us in holding governors accountable for their actions.

This judgment is a testament to the power of the judiciary in upholding the constitution and protecting the rights of the people. We commend the Supreme Court for its courage and commitment to justice.

The CNPP calls on governors who are yet to conduct local government elections to end the unconstitutional practice of appointing caretaker committees and immediately allow for the conduct of free, fair, and credible local government polls in their states or forfeit the local government allocations until a democratically elected local government system is in place.

This ruling is a resounding victory for democracy, national development, and the long-suffering people of Nigeria”, CNPP stated.