News

Fayemi Formally Declares for Ekiti Governorship Race

Published

8 years ago

April 2, 2018

Eric

A former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has formally declared for the July 14 governorship race in the state.

The current Minister of Mines and Steel Development said he was persuaded to join the race because of noticeable pangs of poverty, frustrations and misery of Ekiti people.

He made his ambition known at a news conference after hosting leaders and scores of members of the All Progressives Congress from all the 16 Local Government Areas and the 177 wards of the state at his Isan-Ekiti country home in the Oye Local Government Area of the state.

He became the 35th aspirant to formally indicate interest in the governorship poll on the platform of the APC.

Fayemi promised to dislodge the Governor Ayodele Fayose-led Peoples Democratic Party based on his track record and “improved welfare” he provided for workers, retirees and pensioners while in office in the state.

He warned Fayose not to attempt to remove or destroy his campaign posters and billboards the way his government was doing to some opposition posters, saying doing so would be resisted by all means possible.

The ex-governor said he would formally submit his letter of intent to the state secretariat of the APC after the Independent National Electoral Commission lifted the ban on campaigns on April 15.

He said, “I am not going to jump the gun because there are rules and guidelines for electioneering. The body responsible for that has stated the obvious — when you can actually start the campaigns. The fact that people are flouting the guidelines is the fault of INEC.

“I have also been very clear that whatever it takes, constitutionally, legally and legitimately to put our party in office in October 2018, we will do as a party.”

Fayemi described other aspirants from the APC as equally good and qualified, but advised against divisive tendencies from their followers.

The ex-governor stressed that whoever that eventually emerged from the coming primary must be embraced by all since the national secretariat of the party had promised an open, free and fair exercise.

He promised to use his second-term to correct all the past mistakes and improve on the good ones, saying he had learnt his lessons since leaving office about four years ago as governor as well as garnered new experience.

News

Appeal Court Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Impounding Vehicles, Fining Motorists

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld the judgment that stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court found no basis to set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which restrained the VIO from harassing motorists.

The appeal filed by the VIO was dismissed for lacking merit. Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi delivered in the lead judgment.

The high court had earlier ruled, in a judgment by Justice Nkeonye Maha, that no law authorizes the VIO to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose penalties for alleged traffic offences.

The case arose from a fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by lawyer Abubakar Marshal.

Marshal informed the court that VIO officials stopped him at Jabi in Abuja on December 12, 2023, and seized his vehicle without lawful reason. He asked the court to determine whether their actions violated his rights.

Justice Maha agreed and ordered the VIO and its agents not to impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists, describing the actions as unlawful. She held that only a court can impose fines or sanctions.

She ruled that the VIO’s conduct breached the applicant’s constitutional right to property under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter. She further held that the VIO has no legal authority to seize vehicles or penalize motorists, as doing so infringes on rights to fair hearing, movement and presumption of innocence.

Although Marshal, represented by Femi Falana, SAN, requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded ₦2.5 million.

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, its Abuja Area Commander at the time (identified as Mr. Leo), team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister were listed as respondents.

They appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

News

Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Dambazau, Enang, Ohakim As Ambassadors

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and a former Chief of Naval Staff, as a non-career ambassador.

Tinubu also nominated Ita Enang, a former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, as non-career ambassadors.

News

Senate Confirms Chris Musa As New Defence Minister

Published

3 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.

According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.

“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.