Just In: Police Take over Imo APC Secretariat

Published

8 years ago

May 14, 2018

Eric

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have taken over the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress located at Imo State University Junction in Owerri.

The development came on the heels of APC’s nationwide ward congresses held on May 5, which were marred by crisis in the state.

The national leadership of the party had announced the postponement of the Imo State Local Government congresses which took place across other parts of the country last weekend.

This is even as unidentified hoodlums last Friday allegedly set the party secretariat on fire amidst a downpour.

The fire, which mostly affected the inner parts of the secretariat, was said to have destroyed vital party documents and equipment.

The APC state chairman, Hillary Eke, had told The PUNCH that he had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, over the fire at the secretariat on May 5.

He had said that members of staff of the secretariat “identified those who launched an attack on the secretariat while the ward congress was going on across the 305 electoral wards in the state.”

When our correspondent visited the secretariat on Monday, armed policemen were seen manning the entrance, with their Hilux van packed by the side.

Nobody was allowed entry into the secretariat, even as the building was locked up.

Also, no secretariat workers or party official was seen around.

When contacted, the Police spokesperson, Andrew Enwerem, said that the Police took over the secretariat following the fire outbreak on Friday.

According to Enwerem, the Command leadership had ordered a “thorough” investigation into the circumstances that led to the inferno at the secretariat.

He said that in order not to compromise the process of investigation, the Police had to “temporarily” take over the secretariat

Enwerem said, “We have temporarily taken over the secretariat following the fire outbreak.

“The Police are investigating and in order not to jeopardise the investigation process, we have to take the secretariat over in the meantime.

“This is to avoid any other attack on the secretariat and to make sure that peace is restored.”

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

Published

3 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

3 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

4 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.