News

Akeredolu’s Aides Resign, Pick Nomination Forms

Published

7 years ago

September 16, 2018

Eric

Six members of the Ondo State Executive Council have complied with the directive of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu that all political appointees, who have obtained nomination forms to contest the forthcoming primary of the party, should resign.

The affected political officers included the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Omowumi Olatunji; Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Gboyega Adefarati; and Commissioner for Land and Housing, Mr Donald Ojogor.

Others are the Commissioner for Commerce, Mr Timehin Adelegbe; Special Adviser on Rural Development, Mr Victor Olabimtan; and Special Adviser on a Health, Dr Jibayo Adeniyi.

Akeredolu had ordered all political appointees in his government seeking elective positions to resign on or before September 17 (tomorrow).

Meanwhile, the leadership crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State had yet to be resolved as a member of the House of Representatives from the state, Mr Bamidele Baderinwa, has declared his support for the direct primary system of electing the candidates of the party in the forthcoming general elections.

Baderinwa, who represents Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency of Ondo State at the lower chamber of the National Assembly, described as bogus a stakeholders’ meeting held last week by Akeredolu and several chieftains of the party in the state where indirect primary was adopted to choose its candidates.

The federal lawmaker, who spoke with journalists in Akure on Saturday, alleged that the Akeredolu-led administration in Ondo State opposed the ongoing restructuring of the party.

He said, “No one can push us out of the party. We remain bona fide members of the APC. Akeredolu and (Ondo APC chairman, Ade) Adetimehin cannot push us out. Rather, they will leave the party for us. Whether they like it or not, we are going to adopt direct primary in this state.”

He urged the national leadership of the party to wade into the crisis to help its chances of winning the general elections.

However, Adetimehin said Ondo APC had adopted indirect primary and that there was no going back on the issue.

However, a factional group within the APC in the state, under the auspices of the APC Unity Group, has insisted that the state APC will adopt direct primary to choose its candidates for the 2019 general election and not indirect system.

The chairman of the group, Mr. Idowu Otetubi, said, “We are not surprised at the stand of Akeredolu and his hand-picked state executives. We know that they are afraid and have a phobia for contests. All they want is to be hand-picking candidates for the party which shall be counterproductive.”

The Punch

News

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

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.