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NASS: Court told to withdraw Gbajabiamila’s speakership, order arrest of lawmaker

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The Speakership position of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has come under intense threat as members of Global Integrity Crusade Network, GICN under the auspices of Coalition of Civil Society Organization for Justice and Equity, CCSO-JE, have asked the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to order the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Gbajabiamila as member representing Surulere I Federal Constituency of Lagos State.

Incorporated Trustees of the Network, in a public interest suit, sought for Gbajabiamila’s seat in the House of Representative to be declared vacant on account of him purportedly not being qualified to contest in the 2019 election, having allegedly lied under oath for purposes of contesting the 2011 election that he was not in the last ten years before then convicted and sentenced for an offence involving dishonesty.

This group stated that Gbajabiamila’s claim flies in the face of the judgment of the Supreme Court of the State of Georgia, USA led by Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears showing that he was truly convicted on 26th February, 2007 for fraud involving the sum of $25,000 which the Speaker was said to have collected as personal injury claims from an insurance company due to one Ms. Hadyatou Barry but failed to disburse to her in the year 2003 in USA, where he was practising as an attorney.

In its Originating Summons filed pursuant to Order 3 Rules 6, 7 and 9 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, GICN also asked the court to compel the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute Gbajabiamila for the offence of perjury having allegedly lied under oath in EXHIBIT GICN 10, which he submitted to INEC for purposes of contesting the 2011 General Elections that he was not in the last ten years before then convicted and sentenced for an offence involving dishonesty.

Aside Gbajabiamila, who is the first defendant in the suit, other defendants are the House of Representatives, Clerk to the National Assembly, the All Progressives Congress, APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Nigeria Police Force, who are the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth respondents, respectively.

Meanwhile, the case which came up for mention on Monday, 17th June, 2019 before Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court 6, saw Edward Omaga, Esq. leading Abiodun Sodiq Babalola, Esq. and Joseph Chinelo Nwaegbu, Esq. announcing appearance for the Plaintiff who was represented in court by their Secretary, Board of Trustees, John Obor, Esq.

When Omaga sought to move Motion Exparte seeking abridgement of time, amongst other reliefs, one Barr. Adedeji with Barr. Ope Adeyemi from Lagos entered appearance for Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila being the 1st Defendant. They applied to receive service of all the originating processes on his behalf, thus necessitating withdrawal of Prayer 2 on the motion paper seeking to serve Hon. Gbajabiamila by substituted means vide Leadership and Daily Trust newspapers. Meanwhile, as a way of erring on the side of surplusage the Plaintiff has mobilized bailiff of court to serve all parties with both the originating processes and Enrolled Order for abridgement of time.

The Court, whilst adjourning the suit to Monday, 1st July, 2019 for further mention, ordered the Plaintiff to serve parties within seven days to enable them to respond within the abridged period of fourteen days instead of the thirty days allowed by the rules.

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Dele Momodu Unveils 5-Star Leadership Centre in Ibadan

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By Eric Elezuo

Accomplished journalist, and Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Aare Dele Momodu, has unveiled his audacious facility for the training of aspiring leaders, tagged Dele Momodu Leadership Centre.

Flanked and supported by close friends within and outside the media, and family members, led by the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and his entourage, a happy Dele Momodu, who has dedicated about 40 years of his life to journalism and impacting humanity, told all who cared to listen that this is his own gift to humanity as he celebrates his 65th birthday.

Situated at the serene-most part of the ancient city of Ibadan, known as the Alalubosa (GRA) Estate, the Centre is a twin duplex stylishly placed in the middle of the expanse of land surrounded by utility facilities including a cozy swimming pool and other recreational amenities for soft relaxation.

The building is a made up of four expensive bedrooms and general areas for the comfort of residents at every point of time.

Speaking on the reasons behind the concept, Momodu gave glory to God, and the need to attention to planning and execution of ideas, noting that the event of the day, was product of five years of consistency and dedication, with the need of giving to the society uppermost in his mind.

“The idea is a derivation of what applies with the Rockefeller Foundation, where scholars are giving all facilities to bring to life their concepts in a serene environment. We are basically replicating that gesture here in Nigeria. The idea is to grant scholars full access to our facilities once their applications have been approved.

At the moment, there four bedrooms of 5-star quality among other comfort-based facilities,” Momodu said.

He added that every resident has a residency duration of one week for now so as to afford others on the queue the opportunity to use the facility as well, stressing that the facility will serve as a resource centre for researchers at no cost.

Responding, Osun State Governor, Adeleke, who performed the tape-cutting ritual to declare the leadership centre open, praised the dogged nature of Momodu, saying a project of this magnitude could not just occur, but by intense planning, down to earth execution and working with the best of professionals.

“Chief Dele Momodu is a unique breed, a genius within humanity, and a free mind with progressive ideals about our society,” Gov Adeleke revered the global citizen.

While going down memorylane to his friendship with Dele Momodu, the governor harped on the need for all to keep their friends very close, their position in the society notwithstanding.

As dishes of every kind and assorted beverages made the rounds in ceaseless supply, ageless entertainer, Sir Shina Peters, was on ground to provide undiluted music and dance to the applause and admiration of the capacity filled open arena.

The unveiling of the leadership training facility is a prelude to the 65th year birthday celebrations of the Ovation publisher, which comprises The Dele Momodu Leadership Lecture at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and a soiree to the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, all in Victoria Island.

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Natasha Disowns Viral TikTok Video Praising Tinubu

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The Senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has distanced herself from a viral TikTok video that surfaced online showing her dancing to “Omo Ologo”, a song in praise of President Bola Tinubu.

In a public disclaimer released via her verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Akpoti-Uduaghan denied owning any TikTok account, warning the public against being misled by parody accounts across various social media platforms.

“I do not own a TikTok account,” she posted.

“Many parody accounts exist in my name on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Some have garnered large followings.”

She clarified that the circulating video was manipulated from an old 2023 clip and repurposed with “mischievous intent” to mislead the public.

“While I hold the President in utmost respect, I’d urge everyone to disregard the mischievous post made using an old 2023 video of mine,” she stated.

The video, sound-tracked by “Omo Ologo”, a praise song performed by Dauda Kahutu Rarara at a recent event attended by Tinubu in Katsina, appeared to depict the senator aligning herself with the president’s camp.

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Court Hands EFCC Three Days Ultimatum to Conclude 10-Year-Old Corruption Charges Against Dasuki

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Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted three consecutive days to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conclude the ten-year-old corruption charges it instituted against a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Dasuki’s counsel initiated legal arguments when he challenged the status of the subpoena because it was issued to the DSS as an entity not recognised by the law of the country.

The EFCC lawyer, however, countered the objection, insisting that DSS was a creation of statute and that there had been no confusion in the identity of the organisation.

“The document was duly served on Department of State Security (DSS). The Department has no confusion as to its identity.

“The witness did not exhibit any confusion as to his invitation by the Court. The objection as to form does not defeat the end of Justice. We humbly pray the Court not to sustain the objection in the interest of substantial justice.”

In the end, Justice Lifu admitted the subpoena as an exhibit and reserved his ruling to be delivered along with the main charge.

“I have carefully and painstakingly listened to learned counsel on the admissibility of the document sought to be tendered by the prosecution.

“I have also perused the document in relation to the name on the said subpoena. Admissibility of documentary evidence is governed by the law of evidence, and it is determined by relevancy.

“Being a criminal case which is about 10 years old in the docket of this court, coupled with the fact that ACJA 2015 envisages speedy dispensation of criminal justice, this document shall be admitted and a ruling shall be incorporated into the final judgement of this court,” said Justice Lifu.

The judge drew the attention of the parties to the fact that the case had dragged and suffered delay for ten years, having been filed in 2015.

At the proceedings, the first prosecution witness and exhibit keeper with the DSS, Monsur Mohammed, was permitted to give evidence on the strength of the subpoena.

He subsequently presented several items found in Dasuki’s properties at 13 John Khadije Street, Asokoro, Abuja; 46 Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro Abuja; Sabon Birnin Road, Sokoto; and Sultan Abubakar Road, also in Sokoto.

Four different search warrants executed in July 2015 at the four properties led to the recovery of the undisclosed items.

In the end, the DSS exhibit keeper admitted that nothing incriminating was found on the properties.

After the evidence, Justice Lifu held that in the circumstances of the case and by consent of all counsel, “this suit is hereby adjourned to 7, 8 and 9 July 2025 at the instance of the Court for further hearing.

He added: “The learned prosecutor is expected to close his case on these adjourned dates.”

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