News

Kogi Election: Alleged APC Thugs Burn Down SDP Secretariat

Published

6 years ago

November 12, 2019

Eric

Thugs allegedly said to be members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has burnt down the Kogi State secretariat of the Social Democratic Party in Lokoja.

The secretariat is located directly opposite the Lokoja Local Government Area secretariat on Ibrahim Babangida Way.

According to a video made by the SDP governorship candidate in the state, Mrs. Natasha Hadiza Apoti from the scene of the scene, the attacks were carried first on Sunday and again in the early hours of Monday

She said the SDP office was earlier attacked on Sunday where windows and doors of the secretariat were shattered, while banners, posters and other campaign materials at the secretariat were destroyed and replaced with the posters of the candidate of the APC, Governor Yahaya Bello.

It was however, noted that Bello’s supporters became angry when SDP supporters were chanting abusive words against the governor on his way to Abuja on Sunday afternoon.

They were said to have mobilised in the early hours of Monday, set fire to the secretariat and razed it.

Mrs Akpoti, pointedly accused Bello of being behind the attack, saying he was not fit to stand for the election. He accused the police of supporting the attacks saying they were loaded with pump action and machine guns. She further said the police provided cover for the thugs for over two hours while the perpetrated the carnage.

“This is not an election, but outright brigandage. Yahaya Bello is calling out for war. This is the handiwork of Bello in collaboration with the Commissioner of Police. This is not acceptable.

“Is the APC national secretariat watching? What is Oshiomhole doing? What is El-Rufai doing? We met in Russia last week and he told me he would be supporting Bello’s re-election. Is this what you are supporting?” She said.

However, the Director General, Media and Publicity to the governor, Kingsley Fanwo, said Akpoti should deal with her issues and leave the governor out of her travails.

Fanwo said, “She is always out for unmerited sympathy. The governor is against violence and has already told security agents to ensure the governorship election is peaceful. He can never be behind that.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Busari, in a telephone conversation with The Punch, said it was “absurd” for anyone to accuse the police of “perpetrating atrocities such as this.”

Busari added, “We are security agents with the responsibility to ensure peaceful election. We got wind of the incident and have ordered investigation into the immediate and remote cause of the ugly incident.”

News

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

Published

4 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

4 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.