News

Appeal Court Upholds Sacking of Turaki-led PDP Executive

Published

7 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Eric

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by a faction of the PDP led by a former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, which had challenged the jurisdiction of the lower court to entertain the suit.

PUNCH Online reports that the appeal formed part of nine harmonised appeals brought by the Turaki-led faction against the October 31, 2025 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which barred INEC from validating the outcome of the party’s November 15 and 16, 2025 national convention in Ibadan.

In its ruling, the Court of Appeal affirmed that the Federal High Court had jurisdiction to hear the suit, rejecting the argument that the dispute was merely an internal affair of the party.

The court held that the appellants could not “repackage a clear violation of the party constitution and that of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an internal party affair.”

Justice Onyemenam further held that the PDP failed to comply with the constitutional and statutory provisions required before a valid national convention could be held.

Among other findings, the court stated that no valid notice of the convention was served on INEC as required by law and that valid congresses were not conducted in more than 14 states before the convention was convened.

“Non-compliance with the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act 2022 and party Constitution and Guidelines are at the heart of democratic governance, and compliance must be strictly enforced in the interest of democracy,” the court held.

The appellate court consequently dismissed the appeal and awarded N2m in costs against the appellants.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had, in his October 31, 2025 judgment, restrained INEC from receiving, publishing or recognising the outcome of the convention until the party complied with the relevant provisions of the law.

The trial judge held that evidence before the court showed that congresses were not conducted in some states of the federation and that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21-day notice required to enable INEC to monitor its meetings and congresses.

Justice Omotosho also ruled that notices and correspondence issued by the party’s National Chairman without the endorsement of the National Secretary were invalid.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was filed by three aggrieved PDP members — Austin Nwachukwu, the Imo State PDP Chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, the Abia State PDP Chairman; and Turnah Alabh George, the PDP Secretary for the South-South.

The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had asked the court to stop the planned convention where new national officers of the party were expected to be elected.

Those listed as defendants in the suit included INEC, the PDP, the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; National Organising Secretary, Umar Baturrle; the PDP National Working Committee; National Executive Committee; Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum; Ali Odefa; and Emmanuel Ogidi.

The Punch

News

Court Grants Malami, Family N200m Bail

Published

3 days ago

March 6, 2026

Eric

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to the former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, his son Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife Asabe Bashir in the sum of N200 million each and two sureties in like sum.

As part of the bail conditions, one of the sureties is to deposit title deeds of properties in highbrow Maitama or Asokoro.

The defendants have been ordered to deposit their international passports with the court.

They are to remain in the custody of the Nigerian correctional service pending perfection of their bail conditions.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until March 16 for the commencement of the trial.

News

IGP Disu Removes Benjamin Hundeyin As FPRO

Published

4 days ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has reportedly removed Benjamin Hundeyin as the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) and replaced him with a new appointee, though the name hasn’t been officially announced.

Hundeyin was previously serving as the Lagos Command PRO before being promoted to the national role.

This move comes as part of Disu’s efforts to revamp the Nigeria Police Force and improve its public image.

As the 23rd IGP, Disu has emphasized professionalism, accountability, and transparency, warning officers that there will be no tolerance for misconduct or abuse of power.

News

Assets Declaration: Court Dismisses NDLEA’s Case Against Abba Kyari

Published

4 days ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), against suspended DCP Abba Kyari on allegations bordering on non-disclosure of assets.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the suit, filed against Kyari and his younger brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, for failure of the anti-narcotic agency to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge held that the burden of proving a case beyond reasonable doubt falls in the prosecution which it had failed to do so.

The ruling covers only asset declaration allegations. Other cases including drug related offences are still ongoing.