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Justice Dongban-Mensem sworn-in as substantive President of Appeal Court

Idowu Sowunmi

Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem was Friday sworn in as the 7th substantive President of the Court of Appeal by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammed.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja, Mohammed charged Dongban-Mensem to uphold the credibility and integrity of the Appellate Court.

CJN tasked the new president to live up to expectations and ensure a very cordial relationship with her colleagues on the bench of the Court of Appeal.

Noting that the Appellate Court has the largest number of Justices in the Nigeria, Mohammed urged Dongban-Mensem to always uphold her good character, behaviour and hardwork.

“From my personal experience, workload in the Court of Appeal, especially in the divisions is the highest. It is a home of work. It is a home of cooperation. But with your experience, hard work and zeal, you will not find your new status difficult.

READ ALSO: FG makes u turn, says domestic flights can’t resume june 21

“If you sustain your good character and conduct, your tenure will definitely be an excellent one. Try to be yourself and do not allow others derail you. Remain what we know you for,” Mohammed said.

In her remarks, Dongban-Mensem, who expressed joy over her confirmation as the substantive President of the Court of Appeal, promised Nigerians to do her utmost best in ensuring that justice is upheld at the Court of Appeal.

She assured to build on the legacy left behind by her predecessors.

The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed among other eminent personalities like Governors Aminu Tambuwal, Simon Lalong, Abubakar Bello and Abubakar Bagudu of Sokoto, Plateau, Niger and Kebbi states respectively.

The event was also witnessed by the National Coordinator for Special Marshal in Nigeria, Sini Titsi Kwabe, with some other Special Marshals.

Monica Dongban is an active member of Special Marshal, a volunteer arm of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Dongban-Mensem was born on June 13, 1957 to the family of M.B. Douglas-Mensem; a retired Appeal Court Justice.

She hails from Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State. She got both her LL.B and LL.M degrees from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State.

She was a Visiting Lecturer on Press Law at Catholic Media Centre, Kaduna from 1988-1992 and Part-time Lecturer at University of Jos between 1989 and 1997.

From 1990-1993, Justice Dongban-Mensem served as Deputy Chief Registrar, Superior Courts and Protocol Affairs, and was appointed Judge, High Court of Justice, Plateau Judiciary from 1993-1996.

Dongban-Mensem transferred her service to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Judiciary in 1997, where she served until she was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2003.

She was sworn-in as the Acting President, Court of Appeal, on March 6, 2020, by the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Embattled Governor Obaseki formally joins PDP

Until this recent elevation, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem was the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, and Life Member of Body of Benchers.

Her leisure is writing, reading, golfing , working with children, women and the elderly. She is a mother of four children and two grandchildren.

June 19, 2020
Updated: Obaseki joins PDP, makes deal to have aspirants step down

The embattled Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has formally joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Governor said in a statement just before 3pm on Friday that his decision to pitch tent with the PDP will advance his political ambition.

“I have officially joined the PDP to advance my ambition to seek re-election as Governor of Edo State. I, as always, remain committed to engendering good governance and sustainable development of our dear state”, Governor Obaseki Stated.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has granted Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, a waiver to fly the party’s flag in the September 19 governorship election in the state.

It was gathered that in an attempt to accommodate Obaseki and Shaibu, PDP leaders have pleaded with other aspirants vying to get the party’ ticket to step down for the governor.

READ ALSO: Saraki welcomes Obaseki to PDP, says Oshiomhole has met his waterloo

A statement by the former Senate President and leader of the PDP, Bukola Saraki suggests that it took more than pleading to get Obaseki and his deputy a waiver to contest under the umbrella party.

While Saraki welcomed Obaseki to PDP, he emphasised how imperative it is to abide by deals and agreement made by all parties, which apparently formed the behind-the-scene transactions that gave Obaseki and Shaibu a smooth run to the umbrella party’s governorship ticket.

“That is why my appeal will, at this point, go to all of us, the leaders and stakeholders, who gave assurances that agreement will be honoured, we need to ensure that the NWC of our party plays its own supervisory role by making sure that those agreements entered into by the Governor and the local chapter should be kept, particularly since I am very sure they are all lawful and in the interest of peace and development of the state. That is the only way to keep our integrity intact”, Saraki emphasised.

Obaseki was disqualified by his former party, All Progressives Congress, from seeking re-election on the grounds that he possesses “defective academic qualifications.”

He later announced his resignation from the APC and joined the PDP on Friday.

June 19, 2020
Insecurity: No more excuses, President Buhari warns Service Chiefs

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned heads of Nigeria’s security agencies of underperformance, which has obviously permitted a spate of attack and killings by insurgents and bandits especially in the Northern region of the country.

The President’s warning was disclosed by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Retired Major General Babagana Monguno after Buhari met with Service Chiefs at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.

Monguno revealed that the President is not pleased with the way insecurity is being handled in many parts of the country and is not mincing words about it.

President Buhari at the meeting was said to have warned the heads of the nation’s security agencies to quit giving excuses in the discharge of their duties to protect Nigerians as such would no longer be tolerated.

L-R: Chief of Naval staff, Rear Admiral Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Abayomi Olonishakin; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu

The NSA noted that while the service chiefs are trying their best to tackle the issue of insecurity in the country, President Buhari insisted that their best is not good enough and asked them to do more to secure the nation and its people.

One outcome from the high-level security meeting was the order giving to the NSA boss to meet with state governors in the North-West and that of Niger State, in other to identify the problems and find solutions to them.

READ ALSO: God is not ready to take him – Ajimobi’s daughter debunks death rumour

Buhari’s meeting with the service chiefs was instigated by increasing bandit attacks on communities in the region, including Katsina, the President’s home state.

The attacks, which have left several people dead and many others injured in the affected states, with lots of properties destroyed by bandits had sparked criticism over the worsening insecurity in the country, especially the North West where the armed men have wreaked havoc in recent times.

As part of efforts to address the situation, Monguno, in company with the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and others had embarked on a fact-finding mission to Katsina and Sokoto States.

Thursday’s meeting had in attendance the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.

Others included the police boss; the Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Yusuf Bichi; and the Director-General Nigeria Intelligence Agency Ahmed Abubakar.

June 19, 2020
In a new twist, Abuja Court reaffirms Giadom as APC Acting National Chairman

Idowu Sowunmi

A Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has reaffirmed and extended its order making Chief Victor Giadom as the Acting National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) following the Court of Appeal’s approval of the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from the party and office.

The court also ordered Mr. Mustapha Salihu, the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-east) to act as Acting National Secretary pending the conveying of a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of APC.

The court extended the order for two weeks in a ruling it gave upon listening to the prayer of Mr. Wale Afolabi, counsel to Giadom, to extend the order it gave on March 16, 2020.

It reaffirmed an interim order granting him approval to continue being the National Chairman in acting capacity, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice or till NEC of the party decides.

The court also restrained APC or any other member of the party from disturbing Giadom from functioning as the party’s Acting National Chairman.

The Court Ruling.

June 18, 2020
Photos: President Buhari meets Service Chiefs behind closed door
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday held a closed-door meeting with the nation’s service chiefs.

The meeting took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Earlier, the service chiefs, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, arrived at the seat of power at about 8:50am and proceeded straight to the Council Chambers.

President Buhari joined the service chiefs about 10 minutes later and the meeting immediately went into a closed session.

The meeting had in attendance the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ekwe Ibas; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman.

Others included the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu; the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Yusuf Bichi; and the Director-General Nigeria Intelligence Agency Ahmed Abubakar.

President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and some other members of the President’s cabinet were also at the meeting.

They include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Defence, Retired Major General Bashir Magashi; the National Security Adviser, Retired Major General Babagana Monguno.

Photos.
- Channels TV
June 18, 2020
More Drama: 15 APC NWC members appoint Hilliard Eta as acting chairman

The last is yet to be heard of the crisis rocking the All progressives Congress (APC) as 15 members of the national working committee (NWC) of the party have appointed Hilliard Eta as acting national chairman of the party.

Eta, who is the APC’s National Vice-Chairman South-South, at a press conference at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, explained that his appointment was in tandem with the constitution of the party.

The Cross Rivers state born chieftain of the party acknowledged that Senator Abiola Ajimobi who ought to have taken the place of the suspended chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was unavoidably absent for now to oversee the affairs of the party.

Eta was flanked by 10 NWC members and declared that the seat of the Deputy national secretary of the party occupied by Victor Giadom as vacant on the basis that he had since resigned his membership of the NWC prior to the 2019 general elections to contest elections in Rivers state.

He thereby asked the chieftains of the party from the South-South geopolitical zone to close ranks and nominate whoever will replace Giadom in the NWC.

He declared that Giadom claim to the position of the acting national chairman of the party remains a nullity because he had resigned his membership of the NWC before now.

Eta thereby maintained that the disqualification of Governor Godwin Obaseki from contesting the Edo state governorship primaries remains irreversible since it has been sealed and ratified by the NWC of the party.

“Giadom must be in a fantasy land to create this kind of scenario. If he was still a very young man, I would have advised him to enroll into the military where he could go-ahead to do a coup and become a sole administrator. But we are in a democracy and in a progressive party like the APC where the rule of law is held in high esteem,” Eta said.

Eta thereby appointed a seven-member headed by Governor Hope Uzordinma of Imo state with Senator Abimbola Bashir as secretary of the Edo State governorship primaries billed to hold on the 22nd of this month.

Among the 15 NWC members in attendance was the national publicity secretary of the party, Lanre Issa-Onilu, the national treasurer, Adamu Fanda, the National women leader, Hajia Salamatu Baiwa, and national organising secretary, Emmanuel Ibediro.

– The Guardian

June 17, 2020
APC: Crisis looms as Giadom unseats Ajimobi, annuls Obaseki’s disqualification amidst heightened security

The political crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is now intense as the erstwhile Acting National Secretary, Chief Victor Giadom has declared himself Acting National Chairman on the premise of a subsisting court order issued on March 16, 2020.

Giadom, who arrived the national secretariat of the party in Abuja as early as 9.00 am and headed into the office to take over in acting capacity, in a media address declared the appointment of Senator Abiola Ajimobi as Acting national Chairman illegal and unconstitutional.

Erstwhile Acting National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Victor Giadom

While declaring that Ex-Governor Ajimobi’s appointment cannot stand, Giadom referred to the order by Justice S.U Bature in suit no FCT /HC/M/6447/2020 as the basis for taking over as Acting Chairman of the APC.

“That order could not be immediately effected at that time because of the temporary reprieve Adams Oshiomhole got from the court of appeal on the same day.

“However, having removed the temporary reprieve yesterday (Tuesday) by the court of appeal and considering the fact that we cannot allow for a vacuum, I most humbly inform you that I have assumed office as Acting national chairman of our great party in compliance with the order of the court”, Giadom argued.

In a move that is rather swift, Giadom shocked political observers when he announced the reversal of Edo governorship election screening masterminded by the sacked Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

Giadom, declared as null and void, the disqualification of Governor Godwin Obaseki from contesting in the Edo state governorship primaries.

Furthermore, Giadom, who disclosed that he has the support of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) directed governorship aspirants of the party in Edo state to report to the national secretariat of the party in Abuja between today and tomorrow to come for a fresh screening exercise in line with the party constitution.

Similarly, Giadom declared that Emmanuel Ibediro ceases to be the national organising secretary of the party in line with an Abuja court order FHC/ABJ/CS/733//2018, and ordered the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Muhammed Sani Ibrahim to assume his position.

Meanwhile, since the sack of Adams Oshiomhole yesterday (Tuesday), it was anticipated that the APC National Secretariat had potentially become a battleground. In order to forestall the breakdown of law and order, security operatives in the early hours of Wednesday proactively took over and were strategically positioned inside and outside the APC secretariat.

The security agents, who arrived the party headquarters on two Hilux Patrol vehicles, stopped the journalists covering the party from gaining entrance into the complex.

Interestingly, the suspended chairman, Oshiomhole, who has been in a long-drawn battle with his successor, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, seems to have respected the court ruling as he stayed out the secretariat.

However, there was mild celebration among secretariat staff who gathered in groups discussing the removal of former national Chairman, Oshiomhole.

In a related development, the party’s National Vice-Chairman (North), Salihu Mustapha, also ordered security agents not to entertain any media briefing from the opposition camp.

June 17, 2020
Buhari, UI mourn Akinkugbe, hail his pioneering roles in medical sector

Idowu Sowunmi

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday sent condolences to the family of foremost Nigerian Professor of Medicine, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe, who, through diligence and humility, has left a lasting legacy on Nigeria’s health sector and academia.

Also, Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, has described the death of renowned medical practitioner as not only a loss to his family, but the entire academic world.

Akinkugbe died in Ibadan on Monday at the age of 87.

The President believed the late Professor Emeritus contributed immensely to the study of medicine in the country, serving variously as Pro-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt; former Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; former Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin; and former Dean of Faculty of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, joined the Nigerian Medical Association, government and people of Oyo State, and staff of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan in mourning the renowned scholar who studied and taught at some of the world’s most prestigious universities, including University of London, Balliol College, University of Oxford, England, and Harvard Medical School in Boston.

The President affirmed that the late Akinkugbe would always be remembered for his pioneering roles and contributions to the medical sector, especially the distinguished leadership he provided as Chairman of the Board of Management of University College Hospital, Ibadan, and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Buhari prayed God to accept the soul of the departed, and comfort his family.

Also, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Olayinka, while reacting to the death of Akinkugbe, said the academic world would miss the deceased just like the way his family would miss him.

Olayinka, in a statement, described Akinkugbe as a great Nigerian with passion for his country.

“The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, mourns the death of the distinguished administrator, international physician, widely respected medical scientist and a man of many preferment, Late Emeritus Professor Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe, who died at 86 on Monday, 15 June, 2020.

“It is with deep sense of loss but with gratitude to God for a life well spent in selfless service to humanity, that we, at University of Ibadan received the news of the death of late Emeritus Professor Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe today, 15 June, 2020.

“May I, therefore on behalf of Council, Senate, Congregation, Management, Staff and Students of University commiserate with the Akinkugbe family on the death of their illustrious son, uncle, father and elder statesman.

“The exit to eternity of our most beloved Prof, will most certainly create gaps stressing that only recently, he bequeathed his entire library to the University of Ibadan.

“Really, the death of Baba Akinkugbe is not only a loss to his family but the entire academic world who will miss his rich academic and administrative inspiration. It is therefore our prayer that the Good Lord will grant his soul perfect rest,” the statement said.

June 16, 2020
Breaking: Oshiomhole takes a hit as court declares him suspended

The Court of Appeal on Tuesday upheld an order suspending Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress based on lack of merit.

Earlier in March, an Abuja high court had ordered the suspension of Oshiomhole as the National Chairman of the APC.

June 16, 2020
Edo: Loyalists to Obaseki, Oshiomhole trade words over disqualification

Hours to his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the political supremacy battle between incumbent governor Godwin Obaseki and predecessor and National Chairman of the APC had gotten hotter with recent happenings in Edo state, supporters of both actors are not relenting in pointing out which side of the divides is right for wrong on the disqualification over certificate saga.

In a debate monitored by Echotitbits on TVC News channel, party chieftains loyal to Governor Obaseki and Oshiomhole disagreed over the issue.

Dr. Pedro Obaseki, a cousin to the embattled Edo Governor, accused Adams Oshiomhole of an attempt to “emasculate” and “disenfranchise” the people of Edo State.

Obaseki condemned Oshiomhole for “summarily orchestrating the disqualification of a sitting governor whom he (Oshiomhole) just less than four years ago said was the shining star in his own armour”.

Dr. Obaseki, who contested against his cousin, Godwin Obaseki in the 2016 APC governorship primary election described the decision of the Jonathan Ayuba-led screening committee to disqualify Edo Governor from participating in the primary election as upsetting.

“It is clear that Mr Oshiomhole who is the most biased umpire in the history of any political party in Nigeria had orchestrated the summary dismissal or disqualification of Mr Godwin Obaseki in the most spurious, the most unethical manner.”

During the debate, when the House of Representatives member representing Akoko Edo, Honourable Peter Apaktason mentioned how Dr. Obaseki, as a governorship aspirant in the primary election of the APC in 2016 described as unqualified and not to be trusted, his own cousin, Governor Obaseki, whom he contested against; Dr. Obaseki said:

“It’s a pity that my most Honourable has decided to be a little less factual this bright morning by turning this issue about me. It is not about me, it’s about the Edo people and I don’t want to start talking about him and casting aspersions on his person. That will be most dishonourable.

Dr. Obaseki berated APC National Chairman Oshiomhole for cooking “tales by moonlight” rather than concentrating on guaranteeing the progress of the party.

“Before he became National Chairman, APC had 27 states. Now if Godwin leaves APC today we would have dwindled down to 19. The same certificate issue was in 2016 a major issue. The PDP went to three courts, and all the courts exonerated Mr. Godwin Obaseki.”

In his attempt to discredit his cousin’s disqualification, the University lecturer said: “He’s talking about discrepancies when our national law, the electoral law made it clear in the last judgement passed in the case between Atiku Abubakar and our President was clear that all he needed to show was attendance up to secondary school level.

“And the University of Ibadan where he’s seeing discrepancies in the certificate came out to publicly in an unprecedented move to say this man went to our school and graduated. It is not the position of any of the parties to begin to question the veracity of his entry qualification when that entry qualification has not been rejected by the issuing authority” he said.

Dr. Obaseki lamented that Edo people who once had a governor that had no primary school certificate are being shortchanged by the conspiracy. ,

“I’m talking about Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, we all know that he had to set ablaze the Ministry of Education” he added.

On the other hand, Oshiomhole’s loyalist, Representative Peter Akpatason affirmed the decision of the APC screening committee to disqualify Governor Obaseki so as to “protect the interest of the party against what has become obvious in recent times”.

“When there are discrepancies in documents presented by candidates, a party stand the chance of loosing. Even after winning election, this is exactly what has happened in Edo state. And I think it is important that we look at the merit of the issue rather than sentiment” Akpatason said.

The Akoko Edo representative in the House of Representatives noted that: “The fact is that what happened in Bayelsa is the same thing that is happening in terms of defect of documents. That’s what it is. You protect the interest of the people by not allowing them to file out to go and vote for nothing, but ensuring that when they vote they are actually voting for a candidate that can stand the test of litigation”.

June 16, 2020