Former Anambra State Governor, and presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, in the last election, Mr Peter Obi has insisted that he must be President of Nigeria.
Obi, who is in court with the winner of the just concluded election, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said he is convinced in his spirit that he will be President.
It was reported that the LP candidate spoke during the launch of a book written in his honour: ‘Peter Obi: Many Voices, One Perspective’, in Awka, Anambra State.
Obi said: “Anyone who thinks I’m on transit is wasting his time. Let me tell you, I must be the president of this country. I’m sure of that. If it is not today, it must be tomorrow.
“Other people who want to be, should come and tell us what they want to do, and how to do it. This is my country, I don’t have dual citizenship. If anyone thinks I am going to run away from Nigeria, they are lying.
“I have three engagements in Anambra and Lagos today. I will be speaking in Lagos tonight. We will not leave Nigeria. I am not in a hurry to become the president, but I know it must happen.
“For three years I was in court in Anambra to reclaim my governorship, just to challenge the process. Many people tried to discourage me, but I said even if the entire four years tenure elapsed for us to prove a point and correct the process, I will be fulfilled.
“My argument is that, let’s do what is right. I always tell everyone that I will not give people money to do the wrong thing. I have been the chairman of a committee; TETFUND committee, and Prof Mahmood was my member. We know ourselves, but when he became INEC chairman, I have never met him. I told him, you’re an umpire, just do what is right.
“If you have the chance to do the right thing, and you insist on perpetuating anarchy, then, it will consume everybody one day. I insist that we must do the right thing.
“I was in an event yesterday in Abuja, and it was World Food Organisation. I listened to report that stated that Nigeria will face intense hunger in years to come.
“It is Nigeria that will face hunger, not Peter Obi. The report listed Borno, Adamawa and Yobe as the states that will be worse hit, but those three states put together are five times larger in land mass of Israel, yet Egypt exports food, but Nigeria cannot feed itself.
“So we must cultivate a habit of doing the right thing. If we don’t do the right thing, it will consume us some day.”
One of the editors of the book, Prof Chinyere Okunna in her remarks said the launching was geared towards raising funds for the financing of the matter before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).
“We believe in Obi. He is not a saint, but among all the people who contested to become president, none comes close to him in humility, education, love of the people, experience and knowledge.
“Litigation is a very capital intensive project and we want to support him through this launching. It was very clear that Obi won the election, but we want to call on the judiciary to be upright in their judgement and do the right thing,” she said.
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, has described the flag-off of the dredging of Oguta/Orashi river development project, as a game changer for the economic development of Imo state, Southeast Nigeria and African continent.
Osinbajo stated this at the official flag off of the dredging of the river of Oguta/Orashi/Degema to Atlantic ocean which took place at Oguta council area in Imo state, on Thursday.
The Vice President also said by dredging the river, “we’ve come to revive this economically strategic visit furthering job creation and sustainable growth in Imo and entire Southeast region and indeed our nation by enhancing coastal connectivity and facilitating serious transportation”.
According to the him, “This project is vital for collaboration between state government and Nigeria Navy and consortium of technical partners initiated and approved under the stewardship president Muhammadu Buhari, and Governor Hope Uzodimma.
“Tracing the history, he said as far back as 1914, the British understanding the strategic importance connecting the hinterland to the coast utilize this route for smooth export of crude oil produce such as palm oil from Oguta to it’s neighboring states.
“The route has always been a vital components of national political for increase trade and economic property. Today we’ve come to revive this economically strategic visit furthering job creation and sustainable growth in Imo and entire Southeast region and indeed our nation by enhancing coastal connectivity and facilitating serious transportation.
“The project will promote trade and spur growth in multiple sectors including shipping and manufacturing agricultural products and also offer opportunities for the people. The President only a few days ago granted Hope Uzodimma request to declare Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema and environment as well as oil and gas free zone.
Adding his voice, the Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma, said: “It is a joyous day for Imo people. This flag-off is a dream come true. The most expected glorious day has come. We thank the President for many things he has done for the Imo people.
“We thank him for the support to recover Imo state from the hands of bandits. We thank the chief of naval staff, for rescuing us from the hands of criminals and the rugged way you have handled the bandits .
“We are going to achieve this through Public Private Partnership, PPP, I thank all of us for the various roles you played in this program. Through the mercy of God, this project has seen the light of day.”
Earlier in his remark, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor “Today what we are witnessing is total economic freedom for our people. The economic stability of our people. The armed forces have the responsibility to contribute beyond. This will be a springboard to what the armed forces will be contributing to the growth of the economic prosperity of our people.”
Also, the Chief of Naval Force, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, said: “This will boost the economy of Imo State. I want to assure you the unalloyed support of Chief of Naval Forces towards improving the security for sustainable economic development, and thank Uzodimma, for partnering with the Navy and partnering with the Navy for the success of this project. I wish the navy safe surveillance.
In his remark, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said: “Indeed all of us are making history. Our names will appear in gold. “Go and tell Buhari that we are happy. The Second Niger Bridge is completed. Among other things. Help us tell Buhari that he is one of us. Before we go, tell Mr President, that whatever he will do to make this project is achieved will be appreciated.
“Igbo people are everywhere and they are happy. They have been calling me on this project and we are happy.
Five residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, have approached the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for an order to halt the swearing in of Nigeria’s president-elect, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The plaintiffs, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/578/2023, applied for an order, restraining the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, any other judicial officer and/or any other authority or person from swearing in any candidate in the February 25 presidential election as President or Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, until it is judicially determined with finality or in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution that such candidate has fulfilled the requirement of Section 134(2) (b) of the Constitution.
They further want a declaration that, “the plaintiffs and other FCT residents have a legal interest and constitutional rights to be heard on the question of whether a President-elect must secure at least 25% of votes cast, on the first ballot, in the FCT, Abuja.”
“A declaration that no state of the country is at the same time the FCT for any propose whatsoever, including, in particular, under section 134 (2) (b) of the Constitution.
“A declaration that no candidate in the February 25 presidential election in the country may validly be declared elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without that candidate obtaining at least 25% of the votes cast in the FCT, Abuja.
“A declaration that no candidate in the February 25 presidential election may validly be sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, without such candidate having obtained 25% of the votes case in FCT, Abuja.
“A declaration that following the February 25 presidential election and until a successor is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and sworn in, the term of office of his Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria subsists and endures in accordance with the provisions of section 135 (1) (a) of the Constitution”.
As well as, “An order setting aside or suspending any declaration and/or issuance of a Certificate of a Return to any candidate in the February 25 presidential election in the country as having been elected, save and except it is judicially determined with finality that such candidate fulfilled the conditions stated in section 134(2) (b) of the Constitution.
The five plaintiffs behind the suit, who identified themselves as “registered voters of the FCT, Abuja are; Anyaegbunam Okoye, David Adzer, Jeffery Ucheh, Osang Paul and Chibuike Nwachukwu.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and the CJN were cited in the matter as 1st and 2nd defendants, respectively.
A member of the 8th Senate and social activist, Senator Shehu Sanu has urged the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi to stop apologizing on behalf of his supporters.
Sani’s advice comes as a reaction to Obi’s recent clarification on the alleged abuse by some of his supporters to the senior pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adebayo.
Peter Obi had hitherto reiterated that some imposters are masquerading as obidients and causing chaos online.
But in a tweet earlier today, the Kaduna State-born politician said: “Asiwaju, Atiku & Buhari never denounce or apologise for whatever their supporters say or do.
“Peter keeps apologising & disassociating. If U keep moving on this apologetic path, you will kill the libido of your movement.
You sparked a fire, embrace the inferno with courage.
Golden Eaglets’ hopes of qualifying for the 2023 U-17 World Cup and winning the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 16 years were dashed following a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to fellow West Africans Burkina Faso on Thursday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Forward Aboubacar Camara scored a brace to help the Burkinabe to a 2-0 lead at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.
But Eaglets forward Abubakar Abdullahi reduced the deficit midway through the second half but it was not enough as the Baby Stallions sealed a hard-fought win to reach the last four of the U-17 AFCON in Algeria, as well as seal a World Cup ticket.
Eaglets coach Nduka Ugbade did not make any changes to the team that defeated South Africa 3-2 in their last group game and they made a fine start to the game but struggled to break Burkina Faso’s defence.
Charles Agada had the first chance of the game just two minutes after the buzzer, but the teenager saw his close-range shot saved by goalkeeper Abdoulaye Traore.
Six minutes later, Abdullahi thought he had given the Eaglets the lead, only for his spectacular effort from outside the box ricocheted off the crossbar, before it was eventually cleared by the Baby Stallions’ defence.
Nigeria continued their dominance and were almost rewarded, but again the woodwork came to the rescue of the Burkinabe, this time Agada striking the upright 15 minutes into the game.
Brahima Traore’s side then had their first chance of the game in the 39th minute, but the Eaglets cleared their lines to keep the score level.
However, despite the Eaglets dominance in the first half, Burkina Faso took the lead with just a minute left before the break.
Defender Tochukwu Ogboji tried to clear the ball but failed to connect well, giving Aboubacar Camara a chance to pounce on the loose ball and give their opponents the lead heading into half-time.
The second half was similar to the first 45 minutes as the Eaglets continued to dominate but couldn’t convert their chances.
Despite Ugbade’s side having 60 per cent of the possession, the Stallions looked more dangerous and they doubled their lead 12 minutes after the restart from the spot after the referee awarded a penalty for a clumsy challenge inside the Nigerian box.
Camara stepped up to cool convert from the spot to make score 2-0, before Abdullahi pulled one back for the record world champions 10 minutes later, but it was too little too late.
The Eaglets’ press for an equaliser didn’t yield any results, and substitute Favour Daniel’s looping header should have earned Ugbade’s side a late equaliser but the impressive Traore tipped over the goal-bound effort.
Burkina Faso however held on to claim a famous victory over the Eaglets as they booked their place at the 2023 World Cup.
They will now face tournament favourites Senegal in the semi-finals of the tournament.
As many Nigerians continue to wallow in hardship, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, state governors, and their deputies may have enjoyed about N651.2m hardship allowance in the last eight years the Buhari regime, according to findings by The PUNCH.
The type of allowance, which is 50 per cent of the annual basic salary, is also enjoyed by judges in the country.
However, The PUNCH report focuses on the amount allocated for the president, vice president, state governors, and their deputies, according to a document obtained from the website of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission.
The RMAFC document disclosed that the president is entitled to N1.76m annually as a hardship allowance. This means that within a period of eight years, Buhari would have earned N14.08m as hardship allowance.
The Vice President is entitled to N1.52m annually, which means that in eight years, Osinbajo would have earned N12.16m as hardship allowance.
While a state governor is entitled to N1.11m annually, a deputy state governor is entitled to N1.06m.
In eight years, the hardship allowance of the 36 state governors would have gulped N319.68m while that of their deputies would have gulped N305.28m.
As Buhari spends his last days in office, labour unions recently scored the regime and state governors low, saying they pauperised workers and inflicted hardship on Nigerians.
They lamented the galloping inflation in the country, which they said had eroded the 40 per cent pay rise recently approved by the Federal Government with effect from January.
The National Treasurer of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Hakeem Ambali, submitted that the outgoing regime had inflicted heavy hardship and suffering on the Nigerian workers.
According to him, the workers have suffered job losses, insecurity, economic hardship and other calamities under Buhari.
Ambali, who is also the President of the National Union of Local Government Employees, stated, “Under Buhari’s administration, just like every other successive administration, we have witnessed so many losses of jobs. Some governors laid off so many workers in the North, East and West. There has been a loss of lives as a result of banditry and kidnapping, especially in the South-East, South-West and in the whole North.
As for today from my union, the National Union of Local Government Employees, we reside and work within the remote part of the country; any attack on government installations and infrastructure affect our people. Most of them were kidnapped in Kaduna.
“Also, one will realise that the road network is so poor. The erratic power supply has also reduced chances of Nigerians getting their daily living.’’
The labour leader further observed the lack of social safety net in the country even as he scored the Buhari regime low in terms of fidelity to labour laws, citing the abuse of labour laws and practices by the government.
The Ogun State chapter of the Trade Union Congress and Nigeria Union of Pensioners scored the Buhari regime low in the areas of citizens’ welfare and wellbeing.
The state chairman of TUC, Akeem Lasisi, pointed out that the high cost of living had made nonsense of the minimum wage.
He said, “With the present high cost of living and hike in transportation and the rest, it seriously inflicted pains on the workers because the so-called minimum wage cannot take you anywhere. Workers are in serious pain because the salary can no longer take you anywhere.”
A report by the National Bureau of Statistics that about 133 million Nigerians live in poverty would be a recipe for a new dimension of hunger never witnessed in Nigeria, a civil society organisation under the aegis of the International Human Rights Commission recently warned.
While describing the report as a warning of a looming economic crisis in the country, the not-for-profit body stressed the need for government to empower people in the rural communities to reduce the rising poverty in Nigeria.
The Ambassador at Large and Head of Diplomatic Missions of IHRC in Nigeria, Dr Duru Hezekiah, warned that the poverty rate, if not urgently addressed, would be a recipe for disaster.
He said, “We are really in an economic crisis. And if it’s not checked, I tell you, the time is coming when will go into a fiasco, a time is coming when in fact, Nigeria will be declared a ‘hunger country’, and that is why we are still appealing to the government.”
Recently, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said Nigerians will not die but will adjust to the economic hardships in the country.
In a statement, the minister noted that economic hardships were not peculiar to Nigeria alone but to the world at large also noted that the agitation by workers for more wages was not peculiar to Nigeria.
Ben Akabueze, director-general of the budget office of the federation, says Nigeria’s borrowing space keeps reducing due to the inability to service debt.
Akabueze spoke on Wednesday during the induction of newly-elected lawmakers of the 10th national assembly in Abuja.
He said the ratio of the country’s budget to its gross domestic product (GDP), unlike other countries, is less than its needs.
“While the size of the federal government budget for 2023
created some excitement, the aggregate budgets of all governments in the country amount to about N30 trillion. That is less than 15 percent in terms of ratio to GDP, ” Akabueze said.
“Even on the African continent, the ratio of spending is about 20 percent. South Africa is about 30 percent, Morocco is about 40 percent and at 15 percent, that is too small for our needs.
“That is why there is fierce competition for the limited resources. That can determine how much we can relatively borrow. We now have very limited borrowing space, not because our debt to GDP is high, but because our revenue is too small to sustain the size of our debt. That explains our high debt service ratio.
“Once a country’s debt service ratio exceeds 30 percent,that country is in trouble and we are pushing towards 100 percent and that tells you how much trouble we are in. We have limited space to borrow.“When you take how much you can generate in terms of revenue and what you can reasonably borrow,that establishes the size of the budget. The next thing would be to pay attention to government priority regarding what project gets what.
“The budget is not a shopping list. In the end, the budget only contained expenditure.”
Earlier this year, Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national planning, said the overall deficit for the 2023 budget is N11.34 trillion, representing 5.03 percent of the country’s gross domestic product(GDP).
Nigeria has about 400,000 Cooperative Societies with more than 30 million registered members contributing about N1.4 trillion in the Country’s GDP. Cooperative Societies have remained a major source of financial intermediaries among the lower class in Nigeria , especially,in a system where traditional banking system has failed to intermediate between surplus and deficit sectors of the economy.
Being conscious of income inequalities and the existing mistrust amongst the populace ,GGM Cooperative in partnership with the revolutionary online media- BVI Channel 1 has come to guarantee financial freedom using cooperative model.
The President of GGM Cooperative being an economist has done extensive research on building group wealth and has come to a simple conclusion that Co-operative Societies Act 98 2004 could be used to organise the ordinary people to secure financial freedom,hence the vision behind GGM Cooperative.
It is a known fact that the ordinary people are trapped in an endless rat race for survival while the rich and elites smile to the banks.
Obviously ,there is total war of economic strangulation against the hardworking masses. It is a classical case of elites conspiracy against the poor.
Therefore ,GGM Cooperative comes to solve the financial needs of her members through financial education, application and discipline as well as learning saving habits. The act of making money is not taught in schools,however ,GGM Cooperative is here to teach the poor how to become rich . GGM Cooperative practices what she teaches . You can contact us via ggmcooperative2021@gmail.com or call 08104207522
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A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has dismissed a suit filed by the Anambra State Government challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s power to investigate its finances, describing it as factually and forensically lacking in merit.
The State government had approached the court presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba to determine whether under the Federal System of Government, with the constitutional doctrine of Separation of Powers, “the appropriation, disbursement and or administration of funds belonging to a State Government is subject to investigation by the EFCC being an agency of the Federal Government”
In a suit number FHC/ AWK/ CS/ 22/ 2022 filed by Government of Anambra State ( 1st Plaintiff) and Attorney- General of Anambra State( 2nd Plaintiff) against the EFCC( 1st Defendant) and Attorney – General of the Federation( 2nd Defendant), the Plaintiffs sought resolutions of the following eight questions:
Whether under the Federal System of Government established by Section 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and the doctrine of Separation of Powers established and provided by Sections 4, 5 and 6 thereof, the appropriation, disbursement and or administration of funds belonging to the Government of a State is subject to investigation by the 1st Defendant as an agency of the Federal Government.
Secondly, Whether the power of the 1st Defendant, as an agency of the Federal Government, is not restricted to the matters set out in the Exclusive Legislative List contained in Part I of the Second Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Also, Whether the appropriation, disbursement and or administration of funds belonging to the Government of a State are not matters within the Concurrent Legislative List contained in Part II of the Second Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Fourthly, , Whether from a community reading of Sections 80, 120, 121, 125, 126, 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) the power and function to conduct investigation into the appropriation, disbursement and or administration of the public funds/accounts of the Government of a State is not reserved for the House of Assembly of the State.
Whether from a community reading of Sections 80, 120, 121, 125, 126, 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the 1st Defendant can usurp the constitutional powers and functions of the House of Assembly of a State to conduct investigation into the appropriation, disbursement and or administration/management of the funds of a State Government, including the public funds/accounts of the Government of the State which have been appropriated by the State House of Assembly in exercise of its constitutional mandate.
It equally sought to know Whether from a community reading of Sections 80, 120, 121, 125, 126, 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the 2nd Defendant can usurp the constitutional power and function of the House of Assembly of a State to conduct investigation into the appropriation, disbursement and or administration/management of the public funds/accounts of the Government of the State.
Whether from a community reading of Sections 80, 120, 121, 125, 126, 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the 1st Defendant can purport to investigate the appropriation, disbursement and or administration of the public funds/accounts of the Government of a State without any report or input from the House of Assembly of the State.
The State also want know Whether the 1st Defendant acting by itself, its officers, agents, privies or otherwise howsoever can legitimately conduct and or continue with investigation into the public funds of the Anambra State which have been lawfully appropriated by the Anambra State House of Assembly without any report and investigation by the Anambra State House of Assembly.
The suit was a precipitate response to series of letters of invitation by the Commission sent to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and the State Attorney- General seeking the release of officials of the state government to offer explanations in an alleged case of fraudulent misappropriation of funds in respect of data collection exercise for the administration of subsidy to smallholder farmers and alleged case of Abuse of Office and Misappropriation of Funds.
In his judgment, Justice Dimgba stated that the EFCC has constitutional powers to investigate any act of economic and financial crime in any part of the country, stressing that neither the authorities of a State’s House of Assembly nor Auditor- General of a State preclude the Commission from performing its mandate as contained in the Constitution.
“In my view, the questions posed is at large… Is the EFCC a federal agency exclusively for all purposes, or is it both a federal agency and a state agency for some other purposes? It all depends on the context to which the question has been posed.
“In the context of the case at hand, which is whether it is legitimate for the EFCC to commence investigative activities against the named officials of Anambra State Government as contained in Exhibit 1 concerning the manner of the management and utilization of the public funds of Anambra State, the question posed must be answered against the Plaintiffs and the corresponding reliefs sought denied”.
” binding judicial precedent existing is to the effect that the EFCC is an agency both for the federal government and for state governments as far as the combating of corruption and other economic crimes in Nigeria is concerned”
While agreeing with an earlier judgment that Nigeria practices co-operative federalism, Justice Dimgba said “In the co-operative federalism practiced in Nigeria, the EFCC is a common agency empowered to investigate and prosecute offenders for both the Federal and state economic and financial crimes, and as such it qualifies as ‘any other authority or person’ empowered by Section 211(1)(b) of the Constitution to institute or initiate criminal proceedings”.
The Judge further added that “EFCC is the coordinating agency for the enforcement of the provisions of any other law or regulation on economic and financial crimes, including the Criminal Code and Penal Code. The Commission has powers under Section 13(2) of the EFCC Act to prosecute offences so long as they are financial crimes.”
Continuing, he said, “I have reflected on the Judgments of this Court issued by the Port Harcourt division of this Court in AG Rivers State v EFCC & 3 Ors in Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/78/07, delivered on 20/03/2007, and that by the Ekiti Division of this Court in Suit No: FHC/AD/CS/32/2016; A.G of Ekiti State v. EFCC & 17 Ors both of which have been brought to my attention. Both judgments hold that following the principles of federalism and separation of powers, only a State House of Assembly can investigate the financial administration of a State and that the 1st Defendant, the EFCC, lacks the powers to investigate a state finances”.
“With the greatest deference to my brothers who hold such views, I take a different view, and for the reasons already explained above, I am of the view that it is not a proposition that is borne out from a proper construction of Sections 125 to 129 of the Constitution juxtaposed with the powers of the 1st Defendant under the EFCC Act”.
“Quite apart from the fact that my learned brothers might have arrived at their conclusions in the light of the factual circumstances that they had to confront with and which are different from the facts and circumstances of the present case, there are dangers in holding the general view that for all circumstances only a State House of Assembly, to the exclusion of any other body, including the 1st Defendant (EFCC), can investigate and detect corrupt practices in the financial affairs of a State.
“This Court notes the collaborative and harmonious relationship that exists in most states of the federation between the executive organ who manage the state finances and the legislative organ who are mandated to check them with a view to exposing corruption. This collaborative and harmonious relationship is not always a positive thing but can also be very negative, especially in circumstances where the leadership of the executive organ is very overbearing, or the leadership of both houses are manned or dominated by political allies.
“In that sort of situation, no real independence of the legislature exists and the idea that the state legislature really possesses and can exercise the ability to detect financial crimes in the management of the state resources by the executive government is really more theoretical and academic rather than real.
“For all you know, the legislature may well be deeply involved with the executive in the very ills which they are supposed to be detecting and exposing.
“It is exactly that state of affairs, a matter of our present reality that makes the existence and intervention of an external force outside of the framework of a state’s governance system, not only inevitable, but also very desirable and necessary.
While dismissing the action, the judge further said, “ I have also noted, and thus hold, that all the addressees of the EFCC letters (Exhibit 1) as fully described above, including all those which the EFCC by the letters referenced, demand that they should be released for interview for the purposes of obtaining the clarification needed for the Commission to establish if the offences which the Commission said it was investigating such as fraudulent misappropriation of funds and the like have been committed, all qualify as “persons” or , “authority” from whom by law, the Commission is entitled to receive information from. “They are indeed, all subjects of the EFCC’s exercise of its powers under the law.” he stated.
The hearing of the petition submitted by Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate at the President Election Petitions Tribunal has been adjourned till next Wednesday, May 17.
Kenneth Okonkwo, the spokesperson for the party’s presidential campaign council, disclosed this on Wednesday via his Twitter page.
The petition is against the ‘president-elect’, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.
The court adjourned the hearing of the petition on the request for adjournment by parties to the petition.
Okonkwo said, “After a brief hearing of the matter, the court adjourned to Wednesday 17th of May, 2023, for continuation of hearing.”
“We believe God for a positive outcome with your supplications to God,” he added.
Gists9ja had reported that the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal earlier on Wednesday dismissed the petition of the Action People’s Party challenging the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election and subsequent declaration as the ‘president-elect’.
The dismissal of the petition followed an application by the party to withdraw its petition challenging the outcome of the election.
Counsel for the party, Obed Agu, disclosed this during Wednesday’s proceedings.
In view of the application, the presiding judge of the Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Tsammani, in a brief ruling dismissed the suit.
Similarly, on Monday, the tribunal struck out the petition by the Action Alliance (AA) challenging Tinubu’s victory.
The AA earlier withdrew its petition at the Presidential Election Petition Court sitting in Abuja, prompting the dismissal.
