POLITICS
Abia North: Disqualify Orji Kalu for Admitting Fraud Conviction – Nnamdi Tells Court
By Mathew Dadiya
The Labour Party Senatorial Candidate for Abia North in the 2023 election, Nnamdi Iro Orji has prayed the Appeal Court to disqualify Senator Orji Uzor Kalu having admitted before the Federal High Court that he was convicted of fraud.
In the appeal lodged by his lead counsel, Bert C.
Iqwilo, SAN, from the chamber of Anaga Kalu Anaga & Associates against Orji Kalu, a copy of which was obtained by this paper, Nnamdi Iro Orji premised his appeal on three grounds wherein he prayed the Appellate court to resolve them in his favour.He argued that Orji Uzor Kalu’s admission before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that he should not be retried since he had been convicted of corruption was enough ground for his disqualification.
He also added that the election was not conducted based on the Electoral Act 2022 and non-conduct of elections in some polling units.In his pleading, he further argued that the Tribunal was wrong to have permitted Kalu to approbate and reprobate on the issue of his conviction and subsisting sentence.
The appellant stated that Section 66 (1) (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that; 66(1): No person shall be qualified for election to the Senate or the House of Representatives if:… (b)… (c) …Within a period of less than ten years before the date of an election to a legislative house, Kalu having been convicted for an offence involving dishonesty “was found guilty of a contravention of the code of conduct.”
The appellants held that Kalu was at the time of the election not qualified to contest the election.
According to him, Kalu’s conviction by the Federal High Court “for the offence of fraud (which is an offence that involves dishonesty) on the 5th day of December, 2019, at the conclusion of the trial of the 1st Respondent in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/56/07, Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Orji Uzor Kalu & 2 ors” was “less than ten (10) years from the date of conviction.
“It was admitted on his behalf that he had earlier been convicted for the offence of fraud by the Federal High Court,” in that suit.
“The Federal High Court in the said Suit No.: FHC/ABJ/CS/73/2021 upheld the argument” of Kalu “that he had been convicted on the 5th day of December, 2019 in the said Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/56/07 and therefore, prohibited any fresh arraignment in respect of the same offence in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/56/07,” he added.
He stressed that Kaku did not appeal the said judgment, rather, “it was one of his co-accused, a certain Jones Udeogu who appealed the conviction to the Supreme Court, whereat, the said Jones Udeogu secured a decision for the conviction to be set aside.”
It’s his contention that the effect of the decision in Ude Jones Udeogu V. Federal Republic of Nigeria – (2022) 3 NWLR (Part 1816) 41, in relation to Kalu, that the Judgment was expressly made to apply specifically to the Appellant, Jones Udeogu; the Judgment specifically ordered that Jones Udeogu should be tried afresh before a different judge and that the Judgment and Orders of the Supreme Court made no mention of Kalu.
He submitted that Kalu for all intents and purposes “remained a convict as at the time of the election” based on the decision of the apex court.
The appellants further argued that the tribunal erred to have ignored available evidence that “the Election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022,” despite sufficient proof.
In the pleading of the appellants, the “election was not conducted in some wards and polling units,” noting in his averment that the conduct of an election rests under the Electoral Act, 2022, which include the report of accreditation with the BVAS machine as retrieved from the BVAS machines and the Voters’ Register.
“Without the record of accreditation by BVAS and the Voters Register there is no election. These are basic provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Regulations made by INEC,” he stated.
He urged the appellate court to resolve the issue in his favour.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had announced Kalu the winner of the election with
30,805 votes with Nnamdi Iroh announced to have secured 27,540 votes in February 25, 2023 general elections.
NEWS
Tinubu’s Re-election: Don’t Allow Repeat of 2023, Tompolo Tells Lagos
Leader of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Government Ekpemupolo, has advised the people of Lagos State not to allow a repeat of what played out in the 2023 election in the state in the 2027 presidential election.
He called on the people to take advantage of the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to enable them vote massively for one of their own, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, who was represented by Kestin Pondi, gave the charge in Lagos, on Tuesday, during a campaign rally for Tinubu’s reelection, during which he also presented 57 campaign vehicles to state coordinators.
“What happened in 2023 must not repeat. He must win convincingly in 2027,” he said.
He described Tinubu as a selfless and courageous leader who did not care about his reelection but went on carrying out bold reforms that are already yielding results and which many Nigerians are benefitting from.
Ekpemupolo pointed out that, the fact that Lagos is today referred to as a city for all Nigerians is all thanks to the foundation laid by President Tinubu, which successive governors have built on, and now that he has a higher responsibility, there was the need for his own people to stand solidly behind him.
“Lagos is the city for all Nigerians because someone stood firm to restructure and reform it. “From the time he came into office in 1999 up to 2007 that he left, Lagos was the envy of other states.
“Today, he has a higher responsibility, an opportunity to replicate the Lagos success story in Nigeria through reforms. There is massive development across the states today because reforms are working,” he stated.
Ekpemupolo said to ensure that the reforms continue, the people of Lagos and all Nigerians must take the message to every door and everyone that Tinubu is the man for Nigeria.
Also speaking, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, pointed out that Nigeria was attaining economic stability under the Tinubu-led administration.
He advised the people to ignore the antics of opposition politicians who have no plan for Nigeria, but only desperate to win elections and have been moving from one party to another, demonstrating a lack of consistency, which he emphasised was bad quality for any leader.
Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu has constructed more roads than previous administrations in three years, given succour to students, increased minimum wage and made money available for payment of pensions.
“Why won’t we vote for him? The entire Lagos is for Tinubu. All our votes are for Tinubu. You’ve done it before, you’ll do it again. “We will touch every corner of Lagos with our message to reelect Tinubu. Go out and convince everyone that Tinubu is the candidate to vote,” the governor stated.
Earlier, National Coordinator of the movement, Sunday Asuku, urged the people of Lagos to go out and get their PVCs to enable them vote massively for Tinubu.
“We must stand our ground and deliver Tinubu with PVCs, not with guns or intimidation. Lagos must not put their son, Tinubu, to shame,” he stated.
He said in the 2027 presidential election, Nigerians must make a bold statement to retire “serial contesters” who he described as “enemies of Nigeria.”
POLITICS
Mbah Reaffirms Enugu’s Commitment to Trade, Investment, Industrial Growth
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for trade, investment and industrial development as part of efforts to accelerate economic growth and improve the wellbeing of residents.
Governor Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr.
Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, disclosed this at the Amadeo Business Summit 5.0 in Enugu.The five-day summit, themed “Sustaining Growth & Soaring,” brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, government institutions and other stakeholders at the Amadeo Event Centre to explore strategies for sustainable business growth and economic development.
The Commissioner noted that the state government remained committed to promoting investment, supporting businesses and industries, improving the ease of doing business and creating favourable conditions for investors to thrive.
He described the private sector as a critical partner in driving sustainable economic development, generating employment and expanding opportunities for the people. He also assured investors that Enugu remained open to credible investments and strategic partnerships capable of strengthening the state’s productive base.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, Ifeanyi Onah deliverimh a goodwill message urged participants to apply the knowledge and insights gained at the summit to their respective fields and businesses, while encouraging them to participate in the next edition, Amadeo Business Summit 6.0, to sustain the exchange of ideas and strengthen business collaboration.
The summit featured sessions on business leadership, transformation, youth empowerment, skills development, entrepreneurship, real estate, finance and small and medium-sized enterprise development. The state government reiterated its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote trade, investment and industrial growth in line with Governor Mbah’s “Tomorrow Is Here” agenda.
POLITICS
2027: Tinubu ‘ll Deliver Prosperity If Re-elected, First Lady Assures
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu will deliver on his promise to transform the country and usher in prosperity if re-elected for a second term in the 2027 general elections.
She gave the assurance in Lafia, Nasarawa State, during the grand rally of the North-Central Grassroots Mobilisation Network, organised to mobilise support for the re-election of President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The rally attracted a large turnout of APC supporters from across the North-Central geopolitical zone, alongside top party leaders, including the APC National Chairman, Prof.
Nentawe Yilwatda; Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma; and other governors from the region.Speaking at the event, Mrs. Tinubu said the President’s Independence Day message, titled “From Reforms to Prosperity,” reflected the administration’s commitment to translating ongoing economic reforms into improved living conditions for Nigerians.
She said the economy was beginning to stabilise, while foreign exchange pressures were easing and investors were returning to the country.
“The Independence Day message of Mr President was titled ‘From Reforms to Prosperity’. Therefore, Mr President is saying that they are going to reform the sectors, but now is the time for prosperity, and we can see our economy is stabilising,” she said.
The First Lady also commended governors for their infrastructure development efforts, noting that their contributions were helping to advance the country’s development.
Mrs. Tinubu said the Federal Government was also intensifying efforts to address food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
She explained that the administration’s food bank programme was designed to improve access to nutritious food and provide support for malnourished children to help them grow healthily.
“As you see now, we have just finished the food bank programme, where we are helping every child and mothers who are pregnant and also breastfeeding.
“This is to ensure that they can have more nutritious food, and also the children that are malnourished can get treatment and food to grow healthy,” she said.
She added that young people in schools were also benefiting from government support, urging party supporters to take the administration’s achievements and policies to their respective communities.
Mrs. Tinubu described President Tinubu as a bold leader willing to make difficult decisions in the interest of the country, expressing confidence in his ability to lead Nigeria towards prosperity.
She urged residents of the North-Central region to convince voters that the country could achieve better outcomes if President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima secured another term.
The First Lady further said the administration was committed to building a stronger economy, safer communities and a greater Nigeria.
She called on the electorate to support the APC at all levels in the 2027 general elections, arguing that continuity would help sustain the government’s policies and development agenda.
“Therefore, vote for continuity, vote for capacity, vote for prosperity, vote for the re-election of Mr President and all the candidates of APC from top to bottom,” she added.
Other speakers at the rally also urged Nigerians to vote for President Tinubu and APC candidates in the 2027 elections, describing continued support for the party as an opportunity to sustain the administration’s programmes and development plans.


