Connect with us

POLITICS

Ortom, Abounu Loses Bid to Stop Recovery of Over 42 Vehicles, Other Assets

Published

on

Share

……Abounu Loses Bid to Stop Recovery

From Attah Ede Makurdi

Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi, presided by Justice Theresa Igoche yesterday, dismissed the preliminary objections raised by the immediate Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom and His Deputy, Engr.

Benson Abounu against Governor Hyacinth Alia and Government of Benue State, to stop retrieval of over 42 vehicles and other assets allegedly donated to them and their cabinet members before their exit from office on May 29th, 2023.

Ruling on the motion, the court held that the former governor and his deputy were being speculative and seeking to limit the exercise of the constitutional powers of the democratically elected state governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia.

Justice Theresa Igoche upheld the preliminary objection of the Defendants on two major grounds that the suit was speculative for failing to establish a cause of action.

She further averred that the suit indeed sought to delimit the constitutional powers of the Defendants as donated unto them by Section 5(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and accordingly struck out the suit.

Bayelsa APC Elders Oppose Jonathan’s Move to Nominate Minister

Former Governor Ortom and his deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu instituted a suit marked No: MHC/199/2023 to challenge the alleged retrieval of vehicles and properties allegedly donated to them and their cabinet members by the Benue State Executive Council before their handover on May 29th, 2023.

Both Ortom and Abounu alleged that such action of retrieval was a constitutional affront to their collective right to ownership of property legally and legitimately vested in them.

However, counsel to the Government of Benue State, the Governor of Benue State and the Chairman of the Assets Recovery Committee, Mohammed Ndarani (SAN) who had appeared with Vershima raised and argued a Notice of Preliminary Objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain, hear and determine the suit on the grounds that it was speculative as it failed to give identity of the cars and properties allegedly taken from the Plaintiffs.

Moreso, the suit sought to limit the proper exercise of the executive powers of the governor to appoint appropriate committees to help in the administration of the state.

Arguing further, Mohammed Ndarani (SAN) maintained that, the terms of reference of the committee to decipher the extent of their powers and to help determine whether the committee had overlapped its authority were not before the court.

He said the committee was also not shown to have completed its work to conclusively establish whether they had permanently taken custody of any vehicles, hence for investigative purposes, temporary taking of custody of vehicles is allowed under the constitution.

Counsel has also stressed that, if such frivolous suits were allowed to linger, development would be greatly hampered across the country.

In his submission, Douglas Pepe (SAN) who appeared with Paul Sule maintained that, the Plaintiffs’ cause of action was potent and alleged that over 32 vehicles donated to the Plaintiffs by the Benue State Executive Council before they left office on May 29th, 2023 had been taken custody off by the Defendants, which was an affront to their right to ownership of property.

……Abounu Loses Bid to Stop Recovery

POLITICS

Osun 2026 Guber: APC Aspirants Should Not Waste Money Contesting Against Adeleke – Ex Party Chieftain, Jackson Ojo

Published

on

Share

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

A former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Jackson Lekan Ojo has advised those in the race for the APC ticket not to waste their resources as the victory of Governor Isiaka Adeleke is practically a done deal.

In a video post on his Facebook page, Jackson Ojo said Governor Adeleke has won the heart of the people of his state with his transformation of all the 30 local governments in the State and prompt payment of workers and pensioners.

According to him, the achievements of Governor Adeleke has already done 80 percent of his campaign ahead of the election.

Jackson Ojo, who is a Security Expert and global affairs analyst, from Osun State, stressed that he has always advised political office holders to perform while in office as this is the greatest strategy and tactics to win future elections.

He stressed that the abysmal performance of the APC at the Federal level and the poor performance of previous APC governors in Osun state will count heavily against any candidate that is presented by the party to contest against governor Adeleke.

The former APC chieftain added that he is not patronizing the governor for any personal gain as there is nothing that the governor can give him that God has not already given him.

He stressed that his intervention in the Osun governorship race is to stop opponents of the governor from wasting their resources for an election they can never win.

His words: “Two weeks ago I resigned from partisan politics, so I am no longer member of any political party in Nigeria. When I speak now I am not speaking in favour or against any political party. So, I am very free to air my views

“This is my views on the forthcoming governorship election in Osun state. I still see some people struggling for governor in Osun state come 2026.

“That is highly impossible for an APC aspirant. What is the APC government doing at the national level, what are the doing in the Senate, what are they doing in the House of Representatives to encourage Nigerians?

“If we are in a place like America or United Kingdom (UK) APC will not be able to win ordinary councillorship again in this country. Is it in the management of economy, education, health, security and others?

“In all these areas put together they have not scored up to 10 percent. I can boldly mark them today they they have woefully failed in area of agricultural development, educational development, health development, security, economy and infrastructural development. In all ramifications this party has failed.

“Look at the antecedents of the APC in Osun state. Aregbesola tried a bit, yes, but then Aregbesola left the State aground.

“When Baba Jeje, Mr. Go Slow, the unfortunate Minister of Blue Economy or whatever they call it, came there was nothing to write home about during his tenure as governor of Osun State. He came, he bartered the state, he rubbished the State, he insulted the state, he disgraced the State on the platform of APC.

“Now another APC is coming out now thinking of winning? Winning where, defeat who?

“Governor Adeleke does not know me, there is no benefit Adeleke can give me that God has not given to me. I can’t be a Commissioner in Osun state. No. I can’t be Special Adviser or whatever. I can’t even take their contract. I don’t think they can award the kind of contract that I need to an individual.

“But then, Adeleke has tried. If you go to my community you will see the way he has positively turned the community. Even if I am the governor of Osun State I don’t think I can do what Adeleke has done in my town and that transformation cuts across all the 30 local government areas of Osun State. All the communities, all the local governments, all.

“This man is no longer paying half salary of quarter salary. This man is not owning workers, he is not owning pensioners. This alone has spoken, this alone has done 80 percent of his campaign.

“If you perform well in office that is the highest strategy and tactics that you can use to win the heart of the people.

“Come 2026 whoever is putting money on ground in Osun state to go and contest governorship in Osun state, honestly that person has money to waste. It is sadaka, the money they have stolen they want to come and do sadaka. It is Adeleke till 2030.”

Continue Reading

POLITICS

Former DG of PDP Governors Forum Defects to ADC

Published

on

Share

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Former Director General of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Hon C.I.D Maduabum has resigned from the party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement made available to Daily Asset in Abuja on Sunday, Hon Maduabum said he is dumping the PDP because the party has been “hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.

Part of his statement read: “After deep reflection, extensive consultations, and careful evaluation of the current political realities within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.

“As a committed democrat, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, and former Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, I have dedicated significant portions of my political life to building the PDP as a platform for democratic consolidation and national development.

“However, the soul of the party I once served with pride has been hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.

“The PDP today is a shadow of its former self. It has descended into chaos, internal betrayal, and systematic destruction by diverse forces who have no regard for the principles upon which the party was founded. Sadly, voices of reason are no longer welcome, and genuine reformers are vilified or silenced.

“I can no longer in good conscience remain in a house that has been stripped of its moral compass and overrun by opportunists.

“In light of this, I am proud to announce that I am joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — a party that now stands as the only credible democratic alternative for Nigeria.

“The ADC is emerging as a beacon of hope for good governance, integrity, accountability, and inclusive politics. It offers the opportunity for principled politics, genuine people-oriented leadership, and a platform for rebuilding our nation from the grassroots up.

“The ADC Coalition includes progressive minded people like Mr. Peter Obi and others.

“I join the ADC not merely as a defector but as a reformer committed to helping build a new political culture — one based on merit, ideology, discipline, youth inclusion, and national unity.

“The time has come for all well-meaning Nigerians to take a stand against the decay in our political system. I call on all patriots, especially those disillusioned by the dysfunction in the traditional parties, to rally around this movement for a new Nigeria through the ADC.

“I remain committed to the democratic ideals of justice, equity, and service to the people. The struggle to rescue Nigeria and restore its promise continues — and it begins now on a new, firmer footing.”

Continue Reading

POLITICS

Anambra: INEC Registers 96,085 New Voters, Extends CVR by Three Days

Published

on

Share

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has registered 96,085 new voters in nine days and extended the exercise by three days in Anambra.

The commission disclosed this in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Thursday in Abuja, after its weekly meeting.

He said that on the preliminary stage of the CVR, 56,017 representing 58 per cent of new registrants were female while 50,429 52 representing 48 per cent were young people between the ages of 18 and 34.

“The commission is pleased with the turnout of registrants in Anambra and the peaceful conduct of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in all the 326 registration centres in the state.

“As of yesterday, Wednesday, 96,085 new voters have successfully registered in nine days. On average, the Commission registered over 10,600 voters per day.

“In addition, 12,595 voters applied for transfer of their registration both within and outside the state while 7,061 persons applied for the update of their records or the replacement of their damaged or lost Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

“The CVR in Anambra ends today. However, in response to appeal from citizens, the Commission hereby extends the exercise for three more days. It will now end on Sunday, July 20,” he said.

Olumekun said that the commission would thereafter display the register for claims and objections by citizens as provided by law.

This, according to him, will be followed by a further clean-up of the data using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

“Subsequently, the detailed breakdown of the new registrants by age, gender, occupation and disability will be published for public information,” he said.

Olumekun also disclosed that INEC had received five more letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

According to him, the new application brings the number received so far by the commission to 134.

Olumekun stated that the details of the new associations, indicating their proposed names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships were already published on INEC website and other platforms for public information.

He said that INEC would continue to keep the citizens up to date on all its activities.

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

Metro55 minutes ago

NAF Airstrikes Decimate ISWAP Leadership Cell in Southern Tumbuns

ShareThe Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has neutralized several high-value Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders...

Metro1 hour ago

Police Recover Body of Kogi Journalist Murdered by Colleague

ShareThe Police Command in Kogi said it has recovered the body of Ayo Aiyepeku, a photo-journalist, allegedly murdered by his...

Metro1 hour ago

Police Detains Housewife, Two Others for Fake Kidnap

ShareThe police command in Delta said it has arrested a housewife, who conspired with two others, to fake her kidnap...

NEWS3 hours ago

WHO Urges Action to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis

ShareThe World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments and global health partners to urgently accelerate efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis...

Uncategorized3 hours ago

Prof Rufa’i Alkali Congratulates New National Chairman of APC

ShareProf Rufa’i Alkali Congratulates New National Chairman of APC …Lauds Party for Smooth Leadership Transition Former Political Adviser to former...

NEWS4 hours ago

FRSC begins Nationwide Promotion for 2,000 Personnel

ShareThe Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced a nationwide promotion exercise involving over 2,000 personnel. A statement by the...

NEWS4 hours ago

Lassa Fever Kills 152 in Nigeria — NCDC

ShareThe Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a total of 152 deaths from Lassa fever in...

Metro7 hours ago

Prof. Barns Ikyo, Wife Celebrate Decade of Public Service, Launch Magazine at Thanksgiving

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja It was a moment of deep gratitude and reflection as Professor Barns Achakpa Ikyo and his...

OPINION9 hours ago

Advancing Nigeria’s Security Strategies through Unmanned Aerial Systems

ShareBy Patricia Amogu In the face of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis, marked by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence, a...

NEWS9 hours ago

Christian Body Gives Free Medical Treatment to 3,000 People in A’Ibom

ShareFrom Christopher Tom, Uyo The Gilgal Christians centre health awareness campaign program held at the church auditorium witnessed an unprecedented...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc