Politics

Why we are holding Emefiele, by DSS

Published

1 year ago

June 21, 2023

The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) have presented their reasons for opposing the bail application filed by the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

In their counter-affidavits submitted to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, the DSS expressed concerns that granting Emefiele bail could potentially interfere with their ongoing investigations.

The OAGF clarified that Emefiele’s detention was unrelated to terrorism or his involvement in partisan politics, and dismissed rumors regarding the naira redesign policy.

The DSS further stated that Emefiele’s arrest was based on suspicions of criminal breach of trust, incitement to violence, economic sabotage, and other economic crimes with national security implications.

They highlighted the need to apprehend additional individuals associated with the case. Both agencies emphasized that granting bail at this stage may hinder the collection of evidence and jeopardize the ongoing investigation.

The OAGF argued that Emefiele posed a flight risk and could flee the country if released. During the hearing, the DSS denied allegations of denying access to Emefiele’s family members and lawyers.

The OAGF contested Emefiele’s claim of unlawful detention, citing that he was being held based on an order from an FCT Chief Magistrates Court. The OAGF also challenged the jurisdiction of the court in hearing the case.

He stressed that a court’s jurisdiction is determined by the reliefs sought by an applicant.

Lawyer to the DSS I. Awo said there was a subsisting order to detain Emefiele.

Awo, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the suit with cost.

But Emefiele’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the court has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit.

Daudu pointed out that the alleged offences listed against his client were state offences that could be tried by the High Court of the FCT.

After entertaining arguments from parties, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned till July 13 for a ruling.

‘Emefiele’s family members, lawyers not denied access’

After the adjournment, the DSS said in a statement by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, that the celebration of the news of a court order to allow Emefiele’s lawyers and family members access to him was unnecessary.

The Service also said in the statement titled “The DSS operates within its mandate” that it expected expects attacks over the suspension of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa.

The statement partly reads: “He (Emefiele) was never denied access. Ever since he was taken into custody, his family has continually accessed him; same with medical officials. The impression that the Service is going to act on the prompting of the Court is not correct.”

Making reference to some “editorials” it considered unsavoury, the DSS said it knew that some groups and persons would come up with frivolous allegations against it.

The service added: “These entities may also exploit unpatriotic members of the service to spread falsehoods, propaganda and hate in order to project the organisation in a bad light.

“Given their reach and war chest to mobilise forces against Government and its key officials, the adversaries may intend to cause distractions to the ongoing investigations as directed by the C-in-C (Commander-in-Chief). However, the Service will not depose its professionalism for cheap backlash nor discharge its duty with prejudice or fear.”

Politics

LP Tells Obi, Otti: No Power to Challenge Abure’s Chairmanship Verdict

Published

20 hours ago

October 14, 2024

Tunde-Olubo Bukunmi

Julius Abure, the embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has shrugged off the threat from the party’s caretaker committee, headed by Nenadi Usman, which intends to challenge a recent court ruling that confirmed his leadership.

Last week, the Federal High Court in Abuja validated the disputed national convention that reinstated Abure and his National Working Committee (NWC) to office.

Despite this, the caretaker committee met with Peter Obi, the LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, before deciding to take the case to the Appeal Court.

In an interview with Punch on Sunday, Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary and a supporter of Abure, dismissed the Usman-led committee’s intentions.

He argued that the 29-member caretaker panel had no legal standing to contest the court’s decision, emphasizing that it was not a recognized entity under the law.

Ifoh said, “It would be unfortunate if they toe that line because you can’t appeal a judgment that you are not a party to. The caretaker committee is not a body known to the Labour Party constitution. It is not a body known to the electoral law or the Constitution of Nigeria. So, they do not even have a locus.”

He pointed out that the dispute was between the Labour Party and INEC, and since the committee wasn’t involved in the original case, it had no grounds to file an appeal.

“There are so many instances in the Nigerian law that say if you are not a party to any suit, you cannot appeal. So they have an alternative, maybe they can start a fresh suit. But their name, as I told you, is not even recognised by the law,” Ifoh added.

Highlighting the party’s stability despite past challenges, Ifoh concluded that anyone dissatisfied with the current leadership would have to wait until the end of its term.

“For now, the leadership of Julius Abure will expire in 2028. That is what the law has said.”

ROAMAN NEWS

Politics

Ondo PDP Decries Blocked Access to Campaign Venues

Published

3 days ago

October 12, 2024

Tunde-Olubo Bukunmi

Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed frustration over being denied access to Democracy Park for the launch of its governorship campaign.

The PDP Campaign Organisation accused the state government of deliberately blocking their event, a move they described as intolerant and undemocratic in the lead-up to the gubernatorial election.

In a statement on Saturday, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the PDP campaign, explained that the party had formally applied to use the venue for its October 15 campaign flag-off.

However, the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa rejected their request, marking what Fadaka called an unprecedented and petty action by any administration in the state.

“To say we did not anticipate this pedestrian action will only indicate that we have not taken deep cognizance of the indecorous approach of Governor Aiyedatiwa to governance,” Fadaka stated.

He recalled that during the tenure of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, no political party was ever denied access to public spaces, praising Akeredolu as a true statesman.

“Now Ondo State is unlucky to have a worse variant in its saddle,” he lamented, calling for an end to what he described as a “degeneracy” in governance.

Despite the setback, Fadaka confirmed that the PDP will still proceed with its campaign flag-off in Akure. He acknowledged that the event might cause some disruptions but placed the blame squarely on the “irresponsibility” of the state government.

“We regret whatever inconvenience our gathering may cause and apologize in advance, but note that the pedestrian government is the cause.”

Fadaka concluded with a warning: “Once a fire is set, there is no hiding the flames.” He reaffirmed the PDP’s confidence in winning the upcoming election, stating that “no cheap, petty, and pedestrian attitude will stop that.”

ROAMAN NEWS