The embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, who is facing a drug trafficking charge, on Monday, begged the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja not to remand him in prison custody.

Kyari, through his lawyer, Mr Kanu Agabi, SAN, prayed the court to allow him to remain in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, pending the hearing and determination of his fresh application for bail.

The suspended DCP, who hitherto headed the Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, made the request after he pleaded not guilty to an eight-count charge the NDLEA preferred against him and six others. He was docked before trial Justice Emeka Nwike, alongside four other police officers- ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu, as well as two alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.

Whereas Kyari, dressed in blue native attire, and his police Co-Defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charge, the 6th and 7th Defendants, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, pleaded guilty to allegations against them

Meanwhile, shortly after the Defendants entered their plea, the NDLEA, through its Director, Prosecution & Legal Services, Mr Joseph Sunday, applied for a trial date and for review of facts in respect of the Defendants that pleaded guilty to the charge. The NDLEA equally told the court that it filed a counter-affidavit to oppose the release of Kyari and the other four former members of the Police IRT, on bail.

However, Agabi, SAN, while arguing that the charge against the Defendants contained bailable offences, he urged the court not to accede to request for facts in respect of Umeibe and Ezenwanne.

Agabi, SAN, contended that it will be prejudicial to his client for facts of the case to be reviewed and a decision reached on it, while the trial is still subsisting.

He further made reference to cases where Defendants, out of ignorance, pleaded guilty to a charge against them.

“It is not in the interest of justice for the facts to be reviewed while the trial is still ongoing”, he added.

He noted that both Umeibe and Ezenwanne were also mentioned in some counts in the charge that involved Kyari and the others.

On his part, the Prosecution counsel, Mr. Sunday, maintained that reviewing the facts of the case would not prejudice DCP Kyari and the others.

“My lord, this sort of application by the Defence is to undermine the capacity of this court.

“This case is to be considered on the basis of the evidence before the court. I do not see how the 1st to 5th Defendants will be prejudiced since we are going to confront them with evidence against them”.

“The most proper thing is to dispose of the case against the 6th and 7th Defendants.

“It will be unjust and unfair to keep the two Defendants in custody while waiting for the conclusion of the trial of the others.

“It is better for them to be convicted to enable them to start serving their sentence”, the Prosecution added.

After he had listened to oral arguments from both sides, trial Justice Nwite said he would want the parties to formally address the court on the issue next Monday.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2022-03-07

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has urged its chapters across the country to sensitise members of the public on the situation between the union and the Federal Government. This is as it declared Monday, February 7, 2022, as a lecture-free day in a bid to enhance the sensitisation.

The National President of the Union, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday evening.

Sunday PUNCH reports that the directive to the chapters of ASUU comes less than a week after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd.) pledged the commitment of his administration to fulfilling the agreement with the union.

Buhari made the promise when members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council visited him to discuss the lingering issues.

While making the pledge, Buhari pleaded with the union to exercise patience and consider current economic realities.

The last national strike by ASUU was in March 2020 and it lasted till December 2020, when a Memorandum of Action was signed.

However, a year after signing the MoA, ASUU accused the government of failing to fulfil its side of the bargain and threatened to mobilise for another strike immediately.

The government quickly moved to pay N55bn as part-payment for the Earned Academic Allowance and Revitalisation Fund, but the union was unmoved until the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council and other dignitaries waded in.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Prof Osodeke clarified that the union had not yet declared a strike but would be sensitising the public, which includes the media, on the state of affairs between the union and the Federal Government.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2022-02-06

The making of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland may be getting clearer as ten members of the Olubadan-in-Council have endorsed the nomination of Lekan Balogun to become the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.

However, former governor Rashidi Ladoja, who is the Osi Olubadan, was absent when the endorsement was done.

The 10 members made the announcement after Balogun addressed a press conference at Mapo Hall on Wednesday to commiserate with Ibadanland on the demise of Oba Saliu Adetunji.

The kingmakers insisted that no court case would stop the appointment and installation of the next Olubadan.

They said the administration of the late former Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, did not tamper with the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957 by elevating them.

Otun Balogun of Olubadan, Tajudeen Ajibola; spoke on behalf of the kingmakers.

“The council, which is the kingmakers, has met and resolved that Balogun is next in line and will in line with the tradition ascend the throne of Olubadan,” he said.

Apart from Ajibola, who spoke on behalf of the kingmakers, others who endorsed Lekan Balogun are Balogun Olubadan, Owolabi Olakulehin; Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe; Ashipa Olubadan, Edward Oyewole; Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekaarun Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade; Ekaarun Balogun, Dauda Agagagugu; Ekerin Olubadan Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Ekerin Balogun, Isioye Dada; and Iyalode Olubadan, Theresa Oyekanmi.

In a text of the press conference obtained by our correspondent, Lekan Balogun re-echoed his position as the Prime Minister of the Olubadan-in-Council – Otun Olubadan.

He said, “By way of duty, as the Prime Minister of the Olubadan-in-Council, we owe the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general the obligations to inform and update you all on the latest developments at our Palace.

“It is no longer news that our much-revered Kabiyesi, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso II, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, has joined his ancestors.

“The good deeds he had done in respect of his dedication and commitment to the promotion and sustenance of peace and development of Ibadanland and Oyo State, in general, shall remain indelible in the hearts of our people.

“He was a peace-loving and an outstanding custodian of culture and tradition who held on strictly to the principles of excellent leadership. He would forever be remembered for his consistency and tenacity of purpose in whatever he believed would advance the course of Ibadanland.

“He has come, served, and had gone like everyone before him. And so will everyone at his own time.

“I enjoin you all to remain peaceful in all your conduct in order to sustain our unequalled historical peaceful co-existence for which Ibadanland is globally known.

“I, therefore, enjoin you all to discard with all unfounded rumors and insinuations capable of disturbing the peace of Ibadanland, irrespective of the quarter from which such fake news emanate.

“In line with the traditional practice of Ibadanland when an occasion like this arises, the Olubadan-in-Council has been up and doing liaising with the Oyo State Government to ensure that every necessary step to sustain the peace of the city is strictly followed.”

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2022-01-05

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, refused to grant the bail application of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, said the application had been overtaken by events following an order of a sister court, granting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s prayers to detain Kyari for another 14 days to enable it to conclude its investigation.

Justice Ekwo held that the sister court, which gave the order in favour of NDLEA on February 22, was a court of coordinate jurisdiction.

The judge, however, said he was inclined to hear Kyari’s fundamental enforcement rights suit with the urgency it deserves after the expiration of the 14-day court order.

He then adjourned until March 15 to hear Kyari’s application to demand his fundamental right enforcement.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Justice Zainab Abubakar of FHC sitting in Abuja had granted the agency’s application to have Kyari and others suspects linked to the alleged drug trafficking detained for 14 more days to complete its investigation.

NAN also reports that Kyari, through his lawyer, had, on February 21, approached the court with an ex-parte motion and originating summons seeking bail and asking the court to enforce his fundamental human rights which he alleged had been breached by unlawful arrest and detention.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2022-02-28

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned further proceedings in the case against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, till Wednesday.

The adjournment followed Kanu’s complaint that the Federal Government failed to promptly serve him the fresh 15 amended charges it brought before the court.

Kanu, through his team of lawyers led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, further accused FG of denying him the necessary facility to defend the charge against him.

Ozekhome told the court that the amended charges were served on them barely 24 hours to the scheduled hearing.

“My Lord, the proposed amended charges were served on us yesterday (Monday) evening. As I speak to you my lord, the defendant, who was just brought in, has not even seen the charges which he is being told to enter his plea.

“With due respect, that is not justice. It is ambushing. I know that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, allows FG to amend, but this is the sixth amendment they are making, and each time they do it, they serve us a day to the hearing, just to frustrate the trial,” Ozekhome added

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2022-01-18

President Muhammadu Buhari will no longer be coming to Ogun state on Tuesday 21 December, the Ogun state government has announced.

Tokunbo Talabi, Secretary to the State Government said a new date for the visit will be announced.

Talabi apologised to the invited guests.

Buhari was expected to commission some of the completed works of the Dapo Abiodun administration.

Among them are the Gateway City Gate, GCG; Sagamu Interchange-Siun-Abeokuta Road; Kobape Housing Estate; King’s Court Estate; and Ijebu Ode-Mojoda-Epe Road.

Talabi did not give reason for the postponement of the official visit.

“The Government regrets any inconvenience the postponement might cause the invited guests,” the statement said.

Buhari is now in Istanbul Turkey, attending the third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit, hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Republic of Turkey.

He is expected back in Nigeria on Sunday 19 December.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-12-18

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday arrived in Abuja from Ethiopia where he had attended the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads and Government of African Union.

Before leaving Ethiopia, the President received the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, on the sidelines of the AU Summit.

He also received the Assistant Secretary-General and Assistant Administrator, Director, United Nations Development Programmes Regional Bureau for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa.

He had yesterday met with Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea-Bissau, Suzi Barbosa, who gave graphic presentation of the attempt to overthrow the constitutional order in her country.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2022-02-08

Former Oyo Governor Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is dead.He was 71.

Alao-Akala died exactly one month after the demise of the Soun of Ogbomosho.

Unconfirmed source said the former Governor died on Wednesday morning in his sleep at his Ogbomosho home.

Another source said the convoy of the former Governor had already been rolled out for a trip to Ibadan before the incident.

The source said concern was raised when the former Governor, who was expected to join the convoy, didn’t come out, forcing some of the aides to rush into the house where he was confirmed dead.

The cause of his death could not be ascertained as at press time.

He served under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

He handed over power to late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

He later decamped to the All Progressives Congress(APC) where he held sway as a chieftain, particularly in Ogbomoso until his death.Since the news of the his death broke out today,many in the socio-political landscape,especiallly in Oyo state,have been mourning including the current Governor of Oyo State,Engr Seyi Makinde,who wrote,

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2022-01-12

The President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, marked his 79th birthday in Istanbul, Turkey.According to Garba Shehu,the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.
'On his 79th birthday, today Friday in Istanbul, Turkey, President Muhammadu Buhari cut a birthday cake moulded in national colours, green-white-green to start the day, went straight to chair a planning meeting with officials in his delegation and thereafter drove to the Dolmabahce Palace for a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Tayyip Recep Erdogan.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-12-17