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Emergency rule: Dagogo’s legal team protests transfer of case to Abuja

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The legal team representing former federal lawmaker from Rivers State, Farah Dagogo, has formally opposed the relocation of his suit challenging the Federal Government’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

Ekwutosblog recalls that last week, the suit which was filed at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, was transferred to the Abuja Division.

The transfer followed a directive from the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Aside the suit by Dagogo challenging the emergency rule, every case challenging the state of emergency was also transferred to Abuja.

However, the legal team of the former lawmaker, in a letter addressed to the Chief Judge and copied to the Presiding Judge of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, disapproved the transfer, stating that it is a violation of judicial independence and due process.

Dagogo’s lead counsel, Chief Cosmas Enweluzo, SAN, argued that the Attorney-General lacked the statutory authority to request the transfer of a case from one judicial division to another, as he is a party to the suit, representing the President.

“Your Lordship, allowing a party to dictate the forum of adjudication sets a dangerous precedent and erodes public confidence in the justice system.

“The current development amounts to forum shopping and constitutes an abuse of court process,” the letter further stated.

Enweluzo restated that the effects of the State of Emergency and the actions of the Administrator are being felt in Rivers State, and therefore the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court is the appropriate forum for hearing the matter.

The legal team advised the Chief Judge to reconsider the decision and uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

President Bola Tinubu had on March 18, 2025, declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State, citing threats to national assets.

The President further suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator of the state.

Dagogo, in response, initiated a suit on April 9, 2025, challenging the constitutionality of the President’s actions.

The case which was formerly presided over by Justice Turaki Mohammed, had been adjourned to May 26, 2025, for further proceedings.

However, before the scheduled date, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court approved a request by the Attorney-General of the Federation to transfer the case to Abuja.

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How Buhari shocked me 6 months into his administration – Oyegun

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Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.

Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.

The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.

“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.

“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.

“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?

“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.

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Electoral Reform: Dino alleges senate’s plot to rig 2027 election

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Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.

The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.

In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.

He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.

Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.

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Electoral Act: Nigerians have every reason to be mad at Senate – Ezekwesili

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Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.

Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.

DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.

Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.

“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.

“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”

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