Politics
Court to rule on Ganduje vs Kano state May 16
A High Court in Kano state on Monday fixed May 16, 2024 for ruling on whether the court will allow service through substituted means to respondents in the case between the Kano state government and former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and eight others.
Ganduje, his wife Hafsat and son Umar and five others, who are defendants in the suit, were expected to be arraigned on eight count charges bordering on a $413,000 bribery allegation, diversion and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N1.38bn and abuse of office among other allegations.
But the presiding judge, Justice Usman Na’abba, after listening to arguments and counter arguments on whether the respondents could be served using alternative means, fixed May 16 for his ruling on the applications.
During hearing on Monday, the prosecution counsel, Adeola Adedigbe, SAN, said a criminal charge can be effected by substituted means.
“Section 378 sub section 5 of the Kano State ACJL provides that the application for leave may be brought before the Court on the effect of substituted service.
“Service on the defendant may be through his legal practitioner, surety and adult in his house,” he submitted.
Legal counsel standing in for respondent number six, Lamash Properties Limited, Nuraini Jimoh, SAN, argued that respondents in a criminal case cannot be served through substitute means.
However, the counsel for the state government, Adeola Adedigbe, made reference to a Kano state law 378/5 that allows service in criminal cases to be made using substitute means.
Jimoh described the Kano state law as ‘Ultra Vires’ and inferior to the Nigerian Constitution that restricts such action. He explained that the Nigeria law says that service of criminal charge is on the exclusive legislative list.
“Hence, the Kano state Assembly law that allows service of criminal summons by substitute means is Ultra Vires” he stated.
He further argued that there is no charge before the court against the respondents as the application before it reads “Application to prepare a charge”.
He described the legal process as having to include the police who will make an arrest, get a statement, the First Information Report, keep the suspect in detention or release him on bail, depending on whether the criminal case involves manslaughter, rape or murder and then arraign arraign him before a court of law.
He added that the attempt to make the court allow service by substitute means, when no effort has been made to reach the respondents, makes the service taken transfer its responsibility to the court. He added that it is a violation of the Sec 36 of the constitution.
The prosecution counsel argued that the defense counsel’s submission was premature and preemptive.
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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S TRIBUTE TO CENTENARIAN ALHAJI TANKO YAKASAI
I’m still in PDP – Wike replies Turaki, dismisses expulsion
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