Headlines
N19.4bn Arms Funds: Court Fixes June 11 for Trial of Dasuki, Others
Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of an FCT High Court, on Monday, fixed June 11 for the trial to begin for a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, and Bashir Yuguda, in the alleged misappropriation of N19.4 billion arms funds.
The EFCC charged Messrs Dasuki and Yuguda alongside former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, his son, Sagir and his company, Dalhatu Investment Limited.
The EFCC charged them with 25 counts bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune N19.4 billion.
Justice Baba-Yusuf adjourned the matter after Lateef Fagbemi, counsel to Mr Bafarawa, briefed the court that Mr Dauski’s lead counsel, Joesph Daudu, was bereaved.
Justice Baba-Yusuf after listening said that the court agreed with the position of all the counsel that the death of a daughter in-law, was weighty enough to grant an adjournment.
“The matter is further adjourned until June 11 for trial’.
Earlier, the EFCC Counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the court that the case was scheduled for commencement of trial and they were in court with their witness.
He informed the court further that Mr Dasuki ‘s lawyer informed them that Mr Daudu was bereaved.
The counsel to Mr Bafarawa, Lateef Fagbemi, was asked by the judge to brief the court on the bereavement.
Mr Fagbemi informed the court that it was true that the matter was slated for today for trial, but their colleague, Mr Daudu, was bereaved and all counsel have been informed.
“The deceased was a staff of his chambers as well as his daughter-in-law.
“All counsel have met. This ugly situation has overshadowed everything, accordingly, all counsels have agreed that the matter be adjourned until June 11, at the convenience of the court.
“All counsel in the matter agreed to that,” he said.
(NAN)
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
