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N3.5b debt: Court freezes Oyo govt’s accounts in 10 banks

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has issued an order to freeze the accounts of the Oyo state government in ten commercial banks across the country.

The order was issued by Justice A. O. Ebong in a ruling on a proceeding initiated by ex-council chiefs in Oyo state, sacked on May 29, 2019 by Governor Seyi Makinde, and who in 2021 got a N4,874,889,425.60 judgment against Makinde and other officials/agencies of the state.

The other officials/agencies listed with Makinde as judgment debtors, by virtue of the May 7, 2021 judgment of the Supreme Court, are the Attorney General, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Accountant General of Oyo State, Speaker of the House of Assembly, the House of Assembly and the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC).

The garnishee proceeding is intended by the ex-council chiefs, led by Bashorun Majeed Ajuwon, to recover the balance of N3,424,889,425.60 (N3.5b) which is outstanding from the actual judgment sum, from which Makinde paid only N1.5m in 2022.

What was outstanding in respect of the Supreme Court judgment was N3,374,889,425.60, but the Court of Appeal in Abuja added N50million, which it awarded as cost against Makinde and others in a judgment on December 8, dismissing their appeal.

The banks in which the Oyo State Government’s accounts are blocked are Zenith Bank, United Bank of Africa (UBA), Wema Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Ecobank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, Polaris Bank, Jaiz Bank and Union Bank.

Read Also: BREAKING: Appeal Court affirms Fintiri’s election as Adamawa governor

Justice Ebong, in the ruling on a motion marked: BW/M/85/2023, ordered the garnishees (the banks) to “file affidavits and attend this court on the next adjourned date to show cause why the garnishee orders nisi hereby granted should not be made absolute.”

The judge awarded N300,000.00 as cost against the judgment debtors; ordered that a copy of the order be served on Makinde and others and adjourned till January 5 next year for hearing.

On May 7, 2021 when the Supreme Court gave judgment, voiding Makinde’s sack of elected Local Government Chairmen and Councillors in Oyo State, the apex court gave similar judgment in respect of Katsina State and ordered both states to pay the salaries and allowances of the effected ex-council chiefs.

Justice Ejembi Eko, who delivered the lead judgment in the Oyo State case, condemned the decision by Makinde to unlawfully sack the elected council chiefs before the end of their tenure.

Justice Eko said: “I will not conclude this appeal without commenting on the disturbing ugly face of impunity displayed by the Governor of Oyo State on 29th May, 2019 which is tantamounting to executive lawlessness, outrightly and vehemently condemned by this…

“Local Government Chairman and Councillors, being persons duly elected by the people cannot just be removed and their councils dissolved whimsically and arbitrarily by any other elected persons in clear abuse of their office and powers. It is not right in law and under the Constitution to do that.”

But, while the Katsina State Government has since paid its ex-council chiefs, who were unlawfully sacked, the Oyo State Government, under Makinde has failed to paid the ex-council chiefs he sacked before the end of their tenure, and which sack the Supreme Court voided in its May 7, 2021 judgment in the appeal marked: SC/CV/556/2020.

Lawyer to the ex-council chiefs, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN) had, during a hearing in the appeal filed by Makinde and others before the Court of Appeal, Abuja, told the court that some of his clients have died while others are suffering after they were unjustly sacked as elected council officials by Makinde, who he blamed for the delay in paying the judgment debt.

In a court document, the ex-council chiefs said: “As at date, we have lost 26 of our members, whose children are crying to the conscience of His Excellency (Makinde) for justice.

“Obviously, if His Excellency (Makinde) had paid our money within the six months expressly pledged by the immediate past Attorney General on his behalf, our deceased colleagues would have had little money to attend to the sicknesses that took most of them away.”

December 18, 2023
UPDATED: Bye elections, rerun elections may hold February

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is considering conducting bye elections and rerun elections across the country in the first week of February, 2024 to fill existing vacancies in both the state and National Assemblies.

The commission, however, said that only candidates and parties that participated in the last general elections will be allowed to participate in the rerun elections, while parties are allowed to conduct party primaries to present candidates for the bye elections.

The chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who disclosed this at a meeting with leaders of political parties to prepare for the elections said the commission has decided to conduct both elections on the same day.

Prof. Yakubu said at the end of litigation, the commission has been ordered by the courts to conduct rerun elections in 34 federal and state cobstituencieebmade up of one in the Senate, 11 Federal Constituencies and 22 state constituencies.

According to him, the 34 seats scheduled for rerun elections constitute only 2.8 percent of the total number it litigation s filed as a result of the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

In addition, he said the commission will conduct bye elections to fill vacancies created as a result of resignation or death of members.

He said that an authentic date for the election and a comprehensive time table will be released at the end of the meeting with party leaders.

Read Also: Court stops INEC from conducting bye election to replace 27 Rivers lawmakers

Prof Yakubu said: “The purpose of this meeting is to brief party leaders on the Commission’s preparation for the forthcoming elections to be held early in the new year.

“The elections are in two categories. First, as the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals set up in the aftermath of the 2023 General Election gradually wind up their proceedings, the Commission is required to conduct re-run elections in some constituencies by court order.

“Secondly, the commission is also required to conduct bye-elections to fill vacancies arising from the death or resignation of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.

“The commission intends to combine and conduct the two categories of elections on the same day, the details of which will be discussed at this meeting.

“As you are aware, re-run elections only involve the parties and candidates that participated in the general election unless a party wishes to replace a deceased candidate. However, bye-elections are fresh elections. Consequently, political parties must conduct fresh primaries within the limited period of time provided by law.

“So far, the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals have ordered the Commission to conduct re-run elections in 34 constituencies made up of one Senatorial District, 11 Federal Constituencies and 22 State Assembly constituencies.

“However, the 34 constituencies constitute 2.8% of the 1,191 petitions filed by litigants. Significantly, out of the 34 re-run elections, it is only in three cases that the Commission was ordered to conduct elections in the entire constituencies. In the other 31 constituencies, elections are to be held in a few polling units.

“I want to assure you that at the end of all the litigations, including the Governorship elections pending on appeal at the Supreme Court, the Commission will present a comprehensive analysis of the petitions, including cases where the Commission was ordered to issue Certificates of Return to other candidates and the reasons for the decisions by the Courts as part of the lessons learned from the 2023 General Election for the consequential reforms to improve the conduct of future elections.

“With regard to the bye-elections, you may recall that in my recent address at the swearing-in of new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) which was combined with our last quarterly meeting with the RECs nationwide, I made a commitment that the Commission will conduct elections to fill vacancies in the National and State Assembly constituencies.

“The commission is looking at the first week of February 2024 i.e. in just a little over one month to conduct both the re-run and bye-elections.

“At the end of this consultative meeting, the commission will meet to review preparations and announce a definite date, including the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the elections. Full delimitation details, including locations, number of Polling Units, registered voters and Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) collected in each constituency will be uploaded to our website for public information.”

December 18, 2023
Harrysong calls out Kcee over unpaid royalties, unreleased songs

Singer, Harrysong has called out his former label boss, Kingsley Okonkwo popularly known as Kcee over his unpaid royalties.

Harrysong, in a series of posts on his Instagram story, stated that he is appealing to the 5 Star music boss to refund his money and release his songs.

Sharing more, he claimed that for over 7 years now, he has been collecting 100 percent of his royalties and has taken rights over his songs.

Calling him a bully, he pleaded with him to be fair to him and give him what was rightfully his.

“I’m here to beg you all to help me and follow me beg Kingsley Okonkwo, known as Kcee, to refund my money and release my songs.

“For more than 7 years now, he’s been the one collecting 100 percent of my Royalties from Reggae Blues, baba for the Girls, samankwe, better Pikin, oteshe, and call my bag songs. He collects one hundred percent of all my royalties. It’s not fair.

Read Also: Marriage is not for the wise, rich or educated – Harrysong

“At least, he can take his percentage and give me what is rightfully mine.

I started this by begging na beg I dey beg am, I know he likes to bully, he’s the power mike, help me beg him, he should at least be fair to give me what is rightfully mine.

“May God not let us work and another man just be reaping our hard end sweet in Jesus name.”

Taking to the micro-blogging platform, Twitter, he further tweeted: “Y’all help me beg him. I deserve what is rightfully mine. It’s not hair him collecting all my royalties 100percent. Not fair at all. Don’t insult him. Pls help me beg him”.

December 18, 2023
Champions League last-16 draw: Arsenal play Porto, Man City to face Copenhagen

Premier League leaders Arsenal, will face Porto in the next round of the Champions league.

Arsenal who topped Group B but have never won the Champion League, beat Porto 5-0 at Emirates Stadium the last time they met in 2010.

Read Also: UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw

Runners-up in Portugal’s Primeira Liga last season, Porto won four of their six Group H games to finish second behind Barcelona.

Manchester City will also meet Denmark club, Copenhagen.

Man City won Group G with a 100% record, while Copenhagen, who lost 1-0 at United before beating them 4-3 at home, were runners-up to Bayern in Group A.

December 18, 2023
Court stops INEC from conducting bye election to replace 27 Rivers lawmakers

A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting bye-election to replace 27 Rivers Assembly members who defected to APC.

On December 11, the Nation had reported that 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who are said to be loyal to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have reportedly defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Read Also: BREAKING: Bye elections, rerun elections may hold Feb 1 – INEC

Donatus Okorowo, the presiding judge, gave the order on Friday, but was made available to the Nation on Monday.

The court also stopped the four member House of Assembly led by Speaker Edison from declaring vacant the seat of the 27 APC Rivers Assembly Members.

Details shortly…

December 18, 2023
UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw

Porto v Arsenal

Napoli v Barcelona

Paris St-Germain v Real Sociedad

Inter Milan v Atletico Madrid

PSV Eindhoven v Borussia Dortmund

Read Also: Champions League last-16 draw: Arsenal play Porto, Man City to face Copenhagen

Lazio v Bayern Munich

Copenhagen v Manchester City

RB Leipzig v Real Madrid

December 18, 2023
Wumi Toriola reveals 2023 painful heartbreak

Popular Nollywood actress, Wumi Toriola, has recounted her 2023 heartbreak with online hair vendors.

The mother of one revealed that the only heartbreak she suffered this year was from hair vendors.

She noted how what they post online is different from what they are selling.

Describing it as sickening, she called for a reform and a female version of controversial socialite and activist, A Very Dark Man to call out hair vendors.

Read Also: Actress Wumi Toriola laments N3 million refund for failed contract

She urged anyone facing a similar experience to open up to her, so they could start a movement.

She stated: “The only heartbreak I got this year is from hair vendors. What a lot post is not what they sell. It’s sickening.

“It’s like we need a reform, we need a Very Dark White Woman for the hair vendors. If you have experienced this heartbreak from them, hit me in the comment section. We may need to start a movement.”

December 18, 2023
Why I may never work with Kizz Daniel again – Peruzzi

Popular singer, Tobechukwu Victor Okoh, popularly known as Peruzzi, has indicated that the possibility of collaborating with Kizz Daniel again is unlikely.

He said he and Kizz Daniel worked on a song titled ‘Gwagwalada’ but the Fly Boy boss gave the song to another artist, BNXN, fka Buju.

Peruzzi said he wasn’t consulted before Kizz Daniel went ahead to release the song with BNXN and Seyi Vibez.

Read Also: I have written over 252 songs for artists – Peruzzi boasts

Speaking in the latest episode of the Zero Conditions podcast, he said: “Kizz Daniel and I made ‘Gwagwalada’ together but he gave the song to Buju.

“I called Kizz for a collaboration. He came and played random songs, then he played ‘Gwagwalada.’ And he said he wants to call Buju so we can decide on the song. He called him, and the guy came. He sent me the song there, and I went home. Only for me to see that they’ve dropped the song one day without anybody reaching out to me.

“So, I don’t think I will be working with Kizz Daniel anytime soon. Right now, I don’t think so.”

December 18, 2023
My family didn’t want me to become entertainer – Skitmaker Zicsaloma

Popular skit maker and singer, Isaac Aloma, popularly known as Zicsaloma, has revealed that his family was against his decision to become an entertainer.

He said his mum was the only family member who supported him, adding that his brothers always shut him up whenever he tried to sing in the house.

Zicsaloma, who is the youngest son, recalled how his elder brothers would destroy his music cassettes because they didn’t want him to do music.

Read Also: Zicsaloma: some Nigerians are worse off abroad

The crossdresser skitmaker revealed this in an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo.

He said his brothers never believed in him, but he is now “the chief cornerstone” of the family.

He said: “It was only my mum that supported me. I remember when I was supposed to go for a competition in South Africa, I was supposed to go with two family and friends. So I took my mum, naturally, I am supposed to carry my siblings and I can not. Because none of them have ever supported me. I went with my friends.”

December 18, 2023
Soludo to UNICEF, UNDP: we will eradicate poverty in Anambra

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has provided an overview of the programmes and initiatives his administration is undertaking to eradicate poverty in the state.

Soludo, at a two-day Partnership Roundtable Meeting attended by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), explained that his administration was making deliberate efforts to uproot poverty from the state.

While flagging off the event organised by the state Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with UNICEF at Best Western Meloch Hotel, Awka, Soludo, said that through the massive employment of teachers, healthcare workers; promotion of industrialisation and others, his administration had been able to reduce poverty in the state.

The governor, who was represented by his Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, assured UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other social development organisations of more partnership next year and beyond; saying that their working relationship so far had been cordial.

Read Also: Soludo mourns Ezeife, says he’s visionary leader

He said the government would continue to partner with these international organisations on programmes that would help his administration to end poverty and improve the wellbeing of Ndị Anambra and other residents of the state.

He stated: “The present administration is making tremendous efforts towards industrialising the state.

“Anambra state has taken laudable steps towards promoting inclusive growth, equality, security and a life of dignity for all. Over the past 20 months, the state government has indeed reformed various social sectors in the state.”

The governor said that he was working hard to improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state through the expansion of economic activities, attraction of more investments and exploitation of the abundant resource deposits across the state.

“Our administration is clear about its governance philosophy of transparency, traceability, and holding public office holders to account”, he stated.

Soludo commended UNICEF, UNDP and others for their support, saying that they had added value to the state through their various programmes.

UNICEF Enugu Chief of Field Office, Juliet Chiluwe, commended Soludo for his efforts to develop the state for the benefit of the people, especially the children.

She said that the social protection policy of the government would improve key aspects of human capital development in the state, including social assistance, social care, social insurance, labour market interventions, micro and small enterprises development and complementary measures for social protection in the state.

December 18, 2023