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Tag: Court

  • DPP clears seven of killing NURTW Chief

    DPP clears seven of killing NURTW Chief

    Seven men arrested and charged before an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, in connection with the death of a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos Island, Azeez Otun, 47, and other two persons, have been exonerated by the state’s Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    The suspects are: Ahmadu Kazeem, 43; Ibrahim Afolabi, 37; Lawal Lateef, 27; Anthony Qudus, 33; Adeshina Ibrahim, 28; Adebayo Ogunjimi, 25 and Animashaun Olubodun, 33.

    The late Otun, alias Ashake, Rilwan Saka, 19, and Obabiolorunkosi Nurudeen were shot dead allegedly after a rally organised by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), on September 20, 2014, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan, Lagos.

    After the incident, the seven were arrested by the police and arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder before Chief Magistrate Afolashade Botoku, who granted an application for their remand pending advice from the DPP.

    In absolving the suspects of the alleged murder, the DPP in an advice with reference number LJP/HOM/2016/02/13, dated February 23, 2016, and signed by M. T. Adewoye, its Assistant Director, stated that the prosecution cannot succeed in establishing the guilt of the suspects by merely establishing the death of the deceased.

    Parts of the advice reads: “After carefully considering the facts available in the duplicate case file, this office is of the view that there are insufficient facts to establish a prima facia case of conspiracy to commit murder and murder contrary to Section 409 and 221 respectively of the Criminal laws of Lagos State 2011, against all the suspects herein.

    “Facts in the duplicate case file revealed that on September 20, 2014, there was a rally organised by members of Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, at TBS, Lagos Island, and after the rally there was a clash between the supporters of PDP and All Progressive Congress, APC, at Isale-Eko which resulted in the death of Azeez Otun, A.K.A Ashake, a member of the APC. Facts further revealed that there was a reprisal attack at Enu-Owa in Lagos, and three persons identified as PSP members were shot dead.”

    The advice states further: “The facts in the case file disclosed that, all suspects were not arrested at the scene of the crime, and neither were they arrested with a gun. The suspects were arrested by the police based on suspicion through raiding. Moreover, most of the suspects raised defenses in alibi relating to their location at the time of the incident which were corroborated by other suspects and were also affirmed and admitted by investigative reports.

    “In view of the above, this office shall not prosecute all suspects herein Ahmadu Kazeem, Ibrahim Afolabi, Lawal Lateef; Anthony Qudus; Adeshina Ibrahim; Adebayo Ogunjimi, for conspiracy felony and murder contrary to sections 409 and 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011, and thus should be released forthwith.

    “However, there are witnesses statements confirming that Kazeem Oloko, Abass Adebola, Mustapha Akindele, a.k.a. Sego, Fatal Olori, a.k.a Agbara and Alli Balogun are all involved in the death of the deceased persons and thus should be arrested.”

  • Court dissolves 10 months marriage over sex starvation

    Court dissolves 10 months marriage over sex starvation

    A Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Thursday dissolved 10 months marriage between Usman Aisha and her husband, Ibrahim for starving the wife of sex.

    In his judgment, the judge, Mr Garba Ogbede, said that the marriage had broken down irretrievably and efforts to reconcile them proved abortive.

    “Since both parties consented to the dissolution of their marriage, this court has no choice than to dissolve the marriage.

    “The couple can no longer stay together because the marriage has broken down totally; both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways.

    “Both parties are to keep the peace all the time; any violation of the order should be reported to the police for redress,” Ogbede held.

    Aisha of Aco Estate, Airport Road, Abuja, had approached the court for dissolution of the marriage because Ibrahim refused to satisfy her during love making.

    She said that she spend one month with Ibrahim after their marriage and he always arose her but refused to satisfy her when making love to her.

    “ I pleaded so bitterly to him to satisfy me but he refused to change,’’ She said.

    Aisha said that whenever she called him so that they could sit and discuss the issue, he would threaten to beat her.

    She said that she had reported the matter to both parents but nothing changed.

    “I intentionally left our house for months after he refused to change but he never care to look for me.

    “Though when I was with him for one month, he feeds me well, but when it comes to sex matters it will turn to fight. I am a woman and I have feelings for him.

    “He has failed in his matrimonial obligations, I am totally fed up, please sir, separate us. I am no more interested in the marriage,’’ Aisha added.

    She begged the court to dissolve the marriage because she did not want to offend God and to enable her move on with her life.

    Ibrahim denied all the allegations but conceded to the dissolution of the marriage because he was also fed up with the union.

    “I take good care of her and provide all she wants. Please my Lord, do as she wishes, I have tried my best to settle with her but all my effort prove abortive. I am also fed up,’’ he said.

  • Kanu’s trial: Court grants witnesses partial secrecy

    Kanu’s trial: Court grants witnesses partial secrecy

    •Judge to shield witnesses from public glare

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, rejected a prayer by pro-Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, and two others, for an order dismissing the charges against them.

    Justice James Tsoho, who rejected the prayer yesterday, also said he would shield prosecution witnesses from public glare, following complaints by the prosecution that its witnesses were being threatened.

    Kanu, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu are being tried on a six-count of treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and other offences because of their agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra.

    Defence lawyer Chuks Muoka (SAN) argued that the prosecution had shown high level of impunity since his clients were first taken to court last October, and had not been serious with  the prosecution of the case.

    Muoka urged the court to dismiss the complaint by the prosecution about its inability to proceed without its witnesses being shielded.

    He urged the court to be guided by Section 351(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 in dismissing the charge against the defendants.

    “It is not that the court is not prepared to hear this case, not that the defendants are not ready for trial, but that the prosecution is not ready.

    “I apply that the charge against the defendants be dismissed and they be discharged and acquitted. And the prosecution not giving an opportunity to disregard the court; the court should make an order  restraining the prosecution from further arraigning or arresting the defendants based on this or similar charges.”

    Before his submission, Muoka invited one of his junior colleagues, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who told the court that some men of the Department of State Service (DSS), with whom he had altercation, had threatened to kill him. He urged the court to take note of the alleged threat to his life.

    Prosecution  lawyer Muhammad Diri told the court that the prosecution was ready for trial, but that its witnesses were scared. He said some of the witnesses complained of receiving threat calls and urged the court to vary its order of February 19 to shield witnesses from public glare.

    Diri, who is the director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), faulted Muoka’s reliance on Section 351 of the ACJA, saying it was not applicable to the case.

    “The section talks about the non-appearance of the prosecution. We have not said we are unprepared to prosecute this case or that our witnesses are not available. They are available and willing to attend court.

    “Our application is for the court to slightly vary its order to some level of protection for our witnesses, who are being threatened,” he said.

    Diri also told the court that he got information from some operatives of the DSS that there was a plot to abduct the defendants in court.

    Justice Tsoho upheld Diri’s argument that Muoka’s reliance on Section 351 of the ACJA in asking for his clients to be discharged was misconceived.

    He said the prosecution’s request to shield its witnesses from public glare, but opened to the judge and lawyers, is not reopening an issue decided.

    Justice Tsoho said the application to allow prosecution witnesses testify behind a screen to protect them from the public is a fallout of the order granted by the court and it is informed by new development.

    “The court is disposed to granting the application by the prosecution to allow the prosecution witnesses testify behind a screen to shield them from public glare,” he said.

    The judge assured Muoka that the arrangement for witness protection would be first demonstrated for parties to see before it is adopted for proceedings the next date.

    Mouka expressed concern about the conduct of proper proceedings where witnesses were not seen. He said such arrangement was alien to him in his over 40 years of practice.

    Justice Tsoho adjourned to March 9 for trial.

     

  • Court postpones judgment in Metuh’s case to March 9

    Court postpones judgment in Metuh’s case to March 9

    A Federal High Court yesterday failed to deliver judgment in the suit filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    Metuh, is by the suit, challenging among others, the alleged breach of his fundamental rights in relation to his arrest and detention.

    Yesterday, Justice Okon Abang said the judgement was not ready owing to his tight schedule. He said the court was still within time to deliver the judgement and adjourned to March 9.

    Metuh, dressed in white kaftan, left the court immediately his case was adjourned.

    The PDP spokesman is also being tried before the court on charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering for allegedly receiving N400 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and making cash transaction of $2 million.  He pleaded not guilty to the offences.

    He was charged with his company, Destra Investments Limited. The court has also fixed March for ruling on the no-case submission he made in that case.

     

  • Court remands father for ‘raping’ daughter

    An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has remanded an auto mechanic, Sunday Obamuwagun, 56, in Kirikiri Prison for allegedly raping his 15-year- old daughter.

    The defendant, who lives on Aina Ajayi Street in Alakuko, Lagos is facing trial for causing a breach of peace by allegedly raping his daughter.

    Prosecuting Inspector Benedict Aigbokhan said the offence was committed sometimes in 2012 at the defendant’s residence.

    Aigbokhan told the court that Obamuwagun raped his daughter when she was 12, following which she ran away from him and joined her mother.

    “When the mother travelled, the victim went back to her father’s house and there, a fight ensued between them and she told the neighbours what had happened.

    “The victim told her half-brother and they went to the police station and the accused was apprehended,” Aigbokhan said.

    The offence contravenes Section 166 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, the prosecutor said.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Tajudeen Elias adjourned the matter to Wednesday.

  • Property developer in court over alleged forgery, impersonation

    A 48-year-old Property Developer, Olorunfemi Bamidele, who allegedly forged the signature of one Ikolo Yusuf in order to secure a building project, was on Wednesday arraigned in Lagos.

    Bamidele, who resides at No. 12, Efon Alaye Str. Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos, is facing a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny, told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 25, 2011, at No. 64, Clem Road, Ijaiye, Lagos.

    He said that the accused conspired with another at large and forged Yusuf’s signature and used his company’s forged letter-headed paper to secure the project.

    “In 2010, one Mrs Lasisi called Yusuf to develop a building for her but due to lack of funds he could not take the contract.

    “The accused then went to Lasisi in 2011 to secure the project without the complainant’s knowledge, using his company’s name- Muraine Projects.

    “Bamidele prepared an agreement, wrote the complainant’s name on it and forged his signature without his consent.

    “Unfortunately for the accused, the acceptance letter was sent to the complainant by Lasisi’s lawyer.

    “Yusuf reported the matter to the police who traced the forged documents to the accused,’’ he said.

    Donny said the offences contravened Sections 318,363,364,380 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 363 provides a three -year jail term for offenders.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mr. J.A. Adegun, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000, with two sureties in like sum.\

    He adjourned the case to March 9 for trial.

  • Court orders Jonathan’s ex-ADC’s release

    Court orders Jonathan’s ex-ADC’s release

    Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi, Abuja, has ordered the immediate release of former Aide de Camp (ADC) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe.

    The judge slammed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for detaining Col. Adegbe for about 20 days without either charging him to court or granting him administrative bail. He was ruling on a fundamental rights enforcement matter filed by the army colonel.

    The judge, reacting to EFCC’s claim that Col. Adegbe was being held on the directive of the Nigerian Army, wondered if the EFCC was an appendage of the Army. He ordered him released on bail on liberal terms.

    The judge refused the applicant’s prayer for N100m compensation for unlawful detention and his demand for written apology.

    The judge also reprimanded the anti-graft agency for “reducing itself to the police station or detention centre of the Nigerian Army”.

    The judge noted that the EFCC took contradictory positions by claiming that it was investigating alleged arms procurement fraud for which Col. Adegbe was arrested and in another breath claimed to be holding the plaintiff on the instruction of the Army.

    “While the respondent (EFCC) is dancing makossa in one ýside, it is singing another song on the other side,” he said.

    The judge however said he was unable to direct the EFCC to pay damages to the applicant or tender apology to him, since he remained in the service of the Army and the anti-graft agency is equally a government agency.

  • Court orders release of Jonathan’s ex-ADC

    Court orders release of Jonathan’s ex-ADC

    Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi, Abuja, has ordered the immediate release of former Aide de Camp (ADC) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe.

    The judge, in a ruling Tuesday, slammed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for detaining Adegbe for about 20 days without either charging him to court or granting him administrative bail.

    The judge, in reaction EFCC’s claim that Adegbe was being held on the directive of the Nigerian Army, wondered if the EFCC was an appendage of the Nigerian Army.

    The judge, whose ruling was on Adegbe’s fundamental rights enforcement application, ordered the EFCC to release the applicant on liberal terms.

    The judge refused the applicant’s ‎prayer for N100m compensation for unlawful detention and his demand for written apology.

    Declaring as unconstitutional and illegal the detention of the applicant since February 11 without filing charges against him.

    The judge also reprimanded the anti-graft agency for “reducing itself to the police station or detention centre of the Nigerian Army”.

    The judge noted that the EFCC took contradictory ‎positions by claiming that it was investigating alleged arms procurement fraud for which Adegbe was arrested and in another breath claimed to be holding the plaintiff on the instruction of the Army.

    “While the respondent (EFCC) is dancing makossa in one ‎side, it is singing another song on the other side,” he said.

    The judge however said he was unable to direct the EFCC to pay damages to the applicant or tender apology to him, since he remained in the service of the Army and the anti-graft agency was equally a government agency.

    “On the whole, the respondent is ordered to grant bail to the applicant in liberal terms,” the judge ruled.

    Adegbe has been in EFCC custody since February 11 in relation to investigation into alleged fraud in the procurement of arms for the armed forces.

    He sued, contesting his continued detention without trial.

    The EFCC had justified the detention, arguing that it was the Nigerian Army that brought him to the office of the respondent, in furtherance of their investigation into detected financial crimes committed in the arms procurement involving the applicant.

    EFCC’s lawyer, Francis Jirbo stated in a counter-affidavit, that contrary to Adegbe’s claim, he (the applicant) was not invited by the Nigerian Army at the instigation of the EFCC.

    “That contrary to the depositions contained in paragraph 12 of the affidavit in support of the applicant’s application, the respondent states that the applicant is in custody at the instance of his employee, the Nigerian Army.”

    Jirbo added that the directive to investigate Adegbe followed the activities of the committee set up by the Federal Government in October 2015.

     

     

  • Immigration jobs scandal: Court sends Moro to prison

    Immigration jobs scandal: Court sends Moro to prison

    Judge to hear bail plea tomorrow

    Former Minister of Interior Abba Moro and a Deputy Director in the ministry, F. O Alayebami were yesterday remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja said they are to remain in prison custody pending the determination of their bail applications tomorrow.

    Justice Anwuli Chikere gave the order shortly after Moro, Alayebami, former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia and a firm, Drexel Global Tech Nigeria Limited, were arraigned on an11-count charge.

    The judge allowed Mrs Daniel-Nwobia to remain on the administrative bail granted herý by the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on February 22.

    Mrs. Daniel-Nwobia, according to her lawyer, ý Chris Uche (SAN), who asked that she should be allowed to remain on the earlier bail, is a “nursing mother” and a “victim of circumstance”.

    The defendants, who are being prosecuted in respect of the botched March 15, 2014 National Immigration Services (NIS) recruitment, were charged with obtaining money by false pretence, procurement fraud and money laundering.

    They were accused of defrauding 675, 675 graduate applicants of about N675,675,000 having been made to pay N1000 each as processing fees for 5,000 job openings.

    They were accused of breaching the Public Procurement Act No. 65 of 2007 in the award of the contract for the organisation of the recruitment test to Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read.

    Prosecution lawyer Aliyu Yusuf applied for a trial date.

    Defence lawyers said they had filed bail applications for the clients .But Yusuf said he was just served with the applications and needed time to respond, following which Justice Chikere adjourned till tomorrow to hear the bail applications.

    Some of the charges against them are:

    “That you Abba Moro, Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia, F.O Alayebami, Mahmood Ahmadu (at large) and Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd on or about the 17th of March 2013 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud conspired to induce a total number of 676,675 Nigerian job applicants seeking employment with Nigerian Immigration Service to deliver property to wit: cumulative sum of N676, 675,000 which sum represents the sum of N1, 000 per applicant under the false pretence that the money represents payment for their online recruitment exercise into Nigerian Immigration Service and which pretence you knew was false, contrary to Section 8 and 1(1) (b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006

    “That you Abba Moro, Anastasia Daniel Nwobia, F.O Alayebami, Mahmood Ahmadu (at large) and Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd on or about the 17th of March 2013 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud conspired to induce a total number of 676,675 Nigerian job applicants seeking employment with Nigerian Immigration Service to deliver property to wit: cumulative sum of N676, 675,000 which sum represents the sum of N1, 000 per applicant under the false pretence that that you have followed the necessary procedure and that the money represents epayment for their online recruitment exercise into Nigerian Immigration Service and which pretence and you knew was false, contrary to Section 8 and 1(1) (b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006.

    “That you Abba Moro, Anastasia Daniel Nwobia, and F.O Alayebami on or about the 30th of April 2013 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did award contract for the provision of online enlistment and recruitment services to Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited without advertising the contract contrary to Section 45 and punishable under Section 58(5) of the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007.

    “That you Abba Moro, Anastasia Daniel Nwobia, and F.O Alayebami on or about the 30th of April 2013 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did award contract for the provision of online enlistment and recruitment services to Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited without Needs Assessment and Procurement Plan, contract contrary to Section 16(1) (b) and Section 18 of the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 and punishable under Section 58 of the same Act.

    “That you Abba Moro, Anastasia Daniel Nwobia, and F.O Alayebami on or about the 30th of April 2013 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did award contract for the provision of online enlistment and recruitment services to Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited to develop recruitment portal through selective tendering process by inviting four (4) firms without seeking approval of the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) contrary to sections 40, 42 and 43 of the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 and punishable under Section 58 of the same Act.

    “That you Abba Moro, Anastasia Daniel Nwobia, and F.O Alayebami on or about the 30th of April 2013 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did award contract for the provision of online enlistment and recruitment services to Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited and signed by unregistered Drexel Tech Global Nigeria Limited when you knew that Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited was not responsive to mandatory prequalification contrary to sections 50(5) and 51 of the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 and punishable under Section 58 of the same Act.

    “That you Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited and Mahmood Ahmadu (At large) on or about the 17th of March 2015 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court converted the sum of N202, 500,000 part of the N676, 675,000 obtained from 676,675 Nigerian job applicants seeking employment with Nigerian Immigration Service to buy property No. 1, Lahn Crescent Maitama, Abuja with the aim of disguising the illicit origin of the said sum, knowing same to be proceeds of illegal activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    “That you Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited and Mahmood Ahmadu (At large) on or about the 17th of March 2015 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court converted the sum of N120, 100,000 being part of the N676, 675,000 obtained from 676,675 Nigerian job applicants seeking employment with Nigerian Immigration Service to upgrade property No.2 Sigure Close, Off Monrovia Street, Wuse II Abuja with the aim of disguising the illicit origin of the said sum knowing same to be proceeds of illegal activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    “That you Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited and Mahmood Ahmadu (at large) on or about the 17th of March 2015 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court converted the sum of N101, 200,000 being part of the N676, 675,000 obtained from 676,675 Nigerian job applicants seeking employment with Nigerian Immigration Service to United States dollars for your personal use knowing same to be proceeds of illegal activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

  • PDP crisis: Dickson, Ekweremadu beg ex-ministers to shelve court action

    PDP crisis: Dickson, Ekweremadu beg ex-ministers to shelve court action

    •’Three-month tenure for Sheriff stays’
    •Former ministers, govs meet next week

    Governor Henry Dickson of Bayelsa State has launched a personal initiative to stop ex-PDP ministers from proceeding to court to challenge the recent selection of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as National Chairman of the party.

    Dickson fears recourse to litigation will sentence PDP to a prolonged crisis.

    He has reached out to the ex-ministers to beg them to reconsider their position, and made a commitment that all the organs of the party would stick to a three-month tenure for Sheriff.

    The ex-PDP ministers are said to be non-committal yet, only promising to get back to the governor.

    Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu is understood to have had a separate audience with the aggrieved former ministers.

    An enlarged meeting of the PDP governors and the ex-ministers has been scheduled for Wednesday in Abuja.

    Well-placed party sources said Dickson had a peace parley with a 15-man delegation of the ex-ministers on Thursday at the Bayelsa Lodge annex in Abuja.

    Some of those at the session were the Chairman of the Ministers Forum, Mallam Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Suleiman Abubakar, Femi Fani-Kayode, Ibrahim Shekarau, Josephine Anenih, Kenneth Gbagi, among others.

    It was learnt that the governor was worried about two legal issues which might scuttle Sheriff’s tenure.

    These are the legality  of the session presided over by the then Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, which led to the selection of Sheriff and the end of the tenure of NWC by March 28.

    One source said: “The governor spent a considerable time pleading with the ex-ministers not to go to court against Sheriff because it will plunge PDP into a deeper crisis.

    “He told the delegation that the party needed unity now more than division. He urged the ex-ministers to allow the selection of Sheriff to stand as directed by key organs of the party.

    “But he made a commitment that the party will ask Sheriff to stick to the three-month tenure.”

    The source said that Dickson proposed an enlarged meeting of the ex-ministers and PDP governors next week.

    “I think we are meeting on Wednesday. After the session, the governor met with members of the Board of Trustees too.”

    A member of the ex-PDP Ministers Forum confirmed the meeting with Dickson, saying: “We did not give him our word but we appreciated his intervention.

    “We listed conditions for peace, including an end to impunity by some PDP governors and the need to resolve legal issues on the tenure of the NWC which will statutorily end on March 28.

    “Even if we agree to allow Sheriff to be national chairman, it is going to be difficult because there are two outstanding legal issues.

    “One, the NWC and NEC meetings which selected Sheriff were illegal because there was a subsisting court order banning Secondus from presiding over any session as an Acting National Chairman. Every process towards Sheriff’s emergence was a nullity.”

    “Two, by the 28th of March, the tenure of NWC ends. Sheriff and all NWC members are expected to quit for new set of officers. So, the governors who are insisting on Sheriff cannot build anything on nothing.

    “We asked for the inclusion of ex-ministers forum in the caucus of the party.”

    “We gave Dickson an assignment on these two legal issues. We will meet too and take a position on his offer. On our next step, nobody knows until we meet next week.”

    Meanwhile, it was gathered that the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ekweremadu has held a separate meeting with the ex-ministers in Abuja.

    Another former Minister said: “Ekweremadu said the appropriate party organs will look into all our grievances.

    “He pleaded with us to give room for the use of internal mechanism in the party to address Sheriff’s matter.