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The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that on appointments, he learnt his lesson during his first term in office, between 2015 and 2019.

He also disclosed that his second term appointments would be based on absolute loyalty, commitment to the vision of the administration and the capacity to deliver.

Wike spoke Monday at Government House, Port Harcourt, while inaugurating the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo; Chief of Staff, Government House, Chukwuemeka Woke, an engineer; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Zaccheus Adango; and Commissioner of Finance, Isaac Kamalu.

He said: “These appointments are not based on sentiments. The appointments are based on one hundred percent undiluted loyalty and competence. I will not appoint people who will run down the government.

“We will appoint people who believe in the vision and mission of the state government. Those who will defend the government and its policies.”

Rivers governor also revealed that the first set of appointments was made to kick-start his second term and to enhance the development of the state.

He said: “The appointments that I made were not lobbied for. I know these persons personally.

“Going forward, I will take time to scrutinise people that will be appointed. I learnt my lesson during the last term. I will only appoint people who want to work and those who want to make sacrifices for the state.

“I have known the SSG (Danagogo) closely. He is loyal and committed. This second term is for people who want to work for the state”.

Read Also; Wike appoints SSG, Chief of Staff

Wike also charged the new appointees not to take their appointments for granted, stressing that if they failed to work for the people, they would face the consequences, while urging Danagogo to work for all Rivers people.

He said: “You are not the SSG for Kalabari people. You are the SSG for Rivers people. You must serve the interest of the state.”

Rivers governor also asked the people of Andoni LGA to take immediate measures to rescue the expatriates kidnapped by Andoni youths or face the withdrawal of government recognition for their traditional rulers and stoppage of the construction of the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road.

Later in an interview, the reappointed chief of staff assured that he would make his contributions to the actualisation of the vision and mission of the Wike’s administration.

The new SSG, while also speaking, gave an assurance that he would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of his responsibilities, while hailing Wike for the opportunity to serve the people of Rivers state, assuring that he would live up to the expectations of Rivers people.

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose on Monday faulted the transfer of his money laundering case from Justice Mojisola Olatoregun to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

His lawyer Mr Olalaken Ojo (SAN) believes the Chief Judge, Justice Adamu Kafarati, acted in error by granting the prosecution’s request.

The trial was billed to continue Monday before Olatoregun, but parties were informed that the transfer had been effected.

Ojo thinks the decision to transfer the case after about 12 witnesses had been called did not accord with the law.

He said: “This matter was adjourned for continuation of hearing but we are here and it has been reassigned to Justice Aneke for fresh hearing.

“This development is very strange to us, having regards to the fact that the prosecution has called 12 witnesses.

“The current legal regime governing criminal trial in Nigeria and the Federal High Court which is the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 states that any part-heard matter where two or three witnesses have been called cannot be transferred to another judge.

“But in this case, 12 witnesses have been called, therefore, with all due respect, the Honorable CJ perhaps innocently acted in breach of the law, considering Section 98 (2).

“Besides, there is a decision of the Court of Appeal, a case of FRN against Lawal, in which the court ruled that the CJ had no right to transfer a part-heard case like the present one.

“I am aware that the defendants are prepared to explore the remedy available to them in law to have the administrative decision of CJ set aside.

“It is inimical to fair trial. We believe that this is a violation of the law. It is not because Fayose is involved but it is important that we get this order declared a nullity in the interest of all of us, stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice.

“It is a waste of public funds and time. We see it as a bad precedent; we are worried; it could be anybody tomorrow.

“It is surprising that it was the prosecution that triggered it. Already, we have filed a motion before the Court of Appeal on it.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Fayose and his company Spotless Limited on October 22, 2018.

It accused Fayose of receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million allegedly stolen from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

Fayose pleaded not guilty.

EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu had on March 21 expressed lack of confidence in the judge and asked the Chief Judge to re-assign the case.

However, when the case came up on April 15 and the 11th prosecution witness testified, no reference was made to letter.

But in a May 23 letter, Justice Kafarati informed Justice Olatoregun that the case has been re-assigned to another judge of the Lagos Division.

He writes: “I refer to the petition of EFCC on this case and your Lordship’s comments thereto.

“It is apparent that the prosecution has lost confidence in the judge trying this case.

Read Also: New judge to hear Fayose’s case de novo

“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to have been done.

“I hereby transfer this case to Hon Justice C. J. Aneke for hearing.”

Among those who had testified was former minister of state for defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

The transfer request, according to Magu, was linked to the heated exchange between Justice Olatoregun and EFCC lawyer Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) on March 20.

The judge had accused Jacobs of being “incompetent” and “extremely rude”.

The judge said Jacobs engaged in “Jankara” practice and lacked respect for her, but the Senior Advocate said he took “exception” to being described in such terms.

He said it was the first time he would be so described by any judge in all his years of legal practice.

The exchange occurred after the cross-examination of the 10th prosecution witness, Maroun Mechleb, who is the Chief Executive Officer of an Akure, Ondo State-based construction firm, Samchase Nigeria Limited.

Justice Aneke has fixed June 28 for Fayose’s re-arraignment.

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) has dismissed a petition challenging the victory recorded by President Muhammadu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last presidential election.

The Coalition for Change (C4C) and its presidential candidate, Geff Chizee Ojinika, had filed the petition marked: CA/PEPTL/003/2019, in which they complained of unlawful exclusion or misrepresentation and sought the cancellation of the election and the conduct of a fresh presidential election.

The petitioners had complained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) printed CC and against its actual acronym of C4C, a development, they claimed worked to their disadvantage.

At the hearing of the petition on Monday, their lawyer, Obed Agu stunned all when he announced that the petitioners were no longer interested in prosecuting the petition.

Agu applied to withdraw the petition, an application the tribunal granted, in the absence of any objection from lawyers to other parties to the petition.

The tribunal, now headed by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba (the Presiding Justice of Lagos division of the Court of Appeal), proceeded to dismiss the petition.

With the dismissal of the petition by the C4C and Ojinika, the tribunal is now left with three petitions.

They are those filed by the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and Ambrose Owuru, who claimed to be the party’s presidential candidate ( marked: CA/PEPC/001/2019); the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar (CA/PEPC/001/2019); and the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pastor Aminchi Habu, listed as the party’s presidential candidate (CA/PEPC/004/2019).

When the petition by the HDP was called, a man, who claimed to be the party’s National Chairman, Tapre Poland stood up and told the tribunal that the party did not authorise the filing of the petition.
Poland particularly disowned the petition filed in the name of his party.

He agreed with another lawyer, who he said the party sent to the tribunal to discontinue the petition.

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Justice Garba adjourned further proceedings in the HDP petition to June 13n while that of the PDM was fixed for June 17 this year.

On the petition by Atiku and the APC, the judge adjourned till Tuesday for the hearing of all pending motions. He announced that the tribunal will henceforth, sit at 9.30 am as against the earlier sitting time of 10am.

Agu told journalists, after the tribunal’s sitting his client’s decision to withdraw the petition was that of the party, taken at its last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

“I am not a member of the party’s NEC. The decision to withdraw the petition was taken at the party’s highest decision-making level. I was only instructed give effect to the decision,” Agu said.

Earlier at the commencement of proceedings, Justice Garba sought the cooperation of parties to the petitions before the tribunal.

He noted that time was of the essence, but assured that, with the cooperation of parties, the panel could make the best use of the time left.

“I will like to renew the call for the fullest cooperation of parties and their respective counsel that will be appearing in the petitions before the Presidential Election Petitions Court.

“We are aware of the constraint of time that has been imposed on the court by both the Constitution and the Electoral Act for the hearing and determination of the petitions.

“We are also aware that we have almost gone halfway of the time we have for the hearing and determination of the petitions,” Garba said.

Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), who led the legal team of Atiku and the PDP, assured that his team would accord the panel “the necessary cooperation to ensure that the petition is expeditiously heard.”

Lead lawyer to President Buhari, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), APC’s lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and lawyer to the INEC, Yunus Usman (SAN) also assured of the cooperation.

With Garba as the new Chairman, other members of the panel are Justices Abdul Aboki (Abuja division), Joseph Ikyegh (Benin division), Samuel Oseji (Lagos division) and Justice Peter Ige (Abuja division).

Some of the motions to be heard by the tribunal on Tuesday include the 16 filed in relation to the petition by Atiku and the PDP.

Six of the motions are by Atiku and the PDP, while the remaining 10 were filed by the respondents.

Seven of the 10 motions by the respondents are seeking the dismissal or striking out of the petition.

The remaining three are for permission to amend their papers and to bring their applications up at the pre-hearing session.

Contrary to the speculation making the rounds that he has withdrawn from the race for the position of Deputy Senate President, former Abia State Governor and Senator-elect, Orji Uzor Kalu, on Monday said that he is still in the race.

The National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Onilu, had on Monday issued a statement that the National Working Committee has formally adopted Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as the party’s candidate for the position of Deputy Senate President.

Kalu had, after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, said that the President only adopted the candidacies of the duo of Senator Ahmad Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for the positions of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He noted that the implication of endorsing Lawan and Gbajabiamila was that “anyone is free to contest for other principal positions.”

In a statement issued by his media office and signed by Ken Cole, the former governor noted that as a staunch supporter of President Buhari and a loyal and committed member of the APC, he (Kalu) would always abide by the decisions of the President and highly respected members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

He, however, said the speculation of the formal endorsement of Omo-Agege was the handiwork of selfish elements in the party who ware self-serving and desperate to cause disharmony among party stakeholders.

Kalu said, “Ahead of tomorrow’s inauguration of the 9th national assembly and election of principal officers, politicians have started deploying different antics to satisfy their ambitions.

“One of such is a statement credited to National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Lanre Onilu claiming that President Muhammadu Buhari and the NWC of the party have formally adopted Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as the party’s candidate for the position of Deputy Senate President.

“I hold the President in high esteem as well as the National Chairman of our great party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and other members of the NWC and as such, I will not disobey any formal pronouncement by them.

“However, I am still in the race to become Deputy Senate President because the President and the NWC have not adopted any candidate and as such the contest is open to all members of the party, who have the capability.

“ I have the political dexterity, leadership qualities and goodwill to complement the efforts of the Senate President in actualizing the objectives of the legislature in support the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in taking Nigeria to greater heights.

“Leadership positions in the 9th Senate should be given to people who have the will to support the agenda of the APC while not deviating from the ideals of democracy.

“As I continue to mobilize support for the position of Deputy Senate President, I commend the President, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and other stakeholders of the party for their support.

“Come tomorrow by the special grace of God and to the admiration of APC members and Nigerians at large, I will emerge as Deputy Senate President in the 9th national assembly”.

Kalu who appealed to the leadership of the APC to give a level playing ground for all contenders for the position of Deputy Senate President, who are APC members, insisted that he is still in the race except otherwise advised by the President or the party’s highest decision-making body.

Also speaking about his resolve to contest for the position of Deputy Senate President for the Ninth Senate, the Senator representing Kano South, Kabiru Gaya, told reporters in Abuja that he is still in the race to clinch exalted position.

Gaya said that despite the endorsement of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege by the APC leadership for the position of Deputy Senate President, his chances of emerging as DSP was very bright.

Read Also: Deputy Senate Presidency: Buhari, APC NWC didn’t adopt Omo-Agege, says Kalu

He said. “This is not my first time of contesting election. Tomorrow will make it the fourth time and by the grace of God, it will be peaceful.

“I’m still in the race. I will contest with whoever that would also contest the position of the DSP tomorrow.

“Democracy is actually game on number. Whoever has the highest number would win.”

Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, has said that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators would speak on the floor of the Senate.

He told reporters in Abuja that there is dignity in silence assuring that PDP Senators would speak as a family.

He said, “There is dignity in silence and there is mischief in noise-making. So we maintain a dignified silence because we want a 9th Assembly that will be rancour free.

“We speak as a family, speak as friends that is our tradition; we speak as a family, we are not divided.

A 34-year-old cook, Mathew Gouda was on Monday brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing jewellery valued at $27,000 (about N8.2 million) from a lawmaker, Mrs Funmi Tejuosho, representing Mushin Constituency I, Lagos State House of Assembly.

Gouda was arraigned on a lone count of stealing before Chief Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat.

Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 31, at 8.30 p.m. at Sasegbon Street, GRA, Ikeja.

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ASP Emuerhi said the cook, conspired with others now at large, broke into his boss room and stole the jewellery after which he ran away.

He said the complainant, Mrs Tejuosho, reported the case to the police consequent upon which investigation was conducted into the matter and the defendant was arrested.

When the charge was read, Gouda pleaded not guilty.

Chief Magistrate Sule-Amzat granted him bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case till July 3.