The Nation Newspaper

Tag: suit

  • Court confirms transfer of Nyako’s suit before judgment

    Court confirms transfer of Nyako’s suit before judgment

    •Judge fixes fresh hearing date

    The Federal High Court has confirmed the transfer of a suit filed by former Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako at the Yola division of the court to a new judge in Bauchi division.

    The transfer, now being queried by Nyako, is coming few weeks after the case file was retrieved by the court’s Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, from the earlier trial judge, Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, who had scheduled judgment in the case for February 12.

    The Nation had reported last week that the case was transferred out of the Yola division, where Justice Aliyu had planned to deliver judgment before Justice Auta called for the file.

    Although no official of the court, including the Chief Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Dugbo-Oghoghorie, was willing to comment on the new development in the case, it was learnt from a fresh hearing notice sent to parties that the case has actually been moved to Bauchi.

    The new judge to whom the case is assigned at the Bauchi division, Justice M.G Umar, has scheduled hearing for March 17.

    It is, however, not clear what direction the proceedings will take before the new judge. It is equally not known whether the new judge will commence hearing afresh, after the judgment earlier fixed for February 12 was aborted, or he will proceed to deliver the judgment prepared by the earlier trial judge.

    Nyako had initiated the suit to challenge the process leading to his impeachment last year.

    The suit, a fundamental rights enforcement case, with the Adamawa State House of Assembly & others as defendants, was one of two suits filed by the governor shortly after he was impeached.

    Nyako had, in the fundamental rights enforcement suit, filed in November 2014, alleged that he was denied fair hearing by the impeachment panel, which recommended to the House of Assembly that he should be removed from office.

    The trial judge in Yola concluded hearing in the fundamental rights enforcement suit and adjourned to February 12, 2015. Before the date scheduled for judgment, the court’ chief judge called for the file on the ground that a petition was written against the trial judge by the Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Ishaya Banu, through his lawyer, Festus Keyamo.

    Nyako protested Justice Auta’s action in a February 2015 petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing him of seizing the case file and “thereby forestalling the delivery of the court judgment slated for February 12, 2015.”

    The Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, on February 18, denied Nyako’s allegation.

    She said the court’s chief judge called for the case file to enable him address a petition dated February 3, 2014 written to his office by Keyamo on behalf of the Chief Judge of Adamawa State.

    Keyamo was also the lawyer to the current Adamawa State Governor, Bala Ngilari (who was the deputy governor under Nyako), when he fought his way back to power via a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Nyako’s lawyer and media aide Olukoya Ogungbeje and Ahmad Sajoh said in the petition to the NJC that “on the day the judgment was to be delivered, the judge was not around.  No prior information that the court would not sit and no new date was fixed.  We got information that it was the CJ that called for the file.

    “As we speak to you, the file remains with the CJ. Whose interest is he protecting? We want Justice Auta to tell the whole world why he has not sent the file back to Federal High Court, Yola.”

    Ogungbeje said the former governor also sought the probe of the Chief Judge of the Adamawa State, for showing questionable interest in the case.

    “The Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Ishaya Banu, is hearing a different case filed by Admiral Murtala Nyako to challenge his impeachment procedure. Justice Banu has refused to hear the suit.

    “What is the interest of a chief judge in a suit involving politicians?  He filed an application to join the suit before Justice Bilikisu Aliyu and the judge dismissed the application. As if that was not enough, Justice Banu promptly appealed the judgment. The chief judge has decided to join the foray of litigation.”

    Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal, Abuja will on March 10 rule on the application by the Adamawa State Chief Judge for the abridgement of time within which to compile records at the trial court and  to also stay proceedings at the lower court pending the determination of his appeal.

    The Adamawa Chief Judge is appealing the ruling by Justice Aliyu, refusing his application to be joined as a party in Nyako’s fundamental rights enforcement suit, now transferred to Bauchi.

  • It suit you!

    It suit you!

    There is no doubt that pants suits are popular items now. Gone are the days when the only dresses worn to parties were the gown,  Iro and buba. Today, tailored pants suits of diverse fabrics and designs have taken over.

    African prints, laces, satin, adire and Kampala are sown into stylish and trendy pants suit with either loose or fitted pants.

    The pants suit is always elegant especially when you have the height for it while the short one is cute.

    Although they have always been around, but since indigenous fabrics took over Ankara, satin and laces (guipure lace) fabrics have been made into fabulous designs.

    These conservative design outfits have no season. They are forever constant and cut across ages, class and tribe barriers. Nevertheless, skirt suit still have its place or sway; especially when it is complimented with all the right accessories.

    Be versatile and adventurous with your suit; go for firm, fitted pants suit to keep you from tying and retying your iro and buba.

  • Nyako’s suit for hearing

    Nyako’s suit for hearing

    Justice I. K. Banu of the Adamawa State High Court will on Wednesday hear a suit challenging the process that led to the impeachment of former Governor Murtala Nyako.

    Nyako is praying the court to set aside his impeachment and reinstate him on the grounds that the legislators failed to comply with the provisions of Section 188 of the constitution.

    Justice Banu, on September 30, fixed hearing for October 15, following complaints by parties that they were not yet served with copies of the plaintiff’s processes.

    The defendants are the Speaker, Ahmadu Fintiri (sued in person), and members of the impeachment panel – Buba Kaigama, Hajia Laraba Hassan, Njida Kitto, Joshua Abu, Binanu Esthon, Alhaji Sa’ad Lawan and Esthon Gapsiso.

  • PENGASSAN urges court to dismiss members’ suit

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff  Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has urged the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) to dismiss a suit filed by two of its Chevron Nigeria branch members, John Nwanosike and Jonathan Omare.

    The plaintiffs are seeking to nullify the association’s delegates’ conference because it was held in violation of a court order.

    Justice Kenneth Amadi had granted an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from holding the conference until the plaintiffs’ suit is determined. But effort to serve the interim order on the National Secretariat of PENGASSAN at 288 Ikorodu Road was frustrated, as the association went ahead to hold the conference.

    The claimants jointed Chevron Branch of PENGASSAN, Mr Esanubi Frank and Mr Ayanate Kio as the defendants.

    The defence counsel, Mr Sola Iji, said he had just filed his processes opposition to the claimants’ suit.

    The claimants’ lawyer Mr Festus Aifeyodion said he was yet to be served with the papers. He urged the court to hear his motion.

    Justice Amadi, however, urged parties to return on a further date when all pending applications would be heard.

    The plaintiffs said they were duly elected as delegates to the PENGASSAN conference with their tenure valid for three years, only for their names to be struck out by the defendants, denying them the right to vote and be voted for at the conference.

    The plaintiffs said  in a bid to also prevent them from exercising their franchise, the defendants set up a disciplinary committee to try them after they complained that their rights were been trampled on. The panel subsequently found them ‘guilty’ even when there was no evidence of any offence against them.

    The plaintiffs are, therefore, seeking a declaration that the removal of their names as delegates to the zonal and national conference was unconstitutional; as well as an order mandating the defendants to include their names as delegates.

    They also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining PENGASSAN from holding the conference until the illegality occasioned by their removal was redressed.

    Justice Amadi adjourned till September 25 for hearing.

  • Otudeko’s $48m suit against Dangote stalled

    Otudeko’s $48m suit against Dangote stalled

    The absence of a witness for the plaintiff yesterday stalled proceedings in a $48million land suit instituted by Oba Otudeko’s Honeywell Group against billionaire businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

    Trial could not go on as Honeywell’s lawyer Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), informed the court that his witness, Mr. Kunle Fasogbon, Honeywell’s Property Manager, was ill.

    The suit is before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Otudeko, through his firm, Honeywell, sued the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dangote Industries Ltd, Dangote and Greenview Development Ltd.

    He is urging the court to declare him the valid owner of a land measuring over 10.841 square metres at the Lagos Ports Complex, known as the Fifth Apapa Wharf Extension.

    Otudeko is claiming ownership by virtue of a lease agreement between his company and NPA.

    However, Dangote is insisting that the agreement was neither turned into a deed nor was it registered.

    Fasogbon, who had adopted his statement on oath when the case last came up, was to be cross-examined by the defendant’s lawyers.

    Counsel for BPE and NPA, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), and that of Dangote and his companies, Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN), were present in court.

    The plaintiff claimed that NPA leased the land to it for five years for a bulk food handling facility at N2.168 million per year.

    It said it paid the sum, as well as N290, 000 for land survey.

    Honeywell said it took possession of the land to the defendants’ knowledge and conducted technical studies on the facility, spending millions of dollars in the process.

    The plaintiff said despite being aware of its massive development plans on the land, the BPE suddenly suspended the pre-existing rights by concessioning NPA’s Apapa Ports Complex, including the Fifth Apapa Wharf Extension to Greenview, said to be owned by Dangote.

    Honeywell added that NPA and BPE latter asked it to vacate the facility to ensure a smooth transfer to a new operator.

    It alleged that Dangote and his company made NPA to break the initial agreements and legal relations.

    The plaintiff alleged that Dangote, through his agents harassed, threatened and ordered Honeywell officials to vacate the land.

    Besides, the plaintiff argued that BPE lacked the power under the Port reforms to take over and alienate NPA’s assets when the NPA Act has neither been amended.

    By the eventual forceful eviction from the land, the plaintiff claimed it lost money and was greatly injured in its business.

    The plaintiff said by virtue of the defendants action, the cost of putting up the contemplated structure had risen from $100 million to $148 million.

    The plaintiff is, therefore, urging the court to declare it as the exclusive legal occupier of the land and to restrain the defendants from treating it as stranger or trespasser on the land.

    It also wants $48 million damages, being the additional expenses required to build the bulk food handling facility.

    But Dangote said the suit is frivolous, vexatious and constitutes an abuse of court process.

    He added that the suit was aimed at truncating the approved policy of the concessionaire of seaports of the Federal Government and to deter the progress of work by Greenview Development on the land.

    The defendant argued that no Presidential consent was sought nor obtained before the lease agreement was granted to Honeywell Group on the land.

  • Alleged theft: Akingbola challenges court’s jurisdiction

    Alleged theft: Akingbola challenges court’s jurisdiction

    A former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Erastus Akingbola, has challenged the jurisdiction of an Ikeja High Court to entertain the theft charge preferred against him.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akingbola was charged alongside an associate, Bayo Dada, for allegedly stealing N47.1 billion belonging to the bank.

    The defendants are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo.

    Akingbola, in two separate preliminary notices of objection filed by his counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) on Monday, informed the court of the applications which he said ought to be taken because the matter was starting afresh.

    Olanipekun argued that the issue of jurisdiction was crucial to any criminal charge and must be addressed before the plea of the defendant is taken.

    He argued that the 18-count charge was an abuse of court process because a similar charge involving Akingbola and the EFCC was currently pending before the Federal High Court, Lagos.

    According to him, the main witnesses listed in the proof of evidence in the Federal High Court are the same witnesses also listed in the proof of evidence before the court.

    Olanipekun said the subject matter of the alleged offences relates to banking operations and operations of capital issues which fell under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

    Responding, the EFCC counsel, Mr Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), said the applications were premature and should be held in abeyance by the court.

    Ukala argued that they offend Section 262 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State 2011 which provides for speedy dispensation of criminal matters.

    In a short ruling, the judge upheld Olanipekun’s argument that the applications should be heard first before any further

    step is taken on the matter.

    He directed that the applications should be consolidated and consequently fixed April 2 for hearing of arguments from parties.

  • Headship tussle: Ruling House withdraws suit against Awujale

    The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State has explained why it listed the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, as one of the respondents in the suit it filed against the founder of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Subomi Balogun.

    It said it was for a “judicial declaration for Oba Adetona not to recognise or deal with Balogun as the head of the ruling house.”

    The ruling house, has, however, withdrawn the suit against the Awujale.

    It sued Balogun for “attempting to impose himself” as head of the house. Three others were joined as respondents.

    Oba Adetona was the fourth respondent. Reacting to the suit, the Awujale suspended the head of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, as his Otunba.”

    Addressing reporters in Idowa-Ijebu at the weekend, Owoyemi, a former Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) President, said no “harm” or “inconvenience” was meant in joining Oba Adetona in the suit. He said following the intervention of the Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Alhaji Abdulrasak Salaudeen and the 39 Olorituns in Ijebu-Ode, among others, the ruling house filed a notice to discontinue action against Oba Adetona.

    Owoyemi, who was accompanied by some members of the house, said the ruling house was “shocked” by his suspension as an Otunba.

    He said: “Our joining his majesty in the suit as the fourth defendant was only for a judicial declaration for him not to further recognise or deal with Balogun as our Olori Ebi. Our doing so was based on sound legal advice from senior legal experts. We did not mean to harm or inconvenience our royal father, who we hold in high esteem.

    “However, following the intervention of highly placed community leaders, especially Alhaji Salaudeen, as well as the Ijebu-Ode Council of Oloritun, we, last Friday, filed a notice to discontinue our action against the Awujale and brought same to the notice of the palace.”

     

  • Court fixes Feb. 7 for report of settlement in bankruptcy suit

    Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed February 7 for report of settlement in a bankruptcy suit which Sterling Bank Plc filed against an engineer, Mr. Femi Omotayo.

    He was joined in the suit along with A.O.S International (Oil and Gas) Ltd and A.O. S. Orwell Ltd as debtors.

    His lawyer Wemimo Ogunde (SAN) told the judge of their intention to settle out of court with the bank.

    Sterling Bank had urged the court to declare Omotayo bankrupt for allegedly owing it about N584million.

    The court said it will hear pending applications in the suit on February 7 should the settlement talks fail.

    Omotayo was said to be the Managing Director and a majority shareholder in A.O.S Orwell Ltd, which merged with A.O. S. International (Oil and Gas) Ltd.

    The bank claimed that the engineer made a personal guarantee for the loan which was applied for and granted to QED International (Oil and Gas) Nigeria Ltd in 2006.

    A supporting affidavit attached to the petition, which was deposed to by Mr Omotayo, stated: “The debtor is justly and truly indebted to the creditor in the sum of N584,548,973.09 as at June 26, 2012 by virtue of the loan facility personally guaranteed by the debtor.”

    The bank, through its counsel Mr. O. A. Alao, alleged that despite the extension and restructuring of the facilities, Omotayo “failed, refused and/or neglected to liquidate his indebtedness to the creditor/applicant”.

    The bank sought an interlocutory order of court to appoint a nominee, or in the alternative, choose the court’s Chief Registrar to take charge of the respondents’ assets.

    The applicant also sought an “order of preservative injunction” restraining the defendants and their agents from transferring, tampering or dissipating their assets.

    The assets, which are mainly landed property, are located at 1, Fola Jinadu Crescent, Gbagada, Phase 1, Lagos; 58, Raymond Njoku Street, Southwest Ikoyi, Lagos; 17/19 Bolaji Banwo Street, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos and 34A, Warehouse Road Apapa, Lagos.

    Meanwhile, Omotayo has filed a preliminary objection to the suit, claiming that he did not commit any act of bankruptcy.

    Mr. Oluwaseun Olaleke, in a supporting affidavit, stated: “The prayers being sought by the creditor in its motion dated July 25, are the same as those in its earlier motion dated May 10, which this court had refused on July 12.”

     

     

     

  • Court to rule on suit against firm Jan 27

    Court to rule on suit against firm Jan 27

    Justice Oludotun Adefowope-Okojie of the Lagos High Court in Ikeja will on January 27, next year decide whether she can hear a suit against a Lagos-based company, Caverton Helicopters Limited, by some of the firm’s former staff.

    The claimants led by Mr. Ebere Joshua Sokwa sued the firm and its Business Development Manager, Mr. Lolade Makanjuola for alleged wrongful termination of appointment, unlawful arrest and detention.

    At the last hearing, the defendants, through their counsel, Mr. Akinwale Irokosu, filed an application challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

    Citing the Constitution and the Trade Union Act (third alteration) 2011, they argued that it was an industrial matter which could only be heard by the National Industrial Court (NIC).

    In a writ of summons filed by their counsel, Akinwale Bajepade, the claimants are claiming N80 million as general damages for alleged unlawful arrest, detention, humiliation, embarrassment, harassment, slander and detention of between one and seven days at Area ‘A’ Police Command, Lion Building, Lagos Island.

    They, therefore, prayed the court for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants or their agents.

    They asked for unpaid salary arrears, three month’s salaries in lieu of notice, refund of contributions made to the National Housing Fund and Pension Fund and certificate of 5,000 units of shares issued to staff by the company.

    The first claimant prayed the court to release properties, including a Toyota Avensis salon car marked AX 799 FKJ, HP 17 inch DV7 Laptop Computer, N550,000, and $100.

    In their statement of claims, they denied being fraudulent.

    Rather they accused the first defendant of ‘’short charging and evading Federal and state governments’ taxes, duties and levies”.

    The claimants gave details of transactions by the first defendant, alleging that they were allegedly done with the “connivance of the board of directors”.

    They listed government agencies for which the company had been involved in financial transactions and which charges, duties and levies were allegedly not fully paid to include Nigerian Customs Service, National Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Limited among others.

    But the defendants countered through their counsel, Akinwale Irikosu. They denied knowledge of what transpired between the police and the claimants while they were at the Lion Building, pointing out that they only reported their suspicion of fraud in the Account Department as responsible citizens.

    “After the complaint to the police, the matter was outside the defendants’ sphere of authority or control and could not direct how the investigation or interrogation was to be carried out,” they stated.

    Quoting figures which showed the DHL document as having higher amount over that of the Customs Service documents, the defendants averred that since all the claimants worked in the accounts department of the first defendant and they have been conniving to defraud the company consistently whenever there is any duty shipment notification.

    Contrary to the claims of the claimants, the defendants stated that they are law abiding, tax obedient citizens and that they have never evaded any custom duty payment.

    They stated that the allegation of tax evasion by the claimants “was baseless and a calculated attempt to blackmail, intimidate and harrass the first defendant company to consider their malicious, frivolous, vexatious and gold digging claims”.

    The company claimed to have issued share certificates to all staff and that pension contributions have been remitted to Pennsion Trustee, IBTC Pension Managers Limited, in accordance with the Pension Act.

    In their counter-claim, the defendants are asking for N10million as general damages for the loss suffered as a result of alleged fraudulent action of the claimants.

    In addition, they asked for N500,000 as special damages and Solicitor’s fee for the institution of the suit.

     

  • Baraje faction to fight on as court dismisses suit

    Baraje faction to fight on as court dismisses suit

    A Lagos High Court, Ikeja dismissed yesterday the suit filed by the Alhaji Kawu Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

    Mr. Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie dismissed the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

    The suit was filed by Baraje, Dr Sam Jaja and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola on September 1.

    Baraje and others approached the court for an interlocutory injuction to restrain Tukur and his co-defendants from parading themselves as PDP National Executive Committee members.

    Other defendants in the suit are Mr Uche Secondus, Deputy National Chairman, Dr Kema Chikwe, Women Leader and Mr Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary.

    Counsel to the defendants, Mr Joe Kyari-Gadzama (SAN) and Mr Emeka Etiaba, urged the court to strike out the suit for want of jurisdiction in their preliminary notice of objection.

    They had argued that the writs of summons did not comply with the mandatory requirements of Section 97 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act because they were not endorsed.

    But Mr Robert Emukpaeruo, the claimant’s counsel, opposed the claimants’ application, arguing that the court had jurisdiction to entertain the suit, contrary to the defendants’ objection.

    Justice Adefope-Okojie, while ruling on the matter held that the Lagos State High Court had no power to assume jurisdiction over a matter which originated outside its territory.

    The judge observed that the claimants averred in their affidavit that the PDP had its registered office in Abuja and that none of the defendants was resident in Lagos State.

    She said the applicants averred that the course of action, which was the special convention of the PDP, took place in Abuja.

    The judge pointed out that the doctrine of enforcement of judgments was not relevant to the suit.

    “I hold that since the defendants are not resident in Lagos and the subject matter originating in Abuja, the High Court of Lagos State has no power to assume jurisdiction over this suit.

    “I accordingly make an order striking out the suit,” Mr. Justice Adefope-Okojie said.

    The Baraje-led faction said it will re-file the case against the chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur in Abuja.

    A statement by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka Eze, said yesterday that the party was not disturbed by the court’s decision that threw out the case.

    Chukwuemeka said his faction was convinced about the merit of the case and, therefore, determined to pursue it to a logical conclusion, with the view to rescuing the PDP from misrule.

    The statement reads: “With the court’s ruling, we are now very determined to restore PDP to the path of honour, particularly now that we have lost our great first National Chairman, Dr Solomon Lar, to the cold hands of death.

    “Let us reiterate that nothing, and we repeat, nothing will stop us from implementing the visions of both Dr Solomon Lar and all the founding fathers of our great party to the letter and keeping all undemocratic elements at bay from the leadership of our great party.

    “We wish to assure our teeming members and Nigerians in general that there is no cause to worry. This is because the ruling has nothing to do with the merit of the case but the place of filing.

    “As advised by His Lordship, we shall hasten to re-file the suit, this time in Abuja, as we are convinced about the merit of our case. Our determination to sack the usurper, Alhaji Tukur, and rescue our great party from his misrule has never been stronger.

    “Finally, we urge all our supporters and members not to despair or exercise any atom of fear and should continue to support the leadership of our great party under the able leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Baraje.

    “We are getting closer to freeing our party from the enclave of undemocratic elements currently holding us to ransom and doing everything within their powers to ruin all that our founding fathers struggled to build”.

    A Lagos High Court, presided over by Mr. Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie yesterday threw out the suit instituted by the faction seeking to oust Tukur and his team in the National Working Committee of the PDP.

    Also yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected the request of the Baraje faction that its leaders be recognised as the authentic leaders of the party.

    INEC said it would not withdraw the recognition it accorded the Bamanga Tukur group since it was privy to the processes that led to his emergence as the National Chairman of the party.

    National Secretary of the Baraje group Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, had written to INEC requesting for recognition as the validly elected leaders.

    But INEC in a letter addressed to Oyinlola said it stood by the elections that brought both Tukur and his officials into office.

    The INEC October 2 letter to Oyinlola, with reference No. INEC/LEG/PDP/19/111/245 is signed by the Acting Secretary of INEC, Mr. U. F. Usman.

    INEC said: “The commission acknowledges the receipt of your letters dated 1st and 23rd September respectively wherein you requested the commission’s recognition of the Baraje-led faction and newly-elected NWC.

    “You will recall that the commission monitored the National Convention and Special National Convention of the PDP held on the 24th of March 2012 and 31st of August 2013 at the Eagle Square, Abuja, after notices to the commission.

    “A NWC was elected at the two conventions with Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman. The commission will not withdraw recognition from the leadership of the PDP elected at the conventions duly monitored by the commission.

    “Be guided accordingly,” the commission said.