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AGF Gets Court’s Nod To Review ICPC’s Alleged Fraud Charges Against Ozekhome

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The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagnemi SAN has got the go ahead of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory FCT to review the case file of the fraud charges brought against Professor Mike Ozekhome SAN by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Related Commission ICPC.

Consequently, the arraignment of the legal luminary and Constitutional lawyer, slated for Monday has been shifted to February 24.

The AGF who took over prosecution of the charges on Monday said that he needed time to go through the case file and take a well informed decision.

At the Monday’s proceedings, the Head, High Profile Prosecution Department of ICPC, Dr Osuebeni Akpomesingha Akpos, had announced appearance for the prosecution.

A former AGF and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi SAN and 15 other SANs announced their appearance for the defendant.

At this point, the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation DPPF, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, announced his appearance on behalf of the AGF and informed Justice Peter Kekemeke of the decision of the AGF to take over the case from ICPC

He said that the decision was pursuant to Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and to collaborate with the ICPC to ensure that the prosecution meets the highest standard of effectiveness, efficiency, diligence and compliance with due process of law.

The DPPF further told the court that the decision was also guided by public interest and to instil confidence, fairness and competence in the criminal justice.

He assured the court that the right of the defendant will be protected and that no party will be made to suffer any adverse, adding that inter-agency cooperation to fight corruption was also considered by the OAGF.

He therefore asked the court to take judicial notice of the take over of the trial by the AGF Office.

The AGF therefore sought adjournment to enable his office retrieve the case file from the ICPC to thoroughly review it and take the next line of action.

The ICPC lawyer in reaction did not object to the takeover and promised that the commission will cooperate fully with the AGF office, being the agency that investigated the matter.

By consensus of lawyers, Justice Peter Kekemeke fixed February 24 for arraignment.

 

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Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election

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The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.

The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.

The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.

Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.

The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.

Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.

The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.

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Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027

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The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.

He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.

Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.

 

Details later…..

 

 

 

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Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections

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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.

At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.

He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.

He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.

Details later…..

 

 

 

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