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Kogi election tribunal orders CBN governor to unfailingly appear on Tuesday
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Monday, ordered the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, to unfailingly appear before it on Tuesday.
The governor is to appear to give some explanations on the role of the apex bank in the Nov. 11, 2023 Off-Cycle election in Kogi
The three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, also threatened to wield the big stick on the CBN’s Director of Corporate Service.
The development occured following an application by Alex Izinyon, SAN, counsel for Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi, the 2nd respondent in the petition filed by Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate in the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship election in the state.
It would be recalled that the tribunal had, on April 18, issued a subpoena to compel the CBN governor or any of its officers to attend the proceedings to give evidence in relation to allegation levelled by Gov. Ododo that the petitioners filed the petition against him outside the 21 days allowed by law.
Although the panel directed the CBN governor or its officer to appear on April 19 (Friday) to testify, no one represented the apex bank at the hearing.
Meanwhile, shortly after Paul Daudu, who appeared for the governor, led the witnesses in evidence on Monday and after they were cross examined, the lawyer told the panel that he was instructed by the leader of the team to hand over the case to him until the next adjourned date.
Izinyon then told the tribunal that those witnesses taken by Daudu were the ones they had for the day.
The senior lawyer told the panel that he was aware that the CBN management, in a letter to the tribunal, said they would not be available until Friday, April 26 pursuant to their application for subpoena.
He said though the 2nd respondent (Ododo) had planned to call his witnesses within five days, the issue of subpoena was an issue that must be dealt with before proceeding.
Izinyon, who said he expected an officer from the legal department of CBN to be at the tribunal Monday, described the letter written to the tribunal by the apex bank as “an act of contempt.”
He said subpoena, by nature, is in the name of the President and Commander-In-Chief of Armed Forces.
He said the CBN team should be at the tribunal on Tuesday to give evidence and if they failed to appear, it would be in the court record, going by the fact that the matter was time bound.
“If by tomorrow, we call our last witnesses and they (CBN officers) are not here, we urge my lord to look at our application in the interest of justice,” he said.
Aliyu Saiki, SAN, lawyer to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the 1st respondent; D.C. Demingwe, SAN, who appeared for All Progressives Congress (APC), the 3rd respondent, and Pius Akubo, SAN, who represented the petitioners, aligned with Izinyon’s application.
Akubo, however, said that since Izinyon had hinted that the 2nd respondent (Ododo) would be closing their defence on Tuesday, he urged the court to allow the 3rd respondent (APC) proceed with their defence after the governor must have called his witnesses, even if CBN officers failed to appear.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Birnin-Kudu held that the subpoena was to the CBN governor and director of Corporate Service of the bank.
According to him, it is a command in the name of the President, Commander-In-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The judge held that the act of writing to the tribunal by the apex bank that its officers “will be available on April 26 is contemptuous and condemnable.”
The panel then adjourned the matter until April 23 for the continuation of the 2nd respondent’s defence and for the CBN to show cause.
Izinyon equally informed the tribunal that they had applied for the record of proceedings to be sure that what they had “is what is in the record.”
Justice Birnin-Kudu then said that the record of proceedings was ready and would be made available to 2nd respondent’s team.
Earlier, Enesi Adavi Mohammed from Adavi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi, and Jimoh Onimisi Biodun held Okehi LGA, testified in the defence of Ododo’s election victory.
News
Army Nabs Wanted Soldier Accused Of Supplying Uniforms To Terrorists While Escaping to Cameroon
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have nabbed a soldier declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over his alleged involvement in supplying military wares to terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
The suspect, identified as 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Training Facility (NAOTF), Lagos, was apprehended at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, 2026 by troops of 7 Provost Group led by the Acting Commander.
Preliminary investigations revealed that before he was declared wanted by the Army, the soldier absconded from his unit and travelled to Maiduguri on July 7, where he allegedly went into hiding.
Investigators further established that he was allegedly sheltered at Gomari Costain in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by 25NA/89/12687 Private Baba Kamal Sale of the Corps of Intelligence, Dikwa.
Acting on credible intelligence, troops of the 7 Provost Group placed the suspect under 24-hour surveillance before intercepting and arresting him at Jidari Bus Stop while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Cameroon.
The suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where he is undergoing further investigation into the alleged supply of military accoutrements to terrorist elements and the possible involvement of other collaborators.Government
Military sources described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle insider networks aiding terrorist groups, adding that investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any accomplice.
Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has promoted 547 employees and approved salary step increments for 579 others as part of a broad workforce development programme designed to reward outstanding performance, strengthen staff motivation and drive organisational excellence.
The exercise, which benefitted 1,126 employees, followed the successful completion of the company’s 2025 Performance Appraisal Exercise and underscores AEDC’s commitment to building a high-performing, customer-focused workforce.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AEDC, Chijioke Okwuokenye, said the initiative reflects the company’s resolve to place employees at the heart of its transformation agenda, stressing that investment in human capital remains critical to achieving sustainable growth.
He described the promotions and salary adjustments as a recognition of diligence, professionalism and commitment, noting that the company would continue to reward excellence while creating opportunities for career advancement.
According to him, AEDC is intentionally fostering a work environment where merit, innovation, continuous learning and teamwork determine career progression, adding that employee welfare remains a key pillar of the company’s long-term strategy.
“Our people remain our greatest asset and the foundation upon which AEDC’s future will be built. This is more than a reward for performance; it is a reaffirmation of our belief that excellence should always be recognised, talent should be nurtured and hard work should create opportunities for growth,” Okwuokenye said.
He explained that the organisation is committed to providing employees with fulfilling career opportunities that enable them to maximise their potential while contributing to AEDC’s ambition of becoming one of Africa’s leading electricity distribution companies.
The AEDC chief also urged employees who were not promoted in the current appraisal cycle to remain committed, assuring them that the company’s performance management system is structured to support continuous improvement, skills development and future career progression.
AEDC said the promotion and salary increment exercise forms part of its broader strategy to cultivate a performance-driven culture, encourage professionalism and recognise employees who contribute significantly to the company’s growth.
The company added that as it continues to modernise operations, improve electricity service delivery and enhance customer experience, it will sustain investments in staff development to strengthen productivity and reinforce its position as one of Nigeria’s preferred employers in the power sector.
Some hoodlums suspected to be political thugs on Sunday stormed a permanent voter’s card (PVC) distribution centre in Okuku, the headquarters of the Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state, and carted away two packs of PVCs.
The INEC officials were busy distributing the cards at the Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, when the thugs suddenly arrived and started shooting sporadically into the air, scaring residents and officials, and took two packs of cards and left the venue before police could arrive at the scene.
The spokesperson of the Osun State Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said that about ten armed hoodlums invaded the centre, fired sporadically into the air and carted away three packs of PVCs before fleeing the scene.
Ojelabi disclosed that the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has condemned the attack and directed a comprehensive investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Reacting to the development, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in the state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, condemned the attack. She said she was to get the detailed report on the attack, adding that she is yet to know the exact number of PVCs carted away by the hoodlums.
The REC, however, assured the people of the state that the governorship election would be free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent.
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