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Ondo guber: Court dumps suit challenging Aiyedatiwa deputy’s qualifications

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The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, has trashed the suit challenging the qualifications of Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, both candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 16 governorship election in the state.

The suit was filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the election, Agboola Ajayi, through his legal counsel, M Ndoka (SAN).

Delivering his judgement, the Presiding judge, Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke declared that the plaintiff lacked locus standi to file the suit

She added that the case filed by Ajayi and his party, the PDP, was statute-barred, being filed outside the 14 days required by the Electoral Act.

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Justice Adegoke therefore ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit, having filed through originating summons instead of a Writ of Summons.

In his originating summons, the plaintiff said the first defendant, the APC deputy governorship candidate, Adelami, is known by multiple conflicting and irreconcilable names of Adelami Owolabi Jackson and Olaide Owolabi Adelami; arguing that with the conflicting names, the court should disqualify him and the governorship candidate.

He therefore sought a “Declaration that the APC has no validly nominated governorship and deputy governorship candidate for the 2024 election”.

Ajayi asked for an order disqualifying the defendants from participating in the election and order and restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from publishing their names or allowing them to participate in the election.

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However, Remi Olatubora (SAN), Counsel to Adelami, argued that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) result has the name Adelami Owolabi Jackson in 1974 and that a degree certificate from Ambrose Alli University issued in 1982 has the name Adelami Olaide Owolabi.

Olatubora said the grievance of the plaintiffs is not about discrepancies in the name but the order or arrangements of the names.

Other defence counsels, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) who represented Governor Aiyedatiwa, the second defendant, Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN) who represented the APC, and Charles Edosan (SAN) who represented INEC, agree with the position of Dr. Olatubora.

According to Olatubora, the plaintiffs have no right to file the suit following section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022 because they are not members of All Progressives Congress and did not participate in the primaries that the governorship primary that produced Adelami and Aiyedatiwa as candidates.

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He submitted that “The plaintiffs lack the locus standi to file the suit or seek the reliefs set out in the originating summons; adding that the suit as a matter of law does not qualify as a pre-election matter, and this court lacks jurisdiction.”

The presiding judge ruled that the issue involving certificate forgery and perjury was criminal, which required the calling of evidence from the authorities that issued the certificates in question.

According to her, Section 29 of the Electoral Act made provision for who can challenge the candidate of political parties.

She noted that the fact that PDP and Ajayi are not aspirants in the APC primary that produced Aiyedatiwa and Adelami as candidates rubbed them off any legal right to challenge their qualifications.

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Justice Adegoke, therefore declared that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, dismissed it and resolved all issues in favour of the defendants.

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DSS intercepts arms shipment bound for bandit kingpin, nabs suspect

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Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected arms courier in Kano State allegedly transporting weapons intended for delivery to a notorious bandit leader operating in Zamfara.

An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday said the suspect was apprehended on Friday in Gezawa Local Government Area following actionable intelligence.

According to the report, the suspect was intercepted while moving a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa to Funtua in Katsina State for onward delivery to criminal elements.

“Items recovered from the suspect include three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.”

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The report said preliminary investigations linked the consignment to a suspected bandit kingpin believed to be operating in parts of Zamfara.

“The suspect confessed that he was contracted to transport the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery.

“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the network behind the arms movement and identify other collaborators involved in the operation,” the report said.

The report described the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal groups responsible for violent attacks, kidnappings and other security threats in the North-West.

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It added that the suspect was in DSS custody and would face further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.

According to the report, security agencies have continued to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling logistics networks that sustain banditry, terrorism and other forms of organised crime across the country.

(NAN)

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Chimamanda Adichie alleges cover-up, negligence following son’s death

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Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital of medical negligence and an subsequent attempt to cover up the circumstances surrounding her son’s death by taking her pursuit of justice for her late son, Nkanu Nnamdi, to the public.

In a four-part series shared on Instagram, Adichie detailed a devastating sequence of events. According to her, her son suffered a hypoxic brain injury caused by improper sedation administered by an anesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare, which ultimately resulted in his death.

Beyond the medical tragedy, Adichie alleges that the hospital has engaged in a pattern of dishonest practices. These include:

Issuing an inaccurate death certificate that falsely attributed the cause of death to meningitis.

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Failing to provide complete or accurate medical records to her family.

Employing heartless language in legal correspondence, including referring to her son’s death as a “dispute”.

Stalling and attempting to obstruct a coroner’s inquest, which was originally initiated by the hospital itself. Describing the immense toll this has taken on her.

She said, “I wake up every single morning with my heart racing… The ultimate and utter loneliness of grief is that only you can know the true depth of your despair. I long for, at least, peace to mourn, but Euracare Hospital has robbed me even of that”.

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The author also recounted an encounter with a senior figure in the hospital’s ownership who allegedly attempted to discourage her from pursuing legal action by suggesting her reputation could be dragged in the mud during court proceedings. Adichie said this was a manipulative and threatening message.

“An inquest is a public judicial inquiry designed to establish the circumstances surrounding a death,” she stated.

Adichie explained, that it is not a trial or a claim for damages, but simply a search for the truth. By making these details public, she hopes to demand the accountability and transparency that she feels have been denied to her family.

“I have decided to make this letter public because to keep silent about Euracare’s evil is to enable it”. She stated.

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Tinubu condemns death of retired general Rabe in kidnappers’ custody

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President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar, who was reportedly abducted by armed criminals in Katsina State and later died while still in their custody.

According to a State House statement issued on Saturday, the president said he received the news of the former military officer’s death with “shock and sadness,” describing the incident as a tragic reminder of the security challenges facing parts of the country.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of terrorists in Katsina State,” the statement read.

General Abubakar, who had retired from the Nigerian Armed Forces after a distinguished career, was said to have been travelling to his hometown when he was intercepted and abducted by armed men.

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“General Abubakar, after a distinguished career in the military, retired a few years ago. He was on his way to his hometown when the hoodlums captured him,” the statement stated.

The presidency also revealed that the late officer’s wife was taken alongside him and is still being held by the abductors, a detail that has further intensified public concern over the incident.

The president extended condolences to the bereaved family, the people of Katsina State, and the military establishment, describing the loss as painful and unacceptable.

He also reiterated the government’s uncompromising stance on terrorism and kidnapping, warning that the state would not be blackmailed into concessions.

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While condemning the attack, Tinubu declared: “Bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. And no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”

He further stressed national unity and resilience in the face of insecurity, insisting that the country would ultimately prevail.

“As Nigerians, we must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” the President said.

On the broader fight against insecurity, Tinubu said the tragedy should serve as a turning point in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, rejecting any form of negotiation with armed groups.

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“General Abubakar’s death should further serve as a defining moment in our battle against terrorists and insurgents, never to negotiate with them on any terms, but to continue to treat them as the greatest enemies of our dear nation, who should never be spared,” the statement added.

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