Politics
APC Launches Attack Against Court Of Appeal
The battle for places at the House of Representatives at the judiciary has taken a bizarre dimension, with ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) launching a frontal attack on the justices of the Court of Appeal looking into the petitions on the for the state and national assembly for Imo State.
Counsel to APC, Echezona Etiaba, (SAN), on Monday in Lagos presented two petitions purportedly written by his clients in which they accused the three-member panel of being compromised.
The court witnessed a level of uproar when presiding Justice, Danjuma Mohammed, of the Makurdi Division read the petition alleging that Damian Dodo (SAN), was holding the brief of one of the appellants contrary to the ethics of the legal profession.
Consequently, the justices, after declaring their innocence, recused themselves from the appeals of Imo State.
However, the justices maintained that it was just before the court sitting that all of them were made aware of who they would be sitting with and which cases they would preside over.
The lawyers present at the sitting expressed displeasure at the turn of events, as all the appeals went unheard.
They frowned at their colleague for using his status as a SAN to present such implausible and defamatory petitions.
One of the lawyers, Ajuonuma Stanley urged the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) to look into the matter and also urged the President of the Court of Appeal to ensure the case is heard by men and women who can’t be compromised to complete their assignment.
He said, “The LPPC should immediately look into this kind of unprofessional conduct.
“He (Etiaba) cannot accuse a fellow SAN of being in a matter when the records show that the said SAN was not anywhere involved in the matter.
“He accused justices of the Court of Appeal of having received bribes and such allegations should not go without proper investigation.
“I also call on the President of the court to be more vigilant.
“He accused the PDP of compromising the justices but the appeal that was called was that of Okigwe North Federal Constituency filed by LP candidate Chikwem Okafor.
So, what was the PDP’s connection in that?”
Other members of the panel are Justice Peter Affen from Yola Division and Justice Asmau’u Musa Mainoma. The latter is one of the newly appointed justices to the Court of Appeal.
From the court records, though, Dodo was not counsel on any of the matters, either for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or Labour Party (LP) at any stage of the pre-election cases or the main tribunal in Imo State.
Dodo was also not listed as counsel for any of the parties at the tribunal and even before the Court of Appeal.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has expressed the view that his administration is an agent of development that has positively touched all sectors of the Osun society within just two years in office.
He made the pronouncement while presenting Budget 2025 tagged “Budget of Sustainable Growth and Transformation” to the State House of Assembly, with members of the State Executive Council present at an annual event hosted by the House Speaker, Right Honourable Adewale Egbedun.
Gov Adeleke noted that “the total size of the Budget 2025 is Three Hundred and Ninety Billion, Twenty-Eight Million, Two Hundred and Seventy-Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Naira Only (390,028,277,740.00).
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“The expenditure comprises Capital Expenditure of One Hundred and Forty-Four Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty-One Million, One Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira (N144,231,183,800.00), Recurrent Expenditure of Two Hundred and Forty-Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Seven Million, Ninety-Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Naira Only (N245,797,093,940.00).
“Recurrent Expenditure is divided into Personnel cost, which is made up of salaries and allowances, as well as Pensions and Gratuities and stands at One Hundred and Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Five Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand, Ten Naira Only (₦102,895,821,010.00).
The balance of One Hundred and Forty Two Billion, Nine Hundred and One Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty Naira Only (₦142,901,272,930.00) is set aside.
“Our Revenue consists of Recurrent Revenue, where Government share of FAAC is One Hundred and Ninety-Six billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand, One Hundred and Eight Naira Only (₦196,778,975,180.00 and Independent Revenue is One Hundred and Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Seventy Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty Naira Only (₦109,870,932,830.00).
Other receipts from development partners are Fifty-Three Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy-Seven Million, Two Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Ten Naira Only (₦53,377,244,610.00).”
He affirmed that his administration has recorded unprecedented progress across the sectors which will be unveiled in details during the midterm anniversary holding for a week later this month, submitting a synopsis to the Assembly.
According to the Governor, “our administration has reduced rural Health Access gap by 40% through rehabilitation of over two hundred Primary healthcare centers; We have increased health care access to all pensioners from less than 10% to 90% within two years;
“We closed road infrastructure gap and deficit by 50% from 80%; we took agric mechanization from 0% to 35%; We built digital economy policy structures from 0% to 55%; We built public service integrity from 25% to almost 70%;
“We expanded local content from 0% to 75%; We built climate agenda from 0% to over 70%; We raised state financial support for cooperative societies from 0% to 66%; We expanded financial support to ward cooperative societies from 0% to over 60%;
“We built Ilesa University from 15% to over 90%; We redeveloped Odeomu Cooperative College to HND institution; We increased Osun Google coverage from 20% to 65%; We launched phased bursary award from 0% to 40%; We liquidated 40% of inherited salary debt;
“We paid up over 35% of inherited pension debt; We improved School infrastructure by over 40 percent; We enhanced rural Infrastructure by over 40 percent with over 300 completed rural projects”, the Governor affirmed, adding that “Osun State has not taken any loan (External or Domestic).
“We rely solely on the prudent management of available resources to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the good people of Osun State. This is our goal and with God on our side we will not derail”, the Governor told the lawmakers.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced a sweeping dissolution of executives across all state boards of government agencies and parastatals.
In a statement released by Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor confirmed that the affected officials are to vacate their positions immediately.
The decision, which was made public on Wednesday, also impacts Permanent Secretaries who were appointed from outside the Edo State Public/Civil Service, as well as political appointees across various government departments.
Governor Okpebholo directed that all outgoing officials hand over government property in their possession to the highest-ranking public officer within their respective agencies or departments.
“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the dissolution of executives of all boards, agencies, and parastatals in Edo State Public Service with immediate effect,” the statement read.
Senator Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa were formally sworn in on Tuesday as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State, respectively.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where Chief Justice Daniel Okungbowa administered the oath of office to the new leaders.
During the ceremony, both officials pledged to uphold the constitution and dedicate themselves to the welfare of Edo State’s citizens. Supporters gathered at the stadium cheered as the oath-taking ceremony proceeded, marking the beginning of a new administration in the state.
Further details are expected as the new government outlines its agenda for the state.
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