NEWS
JUST IN: Court Mandates Swift Hearing On Petition To Stop Tinubu’s Presidential Inauguration Today
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has prepared for a conclusive hearing scheduled for today, Friday, regarding a new lawsuit aiming to prevent the inauguration of President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on May 29.
The Court issued an order that the case, identified as CA/ABJ/CV/259/2023, which aims to prevent Asiwaju Bola Tinubu from being inaugurated as Nigeria’s new President on May 29, must be heard today at 3 pm without fail.
In order to facilitate the hearing of the case, the Court of Appeal considered a motion for joinder filed by Tinubu’s legal representative, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, on May 18.
After hearing the arguments, the Court granted Tinubu’s request and included him as the 4th respondent in the case, joining President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Following the joinder of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the lawsuit due to his potential jeopardized interests, the Court promptly directed President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Tinubu to file their Respondents’ Briefs.
Additionally, they were instructed to serve the Appellants with the said briefs by 10 am this morning.
The Appeal Court further issued an order stating that the Appellants should file their Reply Brief and serve the Respondents by 12 noon today. Subsequently, the Court scheduled the hearing of the suit for 3 pm today as well.
The hearing notice posted on the notice board of the Court of Appeal, was also confirmed by Chief Ambrose Albert Owuru, the first Appellant in the case.
The lawsuit has been filed by Chief Ambrose Albert Owuru, a presidential candidate in the 2019 Presidential election, along with his political party, the Hope Democratic Party (HDP).
Owuru, who was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1982, is requesting the Court of Appeal in Abuja to prohibit President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from carrying out the inauguration of the President-elect for the year 2023 on May 29.
Owuru, who argues that he should be recognized as the constitutional winner of the 2019 presidential election, bases his objection to Tinubu’s inauguration or anyone else succeeding Buhari on the grounds that Buhari has not completed his four-year tenure as mandated by law.
Owuru maintains that President Buhari has been encroaching upon his tenure of office since 2019 due to the fact that the Supreme Court has not yet ruled on his petition, which he filed in 2019. In the petition, he contested the legitimacy of Buhari’s declaration as the winner of the election.
Following the dismissal of his initial lawsuit by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on January 30, 2023, Owuru proceeded to the Court of Appeal in order to express his dissatisfaction and pursue his case further.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has appointed Prof. Ibibia Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The appointment, which takes effect immediately, follows a comprehensive selection process in which Worika’s vast expertise, academic qualifications, and policy knowledge stood out.
In a related development, Iyingi Brown has been named the Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service.
READ ALSO: ‘We Were Not Paid $5,000 To Back Rivers Emergency Declaration – Reps
She will also serve as the Acting Head of Service until a permanent appointment is made.
Her appointment comes after the resignation of the former Head of Service, George Nwaeke.
The Rivers State government expressed gratitude for Nwaeke’s service and wished him success in his future endeavors.
Congratulating Brown on her new position, Vice Admiral Ibas reiterated his commitment to fostering stability and progress in the state.
A statement from the government emphasized that Prof. Worika’s background in academia, legal practice, and policy advisory roles makes him a key asset in achieving President Bola Tinubu’s goals for Rivers State.
“Professor Worika’s wealth of experience in legal scholarship, public policy, and governance will be instrumental in driving the administration’s agenda. His appointment underscores our dedication to excellence in public service,” the statement read.
The Sole Administrator also reaffirmed his commitment to leveraging the state’s human capital to enhance security, peace, and sustainable development.
Meet Prof. Ibibia Worika
Prof. Ibibia Worika, a native of Okrika in Rivers State, is a renowned legal scholar and administrator specializing in environmental and petroleum law.
He earned a Ph.D. in International Environmental and Comparative Petroleum Law & Policy from the University of Dundee in the United Kingdom.
He currently serves as the Director of the Centre for Advanced Law Research at Rivers State University and was formerly the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Port Harcourt.
Beyond the academic sphere, Prof. Worika has significantly contributed to shaping legal and policy frameworks on both national and international levels.
As a Senior Legal Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, he provided expert guidance on energy policies, regulatory frameworks, and governance.
His role as General Legal Counsel for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna further solidified his reputation as a leading expert in international law, energy diplomacy, and resource management.
He has also worked as a consultant for various governments, including those of Namibia, Malawi, and Guyana, assisting in drafting legal frameworks and policies for sustainable development.
His contributions to public administration have earned him numerous accolades, including the OPEC Secretariat Award for Distinguished Service and an honorary title from the Ogu Council of Chiefs in Rivers State.
Han Jong-hee, co-CEO of Samsung Electronics and a driving force behind the company’s dominance in the global television market, has died of a heart attack at the age of 63, the company confirmed on Tuesday.
“He died from cardiac arrest today,” a Samsung spokesperson stated, adding that Han is survived by his wife and three children.
Having joined the company in 1988, Han played a significant role in shaping Samsung’s television business.
READ MORE: Samsung Reports Worst Quarterly Profits In 14 Years
His leadership was instrumental in the launch and success of the company’s high-end LED TVs, which helped establish Samsung as a global leader in the industry.
“Han was central in the unveiling of Samsung’s world-class LED TVs,” the company noted in a biography published earlier this month. “His numerous other innovations enabled the company to continually demonstrate its technology leadership.”
His efforts ensured that Samsung maintained its position as a dominant force in the global television market.
Han’s death comes at a time when Samsung Electronics is grappling with challenges in the AI chip sector.
The company has been facing difficulties in meeting Nvidia’s standards, while its South Korean competitor, SK Hynix, has emerged as the leading supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips for Nvidia’s AI processors.
Chairman Lee Jae-yong recently underscored the urgency of the situation, urging Samsung to adopt a “do-or-die” approach to overcome the growing challenges in the AI industry.
Last October, the company acknowledged it was facing a “crisis,” citing concerns over its “fundamental technological competitiveness and the future of the company.”
NEWS
Ifon/Ilobun/Erin Osun Crisis: Adeleke Inspects Conflict Zones, Orders Distribution Of Relief Items
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has ordered the immediate distribution of food and relief materials to the displaced people of Ilobu, Ifon and Erin Osun.
This was contained in a government house statement in Osogbo on Tuesday by the Spokesperson to the State Governor, Olawale Rasheed.
According to Rasheed, the governor has also issued a directive to the Commissioner of Police and the Director of State Service to summon the traditional rulers, chiefs and identified ring leaders in each town for grilling and signing of peace undertakings.
Additionally, the state chief executive directed the search and arrest of perpetrators of the violence, insisting that those arrested should be charged to court without further delay.
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The Governor issued these directives after inspecting the three towns, lamenting the extensive damages in the conflict zones, vowing to permanently resolve the matter.
“This is really sad. I thank the security services for restoring peace. The 24 hours curfew imposed is working. We need to put a permanent end to this needless destruction of lives and properties.
“I have ordered distribution of food and relief materials to the displaced. The foods are going to the three palaces for distribution to the victims. We will ensure accountability. Those behind the mayhem will be brought to book.
“We are also taking stern measures to stop this ugly incident from reoccurring. The monarchs, chiefs and chieftains of each town will be grilled and be made to sign peace undertaking”, the Governor posited.
The governor was accompanied by top security and government personnel.
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Ifon/Ilobun/Erin Osun Crisis: Adeleke Inspects Conflict Zones, Orders Distribution Of Relief Items
