NEWS
Prince Arthur Eze donated N50m to support my senatorial political campaign – Andy Uba
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
Senator Andy Uba has issued a statement on the execution of judgment of the High Court of Anambra State over his default in repayment of a loan of N50 million from Prince Arthur Eze.
Recall that bailiffs of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja on August 23, 2022, levied the execution of the judgement of the High Court of Anambra State in suit No: AG/94/2016, against the defendant.
However, in clearing the air, Senator Uba on Friday, at Awka, Anambra State, explained that a brotherly relationship existed between Prince Arthur Eze and himself, while the later donated the said sum in support of his senatorial bid in a church.
He expressed regrets at not securing a terms of settlement when the matter was resolved amicably between them by a mutual friend of the Plaintiff and Defendant, Prince Austin Ndigwe (Uzu-Awka) before instructing his lawyer to withdraw the appeal he filed against the judgement.
While expressing confidence in the judiciary, he opined that the sage was only meant to corrode his hard earned reputation.
He averred in the statement, “My attention has been drawn to the defamatory, maligning and character injurious publications in the print and electronic medium, as well as social media platforms on malicious falsehood and allegations arising from the execution of the judgement of the High Court of Anambra State in suit No: AG/94/2016, through the bailiffs of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja on 23/8/2022.
“It is fundamentally imperative to unequivocally state in clear and categorical terms the true factual position, thus:
“For the avoidance of doubt, I never borrowed N50m from prince Arthur Eze, both of us only attended a church service at St. James Anglican Church Uga, Aguata L.G.A, Anambra State during my senatorial campaign in the build-up to 2015 general elections.
“In the course of the said church service, Prince Arthur Eze donated N50m to support my senatorial political campaign on the altar and the entire congregant was engulfed with joy and happiness which made the officiating priest extend a warm handshake of gratitude and appreciation for his kind gesture and I equally sent a letter of appreciation dated 22/2/2015 to Prince Arthur Eze.
“I was dumbfounded, surprised and flabbergasted having learnt that my bosom friend and brother, had through his company Oranto Petroleum Limited through which the said cheque of N50m was drawn had filed an action one year after at the High Court of Anambra State, Aguata division sitting at Ekwulobia in suit No: AG/94/2016, through what they called (undefended list) Procedure or liquidated money demand or summary judgment procedure.
“The pertinent question on the lips of many people would be, do people go to the rooftops to praise or thank others for granting them loan facilities? How many people have you seen that secured a loan facility from a bank or an individual and went to church praising the creditor for granting them such a loan facility which would only be repaid?
“I quickly engaged my lawyers who filed my defence on merit denying the allegations that the said money was a loan but a free will donation, unfortunately despite our obvious defence and issues having been joined, the trial court refused and failed to afford us a fair hearing by having the matter heard on full-blown trial where witnesses will be called and evidence led, but proceeded to hear the matter on (undefended list) procedure or summary judgment procedure, that is, hearing the case on only the allegations and documents filed by the plaintiff (Oranto Petroleum Limited) without contradiction, whatsoever. The court went ahead to grant all the reliefs and entered judgement in favour of the plaintiff on 6/3/2017.
“In exercise of my constitutional right, I appealed to the Court of Appeal Enugu division culminating to Senator Andy Andy –Vs- Oranto Petroleum Limited, Appeal No: CA/E/197/2017, challenging the said decision of the High Court of Anambra State among other things, on the ground that the said money was a free will donation and not a loan as well as a challenge that hearing the matter on the undefended list without my input amount to a breach of my fundamental right to fair hearing guaranteed under section 36 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which occasioned a miscarriage of justice.
“Consequent upon the above, parties filed and exchanged their respective briefs of argument and the appeal was set down for hearing on the 26th of February, 2019. However, there was an intervention by some Anambra stakeholders and I was approached by Prince Austin Ndigwe (Uzu-Awka) who is a mutual friend of myself and Prince Arthur Eze for an amicable settlement of the matter out of court.
READ ALSO: TPF unveils, set to mobilise Nigerians for APC, Tinubu come 2023
“I was thereupon, after a meeting between myself and Prince Arthur Eze at his Enugu residence which was championed by Prince Austin Ndigwe (Uzu-Awka), instigated by way of advice to withdraw the appeal on the ground that Prince Arthur Eze had then become satisfied that the money was a donation for my senatorial political campaign and not a loan as he was meant to believe earlier.
“Prince Arthur Eze persuaded me through the said Prince Austin Ndigwe (Uzu-Awka) to discontinue the appeal and to demonstrate good faith and brotherliness, I quickly instructed my lawyer to withdraw the appeal, even though we ought to extract terms of settlement as a condition because the appeal was at the concluding stage. Consequently, based on the notice of withdrawal filed by my lawyer, the appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 29th February 2019.
“I was deeply astonished and shocked beyond bone marrow when I learnt that my brother and mutual friend, Prince Arthur Eze despite his undertakings at the meeting had reneged his promises on the gentlemanly and brotherly agreement we had and surprisingly surfaced in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, registered and immediately executed the said judgement of the High Court of Anambra State, Aguata division sitting at Ekwulobia. The subject matter of my appeal to the Court of Appeal Enugu, with the sole intention to embarrass, defame and reduce my reputation before the right-thinking members of the public using numerous hired social media platforms.
“For purposes of clarity, I attached herewith a video clip of Prince Arthur Eze’s donation of N50m to my political campaign for election into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to represent the Anambra South Senatorial District in the Senate of the National Assembly, made at St. James Anglican church Uga, Aguata L.G.A, Anambra State.
“This is contrary to the information being circulated in several print and electronic mediums, as well as social media platforms to the effect that the above sum was an interest-free friendly loan, which is a calculated attempt to defame and malign my noble character and hard-earned reputation.
“It is shocking and baffling how a man will stand on the sacred altar of God and donate to the political aspiration and campaign of his brother, of which the officiating priest extended a warm handshake of gratitude and appreciation for his kind gesture and later turn around to deny the purpose of the donation.
“I have deep respect for rule of law and sanctity of our judicial system with an unblemished political career as a devoted public figure, former Governor of Anambra State, former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and former Special Assistant on Special Duties and Domestic Affairs to President Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as a loving Father, dedicated Christian and law-abiding citizen of this great nation, strongly believe that justice will be done in the final analysis.
“I, therefore, call on the general public, men and women of goodwill as well as political friends and supporters, business associates and family members, with an enduring passion for justice, fair play and equity, to remain calm.”
On Friday, November 22, 2024, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State.
The funeral, held at his residence in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi, was attended by a multitude of mourners, including political figures, business associates, and community members, all paying their final respects to the esteemed businessman and politician.
The burial proceedings commenced with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by condolence visits and other funeral activities. The ceremonies are scheduled to continue through the weekend, culminating in a Thanksgiving Mass and Outing Service on Sunday, November 24, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Otolo Nnewi.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Anambra Senator, Ubah, Dies In London
In light of security concerns, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week. This decision followed threats from separatist elements who vowed to attack those attending the burial. A circular from the state Ministry of Education directed school principals to inform parents and ensure students remained at home during this period.
The Anambra State Police Command addressed an incident that occurred on Wednesday night, clarifying that it was not related to the burial. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident involved security operatives mistakenly engaging police personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The situation has since been brought under control.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.
As the community of Nnewi and the nation at large bid farewell to Senator Ubah, his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and public servant continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspired.
The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.
Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.
RELATED NEWS: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations
“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.
“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”
The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.
It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.
Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.
“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”
The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.
“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.
The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.
“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.
The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.
The COP29 presidency has unveiled an ambitious climate finance plan, calling on developed nations to provide $250 billion annually to developing countries by 2035.
The proposal, part of a broader initiative to mobilize $1.3 trillion from public and private sources each year, seeks to address the mounting challenges posed by climate change.
The five-page draft text, released on Friday, emphasizes the need for developed nations to lead the charge in financing climate action.
RELATED NEWS: COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations
According to the document, this financial commitment is seen as a critical step toward combating the climate crisis and fostering sustainable development globally.
“In this context, it is decided to set a goal in extension of the goal referred to in paragraph 53 of decision 1/CP.21, with developed country Parties taking the lead, to USD 250 billion per year by 2035 for developing country Parties for climate action,” the draft states.
The announcement follows the release of an earlier 10-page draft on Thursday, which drew significant criticism from Global South delegations.
Many expressed frustration that the document lacked clear financial commitments from wealthier nations, falling short of expectations to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.
“There is a clear need to address the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, especially given the diverse circumstances shaping national priorities,” a negotiator from a developing country delegation remarked.
The updated proposal aims to address some of these concerns by outlining more specific targets. However, skepticism remains among some negotiators, who feel the revisions still fail to adequately address their demands.
Meanwhile, developed countries have raised their own reservations about the proposed plan.
A European negotiator, speaking to Reuters, described the $250 billion annual target as unrealistic and criticized the lack of measures to expand the pool of contributing countries.
“No one is comfortable with the number because it’s high, and there’s almost nothing on broadening the contributor base,” the negotiator said.
The mixed reactions underscore the persistent divide between developed and developing nations in climate negotiations.
While the draft text aims to reconcile these differences, the gap between expectations and commitments remains a significant hurdle.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah Laid To Rest In Nnewi Amidst Tight Security
Tinubu Moves To Transform Tragedy To Prosperity With Livestock Investment
Nicki Minaj Teams Up With Davido On ‘The Pink Print’ Anniversary
Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Will Restore Peace In South East, Says Enugu Gov’t
Wizkid’s “Morayo”: Critics, Fans Clash Over Album’s Quality
JUST IN: COP29 Proposes $250bn Annual Climate Finance Target For Developing Nations
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
