The Federal High Court, Kano, on Thursday reserves ruling on the ongoing legal battle surrounding the Kano Emirate.
The court reserves the ruling after arguments from lawyers representing various parties in the dispute.
This case centers on the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano in March 2020 and the subsequent appointment of Aminu Ado Bayero to the position.
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Sanusi approached the court to declare his removal at the time as unlawful.
The court’s initial task was to determine its own jurisdiction in the matter.
Legal representatives for the Kano State government had argued that the court lacked the authority to hear the case, as it falls under the purview of customary law.
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However, Sanusi II’s lawyers contended that his fundamental human rights were violated during the dethronement process, bringing the case within the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice A. M. Liman, presiding over the case, has yet to issue a definitive ruling on the matter of jurisdiction.
Counsel to the State House of Assembly and its speaker, Eyitayo Fatogun (SAN), informed the court of a notice of appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, seeking a stay proceedings.
However, Justice Liman noted that there was no evidence that the appeal had been entered nor any formal application for a stay filed.
The Kano Emirate dispute remains a sensitive issue, with significant political and cultural implications. The Emir of Kano holds a powerful symbolic position within the Kano society and the wider northern Nigerian region. A definitive ruling on the court’s jurisdiction will determine whether the legal battle can proceed, potentially leading to a final verdict on the dethronement of Sanusi II.
It is unclear when the court will deliver its ruling on jurisdiction. However, the postponement indicates a complex legal landscape surrounding the case. Both parties are expected to continue their arguments, with the court’s decision likely to have a significant impact on the future of the Kano Emirate.
By: Mayowa Oladeji
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Court delays ruling on jurisdiction in Kano Emirate tussle
Court nullifies Ondo’s 33 LCDAs
An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, the state capital, on Thursday nullified the 33 Local Council Development Areas in the state.
The court described the LCDAs, which were created by the immediate former governor of the state, late Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, as illegal and unlawful.
In the judgment delivered by Justice A.O Adebusuoye, the court said it was illegal for a governor to sign a law outside the state, adding that the LG Creation Law 2023 signed by late Akeredolu in Ibadan, outside the state, was “unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.”
According Online reports that after the LG Creation Law was passed by the state assembly, the late Akeredolu signed the bill into law in September 2023.
Shortly after the law was signed, the list of names of the caretaker chairmen for the 33 LCDAs was sent to the House for screening and approval.
After the screening, the court stopped the inauguration of the appointed caretaker chairmen of the LCDAs, preventing them from assuming office.
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Court overturns Kano law used to dethrone Emir Bayero, others
A Federal High Court in Kano has set aside the procedures taken by the Kano State government to repeal the Kano Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024.
The law, recently passed by the Kano State House of Assembly on May 23, was immediately signed into law by Governor Abba Yusuf and was used to dethrone Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and reappoint Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
Also, it was used to reverse the creation of four emirates—Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya, established by the former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, in 2020.
However, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, Aminu Danagundi, who was represented by Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), challenged the legality of the new law and asked the court to declare the law null and void.
After hearing the motion last Friday, the presiding judge, Justice Abdullahi Liman, adjourned the ruling till this Thursday.
Counsel to the State House of Assembly and its Speaker, Eyitayo Fatogun (SAN), informed the court of a notice of appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, seeking a stay proceedings.
However, Justice Liman noted that there was no evidence that the appeal had been entered nor any formal application for a stay filed.
In his ruling on Thursday, Justice Liman set aside the action of the Kano government, ordering parties to maintain the status quo.
The judge held that the defendants were aware of the interim order granted by the court but chose to ignore it and went ahead with the implementation of the law.
Justice Liman, therefore, ruled that he would assume his coercive powers to enforce compliance with his order.
Enugu residents groan as egg prices hit N5,000 per crate
Some residents of Nsukka, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, have lamented the high cost of eggs, making it beyond their reach.
The residents expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Nsukka while reacting to the present market price of a crate of eggs that goes for N5,000.
Mrs Stella Nduka, a housewife said for some time now her children have not been able to eat eggs because of their high cost.
“The present situation where one egg sells for N200 and a crate of eggs sells at N5,000 is worrisome.
“Before, I usually used eggs to cook noodles for my children but now I can’t afford it because of its high cost.
“My customer in Ogige Market Nsukka says the fault is not from the sellers as they sell according to how they buy from the poultry farms.
“My customer says presently he buys a crate at N4,500 from the poultry farms and sells a crate at N5,000,” she said.
Mr Jude Ugwuoke, who has a fast food joint at Aku Road, Nsukka decried the high cost of eggs, which he said had adversely affected his business.
“Before, I was preparing one packet of noodles with two eggs for my customers at N1,200 but because of the high cost of eggs, it is now N1,500.
“I am losing many customers because my customers are complaining that the N1,500 is too much as only a few now patronise me.
“Government should intervene before my business closes, by January this year, the cost of an egg crate was between N2000 and N2,200,” he said.
Mrs Juliet Onah, who sells eggs together with other food items in Ogige market Nsukka food section, said the sellers should not be blamed for the present hike in egg price as they sell according to how they bought the commodity.
“I buy eggs from poultry farms, I bought these eggs on Tuesday this week and I bought a crate at the price of N4,500 and resold at N5,000.
“You can see my gain is only N500 despite the transport I paid to go buy the eggs.
“In January this year, we sold an egg crate at N2,000 while the retailers sold one egg at N100, I don’t understand the type of inflation in this country,” she said.
A poultry farmer, Mr Ernest Ugwu attributed the high price of eggs to the high prices of chicken feeds.
Ugwu said that the only thing that would bring down the price of eggs was for the government to subsidise the ingredients used in producing feed.
“If a poultry farmer buys feed at a high price to grow the chickens that lay the eggs, he/she will sell the eggs to cover the production cost as well as make a little gain that will enable him/her to remain in business.
“No businessman or woman in the world will like to record losses rather to make a profit so as to remain in business,” Ugwu said.
Checks by According Online in selected major areas of Ogun and Lagos states revealed an increase in prices.
Last month, a crate was sold for N3200 to N3600, but it now costs between N4000 and N4500.
Prices of rice, garri soar
Meanwhile, the prices of garri and rice have recorded more than 50 per cent increase in Enugu metropolis, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
The NAN correspondent, who conducted a market survey on Thursday in Enugu, observed that prices of foodstuffs such as garri and rice have increased by 50 per cent in the metropolis.
The survey showed that a cup of garri, which sold for N150 in April, now goes for ₦250 while a five-litre paint bucket is sold for between N4,000 and N4,300
Similarly, the current price of a bag of garri is sold for ₦45,000 as against N₦30,000 in April.
At the Garki Market, Enugu, the price of a 50-kg bag of foreign rice rose from between ₦70,000 and N75,000 to between N95,000 and N100,000, depending on the brand.
NAN reports that a 50kg bag of local rice is sold for between ₦80,000 to ₦85,000 depending on the brand.
Mrs Gladis Ugwu, a garri seller at the New Market, said that the only way to reduce the high cost of garri would be by securing farmlands and stopping the exportation of the produce to other countries.
Ugwu said the exportation of the commodity had affected the availability of the produce in the country.
Mr Arinze Ozor, a rice seller at Ogbere Main Market, said that the high cost of rice in the country would persist if the government failed to act urgently to address food insecurity.
Ozor said that the traffic of buyers of foodstuffs in his shop had reduced since the prices of every item increased.
A buyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the high cost of living in the country to subsidy removal from petroleum products.
(NAN)
FG to establish electricity offences tribunal to fight theft
The Federal Government on Thursday said it is working on establishing an electricity offences tribunal to combat electricity theft in the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Managing Director, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, Aliyu Tahir, said, “We are working on the establishment of an electricity offences tribunal with an in-built appeal system for faster dispensation of electricity-related offences. It is to vest NEMSA in-house counsel with powers to prosecute electricity offences,” he stated.
Providing further explanation about the tribunal, Tahir said the initiative would adequately check electricity theft when implemented and that the National Assembly had been informed.
“We are looking at the establishment of this electricity tribunal to be able to enforce our mandates more. When you look at the enforcement, with respect to sanctioning of violators in the Act, it is a very long process.
“So to fast-track the prosecution of offenders, the establishment of this tribunal solely for the power sector will go a long way in ensuring that we fast-track the process, carry out enforcements and sanction violators,” the NEMSA boss stated.
Tahir said based on the powers conferred on the agency in the Electricity Act, NEMSA had been working hard to establish a tribunal that would speedily try electricity-related offences.
He noted that with the tribunal, issues of electricity theft would be addressed speedily and violators would be prosecuted as quickly as possible, adding that the agency was interfacing with the National Assembly on this.
“The establishment of this tribunal has been brought to the knowledge of the legislature and we’ve made submissions to them. Our hope is that they will amend the Electricity Act to include a provision for this,” Tahir stated.
He also declared that it was perfecting the process for the establishment of an electricity offences tribunal with an inbuilt appeal system to speedily tackle power-related offences.
It also declared that a total of 2,655,488 meters in the power sector had been tested and calibrated, as most of the equipment had been deployed for use by consumers across the country.
On June 2, 2024, The According exclusively reported that the latest update on metering by the Federal Government showed that 609,585 electricity consumers were metered in 2023, while the number of unmetered registered power users nationwide stood at 7,319,846.
The report stated that data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission indicated that out of the 13,162,572 registered consumers who get supplies from the national grid, 5,842,726 have been metered.
Tahir stated that in line with the mandate of the agency, NEMSA has tested and calibrated over 2.6 million meters.
According to Tahir, NEMSA, which is an agency of the Federal Government established in 2015, is still testing and calibrating more meters to ensure their functionality, durability and safety when in use
He said, “A total of 21,681 electricity installation projects have been inspected and tested, out of which 13,154 have been certified. Also, a total of 16,624 electricity networks have been monitored by NEMSA.
“About 4,921 factories, hazardous installations and public places have been inspected, tested and certified fit, while 2,655,488 electricity meters have been tested and calibrated, as 487 incidences were investigated by the agency.”
He explained that the figures were based on data compiled by NEMSA as of the first quarter of 2024, adding that the Electricity Act 2023 had strengthened the enforcement powers and responsibilities of the agency.
Amaechi’s camp, youth leaders reject APC’s call for emergency rule in Rivers
The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, loyal to the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has rejected calls by the party’s Caretaker Committee on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state.
According Online reported that the State APC Caretaker Chairman, Tony Okocha, at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, said the political situation in the state has degenerated into a full-blown war, saying Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the police are helpless.
Okocha said only a state of emergency can stop the violence which has resulted in deaths and escalating tensions in the state and restore peace and normalcy, urging the apex government to act fast.
But the factional spokesperson of APC, Darlington Nwauju, said the call for a state of emergency to be declared in the state was mere thinking of a rumour coming by Okocha and not the collective decision of the APC members in the state.
Nwauju said there was no time the leadership of the party or its members meet to take such a decision, saying there are other ways the state can resolve any crisis.
He said, “My attention has been called to an address by persons who are parading themselves as members of the caretaker committee of the APC in Rivers State demanding a state of emergency.
“I wish to quickly inform the public that the APC in Rivers State did not at any point in time hold any meeting amongst its members or consultations amongst its leaders to decide that, at this point in time, the best strategy or formula to nip in the bud the brewing political crisis in Rivers State is to demand a state of emergency.
“There were no such consultations, there were no such meetings, and so it cannot stand as the aggregate opinion of members or the membership of the APC across the 319 wards of Rivers State. So I want to dispel such a rumour, dismiss it as unnecessary as illogical and also unpatriotic.”
While noting that the state must have other means to settle its internal political issues, he said, “Do not forget the fact that given the very strategic role that the state plays in the economy of Nigeria, one must be very careful in making suggestions to possible ways and means to manage its internal challenges.”
The factional APC spokesman added, “We do believe as a political party that peace shall return completely across all the nook and crannies of our dear Rivers State, saying, “So fomenting troubles, causing confusion is not what the state requires at this point in time.”
Similarly, a group, the Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition has rejected the call for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, saying it was a grand plan to destabilize the peace of the state.
The group chairman, Legborsi Yamaabana, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday and sent to newsmen.
He said, “The swift appeal to the presidency for a state of emergency exposes the malicious intent of former Chairmen, Assembly members, and the APC to paralyze governmental operations in Rivers State.
“We want to make it unequivocally clear that their nefarious plans have failed and will continue to fail. We urge them and their cohorts in crisis-mongering to accept the reality that His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, commands deep-rooted love, respect and organic support from the people of Rivers State. No amount of malevolent plotting can alter this fact.
“Every state can have only one Governor at a time, and for Rivers State, that Governor is Sir Siminalayi Fubara. We urge the opposition to accept this and wait for the 2027 elections.”
He further said, “Their repeated attempts to destabilize the state, including the failed kangaroo impeachment process and the attempts to make Rivers State ungovernable, have been thwarted by the resilience of the Rivers people.
“We call on His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all Nigerians to disregard Tony Okocha’s inflammatory statements. These are mere attempts by those opposed to peace and progress to disrupt our state.
“If the APC under Okocha believes they have the support of the people, let them wait until 2027. They will then witness the decisive response of the Rivers people.”
Lagos govt battles Cholera outbreak as death toll climbs to 21
Lagos State government is grappling with a growing cholera outbreak, with health officials reporting 21 deaths and 401 confirmed cases as of Thursday, June 20 2024.
This surge in cases has caused significant concern among residents and public health authorities.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by ingesting contaminated food or water. It can lead to severe dehydration and death if left untreated.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has attributed the outbreak to poor sanitation and hygiene practices, particularly in overcrowded areas with limited access to clean water.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, said that the suspected cholera cases in the state had increased to 401 with 21 fatalities.
The statement noted that Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa recorded the highest numbers.
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This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday signed by the Director of Public Affairs at the state Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.
“Following the last update on the cholera outbreak in Lagos, which reported 350 suspected cases and 15 fatalities, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, disclosed that the total number of cholera cases has increased to 401 across Lagos, with Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa recording the highest numbers.
“Dr. Ogunyemi revealed this today while providing an update on the outbreak after meeting with members of the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. She added that the death toll has also risen to 21, an increase of six from the previously reported 15 fatalities,” the statement partly read.
The health ministry has launched a public awareness campaign to educate residents about cholera prevention methods, including handwashing with soap, proper hygiene practices, and consuming only treated drinking water. Additionally, they are working to improve sanitation in affected areas by providing access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is also supporting the Lagos State government’s efforts to control the outbreak. They have deployed technical experts to assist with case management, surveillance, and community engagement activities.
“Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing cholera deaths,” said Dr. Nneka Okafor, a WHO representative in Nigeria. “We urge residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience cholera-like symptoms, such as severe diarrhea and vomiting.”
The ongoing cholera outbreak highlights the importance of proper sanitation and hygiene practices in densely populated areas like Lagos. Continued efforts by the Lagos State government and the WHO are crucial to bring the outbreak under control and prevent further fatalities.
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How bandits killed ransom negotiator in Kaduna after delivering N16m
A tragic incident has reportedly unfolded in Jere town, Kaduna State, where bandits shot and killed a 27-year-old man named Abba after he delivered a ransom of N16 million and three motorcycles for the release of nine kidnapped victims.
According to a post by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, via X on Thursday, the abduction took place on April 16, 2024, when bandits attacked homes in Unguwar Iya, Jere, kidnapping nine residents and initially demanded a N30 million ransom.
However, a local resident, Shuaibu Hussaini, confirmed the killing in a telephone interview on Wednesday.
According to Hussaini, the incident occurred last Saturday when Abba, who had been negotiating with the bandits, went to deliver the agreed-upon ransom to the group’s leader at a designated location in the area. “The bandits’ leader, after collecting the ransom and the bikes, tied the deceased with a rope and opened fire on him,” Hussaini reported.
The motive behind the killing was revealed by one of the released victims. Hussaini explained, “It was one of the victims who was among those released who said the bandits’ leader claimed that they decided to kill Abba for being rude to him during negotiation of the ransom.”
The brutality of the act was further emphasised when the bandits callously informed the victim’s family about his fate.
“It was when one of the family members of the victims tried to find out the whereabouts of Abba after delivering the ransom that the bandits’ leader asked the family to go to a particular location and pick up his corpse,” Hussaini added.
According to the report, the event has caused grief over the entire community.
“Hussaini said the death of the deceased had thrown not only Abba’s family into mourning, but Jere chiefdom as a whole.
“The Kaduna State Police Command is yet to comment on the incident,” the report noted.
N423bn misappropriation: Protesters demand El-Rufai’s prosecution
Protesters on Thursday stormed Kaduna Government House asking Governor Uba Sani to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other relevant security agencies to arrest and prosecute his predecessor, Nasir El-rufai, over an indictment of N423 billion.
The protesters in huge numbers under the aegis of Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance trekked from the popular UTC bust stop along Sokoto Road to the main entrance into Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna in the state capital.
They carried placards with inscriptions such as “We will occupy all MDAs to chase out all indicted persons in the report,” “Stop servicing all loans that did not follow due process before they were obtained,” “Jimi Lawal almost killed Kaduna State the way he killed a bank some years ago,” among others.
The According reported that an ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate all finances, loans, and contracts awarded under the former governor submitted its report to the House on Wednesday.
The committee indicated the former governor, saying most of the loans obtained under El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023 were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained.
The committee led by Henry Zacharia, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House, recommended the prosecution of El-Rufai, and some other indicted members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies for abuse of office and money laundering while in office as well as plaguing Kaduna State into heavy debt.
The probe by the state Assembly was necessitated following the lamentation of the incumbent governor that El-Rufai left him a huge debt profile.
Sani, who spoke during a town hall meeting in Kaduna, said he inherited a lean treasury, adding that he could not pay workers’ salaries.
Sani said, “Despite the huge debt burden of N587m, N85bn, and N115bn contractual liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development.
“We have conducted a thorough assessment of our situation and are sharpening our focus accordingly.”
The revelation by Sani had generated reactions from several quarters, including El-Rufai’s son, Bashir, who took to his social media handle and accused his father’s successor of shying away from his responsibility.”
The Leader of the protesters, Comrade Victor Duniya, while addressing newsmen shortly after arriving at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, called on the state governor to implement relevant sections of the House of Assembly ad-hoc committee report on El-Rufai and other indicted that fell under his purview.
He also called on the governor to officially forward the findings of the House Committee report to the EFCC and other relevant agencies to commence the process of recovering the N423 billion allegedly misappropriated by the immediate governor and others indicted.
He commended the governor for his non-interference in the probe and lauded the ad-hoc committee of the state assembly for a thorough job.
Duniya said, “We commend the Kaduna State House of Assembly for the thorough work done in unravelling the financial atrocities committed against our state, despite blackmail and threats from the beneficiaries of the financial heist.
“We call on Governor Uba Sani to implement relevant sections of the report that fall under his purview. We call on the governor to officially forward the findings of the committee report to relevant anti-corruption agencies to enable them to swing into action and recover our resources at their disposal.
“We assure you of our maximum support as we are aware that those who ought to be behind bars for looting our state now have the effrontery to dish out threats to the people-centred leadership of our dear state. We call on Security Agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute former governor Nasir El-Rufai and those he has incited to bring down the government of Senator Uba Sani.”
Meanwhile, Duniya was later received on behalf of the protesters by the Deputy Governor, Hajiya Hadiza Balarabe, Secretary to the State Government, Abdulkadir Meyere, Deputy Chief of Staff, Umar Hassan Waziri, Private Personal Secretary, Prof. Bello Ayuba, among others.
The government officials appreciated the group’s peaceful protest and assured them that their message would be forwarded to the governor.
American billionaire seeks to acquire Tiktok amid moves to ban app
Due to his serious concerns about the social impact of large internet platforms, US real estate mogul Frank McCourt has indicated interest in purchasing TikTok.
According to reports, McCourt who owns the Los Angeles Dodgers and Olympique de Marseille sees TikTok as a critical chance to transform the online environment away from what he considers to be damaging effects spread by websites like YouTube and Instagram.
Frank McCourt blasted big tech’s algorithms this week at the Collision tech conference in Toronto, Canada, citing instances such as the political unrest in France to demonstrate their polarizing effect and accusing them of escalating social tensions and polarization.
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This comes after a date in the month of September was for Tiktok lawsuit, which seeks to overturn the recently enacted “Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications” law, which is headed towards outlawing the well-known social media platform.
Tiktok is seeking to challenge the law, which was approved earlier this year, in favor of designating it as a foreign entity and requiring it to sell to an American company or face the ban.
According to a Reuters story, TikTok has been given a hearing schedule to make oral arguments in support of its case against the United States over a law that might prohibit them.
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