IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, have filed a suit at the Supreme Court, seeking an interpretation of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2022.

In the suit filed on April 29, the President and AGF, who are the plaintiffs, listed the National Assembly as the sole defendant. They are seeking an order of the apex court to strike out the section of the Electoral Act, saying it is inconsistent with the nation’s Constitution. According to the court document, the plaintiffs contend that Section 84 (12) of the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2022 is inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 42, 65, 66, 106, 107, 131, 137, 147, 151, 177, 182, 192 and 196 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended), as well as Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and People and Peoples Rights.

President Buhari and Malami also contended that the Constitution already provides qualification and disqualification for the offices of the President and Vice President, Governor and Deputy Governor, Senate and House of Representatives, House of Assembly, Ministers, Commissioners, and Special Advisers. 

They urged the court to make: “A declaration that the joint and combined reading of Sections 65, 66, 106, 107, 131, 137, 147, 151, 177, 182, 192 and 196 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended); the provision of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which also ignores Section 84(3) of the same Act, is an additional qualifying and/or disqualifying factors for the National Assembly, House of Assembly, Gubernatorial and Presidential elections as enshrined in the said constitution, hence unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void.”

Incidents at Premier League matches on Sunday show "hate is alive and well within football", says anti-racism charity Kick it Out. Everton are assisting police after two Brentford players said their families were racially abused at Goodison Park.

Striker Ivan Toney and full-back Rico Henry made the allegations after the Bees' 3-2 victory. It came hours after two Burnley fans were arrested for "discriminatory gestures" during Tottenham's 1-0 win. The Metropolitan Police said the men were ejected from the Clarets' section of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.

"We have been made aware of a spate of new alleged anti-Semitic and racist comments and gestures linked to several clubs over the weekend," said Kick It Out's head of player engagement Troy Townsend. "While investigations are ongoing, we cannot comment on the specifics of cases. However, the events of the weekend once again highlight the fact that hate is still alive and well within football.

"Everton, Burnley and Tottenham all acted swiftly and we commend their energy in addressing these incidents. We hope appropriate and decisive action is taken against all those involved."

The Nigeria Football Federation has agreed terms with former Porto and Sporting Lisbon boss Jose Peseiro to take charge of the national team. The 62-year-old, who resigned from the Venezuela job last August because of unpaid wages, was previously named as Nigeria coach in December and was set to take over the Super Eagles after the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Portuguese then rejected the West African nation in February after their exit from the tournament, citing disagreements over contractual clauses and financial matters. But Peseiro, who has been headhunted by NFF president Amaju Pinnick, will now finalise a deal before Nigeria play two friendlies in the United States later this month. "It's important to reiterate that a deal has been agreed with Mr Peseiro and he will sign his contract before our friendly against Mexico on 28 May," NFF's director of communications, Ademola Olajire, told BBC Sport Africa.

"The Super Eagles is heading into a new phase and the arrival of a new coach is very important for this process." The NFF, which has not given details about Peseiro's contract, confirmed former Nigeria international Finidi George will be first assistant to Peseiro. Salisu Yusuf will be second assistant, as well as head coach of Nigeria's Chan (for locally-based players) and under-23 teams. Peseiro is expected to take charge against World Cup-bound Mexico on 28 May in Texas, with a match against Ecuador following on 2 June in New Jersey.

Nigeria will then play their first two qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, hosting Sierra Leone behind closed doors in Abuja on 9 June in their opening group A game and then facing Mauritius four days later.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, has announced her withdrawal from the senatorial race ahead of the general elections in 2023. She made the announcement in a statement on Monday – the final day to decide whether to resign as minister to pursue her political ambition or to reconsider the move.

Tallen, who initially announced to contest for the Plateau South senatorial seat in the National Assembly, had picked the expression of interest and nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC). She was one of the 10 ministers President Muhammadu Buhari had directed to resign if they must contest for any political office in the 2023 elections.

“With profound gratitude and great humility, I have decided to voluntarily step down from the senatorial race sequel to the yearnings of women and other well-meaning Nigerians who see the need for a strong voice for women at the Senate, having consulted widely with my family, well-wishers and supporters, conscious of the role I play for women in Nigeria today,” the minister said.

“So, to all Nigerian women and young girls who have raised concerns as to what next, rest assured that I, Dame Pauline K. Tallen, OFR, KSG have not submitted any resignation letter and therefore, it is my decision not to go ahead with this request but carry on as the Minister of Women Affairs.”

A Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square has adjourned till May 23 for the continuation of the trial of an undergraduate, Chidinma Ojukwu, charged with the murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga.

Chidinma and one Adedapo Quadri are standing trial alongside a third defendant, Chidinma’s sister, Chioma Egbuchu on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, forgery, stealing, and being in possession of stolen property. They had all pleaded not guilty. At the proceedings on Monday, the new counsel for the third defendant, Ngozi Akandu, again asked the court to vacate the trial dates already fixed.

Akandu told the court that he was yet to receive the proof of evidence from the prosecution counsel and the office of the public defender (the former counsel for the third defendant). “I have no facilities to render services to the third defendant. I, therefore, apply that today’s date and other dates already fixed be vacated. “This is because I have seen the volume of documents from other counsel, it is not something someone can read in a day,” he argued.

Counsel for Ojukwu, Mr Onwuka Egwu, had no objections to the application. He added that the proof of evidence was very voluminous as it had about 400 pages.

Ministers are worried a £4.25bn deal to buy Chelsea may be at risk of "falling apart" due to a lack of consensus with the club over the proceeds of any sale, the BBC has learned. According to a UK government insider, there is now "alarm" in Whitehall that the takeover of the European champions could be "timed out" if deadlines are not met.

Chelsea have agreed terms on a deal with a private-equity funded consortium led by US investor Todd Boehly, co-owner of the LA Dodgers baseball team. The club was put up for sale before owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned for his alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine.

However a senior Whitehall source revealed there was now "serious concern" that the oligarch was "willing to let Chelsea go under" over an alleged "refusal to agree to a sale structure that gives ministers confidence that proceeds would go to a good cause". The government version of events was disputed by sources close to Abramovich when approached. Chelsea have also been approached for comment.

Chelsea are operating under a special licence from the UK government which expires on 31 May, and any takeover requires the approval of ministers and the English football authorities.