IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the local government election held in Rivers State on October 5, 2024, was invalid, illegal, null, and void. The election, won by the All Peoples Party (APP), was annulled due to non-compliance with legal requirements.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur stated that the Rivers State Electoral Commission disregarded essential legal procedures, violating Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022.

Prior to the election, an Abuja Federal High Court had, on September 30, 2024, barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) with the voters’ register for the election. The court also prohibited the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the polls.

Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the Federal High Court ruling, stated that RSIEC acted unlawfully by setting the election date for October 5, 2024, without adhering to necessary legal provisions.

Key violations cited include:

Failure to publish the mandatory 90-day election notice as required by law.

Inadequate update and revision of the voters’ register before setting an election date.

As a result, the court ordered INEC not to release the certified voter register until all legal requirements were fulfilled. It also barred RSIEC from using any voter register for the election. 

Former lawmaker Shehu Sani has expressed disappointment over the ongoing dispute between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that it is unfortunate the issue has now shifted to matters of the “bed.”

His comment follows Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegation of sexual harassment against Akpabio during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show. She claimed that Akpabio obstructed her motions in the Senate after she rejected his advances.

However, Akpabio denied the accusation through his media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo.

Reacting to the controversy, Sani urged for caution and restraint, posting on his X handle:

"It’s unfortunate that the Senate issue was simply about seat and now about bed. Need for caution and restraint." 

A Delta State High Court in Warri has ruled against the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), declaring the 16-year minimum age requirement for university admission unconstitutional.

Presiding over Suit No: W/311/FHR/2024, Justice Anthony Akpovi ruled in favor of John Aikpokpo-Martins, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Warri Branch, who challenged JAMB’s restriction on the basis of constitutional rights.

Aikpokpo-Martins argued that the restriction violated Sections 18(1) and 42 of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandate equal educational opportunities and prohibit discrimination. He sought several declarations and orders, including:

Nullification of JAMB’s October 16, 2024, circular, which enforced the 16-year age restriction.

A directive for universities to admit candidates who turn 16 between January 1 and December 31, 2025, provided they meet other admission criteria.

A perpetual injunction preventing authorities from denying university admission based solely on age.

While granting Aikpokpo-Martins’ reliefs, the court, however, refused his request for damages. 

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has warned that foreign airlines refusing to patronize local caterers for outbound meals risk having their summer flight schedules rejected.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on ‘Transforming the Aviation Industry’ in Lagos on Friday, Keyamo criticized international airlines for neglecting local caterers. He insisted that approval for their flight schedules would be contingent on signing agreements with Nigerian catering companies.

“I will not approve the summer schedule for foreign airlines until they provide proof of partnership with our local caterers,” he declared.

The minister further stated that any airline unwilling to comply could stop flying into Nigeria, adding that local carriers like Air Peace could take over their routes.

Additionally, Keyamo announced plans to establish the first international airport in the North East, revealing that the Maiduguri airport is currently being upgraded to achieve international status. 

A Magistrate Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has ordered the remand of Austin Okai over allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation against Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

The Department of State Services (DSS) sought the court’s approval to detain Okai while investigations continue, citing Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System, which mandates court authorization for detention beyond 48 hours.

Delivering the ruling on Friday, Magistrate Mobah Abdullahi of Chief Magistrate Court 1, Lugard Court, Lokoja, granted the request, ordering Okai’s remand at the Federal Correctional Center, Kabba. The case was adjourned to March 13, 2025.

Case Background

Okai, a former PDP candidate for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency in the 2023 elections, is facing trial over a social media post in which he accused Governor Ododo of misappropriating billions of naira allocated to Local Government Councils and state agencies.

The court’s decision ensures Okai remains in custody while investigations continue. 

Bitcoin has fallen below $80,000, marking a 25% drop from last month’s peak, as US tariff threats from President Trump and crypto-related scandals shake investor confidence.

Key Factors Behind the Decline:

Bybit Hack: The Dubai-based exchange lost $1.5 billion in Ethereum, with the FBI blaming North Korea.

Argentine Crypto Scandal: President Javier Milei is under investigation for promoting the now-collapsed $LIBRA token.

Investor Sell-offs: Bitcoin traded at $95,000 earlier in the week before investors moved funds to safer assets.

Trump’s Influence on Crypto:

Despite once calling crypto a "scam", Trump now supports Bitcoin, promising to make the US a crypto hub.

He launched $TRUMP and Melania Trump introduced $MELANIA, both of which lost value quickly.

SEC lawsuit against Coinbase dropped, signaling regulatory easing under Trump.

Market Outlook:

With ongoing trade tensions, regulatory shifts, and security concerns, Bitcoin’s recovery remains uncertain.