IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Justice Emeka Nwite of Federal High Court Abuja has fixed May 8 for ruling on whether or not, to admit a judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court between Ali Bello and Incorporated Trustees of American International School.

Counsel to Yahaya Bello, Joseph Daudu (SAN), sought to tender the document, which had decided on the issue of payment of fees or refund, in the ongoing case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State.

The Defence Counsel had also sought to tender the receipts of the re-certification of the said documents. Counsel to the EFCC, Kemi Phinero (SAN), objected saying that the Prosecution had not yet closed its case. Citing Section 232 of the Evidence Act, he argued that the defendant could not tender documents at a time when the prosecution was still proving its case.

Reacting, Daudu said the admissibility of documents in criminal or civil cases was governed strictly and exclusively by the principles of relevance to the proceedings at hand. “Once it is adjudged, we submit that the document is relevant, it becomes automatically admissible. That is what is contained in Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Evidence Act, 2011,” he said. “The question for your lordship is, is this document relevant and admissible in line with Section 4? The answer has been provided by my learned brother Silk for the prosecution.

“He referred to the content of the judgment and read out a portion which says that a particular relief was refused and that the fee agreement was upheld in the same judgment.” Dauda said the public documents they sought to tender had American International School Abuja, as a party and that, as far as the defendant was concerned, the witness Nicholas Ohehomon, was the sole witness of AISA in the matter.

The Defence Counsel added that the objection of the prosecution was speculative because “he does not know what we want to do with the record yet.”

President Bola Tinubu has led tributes for a former presidential spokesman Doyin Okupe who died on Friday morning, describing the late politician as one who played “a significant role in Nigeria’s political landscape”. Okupe died at 72 following a battle with illness.

In his tribute to the Ogun-born politician, Tinubu’s spokesman Bayo Onanuga said Okupe was “a bold and articulate advocate for national development” and expressed “deep sorrow over his passing at a time when his wealth of experience and insight were still invaluable to the nation”. Onanuga in a statement said Tinubu commiserates with “the government and people of Ogun State, particularly the Iperu-Remo community, who have lost an esteemed son and leader”.

“He recognises Prince Okupe’s enduring impact on his home state and the deep void his passing leaves in the hearts of those who came in direct contact with him,” the statement read. Okupe worked with Peter Obi who flew the Labour Party (LP)’s flag in the 2023 presidential election. He was the party’s presidential campaign Director-General but left. Saddened by his death, Obi said the former LP chieftain was an “active figure in the nation’s political space and a man who desired a better Nigeria”.

Obi in a post on his X handle described his death as “a profound loss – not only to his family and loved ones but to all of us”. “I would therefore like to urge members of the Obidient Movement and other groups to pray for the eternal repose of Dr. Okupe’s soul and to remember his family during these trying times,” the former Anambra State governor wrote. 

Nurses in Anambra State, under the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), have staged a protest over poor working conditions in government-owned health facilities.

The demonstration took place at Nurses House in Okpuno, where the nurses gathered to voice their grievances and urged their state leadership to relay their concerns to the government.

Key issues raised include the poor implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), making their earnings the lowest among neighboring states.

The nurses decried the non-payment of full salaries, saying:

They have never received more than 60% of their wages, despite the minimum wage increase.

Many work in overcrowded hospitals, where wards meant for 20 patients now house over 80.

Their hazard allowance remains at ₦3,000, far below the statutory ₦30,000.

They appealed to the state government, through the Commissioner for Health, to intervene urgently as their situation continues to deteriorate.

Responding to their concerns, NANNM Chairperson, Mrs. Edith Onwuka, assured them that discussions with the state government were underway, urging patience while efforts are made to resolve the issues. 

The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the kidnapping of Lawson Obasi, a prominent oil and gas magnate, along with the killing of his driver and a police escort.

According to a police statement on Friday, Sergeant Judge Gubi reported that on March 4, officers from the Special Protection Unit (SPU), Base 6, Port Harcourt, were escorting Chief Obasi when they were ambushed while traveling through Azumini Ndoki, Ukwa East Local Government Area.

At around 7:00 PM, unidentified gunmen in a dark blue Sienna intercepted their convoy at Mkap Jekere Ndoki, opening fire. While the officers attempted to repel the attack, another group of assailants forcibly abducted Chief Lawson, leaving his driver and another individual dead.

Following the attack, tactical teams were deployed to comb the area in a bid to rescue Obasi unharmed. Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, personally visited the scene alongside senior officers, assuring residents of intensive patrols and enhanced security measures.

The police have urged the public to report any suspicious persons, particularly those with gunshot wounds, or any sightings of a dark blue Sienna vehicle to the nearest police station or emergency hotlines. 

The Labour Party (LP) Chairman in Lagos State, Dayo Ekong, has strongly criticized the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling it a gross injustice and an act of oppression.

Natasha had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment and claimed she was denied privileges for rejecting his advances. However, after petitioning the Senate Ethics Committee, her allegations were dismissed on procedural grounds, and she was suspended for six months.

In response, Ekong decried the decision, stating that silencing a female senator reflects systemic misogyny and a disregard for justice. She emphasized that reducing female representation in the Senate from four to three undermines democracy and reinforces a culture that protects the powerful over the vulnerable.

Ekong urged Nigerians to reject the suppression of women’s voices and called for transparent investigations into the allegations. She reaffirmed the Labour Party’s support for Natasha and vowed to continue advocating for justice and gender equality. 

A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has summoned popular social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over allegations of criminal defamation against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

In a summons dated March 5, 2025, the court ordered VDM to appear in person on March 13 to address the accusations made by Chinwo. Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the directive following claims that VDM made damaging remarks about the singer on social media.

The controversy arose after VDM accused Chinwo of misappropriating $345,000 allegedly linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee). Chinwo has dismissed the allegations as false, providing emails, receipts, and other documents to counter the claims.

Her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Law Corridor, filed a criminal complaint citing violations of Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015. Additionally, Chinwo has filed a N1.1 billion defamation lawsuit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking a public apology, removal of all defamatory posts, and retraction of the claims.

Meanwhile, a separate case involving Eezee Tee remains pending at the Federal High Court in Lagos, where an arrest warrant against him has been upheld, with his arraignment set for March 6, 2025.

Chinwo’s lawyers argue that VDM’s social media posts on multiple dates in February were intended to tarnish her reputation, causing professional and emotional harm.

All eyes are now on March 13, when VDM is expected to appear before the magistrate to respond to the allegations.