IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Supreme Court has dismissed an application filed by Samuel Anyanwu seeking to stay the execution of the Court of Appeal's judgment that removed him as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

During Monday’s proceedings, Anyanwu unexpectedly applied to withdraw his request, prompting Justice Musa Awani Aba-Aji to strike out the application. Kingsley Njemanze (SAN), representing Anyanwu, formally withdrew the request on his client’s behalf.

The Federal High Court and Court of Appeal in Enugu had earlier delivered concurrent rulings that ousted Anyanwu from his position. The appellate court upheld Chief Sunday Ude-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP.

In its December 2024 ruling, the Court of Appeal held that Anyanwu’s appeal was incompetent and without merit, stating that he violated the PDP constitution by retaining the secretary position after contesting in the 2024 Imo State governorship election.

Dissatisfied, Anyanwu approached the Supreme Court in February, requesting it to overturn the judgments and recognize him as the legitimate PDP National Secretary. He also sought an accelerated hearing due to the significance of the position.

Meanwhile, hearing on the substantive case is ongoing before a five-member panel of Supreme Court justices, led by Justice Aba-Aji. 

Barcelona's La Liga match against Osasuna on Saturday night was postponed following the death of the Catalan club's first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia. The game was scheduled to start at 20:00 GMT but was called off about 20 minutes before kick-off.

Fans had already arrived at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium as Hansi Flick's side prepared to extend their one-point lead at the top of La Liga against their 11th-placed visitors, before news of the postponement was announced on the big screen. "FC Barcelona is deeply saddened to announce the passing of first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia this evening," the club said in a statement.

"For this reason, the match between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna has been postponed to a later date. "The FC Barcelona board of directors and all staff extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time." Barcelona president Joan Laporta paid tribute to Minarro Garcia on the club website. "He was a man very much loved by everyone, who passed away this afternoon at the team hotel," he said.

"There was an overwhelming sense of sadness because he was loved by all of us. He travelled to every match to take care of the players, the coaching staff, everyone. He never said no to anyone. He was a great professional and a great doctor. "It has left us devastated and in a sense of shock because it was so sudden. We got in touch with his mother and his wife to offer our condolences and to support them. Carles leaves behind two children Gerard and Anna. "The players were greatly affected and out of respect for Carles Minarro and his family we had to request the postponement of the match."

An Osasuna statement added: "Osasuna wishes to convey its deepest condolences to the family of Dr Carles Minarro Garcia and would like to send a warm hug to all the staff of FC Barcelona, as well as to its fans, at this difficult time. May he rest in peace." 

NACJD Threatens International Sanctions On Senator Akpabio, All Senators and Families if Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Not Reinstated Within Seven Days

The influential US based Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy (NACJD) has issued a powerful condemnation of the recent six months suspension from the Nigerian Senate, of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Usuaghan for courageously bringing forth serious allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio

In a press release from her secretariat, NACJD described the suspension as “a shocking display of disregard for justice and the rule of law, and a move that can only be described as a travesty. This decision, coinciding with the celebration of International Women’s Day, is not only condemnable but also represents a flagrant violation of judicial processes and principles of fairness.”

“Furthermore, the rushed and predetermined nature of her suspension, which blatantly ignored a court order, raises grave concerns about the integrity of the Senate. The failure to hear from both Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Akpabio, coupled with Akpabio’s recusal from a case in which he is the accused, underscores a troubling disregard for due process.”

NACJD statement asserts that “the Senate’s actions reflect poorly on Nigeria’s commitment to upholding the rights of women and the rule of law. As we honor women around the world today, we must stand against such disgraceful conduct that seeks to silence voices demanding accountability and justice.”

“We call for the immediate reinstatement of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and demand that the Senate conducts a fair and impartial hearing regarding her allegations against Senator Akpabio within the next seven days. Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to escalate this matter to the appropriate international bodies, including the United States, the United Nations, and other international agencies for necessary sanctions against Senator Akpabio and all members of the Nigerian Senate involved in this egregious act and their families”

“Today, we stand not only for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan but for all women whose voices have been silenced and whose rights have been trampled. We demand justice, accountability, and a commitment to the rule of law.”

“As the situation develops, NACJD remains committed to advocating for justice and democracy in Nigeria, standing firm against sexual abuse and oppression in all its forms, especially of women and the girl child.”

NACJD is a Washington, DC. Based Research and Good Governance advocacy organization that lobbies the US Government, Congress, and the policy-making community to influence US policies on Nigeria

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has cautioned critics against making uninformed comments on the affairs of the Upper Legislative Chamber, urging the public to understand parliamentary rules before engaging in debates. The Senate President issued the warning when he received a delegation from the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum in Abuja.

His remarks followed the recent suspension of Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating Senate rules, a decision that Akpabio emphasised was unanimously supported by lawmakers. Expressing concern over the growing trend of uninformed commentaries on television and social media, Akpabio said, “People who have no understanding of Senate procedures are the ones running commentaries on matters they know nothing about. You should seek the facts before making public statements. We advise members of the public to stop misquoting the rules of the Senate.”

He also criticised those outside the legislature for attempting to interpret Senate procedures, likening it to a herbalist trying to quote the Bible or someone unfamiliar with Islamic teachings attempting to interpret the Qur’an. Responding to concerns raised by Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, leader of the delegation, Akpabio highlighted the historic significance of his role as Senate President, noting that the Niger Delta had last held the position 46 years ago. “The Senate President does not represent himself alone; he represents a region that is crucial to the economic survival of this country. So, we will not toy with this position, regardless of any opposition maneuvering,” he said.

He dismissed attempts to undermine his leadership, attributing some criticisms to political mischief from people who, he claimed, lacked knowledge of Senate procedures. The delegation, led by Lokpobiri, also expressed concern over the political crisis in Rivers State, warning that if left unchecked, it could escalate and destabilise the entire Niger Delta region. They also sought Senate intervention on key regional projects, including the Coastal Road project; Maritime University in Oron, which is yet to commence operations as well as extending the Warri-Itakpe rail line to Abuja. 

The Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Resources Authority (NMDPRA) has issued refining licenses to three companies to build new refineries in Abia, Delta, and Edo States. According to an X post by the NMDPRA on its official page, the proposed refineries that have been issued licenses are a 100,000 bpd refining license to Eghudu Refinery Ltd in Edo state, MB Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Ltd license to establish a 30,000 bpd refinery in Delta State, and a 10,000 bpd refinery issued to HIS Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd. in Abia.

Upon completion, the three proposed refineries will have a combined refining capacity of 140,000 barrels per day. The statement read: “The Authority Chief Executive, Engr. Farouk Ahmed presented a License to construct a 100,000 bpd refinery to Eghudu Refinery Ltd in Edo state, a License to establish a 30,000 bpd refinery to MB Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Ltd in Delta state, and a License to establish a 10,000 bpd refinery to HIS Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd. in Abia state.

“These Licenses, which would add 140,000 barrels per day to Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity, were presented to the MDs of the companies.” Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) showed that Nigeria has nine operational refineries, which include the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company, and the Port Harcourt Refinery Company Limited.

Others are the Aradel Refinery, OPAC Refineries, Waltersmith Refinery and Petrochemical Company, Duport Midstream Company Limited, and the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company. These refineries have a combined refining capacity of 974,500 barrels per day, with the Dangote refinery having the largest capacity of 650,000 bpd. However, the majority of the refineries are not producing at full-scale. 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he will judge players like Jack Grealish solely on what they do "on the pitch", and not what they do in their spare time. Earlier this week, pictures were shared on social media of forward Grealish at a social club with friends, with further reports published on Mail Online of him on a night out in Newcastle on the same evening.

Both events were said to have been on Sunday, the day after City's FA Cup fifth-round win over Plymouth, when England international Grealish played the full 90 minutes. Mail Online said Grealish spent time speaking to locals, posing for pictures and put money behind the North East social club bar to pay for other customers' drinks.

Last month the £100m signing - who has started just one Premier League game since 4 December - was filmed leaving a London hotspot. Asked about the images of Grealish, Guardiola said: "A day off is a day off. "They have private lives to do whatever they want. I'm not going to control what they do in their private life.

"I judge what I see on the pitch, the training sessions and the performances in the game."