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Ebonyi bye-election tribunal has no regards for justice, dissolve it – PDP candidate
The Ebonyi South Senatorial Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP in the Feb 3rd 2024 By-election in Ebonyi South zone, Barr Silas Onu, Counsel to the Senator Representing Ebonyi South Zone, Senator Anthony Ani, yesterday trade words over call by Barr. Onu for the disbandment of the Tribunal panel.
In a petition dated 29th April 2024, addressed to the President Court of Appeal and made available to Journalist, Barr. Onu maintained that he does not have an iota of confidence in the ability to dispense justice in the petition by the panel.
Barr. Onu said that on 15th of April 2024, upon the closing of pleadings and an application for the issuance of pre-hearing notice, electoral materials, specifically the BVAS was specifically pleaded in the petition.
The motion was opposed by the 2nd and 3rd Respondent on the grounds other than law or facts, while the 1st Respondents (INEC) against whom the application was made did not oppose it.
We made our case for the grant of the order for inspection to be done during the trail and supported the application with a recent Supreme court decision showing that the Tribunal has the power to grant such an application in the interest of justice.
“The 2nd and 3rd respondents also pleaded the BVAS in their respective replies to the petition. On Saturday, being the 27th of April 2024, the Tribunal delivered it’s ruling on the application dismissing same on the ground that granting it will amount to amending the petition.
“This claim by the Tribunal can best be described as arguing the case of the respondent in the most untruthful manner and it can never be acceptable to me and should not be allowed to infest the already beleaguered reputation of the Nigeria judiciary, especially in election cases.
“Firstly, in refusing the application, the Tribunal claimed that the petitioner did not plead BVAS. This is not only false, but manifestly wicked and clearly intended to pervert justice by denying the petitioner the right to present their case and evidence before the Tribunal, because the BVAS was copiously pleaded in paragraph 42(16) of the petition at page 32.
“As if their blatant disregard for justice was not enough, the Tribunal without availing me with a copy of the ruling for my perusal so as to decide the next line of action had hurriedly fixed yesterday Tuesday 30th April 2024 for tendering of documents from the Bar, then Thursday 2nd May 2024 for opening my case which by their pre-hearing report should close by Friday 3rd May 2024.
He expressed concern over the inability of the panel to give chance for their perverse ruling to be challenged on appeal but rather plans to rush the case in order to ensure that this vital evidence BVAS does not form part of documents that will be presented at the trail.
He noted that the petition is not intended to substitute the judicial remedy for the biased rulling which will be appealed against adding that the petition is an administrative approach which has become necessary as the petitioner, no longer have confidence in the ability of the panel to be neutral.
“The needs to replace them is now urgent and real. He noted that the panel members are lodged in a place called Cirenes Hotel in Abakaliki. This hotel belongs to a very well-known APC stalwart. With this obvious biased ruling, I am free to tie up all loose ends and draw a conclusion that the panel in under influence.
I have seen, from the conduct of the panel on this ruling that they are brutally unjust and are not interested in doing any justice to the petition.
He maintained that he will appeal the ruling and have instructed his legal team to immediately file an appeal adding that the petition is to administratively register his total lack of trust in the panel as they are manifestly bias and not interested in doing justice. I have no confidence in the collectively ability of the names members of the panel to do justice in the case.
Continuing with this panel is tantamount to having a seal fate, as nothing just can come from them. I have taken this step not because I am afraid of losing a case, I have long before now been an advocate of justice sector reform.
Reacting to the call, Counsel to Senator Anthony Ani, Barr. Roy Umahi expressed regret over the call for the disbandment of the Tribunal panel.
In the letter to the President of the Court of Appeal, the writer insulted the Tribunal judges. That is wrong. Feeling dissatisfied with the ruling of the Tribunal, you started insulting the judges of the Tribunal.
How can you write to the President of the Court of Appeal without first coming to the court to ask judges to recuse themselves. We must approached the judges with respect and candor. We can’t use uncounth languages on judges.
He called for the full investigation into the allegations made by Barr. Onu. Ends.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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