News

Why I went to Court to declare Ekweremadu’s Senate seat vacant -OAU Onyeama

Published

4 years ago

September 24, 2022

Everydaynewsngr

Top Enugu lawyer and politician Barr. OAU Onyeama has been in the news since he filed a suit asking a federal High Court sitting in Enugu to declare the Enugu West Senate position currently occupied by Senator Ike Ekweremadu vacant.

The action has received mixed reactions with some attacking his conscience for taking such a step against a man passing through difficult times in London.

But the legal luminary and former Senatorial aspirant who contested the 2018 PDP Senatorial primary with Ekweremadu has come forward to react and explain his actions.

Hear him: I can understand the emotions and sentiments of the people mostly employees of the Senator representing Enugu West.

Simply put, the name callings are uncalled for, as the law is straight on this matter.

I, Sir OAU Onyema ( Notary Public) have only instituted action for interpretation of the relevant sections of the 1999 constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, the Senate Standing Order 2015, the Senate legislative Calender 2022, the PDP Constitutions 2017, and the PDP Senatorial Guidelines For Nomination of Candidates 2018 / 2022. I did not manufacture their contents, and I only adverted the mind of the court to it.

I instituted this action without sentiment, but as a patriotic citizen of this country (Nigeria). The law is justice, and justice quite different from sentiments , friendship, pretence and name-calling. That is why the symbol of justice is a blindfolded lady, who hold a scale of balance.

As a lawyer, I am devoid of sentiment, emotions, pride or prejudice when it comes to what the law provides.

At all times, the judgment of the court ( which is the decision of the judge in line with the law) is recieved with mixed feelings. While those it benefits jubiliate, those it did not, go sulking.

7. The issue is that everyone cannot shy away from speaking- out. We understand the predicament of our brother, the distinguished Senator who is under incarceration because he wants to help his daughter; indeed I personally feel for him, and pray that he will be vindicated at the end.

However, I know that it is incorrect for our Senatorial zone (Enugu West) to remain UNREPRESENTED at the Senate while the proceedings are on, and decisions are being taken, all to our detriment.

What we thought was a minor issue graduated from days, to weeks, and weeks to months. This is the 3rd month now, that we are unrepresented according to the provisions of the constitution. He has already represented us for 19 years in the Senate, and issues arose in this final 20th year, making it difficult for him to continue offering his services.

I was triggered to speak-out, when the media became awashed with the fact that he was denied bail severally, and his pre-trial fixed for October 2022 and Trial to commence on or around 28th May, 2022, barely 1 day to the end of the current administration.

As a lawyer, my interpretation of this remains that it will be difficult for him to continue this representation under this circumstance. And the question remains, do we fold our arms and remain unrepresented until the end of this administration because of our Senator’s current travail.

The frustrations are that the seat is not delegatable, and he does not have a deputy, more so proceedings goes on with or without him, to the detriment of my humble self and the people of Enugu West.

Surely, it is not the best for the system, and anything one can do to help our system, in the interest of posterity, should be done devoid of sentiments.

The Senator is my Senator, and I grew under him. I ve contested for this seat of Senate thrice without success. That is years 2010, 2018 and 2022. I know the shrewdness, wickedness, meaness, injustice, treachery, inequity, betrayal, lack of conscience and sabortage I experienced, which resulted to my not securing PDP nomination despite my qualifications and hundreds of millions of naira expended. I have contested for House of Reps for Udi / Ezeagu / Federal Constituency twice in Enugu State being in years 2002 and 2006 PDP primary Elections with Hon Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi. I know what I experienced; and at each time, I am made to understand that lack of conscience, sentiment, and shrewdness are the norm, which must be imbibed by politicians. I did not fancy it, but the trait surely crept into me.

I contested the seat of the PDP primaries for the Senate of Enugu West District in 2010 and 2018 with the distinguished senator who is presently being held. It went the way it went, and I did not hold it against anyone.

14. Indeed, I ve never gone to court to challenge the party or anyone for over 22years that I have been denied party Nomination to National Assembly, despite my loyalty, and consistency in the party. Many left the party and returned, and were rewarded, but I have never left PDP, even for once, despite all the disappointments meted to me for no just cause, and I have never been honoured or rewarded. I was forced to learn the bitter lesson that, loyalty to the party does not pay anymore. I work hard to excel on my own. Other incredulous factors now reign supreme, in the choice of candidate.

All these notwithstanding, as a litigation attorney, Notary Public and an employer of labour, I always retire to my shell and face my legal practice. There I remained, till the present unfortunate incident which created a vacuum in the Seat of Senate of Enugu West district.

I then reviewed the provisions of the law, as the next available runner-up in the Senatorial Primary election which sent the present senator-in-trouble to the 9th Senate; and realized that I am the next in law to go in as his replacement without any bye election, in line with the laws, hence I sued, so as to ensure that our representation in the Senate does not suffer set-back.

I am aware that many of those who worked against me during our primary election with the present Senator, has taken to the radio and media to criticize my audacity and temerity to sue, irrespective of whether it is right or wrong. I do not blame them, for they are apprehensive of loosing their allowances. But, if I find myself in the Senate within this last lapse, I do not think my priority will be to sack any aide of the Senatorial Constituency offices. We will work together as brothers.

Mind you, the Senator whom I am seeking for his seat to be declared vacant by default has been in the Senate for 5 ( Five) Tenures of almost 20years. We are at the 19th year plus, before this trouble erupted. Is it this remaining 1year, which I sought to complete because of his default of representation, that they are so bitter about.

To them, let all keep quiet, fold arms and watch the remaining 1 year of the 9th Senate eflux without representation of our people, and the attendant loss, no problem. Honestly, my father Barr T.A.Onyema did not train me that way. I cannot encourage waste in the system; even in my own private enterprise.

Some of the senator’s hench-men and beneficiary, like Mr Emeka Ezenwugo of my maternal town- Umuabi, Udi has bolded-up to fiercely confront me, threatening fire and brimstone, but I am not perturbed. God has designed the destiny of all man, and only time shall tell.

The State authority has intervened, to see how the issue could be sorted out, and for more time to be given, considering the predicament of our brother-the Senator, and their position is seriously recieving attention.

This matured intervention is considered a better approach, rather than threat being offered by Mr Ezenwugo.

It is about 11 (eleven) lawyers in my chambers and other Senior lawyers outside my chambers that reviewed the laws and instituted this action; and I am only the Plaintiff as the next available runner- up. Any other person from Enugu West district could have been the plaintiff and still bring up the reliefs sought; so even my demise does not solve the problem. It is the law in action; and the primary Cause of action of ‘declaring the seat vacant’ survives the exit of parties, hence parties can always vary, and the case continue.

In summary, the action was brought on good faith, without prejudice or sentiment. It is all about speaking up to save the country.

I was disappointed with those supporters saying “what of when Governor ‘this and that’ were in prison, were they not taking their salaries and allowances as Senators? I felt so bad with these illustrations, and shall we continue in a lackadaisical attitude in this country, where abnormality is made a norm? Mind you, those cases of Ex- governors in prison, that were then recieving salaries were NEVER judicial precedents. No court pronounced it right. And to the best of my knowledge, no one sought to declare their seat vacant by default. Is it unheard-of, that a person in prison will be taking salary for job not done , or sitting allowance for sitting not done, and no one raises eye- brow. So shameful for a nation. Meanwhile, our children have been out of school for almost a year now because of incessant strike of aggrieved lecturers seeking for their entitlements.

I will only seize this opportunity to ask our people to stop being pretentious, or allowing sentiment to becloud our sence of reasoning. People, should find something doing, so that they can feed themselves and their families; by that, they can have independent reasoning to give the best of appraisal to issues.

Someone has represented for 19years, out of his 20years (5 tenures) mandate; and issues arose that he is in default of representation in the 20th year, and someone with good sense, is saying that it is evil or Satanic, to sought for another person to complete the representation in the few months remaining. I believe, you will know who is actually evil or satanic.

Having played politics in the Apex in Enugu State for over 22years, the outcome from the pupil, is what he was taught.

Those supporters who have gone to URBAN RADIO, AND DREAM FM radios to be castigating and slandering my name, are only doing a great disservice to the meaningful States intervention. I strongly advise them to retrace their steps and retire home, if they have no ideas or solutions to offer.

News

Enugu Building Collapse: How Mbah’s Swift Mobilisation Led to Rescue of Five Occupants

Published

4 hours ago

September 13, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The Director of the Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service, Chief Okwudili Ohaa, has said the swift mobilisation of emergency resources by Governor Peter Mbah led to the rescue of five occupants trapped in a collapsed building in Enugu metropolis.

The uncompleted four-storey building, located along Ogbaru Street, by Alvan Ikokwu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday.

Ohaa told newsmen on Sunday that all five occupants of the building, as confirmed by the security guard on duty, were successfully rescued.

Ohaa

He said four of the occupants were rescued alive and conscious, although they sustained injuries, while the fifth person was rescued unconscious.

Ohaa commended Governor Mbah for his swift mobilisation of emergency response agencies, including the Red Cross, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Enugu State Ambulance Services, the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Other agencies and organisations at the scene included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA) and a Chinese construction company, which provided four heavy-duty cranes.

According to Ohaa, the governor alerted him about the incident early Sunday morning, prompting the immediate mobilisation of officers of the Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service to the scene with extrication equipment.

“His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, must be commended for also mobilising adequate rescue equipment such as heavy-duty cranes, bulldozers and excavators, which ensured the rescue of the five persons,” he said.

Ohaa explained that rescue officers initially relied on information from the security guard to determine how many people were trapped in the building.

“As rescue officers, what we did was to ask the security man how many people were here. He said there were supposed to be six. One person had left before it happened.

“So, we were able at that initial time to rescue four persons. Out of the four, two sustained minor injuries and they were all rushed to a health facility for proper checks,” he said.

The Chief Fire and Rescue Officer said the fifth person was eventually recovered unconscious and taken to a health facility by the Enugu State Ambulance Services.

The NEMA Information Officer in Enugu, Mr Nnanyelugo Ezeani, also confirmed that five people were rescued.

He said the situation could have been worse because the state government had earlier sealed the construction site.

“One person among the six residing in the collapsed building was not on the site at the time of the incident, while five others were rescued and taken to the hospital,” Ezeani said.

Speaking on the incident, the Executive Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA), Mr Uche Anya, described the developer as one of those who failed to comply with building regulations.

Anya said the ECTDA had earlier taken regulatory action by sealing the site, which was originally approved in 2021.

“This property was approved in 2021 before the advent of this administration. But usually, we have a habit of stocktaking and checking on every construction at every stage.

“When I personally led the team that inspected here, we found out that there were serious integrity issues and non-compliance with their 2021 approval.

“I personally issued the first ‘stop-work order,’ which, due to the violation, resulted in our sealing the place over the last six months outrightly.

“So, I think within the last 30 to 40 days, the representative of the owner, whom they say lives abroad, has been interfacing with us to remedy the situation. This is the process that we are still trying to interface on, and it came down.”

Anya added that he had handed the owner’s representative over to the police to assist with the investigation.

“This is really a very unfortunate situation,” he said.

News

Hotel Building Collapses in Enugu Kills One, Traps Workers

Published

8 hours ago

September 13, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

A four-storey building under construction in Enugu has collapsed, killing at least one person and trapping several construction workers beneath the rubble.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning at the uncompleted structure, reportedly being developed as a hotel, causing panic among residents and passersby.
According to authorities, six workers were believed to have been sleeping inside the building when it collapsed. Four workers have so far been rescued, while the body of one victim has been recovered.
Authorities said one of the six workers reportedly left the site shortly before the collapse, raising hopes that fewer people may be trapped beneath the debris than initially feared.
The rescued workers were taken to the Enugu State Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerian Red Cross Society, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority and the police, are participating in the rescue operation.
The cause of the collapse has not yet been established, while rescue efforts continue at the scene.

News

Reps Member Urges EFCC to Probe Cubana Chief Priest

Published

2 days ago

September 11, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chinedu Ogah, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies to investigate the financial activities and source of wealth of socialite and businessman, Paschal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest.

Ogah, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, made the call on Thursday at a press conference in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

The lawmaker said the businessman’s financial dealings should be subjected to scrutiny regardless of his public profile.

“I am urging the EFCC to thoroughly investigate him, investigate his bank accounts, investigate all the things he does,” Ogah said.

He also accused Cubana Chief Priest of undermining President Bola Tinubu’s political fortunes in the South-East ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ogah questioned the socialite’s claim to political influence in Ebonyi State and challenged him to make his membership card of the All Progressives Congress (APC) public.

The lawmaker further criticised recent comments attributed to Cubana Chief Priest on social media in which he reportedly called for the resignation of Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru.

Ogah demanded that the comments be withdrawn and followed by an apology, warning that legal action could be taken if the businessman failed to comply.

“Who is Cubana Chief Priest? What is his address that gives him the impetus to speak against our governor, the most performing governor in Nigeria?” he asked.

According to Ogah, Cubana Chief Priest had no electoral mandate to speak on behalf of Ebonyi State or demand the resignation of its elected governor.

He also questioned the businessman’s political influence, noting that he had previously contested an election in Imo State but failed to secure the party’s primary ticket.

Ogah alleges plot against Nwifuru

The lawmaker further alleged that unnamed political actors were sponsoring campaigns aimed at discrediting the Nwifuru administration and weakening the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

He defended the state’s security architecture, particularly the Commissioner of Police, Hope Okafor, against what he described as an orchestrated campaign for her removal.

Ogah urged the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to investigate those behind the alleged campaign and determine whether any law had been breached.

“All of us can attest to the peace and security we enjoy in Ebonyi State. The Army, the police, the Civil Defence and the DSS are doing marvellously well in Ebonyi State,” he said.

Lawmaker accuses Otu of mobilising protesters

Ogah also accused another critic of the state government, Charles Otu, of allegedly mobilising people from outside Ebonyi State to participate in a protest against the government in Abuja.

He claimed that some of those involved were presented as Ebonyians despite allegedly coming from other states.

Ogah said his lawyers had previously petitioned the DSS over allegations involving Otu and urged the agency to investigate the matter.

He also challenged Otu to substantiate allegations he allegedly made against him during an appearance on Arise Television.

“My own is that whosoever defaults the law, we take it legally. I cannot mention who I have not known. But when we get there, it is for the security agencies to investigate,” Ogah said.

Ogah lists Nwifuru’s achievements

Defending the Nwifuru administration, Ogah cited the state government’s scholarship programmes, school construction, road projects and other development initiatives as evidence of the governor’s performance.

He said hundreds of Ebonyi indigenes had benefited from postgraduate scholarships in Nigeria and abroad, while roads and schools were being constructed across the state’s 13 local government areas.

Ogah also praised Nwifuru for what he described as political tolerance, saying opposition parties had been allowed to operate freely in the state.

He argued that the people of Ebonyi should determine their political leadership through the ballot rather than through media campaigns and protests.

“Ebonyi people will choose who is their leader. They should stop using the media to castigate the governor,” he said.

Questions Nwifuru’s omission from Tinubu campaign council

The lawmaker also questioned the reported omission of Governor Nwifuru from President Tinubu’s campaign council, describing it as an error that should be corrected.

“How can a governor that has done much in APC not be included in the campaign council? How can a governor that is elected under the APC not be included?” Ogah queried.

He maintained that Nwifuru’s political influence and the APC’s electoral performance in Ebonyi made him an important stakeholder in Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

Ogah warned political actors against using the media to destabilise the state and urged all parties to pursue their grievances through legal and democratic channels.

The lawmaker, who is also the Ebonyi State Coordinator of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), was accompanied by other members of the group at the press conference.

He reiterated his call for security agencies to investigate the various allegations raised and take appropriate action against anyone found to have violated the law.

News

FCC Urges Enugu Youths to Prepare for Federal Job Opportunities

Published

2 days ago

September 11, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has urged youths in Enugu State to disregard the belief that federal government jobs and other opportunities are already allocated before they are advertised.
FCC Executive Chairman, Hulayât Motunrayo Omidiran, gave the charge on Thursday at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, during the Peter Eze Enugu Youth Connect 2026.
Omidiran urged the youths to acquire relevant skills, embrace technology and actively pursue legitimate opportunities, stressing that federal character should promote both equity and merit.
She also warned against fraudulent recruitment schemes and advised applicants to authenticate employment opportunities before applying.
The Enugu State Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, challenged young people to prepare themselves for available opportunities.
Onyia said government could create opportunities, but individuals must develop the capacity to take advantage of them.
The FCC Commissioner representing Enugu State, Peter Ogbonna Eze, said the programme was designed to bridge the information gap preventing young people from accessing federal employment, scholarships, grants, fellowships and training opportunities.
Eze said many youths were discouraged from applying for federal jobs because of the misconception that such positions had already been shared among influential individuals.
He urged them to apply whenever legitimate opportunities were advertised, warning that nobody should pay money to secure a federal government job.
He also disclosed that five participants in the programme would be selected for a full scholarship opportunity.
Eze said the initiative would continue as a platform for connecting Enugu youths with credible opportunities and urged participants to become “ambassadors of opportunity” by sharing useful information with others.
The event brought together youths and stakeholders from across Enugu State to discuss federal representation, employment, education, skills development and other opportunities.

News

Enugu: Iji Nike Sets Sept 13 For New Yam Festival

Published

4 days ago

September 9, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

By Chinedu Sabastine

ENUGU — Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has fixed Sunday, September 13, 2026, for its annual New Yam Festival.

The cultural celebration, which is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m., is being organised under the leadership of the Executive Chairman of Umuchigbo, Hon. Chief Afam Joseph Ogbene, popularly known as Akirika Chioku 1, Na Nike Kingdom.

The festival is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the people of Umuchigbo and Umuenwene in Iji Nike Autonomous Community, while promoting unity and communal bonding.

Ogbene, in an invitation to the festival, described the celebration as an opportunity for the people to preserve their cultural heritage, strengthen community ties and give thanks for the year’s harvest.

He said, “Our New Yam Festival is more than a cultural celebration. It is a time for us to come together as one people, appreciate our heritage and give thanks for the blessings of the year.”

According to him, the event will also provide an opportunity for sons and daughters of the community, as well as friends and well-wishers, to reconnect and celebrate together.

“We are inviting everyone to come and celebrate with us. It is a celebration of our culture, our community and thanksgiving for the new yam season,” he added.

According to the invitation, activities will commence at Ogbene’s residence on Akirika Chioku Avenue, Nome Ogba Aniji Road, Umuchigbo, before proceeding to Obodoeze Iji Village Square, Odangene, for the New Yam rites and masquerade display.

The event will also feature traditional cuisine, music and other forms of cultural entertainment.

The organisers urged sons and daughters of Umuchigbo, friends, well-wishers and members of the public to join the community in celebrating the festival.