Law
Imo group raises the alarm over alleged plots against A’Court President, Tribunal Members
***Condemns Planned State-sponsored Protest
A group Imo Political Stakeholders Forum have condemned the alleged conspiracy by agents of the Governor Hope Uzodinma administration in Imo state, to attack and blackmail the President of the Court of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem and Tribunal Judges assigned to handle the election petitions in Imo state.
This was coming against the backdrop that the National/State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for Imo State hitherto sitting at the Old High Court premises, was relocated to Nasarawa state and specifically to the High Court Complex, Opposite Shopping Malls, Mararaba Nyanya, Nasarawa State.”
The leader of the forum, Amb. Sam Nwandu alleged that there grand plot to embarrass, attack and denigrate the reputation of the President of the Court of Appeal and the relocated tribunal members, through a government-sponsored protest and press statements released by phantom groups backed by known agents of the government.
He said that the action of the state government has further confirmed why the vast majority of Imo people commended the relocation of the tribunal to Nasarawa state, to enable the tribunal dispassionately discharge it’s duties and dispense justice without fear or intimidation, both of which have become the Hallmark of the Imo state government.
Nwandu continued: “The truth is that Uzodinma and his ilks do not want any system or institution that will interrogate their atrocities in the last election.
“It is widely believed that the Tribunal may have refused to ‘play ball’ which was why it was initially difficult for the Tribunal to get a venue to conduct their hearing, after many twists and turns from the government.
“And when hearings were progressing, suddenly, the tribunal members were reportedly threatened to shut down proceedings in Imo or risk their lives.
“With the ugly stories emanating from Imo state, any responsible judicial system will speedily move the tribunal out of Imo, to safety, beyond the reach of those who play politics with human lives. And that exactly, was what the President of the Court of Appeal did and for which he has been singled out for the assault by the enemies of due process and rule of law.”
Nwandu added: “I dare say that the Tribunal members were lucky that they have left Imo state as they may have suffered similar fate with officials of the National Industrial Court in Imo state, who were beaten, abducted and dumped in cells, forcing the Industrial Court Judge to flee the state for fear of his life, after similar state-protest and bonfires were set up in front of his official quarters.
“We therefore urge the President of the Court of Appeal, to ignore Uzodinma’s familiar political antics and focus on giving Nigerians justice in all situations. Like we said in an earlier release, this relocation will give the judges the right atmosphere to look into how election results above Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), was announced by the electoral body, INEC.
“Most of the actual results of the Feb 25th House of Reps, Senate and House of Assembly elections of March 18, were in no doubt contrary to original results as voted by the indigenes in that election.
“INEC BVAS was active during the February and March 18 State Assembly election including the supplementary election and going by the uploaded results through www.inecelectionresults.ng, what INEC declared was in complete variance with the uploaded figures by BVAS.
“For instance, in Okigwe Federal Constituency, the total accreditation uploaded in the INEC BVAS machine was not same with the huge figures of over 40,000 used in declaring APC winner against the Labour Party that won the election.
“In Owerri municipal where less than 14,000 was accredited over 70,000 was used to declare APC winner against the Labour Party Candidate, in the State Assembly seat for Ideato North local government, the PDP scored 5,063 votes as against the APC of 4,097 votes and the result was uploaded on INEC server but APC was declared winner against the PDP candidate who won the election with figures above inec accreditation record.
“In Mbaitoli Federal constituency won by Labour, accreditation figures was manipulated to declare APC winner in a Supplementary election they lost.
“In Oguta/Ohaji/Oru West Federal constituency that PDP candidate Kingsley Uju was leading despite being hunted arrested on election day by Uzodinma’s hatchet men, APC was declared winner with election figures above the BVAS recorded accreditation figures. In Orlu Federal Constituency which was lost by APC, figures above accreditation numbers were used to declare APC winner.
“In Okigwe Senate and Orlu Senate, results were announced in favour of APC with fabricated figures above the total number of votes accredited by the BVAS machine. It was same situation in Ahiazu Mbaise where results was announced with fake BVAS accreditation figures in favour of APC.
“Our contention is that these issues should be looked at critically by the Judges and ensure that justice is served in the hope of restoring citizens confidence in the electoral process.”
Law
Alleged Fraud, Land Grabbing by Rebecca Omokamo: Falana Chambers Petitions EFCC, ICPC
Legal powerhouse, Falana and Falana Chambers, has filed petitions with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Rebecca Omokamo Godwin Isaac, also known as Hajia Bilikisu Ishaqu Aliyu, and her firm, Homadil Realty Limited.
The allegations include financial fraud, forgery of documents, and illegal land grabbing involving Plot 4022 in Guzape, Abuja.
The petitions, made on behalf of the Yesufu family, accuse Mrs. Omokamo and her associates of conspiracy, forgery, and fraudulent acquisition of funds.
The legal battle dates back to 2014 when Mrs. Omokamo allegedly purchased the disputed land but subsequently lost its title documents.
The Yesufu family claims ownership and has been in protracted legal and investigative disputes over the land.
In a related incident in May 2024, a PREMIUM TIMES reporter, Emmanuel Agbo, investigating the case, was summoned by the police after communications with Mrs. Omokamo.
She denied the allegations in conversations but later accused the EFCC of harassment in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu. Mrs. Omokamo claimed EFCC interference in what she called a civil matter, further alleging the unjust detention of her husband and staff.
However, subsequent investigations by the EFCC and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) reportedly uncovered extensive fraudulent dealings tied to Mrs. Omokamo.
The findings led to separate petitions to the ICPC, prompting further investigations into alleged forgery of land titles and fraudulent sales involving multiple properties, including a 2.3-hectare plot in Katampe District, Abuja.
Efforts to resolve the matter amicably, including appeals by Mrs. Omokamo’s husband and traditional rulers to the Yesufu family, reportedly failed. Allegations emerged that Mrs. Omokamo had sold the Katampe property to over 60 victims using forged documents.
Her purported resistance to settlement and her legal maneuvers to block investigations drew criticism.
In October 2024, Mrs. Omokamo filed a motion at the Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent further investigations by the EFCC and ICPC. Simultaneously, her husband reportedly sought forgiveness from the Yesufu family, a move seen as contradictory given Mrs. Omokamo’s legal actions.
The Yesufu family, represented by Falana and Falana Chambers, has called for the prosecution of Mrs. Omokamo, her husband, and their accomplices.
They also requested investigation reports to aid civil proceedings. Meanwhile, the company’s secretary, Mr. Kolawole James Olowokere, recently withdrew his
Law
Osun Governor grants Christmas Clemency to chicken, egg thieves on death row
In a bid to mark the 2024 Christmas season with acts of compassion, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has granted clemency to Segun Olowookere and Sunday Morakinyo.
They were sentenced to death in 2014 for robbery-related offenses committed in 2010.
The duo, aged 17 at the time, had been convicted of stealing two fowls, eggs, and mobile phones from individuals in Okuku, Osun State.
Despite the minor theft, the court had sentenced them to death by hanging in 2014, sparking nationwide outrage over the severity of the punishment.
They were granted a prerogative of mercy alongside 51 other convicts who had varying levels of sentences in correctional centres in Osun, by the governor.
The governor’s decision, made on the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, highlighted a broader push for prison reforms and justice review in the state.
Governor Adeleke, through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, stated that the clemency alignsled with constitutional powers and the spirit of the season.
“This exercise of mercy follows the recommendations made by the State Advisory Council and underscores the administration’s commitment to fairness and humanity,” Rasheed said in a statement.
The letter of commutation, dated December 24, 2024, has been officially acknowledged by prison authorities.
The governor’s move has sparked debates over Nigeria’s judicial process, with human rights advocates praising the decision as a step toward addressing sentencing disparities and prison decongestion.
The case of Olowookere and Morakinyo, sentenced as teenagers, drew public attention due to the severity of their punishment relative to the crime.
Their release is expected to reignite discussions on justice reforms and youth rehabilitation programs.
In his address, Governor Adeleke emphasized the importance of second chances and pledged to continue reviewing cases deserving of mercy while balancing justice with compassion.
Law
Human Rights Lawyer, Dele Farotimi regains Freedom, says he is innocent of defamation claims
After meeting his bail conditions, prominent human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has regained his freedom from the correctional center in Ekiti State.
Farotimi was released on Tuesday morning, following last week’s ruling by a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti, which granted him bail on the condition of a ₦30 million bond, two sureties (one of whom must own property), submission of his passport, and a ban on granting media interviews.
Addressing journalists shortly after his release, Farotimi reaffirmed his commitment to truth and denied ever spreading falsehoods against anyone.
“It is not ever an easy journey when you are fighting evil,” Farotimi said. “But before I started this work, God told me that the truth is enough. It is the only weapon with which you can slay the monster called Nigeria. I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know something, I will say I don’t know.”
Farotimi’s legal troubles began following the release of his book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’, on July 2, 2024.
In the 116-page publication, Farotimi alleged that some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), including Aare Afe Babalola, had engaged in judicial corruption by influencing Supreme Court Justices.
Babalola subsequently accused Farotimi of defamation, leading to his arrest at his Lagos office on December 3 by operatives attached to the Ekiti State Police Command. Farotimi was transported to Ekiti State, where he faced defamation and cyberbullying charges.
In addition to the defamation claims brought by Babalola’s legal team, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, filed 12 more charges against Farotimi at the Federal High Court in Ekiti on December 6, 2024.
Farotimi maintained that his book reflected facts and insights into Nigeria’s justice system, adding that his work was aimed at reforming rather than attacking the legal profession.
“It is the truth that will set this country free,” Farotimi said, vowing to continue his advocacy for justice and fairness despite the legal battles.
The case is expected to proceed in January 2025, with prosecutors set to present additional evidence. Meanwhile, Farotimi’s legal team is reportedly considering a motion to quash the charges.
Farotimi’s arrest and detention have drawn public outrage, with many civil society organizations condemning what they describe as an attempt to silence dissent.
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