News From Kogi
Kogi Guber: Achimugu proceeds to the Supreme Court, presses for Ododo’s disqualification
A governorship aspirant in the recently conducted All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Kogi State, Abubakar Achimugu has appealed against the judgment of Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered on 18th July which affirmed Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo as candidate of the party for the November 11th governorship election in the state.
He is seeking the Supreme Court to disqualify the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November Kogi governorship election in the State.
Recall that a three-member panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal in Abuja had, on August 18, 2023, dismissed Achimugu’s appeal against a judgement of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which affirmed Ododo as the APC flagbearer for the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi.
The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment, held that Achimugu’s appeal lacks merit and affirmed the judgment of the trial court.
Achimugu had approached the trial court with a suit seeking to disqualify Ododo from contesting the November 11 governorship election on grounds that he did not resign his employment with the Kogi state public service 30 days before contesting the governorship primary election.
But, the trial court, in its judgment, held that contrary to the claim of Achimugu, evidence showed that Ododo resigned his appointment more than 30 days before participating in the APC primary.
According to Justice Egwuatu, exhibits tendered by the defendants showed that while Ododo’s resignation letter was received by the Office of the Kogi State Governor on March 8, that of the 3rd defendant, Mr Salami Deedat, was received on March 9.
“Satisfied that they resigned their appointment on March 8 and 9, more than 30 days before the April 14 primary election of the APC, the suit is bereft of any merit and is accordingly dismissed”, the court held.
Dissatisfied with the judgements of the two lower courts, Achimugu, through his counsel, Josiah Daniel-Ebune, in a notice of appeal held that the Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law and occasioned a miscarriage of justice in affirming the decision of the trial court that the 2nd and 3rd Defendants duly resigned their appointments and thus not caught up with the mandatory provision of the law requiring them to do so before they participated in the APC’s Gubernatorial Primary Election for Kogi State held on the 14th April 2023 which result was declared on 15th April 2023.
He said the Court of Appeal missed it, by looking for issues for determination directly from the judgment appealed from, instead of looking at the grounds of appeal to relate them to the judgment and that, the Justices erred in law, prejudged the appeal, and occasioned a miscarriage of justice when it held that, it, “is unable to see the relationship between the two issues for determination formulated by Counsel to the Appellant and the issue raised, canvassed and pronounced upon by the lower court”.
Achimugu therefore prayed the apex court for an order setting aside the decision contained in the Judgment of the Court of Appeal Abuja division delivered on the 18th of August, 2023 as well as an order granting all the reliefs sought by the Plaintiff on the Amended Originating Summons.
***Demand N50m ransom
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Gun-wielding hoodlums have abducted three relations of former Daily Trust Editor, Malam Ahmed Tahir Ajobe, few days after the demise of his mother earlier in the week.
The abducted family members of the journalist include one male and two females including Mr Ajobe’s immediate younger sister, Halimtu-Sadiya Tahir.
They were abducted on their way from a nearby community market in Awo, Ankpa local government area of Kogi State, on the deplorable Ankpa-Adoka-Markudi road.
Mr Tahir Ajobe lost his mother, Malama Aishetu Tahir on Sunday after a protracted
illness.
The victims were said to have gone to the market to purchase items for the 7th day prayers for the ace Journalist’s deceased mother when they were kidnapped.
Although the journalist could not be immediately reached for details on the incident, a family friend said their abductors have demanded for N50 million for the release of the victims.
“Yes, three of Ajobe’s family members were kidnapped at gunpoint at about 3:pm on Thursday. The kidnappers reached out on Friday afternoon demanding for N50 million as ransom.
“However, I can’t confirm what the family is offering in the negotiations because I had to leave the community for an emergency in Lokoja.
“What I can say is that no amount has been paid yet and the victims are still in captivity,” he explained.
Williams Aya (SP), Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Aya (SP), confirmed the incident, saying that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area, has already deployed his men to the area to ensure the rescue of the victims
Aya said that the Police Commissioner, Bethrand Onuoha has also ordered the drafting of the police tactical team to the area to reinforce the team there.
“Asussuring that everything possible would be done to ensure the safe release of the abducted person and bring the criminals to justice. (Ends)
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
SPEAKERS of Houses of Assembly from the North-Central Geo-political zone have called on the Federal Government to be decisive in tackling the spate of insecurity in the zone to avoid food food crisis, underdevelopment.
The Speakers from Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa, Niger and Plateau states made the call in a communique arising from resolutions reached at the end of their conference in Lokoja.
The Speakers held that the menacing insecurity threatening existence of the zone had continuously negated development efforts in the North-Central states with negative effects on food security and general development.
“Aware that there cannot be genuine development where there is no peace, we condemn the present state of insecurity in the North Central zone of the country.
“This is because the situation has retarded development in different spheres of endeavour,” they said.
It added that the zone is the food basket of the country and that farmers have not been able to cultivate the land and provide food for the citizens despite the worsening food crisis in the country,
“Farmers/herders clashes have continued unabated, yet, kidnapping has added a more dangerous dimension to the sad situation.”
The Speakers therefore urged the Federal Government to implement effective measures to address the lingering insecurity and crises that have bedeviled the region and stem the tide of the problem crippling the zone and exacerbating the poverty situation of their people.
The Speakers commended the Federal Government for the sustained dualisation of the Keffi-Makurdi and Makurdi to the Eastern Nigeria road projects.
They however, called for increased investment in critical infrastructure such as roads, healthcare facilities, and education to enhance economic development and improve the living standards of citizens.
“We ask that the current Federal Government expedite action on the need to complete the protracted project of the Abuja-Lokoja-Benin Road, the Abuja-Suleija-Minna, the Abuja-Akwanga-Jos Road Projects and other projects linking the North and the south through the North Central Geopolitical Region of the country.”
The Speakers expressed appreciation to their Governors, past and present, and the people of the zone in the enthronement of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – led government, acknowledging that the North Central region remains the melting point of Nigerian politics.
They therefore emphasized the need for political tolerance for creation of a healthy political atmosphere, inclusivity to reduce political tension and cooperation among stakeholders, while also fostering peaceful coexistence and good governance.
“We are however miffed by the aftermath of the election, vis-a-vis what has become of some of our political leaders, despite their sterling roles in ensuring the victory of the APC – led government.
“We will continue to further our interactions and discussions with other critical stakeholders on this to determine the next cause of action in subsequent political decisions in the interest of our region.
“We have also resolved to continually engage relevant and critical stakeholders while working together to address other challenges facing the region, including economic empowerment, environmental degradation, and social justice.
The North-Central States Assembly Speakers Conference is being chaired by Rt Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh (Atonko u Mbatiav), Speaker of Benue Assembly.
Present at the meeting were Rt Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, the Speaker, Niger State; Rt Hon. Danladi Jatau, Nasarawa; Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf (Badakoshi of Lokoja), Kogi and Rt Hon. Gabriel Dewar, Plateau State. (Ends)
***Urges parents on quick response to meet target
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
The National Population Commission (NPC), Kogi State Office, on Thursday said it has so far registered a total of 185,307 children under the E-birth enrollment in the state ahead of the December 31, 2024 target.
Abiodun Ojo, Kogi Director of the Commission disclosed this at a Press Conference to showcase the level of response and compliance with the E-Birth Enrollment on Thursday in Lokoja.
The press conference organised by the Kogi State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) as part of its collaborative efforts with the NPC, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the National Identify Management Commission, (NIMC).
Ojo hinted that the collaboration was aimed at enabling dissemination of needed information on the E-Birth project.
The State Director who was represented by Mrs Omattah Ralie, Head of Vital Registration of the NPC assured that the office would be able to conclude the E-Birth registration exercise in the state by December this year in line with the UNICEF deadline.
The NPC Director appealed to parents who are yet to avail their children of the opportunity of the E-Birth Registration to do so without further delay as the deadline for the exercise is close by.
“E-Birth registration exercise is free hence the more reason why parents should be encouraged to make their children available for the enrollment”, Ojo advised.
The State Director identified parental resistance especially in capturing of their children faces, nonchalant attitude or absenteeism and making their children unavailable for the exercise as a major challenges identified so far.
Speaking earlier, Mr Patrick Edogbanya, Acting State Director of National Orientation Agency, Kogi Directorate, on behalf of his Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, noted that the E-BIRTH registration has been on in the last three years.
He explained that the project was being funded by UNICEF, an international donor agency to ensure easier headcount of children world over.
“The National Orientation Agency’s role on the project is to embark on massive sensitization of Nigerians to enable them know what to do to embrace the scheme
“Our sensitization efforts via the use of the Media is a continuous one. So far we have been able to Flagg Off our sensitization and awareness creation on the E-BIRTH registration in ten local government areas of Kogi state” Edogbaya disclosed.
Also speaking, Jeminiwa Olusegun, Assistant Chief Identity Officer of the National Identify Management Commission (NIMC), Kogi State, revealed that 120 million Nigerians out of the expected 300 million population have been captured under the ongoing identification Programme for the nation’s citizens.
According to him, the e-registration Programme is a global practice aimed at enhancing accuracy, security and efficiency in the system (Ends)
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