Nelson Ugwuagbo

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, to pay N135,722,303.40k along with accrued interest to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) over his unpaid bank loan.

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo issued the order in a judgement delivered in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/AMC/12/2022 filed by AMCON.

Justice Ekwo, who declared that Umeh was actually indebted to AMCON, issued an order directing the forfeiture of Umeh’s 5,000,000 units of Skye Bank shares in the records of the Central Securities & Clearing System to AMCON.

The judge also awarded a cost of N2m in favour of AMCON and against Umeh, who is currently the Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora.

According to court documents filed by AMCON, Umeh got a loan of N23,250,000.00 from the now defunct Skye Bank in January 2008 “to enable him invest in and purchase shares of a financial institution in Nigeria.

“The tenor of the credit facility granted the defendant was specifically fixed for 356 days.

“The offer letter contained various other explicit terms and conditions, which the defendant accepted by duly executing the memorandum of acceptance.

“The defendant utilised the funds granted to him as credit facilities by the bank. However, at the expiration of the tenor of the facility, the defendant failed and neglected to liquidate the credit facility as per the contract.”

AMCON stated that it later acquired the unpaid debt when Skye Bank became unsuccessful in making Umeh repay.

It added that its suit was to recover the debt, which stood at N135,722,303.40k as of April 2011.

Justice Ekwo, in his judgement, noted that despite being served with court documents in relation to the case, Umeh failed to file any response or make any effort to enter a defence.

The judge said: “It is to be noted at this point that the defendant, upon being served, failed to enter a defence in this case.

“It is trite law that the net effect of the failure of a defendant to file pleadings is that the assertions of the claimant in his pleadings stands unchallenged and are deemed admitted and established

“It is also true that the effect of a defendant’s failure to call evidence in defense of the claims against him at the trial is that he is presumed to have admitted the case made against him by the claimant.”

The judge added that despite Umeh’s failure to file a defence, the plaintiff was able to prove it’s case through the evidence it presented.

He held that, based on the evidence presented by the plaintiff, “the indebtedness of the defendant has been proven.

“I find that the plaintiff has established its case by preponderance of evidence as required by law.

“Consequently, judgement is entered per terms as follows:

*A declaration is hereby made that the defendant is indebted to the plaintiff, in the sum of N135,722,303.40 representing the principal debt sum plus all the accrued interest and charges, at the rate of 15 percent per annum drawn up to January 25, 2021, being the sum due and outstanding from the defendant to the plaintiff.

*A declaration is hereby made mandating the defendant to pay to the plaintiff the sum of N135,722,303.40 representing the principal debt sum, plus all the accrued interest and charges, at the rate of 15 percent per annum drawn up to January 25, 2021, in settlement of the debt due and outstanding from the defendant to the plaintiff.

*An order is hereby made mandating the defendant to pay the plaintiff a sum representing 15 percent of the principal sum as interest on the judgement sum from January 26, 2021, until the date of delivery of the judgement.

*An order is hereby made mandating the defendant to pay the plaintiff a sum representing 15 percent of the judgement sum as interest on the judgement sum, from the date of delivery of the judgement till the date of full and final liquidation of same.

*A declaration is hereby made that the defendant is liable to a total forfeiture and divestment of all his title, rights, interests, benefits, and claims in respect of the 5,000,000 shares of Skye Bank shares in the record of the Central Secures & Cleaning System while the plaintiff is entitied to take over, as beneficial owner, all the title, rights, interests, benefits and claims in respect of same.

*An order of final foreclosure and final forfeiture is hereby made foreclosing and divesting the defendant of his title, rights and interests, in respect of the 5,000,000 units of Skye Bank shares in the records of the Central Securities & Clearing System and vesting same in the plaintiff in furtherance of part liquidation and satisfaction of the outstanding debt obligation of the defendants due to the plaintiff.

*An order is hereby made mandating the defendant to pay to the plaintiff the sum of N2,000,000 00 as costs for filing and pursuing this claim.”

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, DASH, Lafia, Nasarawa State, has declared a 72-hour protest strike, effective immediately.

The decision to embark on the strike was announced on Tuesday morning, just hours after a distressing incident unfolded at the state-owned hospital.

A doctor on duty became the victim of an assault perpetrated by a male relative of a patient whose identity remains confidential.

Protesting against incessant aggression towards its members and other healthcare workers, the association, alongside supporting hospital staff, convened a demonstration within the hospital premises.

Armed with placards bearing various messages, they pleaded for intervention from government authorities and other relevant bodies to swiftly curtail the surge in assaults on healthcare professionals within the state.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s media aide, Paul Ibe, has said his principal was not silent on the January 16 explosion that killed five persons, injured 77 and destroyed 58 houses in the Old Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ibe was reacting to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who remarked on Monday that Atiku had not reached out or condoled with the government and people of Oyo State over the tragic incident.

Makinde stated this in Ibadan when a former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general elections, Peter Obi, paid him a condolence visit over the January 16 explosion.

Makinde said, “Let me use this opportunity to thank former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, for the visit. I thank him because politics didn’t seep into this. You came here to commiserate with us over the explosion. Actually, the investigation is going on. It was simply illegal miners storing explosives in an environment where they shouldn’t be.

“It is a place where meant for people to live in; It’s not a mining site. So, all the lapses that allowed such to happen have been looked into.

“I am particularly grateful because the musketeers that went for the presidential election have reached out to me. The President has called me, and you have reached out to me, but my own party candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has not called or even sent a text message.

“And I am saying it openly so that our leaders will know that there is time for politics. You have a time for governance and you have a time for humanity. So, we want to say thank you so much, sir. We appreciate this visit.”

But reacting, Ibe said Atiku had condoled with the Oyo people over the incident.

He said, “With due respect to Governor Seyi Makinde, we wish to correct his expression about the response of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar to the recent explosion in the city of Ibadan.

“Atiku Abubakar made a condolence message about the Ibadan explosion, less than 24 hours of its occurrence, where he shared his commiseration and empathy with the good people and government of Oyo State over the incident.

“Perhaps the Governor has been too busy to take track of media reports on the incident. But we wish to put on record that on the 17th of January, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar did make a widely available message on the Ibadan incident.”

Atiku has blamed his defeat in the 2023 presidential election on the refusal of Makinde and four other PDP governors to support his ambition.

Makinde and the other PDP governors, who called themselves G-5 governors, supported President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress in the February 25, 2023 presidential election.

Meanwhile, Obi, during his visit to Ibadan, said, “Through the governor, we want to extend our condolences to the bereaved families and to all those who lost their valuable property in the incident and to assure them of our prayers that God will grant those who lost their lives eternal rest. And we want to thank the government for its prompt response and that is what governance has to be.”

Speaking on the economic situation of the country and its effect on the masses, Obi called for a cut in the cost of governance at the federal level as a necessary sacrifice to move the country forward.

“All of us are now involved, and all of us should work hard and make the necessary sacrifices to see that we turn around the situation. That is why it is necessary when things happened here, and the government responded in a manner the government should respond and everybody comes to participate and commend them for doing the right thing.

“It’s a matter of sacrifice, today, elections are over, governance is the key thing and what is required, for me, is to cut down the cost of governance, especially at the federal level. It is unacceptable the way it is going; we need to prioritise critical areas, such as education, health and pulling people out of poverty,” he said.

An unprecedented hike in fees for Abuja-based private schools is imminent following the decision of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to hike operation charges of private schools in the capital city.

Under the new tax regime, each school will be billed according to tuition paid by students and the number of enrolments.

A memo from the Head of Account at the Department of Quality Assurance of the Education Secretariat, Mudi Muhammed, revealed that the development would take effect from January 2024, as reported on Monday.

The memo was titled: “Review of private school operation charges in FCT,” and it read: “ Following the approval of the Honourable Minister of the FCT for a review of operational charges (annual charge, accreditation, application, re-accreditation, commencement and recognition) payable by private schools in the FCT.

“You are by this letter informed that the old rate of charges cease to be valid as of 31/12/2023 and the new rate of charges effective 1/1/2024.

“Under the new rate, each school is billed according to the tuition charged and the number of enrollments. As a consequence, each school has its peculiar bill. You should also note that all application(s) are now N40,000.”

Meanwhile, the National Association of Private School Owners in the FCT, in a letter written to the Education Secretariat, noted that such a tax review at a time when the Federal Government had promised to eliminate multiple taxes would only increase the cost of education beyond the reach of many parents, thus adding to the population of out-of-school children.

In the letter signed by its Chairperson, Ruqayah Agboola, NAPPS added that the tax review would further put pressure on private schools in the FCT as it would increase their running costs.

The association said, “Unfortunately, our members rejected the proposal in its entirety. They cited the hard economy, the huge bank loans outstanding in their books, the unpaid fees by many owing parents, the many levies payable to local government and other agencies, and more importantly payment of their teachers’ salaries, other staff as well as maintenance of our infrastructure.

“Our members, therefore, plead that you use your good office to effect a 50 per cent reduction in the existing annual dues to enable your office to recover the outstanding dues. We will partner with you to achieve this.”

Speaking with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, a member of the association said the association was planning to write the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and also notify the Parents-Teachers Association of the newly imposed tax.

The Supreme Court, on Monday, reserved judgment on an appeal the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate, Senator Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, filed to challenge the outcome of the governorship election that held in Adamawa State on March 18.

A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, adjourned the matter for judgment, after all the parties adopted their final briefs of argument.

Specifically, the appellants, through their legal team headed by Chief Akinolu Olujimi (SAN), prayed the court to sack Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State from office.

They urged the Supreme Court to set aside the concurrent verdicts of the Court of Appeal and the Adamawa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld Fintiri’s re-election.

Binani maintained that she polled the majority of valid votes cast at the election and was validly declared the winner by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC.

However, Fintiri, through his lawyer, Mr. Damian Dodo (SAN), urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal and validate his election victory.

The appellate court had, in a judgment it delivered on December 18, 2023, dismissed Senator Dahiru’s appeal, even as it awarded a cost of N1 million against her.

While affirming the election of Governor Fintiri, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the appellate court held that Senator Dahiru’s appeal was vague.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had at the end of a supplementary election held in Adamawa State, announced that Fintiri polled 430,861 votes to defeat Binani of the APC who got a total of 398,788 votes.

Dissatisfied with the outcome of the poll, Binani approached the tribunal. She alleged that the election was fraught with corrupt practices and manifest non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

She urged the Justice Theodora Obi Uloho-led tribunal to declare that she was the valid winner of the governorship election. The panel refused and dismissed her petition.

While affirming the decision of the tribunal, the appellate court, in its lead verdict that was read by Justice Ebiowei Tobi, held that the 27 grounds of appeal the APC candidate brought before it, lacked competence.

It held that the appellants failed to, by way of credible evidence, substantiate the allegations they raised against the outcome of the election. It stressed that their claim that electoral fraud took place in 14,104 polling units in the state was not proven.

More so, the court noted that the record of proceedings transmitted from the tribunal, as well as the briefs of argument that were filed by the appellants, were incomplete.

The appellate court further emphasised that only a Returning Officer at an election has the statutory power to declare the results of the election.

It will be recalled that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had earlier granted INEC the permission to prosecute its suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari.

Yunusa-Ari is facing a six-count charge over alleged unlawful role he played in the Adamawa State governorship election held on March 18.

INEC had initially declared that the gubernatorial election was inconclusive and ordered a supplementary poll.

However, midway into the collation of results of the supplementary poll held on April 15, the suspended Adamawa REC, Yunusa-Ari, sidelined protocols and announced the APC candidate, Binani, as the winner.

The action elicited instant reactions. The electoral body not only voided Yunusa-Ari’s action but equally placed him on an indefinite suspension.

The Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday summoned a member of the State House of Assembly representing Makurdi North State Constituency, Hon Berger Alfred, to appear before a disciplinary committee set up by the leadership of the party over alleged anti-party activities.

Alfred is expected to appear before the committee on Monday.

LeadingReporters gathered that the invitation is not unconnected with his activities in the forthcoming bye-election into Guma State Constituency.

According to a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Daniel Ihomun, Alfred’s invitation was “in accordance with Article 21 of the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress.”

The statement further said, “The State Working Committee of the APC in Benue State has constituted a disciplinary committee to investigate the petition by APC Party Chairmen of Guma and Makurdi Local Government Areas and 50 others on allegations of anti-party activities carried out by Hon. Berger Emberga Alfred, Member representing Makurdi North State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly.”

The seven-member committee set up by the party is headed by Barr. Vincent Uji with Princess Awuese Nancy Torhee, Hon. Daniel Ihomun and Comrade. Cephas Tertinde Adom as members.

Other members are Hon. Adah Ochojila; Hon. Simon Aluor and Alh. Mohamed Hassan as Secretary.

The statement further directed Alfred to appear before the Disciplinary Committee at Hon. Umar Ganduje Congress Hall, APC Secretariat Makurdi (Sen. Ahmed Tinubu House) on Monday by 3 pm.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has appointed Edison Ehie, the leader of his loyalists in the State House of Assembly, as his Chief of Staff.

Ehie, was the contender to Martin Amaewhule for the position of Speaker, before recently resigning from the Assembly as part of the process to restore peace in the state.

He was rumoured a few weeks ago to have been appointed to replace Mr. Chidi Amadi, a loyalist of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who resigned alongside some commissioners late last year.

But in a statement late Sunday night by Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Fubara named Ehie as his chief of staff.

The SSG also announced the appointment of five others as Special Advisers.

The new Special Advisers are Darlington Oji, who resigned as the Chief of Staff to the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Samuel Nwanosike, in the wake of the political crisis in Rivers State; Solomon Abel-Eke, the immediate past Chairman of Ohio/Akpor Local Government Area where the Wikecomes from.

Others are, Prince Ohia, the immediate past Commissioner for Youths Development; Aminayanasam Fiberesima and Deeyah Bariene.

The statement said the new appointees will be sworn in by Governor Fubara at the State Executive Council Chambers by 11 am on Monday.

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law has urged the court to sack the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, from office for allegedly violating the National Youth Service Corps Act.

The organisation also asked the court to compel the NYSC to nullify the certificates given to Musawa and a music promoter, Kenny Ogungbe, alleging that the issuance of the certificate was contrary to the provisions of NYSC Act Cap N84.LFN 2024.

The plaintiffs in the suit marked FCH/ABJ/05/90/2024 are the Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL, John Aikpokpo-Martins, and Secretary, NBA-SPIDEL, Funmi Adeogun.

Musawa, Ogungbe, NYSC, and the Federal Government of Nigeria are the first to fourth defendants, respectively in the suit.

The plaintiffs alleged that the mobilisation of Musawa and Ogungbe for the mandatory one-year national youth service after exceeding 30 years of age was unlawful, illegal, and an affront to patriotism.

They also alleged that Musawa and  Ogungbe’s purported national service and the certificates of service purportedly issued by the NYSC were null and void.

The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that, “By virtue of the provisions of Sections 2(1), 12(1), and 13(1) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84 LFN 2004, the 1st and 2nd defendants are not entitled to be engaged as employees by any employer of labour or services (including the Federal Government of Nigeria) without first possessing and presenting their certificates of National Youth Service.

“A declaration that the 1st defendant is not entitled to continue to hold the exalted office of Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any public office in Nigeria after violently violating with flagrant impunity the provisions of Sections 2(1), 12(1), and 13(1) of the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84, LFN 2004.”

LeadingReporters learnt that the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria had accused Musawa in August 2023 of serving as a minister while undertaking the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme.

Similarly, in October 2023, there was a stir on social media when Ogungbe shared a photo of himself in the NYSC uniform, announcing that he had finished NYSC at the age of 53.

Efforts to get Musawa proved abortive as calls to her number indicated it was not reachable. Response to the message sent to her was being awaited at the time of filling this report.

Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, a 12-year-old pupil of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State, allegedly tortured by some senior students of the college was laid to rest on Saturday, January, 27, 2024 at the family’s compound at Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta, after two years of fighting for justice for him.

Sylvester, born on December 4, 2009, died on November 30, 2021, in controversial circumstances following alleged tortured by some senior students of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State.

He was allegedly tortured by some senior students of the college who wanted to initiate him into a cult group.

The death of Sylvester, which generated condemnation and a series of protests by civil society groups and women across the country as well as heated controversies, was yet to yield any positive results two years after, following alleged delay tactics by some officials of the Lagos State Government.

At this burial on Saturday which attracted several dignitaries from far and near, emotions ran high as family members, friends and well wishes were seen in tears, crying and mourning the untimely demise of Sylvester.

LeadingReporters learnt that the family had on Monday in a statement announced the burial of their son, stating, “As a family grappling with the profound sorrow brought about by this inexplicable loss we have chosen to bid farewell to Sylvester on Saturday, January 27, 2024 with final rites to be conducted at Ogbe-Ijaw Warri Kingdom, Delta state. Exactly two years ago, precisely on November, 30, 2021, the death of our 12-year-old son, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, a pupil of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State, was announced in controversial circumstances, after he was tortured to death by some senior students who wanted to initiate him into a cult group and till date we as family is yet to get justice in the matter.

“Sylvester, born on December 4, 2009, met a devastating end on November 30, 2021, succumbing to injuries inflicted in a harrowing assault by fellow students. Before his untimely demise, Sylvester was renowned for his exceptional intellect and maturity beyond his years. A young mind brimming with potential, he demonstrated remarkable initiative and an extraordinary sense of humor, endearing him to those fortunate enough to cross paths with him. Sylvester’s insatiable passion for knowledge, particularly in fields of computer science, programming, electrical science, and his special interest in football set him apart.

“His absence has left an irreplaceable void in our lives as a family and the lives of those who hold him dear, and his legacy will endure through the indelible memories of the profound impact he made on those around him. As we continue to mourn our son, we as a family implore everyone to honour Sylvester’s memory by reflecting on the bright spirit that enriched their lives and celebrate the intellect that radiated from his young mind. As the community mourns the loss of this promising scholar, we will continue to demand justice for our beloved son who was murdered in cold blood by fellow students,” the statement stated.

In a homily taken from the book of Isaiah 57:1-2, titled ‘Forever With The Lord’ Ven. Revd Goodluck Bayagbon of the God’s Grace Ministry, Warri, charged christians to live a life worthy of emulation and strive to be heavenly candidates.

While describing the deceased as a true believer in Christ, the cleric noted that “Sylvester Oromoni Jnr has gone to rest with the Lord and free from all evil and calamity of the world. We are not here to weep and mourn over Sylvester but to celebrate a great man, a young man that God almighty loves so much. Sylvester left an indelible mark in the hearts of all men that must be emulated.

“The most important thing about life is that everyone on earth must strive to make heaven because that is a great achievement for everyone, where there is no pain, sorrow, sadness, calamity, worries. Sylvester should be emulated according to his brief biography read to us all. He was a good young boy, who cared so much about his fellow students, friends, sisters, brothers and all those who crossed his path. He was deligent and was a devout christian. At his young age he cared for the needs of his fellow students, he was so good both at school and home. Though he left very young but he has achieved the purpose of God who created him. We are here to celebrate him not to mourn. At his age, look at the mammoth crowd that came to bid him farewell to heavens.”

The family, through the father of the deceased had vowed while marking the two years anniversary of their son’s brutal and untimely demise, that as a family, they would not stop crying out for justice for their departed son, adding that “As the father of the deceased, I cannot be tired or discouraged from pursuing justice as I have promised my son to get him justice even if it will take thirty years to achieve it.”

Sylvester’s father and the family had also threatened that if the inquest was not concluded before the end of 2022, they would be compelled to withdraw from it in order to take a different legal route to seek justice.