Crime
Court To Sack 4 Osun Lawmakers Over Defection To APC, Says PDP
Court To Sack 4 Osun Lawmakers Over Defection To APC, Says PDP
Court to sack 4 Osun lawmakers over defection to APC says PDP. The PDP said the court decision would be in strict compliance with Section 68(1)(g) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the removal of four lawmakers representing Osun State at the National Assembly (NASS) for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP made the application in four separate suits dated August 20 and filed by its counsel, Rapheal Oyewole.
The lawmakers include two senators and two members of the House of Representatives.
They are Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District; Senator Olubiyi Oluwole Fadeyi for Osun Central Senatorial District; Omirin Olusanya, who represents Atakumosa East/West and Ilesa East/West Federal Constituency; and Taofeek Ajilesoro, representing Ife Central/East/North and South Federal Constituency.
The plaintiff had, in the originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1725/2025, FHC/ABJ/CS/1728/2025, FHC/ABJ/CS/1727/2025 and FHC/ABJ/CS/1726/2025, sued Messrs Fadahunsi, Fadeyi, Olusanya and Ajilesoro, respectively, as the 1st defendant in each of the cases.
While the president of the Senate is sued as the 2nd defendant in the suit against the senators, the speaker is named as the 2nd defendant in the matter against the two House members.
However, the National Assembly, Clerk of NASS and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are listed as 3rd to 5th defendants in the suits, respectively.
The party, which sought six questions for determination, asked whether, by virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution 1999 (as amended), a senator or House member such as the lawmakers are not liable to forfeit their legislative seat after resigning the membership of the plaintiff political party on whose platform they were elected, before the end of the term for which they were elected, devoid of any division, merger and/or faction in the plaintiff political party.
The PDP, therefore, prayed the court to declare that the continued occupation of the legislative seats by the four lawmakers after defecting from the party on whose platform they were elected, without satisfying the express provision under Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, constitutes a breach of the constitution and renders their seats vacant by operation of law.
It also prayed the court to make an order of mandamus compelling the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to forthwith declare their seats vacant accordingly.
The PDP urged the court to direct Messrs Akpabio, Abbas and INEC to discharge their constitutional duties as provided by the law by declaring the seats vacant and initiating processes for the conduct of bye-elections into the vacant seats in the senatorial districts and constituencies.
The party sought an order directing the clerk of the National Assembly (NASS) to withdraw all entitlements and stop payments of salaries and allowances, including benefits to Messrs Fadahunsi, Fadeyi, Olusanya and Ajilesoro.
It equally sought an order directing the embattled lawmakers to refund all salaries, emoluments, benefits and allowances received from the date of their resignation from PDP to the date of judgement, having unlawfully retained a legislative seat in violation of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.
The PDP said the court decision would be in strict compliance with Section 68(1)(g) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
APC
Meanwhile, the suits have yet to be assigned to a judge.
Recall that the Osun State PDP chapter had, recently, dragged Oluwole Oke, the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of the state, before Justice Emeka Nwite over his defection to the APC.
The state’s party continued to activate the provisions of the constitution as contained in Section 68(1)(g), bordering on the defection of legislators during the term for which they were elected.
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
EFCC releases ex-AGF Malami after hours of interrogation. He said he would return for further questioning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, after hours of interrogation by the anti-graft team.
Mr Malami confirmed his release in his X account on Saturday. The former minister said that he had been released and scheduled for another meeting with investigators.
He said that the reality behind the “fabricated allegations” levelled against him would become clearer with time.
“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold.”
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
The EFCC had summoned Mr Malami through a letter dated November 24, and signed by Sunday Ofen-Imu on behalf of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC did not disclose the specific allegations for which Mr Malami was invited.
Kano NSCDC Nabs 11 Suspected Hoodlums With Dangerous Weapons
Kano NSCDC nabs 11 suspected hoodlums with dangerous weapons. According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, the suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State command, says it has arrested a gang of 11 suspected hoodlums found in possession of dangerous weapons in Mariri, Kumbotso Local Government Area.
This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Kano by the command’s public relations officer, SC Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi.
He listed the suspects as Idris Muhammad,20, Abubakar Shuaibu,24, Sagiru Hassan Yusuf, 25, Idris Muhammad Morata, 25, and Anas Rabiu, 23.
Others were Yahaya Muhammad, 29, Khalid Idris, 28, Muhammad Adamu, 19, Muktar Auwal Muktar ,22, Salim Muktar, 18, and Saifullahi Nuhu,18.
According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, operatives of the command apprehended the suspects on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m, armed with dangerous local weapons.
NSCDC
“The gang was on a rampage after attending a local traditional festival in Mariri area and were attacking residents and dispossessing them of their belongings.
“The gang also stormed a nearby NSCDC outpost in Mariri, attacked and left a staff fractured in the office” he said
Idris-Abdullahi listed the items recovered to include six cutlasses, swords and a pair of scissors.
He added that the command’s intelligence and investigation department had concluded investigations and the suspects would be charged to court.
Idris-Abdullahi quoted the state commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, as reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities, protecting critical national assets and safeguarding public peace in Kano State.
Lagos Police Nab 26 Over Counterfeit Currency, Adulterated Diesel
Lagos Police nab 26 over counterfeit currency, adulterated diesel. The police said N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The police command in Lagos has apprehended 26 suspects over counterfeit currency and adulterated diesel in the Eti-Osa and Lekki areas. The command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.
She said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday afternoon during a joint operation conducted by police officers and officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline.
According to her, a total of N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The spokesperson said investigations revealed that four of the suspects were directly involved in the production and distribution of adulterated diesel and engine oil, locally known as ‘rice and beans’.
“The illicit product was sold to unsuspecting motorists across the area. Two other suspects were identified as suppliers of the adulterated petroleum products,” she said.
Police Arrests
Ms Adebisi said that police commissioner Olohundare Jimoh warned all criminally minded individuals to desist from their nefarious activities.
“CP Jimoh cautioned that anyone involved in acts that threaten public peace or economic stability will face the full weight of the law,” she said.
She assured residents that Lagos remains safe, reiterating that the command is in control of the security situation and has prioritised the safety and well-being of all residents.
She urged the public to provide credible and timely information that could assist the police in apprehending criminals and preventing crime.
“Public cooperation remains essential to sustaining the peace and security for which Lagos state is known,” she said.
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