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Scene of the attack. SaharaReporters Media

Suspected armed robbers have attacked some banks in Ile Oluji under Oke Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

A trader, Mrs Remilekun Araola, revealed that the robbers gained entry into the bank through the use of dynamites. 

She disclosed that no fewer than four persons have been killed in the robbery attack.  Scene of the attack SaharaReporters Media

According to her, two policemen whose identities are not known, were part of those killed by the robbers. 

"We have called the police to immediately report the robbery incident because it is like a war zone. 

"They have been able to attack two banks in the town.  Scene of the attack SaharaReporters Media

"They killed two policemen and two other traders who are very closer to the banks", she said. 

Femi Joseph, spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, confirmed the attack in a chat with our correspondent.  Scene of the attack SaharaReporters Media

"The details are not yet clear to us but our men have been deployed to the scene," he said.

 

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Scene of the attack. SaharaReporters Media

Suspected armed robbers have attacked some banks in Ile Oluji under Oke Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

A trader, Mrs Remilekun Araola, revealed that the robbers gained entry into the bank through the use of dynamites. 

She disclosed that no fewer than four persons have been killed in the robbery attack.  Scene of the attack SaharaReporters Media

According to her, two policemen whose identities are not known, were part of those killed by the robbers. 

"We have called the police to immediately report the robbery incident because it is like a war zone. 

"They have been able to attack two banks in the town.  Scene of the attack SaharaReporters Media

"They killed two policemen and two other traders who are very closer to the banks", she said. 

Femi Joseph, spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, confirmed the attack in a chat with our correspondent.  Scene of the attack SaharaReporters Media

"The details are not yet clear to us but our men have been deployed to the scene," he said.

 

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A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced to six years imprisonment an Italy-bound traveller, Amobi Okoye, who hid cocaine in his stomach.

Justice Jude Dagat convicted Okoye for attempted unlawful export of 1.030 kilogrammes of cocaine following a six-year trial.

The sentence, which was without an option of fine, took effect from judgment day. 

The judge held that prosecution counsel, Mrs Juliana Imaobong Irubochi, successfully proved the National Drug Law Enforcement case against the defendant “beyond reasonable doubt.”

He said the defence put up by the defendant was “not strong enough” to free him from the charge.

Justice Dagat noted that the defendant admitted being promised $4,000 if he successfully delivered the cocaine to one ‘KC’ in Italy.

Besides sentencing Amobi, Justice Dagat forfeited the convict’s passports to the Federal Government and ordered that the drugs be destroyed if there is no appeal against the judgment.

Okoye was arrested on or about February 7, 2014 at the departure hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, during outward clearance of an Alitalia flight to Italy.

The cocaine was said to have been discovered in his stomach at Screening Point 2 of the airport.

He was arraigned on a one-count charge of unlawful export of the said banned drug.

Mrs Irubochi said the offence contravened Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Amobi pleaded not guilty and was admitted to bail.

During the trial, the prosecutor called nine witnesses and tendered 12 exhibits, including the convict’s two ECOWAS passports; sample of the drug; an Alitalia E-ticket; boarding pass; the bulk of the seized drug, his confessional statement, among others.

At the close of the prosecution’s case, the convict testified in his defence against the charge. 
 

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A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced to six years imprisonment an Italy-bound traveller, Amobi Okoye, who hid cocaine in his stomach.

Justice Jude Dagat convicted Okoye for attempted unlawful export of 1.030 kilogrammes of cocaine following a six-year trial.

The sentence, which was without an option of fine, took effect from judgment day. 

The judge held that prosecution counsel, Mrs Juliana Imaobong Irubochi, successfully proved the National Drug Law Enforcement case against the defendant “beyond reasonable doubt.”

He said the defence put up by the defendant was “not strong enough” to free him from the charge.

Justice Dagat noted that the defendant admitted being promised $4,000 if he successfully delivered the cocaine to one ‘KC’ in Italy.

Besides sentencing Amobi, Justice Dagat forfeited the convict’s passports to the Federal Government and ordered that the drugs be destroyed if there is no appeal against the judgment.

Okoye was arrested on or about February 7, 2014 at the departure hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, during outward clearance of an Alitalia flight to Italy.

The cocaine was said to have been discovered in his stomach at Screening Point 2 of the airport.

He was arraigned on a one-count charge of unlawful export of the said banned drug.

Mrs Irubochi said the offence contravened Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Amobi pleaded not guilty and was admitted to bail.

During the trial, the prosecutor called nine witnesses and tendered 12 exhibits, including the convict’s two ECOWAS passports; sample of the drug; an Alitalia E-ticket; boarding pass; the bulk of the seized drug, his confessional statement, among others.

At the close of the prosecution’s case, the convict testified in his defence against the charge. 
 

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed dates for the Edo and Ondo states 2020 governorship elections.

The commission announced this on Thursday, fixing 19th of September 2020 and 10th of October 2020 for Edo and Ondo states respectively.

In the timetable for the election activities for Edo State governorship election, INEC stated that conduct of primary election and resolution of disputes arising from primaries would be between 2nd of June to 27th of June while campaign would kickstart on the 21st of June.

INEC fixed 17th of September for the end of campaign, stating that "Section 99(1)  of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides 90 days for the commencement of campaigns by political parties and end of same 24 hours before polling day."

For Ondo State, the commission fixed 2nd of July to 25th of July for the conduct of primary election and resolution of disputes arising from primaries "to enable political parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010."

The electoral commission fixed 8th of October for the end of the campaign while the election would be on the 10th of October.
 

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed dates for the Edo and Ondo states 2020 governorship elections.

The commission announced this on Thursday, fixing 19th of September 2020 and 10th of October 2020 for Edo and Ondo states respectively.

In the timetable for the election activities for Edo State governorship election, INEC stated that conduct of primary election and resolution of disputes arising from primaries would be between 2nd of June to 27th of June while campaign would kickstart on the 21st of June.

INEC fixed 17th of September for the end of campaign, stating that "Section 99(1)  of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides 90 days for the commencement of campaigns by political parties and end of same 24 hours before polling day."

For Ondo State, the commission fixed 2nd of July to 25th of July for the conduct of primary election and resolution of disputes arising from primaries "to enable political parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010."

The electoral commission fixed 8th of October for the end of the campaign while the election would be on the 10th of October.
 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed dates for the Edo and Ondo states 2020 governorship elections.

The commission announced this on Thursday, fixing 19th of September 2020 and 10th of October 2020 for Edo and Ondo states respectively.

In the timetable for the election activities for Edo State governorship election, INEC stated that conduct of primary election and resolution of disputes arising from primaries would be between 2nd of June to 27th of June while campaign would kickstart on the 21st of June.

INEC fixed 17th of September for the end of campaign, stating that "Section 99(1)  of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides 90 days for the commencement of campaigns by political parties and end of same 24 hours before polling day."

For Ondo State, the commission fixed 2nd of July to 25th of July for the conduct of primary election and resolution of disputes arising from primaries "to enable political parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010."

The electoral commission fixed 8th of October for the end of the campaign while the election would be on the 10th of October.
 

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The trial of Omotola Fawehinmi, an employee of Zenith Bank Plc standing trial for an alleged N700m fraud, continued with the first prosecution witness, Prosper Eyitayo, narrating how the defendant authorised the fraudulent transactions.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Fawehinmi before Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on a five-count charge of forgery and failure to carry out due diligence.

One of the counts reads, “That you, Omotola Fawehinmi sometime in February 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, aided the forgery of a document titled “Transfer of funds via RTGS-1014152125,” dated 19th of June 2015 to the prejudice of Zenith Bank Plc, who in the belief that the said document was signed by Uka Chidi Udo, was induced to debit the account of Mobilng Huil Service Ltd to the tune of N394,916,175.66 and you thereby committed an offence, punishable under Section (C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act. CAP M17 Laws of the Federation 2004.”

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when he was first arraigned on August 1, 2019, thus setting the stage for the commencement of his trial.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Eyitayo told the court that the bank received some instructions to debit the account of Mobilng Huil Services Limited with certain sums of money, which were confirmed by the defendant.

Eyitayo said, “Exhibit B1, comprises five transfer instructions, purportedly emanating from Mobilng Huil Services Limited that the bank relied on to move money out of the account of Mobilng Huil Services Limited and these debit transactions are reflected in the Statement of Account in Exhibit A.

“In June 22, 2015, there was a debit in the account of Mobilng Huil Services Ltd in the sum of Three Hundred and Ninety-four Million, Nine Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-five Naira, Sixty-six Kobo (N394,916,175.66).

“Likewise, on the 31st of August 2015, there was a debit in the account of Mobilng Huil Services Limited to the tune of One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira (N115m). On the 28th of August 2015, there was a debit on the account of Mobilng Huil Services Limited in the sum of One Hundred and Forty Million Naira (N140m).

“Also in September 2016, the sum of One Hundred Million (N100M) was debited from the account of Mobilng Huil Services Limited.

“All these transactions were confirmed and authorised by the defendant, Omotola Fawenhimi.”

Eyitayo further told the court that the defendant was no more in the services of the bank, adding that he had been dismissed because of a case of fraud that was perpetrated on an account he was managing.

The matter was been adjourned for continuation of trial.

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The trial of Omotola Fawehinmi, an employee of Zenith Bank Plc standing trial for an alleged N700m fraud, continued with the first prosecution witness, Prosper Eyitayo, narrating how the defendant authorised the fraudulent transactions.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Fawehinmi before Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on a five-count charge of forgery and failure to carry out due diligence.

One of the counts reads, “That you, Omotola Fawehinmi sometime in February 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, aided the forgery of a document titled “Transfer of funds via RTGS-1014152125,” dated 19th of June 2015 to the prejudice of Zenith Bank Plc, who in the belief that the said document was signed by Uka Chidi Udo, was induced to debit the account of Mobilng Huil Service Ltd to the tune of N394,916,175.66 and you thereby committed an offence, punishable under Section (C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act. CAP M17 Laws of the Federation 2004.”

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when he was first arraigned on August 1, 2019, thus setting the stage for the commencement of his trial.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Eyitayo told the court that the bank received some instructions to debit the account of Mobilng Huil Services Limited with certain sums of money, which were confirmed by the defendant.

Eyitayo said, “Exhibit B1, comprises five transfer instructions, purportedly emanating from Mobilng Huil Services Limited that the bank relied on to move money out of the account of Mobilng Huil Services Limited and these debit transactions are reflected in the Statement of Account in Exhibit A.

“In June 22, 2015, there was a debit in the account of Mobilng Huil Services Ltd in the sum of Three Hundred and Ninety-four Million, Nine Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-five Naira, Sixty-six Kobo (N394,916,175.66).

“Likewise, on the 31st of August 2015, there was a debit in the account of Mobilng Huil Services Limited to the tune of One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira (N115m). On the 28th of August 2015, there was a debit on the account of Mobilng Huil Services Limited in the sum of One Hundred and Forty Million Naira (N140m).

“Also in September 2016, the sum of One Hundred Million (N100M) was debited from the account of Mobilng Huil Services Limited.

“All these transactions were confirmed and authorised by the defendant, Omotola Fawenhimi.”

Eyitayo further told the court that the defendant was no more in the services of the bank, adding that he had been dismissed because of a case of fraud that was perpetrated on an account he was managing.

The matter was been adjourned for continuation of trial.

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As the Independent National Electoral Commission deregisters 74 political parties in the country, Nigeria now has 18 parties.

The electoral commission said the deregistered party did not satisfy the requirements of the fourth alteration to the constitution.

INEC added that the Action Peoples Party filed a suit in court and obtained an order restraining the commission from deregistering it, "consequently, the party remains registered pending the determination of the case by the court."

With the deregistration, political parties in the country are now the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Accord, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, Action Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Allied People's Movement, Labour Party and New Nigeria People's Party. 

Others are: National Rescue Movement, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Young Progressive Party, Zenith Labour Party, Boot Party and Action People's Party.

The deregistered parties are Advanced Allied Party, All Blending Party, Advanced Congress Of Democrats, Allied Congress Party Of Nigeria, Alliance For Democracy, All Grassroots Alliance, All Grand Alliance Party, Advanced Nigeria, Democratic Party, Alliance For New Nigeria, Alliance National Party, Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party, African People Alliance, Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance, Alternative Party Of Nigeria, Alliance Of Social Democrats, Alliance For A United Nigeria, Better Nigeria Progressive Party, Change Advocacy Party, Coalition For Change, Change Nigeria Party, Congress Of Patriots, Democratic Alternative, Democratic People’s Congress, Democratic People’s Party, Fresh Democratic Party, Freedom And Justice Party, Grassroots Development Party Of Nigeria, Green Party Of Nigeria, Hope Democratic Party, Independent Democrats, Justice Must Prevail Party, Kowa Party, Liberation Movement, Legacy Party Of Nigeria, Mass Action Joint Alliance and Modern Democratic Party. 

Others are Masses Movement Of Nigeria, Mega Party Of Nigeria, Movement For The Restoration And Defence Of Democracy, National Action Council, Nigeria Community Movement Party, National Conscience Party, Nigeria Democratic Congress Party, National Democratic Liberty Party, Nigeria Elements Progressive Party, Nigeria For Democracy, New Generation Party Of Nigeria, National Interest Party, Nigeria People’s Congress, New Progressive Movement, National Unity Party, People’s Coalition Party, People For Democratic Change, People’s Democratic Movement, Progressive People’s Alliance, Providence People's Congress, People’s Party Of Nigeria, People’s Progressive Party, People's Trust, Reform And Advancement Party, Re-Build Nigeria Party, Restoration Party Of Nigeria, Save Nigeria Congress, Sustainable National Party, Socialist Party Of Nigeria, United Democratic Party, United Patriots, United People’s Congress, Unity Party Of Nigeria, United Progressive Party, We The People Nigeria, Young Democratic Party, Yes Electorates Solidarity and Youth Party.

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As the Independent National Electoral Commission deregisters 74 political parties in the country, Nigeria now has 18 parties.

The electoral commission said the deregistered party did not satisfy the requirements of the fourth alteration to the constitution.

INEC added that the Action Peoples Party filed a suit in court and obtained an order restraining the commission from deregistering it, "consequently, the party remains registered pending the determination of the case by the court."

With the deregistration, political parties in the country are now the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Accord, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, Action Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Allied People's Movement, Labour Party and New Nigeria People's Party. 

Others are: National Rescue Movement, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Young Progressive Party, Zenith Labour Party, Boot Party and Action People's Party.

The deregistered parties are Advanced Allied Party, All Blending Party, Advanced Congress Of Democrats, Allied Congress Party Of Nigeria, Alliance For Democracy, All Grassroots Alliance, All Grand Alliance Party, Advanced Nigeria, Democratic Party, Alliance For New Nigeria, Alliance National Party, Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party, African People Alliance, Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance, Alternative Party Of Nigeria, Alliance Of Social Democrats, Alliance For A United Nigeria, Better Nigeria Progressive Party, Change Advocacy Party, Coalition For Change, Change Nigeria Party, Congress Of Patriots, Democratic Alternative, Democratic People’s Congress, Democratic People’s Party, Fresh Democratic Party, Freedom And Justice Party, Grassroots Development Party Of Nigeria, Green Party Of Nigeria, Hope Democratic Party, Independent Democrats, Justice Must Prevail Party, Kowa Party, Liberation Movement, Legacy Party Of Nigeria, Mass Action Joint Alliance and Modern Democratic Party. 

Others are Masses Movement Of Nigeria, Mega Party Of Nigeria, Movement For The Restoration And Defence Of Democracy, National Action Council, Nigeria Community Movement Party, National Conscience Party, Nigeria Democratic Congress Party, National Democratic Liberty Party, Nigeria Elements Progressive Party, Nigeria For Democracy, New Generation Party Of Nigeria, National Interest Party, Nigeria People’s Congress, New Progressive Movement, National Unity Party, People’s Coalition Party, People For Democratic Change, People’s Democratic Movement, Progressive People’s Alliance, Providence People's Congress, People’s Party Of Nigeria, People’s Progressive Party, People's Trust, Reform And Advancement Party, Re-Build Nigeria Party, Restoration Party Of Nigeria, Save Nigeria Congress, Sustainable National Party, Socialist Party Of Nigeria, United Democratic Party, United Patriots, United People’s Congress, Unity Party Of Nigeria, United Progressive Party, We The People Nigeria, Young Democratic Party, Yes Electorates Solidarity and Youth Party.

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As the Independent National Electoral Commission deregisters 74 political parties in the country, Nigeria now has 18 parties.

The electoral commission said the deregistered party did not satisfy the requirements of the fourth alteration to the constitution.

INEC added that the Action Peoples Party filed a suit in court and obtained an order restraining the commission from deregistering it, "consequently, the party remains registered pending the determination of the case by the court."

With the deregistration, political parties in the country are now the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Accord, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, Action Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Allied People's Movement, Labour Party and New Nigeria People's Party. 

Others are: National Rescue Movement, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Young Progressive Party, Zenith Labour Party, Boot Party and Action People's Party.

The deregistered parties are Advanced Allied Party, All Blending Party, Advanced Congress Of Democrats, Allied Congress Party Of Nigeria, Alliance For Democracy, All Grassroots Alliance, All Grand Alliance Party, Advanced Nigeria, Democratic Party, Alliance For New Nigeria, Alliance National Party, Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party, African People Alliance, Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance, Alternative Party Of Nigeria, Alliance Of Social Democrats, Alliance For A United Nigeria, Better Nigeria Progressive Party, Change Advocacy Party, Coalition For Change, Change Nigeria Party, Congress Of Patriots, Democratic Alternative, Democratic People’s Congress, Democratic People’s Party, Fresh Democratic Party, Freedom And Justice Party, Grassroots Development Party Of Nigeria, Green Party Of Nigeria, Hope Democratic Party, Independent Democrats, Justice Must Prevail Party, Kowa Party, Liberation Movement, Legacy Party Of Nigeria, Mass Action Joint Alliance and Modern Democratic Party. 

Others are Masses Movement Of Nigeria, Mega Party Of Nigeria, Movement For The Restoration And Defence Of Democracy, National Action Council, Nigeria Community Movement Party, National Conscience Party, Nigeria Democratic Congress Party, National Democratic Liberty Party, Nigeria Elements Progressive Party, Nigeria For Democracy, New Generation Party Of Nigeria, National Interest Party, Nigeria People’s Congress, New Progressive Movement, National Unity Party, People’s Coalition Party, People For Democratic Change, People’s Democratic Movement, Progressive People’s Alliance, Providence People's Congress, People’s Party Of Nigeria, People’s Progressive Party, People's Trust, Reform And Advancement Party, Re-Build Nigeria Party, Restoration Party Of Nigeria, Save Nigeria Congress, Sustainable National Party, Socialist Party Of Nigeria, United Democratic Party, United Patriots, United People’s Congress, Unity Party Of Nigeria, United Progressive Party, We The People Nigeria, Young Democratic Party, Yes Electorates Solidarity and Youth Party.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ilorin Zonal Office, on February 5, 2020 secured the final forfeiture of a building belonging to Adebayo Sanni, immediate past Executive Director of Harmony Holdings Limited of Kwara State Government.

Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin granted the application filed by the counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, after the respondent failed to show up in court to challenge the legality of the proceedings.

Ola, while moving the application, told the presiding judge that, "My lord, we have a motion dated 14th day of January 2020, it was brought pursuant to section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act No 14, 2006, section 44v(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the inherent jurisdiction of this honourable court."

According to Ola, the motion was seeking for "an order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the landed property with appurtenances situated at 11, Catchment Road, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State found and recovered by the commission from the respondent which is believed to have been acquired through the proceeds of unlawful activity".

He further urged the court to look at the merit of application and all the exhibits attached in granting the request.

The applicant, in a 35-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Denis Nnachi, an investigative officer with the EFCC said, "Investigations revealed that the Ex-Kwara executive director fraudulently sold five plots of land belonging to the Kwara State Government in Galadimawa area of Abuja and used it to construct the building in question."

He added that, "The respondent used his position as Executive Director of Harmony Holdings Limited to influence the award of contracts to several companies where he had interest.

"It was discovered that the property known as 11, Catchment Road , GRA, Ilorin, was constructed and developed using proceeds of unlawful activity."

Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Oyinloye said, "I have seen the hearing notice duly served on the defendant, it is clear evidence before me that the respondent was duly served with the hearing notice of this proceedings, the respondent did not file any paper to challenge the legality of this proceedings or claim ownership of the property in question.

"I accept, believe and rely on all the 35 paragraphs affidavit filed by the applicant.

"Though the application was not challenged but I consider it meritorious. The property is hereby forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria."

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ilorin Zonal Office, on February 5, 2020 secured the final forfeiture of a building belonging to Adebayo Sanni, immediate past Executive Director of Harmony Holdings Limited of Kwara State Government.

Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin granted the application filed by the counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, after the respondent failed to show up in court to challenge the legality of the proceedings.

Ola, while moving the application, told the presiding judge that, "My lord, we have a motion dated 14th day of January 2020, it was brought pursuant to section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act No 14, 2006, section 44v(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the inherent jurisdiction of this honourable court."

According to Ola, the motion was seeking for "an order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the landed property with appurtenances situated at 11, Catchment Road, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State found and recovered by the commission from the respondent which is believed to have been acquired through the proceeds of unlawful activity".

He further urged the court to look at the merit of application and all the exhibits attached in granting the request.

The applicant, in a 35-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Denis Nnachi, an investigative officer with the EFCC said, "Investigations revealed that the Ex-Kwara executive director fraudulently sold five plots of land belonging to the Kwara State Government in Galadimawa area of Abuja and used it to construct the building in question."

He added that, "The respondent used his position as Executive Director of Harmony Holdings Limited to influence the award of contracts to several companies where he had interest.

"It was discovered that the property known as 11, Catchment Road , GRA, Ilorin, was constructed and developed using proceeds of unlawful activity."

Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Oyinloye said, "I have seen the hearing notice duly served on the defendant, it is clear evidence before me that the respondent was duly served with the hearing notice of this proceedings, the respondent did not file any paper to challenge the legality of this proceedings or claim ownership of the property in question.

"I accept, believe and rely on all the 35 paragraphs affidavit filed by the applicant.

"Though the application was not challenged but I consider it meritorious. The property is hereby forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria."

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One week after the Supreme Court overturned the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of Imo State and installed Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC), nine lawmakers in the state house of assembly abandoned their party and joined the “winning team”. 
 
Four of them were elected on the platform of the Action Alliance (AA); two were members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); and three were from the PDP which, until two weeks ago, was the ruling party in the state. 
 
The defection was announced on the floor of the House by the speaker. A week after that (January 28 precisely), the speaker would himself defect to the APC, taking eight more PDP lawmakers with him. 
One of them, Eddy Obinna, is the from Aboh Mbaise the same local government where Ihedioha also hails from. Obinna is supposed to be very close to his former governor, even a die-hard supporter. 
 
Ihedioha and his party haven't totally given up. They still believe the Supreme Court would review the controversial verdict. Yet, it didn't take Obinna very long after the court judgement to conclude that Ihedioha wasn't worth following and that not only is the grass greener on the APC side, the gravy train could still admit some passengers. 
If Uzodinma thought he would meet any resistance, he must be surprised about how quickly the turncoats lined up, without a thought for their former benefactor. The few who resisted were promptly executed, so to say. The first sign of trouble came with the resignation of Okey Onyekanma as deputy speaker of the assembly. If he thought there would be enough of his colleagues to follow in his footsteps, he was wrong. Resistance was, and always will be, a very lonely road. 
 
Today, Onyekanma and five others who refused to join the APC are alleging attempts by the Speaker, Chiji Collins, to blackmail them into falling in line with the rest. While Ihedioha is out in the cold, Collins, the man he helped to become speaker, has overnight, become the biggest axe in the hands of the new ruling party in Imo. That is life – or perhaps, that is politicos Nigeriana. It does not matter that the new state assembly is a far cry from the one voted to power last year. Or that the common rule requires a clear and catastrophic split in a party as fundamental precondition for switching.
 
From ground zero, APC has usurped the majority PDP/AA/APGA-controlled house and enthroned itself as the dominant force in both the legislative and executive arms of government. 
 
Yet, Imo is coming late to the game. The moment former governor Ayo Fayose of PDP was sworn into office in October 2014, six members of the opposition APC defected to his party. All six were supposed to be loyalists of Kayode Fayemi who had just lost his governorship seat to Fayose. 
 
It was the first of many defections that eventually resulted in Fayose taking complete control of the 26-member assembly where PDP previously had only one seat. Fayose had not even left the inauguration ground, when supposed opposition lawmakers started trampling over themselves to declare loyalty to the new sheriff. 
 
Four years later, when Fayose was three days away from the end of his tenure and Fayemi was the in-coming governor, the tables were turned. Lawmakers in Ekiti State House of Assembly were falling over one another to distance themselves from the outgoing PDP governor. They didn't wait for him to leave office before impeaching the speaker he had installed and suspending House members who were determined to remain loyal to him.
A similar thing played out in Ondo State after Rotimi Akeredolu won the governorship election in 2017: the lawmakers trampled over themselves in pursuit of a slice of the pie until they were almost evenly divided between APC and PDP.  
 
Now, the same thing is playing out in Imo State, only this time the Supreme Court is the catalyst. Surely Marcus Brutus, the protege of Julius Caesar who conspired with other senators to assassinate him would be proud of Collins for perfecting the art of political treachery in a supposed democracy. 
But the national leadership of the opposition PDP cannot complain too loudly because Collins is a man with a history. The PDP did not lift a finger in protest when he dumped APGA on whose platform he was elected a house member, to join the PDP because he desperately coveted the post of speaker, which of course he got three days after his defection.  
 
That was on June 13, 2019. The House had barely been inaugurated before he betrayed APGA. But it was fine with PDP. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, the PDP is shouting “betrayal” and calling for Collins’ seat to be declared vacant along with those of the 17 lawmakers who have joined APC. 
 
The national publicity secretary of the party, Kola Ologbodiyan, quoted Section 108 (1) (g) of the constitution which says, "A member of the House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if... (g) being a person whose election to the House of Assembly by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected." 
 
That is provided his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored. 
It is fascinating to watch PDP look to the constitution to defend its electoral majority in the Imo State House Assembly. At the national level and in many states, PDP has consistently ignored the provisions of the law when the defections were in its favour. This is the same party that has made it difficult for INEC to implement the law when it comes to the defection of sitting lawmakers from one party to another. 
 
Over the years, the challenges faced by the commission forced it into taking the position that it lacked the power to declare a seat vacant. Declaring any seat vacant according to the commission, is the prerogative of the speaker. In this case, that would be Collins, who was elected on the platform of APGA only to defect to PDP when that was the pre-condition to get Ihedioha's support for the seat of speaker. 
 
And when all signs showed that Ihedioha and the PDP had become a sinking ship in Imo, he quickly found a new home in the arms of Uzodinma. If by chance, the Supreme Court reviews its own verdict in the election contest between the APC and PDP, and gives Ihedioha back his mandate, your guess is as good as mine the surfeit of summersaults guaranteed to happen just one more time.
 
If this shows anything at all, it is the sad fact that politicians blow with the wind and when all is said and done, the only thing that matters to them is their own stomachs. It’s politics of self above all.

Ishiekwene is the MD/Editor-In-Chief of The Interview
 

Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Azu Ishiekwene Disable advertisements : 
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