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Saraki reacts as court orders forfeiture of his houses

Published

6 years ago

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Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has insisted that the order given for the forfeiture of his property in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, is an abuse of court process and violation of a subsisting order of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

On Monday, a Federal High Court in Lagos, ordered the forfeiture of two houses belonging to Saraki, based on an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

However in a statement, Saraki’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, alleged that the claim that the property were built with the proceeds of fraud was false.

He said the court had given an order “restraining the respondents (Commission) by themselves, their subordinates, agents, servants, or privies howsoever, from seizing, impounding, taking over, confiscating or otherwise forfeiting the Applicant’s (Saraki) right to own and peacefully enjoy any of his assets and properties”.

“The EFCC’s claim that the Ilorin property was built by any proceed of fraud is outrightly false. The fact is that the Ilorin property was built partly by the Kwara State Government pursuant to the Third Schedule of the Governor and Deputy Governor (Payment of Pension) Law 2010 while Dr. Saraki personally funded the remaining cost of the building.

“There are existing letters from the Office of the Head of Service of Kwara State notifying the former Governor (Saraki) of the State Government’s compliance with the State Pension for Governor’s law and the one indicating his intention to bear the cost of the additional expenditure that will arise from building the property to his desired taste dated 25th January 2012 and 8th February 2012 respectively.

“The construction of the building did not commence until the last few weeks of Dr. Saraki’s tenure as Governor and the bulk of his contribution to the funding were made with cheques. Where cash was involved, this was mainly in 2012 and 2013, more than a year after he had left office as Governor.

“It should also be noted that the land on which the house is built is not a government allocated land.

“One can only see that EFCC is playing politics and spreading falsehood in its cheap attempt to witch-hunt and intimidate a perceived enemy.”

He expressed surprise that the EFCC “could not even hide its penchant for abusing the nation’s judicial institution as it engaged in forum shopping when it filed a suit in Lagos on a property situated in Ilorin.

“We will like to restate our earlier position that Dr. Saraki will contest this matter in court at least to further attest to his belief in the rule of law, the sanctity of the courts and their enduring readiness to do justice in all matters and to all persons.

“Let it be known that the usual claim by the EFCC that its actions were directed against corrupt elements does not apply to Dr. Saraki because he is a man who at every point in his public service has sought to institute transparency and accountability in governance.”

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Rivers Crisis: Full List Of 8 Misconduct Allegations Against Governor Fubara

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2 days ago

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January 9, 2026

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The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Ngozi Odu, issuing them a seven-day notice to respond to allegations of gross misconduct.

 

The Assembly cited eight specific allegations of gross misconduct as the basis for the move.

This is the third time Fubara and Odu would be facing impeachment proceedings from the Assembly since coming to office in 2023.

Attempts to impeach them in 2023 and 2025, amid political feuds between the Governor and his predecessor and erstwhile political god-father, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had been halted by presidential intervention.

Here are the allegations below:

1. Reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds

2. Unconstitutional misappropriation of public funds

3. Hindering the Rivers Assembly from performing its constitutional duties

4. Illegal appointments of persons without screening by the House of Assembly as provided by the Constitution

5. Seizure of salaries and funds meant for Assembly members

6. Seizure of salaries of the clerk of the Rivers House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi

7. Refusal to implement provisions of the Constitution on financial autonomy of the legislature and the judiciary

8. Withholding of funds meant for the running of the Rivers House of Assembly Service Commission and hindering its activities

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2027: SDP Will Defeat APC and Tinubu, Declares Lilian Adebayo

Published

2 months ago

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October 30, 2025

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Lilian Adebayo, the wife of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, has said that the party will unseat the ruling All Progressive Party at the 2027 election if Nigerians are true to themselves.

 

Mrs Adebayo made this assertion known on Wednesday during an interview with journalists after an event in Abuja.

 

According to her, the opposition party has overcome its crisis after the expulsion of its former chairman, Shehu Gabam and others.

 

She said Nigerians should vote the APC out in the 2027 general election due to the hardship the party has plunged citizens into.

 

“There is always a crisis in the party; the SPD has been able to handle its own. The problems in the party have been resolved.

 

“He has a great chance of winning the election if Nigerians are honest with themselves. If Nigerians think that the ones they consistently vote for would move the country forward, they live in denial,” she concerning the husband.

 

Recall that SDP recently expelled Gabam and other party executives.

 

The party’s state chairmen on Wednesday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the police to investigate Gabam over alleged misappropriation.

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Enugu Governor Peter Mbah Dumps PDP For APC

Published

3 months ago

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October 14, 2025

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In a significant political move, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

 

Mbah announced his decision during a televised broadcast in Enugu after weeks of speculation.

 

He said, “Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party and join the All Progressives Congress.”

 

Mbah explained that his decision to join the PDP was informed by the need to reshape Enugu and reorganise the politics of the state.

 

“Today, I stand before you to announce a break from the past and to share a decision that will shape the road ahead. This concerns our values, how we organize ourselves politically and how we secure the future of our project and our people.

 

“Leadership sometimes demands painful decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. And there comes a time, when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny.”

 

Ahead of the governor’s defection, all members of his cabinet had on joined the ruling party.

 

Governor Mbah’s Senior Media Aide, Dan Nwomeh, confirmed the mass defection in a video posted on his social media handles on Monday. In the video, several government officials were seen openly declaring their allegiance to the APC, chanting praises for President Bola Tinubu and affirming their commitment to the new party.

 

“Enugu State Cabinet Members join the APC with full chest along with Governor PN Mbah,” Nwomeh stated.

 

The officials, including commissioners and top aides, could be heard in the video declaring, “We are now in APC; tomorrow is here; it is APC all the way; it is Jagaban all the way; from top to bottom.”

 

The collective defection marks a significant political shift in Enugu State, which has been a PDP stronghold since 1999.

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