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Just In: Court Stops Adeleke From Presenting Staff Of Office To Iree Monarch
Barely one month after the court sacked a monarch appointed by Governor Ademola Adeleke, Justice Micheal Awe, stopped him from presenting staff of office to the second king of Iree, Oba Muritala Oyelakin.
Recall that two kings emerged as the Aree of Iree in the Boripe local government area of Osun state after Adeleke rejected the appointment of Oba Ademola Ponnle by his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola and appointed Muritala Oyelakin as king.
However, there has been a crisis in the community over the emergence of two kings and kingmakers shunning the traditional rites of Oba Oyelakin.
Subsequently, Saturday, May 5, was fixed for the presentation of the certificate, instrument, and staff of the office to Oba Oyelakin as the Aree of Iree.
However, Justice Awe of the State High Court sitting in Ikirun, Osun State restrained Governor Adeleke, his government, and four traditional chiefs including the king, Oba Oyelakin from going ahead with the ceremony of presentation of staff of office.
The Certified True Copy of the enrollment order obtained by The Nation on Friday, May 3, which stated that Oba Ademola Ponnle in suit number HOS/20/2024 dragged the Osun State governor joined by eight others and prayed to the court to stop the ceremony.
Justice Awe granted the prayers of Oba Ponnle of stopping the presentation of the staff of the office to Oba Oyelakin on Saturday.
The order read: “I have no doubt in my mind having considered the deposition of the Applicant together with the attached Exhibits as well as counsel’s submissions on same that this Application ought to succeed. There is indeed an urgent need to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction also filed in respect of the same matter.
“Accordingly, the Claimant/Applicant’s application succeeds and it is hereby ordered as prayed. And specifically, the Governor of Osun and other respondents are hereby restrained from issuing Prince Muritala Oyelakin with a Certificate, instrument, and/ or Staff of Office as the Aree of Iree or taking any further steps in formally installing him.”
The order noted that Oyelakin must not take any instrument and/ or Staff of Office as the Aree of Iree or take any further steps in formally installing him pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction filed in respect of the same subject.
Justice Awe hereby fixed the hearing on the matter to Wednesday, May 8.
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries, through his legal representative, has formally submitted a corruption petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This was disclosed in a statement made available to our correspondent by the Dangote Group media team on Friday.
Recall that Dangote had earlier petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate Ahmed for allegedly spending $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. He withdrew the petition a few days ago, even as the ICPC vowed to continue with its investigation.
The statement on Friday said Dangote’s petition to the EFCC followed “The withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”
In the petition, signed by Lead Counsel Dr O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Ahmed, and to prosecute him if found culpable.
The petition further stated that Dangote would provide evidence to substantiate claims of financial misconduct and impunity.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624) 337,” the petition read.
Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, “To investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.”
The Rivers State House of Assembly formally recommenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
This marks the second time within ten months that the state legislature has initiated such a move.
At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally read the notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.
The notice, which was endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of actions allegedly in violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
Amaewhule announced that the notice would be served on the governor within the next seven days.
During the same sitting, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read the notice of allegations and gross misconduct leveled against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh.
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Supreme Court: President Has Power To Declare Emergency Rule, Remove Elected Officials
The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the President holds the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in any state where circumstances threaten public safety or governance.
According to the ruling, this authority may be exercised to prevent a serious breakdown of law and order or to stop conditions from deteriorating into chaos or anarchy.
The court emphasized that such powers are intended to safeguard national stability and ensure the continued functioning of democratic institutions when extraordinary situations arise.
It noted that emergency measures are justified only in exceptional cases where normal governance mechanisms are unable to effectively address escalating crises.
More details later…
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