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UPDATED: Court adjourns Orji Kalu’s arraignment as EFCC seeks transfer

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The Federal High Court Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned the arraignment of Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, charged for alleged N7.1 billion fraud until June 7.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was to arraign Kalu, following a Supreme Court order that he and his co-defendants in fraud charge be retried, having quashed the 12-year jail sentence handed to them by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

When the matter was called, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Chile Okoronma, told the court that there was a preliminary matter that needed to be resolved before the former Abia governor could be arraigned.

According to Okoronma, the prosecution has written a letter to the Chief Judge of the court seeking a transfer of the matter to the Lagos division of the Court.

“Looking at the charge sheet, no element of any of the offenses took place in Abuja.

“We will be asking that the matter be adjourned “sine die” (indefinitely) while we await the response from the chief judge,” Okoronma submitted.

He held that proceeding with the matter in the Abuja division of the court would be an exercise in futility.

The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, however, refused to adjourn the matter indefinitely and insisted that counsel should take a specific date to return to court.

He subsequently adjourned the matter until June 7 for a report on whether it should be transferred to Lagos or not

“Having rejected an application for an adjournment sine die, I hereby make an order adjourning this matter until June 7,” the judge ruled.

Kalu was convicted by the Lagos Division of the Court on Dec. 5, 2019 and sentenced to 12 years in prison for N7. 65 billion fraud.

He was convicted for defrauding the government of Abia where he was a governor for 8 years using his company, Slok Nigeria Limited.However, the Supreme Court, in its judgement on May 8, 2020, quashed the conviction and ordered that the defendants be retried by the EFCC.

In a unanimous decision by a seven-man panel of justices, the Supreme Court, nullified the entire proceedings that led to Kalu’s conviction.

The apex court held the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, was already elevated to the Court of Appeal, as at the time he sat and delivered judgement against Kalu and his co-defendants.

It noted that Justice Idris was no longer a judge of the Federal High Court as at Dec. 5, 2019, when the former governor and the other defendants were found guilty of charges against them.(NAN)

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Eid-el-Kabir: Let’s Peace, Unity And Selflessness Be Our Watchword, Olowu Urges Muslim Ummah, Nigerians

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Olowu of Kuta, HRM Oba Dr Hammed Makama Oyelude, CON, Tegbosun iii, has urged muslim Ummah and Nigerians to let peace , unity and selflessness be their watchword as the world observe the Eid-el-Kabir

The reverred monarch in his sallah message said Eid-el-Kabir remains a highly spiritual occasion that calls for dedication, commitment, and selflessness.
According to him, ” this is the time to reflect on the going on around us and preach messages of hope and unity devoid of any provocation.”
Oba Makama urged Nigerians to live together peacefully, irrespective of religious, political, and tribal affliation.
While calling on politicians to exercise restraint and refrain from any rhetoric that may inflame passion as we approach 2027 general elections, Oba Makama said what should be uppermost in the mind of every patriotic Nigerian is “Country first.”
The monarch, while wishing every Nigerian a peaceful celebration, maintained that people should be vigilant and not be overwhelmed by the insecurity, adding that armed forces and other para military forces are working round the clock to ensure hitch free celebration.
” The price wise men pay for eternal liberty is to be vigilant. I urged everyone to be moderate in celebration and reach out to the less privileged, widows and orphans “as our brothers and sisters keeppers,” Olowu added.

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Tinubu Emerges APC Presidential Candidate After Nationwide Direct Primary

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….President Tinubu polls 10,999,162 votes, declared winner.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the winner of its presidential primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party commenced the collation of results from its nationwide presidential shadow election at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja following the conclusion of voting on Saturday, May 23.

In a significant shift from the delegate-based system often associated with controversy, the APC adopted a direct primary method for the exercise. The election was conducted simultaneously across the party’s 8,809 wards in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Under the direct primary system, all registered members of the party were eligible to vote for their preferred presidential aspirant, a move party leaders described as part of efforts to strengthen internal democracy and encourage wider grassroots participation.

The final stage of the process is being supervised by a seven-member Presidential Primary Election Committee chaired by former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

Other members of the committee include former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Grace Titi Laoye-Ponle, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, former Kogi State Governor Idris Wada, and Sanusi Musa, who serves as the committee secretary.

The atmosphere at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre remained charged as governors, party chairmen, and designated collation officers arrived to present certified results from their respective states before the Anyim-led committee.

Governors coordinating the exercise in their states took turns presenting the official results as the party concluded the nationwide primary process.

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Tinubu Commends APC Primaries, Describes Exercise as Victory for Internal Democracy

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…President expresses satisfaction with governors’ handling of exercise

…Says party members’ support places greater responsibility on him

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday described the ongoing presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a demonstration of internal democracy and grassroots participation, expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise across the country.

The President spoke with journalists after participating in the primary election at Ward L2, Ikoyi, Lagos, where he commended state governors and party officials for managing the process.

President Tinubu, who arrived at the venue alongside the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was received by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos APC Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, former Minister of Finance Wale Edun, and other party leaders.

According to him, the exercise has so far reflected the democratic ideals of inclusiveness and orderly participation within the ruling party.

“This is a demonstration of internal democracy and it has been going very well according to plan.

“This is politics, grassroots politics, where every member of the party has a right to participate and be involved. It’s to ensure that we have an internal democracy and it’s peaceful and well-organized”, Tinubu said.

Responding to questions on whether he was satisfied with the manner governors had handled the process in their respective states, the President said the conduct of the primaries had met expectations.

“Today, I am very satisfied, very, very satisfied that these governors have done well in their various states.

“In fact, from the ward congresses to local government congresses, to the delegate accreditation, validation, members register, and certification of the electoral process, it has been all very well. At least, you will score democracy at a high level”, he said.

The President also reacted to the large turnout and expressions of support from party members and supporters at the venue, saying the show of confidence increased the responsibility on him.

“I’m just excited. They challenge me more,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu reiterated that the APC remained committed to transparent and inclusive democratic processes that allow party members at the grassroots to freely determine their leaders and representatives.

He further commended electoral officials, party leaders and security agencies for ensuring a peaceful and credible exercise, while urging Nigerians to continue supporting democratic institutions and national unity.

The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to democratic ideals, good governance and policies aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians while strengthening political stability across the country.

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