Communication

Court Grants Ex-governor Victor Attah’s N1.5b Suit Against AGF

Published

10 months ago

July 21, 2023

Blasphemy: Court Orders Hearing Notice To Be Served On Cleric, Counsel To Appear

A Federal High Court, Abuja has elected to hear a N1.5 billion defamation suit brought against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) by former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Victor Attah.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, dismissed the preliminary objection raised by the AGF, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

Attah, through his lawyer, Dr. Reuben Atabo, SAN, had sued the AGF as the sole defendant in the case.

In the ruling, Justice Nwite upheld the argument by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Atabo, that the subject of the case fell within the scope of the court’s jurisdictional competence as provided in Section 251 of the constitution.

The judge held that the suit was informed by the action of the AGF, “which emanated from the administrative action and decision of the Federal Government to retry the plaintiff for a crime which he was earlier charged, tried, discharged, and acquitted.

The case was n respect of money laundry, conspiracy, and abuse of office,” and in relation to which the AGF granted an interview that was published in national dailies, and prompting the plaintiff to sue.

“In the light of the above, I must say that the argument of the learned counsel to the defendant/applicant (the AGF) is misconceived.

“The main crux of the matter is not one pertaining to tort only; rather, it is one seeking declaratory reliefs as well as to stop the prosecution of the plaintiff for the second time.

“The authority relied on by the learned counsel to the defendant/applicant is of no moment as it is distinguishable from the instant case.

“In the light of the above, I am of the humble opinion that Section 251(1)(r) is applicable in this case and has vested this honourable court with the jurisdiction to hear and determine the instant suit.

“The application of the defendant is hereby dismissed,” Justice Nwite held.

The judge adjourned unltill Oct. 16 for hearing of the substantive suit.

NAN reports that in the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/646/2018, the ex-governor claimed that the immediate past AGF, Abubakar Malami, in 2016, named him among some ex-governors to be prosecuted by the National Prosecution Coordination Committee (NPCC) for alleged corruption.

Attah stated, in his witness statement, that as a result of the pronouncement by the AGF, which was published in the media, the Specialist Crimes Directorate (SCD) and the Metropolitan Police (MP) of the United Kingdom placed him on its watch list of corrupt governors of Nigeria, facing corruption charges.

“I left office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on the 29th day of May, 2007 and the only allegation made against me and my government were the of allegations of money laundering concerning the sale of Akwa Ibom’s shares in Econet by the Akwa Ibom Investment and Industrial Promotion Council (AKIIPOC) and African Development Fund Inc and I have been cleared of the said allegations.

“From the 29th day of May, 2007 till date, there are no fresh facts linking me with the looting of the treasury of Akwa Ibom State or any case of money laundering, official corruption and/or abuse of office.

“By the conduct of the defendant in causing the Specialist Crimes Directorate and the Metropolitan Police of the United Kingdom to place my name under their watch list and upon arrival in the United Kingdom to be arrested and interrogated, I have not been able to travel to the United Kingdom to meet my international obligations to my clients and have lost several contracts.

“By the defendant’s publication, I have been brought into public ridicule, a politician not worthy of my calling and a person who cannot be trusted to hold political office and I have therefore suffered loss and damages,” he said.

Attah said his resort to court was because the AGF failed to retract the publication as demanded in his lawyer’s letters to him.

The ex-governor, therefore, prayed the court to, among others, order the AGF to tender an apology to him, which must be published in three national dailies, retracting the alleged defamatory statement.

He also sought an order compelling the AGF to write to the Specialist Crime Directorate of the UK. stating that he was not among the ex-governors facing corruption charges.

Attah is claiming N1.5 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages.

Communication

Public Feedback: Lagos Announces Complaint Hotlines To Boost Transparency

Published

2 months ago

March 19, 2024

Maritime First

LASG Announces Traffic Diversion At Second Rainbow

The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has announced dedicated phone hotlines aimed at facilitating public feedback and complaints regarding the activities of the Ministry and its Officials.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi who disclosed this also said this was sequel to Recognizing the importance of fostering transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in governance.

He subsequently provided phone numbers which citizens can call to channel and express their concerns, report grievances, and provide valuable feedback on transportation-related matters.

“Members of the public are encouraged to utilize this service responsibly by providing accurate information and details when lodging complaints or sharing feedback”, he said, adding that the Ministry assures the public of its commitment to addressing all inquiries and complaints promptly and effectively.

The hotline numbers for lodging complaints and providing feedback are as follows: 09020009000 and 09020004000.

Communication

Fasting: Sultan Declares Monday, 1st Ramadan 1445 AH, Following Moon-sighting

Published

2 months ago

March 11, 2024

Maritime First

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has declared Monday, March 11, as the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH in Nigeria.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, signifies a month-long period of fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam.

Abubakar announced the sighting of the new crescent in Sokoto on Sunday in a radio and television broadcast.

He said the new moon was sighted in different parts of the country and that reports of the moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations from across the country.

“After due verification and authentication by the National Moon Sighting Committee and states committees’ confirmation, as well as routine scrutiny, I hereby, announce the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan signifying the end of Sha’aban 1445 AH.

”In accordance with Islamic law, Muslims are to commence fasting on Monday accordingly,” he declared.

The Sultan urged Muslim faithfuls to devote themselves fully to the worship of Allah throughout the Holy Month, urging them to use the period to pray for the progress, peace and prosperity of the nation.

The Sultan also called on wealthy individuals to assist the poor and stressed the need for increased religious tolerance and brotherhood in Nigeria.

*Anonymous

Communication

Looming Divorce: “My husband follows anything under skirt”, wife tells court

Published

3 months ago

March 2, 2024

Maritime First

Court Dissolves Marriage With 3 Children Over Wife’s Stubbornness

…As another marriage hits rock over Wife’s monitoring of phone, husband’s lockouts

Mrs Jane Ebi, a businesswoman, on Friday dragged her husband, Monday, before a Customary Court in Jikwoyi, near Abuja.

She accused him of “following everything under skirt”.

Jane, who is seeking a divorce, said that her husband is hot tempered, wicked, and had a bad attitude of getting drunk and following different women or anything under the skirt.

The petitioner alleged that her husband had been trying to get her out of the way by killing her.

She also told the court that her husband passes nights outside their matrimonial home.

“My husband always sleeps outside our matrimonial home with small girls leaving me and the children in danger.

“I have done all I can to make the respondent change from that life, but he has refused to change. It is on these grounds that I seek to divorce him,” She said.

The respondent, Monday, who is a driver, however, denied all the allegations.

The presiding judge, Doocivir Yawe, advised the couple to explore reconciliation and adjourned the matter until March 7, for a report of settlement or hearing.

In another development, a businessman, Mr Ojo Owo, on Friday, dragged his wife, Muyibat, before a Customary Court in Jikwoyi, near Abuja, for always locking him out of the house.

His claims are contained in a divorce petition he filed against his wife.

“On several occasions, my wife locked me out of the house whenever I come back home late from work.

“She has the habit of monitoring my phone calls, picking my phone to go through my messages.

“She searches my calls log, picks and calls the numbers on my phone to insult, embarrass and call my customers names,” he alleged.

The petitioner also accused his wife of sleeping around.

“She admitted this to me when questioned,” he claimed.

The petitioner further told the court that he gives his wife money to take care of her hair.

“I also provide body creams and food.

“I don’t know why she is sleeping around; I beg this court to dissolve the marriage,” he said.

The respondent, however, denied the allegations.

The Judge, Thelma Baba, advised the couple to explore settlement options for the sake of their children and adjourned the matter until March 7, for a hearing.