Connect with us

News and Report

LG Election Crisis : Self Acclaimed Tinubu’s Loyalist, Hon. James Faleke Turns Self To Mini god In Ojodu LCDA…… + Suspends Party Exco Member

Published

on

Few weeks ago, we reported the current crisis rocking All Progressive Congress Lagos state chapter on the upcoming local government election.

However the situation on Friday24th March, 2017 took another dimension in Ojodu LCDA when a member of House of Representatives representing Ikeja federal constituency Hon. James Abiodun Faleke waded into the crisis as the ward leader of the constituency. The self-acclaimed Tinubu’s Loyalist allegedly told the party executives in Ojodu sometimes ago that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered former 19 local executives chairman who just finished one term to return to office without primaries.

In swift response to this development some local government executives agreed while some did not agree.

Ojodu local development area is one the affected area where over 90 percent of the party excos had totally refused the coming back of Mr Julius Oloro.

The excos has shown their grievances and total rejection of Mr Oloro when they organise a well-managed protest to party leaders within the constituency, also a letter has been written to Tinubu to please consider the excos demand by allowing them to do primaries.

After all this, on Friday the Kogi born cum Lagos politician Hon. James Faleke in his capacity single handedly called for a meeting with the excos of the ward, where he suspended the youth leader of the ward Mr. Akeem.

In this regard, a reliable source revealed to us that ‘ Faleke’s reign in Ojodu is coming to an end gradually because nobody in that axis is ever praying for the return of Oloro as LG chairman in Ojodu’. He said further that not up to 10 excos can point out to what Oloro did in his first 3years reign as chairman talk less of the common electorate on the street.

A reliable source, very close to Faleke also confided in Society Reporters NG that Faleke himself is allegedly not in support of Oloro but he has negotiated Oloro’s return with a popular Lagos lawyer, a Senior Advocates Of Nigeria (SAN) if he wins Kogi’s election tribunal. But now that he didn’t win the tribunal why is he still clamoring for Oloro’s return at the expense of right thinking Ojodu APC executive members. He said ‘ they should please help them ask Faleke why Oloro must return ‘.

He said further that ‘ Our indefatigable leader, a man of honour, highly respected, man of the people who knows the value of party executives and will always stand by the people, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will not impose a man like Oloro on us in Ojodu’. Grassroots politics must be sustained for us to win subsequent elections.

One of the party leaders in Ojodu said Faleke during Kogi Gubernatorial campaign told the Kogi people that he is back at home fully to consolidate on what is on ground and that he has no interest in Lagos politics anymore, but “to my surprise the same Faleke wants us to follow a man who has failed us woefully, is that possible” He inquired.

We also gathered that Faleke has been alleged to be threatening party executives and aspirants on Oloro’s issue claiming they are going against Asiwaju’s wish.

When we contacted Honorable James Faleke on the above allegations he told us this is his ward and he is the head and has the right as a democrat to move some motions to the above claims, and agreed to the fact that he truly suspended the youth leader of the ward at their last Friday excos meeting.

“You are talking about my ward now, The youth leader that was suspended has been my boy since 2003, and I wasn’t at home, I was in Abuja when I heard that the council held a meeting at the local government secretariat and the youth leader led some members of hoodlums and thugs to the meeting threatening them, and damaged a lot of things at the secretariat and destroyed many things that belong to traders around.”

He added that he cannot keep his fingers crossed and some so called people will be destroying his ward in the name of playing politics.

In his word Hon. Falake stressed further:

“I heard my ward youth leader was among them. And I called the ward exco for a meeting where he (Youth Leader) was invited and I asked him if he ever mentioned it to any party exco members when they went to threaten them. And he said no”.

And he himself is also trying to contest for the position of councilor in this same ward, and yet he went to the place and destroy party properties, so I asked him if he can invite those who came to the place, that until then, I moved a motion for him to be suspended which is within my right.

And the motion was supported by the majority of the party members. He yelled.

We asked him further if it was true according to what we heard that the 23 members did not support except for just 6 members that supported his motion for the suspension, and in his rhetorical response he asked if that was what we were told.

“Is it what they told you that you believe, or what I’m telling you”.

Adding further that, “I am a democrats and I understand the game of democracy, so that was why I invited them all to the meeting. Just two people refused to support and I told them that it is your right not to support.

As a leader of the ward it is still my right to find peace within my ward and take necessary actions to the effect. What if somebody had died at the crisis, what do you think people will be saying by now. So I concluded for him to go back and get those people”.

He was asked on his position on the issue of Oloro, and he made the record straight that, “if they don’t want Oloro it’s not a problem but let the people decide. So it’s not any ones right to carry gun and also destroy the properties at the secretariat”.

We have 16 people campaigning and all of them are my people and I cannot be one sided as a good leader in my ward. And all of them know that I can’t campaign against any of them, but if the party says this is the direction we want to go who am I to say no. He established.

Our former report on this can be find here: http://societyreportersng.com/index.php/news-and-reports/item/1566-crisis-rocks-lagos-apc-over-lg-poll

Continue Reading
Advertisement

News and Report

Lovers of Lagos Applaud House of Assembly for Standing with Hon. Meranda

Published

on

By

 

The Lovers of Lagos, a coalition of concerned citizens and political observers, have commended the Lagos State House of Assembly for upholding legislative independence and standing firmly with Hon. Meranda, despite reported arrests by the Department of State Services (DSS) and alleged intervention by party leaders.

 

Their praise comes after members of the Assembly reaffirmed that the removal of former Speaker Hon. Mudashiru Obasa was carried out lawfully, in strict compliance with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Powers and Privileges Act. The lawmakers, citing Sections 92 and 96 of the Constitution, maintained that due process was followed, and any attempts to challenge the action were attempts to undermine the Assembly’s authority.

 

In a statement released after their appearance at the DSS Lagos Command in Shangisha, the lawmakers assured Lagosians that the House of Assembly remains an independent arm of government, committed to serving the best interests of the people.

 

“The Lagos State House of Assembly will not bow to pressure or intimidation. Our actions were guided by constitutional provisions, and we will continue to uphold the integrity of the legislative process,” the lawmakers stated.

 

Despite rumors of political interference, the House stood firm in its decision, a stance that has earned it the admiration of Lovers of Lagos. The group expressed its confidence in the Assembly’s ability to protect democratic values and legislative autonomy.

 

Additionally, the lawmakers commended the DSS for its professionalism in handling the situation, ensuring that engagements were conducted smoothly and respectfully. All detained lawmakers have since been released.

 

Reiterating their commitment to legislative duties, the Assembly called on all stakeholders—including the executive and the public—to respect the sanctity of legislative processes and avoid undue interference.

Continue Reading

News and Report

Court Vacates Order Freezing Assets Of GHL, Obaigbena, Others….

Published

on

By

 

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has lifted the Mareva Injunction that froze the assets of an oil and gas services company, General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL), over its alleged refusal to pay a $225.8 million loan facility awarded to it by First Bank of Nigeria Limited.

 

 

The judge also held that he has jurisdiction over the suit filed by First Bank on the grounds that the case is not an abuse of court process as the subject matter and the parties involved are different from those before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa.

 

However, Justice Dipeolu stated that he would not have granted the Mareva injunction had he been fully aware of Justice Lewis-Allagoa’s prior order in Suit No. 1953.

 

In a ruling delivered on December 30, 2024, Justice Dipeolu put restrictions in place, prohibiting all commercial banks from releasing or dealing with any assets or funds belonging to General Hydrocarbons Limited, its agents, subsidiaries, or related entities up to the amount claimed by the plaintiffs.

Additionally, the judge issued a preliminary injunction barring Nduka Obaigbena, Efe Damilola

 

 

Obaigbena, and Olabisi Eka Obaigbena—directors of General Hydrocarbons Limited—from transferring or dissipating any of their assets located in Nigeria, whether movable or immovable, until the court makes a decision on the Motion on Notice for an interlocutory injunction.

 

Earlier, GHL had obtained an order from Justice Lewis-Allagoa in another case, which prevented First Bank of Nigeria Limited from taking further action to recover the loan until the parties fulfilled their obligation to engage in arbitration.

 

 

While moving the application, challenging the Mareva Injunction GHL’s counsel, Dr Abiodun Layonu (SAN), argued that the Injunction represented an abuse of the court process, claiming that First Bank had failed to disclose the previous order by Justice Lewis-Allagoa, which had restrained the bank from further action.

 

In response, First Bank lawyer Victor Ogude (SAN) argued that his client did not deceive the court to obtain the order and that the bank provided all relevant facts in its affidavit supporting the suit.

 

 

He also claimed that no law restricts their constitutional right to seek judicial redress for disputes.

 

 

In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu acknowledged that while the current suit was not an abuse of process, it had to respect the prior orders issued by his brother judge.

 

Justice Dipeolu held, “I have carefully read through all that is contained in the Originating Summons in Suit No:FHC/L/CS/1953/24 and the Interim Orders of Hon. Justice Allagoa J. dated the 12th of December, 2024.

 

“It appears to me that the Interim Orders made by Hon. Justice Allagoa J. revolves around the arbitration proceedings between the first Defendant and the first Plaintiff in this case, which arbitration proceedings is pursuant to Clause 12 (c) of the Agreement between the 1st Defendant and the 1st Plaintiff dated the 29th of May, 2021. This position is reflected in all the Interim Orders granted on the 12th of December, 2024.

 

 

Although the Interim Orders made by this Court on the 30th of December, 2024 are about the subsequent facilities agreement between the first Plaintiff and the first Defendant and it does not extend to the receivables in the agreement of 29 of May, 2021, also, the present suit on the face of it if placed side by side with FHC/L/CS/1953/2024 is not an abuse of process.

 

“For the reasons given above, however, in view of the Orders of Allagoa J. made on the 12th of December, 2024, the Mareva order granted by this Court on 30th December is hereby set aside,” the court stated.

 

Justice Dipeolu affirmed the court’s jurisdiction to grant the initial Mareva order but concluded that the injunction could not stand in light of conflicting orders.

 

 

Furthermore, the court ruled that the second to fifth defendants, who were affected by the Mareva orders, had the right to seek the dismissal of the suit.

 

Justice Dipeolu has adjourned the case to

February 19, 2025, for further proceedings.

 

 

Continue Reading

News and Report

REA director, Abubakar Sambo, arraigned for ‘N1.84bn fraud’

Published

on

By

 

Abubakar Sambo, the director of Finance and Account of the Rural Electrification Agency, was on Monday re-arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, for alleged N1.84 billion fraud.

 

He was arraigned before Justice Musa Liman of a Federal High Court on three counts of alleged diversion of funds to personal accounts.

 

His lawyer, Y. D. Dangana, SAN, prayed the court to allow Sambo to continue to enjoy bail terms as earlier granted by a sister court and ICPC’s counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, did not oppose the application.

 

 

Justice Liman, therefore, admitted the defendant to the earlier bail conditions granted by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon.

 

The judge adjourned the matter until April 2 for commencement for trial.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Justice Olajuwon of a FHC in Abuja had, on June 24, 2024, granted Sambo a bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in the like sum.

 

 

The judge held that the sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court with original certificates of occupancy (CofO) which must be deposited with the deputy chief registrar of the court.

 

She equally ordered the sureties to provide affidavits of their tax clearance in the last three years with a one passport photograph each.

 

Justice Olajuwon adjourned the matter until October 17 for trial commencement.

 

 

However, the judge was transferred to another division of the court, making the case to start denovo (afresh).

 

NAN reports that the anti-corruption commission had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/209/2024, sued Abubakar Abdullahi Sambo as sole defendant.

 

In the charge dated May 8, 2024, but filed May 10, 2024 by Akponimisingha, an Assistant Chief Legal Officer in the commission, the ICPC alleged that Sambo sometime in March 2023 or thereabout while being the Payment Finalizer on the Government integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform of REA did finalise the payment of the totai sum of N1.84 billion (N1,835,000,000.00).

 

 

It alleged that the funds were done in different tranches for the use of Henrrientta Onomen Okojie, Asuni Adejoke Aminat, Usman Kwakwa, Laure Shehu Abduilahi, Emmanuel Pada Titus and Musa Umar Karaye for a purported project supervision exercise without requisite approval, thereby contributing to the economic adversity of the REA.

 

The commission said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 68 of the Public Enterprise Regulatory Commission Act, CAP. P39, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

 

In count two, Sambo was accused to have used his access password to access the REA’s GIFMIS platform and finalised the payment of the sum of N1.84 billion in different tranches for the use of Okojie, Aminat, Kwakwa, Abdullahi, Titus and Karaye for a purported project supervision exercise without authority.

 

 

The offence was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 6(4) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015.

 

In count three, Sambo was alleged to have conferred corrupt advantage on Okojie, Aminat, Kwakwa, Abdullahi, Titus and Karaye when he used his access password to access the REA’s GIFMIS platform and finalised the payment of N1.84 billion in different tranches for their use for a purported project supervision exercise without requisite approvals.

 

The ICPC said the offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

 

 

NAN reports that Karaye, Titus and Okojie were also arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of a sister court on separate four-count charge preferred against them.

 

While Karaye and Titus were arraigned before Justice Nwite on June 13, 2024, Okojie was arraigned on June 14, 2024.

 

Usman Ahmed Kwakwa was also arraigned on June 13, 2024 on separate criminal charge before the judge and all of them were admitted to a N50 million each with two sureties each in the like sum.

 

 

In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/203/24 filed against Okojie, she was alleged to have in count one, sometime in March 2023 or thereabout, with intent to defraud the REA, received the sum of N342 million in different tranches through her Access Bank Account: 0009022275 under the false pretence of project supervision.

 

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006

Continue Reading

Trending