The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Friday, dismissed the appeal filed by a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State, Abubakar Achimugu, seeking to nullify the primary election of the party, which produced Usman Ododo as the APC Governorship candidate for the election slated for November 11 in the state.

The court held in a unanimous judgment that the appeal challenging the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked merit and dismissed it accordingly.

Justice Muhammed Lawal Shuaibu, leading a three-member panel of Justices of the court
held that Achimugu’s appeal was bereft of merit and affirmed the judgement of the trial court.

Achimugu’s case was dismissed on the same day the appeal filed by a former Senator who represented Kogi West in the 9th National Assembly, Smart Adeyemi, was also thrown out for lacking in merit.

The appeal was against the judgment of Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered on 18th July which held that, Ododo can lawfully continue to fly the flag of the APC in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday held that Achimugu’s appeal was bereft of merit and affirmed the judgement of the trial court.

Achimugu had approached the trial court with a suit seeking to disqualify Ododo from contesting the November 11 governorship election on the ground that he did not resign his employment with the Kogi State public service 30 days before contesting the governorship primary election.

But the trial court, in its judgment, held that, contrary to the claim of Achimugu, evidence showed that Ododo resigned his appointment more than 30 days before participating in the APC primary.

According to Justice Egwuatu, exhibits tendered by the defendants showed that while Ododo’s resignation letter was received by the Office of the Kogi State Governor on March 8, that of the 3rd defendant, Mr Salami Deedat, was received on March 9.

“Satisfied that they resigned their appointment on March 8 and 9, more than 30 days before the April 14 primary election of the APC, the suit is bereft of any merit and is accordingly dismissed,” the court held.

Achimugu, in a Notice of Appeal filed on July 21 through his counsel, Josiah Daniel-Ebune, said Justice Egwuatu erred in law and occasioned a miscarriage of justice when he held that Ododo and Salami Deedat (2nd and 3rd defendants) duly resigned their appointment and thus, not caught up with the mandatory provision of what the law requires them to do before they participated in the APC governorship primary election for Kogi State held on April 15, 2023.

He asked the appellate court for an order setting aside the judgement of the trial court and granting all his reliefs sought in his amended originating summons.

In the case of Adeyemi, the Appeal Court held that the former lawmaker failed to prove the criminal allegations in his case.

Justice Shuaib held that the burden of proof was on the plaintiff who alleged irregularities in the conduct of the primary election of the APC for the nomination of its governorship candidate.

He said, “The evidence placed before the trial court by the respondents was not controverted by the appellant in this circumstance, issue one is hereby resolved against the appellant.

“Where commission of a crime is an issue, it must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. Allegation of falsification of votes is a criminal act and it is required in law to be proved beyond reasonable doubt, which the appellant could not prove, consequently, issue two is resolved against the appellant.”

“On the whole, the appeal is un-meritorious  and it is hereby dismissed. The judgement of the lower court is hereby affirmed. Parties are to bear their respective costs,”Justice Shuaibu held.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja had, in a judgment delivered on July 12, held that Adeyemi did not prove his allegation that Ododo was not lawfully nominated by the APC.

Adeyemi had alleged in his suit that the primary election that purportedly produced Ododo as the APC governorship candidate did not hold and that the results were forged.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria, Major General Christopher Musa, has rallied support for an intervention of ECOWAS in the ongoing political crisis in Niger, asserting that the greatest strength of ECOWAS lies in its unity.

According to him, the coup d’etat in Niger has been a source of great concern not just for the ECOWAS, but for all who believe in the ideals of democracy, stability, and the rule of law.

Addressing the Extraordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff on the political situation in Niger, Major General Musa said the Committee of CDSs of ECOWAS has a responsibility to ensure that ECOWAS’ responses to this crisis are “not driven by fear, but by the principles of justice, respect for human rights, and the unwavering commitment to the rule of law.”

“We must strive to uphold the integrity of our institutions, protect the sovereignty of our states, and safeguard the democratic rights of our people. In this the people of Niger are also an integral part.

“In the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that has always characterized our engagements, I am confident that we will find a way forward. We must remember that our greatest strength lies in our unity,” he stressed.

He explained that it is this unity that has allowed ECOWAS to face past challenges, intimating, “it is this unity that will see us through the current crisis.”

According to him, the Niger crisis is a poignant reminder of the challenges we face as a region, and the urgent need to stand together in unity and solidarity.

“As we continue our deliberations today, I would like to remind us all that the purpose of our gathering is not simply to react to events, but to proactively chart a course that preserves peace, promotes stability and upholds democratic principles across our region.

“We must remember that our collective actions today will shape the legacy we leave for future generations. The path that lies before us is not an easy one, but it is a path that we must tread, nonetheless, with courage and determination,” he stated.

He continued, “As we grapple with the complexities of the situation in the Republic of Niger, let us not forget that at the heart of our discussions are the lives of millions of people who yearn for peace, stability, and progress. We must not allow the people of Niger to suffer needlessly.”

“As we embark on this important mission, let us remember the words of the ECOWAS Vision 2050, which calls for a region of peace, security, and solidarity. Let these words not just be an aspiration, but a guiding principle on our deliberations and decisions,” he entreated.

Tragedy struck this week as authorities reported that over 60 individuals are believed to have lost their lives in a heartbreaking incident. 

The victims were on board a boat originating from Senegal that tragically capsized in the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Verde. 

The grim discovery was made by a Spanish fisherman, who found the vessel adrift approximately 150 miles north of Sal, one of the islands that comprise Cape Verde, as confirmed by the nation’s national police.

The ill-fated boat had embarked on its journey from Fass Boye, a fishing village situated around 90 miles to the north of Dakar, the capital of Senegal, on July 10.

While the accident claimed the lives of 7 individuals, including four children, there is a glimmer of hope as 38 survivors managed to weather the ordeal. 

Heartbreakingly, 56 individuals remain missing and are presumed to have tragically lost their lives, according to a spokeswoman from the U.N. migration agency.

This tragic incident underscores the perilous circumstances migrants often face, with smugglers cramming them into poorly constructed and overcrowded vessels in their quest to reach European shores. Many of these migrants courageously undertake these treacherous journeys to escape the challenges of conflict and poverty in their home nations. 

Meanwhile, European countries continue to take measures to halt migrant crossings before they reach their destinations.

Providing context to this heartbreaking incident, the Spanish migrant advocacy group Walking Borders has reported a devastating loss of life along the West African route to Spain. 

Shockingly, at least 778 migrants have lost their lives during the first half of this year, further highlighting the dire risks that these individuals undertake in pursuit of a better life.

During the Bi-monthly Service-Wide Meeting of Directors of Reform Coordination, which took place at the Agricultural Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) emphasized the need for a seamless implementation of all the pillars outlined in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP-25) to enhance service delivery within the civil service.

Representing the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Dunoma Ahmed, Director of Reform Coordination Service Improvement & Innovation (RCSI &I), stressed the importance of this platform as an avenue for sharing experiences, brainstorming, and generating creative ideas to improve service delivery and productivity across the workplace.

Dr. Umakhihe emphasized that the Department of Reform Coordination plays a vital role in driving service reforms and highlighted the creation of the Innovation Division.

This division is geared towards advancing the current reform strategy, FCSSIP-25, which consists of six key initiatives (Pillars) aimed at transforming the Federal Civil Service for more efficient and effective service delivery.

He proudly mentioned the Ministry’s significant contribution to the FCSSIP-25 and other civil service reforms, citing various awards and recognitions received.

He also shared examples of the Ministry’s reform-driven activities that have contributed to improved service delivery and staff motivation.

“In a bid to commence full implementation of the new Performance Management System (PMS), the Ministry has trained all the Directorate level officers and officers on Salary Grade Level 14 to acquaint them with the process and procedure involved in
implementing and sustaining the system”.

“I am glad to inform you that after the conclusion of the induction programme, all the Directorate and SGL 14 officers have successfully signed off their Performance Contract with the Ministry respectively”. He said.

Calling on participants to embrace innovative ideas, he encouraged everyone to collectively drive the reforms for a revitalized Civil Service and heightened productivity.

The Permanent Secretary of the Service Policies and Strategies Office (SPSO), Olufemi Oloruntola, also echoed the sentiments, noting that the meeting was the third of its kind, aimed at deepening and intensifying ongoing reform efforts.

He acknowledged the visible transformation across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as a result of these reforms.

Oloruntola highlighted the significance of the Directors of Reforms in supporting MDAs to stay current with the FCSSIP-25 implementation matrix.

He drew attention to the commendation letters issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation during the Civil Service Week and urged participants to strive for such recognition.

He pointed out that the meeting marked the first under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and emphasized its focus on consolidating the gains of FCSSIP-25 reform in this new climate.

The Permanent Secretary, SPSO, also expressed that the new administration is counting on civil servants to contribute to the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” urging innovative thinking to demonstrate their ability to deliver.

The event’s highlights included paper presentations on the Management of Change in Political Transitions, Capability Building, and Talent Management tailored to the unique needs of MDAs.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said the biting sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States on the Niger junta would not be lifted despite the military leaders’ promise to negotiate with the regional bloc to resolve the crisis in the francophone country.

Tinubu, who stated this when he received the Special Envoy of President Ali Ondimba and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Gabon, Hermann Immongault, at the State House in Abuja, insisted that military takeover of government was no longer acceptable in Africa.

However, the junta led by Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, has demanded restoration of electricity cut off by the Federal Government as part of the embargoes slammed on the coupists following the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.

Tchiani, who made the request during their meeting with the Ulamas from Nigeria in Niamey on Saturday, said they were outraged that the regional bloc did not hear from them before slamming several embargoes on them, including the threat of military intervention to restore democracy.

But Tinubu, who is the ECOWAS chairman, told his visitors on Tuesday that any interference in democratic governance would not be accepted by the leadership of the regional body.

The President also praised the solidarity of the Economic Community of Central African States on the political impasse in the Republic of Niger, according to a statement released by the Presidential Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale.

The President said the special message of support and solidarity from President Bongo, who doubles as the Chairman of ECCAS, expressing the full support for ECOWAS resolutions on the unconstitutional takeover of government in Niger, proved once more that military interference in democratic governance was not acceptable anywhere, and certainly, no longer so on the African continent.

I appreciate the solidarity and support of President Bongo on the situation in Niger. We are working not to compound the problem. We have well-meaning people who have intervened.

“I understand the fear of our people on any form of military action. We are working to keep the sanctions in place and we are following them to the letter.

“We are happy to know that ECCAS is with us on this. Interference in democratic governance is not acceptable to ECOWAS,” Tinubu stated.

Tinubu opposes coups

Tinubu reinforced the position of the regional body not to accept any attempt by the military junta in Niger to intimidate and harass Bazoum who is in custody.

“We will work with ECCAS and keep President Bongo informed on our actions and we will continue to collaborate,” the President assured.

In his remarks, the Special Envoy commended the leadership of ECOWAS and Tinubu for the steps taken so far to restore democracy in Niger, adding that Bongo and ECCAS are fully in support of all ECOWAS resolutions.