DSS sued for N500m over detention of activist who opposed ‘arrest’ of CBN Gov Emefiele
The Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS) have been sued for the arrest of rights activist, Meliga Godwin, over a press conference he addressed condemning the agency for the planned arrest of the Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele.
The President of Middle Belt Youth Forum Meliga Godwin, on December 19, 2022, addressed the media where he condemned the DSS for its attempt to obtain an ex-parte order to arrest and detained the CBN Governor over alleged terrorism charges.
He described the actions of the DSS as a hatchet job.
He was later arrested by the operatives of the DSS on January 8, 2023.
However, in a motion on notice for the enforcement of his fundamental rights with suit No: FCT/HC/CV/1034/2023, filed by his counsel, Mr Chibuzo Ezike, the applicant is asking the court to order his unconditional release by the DSS.
One of his counsels, Mr Okere Kingdom who addressed journalists in court alleged that the applicant has been incommunicado since his arrest and detention.
The applicant prayed the court release him from detention and also make an order directing the DSS and its Director General to pay him the sum of N500 million in damages and public apology in two national dailies for illegal arrest and detention.
He further prayed the court to declare his arrest and detention from January 8, 2023, till the time of filling the suit as a breach of his fundamental rights, unconstitutional and of no effect.
The 2025 Appropriation Act represents a 99.96 per cent increase from the 2024 Budget of N27.5 trillion.
The 2025 budget has a total expenditure component of ₦54.99 trillion, statutory transfers of ₦3.65 trillion and recurrent (Non-Debt) expenditure of ₦13.64 trillion.
The capital expenditure component is ₦23.96 trillion, debt servicing of ₦14.32 trillion and deficit-to-GDP Ratio of 1.52 per cent.
Sen. Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate and other leaders of the National Assembly witnessed the signing of the budget. (NAN)
News
Teenage Girl arraigned for allegedly drugging, stealing Boyfriend’s N4 million
An 18-year-old girl, Rukayat Ashiru, on Friday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N4 million cash belonging to her boyfriend.
The defendant is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, to which she pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, PC Olapeju Durodola, told the court that the defendant and others now at large committed the offences on Nov. 30, 2024, at Mufu Lanihun, at Yidi Agugu in Ibadan.
She said that the defendant allegedly
added a substance to her boyfriend’s drink, one Waris Olamilekan, to make him lose consciousness.
According to her, the defendant stole the money after adding the substance in the complainant’s drink.
Durodola said the offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
Ogunkanmi said one of the sureties must be a property owner within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second surety must be a blood relation to the defendant.
She, thereafter, adjourned the matter until May 26 for hearing.(NAN)
News
Supreme Court nullifies Rivers Local Govt elections conducted by Gov Fubara
Supreme Court nullifies Rivers Local Govt elections conducted by Gov Fubara
The Supreme Court on Friday, nullified the Local Government election in Rivers, which was conducted on Oct. 5, 2024.
A five-member panel of the apex court unanimously held that the election was conducted in violation of relevant laws.
Justice Jamilu Tukur, in the lead judgment, agreed with the appellant, the All Progressives Congress (APC), that conditions precedent were not complied with before the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) held the election.
Justice Tukur held that there was no evidence that the voters’ registration continued until 90 days before the election and that the requisite notices were issued as required by law.(NAN)