Ejikeme Mmesoma has apologised to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over the alleged forgery of her unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) result. Mmesoma spoke on Wednesday when she appeared before an ad hoc committee of the house of representatives investigating the alleged forgery of result. Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB registrar, and top directors of the board also appeared before the committee. Ejikeme pleaded for leniency for the ban imposed on her to be lifted. “I feel a debt of pain for letting you down,” he said. Before her appearance before the house ad hoc committee, an Anambra committee tasked with investigating the controversy had reported that the candidate admitted to faking her results. In May, Mmesoma, a student of Anglican Girls Secondary School in Nnewi, Anambra state, gained popularity after she was purported to have scored 362 in the 2023 UTME.   Although JAMB did not announce her as the overall best candidate, Mmesoma was widely celebrated. Innocent Chukwuma, the automobile businessman, awarded the candidate a scholarship worth N3 million. JAMB would later declare, contrary to Mmesoma’s claims, that the student scored 249, not 362. The exam body said she faked the results to mislead the public, so a panel was tasked with probing the matter. The panel of inquiry said Mmesoma was expected to tender a written apology to JAMB, the Anglican Girls Secondary, and the Anambra state government.

  The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said Nigerians will take to the streets in jubilation if the courts nullify the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election. Pedro Obaseki, Director of Strategy and Research of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said this in Abuja on Wednesday. Obaseki, who addressed the press ahead of the judgement by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), also expressed confidence that the PDP believed in the ability of the judiciary to deliver fair judgement that will be acceptable to parties concerned. He also said because of the mounting evidence in their possession, the Tribunal judges will summon the courage to address issues raised, adding that the image of the country is at stake a development he said the judges will not take lightly. Obaseki who is also a lawyer spoke about the petition by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) seeking the nullification of Tinubu’s victory, adding that the “issue of eligibility is key”. He said: “There is still a watershed moment and that moment might just be provided by the Allied Peoples Movement petition in this election. That does not in any way discontinuance the other mounting evidences. We were here when the election took place, we were here when the election were declared and we are still waiting for those that want to celebrate, they have not celebrated. “You may be shocked that immediately there is a judgment that does not validate the supposed election of President Tinubu people will run into the street to celebrate, that is the truth.” Speaking on why the APM case is different from that of the PDP, he said, “ The first thing is eligibility, if ten people follow me to run a race I can begin to question who won, only if those ten people were qualified, that is what has been thrown up by the APM petition.” The APM which is challenging INEC’s declaration of Tinubu as winner of the 2023 presidential election, based its arguments on the grounds that Shettima, had double nomination as a Senatorial and Vice Presidential candidate before the February 25 polls. The party prayed the tribunal to nullify Tinubu’s election on the grounds that the process through which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner was “flawed”. Obaseki said “ If you look at what APM has done, they started by why and when they can question an election and stated three clear provisions, when elections can be questioned, such as section 134 of the electoral act of 2022 as amended. “As at the day of the nomination process Mr Shettima had two nominations, that is a statement of fact. That is what this petition by the APM has gone ahead to prove beyond reasonable doubt, the reasonable doubt will only occur if the petition is based on hear say.”

  The Supreme Court on Wednesday described as untrue reports that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, had a telephone conversation with President Bola Tinubu and the Director General of the Department of State Services on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. The apex court warned that if the current trend of falsehood and mudslinging continued to be sustained, Nigeria may not make the desired progress. The Director of Press and Information in the Supreme Court, Dr. Festus Akande, made the clarification in a statement titled, “No telephone conversations between CJN and anyone concerning the Presidential Election Petition.” He said, “In view of the rumor currently circulating in the social media space that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola had a telephone conversation with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Director General of the Department of State Service with a view to pressurising the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on the likely judgment to give, it is imperative to state clearly that there is no iota of truth in the narrative, as there was no such telephone conversation between the CJN and anyone. “Nigerians have been following the proceedings at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal with admirable enthusiasm. So, it is advisable we all sustain the tempo and follow it up to the end, instead of relapsing into the realm of speculations and rumor peddling that will not do anyone any good. If this current trend of falsehood and mudslinging is sustained, our nation may not make the desired progress. “The Courts are statutorily established to serve the best interest of the masses, and we are ever poised to do that to the best of our ability. We wish to plead with everyone to cooperate with the judiciary to serve the country to its full capacity, as no one will ever be favoured against the other in any dispute. “The rule of law and supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution will always be upheld and applied in every matter that comes before the courts; as the facts presented and the subsisting laws must be applied in determining the merit or otherwise of each matter. The public should rest assured that justice will be done to all matters pending in the various courts across the country, irrespective of who is involved.”

  The House of Representatives Wednesday adopted the motion moved by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, the member representing Ideato Federal Constituency at Green Chambers, to investigate the arbitrary increase in fuel price. This followed the widespread outrage by Nigerians from all walks of life, who woke up to the sudden hike in fuel pump price from N515 to over N600. Citing Section 88(1) and (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended) and Section 32 of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the lawmaker representing Ideato Federal Constituency informed the House that, “On Tuesday 18th July, 2023, petrol pump price was increased from N537 to N617 by petroleum marketers, without conferring with relevant agencies of government.” Ugochinyere argued that in view of the current socio-economic challenges being faced by Nigerians, a hike in the price of fuel will further heap great suffering and hardship on Nigerians. He therefore urged the House to set up an ad-hoc Committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the increment of the petrol pump price by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and marketers and propose palliative measures to be taken to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action. Ikenga’s motion was adopted by the parliament and referred to the relevant committee to be set up.

  The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, declined to extend its interim order, issued on July 10 2023, stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from prosecuting the suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa Ari, pending the hearing and determination of a motion filed by Senator Aishatu Dahiru, also known as Binani. INEC is seeking the prosecution of the suspended REC for declaring Senator Binani, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the Adamawa State governorship election on April 15, 2023 while vote counting was still ongoing. The court had ordered the parties involved in Binani’s motion, which included INEC, the IGP, and the AGF as defendants, to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit. The court also requested the defendants to appear before it on July 18 to show cause as to why they should not be permanently restrained from prosecuting the suspended Adamawa State REC During Tuesday’s proceedings, INEC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court that the applicant had not served the defendants with the court’s July 10 order. Jacobs, who also contested the competence and jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter in a counter affidavit to the motion, stated that the lifespan of the interim order expired on July 18. However, counsel for Binani, Michael Aondoaka (SAN), argued that the interim order had not expired as the defendants had not shown cause as directed by the court. Aondoaka emphasised that INEC’s counsel could not claim not to have been served with the court’s processes as he had participated in the matter. The trial judge, Justice Donatus Okorowo, adjourned the case till Monday, July 24 for a hearing on the originating summons served on the defendants in court on Tuesday.   The court refused to extend the interim order halting the prosecution of the suspended Adamawa State REC.

  The suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has asked the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to admit him to bail on self recognizance pending the hearing and determination of the charge filed against him by the Federal Government. The bail application which was filed by his lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Daudu was brought pursuant to the relevant provisions of the constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 and the inherent powers of the court. It was not yet certain when Mr Emefiele would be arraigned on the two counts of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition but there are indications that it would be sometime during the annual vacation of the court which commences on Monday, July 24, 2023. The suspended CBN governor’s case has been assigned to Justice Nicholas Oweibo, who is one of two vacation judges for the court. The other is Justice Akintayo Aluko. Mr Emefiele’s application for bail was premised on nine grounds. First, he contended that the offences for which he was charged were bailable. He also said he has never been convicted of any offence and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The suspended CBN governor also said that granting him bail would afford him adequate time and facilities to prepare his defence to the charge. Referring to his reputation and past credible record as well as his status of being a former CBN governor, the defendant said he is not a flight risk and would not jump bail if it is granted. He also pointed out that since investigations have been concluded, there is no likelihood of interference on his part. While promising to attend trial punctually, the defendant also indicated his willingness to provide responsible sureties as may be required by the Court as a condition for the grant of bail. A total of 10 lawyers including five senior advocates have been listed to defend the suspended CBN governor. They’ll be led by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Daudu. The other senior advocates are Akinlolu Kehinde, Bert Igwilo, Victor Opara and Emeka Obegolu. In documents put before the court in support of the bail application, Emefiele denied being guilty of the offence with which he is presently charged. The Federal Government, in the charge sheet, accused the suspended CBN governor of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence. The government said that the offence was contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act. In the second count, the suspended CBN governor was accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence, which is contrary to section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act. President Bola Tinubu suspended Mr Emefiele as the apex bank chief on June 9, 2023. A day after, the Department of State Services confirmed that the suspended CBN chief was in its custody.

  The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday slammed the plan of the Federal Government to distribute N500bn as palliatives to Nigerians and government officials to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy. The NLC, in a statement by its President, Joe Ajaero, on Tuesday, argued that the Federal Government was “seeking to impoverish the people further by taking steps that can only be described as robbing the people of Nigeria to pay and feed the Rich”. The apex labour organisation said rather than reciprocate the goodwill of Nigerian workers, the Federal Government had “insisted on threading the path of dictatorship”. “It is on this basis that the NLC strongly condemns the decision of the Tinubu-led administration to seek the approval of the National Assembly to obtain another tranche of external loans worth N500b from the World Bank to carry out a phantom palliative measure to cushion the effect of its poorly thought-out hike in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit,” it said. The organisation in Nigeria recalled that the $800m already proposed before the government’s devaluation of the naira was worth about N400bn, but had risen to about N650bn post-devaluation. “It is from this, it proposes to bring out N500b for distribution,” it added. “The proposal to pay N8,000 to each of the so-called 12 million poorest Nigerian households for six months insults our collective intelligence and makes a mockery of our patience and abiding faith in social dialogue which the government may have alluded to albeit pretentiously.” According to the NLC, the further proposal to pay National Assembly members the sum of N70bn and the judiciary N36bn is “the most insensitive, reckless and brazen diversion of our collective patrimony into the pockets of public officers whose sworn responsibility it is to protect our nation’s treasury”. The labour body raised concerns that the move might amount to “hush money” and “outright bribery” of the other arms of government to “acquiesce the aberration”. It decried the idea of a government that had foisted “so much hardship” on the people within nearly two months of assuming office making an “unconscionable” proposal that rewarded the rich in public office to the detriment of the poor. “What this means all this while is that the government is seeking ways of robbing the very poor Nigerians so that the rich can become richer,” it added. “There is no other way to explain the proposal to pay a misery sum of N8,000 Naira to each of the mysterious poorest 12 million Households for six months which amounts to N48,000 and pays just 469 National Legislators N70b or about N149m each while the Judiciary that has about 72 Appeal Court Judges, 33 National Industrial Court Judges, 75 Federal High Court Judges and 21 Supreme Court Judges and a total of about 201 Judges receive a total of N35b or N174m each. “If these other two arms are projected to receive this, what members of the Executive Council will receive is better left to the imagination of Nigerians perhaps, the balance of N150b will go to them.”