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Reps Deputy Speaker, Women Advocate For More Women Representation In Govt

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Deputy Speaker Kalu and Women

Stakeholders, policymakers, and gender advocates have united in their opposition to the stifling of political opportunities and representation for women in Nigeria’s political landscape. They emphasize the need for greater inclusivity, citing the significant percentage of the population comprised by women.

This collective advocacy effort took place on Monday in Abuja, where the Technical Session on the Seat Reservation for Women Bill was held, and the National Women Leaders Forum’s Operational Guidelines were unveiled.

The event was organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) in collaboration with the National Women Leaders Forum (NWLF) of Political Parties in Nigeria.

Those present at the event included the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Senator Ireti kingibe, President of the National women leaders forum Dr Amina Darasimi Brym, former ActionAid Nigeria Country Director, Ene Obi, Me Donnah Kamashazi, a Rwandan Gender Expert, among other critical stakeholders.

Adaora Onyechere Sydney Jack, a renowned gender advocate and broadcast journalist, emphasized the crucial role of women in Nigeria’s development during the programme. She stressed that until women’s voices are integrated into policy development, Nigeria’s progress will remain incomplete, lagging behind other African nations like Namibia, which she said has successfully sworn in its first female president.

The challenge of women inclusivity in Nigeria is starkly evident, with a staggering 15 out of 36 states in the federation lacking female representation in their state assemblies. This glaring disparity underscores the need for concerted efforts to promote gender equality and empower women to take on leadership roles in Nigerian politics.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Amina Darasimi Brym, President of the National Women Leaders Forum, emphasized the importance of representation and women’s voices in parliamentary participation at all levels – state, house of representatives, and senate. She stressed that achieving full inclusivity requires collective effort from all citizens, particularly in supporting the upcoming special seats bill.

Ene Obi, former Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, condemned the alleged harassment of Senator Natasha Akpoti, calling it unacceptable. Obi warned that women will soon march to the National Assembly to demand answers from the Senate President regarding the senator’s mistreatment.

Me Donnah Kamashazi, a Rwandan Gender Expert Consultant, shared Rwanda’s experiences in achieving parity for women in parliament. According to Kamashazi, this milestone was made possible through the efforts of political parties and the enactment of supportive laws in the constitution. She also highlighted the importance of women forming alliances with men to create back channels for lobbying.

Distinguished Senator Ireti Kingigbe spoke about the urgent need to increase women’s representation in parliament, stressing that the current lack of numbers often silences women’s voices. This disparity is particularly striking given that women make up 49% of Nigeria’s population, yet the country ranks 180th out of 192 countries in terms of women’s parliamentary representation, according to Olumide Olaniyan, a social inclusion and governance expert.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu had earlier made a strong case for the passage of the Seat Reservation for Women Bill (HB1349), emphasizing it is but about justice, strategy, and national prosperity.

He stressed that the underrepresentation is not just a statistical anomaly, but also a barrier to national progress.

Incidently sponsored by Kalu, the proposed bill seeks to reserve seats for women in the National and State Assemblies, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers and create a legislature that mirrors the diversity of the nation.

Kalu however explained that the measure is temporary, expected to run for 4 terms, and is modeled after successful initiatives in countries like Rwanda and Senegal, where women’s representation has increased to over 40 percent.

Oyo Demolishes Properties On Govt Acquired Land

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oyo Demolishes Properties

By Ayodele Oni

It was a sad day for owners of houses and shops in some parts of Ibadan, Oyo state capital as bulldozers were moved in to demolish the properties described as illegal by government.

Oyo State Government explained that the action was taken against land grabbers in the state, especially those on government acquired lands in Podo Area, along Top One Garden, Oluyole Local Government, and Dizengoff, Kolapo Ishola Area, Ibadan.

The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development,  Williams Akin Funmilayo, said on Wednesday in Ibadan that “The lands in question are assets of the Oyo State Government, and we will not tolerate any form of encroachment or illegal occupation.”

He emphasized that those currently working on the land are not the real owners or users of the land, but “purely land grabbers.

“In accordance with Section 3, Subsection 1 of the Oyo State Real Property Protection Law, 2017, any person who engages in land grabbing or related activities shall be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 15 years.”

The Commissioner further explained that the government had sent notices of revocation to occupants of the Podo Area along Top One Garden, and a newspaper publication to that effect was made.

According to him, the land was also gazetted the same year, indicating its acquisition for a neighbourhood market.

“Despite the State Government’s efforts, the occupants took the Oyo State Government to court, but judgement was however delivered in favour of the State Government.”

The Commissioner however noted that government is ready to settle with land owners with genuine Certificates of Occupancy (CofO).

“The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has declared zero tolerance for land grabbing activities, and ensuring that the state’s assets are used for the benefit of all citizens.”

INEC Fixes Saturday For FCT Election

By
Ayodele Oni
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Prof Mahmood Yakubu

By Ayodele Oni

Election is to be conducted across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a statement on official X.com page on Wednesday, said the election will commence at 8:30 AM and take place at all designated polling units within the FCT.

INEC emphasised that only eligible voters will be allowed to participate. Voters must cast their ballots at the polling units where they are registered.

“Only individuals whose names appear on the official Register of Voters and who possess valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be permitted to vote.”

INEC pointed out that the election will also feature the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to ensure a transparent and credible process and reiterated that without a PVC, individuals will not be allowed to vote.

Residents of the FCT are urged to prepare for the election by ensuring their voter registration details are up to date and their PVCs are readily available for accreditation on election day.

INEC’s statement read: “This is to inform the general public that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct elections in the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as follows:

*Date:* Saturday, February 21, 2026

*Time:* 8:30 am

*Venue:* All Polling Units in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Eligible voters will only be allowed to vote at the polling units where they are registered. Only individuals whose names appear on the voter register and possess valid PVCs will be permitted to participate.

“The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed for the election. No PVC, no voting.”

BREAKING: Arraigned LAHA Legislative Officers Pleads Not Guilty To  DSS’ Six Count Charge

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Arraigned LAHA Legislative Officers

By Akinwale Kasali 

The trio of Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adetu Adekunle, and Fatimoh Adetola, ordered to remain in the custody of Department of State Security, DSS, custody pending their arraignment for allegedly preventing the law enforcement agency from performing their duties inside the Lagos House of Assembly have pleaded not guilty to the Six Count Charges leveled against them.

Following this development, they were admitted to bail, with Sureties who must be Senior Staff members of the House of Assembly.

It would be recalled that the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly took a new twist last week, with a face off between the Lagos State House of Assembly Lawmakers and DSS Officers, who were, allegedly, stopping the DSS to enter the Assembly Chambers.

This led to their arrest and arraignment by the DSS.  of The three Legislative Officers were then remanded in Prison custody following an order by Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi. 

They were remanded on Tuesday barely three days after they were released by DSS following the intervention a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana.

To further detain the staff, they were rearrested and dragged before Justice Osiagor who granted the DSS’ request to hold the legislative staff pending their arraignment scheduled for Wednesday.

Before approving the DSS appeal, the Judge  requested time to review the case file brought before the Court.

According to the charge sheet marked FHC/L/273C/2025, dated February 24, 2025, the agency accused the three defendants of conspiring to obstruct and assault its officers while they performed their official duties, alongside charges of cyberstalking and spreading false information on social media.

Furthermore, Olanrewaju and Adekunle allegedly utilized an iPhone 12 Pro Max to capture and distribute misleading content on social media, aiming to humiliate the DSS and spark public unrest.

The agency also claimed that around February 17, 2025, at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adekunle employed his Tecno POP 8 to record and post deceptive information online, intending to discredit the DSS and provoke disorder.

These purported actions violate Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, along with Sections 27(1)(b), 24(1)(b), 24(c)(i), and 11 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).

Ignore the Falsehoods On Peter Obi – Media Office 

By
The Source
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Peter Obi
Peter Obi

In the wake of false allegations against Peter Obi’s involvement in the  nullification of June 12, 1993 Presidential Elections and other such falsehoods, his Media Office has released a statement distancing him from the wicked, deliberate and spurious tales.

Following is the full text of the statement. 

“For the umpteenth time blackmailers have resurrected a fictitious and malicious write-, up hoping to use it to dent the rising political profile of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, but unknown to them that no matter how widespread and fast a lie travel, when truth arrives, it appears like a distinguishing light.

“The first time this fabricated article came on June 14 2023, it came as ‘ Peter Obi and NADECO/Democracy Day’ Last week it resurfaced in social media as ‘ Nigerians Must Not Forget!!!, In 1993 Peter Obi was a protege of Arthur Nzeribe in the Association for Better Nigeria, ABN 

Such a brazen sunken story whose motive is well known ordinarily should not deserve our response but for the credulous public that May not be privy to these facts. And apparently, because of the level of distortions of facts in the write-up, that has no author.

Peter Obi Media Reach, POMR is well aware of the renewed activities of some well-mobilized mercenaries given the arduous task of concocting lies to de-market  Peter Obi.

“The motive which is well known to us is to dent Obi and diminish his rising profile, which stands him out as one of the most outstanding Nigerian democrats today whose belief in the rule of law and non-violence policy remains remarkable. 

“The writer is unable to appreciate the outstanding principles in Obi, his high riding on uncommon principles which remain verifiable.

“POMR would, therefore, like to urge members of the reading public to treat this as a malicious effort that should be sent to the trash.

“Obi was never directly or indirectly involved in the activities of the June 12 struggle.

“While he supported and voted for the late MKO Abiola in 1993, soon after the election, he relocated to the United Kingdom with his family, where he ran a decent, successful business that received encouragement and support from credible finance institutions all over the World because of the integrity and reputation put in it.

“As of 1993, Obi was not a politician, but he admired and voted for Abiola through the late former Senate President Dr Chuba Okadigbo, with whom he was his fan and admirer.

Even while at the University in Nsukka, Obi was not into politics as he was more associated as a student entrepreneur.

“The reputation Obi took into business that stood him out was what he took into politics. Before becoming Governor he never worked or held any government position. He never worked in the Nigeria Ports Authority.

“The closest he came to late General Sani Abacha’s government was when his petition on port congestion attracted Abacha’s attention and he co-opted him into an advocate committee for Port de-congestion that lasted less than four months.

“Whatever status Obi is enjoying today within and outside the country is due to the high integrity he brought into what he does whether in business or politics.

“After eight years of outstanding governance to the people of Anambra state, providing basic infrastructure to the people, clearing inherited pension and salary arrears of over 35billion, leaving office not owing any salary, pension or contractors and leaving office with huge investments, plus a savings of over $150m and 30 million naira in various Nigerian banks, Obi stood out as good governance model. 

“His good governance delivery plus transparency in the deployment of public funds earned him the Governor of the decade.

“Since leaving office over 10 years ago, Obi continues to say that Anambra state has not bought him a bottle of water because he is not into the after-office largesse.

Before becoming a state Governor, Obi had emerged as the youngest Nigerian to chair a post-consolidation bank and served in various other firms as director, where he was nominated based on his reputation.

“This is the man some hirelings are making fruitless efforts to dent by cooking up lies against him including saying that he was against June 12 when he was not even resident in Nigeria during the June 12 imbroglio but living in the United Kingdom and could not have been involved as the faceless writer dubiously wanted the gullible public to believe.”

“Signed:

Ibrahim Umar.
POMR Spokesman
February 25th, 2025.”

Anambra Drugs Market: South east Reps Demands Re-Opening; Traders Sue Agency For N50m

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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South east Reps Caucus

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, should not apply collective punishment on medications sellers in the Onitsha medicine market, as there are many genuine traders in the market who will not engage in the sale of fake drugs, and such should not be punished unnecessarily.

This is the position of the South-South Caucus of the House of Representatives, who addressed journalists on the closure of the market by NAFDAC in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Tuesday.

The development comes as some affected traders in the market has sued the agency, federal and Anambra state government

The leader of the caucus Igariwey Iduma Enwo called on the medicine regulator to immediately reopened the market  located at the Bridgehead, in Onitsha, Anambra.

The market was shut the market on February 10  over alleged massive procurement and distribution of fake and counterfeit drugs by traders in the market.

The Agency had earlier shut down the Kano, and Idumota, Lagos Markets for the same reasons.

According to the Caucus, “our attention has been drawn to the continued lock down of the Onitsha medicine market located at the Bridge head, in Onitsha, Anambra State.

“As a caucus, we unequivocally condemn the nefarious activities of unscrupulous traders and so-called businessmen and women, who peddle and engage in the business of production and distribution of fake, adulterated and unwholesome medications and drugs, which they pass on to the unsuspecting public.

“To say the very least, their activities not only imperil public health but have led directly or indirectly to loss of lives. To a lesser extent, these death merchants are also economic saboteurs since their clandestine activities are not open to government scrutiny and taxation.

“Caucus hereby commends NAFDAC for their intervention in halting the unconscionable activities of these merchants of death all over the country.

“However, while we are mindful of NAFDAC’s statutory role in curbing and stamping out fake drugs in the country, we urge them to quickly arrest and prosecute those responsible for the production and distribution of these fake drugs.

“The wholesale and indefinite sealing of a market that caters for over ninety percent of the medication needs of the South East and South-South regions, may not be the best approach, mores when it is considered that many of the other traders in the same market are genuine businessmen and women.

“Therefore, to avoid a situation of visiting collective punishment on all the traders of Onitsha Bridgehead, which is currently in a state of lockdown, and considering the wider collateral effect of the lockdown on the health needs of the larger population, we urge NAFDAC to quickly resolve the situation by prosecuting the offenders, sanitizing the entire medical ecosystem, whether in Onitsha bridge head market, or in Aba, Lagos or Kano.”

Meanwhile, four of the traders affected by the closure has sued NAFDAC for N50 million for general damages.

Ondo Gets Fourth University As Gov Aiyedatiwa Upgrades Polytechnic

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo

By Ayodele Oni

Still battling with funding of three universities presently, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the upgrade and conversion of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, to a University of Agriculture and Agribusiness.

The three universities presently owned by the state government are Olusegun Agagu University, Okitipupa, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba.

Few weeks ago, industrial unions in the three universities embarked on strike over poor funding and conditions of service of workers.

A statement on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, explained that the upgrade came after a review of the initial proposal for the upgrade of the polytechnic to a university of management science and technology by the state government under the last administration.

Announcing the conversion of the school to University of Agriculture and Agribusiness on his assumption of office after inauguration, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the school will be the model for the agric and food security revolution initiative of the state government.

The Governor added that a committee will be set up by the government to work out the modalities for the implementation of the conversion, while assuring that this will not have any negative effects on the current students and staff of the institution.

Also, the Governor approved a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) between the state government and a private investor on the injection of N15 billion into a youth-oriented agriculture initiative in the State.

The MoU was on an agreement for the establishment and operation of the Young Ranchers Agricultural Cluster Development Programme between the government and AgroMall Discovery and Extension Limited.

The company will make use of five hectares of land in each of the three clusters in the state, using three higher institutions, including the newly upgraded RUGIPO, as host pilot beneficiaries.

The initiative will focus on practical farming for young people and practical training for students in agriculture and agric related operations.

Aside training of the students, each of the three institutions to be used as hosts also stands to benefit a percentage from the proceeds of the operations.

In a related development, Governor Aiyedatiwa has approved a Memorandum of Understanding with BBA Consult on the development and deployment of a secured ICT to enhance state resources planning and management system towards increase in revenue generation.

This agreement, which aims to reform the internally generated revenue profile of the State, will be on a Build, Operate and Transfer basis.

Babangida’s N17b Presidential Library Should Be Converted To A ‘Hall Of Shame’

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Ibrahim Babangida - IBB

Barely a week after former President Ibrahim Babangida launched a book, ‘A journey In Service’ to raise funds for his proposed Presidential Library, a pro-democracy and rights activist, Omoyele Sowore says the Library should be converted to a ‘Hall of Shame.’

The book was launched last Thursday, attended by leaders across the country including the immediate past president of Ghana, Nana Ado Akufo amidst cheers and jeers from many Nigerians.

The event has continued to generate mixed reactions days after it was launched.

According to Sowore, there’s nothing to be celebrated about the former head of state’s decision to establish a library, saying Babangida’s decision to raise funds for the project was a ‘scam’ because “he was never elected, how can someone who was not elected build a presidential library,” Sowore affirmed.

He added, “I don’t think he’s even building a library, but I think he should do something……….so we can convert it to a hall of shame for all of them.”

Sowore’s remark comes on the heels of the celebrations of the Autobiography by Nigeria’s elites, including former heads of state such as Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo,Goodluck Jonathan, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the book launch in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

In spite of the controversy that has trailed the book, a whopping N16.9 billion was raised for the building of the  project by Nigeria’s high and mighty, including Africa’s Richest man Aliko Dangote who donated N6 billion.

“I will contribute N2b annually for the next four years, which is N8b to the development of the IBB Presidential Library. If the project drags more than four years, I will continue to pay N2b every year,” Dangote said.

Other donors include BUA Chairman, Rabiu Abdulsamad, Founder of the TY Danjuma Foundation, General Theophilus Danjuma 9rtd.), who donated N3 billion; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, donated N50 million; business man Arthur Eze donated N500 million; and Mustafa Chike-Obi donated N100 million, amongst others.

Brand War: Aba Textile Merchant Docked For  Forgery ,Threat To Life

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Aba Textile Merchants

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

An Abia State High Court sitting in Aba, on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, adjourned proceedings to March 18, 2025, in the case of criminal conspiracy and forgery filed against a leading textile material dealer and  Managing Director, “Work and Chop Multi-Venture Nigeria LTD, Flamingo Gold, and Odogwu Textiles and Caps West Africa Ltd, Chibueze Ezeike.

Ezike was arraigned on Monday, alongside Chinedu Chukwu, his employee, on a two count charge bordering on forgery and threat to life.

However, Ezike one of the  three leading dealers on traditional Igbo fabrics, ” Isiagu  materials” in Aba,   pleaded not guilty to the charges  brought against him.

 In count one, Ezike and Chinedu Chukwu ,his apprentice/employee, were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit: forgery, contrary to  section 467 of the criminal Code .

Specifically, the prosecution  alleged that the accused, between February 26, and 29, 2024, at Ariaria International Market Aba, fraudulently made, signed, and executed a Receipt with name P S Ezeagu & Sons Resources by inserting ” Odogwu Odogwu design” in the said receipt with receipt number 1217 with the intention of causing it to be believed that such document was made, signed, sealed, or executed by the authority of one Chinedu Ezeagu (Nominal Complaint).

According to the fact of the case obtained by this magazine, the Complainant, who is also  the Managing Director of P S Ezeagu & Sons,  one of the top three Igbo traditional fabrics dealers in the commercial hub of Abia State, had in a petition to the Police in February 2024, alleged forgery of his Company’s official receipts and threat to his life by Ezike.

According to Ezeagu, sometime in February 2024, he was contacted by one Matthew Eze, who is also engaged in the same business of textile materials, to act as his witness in a case involving him and Ezike, the accused, in Abuja.

However, he informed that his decision to act as Eze’s witness never went down well with the accused who, thereafter, engaged in series of plots  to undermine and rope him into trouble.

To achieve his  intentions, Ezeagu alleged that Ezike sent someone to his business premises at the Ariaria International Market Aba to  purchase four yards of his company’s brand of Igbo traditional fabrics “Full Lion Cream Material.”

But surprisingly, Ezeike’s emissary, according to him, requested his worker to write on the receipt “Odogwu Odogwu”, the brand name of Ezike’s Igbo traditional materiel.

He stated that his worker rejected the request on the grounds that their company only deal on “Full Lion Cream brand” and not “Odogwu Odogwu” design.

According to Ezeagu, having failed in the first attempt to rope in his company, the accused, once again,  sent  one of  his workers, one Chnedu Chukwu,  on the same sinister mission.

However, like the first attempt, his workers refused entreaties  from Chukwu for the brand name  “Odogwu Odogwu” to be written on the receipt for him. Chukwu, on this second mission, bought two yards of the “Full Lion Cream” material.

But determined to achieve his evil intentions against him, Ezeagu,

 alleged that Ezike and his worker, Chukwu, thereafter conspired and ingenuously inserted on the receipt legitimately issued to him for the purchase made, “Odogwu Odogwu design” 

“At the end of the day, the suspect carefully inserted “Odogwu Odogwu” in front of the” Full Lion Cream” on the said receipt issued, and used same to file a process in Court castigating and calling the petitioner a part of the syndicate which is unlawfully imitating his goods ( brand)”, part of the police investigative reports ,revealed.

However, in his statement to the Police investigation team, the accused ( Ezike)  admitted sending Chinedu Chukwu to buy two yards of materials in the shop of the petitioner with receipt number 1217, dated February 29,2024 issued.

According to him, the intention was to confirm earlier reports, suggesting that Ezeagu and his company has been faking his goods.

He insisted that the receipt issued to his worker, Chinedu Chukwu, by the complainant’s staff , was written with the name  “Full Lion Cream Odogwu Odogwu” design, a development that confirmed that they were imitating his brand.

According to the Police report, this claim by the suspect  was said to have prompted the investigation team to seek a forensic analysis of the hand writings contained in the said receipt.

“On the 25th June, 2024, a letter was written to the Commissioner of Police Forensic and Crime data, Alagbon, Lagos, to analyze if it is the same person that wrote “Full Lion Cream” and  “Odogwu Odogwu” design on the receipt number 1217, dated 29th   February, 2024.

“On the 20th August, 2024, a report from Forensic Laboratory, FCID Alagbon, Lagos, dated 4th July 2024, was received, and which stated in its opinion that the writer of the “Full Lion Cream” did not write the  “Odogwu Odogwu” design as claimed by the suspect”, the police investigative report reads in part.

Based on the findings, the investigation team in its report signed by Etim G Effiong ,a Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police CP ( PSFU) FCID, concluded that a prima facie case of forgery  has been established against the suspect, Ezike.

“In view of the above, observation and by virtue of the available report of Forensic and Crime Data Analysis conducted on the handwriting written on the invoice/sales receipt No 1217, dated 29th February, 2024, a prima facie offence of criminal conspiracy, forgery, and threat to life has been established against the suspect ( Chinedu Ezike)and Chinedu Chukwu subject to prosecution”, the police report noted.

Presiding Judge, Justice Chibuzo Ahuchaogu, while earlier ruling on a bail  application filed by the lead defence Counsel, E. C. Uzoatu, granted the accused bail to the tune of N10 million, with a surety who must be an owner of property with valid documents in Aba 

The prosecution Counsel, C.G. Korie, an Assistant Director in the Abia State Ministry of Justice, had opposed the bail application on the grounds that the accused, ever since his bail by the Police, has been intimidating and threatening the nominal  complainant, as well as engaging in many subtle moves to debar witnesses from testifying in the matter.

Abia: Lawmaker Defects To LP,  PDP Kicks

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Hon Dennis Rowland

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

The gale of high profile defections rocking the Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP. on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, regained currency after a lull , when one of its State Lawmakers, Hon. Dennis Rowland signed off.

 But an angry  State Leadership of the PDP has vowed to retrieve the Party’s mandate from the defected Legislator. 

The Source reports that between the second and third quarter of 2024, the rank of the once Abia political behemoth, has seriously depleted. Hordes of past top party and Government officials have jumped ship .

The defection spree  subsided reasonably, towards the end of 2024 as the Leadership of the party moved to reinvent the system.

The defection of Hon Roland, representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency to the ruling Labour Party comes on the heels of his purported suspension by the  Leadership of his PDP Ward   penultimate week.

His suspension followed   closely to that of the Chairman of the Party’s Board of Trustees, BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara The PDP leadership, also, cited alleged anti-party activities as a major reason.

Instructively ,his defection has, at the same time, tilted the balance of power in the 24 member state House of Assembly in favour of LP .

Before now, the PDP, with 12 Members, despite not being in charge of the State’s seat power, still maintained majority status.

However, with the recent development, the two rival parties have moved in the opposite direction. The LP is now on the driver’s seat with 12 members.

The PDP now has 11, while the All Progressive Congress, APC,  continues to maintain its only one slot post-2023 general elections.

Hon Rowland’s defection, from same constituency as Governor Alex Otti, was announced during  plenary  Tuesday by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa.

Reacting to the defection on Tuesday ,the leadership of the Abia PDP condemned the move by Hon Rowland to still retain the legislative seat secured through the mandate of the PDP.

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Eric Ikwuagwu, the Abia PDP declared its intentions to officially write to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, to declare the affected seat vacant.

The party also expressed its readiness to institute legal proceedings with a view to ensuring that the constitutional provisions guiding the system is strictly respected.

“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Abia State Chapter, has been drawn to the recent defection of Hon Rowland Dennis from our great party.

“While our party respects the democratic rights of individuals to freedom of association, we strongly condemn the unethical and unconstitutional attempt by Hon Dennis to retain the legislative seat secured through the mandate of the PDP.

“The PDP is committed to safeguarding the mandate of the party, and defending the electoral trust bestowed upon it by the good people of Abia state”, the PDP’s spokesman assured.

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