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JUST IN: Court sacks 13 APC chairmen, 171 councillors in Ebonyi

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(DDM) – A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, has nullified the July 2024 local government elections that produced 13 chairmen and 171 councillors under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Justice Hillary Oshomah, in his landmark judgment, ruled that the election violated several provisions of both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act.

The court declared that the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) conducted the polls in blatant disregard of constitutional requirements and electoral guidelines, thereby invalidating all mandates arising from the process.

In his verdict, Justice Oshomah described the entire election exercise as “illegal, unconstitutional, null, and void,” stressing that no democratic system should operate outside the confines of the law.

The judgment effectively sacked all the 13 local government chairmen and 171 councillors who were sworn in after the controversial election, which was widely criticized by opposition parties and civil society observers at the time.

The court further barred the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) and the Ebonyi State Government from conducting any future local government elections without strict compliance with the Electoral Act and constitutional provisions.

The plaintiffs in the case, Samuel Udeogu and Mudi Erhenede, had approached the court to challenge the validity of the July 2024 polls, arguing that the exercise was marred by irregularities, lack of transparency, and disregard for due process.

Reacting to the ruling, the plaintiffs described the judgment as “a triumph for democracy, the rule of law, and the restoration of people’s confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary.”

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Their counsel, Barrister Hamilton Ogbodo, lauded the court for upholding democratic values, stating that the verdict represented “a bold step towards restoring public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.”

He noted that the decision sends a strong signal to political actors that electoral impunity will no longer be tolerated in the country’s democratic process.

Legal analysts who spoke with DDM said the ruling has set a significant judicial precedent not just for Ebonyi State but for other states where local government elections are often viewed as mere formalities controlled by ruling parties.

Observers also believe that the judgment could reshape the political landscape in Ebonyi State, as the nullification of the APC-led councils may open the door for fresh elections conducted under stricter legal scrutiny.

For now, the affected chairmen and councillors remain without legal mandates, pending any appeal that may be filed by the Ebonyi State Government or the state electoral body.

The verdict, analysts say, has reinforced the judiciary’s role as the last hope of the common man and a guardian of democratic integrity in Nigeria.

 

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Full list of charges against Nnamdi Kanu filed by FG

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Details of the full list of the charges lodged against the embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu by the federal government, have been made available to the general public.

Though, this is coming after Nnamdi Kanu during his court appearance on Wednesday, insisted that he has no case to answer, citing lack of valid charges.

Diaspora Digital Media reported that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja last week, had given Kanu a final chance to defend himself in his ongoing terrorism trial.

Moreover, following Kanu’s persistent refusal to open his defense, the presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho, today ruled that Kanu must enter his defence or risk being foreclosed.

Justice Omotosho said it was his duty as a judge in the case to accord the defendant sufficient opportunity to put in his defence.

The judge spoke while delivering judgment on an application by the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, that the court should foreclose Kanu, who failed to enter his defence having spent five out of the six days the court granted him to conduct his defence.

Awomolo had noted that the court had on Tuesday, adjourned till Wednesday for Kanu to enter a defence in his trial or be deemed to have waived his right to do so.

He further noted that at the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, Kanu still declined to open his defence as ordered by the court.

Awomolo urged the court to take note of the defendant’s position that he would not enter any defence because there is no valid charge against him.

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He then prayed the court to foreclose the defendant and adjourn for judgment.

Earlier, Kanu, who represented himself, addressed the court from the dock.

He reiterated his position that there is no valid charge against him to warrant his being called to enter a defence.

However, below is the breakdown of the charges filed against Nnamdi Kanu by the federal government.

Count one: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male adult of Afaraukwu lbeku Umahia North Local Government Area of Abia State being the leader of the Indigenous People of Bialra (IPOB) on diverse dates in 2014 and 2015 in London, United Kingdom, did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu and other areas within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, preparations made by you and others now at large for states in the South-East and South-South zones and other communities in Kogi and Benue States to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a view to constituting same into the Republic of Biafra and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 41(c) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP. C77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Count two: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area ot Abia State, on or about the 28th April, 2015 in London, United Kingdom did broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu State and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, referred to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a paedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil, knowing same to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C. 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

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Count Three: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male adult of Afaraukwu lbeku Umahia North Local Government Area of Abia State between the month of March and April 2015 imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulusiuzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court , a Radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L concealed in a container of used household which you declared as used household items and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 47 (2) of the Criminal Code of Act ,Cap C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Count four: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult. of Afaraukwu iIbeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State in London, United Kingdom between 2018 and 2021 Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu State and FCT, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, professed to be a member of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed organisation in Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

Count five: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on the 22th of April, 2021 in London, United Kingdom on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu State and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did an act of terrorism in that you incite the other members (followers) of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB}, a proscribed organisation in Nigeria, to look for security personnel, their family members through a Radio Biafra on 102.1FM monitored through the IPOB Community Radio and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (h) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act.

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Count six: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia Stale on the 16thh of May, 2021, in London, United Kingdom within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an act in furtherance of an act of terrorism by making a broadcast that “In 2 weeks’ time, what will happen will shake the world, people will die, the whole world will stand still, mark my word” and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

Count seven: That you Nnamdi Kanu, male, adult, of Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on the 31st of May, 2021, in London, United Kingdom within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did an act in furtherance of an act of terrorism by issuing a deadly threat that anyone who flouted your sit-at-home order should “write his/her will,” as a result banks, schools, markets, shopping malls, fuel stations were not opened for businesses and vehicular movements grounded and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

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Legal Affairs

BREAKING: Court moves to close Nnamdi Kanu’s defence over delay

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Nnamdi Kanu
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has warned Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), that his defence may be foreclosed if he fails to open his case at the next hearing.

Justice James Omotosho issued the caution on Tuesday, following Kanu’s continued refusal to begin his defence after the prosecution closed its case and his no-case submission was dismissed.

Kanu, representing himself after dismissing his legal team, reiterated during the session that he would not enter a defence, insisting there were no valid charges against him under Nigerian law.

He said: “There is no valid charge pending against me. I should not be in detention, and I demand to be released immediately.”

Instead of filing a final written address as ordered, Kanu submitted a motion and affidavit challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

The prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), objected to Kanu’s stance, accusing him of deliberately stalling proceedings.

Awomolo urged the court to treat the motion as Kanu’s final written address and proceed to judgment.

However, Justice Omotosho ruled that Kanu’s filings were valid and would be considered at the appropriate time.

The judge emphasized that Kanu, not being a lawyer, should be given the opportunity to seek legal advice before proceeding.

The court adjourned the case to November 5, 2025, warning that failure to open his defence at the next hearing would result in the forfeiture of his right to do so.

 

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Battle To Remove Wike’s Hand From PDP Suffers Setback

As Court Halts PDP National Convention

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Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike
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The battle by the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to remove the hand of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, from the party’s leadership has suffered a setback.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on October 31, 2025, issued an injunction stopping the party from proceeding with its planned 2025 National Convention.

The party leadership scheduled the Convention to hold between November 15 and November 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Party leaders were at the Federal High Court in Abuja for the judgement, hoping for a favourable outcome.

Those present at the court included the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum.

Others were the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed.

The rest were Members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

PDP leaders came for the final verdict on a matter brought by the Abia State Chairman, Abraham Nnanna Ammah.

Other parties to the suit are the Imo State PDP Chairman, Austine Nwachukwu and South-South Zonal Secretary, Tuner George, from Bayelsa state.

The trio, allies of Wike, asked the court to stop the scheduled PDP National Convention holding in Ibadan, Oyo State.

PDP leaders at the Federal high Court, Abuja, including National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, and Members of the National Working Committee (NWC) 

PDP leaders at the Federal high Court, Abuja, including National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, and Members of the National Working Committee (NWC)

Wike’s Faction wins

Ruling, the judge, James Omotosho, cited PDP’s failure to comply with its constitution, 1999 Nigerian Constitution, and Electoral Act.

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Judge Omotosho cited the absence of valid state congresses in at least 14 states before advancing to the national level.

The court restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing any outcomes from the event without due process.

The process includes proper 21-day notices, as well as co-signatures on official documents.

Wike, a former Rivers State Governor, has been locking horns with the PDP hierarchy since 2022.

He had lost the party’s primary election to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

He and a group of five governors, G5, demanded a southern presidential candidate but the party overruled them in favor of Abubakar, a northerner.

In its defence, PDP said the suit was an internal matter, arguing that the court lacks the jurisdiction to try the matter.

The defendants accused the plaintiffs of sabotage, trying to derail the transitions of the leadership.

However, the judge noted that the preparation for the convention is invalid.

The court also pointed out some negative issues such as the unsigned notice from National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum.

It also condemned an alleged forged signature of the National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, another Wike ally.

PDP leaders arriving the Federal high Court in Abuja

PDP leaders arriving the Federal high Court in Abuja

Wike celebrates and decries verdict

Following the court verdict, Wike addressed some PDP stakeholders at his residence in Abuja, including former Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia.

Expressing bittersweet emotions, he on one hand extolled the decision.

He described it is a victory against impunity, saying it is one of the happiest days of his life.

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On the other hand, he described the judgement as saddest, noting that it may have sounded a death knell on the coffin of PDP.

“We are happy that we have fought impunity, while on the other hand, we are not happy with what is going on in the party,” Wike said.

“PDP leaders must talk to us… Nobody will be intimidated; we will do what is right,” he added.

As the 2027 general elections approaches, the party risks leadership paralysis as Damagum’s tenure winds down.

Failure to conduct a convention means no new executives, no candidate nominations, and a mass evacuation from the party.

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