TheNewsGuru

Tag: senator

  • Kogi West: Melaye loses final bid to return as 9th Assembly senator

    Kogi West: Melaye loses final bid to return as 9th Assembly senator

    It is end of the road for Senator Dino Melaye as the Appeal Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed his appeal against Senator Smart Adeyemi.

    The court upheld the victory of Adeyemi as winner of the Kogi West Senatorial District election held last year.

    The Electoral Tribunal had thrown out Melaye’s suit, but he went to the Appeal Court to challenge Adeyemi’s victory and lost.

    The three-man panel of the court unanimously resolved all seven issues, identified for determination, against Melaye.

    The court upheld the judgment delivered on June 10, 2020 by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, which affirmed the declaration of Adeyemi as winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

  • Photo News: Senate President, Ahmed Lawan leads senators to Orji Kalu’s house

    Photo News: Senate President, Ahmed Lawan leads senators to Orji Kalu’s house

    Sequel to his release from Kuje Prison on Wednesday night, Senator President Ahmad Lawan led other senators on a solidarity visit to the Chief Whip of the senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Thursday.

    Kalu, former governor of Abia, was jailed alongside Ude Jones Udeogu, a former director of finance and account of Abia state.

    They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 36 counts of money laundering to the tune of N7.1 billion.

    They were found guilty and jailed in December. But Udeogu appealed the verdict of the court.

    Following his appeal, the Supreme Court on May 8, 2020, ordered that Udeogu should be released and the retrial of his case.

    However, Kalu who was not part of this appeal contended that no legal basis existed for his continued incarceration following the Supreme Court’s judgment which declared the whole trial a nullity and freed Udeogu.

    However, at Kalu’s residence on Thursday, all the senators wore face masks but did not observe social distancing when they posed for photographs.

    See more photos below:

  • Committee of friends congratulates Sen. Magnus Abe @55

    Committee of friends congratulates Sen. Magnus Abe @55

    Committee of Friends of Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, the indefatigable crusader and Apostle of internal democracy in the All Progressives Congress (APC), have sent a message of congratulations to the Senator as he celebrates his 55th birthday.

    The Committee of Friends, in a statement titled: ‘WE ARE PROUD TO ASSOCIATE WITH YOU, A PURIST,’ which was signed on its behalf by Chief Tony Okocha, described Senator Abe as a man who is able to hold strongly to his opinion to the conviction and acceptance of all.

    The statement further stated: “Your disposition to politics of all inclusion, without bitterness and rancor has created a place for you in our hearts.

    “We have taken a second look at the six points communiqué reached at ‘The Meeting’ in Port Harcourt two years ago and we are convinced to say, that it was the right decision.

    “May the Almighty God keep you safe and sound in good health.”

  • COVID-19 LOCKDOWN: Basketmouth, AY, Bovi, others find new ways to thrill fans

    COVID-19 LOCKDOWN: Basketmouth, AY, Bovi, others find new ways to thrill fans

    What happens to comedy when social gathering is outlawed? This is the question every Nigerian comedian worth its salt has been grappling with.

    With shows and events cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and people being asked to stay home and practice “social distancing”, Nigerian comics are resorting to new ways to practice their craft. Stand-up comedy, under its current model is currently dead at every level.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-hrRz_FgRY/

     

     

    Bright Okpocha a.k.a Basketmouth has used this moment to intensify his social media presence by releasing delightful comedy skits. He featured his colleague, Bovi in a skit called ‘The Syndicate’. The video currently has 23,000 views on YouTube as at the time of filing this report.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-JtjtPFm11/

     

    In the same vein Bovi rather than wallow in misery, complaining about absence of comedy gigs, has also been posting more of content from his web series ‘Back to school’ which gets fans roaring with laughter.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-UIWTWBRTd/

    On the flip- side, popular comedian Senator has found solace in hosting some of his colleagues in his Instagram live comedy show tagged ‘Lockdown comedy show’ where they share jokes which allay the fears of their numerous fans. Senator in the past few days has hosted Buchi, Dan Dee Humourous, IGosave and Seyilaw.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-YC-kSlwcT/

     

    On his own part, Ayo Makun popularly known as AY has been sharing content from his new web series ‘Call to bar’ on his Instagram and YouTube Channel.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-gfsgrnIN7/

     

     

  • Serving Nigerian senator clears air on COVID-19 status

    Serving Nigerian senator clears air on COVID-19 status

    Senator Binos Yeroe (Adamawa South) has tested negative for COVID-19 after isolating himself for 14 days.

    The senator came out of self-isolation on Thursday to announce his COVID-19 status during a briefing in his residence at the state capital, Yola.

    He said the safety routine was an example on the way to go as a public official during the coronavirus epidemic.
    He said: “I am compelled to make this broadcast to clarify that in view of my exposure in the course of my duties as a Senator, I elected to self-isolate for 14 days due to the prevailing coronavirus pandemic and as directed by the leadership of the Senate.
    “At the expiration of the 14 days, I submitted myself again to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for examination. The NCDC has interviewed me and on the basis that I am not symptomatic after the mandatory self isolation, has seen no need to conduct further tests and subsequently has relieved me of all apprehensions.”

    He stressed he submitting himself to the process even when he knew that he had no prior contact with anyone that had tested positive.

    “I placed myself on my own volition in self-isolation in the interest of myself, my family, friends and community even before the NCDC advised self isolation,” he said.

    Members of the public were kept in the dark regarding the senator’s COVID-19 status prior to his self-declaration of Thursday.

    When his sample was first taken as someone who had travelled recently and possibly mingled with high-risk individuals and should therefore be tested, the public’s suspicion of that reality was dismissed.

    A speculation also arose from the few who knew he was on self-isolation that he was not strictly observing the rule.

    Dismissing that speculation, Sen Binos said: “During my self-isolation, I did not stay in or visit any hotel contrary to the rumours making the rounds as concocted and championed by known mischief makers purely to tarnish my image and defame me.

    “I urge all well-wishers to discountenance all rumours. I am glad to say that I am fine and free of the virus.”

  • BREAKING: Nigerian Senator, Rose Oko is dead

    BREAKING: Nigerian Senator, Rose Oko is dead

    The Senator representing Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Dr (Mrs) Rose Okoji Oko, is dead.

    The late Senator Oko died last night at a UK medical facility .

    She passed on at the age of 63.

     

    She was the current serving chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment and was born in September 27, 1956.

    Oko was also a member of the House of Representatives when she represented the Yala/Ogoja Federal Constituency in the 7th National Assembly.

    The late senator was elected into office as the first female representative from her constituency in June 2011 and was Deputy Chairman House Committee on Education.

    She was elected as the first female representative from her Senatorial District in June 2015, and re-elected in 2019.

     

    Details later.

  • BREAKING: A’Court upholds Ifeanyi Ubah’s election as Senator

    BREAKING: A’Court upholds Ifeanyi Ubah’s election as Senator

    The Appeal Court in Abuja on Thursday ruled that Nigerian businessman, Ifeanyi Ubah was duly elected a senator to represent Anambra South Senatorial district.

    The court thus voided an earlier judgment delivered by the High Court of Abuja sacking Ubah as senator representing Anambra South Senatorial district.

    Justice Stephen Adah led a three-man panel, which unanimous threw out the judgment of the High Court and retain Ubah as the duly elected senator for Anambra South Senatorial District.

    The court held that the judement delivered by Justice Bello Kawu, was a nullity on the grounds that the originating process was incompetent having not been signed by a lawyer as required and that the judgment was given without jurisdiction, and that Ubah was denied fair hearing by the FCT High Court.

    Justice Adah, held among others that, since the cause of action arose in Anambra State, the FCT High Court was without the requisite territorial jurisdiction to have entertained the case.

    He added that, from the record of proceedings before the FCT High Court, there was no evidence that Ubah was served with processes in relation to the case.

    The judge also found that the originating summons, with which the case was commenced before the FCT High Court was not signed by any lawyer as required by the Rules of the High Court of the FCT.

    The Nation reports that Justice Adah granted a perpetual injunction restraining the Clerk of the Senate and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from acting on the April 11, 2019 judgment which had been voided for being a nullity.

  • Fani-Kayode blasts senator over generator bill

    Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has slammed Senator Bima Enagi who is sponsoring the bill for the ban of Generators in Nigeria.

    The bill passed its first reading on Wednesday, March 11th, 2020.

    The chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party taking to his Twitter handle to react to the bill, he wrote:

    “The Senator that sponsored the Bill to ban generators in Nigeria & send those that sell or use them to jail must be insane. He ought to be tied up, placed in a straight jacket, put in a strong sack filled with weights & dropped in the deepest & darkest part of the Atlantic Ocean.”

  • Fear of security operatives: Former Governors turned Senators avoid offices

    Fear of security operatives: Former Governors turned Senators avoid offices

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    In a bid to avoid the prying eyes of security operatives, former Governors Rochas Okorocha, Theodore Orji and Jonah Jang avoid their allocated offices in the Senate.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that these former governors with pending Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC always leave the Red Chamber straight to their Houses.

    Several attempts made by TNG to even have a peep at former Rochas Okorocha who held sway as Imo State Governor for eight years proved abortive.

    TNG however discovered that this was not associated with Former governors alone but some long serving senators stealth into the chamber and dash out.

    An aide to one of the Senators told TNG that”what do you expect, this men conduct the affairs of their offices via the telephone they don’t even need an office.

    “Oga constituents come here and wait endlessly for him and leave here more frustrated because he does not even pick their calls.

    Former Governor Orji of Abia since the bubble bust on his alleged money laundering story has stopped coming to National Assembly.

    Technically, Eyninnaya Abaribe is the only the Senator standing for Abia state as Senator Orji Kalu is still resting in Kuje Prison.

    Former Gov Jang of Plateau state is hardly on ground too as he has pending files with the anti-graft agency.

    See their case files below:

    The commission said it was interested in Rochas Foundation and other property converted by individuals for personal use in Imo.

    A 16-block cum 96 flats, a multi-million naira eight-bungalow estate, hotel, two schools, shopping plaza, supermarket, hospital, and four vehicles are on the commission’s spotlight.

    *This is one among his pending cases.

    Theodore Orji: Alleged diversion of over N521bn to personal use

    Jang: Alleged N6.32bn fraud also pending

  • ‘Sex toy shop assault’: Police close case against Sen. Abbo

    The Nigerian Police on Thursday closed its case in the ongoing trial of a senator, Elisha Abbo, who was caught on camera assaulting a woman in Abuja.

    The senator, who represents Adamawa North senatorial district, was arraigned at the Magistrate Court in Zuba, Abuja, after a video which showed him physically assaulting a lady, went viral.

    Calls for Mr Abbo to be arrested and prosecuted intensified following this newspaper’s publication of the video.

    Mr Abbo’s trial began on July 8 at the court where he was granted bail with a bond of N5 million.

    The senator is facing a charge on two counts of criminal assault.

    At the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday, the police lawyer, James Idachaba, told the court, that he is closing his case against the defendant after calling two witnesses.

    The two witnesses the police brought are the nominal complainant, Anyata Warmate and Mary Daniel, an assistant superintendent with the Nigerian Police, who investigated the case.

    Responding, Mr Abbo’s lawyer, Isaac Adeniyi, said the police has not been able to establish a prima facie case against Mr Abbo.

    After that, Mr Adeniyi, asked for an adjournment to enable them file a no-case submission in the matter.

    In a short ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Abdullahi Ilelah, adjourned the matter to March 12, for the adoption of a no-case submission that would be filed by the senator.