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Tag: Supreme Court

  • ICYMI: Supreme Court stops Rivers State’s allocations

    ICYMI: Supreme Court stops Rivers State’s allocations

    The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the Rivers House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule as the authentic and legally constituted lawmaking body in the state.A five-member panel of justices led by Uwani Abba-Aji gave the order in the unanimous judgment read by Justice Emmanuel Agim.

    The Alex court also  restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) from further releasing budgetary allocations to the Rivers Government until a valid Appropriation Act is passed by a lawfully constituted house of assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.

    The embattled assembly Speaker, Amaewhule, and 26 others were alleged to have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their seats declared vacant by Okey Jumbo-led house of assembly.

    But in its decision, the Supreme Court ordered that all members of the Rivers House of Assembly are to resume normal legislative businesses without any hindrance to any members.

    Justice Emmanuel Agim, in the lead judgment, agreed with the arguments made by lawyer to the Amaewhule-led members of the assembly, Mr Ogwu Onoja, SAN.

    Justice Agim condemned the conduct of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, who he said, chose to destroy the government of the state and resort to acting unlawfully by pulling down the house of assembly due to his fear that there were moves to impeach him.

    “It must be stated loud and clear that the crisis in Rivers State is as a result of non-adherence to the rule of law as well as the fragrant disregard of court orders,” he said.

    The judge faulted the Court of Appeal for holding that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024.

    The suit sought to restrain the CBN and AGF from releasing funds to Rivers owing to its failure to obtain a valid Appropriation Act in compliance with the Jan. 22, 2024 judgment by Justice James Omotosho in suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023.

    He also faulted the consequential order made by the Appeal Court in the Dec. 13, 2024 judgment, voiding the Oct. 30, 2024 judgment by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024.

    “The view of the Court of Appeal that suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 is over the consolidated revenue fund of River State is wrong as it is not supported by the reliefs claimed for in the originating summons.

    “This wrong view influenced it to hold that the subject matter of this suit is not within the scope of the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

    “It is glaring that the objective of suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 is to stop the release of funds to the 1st and 2nd respondents herein – the Government of Rivers and Simi Fubara – so as to compel them to comply with the judgment in suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 by causing the passage of the appropriation law by the Rivers State House of Assembly properly constituted as prescribed by the Constitution.

    “Suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 is not a fresh action with the subject matter independent of the subject matter of suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023. It is sequel to the judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023,” the judge said.

    Justice Agim proceeded to set aside the Dec. 13, 2024 judgment of the Court of Appeal, in which the appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear and determine on cases relating to funds belonging to Rivers State.

    He restored the Oct. 30, 2024 judgment by Justice Abdulmalik and all the consequential orders made thereto.

    The judge said: “In the light of the foregoing, I hold that the decision of the Court of Appeal that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain and determine suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024i s wrong.

    “The trial court validly exercised it’s jurisdiction to hear and determine suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024.

    “So appeal number: SC/CV/1174/2024 is resolved in favour of the appellants. On the whole, this appeal succeeds as it has merit. It is accordingly allowed.

    “The order the Court of Appeal made on the 13th of December 2024 in appeal number: CA/ABJ/CV/1287/2024, striking out suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 for lack of jurisdiction is hereby set aside,” he said.

    Justice Agim faulted the decision of the Rivers governor purporting to deploy the doctrine of necessity and the provisions of Sections 102 and 109 of the Constitution to justify his decision to relate with only four members of a 32-member Rivers House of Assembly.

    He held that, having created an environment that made it impossible for the state assembly to lawfully function, Fubara could not rely on Sections 102 and 109.

    The court held that the doctrine of necessity to give validity to the proceedings of the house of assembly constituted by less than 1/3 of the members and the action of his actions, which included presenting the state’s appropriate bill before a four-member assembly.

    Justice Agim said that Fubara had started preventing the house from conducting its businesses before the issue of defection occurred.

    He held that having prevented the 27 members from conducting their legislative businesses by pulling down the assembly complex, Fubara’s claimed that the 27 members were no longer members of the state assembly, on grounds that they had defected, was incorrect.

    “The claim that the 27 members are no longer members is a perpetuation of his attempt to prevent them from participating in the House business. The 27 members are still valid members of the House of Assembly,” justice Agim said.

    He added that Fubara’s fear of impeachment was not a justification for his attack on the house of assembly.

    “What he has done is to destroy the government because of his fear that he wants to be impeached,” he said, while expressing concern that this practice was becoming a culture among politicians.

    Justice Agim, therefore, awarded a cost of N5 million against Fubara and the government of Rivers, to be paid to the Rivers House of Assembly and Amaewhule.

    Other members of the panel; Justices Uwani Abba-Aji (who presided), Ibrahim Saulawa, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme and Jamilu Tukur agreed with the lead judgment.

    Also in another judgement delivered on Friday by the same panel, the Supreme Court voided the last local government election conducted in Rivers on Oct. 5, 2024.

    All members of the panel unanimously held that the election was conducted in violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2024.

    Justice Jamilu Tukur, in the lead judgment, agreed with the appellant, the 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 the voters’ registration continued until 90 days before the election and that the requisite notices were issued as required by law.

  • Rivers govt reacts over Supreme Court judgement

    Rivers govt reacts over Supreme Court judgement

    The Rivers State Government (RSG), has urged its citizens to remain calm and law-abiding as it seeks clarity from the legal team on the supreme court judgement.

    The Rivers Commissioner for Informations and Communications, Mr Joe Johnson, made the remark in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    He said that the state government was yet to get details of the judgment from its legal team, urging the people to go about their legitimate businesses.

    “We have taken note of reports in the media regarding the recent judgment of the supreme court concerning the funds of Rivers State and the administration of local governments in the state.

    “At this time, we are awaiting a detailed briefing on the implications of the judgment.

    “We will carefully evaluate the situation and determine the next steps to take in the best interest of Rivers State and its people,” he said.

    Johnson said that the determination of the main issue of the defection of the 27 lawmakers was a matter not before the Supreme Court but pending at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

    “Since the issue of defection wasn’t on the table before the learned Justices, in their eyes,  Amaewhule and the 26 others are still operating as lawmakers until that matter of defection comes before them.

    “We assure you that we remain committed to upholding our mandate to protect the best interest and the rule of law in all matters affecting our dear state,” he stated.

  • Why Supreme Court nullified Rivers LG election, restored Amaewhule as Speaker

    Why Supreme Court nullified Rivers LG election, restored Amaewhule as Speaker

    The Supreme Court on Friday, nullified the Local Government election in Rivers State, which was conducted on October 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.

    Rivers assembly crisis: Supreme Court restores Amaewhule as Speaker

    Similarly, the Supreme Court on Friday, affirmed the Rivers House of Assembly led by Mr Martin Amaewhule as the authentic and legally constituted lawmaking body in the state.

    A five-member panel of justices led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, gave the order in a lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim.

    The apex court also restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) from further releasing budgetary allocations to Rivers until a valid Appropriation Act is passed by a lawfully constituted house of assembly.

    In a unanimous judgment on Friday, the panel ordered that Amaewhule and other 26 members of the assembly, who were alleged to have defected, should be allowed to resume legislative duties unhindered.

    The Supreme Court further ordered that all members of the house of assembly are to resume normal legislative businesses without any hindrance to any members.

    Justice Agim condemned the conduct of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who he said chose to destroy the government of Rivers and resort to acting unlawfully by pulling down the House of Assembly owing to his fear that there were moves to impeach him.

    The apex court set aside the earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, in which the appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction on cases relating to funds belonging to Rivers.

    The panel equally awarded a cost of N5 million against Fubara and the Government of Rivers, to be paid to the Rivers House of Assembly and Amaewhule.

  • Supreme Court reserves judgment in 4 appeals on Rivers political crisis

    Supreme Court reserves judgment in 4 appeals on Rivers political crisis

    The Supreme Court on Monday reserved judgment in four separate appeals on the raging political leadership tussles in Rivers.

    Justice Uwani Aba-Aji, who led a five-member panel of justices reserved judgments to a date that would be communicated to parties, after taking arguments from lawyers involved in the matters.

    The four appeals are the Rivers House of Assembly and others against the Rivers Government and nine others.

    The second case is between the Rivers House of Assembly and others against Gov. Siminalayi Fubara
    and nine others.

    The third case is between the Rivers House of Assembly and others against the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, and nine others.

    The fourth matter is between the Rivers State House of Assembly and others against the Accountant General of Rivers and nine others.

    The cases are in respect of some judgments delivered by the federal high court in Abuja which prohibited the release of monthly fund to Rives from the Federation Account and another that barred INEC from releasing voter register to the state government for the purpose of conducting local government election among others.

    It will be recalled that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the federal high court in Abuja had ordered the stoppage of the release of allocations from the federal government to Rivers  until the governor presented the budget before the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly members.

    However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja  upturned the the judgment on  grounds of grave injustice in the findings and decisions.

    Similarly, the Court of Appeal, in another judgment, upturned the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu, also of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had ruled against the conduct of the Oct. 5, 2024, local government council election in Rivers on the grounds that due process of Rivers State laws on local government elections had not been followed.

    At Monday’s sitting , Joseph Daudu SAN represented the camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory  FCT Nyesom Wike while Chris Uche SAN led the camp of  Fubara.

  • Wike V Fubara: Supreme Court fixes date to hear all appeals in Rivers cases

    Wike V Fubara: Supreme Court fixes date to hear all appeals in Rivers cases

    The Supreme Court has set February 10, 2025, to hear two separate suits filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the validity of the local government elections conducted in Rivers State in 2024.

    On the same day, the apex court will hear five additional cases related to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, which began in October 2023 when a faction loyal to former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, attempted to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

    The crisis intensified after Fubara sealed off the state Assembly complex in response to impeachment moves. Subsequently, lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, which Fubara dismissed as illegitimate. This led to the creation of a controversial three-member Assembly that took critical legislative actions, including passing the 2024 budget.

    The legitimacy of the Assembly and its decisions have become a legal matter, progressing through the Rivers State High Court, Federal High Court, and the Court of Appeal before reaching the Supreme Court.

    Legal Consolidations and Disputes

    The Supreme Court has consolidated four appeals for a streamlined hearing, including:

    Rivers State House of Assembly vs. Rivers State Government
    Rivers State House of Assembly vs. Rivers State Governor
    Rivers State House of Assembly vs. RSIEC
    Rivers State House of Assembly vs. Accountant General of Rivers State
    These appeals, along with the two separate APC suits, will be heard on February 10.

    2024 Local Government Elections

    The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) scheduled the local government elections for October 5, 2024, despite objections from the APC. The APC alleged that RSIEC violated a bill extending the tenure of local government chairmen, passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly.

  • Kano Emirship Tussle: Kingmaker, Dan’Agundi heads to Supreme Court

    Kano Emirship Tussle: Kingmaker, Dan’Agundi heads to Supreme Court

    Alhaji Aminu Dan’Agundi, a kingmaker in Emir Ado Bayero’s cabinet and his senior counsel, says the faction will appeal the Court of Appeal judgement in a suit regarding Kano Emirship.

    In ruling on the matter, the Appeal Court said the Federal High Court, Kano does not have the powers to interfere in the matter, a judgement welcomed by Kano State Government.

    “This ruling validates the government’s lawful actions and clarifies jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters, reinforcing the constitutional boundaries of courts in such affairs,’’ said Mr Haruna Dederi the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    However, addressing newsmen in Kano on Sunday, Dan’Agundi said he had instructed his legal team to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s ruling at the Supreme Court.

    He cited errors in the interpretation of the ruling on the side of government which backs Emir Muhammad Sunusi II for the throne.

    He said it was wrong for the Appeal Court to interpret the case as a chieftaincy matter rather than a fundamental human rights violation.

    Dan’ Agundi said he was not contesting the constitutional power of the Kano State House of Assembly to enact or repeal laws but that the Kano Emirate Council Law 2024 (Repeal) did not follow due process.

    He said as a kingmaker in the Emirate Council he should have been accorded a fair hearing before the emirate council law was repealed.

    “I went to the Federal High Court Kano to challenge the Kano State Government’s decision.

    “After hearing from all the parties, the trial judge, Justice AM Liman, assumed jurisdiction to hear our case on merit.

    “While delivering its judgment, the Appeal Court heavily relied on Supreme Court citation on Emir of Muri’s case, upholding that any issue relating to chieftaincy affairs has to go back to State High Court.

    “But our case and that of Emir of Muri are different.

    “Since the Court Appeal held that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain our case, there is nothing I can do than to appeal the judgement,” he said.

    He said challenging the Appeal Court verdict meant that all actions regarding the Emirship be suspended pending the Supreme Court’s final judgment.

    He, therefore, urged the public to remain calm and wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict on the issue.

  • Supreme Court, NAHCON, others fail ICPC integrity scorecard

    Supreme Court, NAHCON, others fail ICPC integrity scorecard

    The ICPC has revealed that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and 13 other agencies failed to meet the requirements of its 2024 Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS).

    This announcement highlights the failure of several key institutions to meet the required ethical standards and guidelines set by the ICPC for the year.

    Dr Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the ICPC, made this revelation while unveiling the agency’s EICS on Thursday in Abuja.

    The Chairman was represented by Demola Bakare, the ICPC Director of Public Enlightenment and Education.

    Aliyu reported that 330 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) were assessed in the outgoing year, but none achieved full compliance with the EICS.

    He emphasised that the 15 non-compliant MDAs had completely failed to conduct any system studies or submitted necessary financial and audit reports.

    Aliyu said among the non-compliant agencies were the University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Legal Aid Council, Abuja, and Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.

    Other entities on the list, he said included the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Abuja; Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists; Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria; and the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre, Ningi, among others.

    Aliyu warned that the ICPC would take appropriate actions, including enforcement measures, against these MDAs to ensure they complied with government directives.

    In spite of the non-compliance of some agencies, the Chairman commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for emerging as the top performer in the EICS with a score of 89.75 per cent.

    The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) came second with 89.33 per cent, followed by Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) with 88.73 per cent.

    The assessment covered key indicators, including Management Culture and Structure (MCS), Governance and Executive Management, and Financial Management Systems (FMS).

    It also examined Finance, Revenue, and Audit Processes, as well as Administrative Systems (AS), which included policies, ethics education, and whistle-blowing mechanisms.

    The EICS serves as a preventive tool to assess and improve MDAs’ compliance with ethical standards, policies, and anti-corruption measures.

    He said that the scorecard aimed to identify organisational gaps, provide actionable insights, advise the government on policy development, and foster self-evaluation within MDAs.

    Aliyu further revealed that between December 2023 and December 2024, the ICPC tracked 1,500 projects across 22 states valued at N610 billion.

    “During this period, the commission recovered N346 million in cash, assets worth N400 million, and helped the government save N30 billion.

    “The tool covered 323 responsive MDAs, with 15 categorised as non-responsive and high-risk for corruption,” Aliyu said, noting that no MDA achieved full compliance in 2024.

    He attributed these results to the absence of whistle-blower policies, strategic plans, and effective stock verification units.

    He added that 29.55 per cent of MDAs achieved substantial compliance, 51.62 per cent partial compliance, 15.91 per cent poor compliance, and 2.92 per cent were non-compliant.

    He said that ICPC would continue recognising MDAs with substantial compliance and deploying tools to promote integrity and accountability.

    In his remarks, Jimoh Sulaiman, Head of the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), highlighted that project tracking had led to a higher completion rate for projects and increased public interest in constituency projects.

    “Nigerians now understand that project funding comes from the Federal Government, not politicians’ pockets. They are demanding accountability,” Sulaiman stated.

  • Ex-Presidential candidate fined N5m for dragging Tinubu to court

    Ex-Presidential candidate fined N5m for dragging Tinubu to court

    The Supreme Court, on Monday, awarded a N5 million fine against Mr Ambrose Owuru, a former presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections, for filing a suit described as “frivolous and vexatious” against President Bola Tinubu.

    The five-member panel of justices, in a judgment read by Justice Uwani Aba-Aji, also ordered the court registry not to accept any frivolous suit from Owuru henceforth.

    Owuru, a British-trained lawyer, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982. He was the presidential candidate of the defunct Hope Democratic Party (HDP) in the 2019 presidential poll.

    In the suit marked: SC/CV/667/2023, Owuru had prayed  the apex court to sack President Tinubu on two major grounds of alleged non-qualification to hold office and usurpation of the same office against the law of the country.

    The lawyer, who filed the suit directly at the Supreme Court, sued former President Muhammadu Buhari, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Tinubu as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

    The plaintiff insisted that he won the 2019 presidential poll but that his tenure was allegedly usurped by Buhari for eight years.

    He claimed that his suit at the Supreme Court which would have kicked Buhari out of office was technically jettisoned by the apex court due to mix-up in the hearing dates.

    When the case was called on Monday, Owuru stood to argue his own case wearing his wig and gown. He was, however, ordered out of the Bar and directed to remove his wig and gown before he could be allowed to argue his case.

    Upon complying with the orders, Owuru was asked why he came before the court again, having had his suits dismissed three times.

    Although he tried unsuccessfully to convince the Apex Court to grant him adequate audience, his explanations were rejected as unconvincing.

    Following his recalcitrant, the court threatened to refer him to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

    Justice Aba-Aji, in the ruling, held that Owuru’s conduct was unbecoming of a lawyer of over 40 years, as he claimed to be.

    The apex court lambasted him for taking the court for a ride, wasting its precious time with baseless suit and grossly abusing the court processes.

    Before the suit was thrown out, Bode Olanipekun, SAN, who appeared for President Tinubu, had drawn the attention of the court to several cases of Owuru that were dismissed on account of frivolity.

    The senior lawyer said that the direction of the instant suit  could  not be understood because of the poor way and manner it was couched by the applicant.

    Olanipekun also said that it was difficult for him to apologise to the court on behalf of Owuru because the conduct of the applicant had become something unbearable in the practice of law profession.

    The judge consequently dismissed the suit and awarded N5 million against him and in favour of Tinubu

    In his response, a professor of law, Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, who was also in court, assured that the conduct of the former presidential candidate would be referred to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

    The Court of Appeal had previously imposed a fine of N40 million on Owuru, to be paid to Tinubu, INEC and others, for filing a suit against them.

  • Body of Benchers to call 9,000 young lawyers to bar in 2025

    Body of Benchers to call 9,000 young lawyers to bar in 2025

    Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, has said that no fewer than 9,000 young lawyers would be called to Bar as Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in 2025.

    Awomolo made this known at the inauguration of the construction and furnishing of Office Annex for the Body of Benchers, in Abuja on Friday.

    He said that basic and statutory functions of the Body of Benchers include the Call to Bar of Nigerians from all the geo-political zones of the federation.

    He said that over 140,000 Nigerians had so far been called to Bar by the body.

    The chairman said that infrastructural intervention to the Body of Benchers by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was one of the supports of the executive arm of government that deserves appreciation and commendation.

    He said that no arm of government was sufficiently endowed to perform its constitutional functions without support from the other arms.

    He, therefore, dismissed the insinuation that the executive arm was inducing the judiciary with infrastructure to influence the discharge of its duty.

    “Let no one be deceived; no arm of government is so sufficiently endowed and has everything that it requires to perform its constitutional functions.

    “The makers of our constitution foresaw the need for support, cooperation, collaboration and intervention of the executive arm in areas of infrastructural facilities.

    “It does not amount to interference with the independence of either arms of government,” he said.

    Awomolo commended President Bola Tinubu and Wike, a Life Bencher, for providing basic infrastructure to the Nigerian Law School, Body of Benchers and the Judiciary.

    He described construction of infrastructural support to the Body of Benchers as “historical” in the history of the body.

    Also, the Vice Chairman of the body, Olukayode Ariwoola, the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, equally commended Wike for his support to the judiciary.

    Ariwoola decorated the minister with the emblem of the Body of Benchers and presented him with a plaque for his contribution to the legal profession.

    On his part, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi said  Wike has distinguished himself as a dependable public office holder.

    “It is men and women like you who give people hope. You have given us hope. May God bless you.

    “You are not just a patriot; you are a lawyer, and member of the Body of Benchers. We are very proud of you. Thank you for the respect that you have shown to the judiciary,” he said.

  • Njoku accepts Supreme Court verdict on APGA leadership tussle

    Njoku accepts Supreme Court verdict on APGA leadership tussle

    Chief Edozie Njoku says he has resolved to abide by the Supreme Court judgment which removed him as the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The Supreme Court had, on Wednesday, declared Sylvester Ezeokenwa as the national chairman of APGA, this bringing to an end the lingering leadership tussle which had rocked the party for years.

    Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had, in his judgment, restrained Njoku from parading himself as the APGA national chairman.

    Omotosho, while delivering the judgment in a suit filed by APGA and Ezeokenwa, held that there was no valid court judgment that recognised Njoku as the party’s national chairman.

    He held that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) erred by recognising the Njoku-led leadership of the party. Dissatisfied with the verdict, Njoku approached the Supreme Court to set it aside.

    However, at Wednesday’s proceeding, the apex court dismissed the appeal for being frivolous and awarded N20 million for each of the three charges against him.

    Reacting to the judgment at a news conference in Abuja, Njoku said that he believed in the rule of law and the verdict of the court.

    “Everyone who knows me knows I believe in the rule of law and hierarchy. In any establishment, there must be a hierarchy. The hierarchy of the judiciary in Nigeria is the Supreme Court.

    “We in Nigeria must learn that when the Supreme Court speaks, no matter how or what you think, you must obey it.

    “We must be a country of law and order. Things cannot just be turned to suit you because you are uncomfortable. Things cannot just turn to suit Chief Edozie Njoku or Chief Henry Okechukwu or the secretary. We must follow the system,’’ he said.

    Njoku said that as democrats, his removed executive members believed in the unity of Nigeria.

    “We will do everything within our powers to make sure that there is peace in this country called Nigeria.

    “But one thing I promise you is that you can never muffle the voice of the people. The people of Anambra State, in the next election, will speak, and it will be so resounding,’’ he said.

    Njoku said that there would be anarchy in the states and the country if citizens decided to choose the judgments to obey or not to obey.

    “All said and done, the Supreme Court has spoken and I truly believe in the Chief Justice of Nigeria who had made it clear in so many fora that she must bring sanity to the judiciary.

    “I will not and I cannot be a clog in the hog. I cannot and I will not add to the pressure of those who are putting in relentless efforts to make sure that the judiciary can survive a very telling time,’’ he said.

    Njoku commended the Supreme Court and its justices for following the right path in the journey.

    He also commended the people of Anambra for keeping calm and accepting the court judgment in good faith, saying there must be an end to litigation.

    “I’m happy that the Supreme Court said it is an internal democracy of the party. You can do whatever you want on the earth but you cannot change the grassroots.

    “The grassroots will decide who are their leaders. And I promise you that Anambra will speak,’’ Njoku stated.

    He also commended the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, even though his faction of the party had criticised, fought and taken him to court.