Marafa Drags Senate to Court

The Senator representing Zamfara Central, Senator Kabiru Marafa, has dragged the Senate to court over plan to sanction him by the upper chamber for alleged unethical remarks.

Marafa asked the court to halt his trial by the Senate Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Committee.

In a letter to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and dated February 18, 2016, Marafa drew the Senate’s attention to a case pending before an Abuja High Court against the alleged illegal constitution of 65 Senate Committees.

Dasuki as Court to Stop His Trial

The Former National Security Adviser Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has asked the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stop his trial for the refusal of the federal government to obey an order of the court granting him bail. 

In December 2015, Dasuki was granted bail by Yusuf Baba, justice of the FCT high court; while at Kuje prison in Abuja, Dasuki perfected the conditions of his bail, but operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly whisked him away to an unknown location. 

Court Adjourns Dasuki’s Trial Over Lawyers’ Absence

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday adjourned the trial of the ex National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, till Friday, due to the absence of his lawyers.

Dasuki is standing trial for alleged diversion of $2.1billion arms procurement fund.

The presiding judge, Justice Baba Yusuf, took the decision after he was informed that Dasuki’s lawyers – Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN) – are attending an election petition tribunal’s sitting in Kogi.

(UPDATES) Ex-PDP Chair, Haliru Bello, Arrives Court in Wheelchair  

 

Justice Ahmed Mohammed of a Federal High Court in Abuja has arrived for the arraignment of a former ‎Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Haliru Bello, and his son, Abbah Mohammed, on four counts of money laundering involving about N300m which they allegedly collected from the office of the National Security Adviser.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had charged Bello, who is also a former Minister of Defence, and his son, along with their firm, Bam Properties.

Court Remands Dasuki in Kuje Prison

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Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court presided over by Justice Peter Affem has ordered that former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) should be remanded in Kuje prison pending when he meets the conditions of his bail.

Dasuki alongside Attahiru Bafarawa, former Sokoto State governor; Bashir Yuguda, former minister of state for finance, Shuaibu Salisu, and Sagir, Bafarawa’s son, were on Monday granted bail in the sum of N250 million each and were asked to provide two sureties in like sum as well as deposit their international passports at the court.

MTN to Fight Record Fine in Court

MTN is taking the legal route in its efforts to have its landmark fine imposed on its Nigeria subsidiary reviewed.

The company said, acting on legal advice, it had resolved that the manner of the imposition of the fine and the quantum thereof was not in accordance with the Nigeria Communications Commission's powers under the Nigerian Communications Act.

MTN therefore argued there were valid grounds upon which to challenge the fine.

"Accordingly MTN has followed due process and has instructed its lawyers to proceed with an action in the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking the appropriate reliefs," the company stated from Johannesburg.

MTN said it was advised that in the current circumstances in line with the lis pendens rule (pending legal action) the parties are enjoined to restrain from taking further action until the matter was finally determined.

"This is consistent with previous judicial decisions in Nigeria," the company said.

MTN said notwithstanding this action the Company will continue to engage with the Nigerian Authorities to try and ensure an amicable resolution in the best interests of the Company, its stakeholders and the Nigerian authorities.

"Shareholders are therefore advised to continue to exercise caution when dealing in the Company's securities until a further announcement is made."

NCC fined MTN Nigeria N1,04 trillion (US$5,2 billion) for failure to disconnect over 5 million unregistered subscribers.

Source: All Africa News

Court Grants Nnamdi Kanu Unconditional Bail

A Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja has ordered the unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu from the custody of the Department of State Security Service.

Kanu who is also the Director of Radio Biafra was ordered to be released immediately by Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

Delivering ruling in a bail application filed and argued by his lawyer, Vincent Obeta, Justice Ademola also set aside an order earlier granted the DSS to detain Kanu for 90 days to enable the security agency complete their investigation.