News

Ministerial Appointments: The Battle Rages

Published

2 years ago

July 4, 2023

The much anticipated list of Tinubu’s cabinet members is causing anxiety among Nigerians. From all indications, the battle to make the final list may soon be over and those who are going to lose out to be settled with boards and parastatals’ appointments.

A peep into the list being compiled and undergoing vetting process by the relevant agencies revealed the old ACN members have dominated the list of nominees from the South-West zone, while conceding the nominees to other members of the legacy parties that existed before the formation of the APC.

A prominent member from Ekiti State Prince Dayo Adeyeye was included in the list. He is being rewarded for pioneering the South-West Agenda, SWAGA, for 2023, reputed to have flagged off the presidential aspiration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, PBAT.

In Osun State, Mr Oyetola and Chief Femi Fani Kayode made up the list. There is a strong possibility for the former Governor to be reassigned for nomination as the position of Central Bank Governor, bearing in mind his pedigree and cognate experience in the banking industry. His experience in the First Bank of Nigeria Plc is an added advantage. Dr Tunji Abayomi and Chief Olusola Oke are locking horns for the Ondo State slot.

In the Northern frontiers, some interest groups made exclusion of the immediate past Governors of their states as the kernel of their demand. They posited that the former Governors collected funds from PBAT during the campaigns but failed to disburse same to the people at the grassroots. A source close to the Villa revealed that “their claims might be valid but Asiwaju knows the best decision to take in the present circumstances”.

North West Zone

Comrade Salihu Lukman, APC National Vice Chairman of the zone, is the nominee from Kaduna State. In the case of Kano State Sen Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is the nominee but additional slot is being conceded for the immediate past Governor Ganduje to nominate someone to take the position. The case of nominee from Sokoto is being awaited from Sen Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako. The fate of nominee from Zamfara State is in the hands of the doyen of state politics Sen Ahmed Sani Yarima. The nominee being lobbied for by Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, the placeholder of the Vice Presidential Candidate of the party then before the emergence of Sen Kashim Shettima as the substantive nominee of the VP ticket.

The Jigawa State nominee is being speculated as a serving functionary from the state in the Federal Government to be revealed soon. Learnt that his state Governor is not against his nomination because he mobilized support for the President not only in his dormain but other places. He is a workaholic and committed supporter of Mr. President excuding tremendous goodwill and supported by grassroots oriented politicians in the state. The immediate past Governor of the state was rejected because he failed to deliver his area for the President during the polls.

There is a consultation for the Kebbi nominee with Governor Atiku Bagudu likely to be the only one among his peers to cross the nomination hurdle.

North East Zone

Sen Mohammed Dambu and Hon Tijani Tumsah, the pioneer National Secretary of the party are locking horns for the only available slot.

The nomination for Borno State goes to Sen Abubakar Kyari, the Deputy National Chairman North of the party. Both the Vice President, Sen Kashim Shettima and Gov Umara Zulum have endorsed it.

The nomination for Taraba State is inching towards Sen Emmanuel Bwatcha, a popular policitian and the governorship candidate of the party during the last elections.

The stuggle for the Bauchi State slot is a straight fight between Malam Isa Yugudu, one minister and two term Governor of the state. And Mr Ali Pate, former minister and an employee of the Breten Woods. The two of them are laying claims to being technocrats.

Gombe State slot is being struggled between Alhaji Farouk Bamusa, Sen Idris Umar and Alhaji Jamilu Isiyaka Gwamna.

Adamawa slot is being considered for either the husband of Sen Aisha Binani, in the person of Dr Ahmed Moddibo or Sen Jonathan Zangwina, a prominent policitian and a strong member of the Chief MKO Abiola campaign in 1993.

North Central

Kwara State slot is going to either Prof Ishaq Olorode or Comrade Isa Aremu, any of them is a perfect choice in terms of prudence, honesty, capacity and astute life style.

Niger State is tilting towards Prof Yahaya Kuta, once Secretary to the state government and an academician from University of Ibadan. His capacity is unlimited and ability to communicate because of multilingual endowment as an added advantage. The big men from his state gave their blessings to his nomination.

Nasarawa State nomination is still being discussed. The National Chairman of the party Sen Abdullahi Adamu and the Governor are all interested in picking a nominee. However, one Barr Labaran Magaji from Toto, a reputed grassroots policitian is making wave and one Hon Musa Wayo, a former Local Government Chairman and a close political associate of PBAT over the years are being considered too.

Benue State is for the SGF Chief George Akume to decide. Hon Emmanuel Jime is a strong contender. While in case of Plateau, the nominee is being discussed due to failure of the immediate past Governor of the state Barr Solomon Lalong to do anything politically spectacular during the polls. He is pushing for Hon Yakubu Datti, a one time Commissioner in the state. Both the SGF and former Governor Dariye are going to find a suitable nominee.

Kogi State nominee is completely at the discretion of Governor Yahaya Bello. He performed above average during the polls and has absolute confidence of PBAT.

South-East
Imo State nominee is Sir Mike Okiro, one time Inspector General of Police. His path and PBAT crossed when both served in Lagos as Governor and Commissioner of Police. They have had a cordial relationship since then that endured till date. Men like Okiro are needed to help the party win the forth coming governorship election in Imo State and also help stabilize the region for the administration.

Enugu State slot is going to Hon Emma Enekwu, Deputy National Chairman South of the APC. He has been consistent since during the ANPP days.

Anambra State slot is for Dr Andy Uba being the most visible politician from the state that identified himself with PBAT for sometime now. His nomination will help douse the opposition of OBJ to PBAT and erode the home base support for Peter Obi. Sen Uche Ukwunife is being considered based on gender consideration and non-controversial posture.

Abia State slot is speculated to be inching towards Chief Mac Wabara, a reputable banker, cosmopolitan and a Lagos Boy, so to speak. Yoruba language is the dominant language in his household. He will communicate seamlessly with the President due to personal touch and language affinity.

Ebonyi State is being determined by Sen Dave Umahi. He is the last bus stop as far as Ebonyi nomination is concerned. He is enjoying an excellent relationship with Mr. President.

South South

Rivers State slot is for Governor Nyesom Wike. Because PBAT doesn’t betray friendship and always rewards loyalty. Wike has done a yeoman’s job during the Presidential polls in the state.

Cross River State slot is being slugged out between Sen John Onwah. He saved the party from crisis when he accepted wise counseling from PBAT. Sacrificed his governorship ambition in support of the eventual winner Sen Bassey Otu. The second person in the stuggle is a young lady staff of NNPC. She has consistently identified with PBAT right from the ACN days. Her husband a serving top ranking Police Officer ensured the election was not rigged against the APC during the polls. The hush criticism against the National Woman Leader of the APC, Mrs Betty Edu is only a crossverian by marriage but an indigine of Ebonyi State.

Akwa Ibom State ministerial nominee is to be collaborated by the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio. The name of Chief Dan Abia, former Managing Director NDDC rings bell in the list among other strong contenders.

Delta State is a straight fight between Barr Festus Keyamo, Chief Frank Kokori and Dr Felix Morka, National Publicly Secretary of the APC.

Bayelsa State nominee is being expected to have the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan. He is having a cordial relationship with PBAT. One Chief Davekeme Ikwigwa is likely among the lucky persons.

Edo State slot is for Comrade Adams Oshimhole to decide. It is certain that the candidate is coming from the Bini stock to help the party in tackling Gov Obaseki during the forth gubernatorial elections in the state.

Lastly, the case of the Federal Capital Territory is very interesting. PBAT is consulting widely relevant stakeholders including Sen Sidi Ali and Hon Isa Rahma on the possibility of giving FCT a ministerial slot.

Others being considered for appointment are long time core loyalists of PBAT. In civil rights community and the defunct Alliance for Democracy, a political platform that predated the formation of Action Congress. Majority of them outside the South-West but stood by him in several political battles and requested for compensation from the President. Prince Dayo Adeyeye is one of them as mentioned earlier. Col Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, former Military Governor of Kaduna State, a prominent figure in the June 12 stuggle is being considered for the slot of Kebbi. Another prominent person is Col Lawal Gwadabe, detained along side Gen Shehu Yar’ Adua. He deployed everything during the campaign. His nomination is likely to be seen as compensation for the camp of Abacha detainees on account of OBJ refusal to do anything for them. There is Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele from Edo State that has been very consistent with him, a foremost promoter of the traditional institutions and former media Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, a core loyalist, advocate and foot soldier of the President. He has written several articles in his defence and projected the coming Asiwaju presidency since 1999 and played key role in the 2023 Presidential election. He is being nominated as Minister from Edo State. Then Mr Yunana Shibkau, former National Financial Secretary of the AD, from Zamfara State as SSA on Christian matters to further appease the Northern Christians. Comrade Umar Farouk, former National Publicity Secretary of the Alliance who exposed the face of the woman behind the invented certificate forgery against PBAT published by the Kaduna based Today Communication newspapers. Also stood by him during the Hausa/ OPC crisis in Lagos. He is being considered for SA Technical. The last person in the list is Ambassador Yusuf Mamman, former National Chairman of AD, an experienced diplomat, exemplary scholar, security expert who lived a bohemian life style and founder of “Radio Chanji” in the build-up to 2015 general elections. He is being considered for Minister of Foreign Affairs.

From all indications, the interested persons are
intensifying their moves. Everything seems totally dependent at the discretion of PBAT. But whichever way it goes,
one thing is certain, there is not going to be a dull cabinet under this
administration

The decision is not only going to unify the party but consolidate the grip of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on power. It will further help the party to regain political momentum beyond the states under the control of the ruling party. As the President has consistently said ” that he will definitely reward people that have been with him for years and have shown loyalty at all times,” and that ‘what would he tell Nigerians if he was asked the price of loyalty, as these set of persons have remained faithful without asking for anything from him, but work and work for the common good of the country.’

News

The Most Shocking A/Court ‘Judgment’ in Nigerian History: An unfortunate precedent that should not be allowed to stand

Published

6 hours ago

November 30, 2025

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The last is yet to be heard of wide ranging ex-parte orders as this time around, the charade has moved to the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division. In the case of FBN Quest & Another vs. Nestoil & Others, the Court of Appeal’s ex parte orders are not only egregious but a chilling sign of judicial capture, smacking of dirty practices at best and corruption at worst.

On Thursday, 27th November 2025, at exactly 2:00pm, Justice Yargata Nimpar delivered a ‘ruling ’ that appeared like a thief in the night, a ghost and unscheduled, the said decision came upon a Motion Ex-parte which was not heard not argued in open court, yet it surfaced, fully written, signed, stamped, and delivered as though it had lived a full life on the Court of Appeal docket.

For many Nigerians, the judiciary has again weathered the storms. Veterans of the legal system describe this episode as “a daylight heist… a judicial armed robbery without guns.”

The controversies over wide ranging ex-parte applications, it would seem, has found its way to the Court of appeal, an intermediate court with limited original jurisdiction as donated to it by statute.

In this instance, barely two weeks ago, we reported the ex-parte orders against NESTOIL and the other defendants listed in the suit before the Federal High Court which led to the transfer of the suit to another judge.

The said interim orders were vacated by effluxion of time, being that ex-parte orders last for only 14 days.

The court however ordered parties to maintain status quo and adjourned the Motion on Notice for hearing by the consent of the parties. That Motion is still pending before the Federal High Court.

It would seem that in order to frustrate that pending Motion, the Plaintiffs somehow filed a similar application to the Court of Appeal which was granted an order ex-parte directing the Lower Court not to take any further steps, including determining the pending application filed by Plaintiffs (now Appellants).

This magically resurrected, fast-tracked application seem to have been rubber-stamped at the fictional “Appeal Bench of Shadows,” as insiders have begun calling it.

A CASE THAT NEVER EXISTED — YET RECEIVED A JUDGMENT

Our Judiciary correspondent gathered that when the court’s official list for the day was released, nothing seemed amiss. No controversial cases. No unexpected hearings.

But somewhere inside the dusty chambers of bureaucracy, a secret file was already being prepared and by 2pm, a judgment carrying the signatures of an entire appeal panel had surfaced — even though none of them had appeared in open court and when the case itself had never been argued before any High Court, making an appellate ruling legally impossible.

By evening, whispers had turned into rumblings. Court workers who handled the mysterious document reported unusual instructions: No public sitting; No mention on the court list; No access to case filings; No digital record and No audio recording of proceedings. Yet an order was made retrospectively to undo a completed act! which is yet another impossibility in law, because the exparte order cannot restore what has been already executed.

“It was like dealing with a ghost file,” one clerk said. “It appeared from nowhere and disappeared into official archives as though it had always existed.”

This judgment, once delivered, spread like wildfire, with legal scholars calling it “a constitutional impossibility.” Veterans said they had never seen anything similar since the 1970s.

Enquiries from our judiciary correspondents indicate that an application can only be hinged upon a valid Notice of Appeal against a decision of a lower court before any application can be entertained at the Court of Appeal.

Further Investigations by our judiciary correspondent reveals that no such Notice of Appeal has been filed nor served on the respondents; no parties have been invited to Settle Records and no Records of Appeal have been transmitted.

One wonders the platform or upon which grounds the ex-parte order was made, observed one senior lawyer, especially as a similar pending application filed by the Appellants has been adjourned for Hearing by the Federal High Court.

Furthermore, the case at the trial court before Justice Osiagor has not been heard on its merits, which documents was placed before the appellate court and all applications before the judge has not been heard or is the court of appeal now a trial court.

A JUDICIARY AT A CROSSROADS

Public outrage rose quickly. Lawyers described the situation as “a hijacking of justice by shadowy interests.” Civil society groups demanded explanations.

A Judiciary where justice can be manufactured behind closed doors…a legal system where influence not merit, decides outcomes…and an institution tested by the weight of powerful external forces, et cetera should not be allowed to thrive.

AN ERA-DEFINING SCANDAL

This judgement will stand as one of the most dramatic challenges ever faced by Nigeria’s justice system. The shockwaves has rippled far beyond the courtroom — touching politics, business, security agencies, and public trust.

One thing is clear: This is the kind of judicial earthquake that rewrites history, shakes institutions, and forces a nation to confront the truths it fears the most. Our judicial correspondences were able to get an incline of the ex-parte orders made by the Court of Appeal as follows:

AN ORDER of interim restorative injunction reversing all steps taken by the Respondents and/or persons purporting to act on the instructions of the Respondents and which steps or actions were taken pursuant to the order of the Federal High Court coram Osiagor, J made on the 20th day of November 2025 pending the hearing and determination of the Appellants’ Motion on Notice filed on the 26th day of November 2025.
AN ORDER of interim injunction restraining the Respondents, their agents, servants, affiliates, and privies from interfering with and interrupting the Receiver/Manager in the performance of his duties pending the hearing and determination of the Appellants’ Motion on Notice filed on 26th November 2025.
AN ORDER staying further proceedings at the lower court pending the hearing and determination of the Appellants’ Motion on Notice filed on the 26th November 2025.

A SHOCKING DEPARTURE FROM JUDICIAL NORMS

Therefore, the Lagos Court of Appeal’s decision to grant ex parte orders in FBN Quest & Another vs. Nestoil & Others stunned the legal community as ex-parte rulings are meant for rare emergencies and hardly exercised by appellate courts. By acting without hearing both sides, while the matter was already before the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal has undermined the principle of natural justice and distorted its own role.

NIGERIAN IMAGE AT RISK

At a time when Nigeria is striving to reposition its global reputation, this case sends the wrong message. It portrays the country as one where courts can be hijacked by private interests, where fairness is discarded, and where corruption lurks behind judicial robes. For investors and international partners, it reinforces damaging stereotypes of weak institutions and compromised justice.

AN URGENT CALL FOR INVESTIGATION

These orders are not just irregular — they are evidence of judicial capture. They must be investigated urgently. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the President of the Court of Appeal and the Nigerian Bar Association cannot remain silent. If appellate courts become arenas for ex-parte adventures, Nigeria’s justice system risks collapse under the weight of manipulation.

CLOSING NOTE

The Court of Appeal’s conduct in FBN Quest & Another vs. Nestoil & Others is more than a misstep, it is a warning sign of judicial capture. If Nigeria is serious about restoring its image and strengthening democracy, this case must be investigated, accountability enforced, and reforms implemented. Anything less would be an abdication of the judiciary’s sacred duty to uphold justice. We must not allow that to happen.
A very Senior lawyer emphasize that the exparte order of the court of appeal lagos division in Nestoil has the possibility of eroding administrative control of Heads of superior Court from assigning or re assigning matters within their respective courts. Furthermore both the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Justice of Nigeria may not have the authority to disband a panel and re- constitute another panel over any matter in their respective courts. This decision is a total anarchy to the judiciary and urgent steps must be taken to vacate the strange Court of appeal exparte order.

The conduct of the court of appeal justices is not excusable anywhere in the world and it’s indeed has brought the court of Appeal justices who constituted the panel to ridicule

News

Pius Akutah’s Alleged Fraud at Nigerian Shippers Council Uncovered

Published

2 days ago

November 28, 2025

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Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.

According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.

Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.

Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.

Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.