News
Benue State High Court Upholds Ayu’s PDP Suspension
A Benue State High Court in Makurdi, Friday, ruled that Iyorchia Ayu can no longer hold office as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of the state.
A member of the PDP in Benue State, Conrad Terhide Utaan, dragged Ayu to court following his suspension by his Igyorov ward executive committee after passing a vote of no confidence on him.
In suit No: MHC/85/2023, Utaan sought among other reliefs a declaration that, Ayu is no longer fit and qualified to hold office as the national chairman of the PDP, having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov council ward of Gboko, where he first registered as a member of the party.
He also sought a declaration of court that Ayu cannot hold himself out, function and preside over the affairs of the PDP as its national chairman having seized to enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership by virtue of his suspension by the ward executive committee of the party in his Igyorov council ward.
The plaintiff further sought an order restraining Ayu from parading himself as the National Chairman of the PDP having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov Council Ward, among other reliefs.
Ayu through his counsel J.J Usman, SAN, filed preliminary objections to the suit bothering on the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit, saying it was an internal affair of a political party.
He also challenged the locus standi of the plaintiff, Utaan to institute the action, adding that the plaintiff had not exhausted the internal dispute resolution mechanism of the party, among other objections.
Utaan through his counsel, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, argued against the preliminary objections and urged the court to discountenance the preliminary objections and grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiff.
Delivering his judgement that lasted for 2-hours, the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, resolved all the issues raised in the preliminary objections in favour of the plaintiff and accordingly dismissed same.
Justice Ikpambese held that By virtue of Article 8(9)of the constitution of the PDP, Ayu seized to be a member of the PDP with his failure to pay his subscription and membership fee.
He ruled that Ayu’s membership of the PDP elapsed with his failure to pay his membership subscription fee.
On the claim that the ward executive committee of the party cannot discipline a member of the National Executive Committee, Justice Ikpambese held that going by the provisions of Article 46(1)of the PDP Constitution, the ward executive of the PDP have the powers to discipline a member of the NEC of the party.
The Judge pointed out that Ayu did not show proof that he has paid his membership subscription fee, neither did he challenge his suspension before any organ of the party or before any court, thereby leaving the court with the impression that he has consented to his suspension by his ward executive committee.
He said Ayu had lost his membership of the party even before he was suspended by his ward executive committee.
Justice Ikpambese accordingly resolved all the issues in favour of the plaintiff.
“The plaintiff has proven his case, all the questions for determination have been resolved in favour of the plaintiff, he is entitled to all the reliefs sought. I so order”
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Utaan, Mike Assoh described the judgement as sound, adding that the court has validated the action of the Igyorov ward executive committee of the party against Ayu, for his (Ayu) failure to pay his membership subscription fee.
The ward exco had also accused Ayu of anti-party activities after which they passed a vote of no confidence on him.
While reading their resolution at the time, the secretary of the party in Igyorov ward, Vanger Dooyum, said Ayu’s anti-party activities – alongside his allies – contributed to PDP’s loss in his ward and local government in the governorship election.
They also alleged that the PDP chieftain did not vote during the governorship and state assembly elections held on the 18th of March, 2023.
According to them, most of Ayu’s closest allies worked for the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) which resulted in the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward.
Twelve out of the seventeen exco members signed the documents endorsing his suspension.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has hinted that there are attempts by lawyers and litigants to influence the money laundering trial of former Attorney General Abubakar Malami scheduled to begin on 17 February.
The judge stated this after granting Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and wife Bashir Asabe, bail in the sum of N500million each.
In a stern warning shortly after delivering the ruling granting Malami and others bail, Justice Nwite said he would not take lightly any lawyer or litigant intent on ‘approaching’ him to influence the case.
He advised parties, to instead, engage the services of quality lawyers to help with their case. He threatens serious consequences for anyone who flouts his directive.
On the terms of bail for Malami and his co-defendants, the trial judge ordered that they present two sureties each who must be owners of properties, with proof, in either Maitama, Gwarimpa or Asokoro.
The defendants are also ordered to deposit their passports with the court registry, adding that travel out of the country must be by the express permission of the court.
Malami and his co-defendants will, meanwhile, remain in prison until they perfect the terms of bail. The trial is scheduled to begin on 17 February.
International
Trump Announces Venezuela to Turn Over Up to 50 Million Barrels of Oil to United States
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that interim authorities in Venezuela will turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality sanctioned oil to the United States, following the recent U.S. military operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: “I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 Million Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America.
This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!
“The president added that he has directed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute the plan immediately, with the oil to be transported via storage ships directly to U.S. unloading docks.
The announcement comes amid ongoing developments in Venezuela, where the oil—previously held in storage due to U.S. sanctions—is estimated to be worth up to $2.8 billion at current market prices around $56 per barrel.
Analysts note that this volume represents a modest addition to global supply but could divert exports previously destined for China.U.S. crude futures dipped slightly following the news, closing lower by about 1.3%. Major U.S. oil companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips, are reportedly monitoring the situation, with meetings planned between industry representatives and the administration to discuss future investments in Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
The deal marks a significant step in Trump’s stated goal of revitalizing Venezuela’s oil sector, which holds the world’s largest proven reserves but has seen production decline sharply in recent years due to sanctions, underinvestment, and mismanagement.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted a mix of hazy and sunny conditions across most parts of the country from Wednesday, January 8, to Friday, January 10, 2026.
In its weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja, NiMet stated that the northern region will experience sunny and hazy skies throughout the three-day period. By Friday, morning haze is expected to give way to dust haze in the afternoon and evening hours over parts of the North.
The central region is forecasted to remain predominantly hazy with sunny intervals during the period.
For the southern region, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated, along with chances of isolated thunderstorms. On Wednesday, thunderstorms may occur later in the day over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Imo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa states. Similar isolated thunderstorms with light rains are possible over coastal and inland southern states on subsequent days, including Anambra, Imo, Abia, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
NiMet warned that dust particles are currently in suspension, particularly in the northern areas, advising individuals with asthma and other respiratory issues to take necessary precautions.
The agency also urged motorists to drive cautiously during any rainfall and recommended that airline operators obtain updated airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for safe flight planning.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed by visiting NiMet’s official website at www.nimet.gov.ng for regular updates.
PRovoke Media 2025 Influence 100: Dangote ‘s Anthony Chiejina Ranks Among Most Powerful Global Communications Leaders
AFCON 2025: Super Eagles threaten to boycott Algeria match over unpaid win bonuses
FCT Area Council election: INEC excludes LP candidates, give reasons
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Politics3 days ago2027: I‘ll not allow myself to be buried politically — Wike
-
Opinions1 day agoNigeria’s Democracy Under Siege: Opposition Faces Existential Threats
-
News2 days ago2026 WAEC, NECO: FG introduces new measures to eliminate malpractices See the measures
-
International2 days agoColombia and Mexico hit back at the U.S over Venezuela’s Maduro overthrow
-
News1 day agoNBA declares “Odogwu Lawyer” missing
-
News18 hours ago141 million Nigerian households to live in poverty this year – Report
-
International3 days agoVenezuela: Trump warns new leader as Maduro to appear in court today
-
Business3 days agoVenezuela: Crude prices edge lower following Maduro’s overthrow