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Court to rule on Emefiele’s Enforcement of Right July 13

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The Federal Capital Territory High Court has on Tuesday fixed July 13 for the ruling on the enforcement of a fundamental rights suit filed by the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Hamza Muazu fixed the date after listening to submissions made by parties in the case.

Listed as 1st to 3rd respondents in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, the Director General of the State Security Service, and the State Security Service.

During the proceedings, counsel for the AGF, Tijjani Ghazali SAN, informed the court that the first respondent is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case brought before it by the applicant.

He said Emefiele’s arrest and detention by the DSS is an administrative decision of an arm of the executive and that the jurisdiction is determined by the relief sought by an applicant.

Besides, he contended that the allegation of unlawful detention is unfounded as the embattled CBN boss is being detained on the order of an FCT Chief Magistrate Court.

Consequently, he urged the court to dismiss the application.

On his part, the second and third respondents, represented by counsel I. Awo, informed the court that there was a subsisting order to detain the applicant and therefore urged the court to dismiss the application with costs.

However, counsel for Emefiele, Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that the offences listed against Emefiele are state offences that could be entertained by the FCT High Court.

He contended that, contrary to the preliminary objection raised against the originating summons on notice by the respondents, the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Earlier on June 16, the court ordered the DG of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, to grant the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, access to his lawyers and family.

Emefiele was arrested by the DSS on Saturday, hours after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.

Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court made the order on Friday, even as he emphasised that access is a constitutional right of Emefiele.

The enrolled order dated June 16, 2023, read, “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately. And regularly at a reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.”
In his submission

The court order followed an application filed by Emefiele’s counsel, J.B. Saudi, SAN, who told the court that the DSS had failed to respond to previous letters requesting access to his client.

Both the counsel to the DSS and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation requested an extension of time to file their responses to the originating motion.

The court granted the request and further adjourned the suit to Tuesday, June 20, 2023, for a hearing.

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Homicide: Killer husband on the run for alleged murder of wife

Ayobami Ayanwale was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband.

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Tragedy struck at number 21 Olutayo Alao Street, River Valley Estate, mainland Lagos.

A mother of three simply identified as Ayobami Ayanwale was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband.

Eye-witness neighbours who confirmed the incident said that her body has since been deposited at a mortuary after she was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital at Olowoora area of the community.

Following the incident, the alledged killer husband has fled, leaving the survived three children with the dead wife’s elder brother at Akute.

The case was reported to Adigboluja Police station Ojodu-Abiodun.

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Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day on January 15

The Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Samaila Uba, disclosed this emphasising that the redesignation was to reflect the dual dual essence of the occasion in honouring the living while also acknowledging the fallen heroes.

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Previously known as ‘Armed Forces Remembrance Day‘, the name has been officially changed to ‘Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.’

The Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Samaila Uba, disclosed this emphasising that the redesignation was to reflect the dual dual essence of the occasion in honouring the living while also acknowledging the fallen heroes.

“January 15 is set aside annually by the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour the living personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) while acknowledging the sacrifices of those who have paid the supreme price to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity as well as the lives and properties of its citizens.

He urged the media to adopt “Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day” in all their future reportage.

“The AFN once again appreciates the media’s unwavering support in the fight against insecurity and looks forward to even stronger collaboration ahead, he said.

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Farouk Ahmed: Dangote Takes Petition Against Ex-NMDPRA Boss to EFCC

In the petition signed by Lead Counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr. Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.

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  • Aliko Dangote and Farouk Ahmed when the going was good.

The Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, through his legal representative, has filed a formal corruption petition against former Managing Director of the Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This move follows the withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.

In the petition signed by Lead Counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr. Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.

“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned along with sister agencies to prosecute financial crimes and corruption related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624)337.”

Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, “…to investigate the complaint of Abuse of Office and Corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting”

The petition also stated that: “The commission’s firm resolve in handling this matter with dispatch is not only imperative and expedient but will also serve as a deterrent to other public officers out there with such corrupt proneness and tendencies”

The development reinforces Dangote’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

It will be recalled that on December 14, 2025, Dangote raised concerns about Mr. Ahmed’s financial dealings, alleging that the former regulator is living far beyond his legitimate means.

According to Dangote, four of Mr. Ahmed’s children attended elite secondary schools in Switzerland, incurring costs running into several millions of dollars—an expenditure that raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum industry.

Dangote listed the schools attended by Mr. Ahmed’s children: Faisal Farouk (Montreux School), Farouk Jr. (Aiglon College), Ashraf Farouk (Institut Le Rosey), and Farhana Farouk (La Garenne International School), noting that each child spent six years in these institutions.

He estimated annual tuition, travel, and upkeep per child at $200,000, totaling approximately $5 million for their secondary education.

Additionally, Dangote alleged that Mr. Ahmed spent another $2 million on tertiary education for the four children, including $210,000 for Faisal’s 2025 Harvard MBA program.

“Nigerians deserve to know the source of these funds, especially when many parents in Mr. Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto struggle to pay as little as ₦10,000 in school fees,” Dangote stated.

The petition calls for a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory institutions.

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