UPDATES: Supreme Court Begins Hearing Of PDP, Ihedioha’s Application On Imo Guber Judgement

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March 3, 2020

The Supreme Court is hearing the application filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, over the January 14, 2020 judgment which sacked him as the Governor of Imo State.

Mr. Ihedioha and the PDP, in their applications, claim that the judgment of the apex court which installed Senator Hope Uzodinma as the Governor of Imo State was obtained by fraud.

They are therefore praying the seven-man panel of the apex court to review and set aside the judgment.

The panel, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammed, is currently hearing the application.

Lawyer to Mr. Ihedioha, Chief Kanu Agabi, in his argument, claims that fraud is evident in the judgment, as the appellant, Hope Uzodinma, claimed he was excluded from 388 polling units but tendered results from only 366 polling units

He adds that with the addition of votes from 388 polling units in favour of Senator Uzodinma exceeds the total number of accredited voters by 129,000 votes.

Countering the argument, Lawyer to Senator Hope Uzodinma says the application to revisit, review or set aside the judgment of the court is an incompetent one lacking in merit.

He argues further that the apex court lacks the jurisdiction to sit on appeal over any judgment delivered by the court except where cases of typographical errors or slips are noticed in the said judgment are established and in this case, no such errors have been established.

Mr Damian Dodo adds that the appellant approached the apex court in the face of compelling evidence that Senator Hope Uzodinma won the election, and therefore, has asked the court to dismiss the application.

Supreme Court has stood down Emeka Ihedioha’s application after listening to arguments from all the parties.

The apex court will deliver judgment by 3pm later today.

Abia APC Crisis: “Sheath Your Swords, Allow Peace To Reign – Nwankpa

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ABN TV EDITOR

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March 3, 2020

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The Abia state chapter chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa has finally broken his silence in the lingering war of words between the governorship candidate of the party in the state in the 2019 election, Uche Ogah and a member of the BoT, Prince Benjamin Apugo over accusation that Ogah in aided the PDP, the ruling party in the state to truncate the party’s chances in the election.

Hon. Donatus Nwankpa in a chat with ABN TV on Monday called on bigwigs of the party in the state to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign even as the party explores all avenues to enhance its chances in 2023.

Nwankpa said the party at this time cannot allow itself to be mired in internal wrangling, calling for all members and supporters of the party to remain calm.

“We cannot exhaust our energy in intra disagreement. We have a lot do to ahead. In APC, we are putting our house in order. Whatever were our shortcomings in the last election, not just in Abia but across the country, every effort is being made to ensure we get things right. We are appealing for all frayed nerves to calm down so that we can unite as one family” he said.

He called on the parties to be open to the principle of forgiveness and reconciliation, appealing to chieftains on the party to at all times be guided in their utterances.

Hon. Nwankpa also said his party has the popularity, membership, and support of people of the state for what he called a change that is desired in the state come 2023, insisting that the party is strategizing and not ready to engage in meaningless altercations with the ruling party in the state. “The time for action is coming. The problem I have in Nigerian politics is that people at all times politick. We have a tenure of four years and within four years we should have at a time in our life say this is the time for governance, this is time for politics.

It’s not every minute you will be politicking with everything, politick with human life, politick with welfare, politick with health and security. These things are not the best we should do” he added.

He expressed the readiness of his party to welcome members of other parties who are willing to join the party in sacking the PDP leadership in the state.

BREAKING: Pope Francis ‘Undergoes Coronavirus Test After Suffering Illness’, Shocking Result Announced

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ABN TV EDITOR

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March 3, 2020

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Pope Francis has tested negative for coronavirus after he was forced to cancel a series of engagements last week due to illness.

The 83-year-old pontiff was given a ‘routine’ test after falling ill on Ash Wednesday with classic symptoms of a cold including a cough, fever, chills and sore throat.

He was given a swab test as a precaution but the results have come back negative, according to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero.

Francis’s last full day of public engagements was on Ash Wednesday, when he appeared ill while taking part in an evening Mass.

He was seen coughing, sneezing and appeared tired during the ceremony, before cancelling an engagement the following morning.

He then disappeared from public view for the next four days while he recovered, before appearing at the window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on Sunday to address thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square for a noon blessing.

During the blessing, he announced he would not be participating in a yearly spiritual retreat for Lent that was due to start this week.

Instead, he said he would be following it from his residence in a Vatican guest house.

He has been taken ill at a time when Italy is battling a surging outbreak of the potentially deadly coronavirus.

The death toll in Italy jumped to 52 on Monday from 34 the day before and the total number of confirmed cases in Europe’s worst affected country climbed past the 2,000 mark

Women Should Be Allowed To Have 2 Husbands In Case Thunder Fire One — Actress Susan Peters

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ABN TV EDITOR

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March 3, 2020

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Nigerian actress, Susan Peters took to her Instagram page and made a case for women to be allowed to marry two husbands.

She made the advocacy on the probability that something bad may happen to one of the husbands.

The screen diva added that she’s only asking for a friend if ‘life would be better on earth if such wishful thinking is allowed.

Sharing the post, she captioned it: “Will life be better? Asking for a friend O.”

See her IG post below:

N111m Fraud: EFCC Presents Four Witnesses against ‘Mama Boko Haram’

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ABN TV EDITOR

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March 2, 2020

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The trial of Aisha Alkali Wakil (popularly known as Mama Boko Haram) alongside Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyade commenced on Monday, March 2, 2020 before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri.

Wakil, Chief Executive Officer of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, the Programme Manager, Daura, and the Country Director, Shoyade were arraigned on January 20, 2020 on a five-count amended charge, bordering on cheating and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N111,650,000.

At the resumed hearing, counsel for the EFCC, Benjamin Manji, led four witnesses in evidence, as they narrated how bogus contracts were awarded to their companies and monies collected through shabby and fraudulent means.

According to a statement signed by the Acting Head, Media and Publicity of the Commission, Tony Orilade and made available to ABN TV, Muhammad Muhammad, while testifying as the first prosecution witness told the Court that he was introduced to the defendants and Complete Care and Aid Foundation by one Idi Maikatifa.

He said: “After the introduction, I was asked whether I had experience working with NGOs and I answered in the affirmative.

“Through my company Nyeuro International Company Limited, I was awarded with a letter of contract for the supply of a Machine in the sum of N65m.

“I transferred N35million from my Jaiz account to one Saidu Mukhtar’s UBA account in two tranches with the assurances of paying me back within seventy five days. Later, the second defendant called and offered another contract for the supply of scanning Machine worth N1,650,000.

“I transferred the sum of N1.65m into the account of Tahiru Saidu.

“I was not paid for both the two contracts but later the second defendant awarded another contract for the supply of three thousand 50kg white beans worth N66m with the assurances of getting all my monies for the contracts.

“After the supply, Daura took me to the Wakil and she asked me to be patient and assured me of getting my money as soon as possible”.

Testifying as the second prosecution witness, Hamza Olariwaju Musa, a staff of United Bank for Africa, told the court that, based on the request by EFCC Maiduguri Zonal Office, UBA obliged with account opening packages, mandate cards, statement of accounts and signature certificates of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, Saidu Mukhtar and Dahiru Saidu.

Musa said: “On June 22, 2018 there was a transfer of N10m from Nyeuro International Limited to Saidu Mukhtar’s account.

“On the same date, there was a transfer of N10m from Saidu Mukhtar’s account to To-Day’s Super Stores”

“On 28th June, 2018 there was a transfer of N10m from Nyeuro to Saidu Mukhtar’s account and there was another transfer from Mukhtar’s account to Complete Care and Aid Foundation’s account.”

He further added that there was another transfer on 2nd July, 2018 of N25m from Nyeuro to Saidu Mukhtar’s account.

He said: “On 3rd July, 2018 there was a transfer of N20m from Mukhtar’s account into Complete Care and Aid Foundation’s. On that same date, there was another transfer of N20m to To-Day’s Super Stores.

“On 28th July, 2018 there was a credit of N10m from Saidu Mukhtar to Complete Care and Aid Foundation and of N5m from Dahiru Saidu to Complete Care and Aid Foundation. There was another transfer on same date of N15m to To-Day’s Super Store.”

Kaigama Jibril, a staff of Jaiz Bank, testifying as the third witness, informed the court that, he knows Nyeuro International Limited and Mohammed (PW1).

“In 2018, EFCC wrote a letter to Jaiz Bank requesting for account document package, BVN, statement of account and certificate of identification in respect of Mohammed Umar Mohammed (PW1) and Complete Care and Aid Foundation,” Jibril stated.

Jibril added that on 22nd and 28th of June, 2018 N10m was transferred in two tranches from Nyeuro to Saidu Mukhtar’s account, totaling to N20m.

“On 2nd July, 2018 there was a transfer of N25m from Nyeuro to Mukhtar,” he said.

The fourth prosecution witness, Bashir Abubakar, a businessman and owner of To-Day’s Super Stores told the Court that he was awarded with a contract by the defendants through complete Care and Aid Foundation.

He said: “Sometime in 2018, I received an award letter from Complete Care and Aid Foundation in the sum of N70m. Through a letter, I was directed to pay the sum of N50m into Saidu Mukhtar’s account, which I obliged.

“The defendants promise to pay back within forty five days, which they did not. I met with the first defendant and she told me that she has directed the second defendant to pay me my money. Therefore, I received the sum of N35m in tranches from Complate Care and Aid Foundation.”

Justice Kumaliya, thereafter, adjourned until March 3, 2020, for the continuation of trial.

“I Apologise For Failure To Protect You Fully”, Gov. El-Rufai Begs Victims Of Fresh Attacks

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ABN TV EDITOR

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March 2, 2020

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Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, has apologised to residents of the villages attacked in Igabi and Giwa local government areas of the state over the attacks that reportedly led to the deaths of more than 50 persons.

TheCable had earlier reported that El-Rufai was on his way to the villages over the latest attacks.

A local guard had told VOA Hausa that suspected bandits raided different villages on Sunday, killing the residents and setting their corpses on fire.

Accompanied by Ali Janga, the state commissioner of police, El-Rufai said his administration would never negotiate with bandits.

“If not for the security agencies prompt intervention they would have wiped out the entire villages,” NAN quoted el-Rufai as saying.

“I also came to apologise for failure to protect you fully, we are doing our best to minimise such incidents, you should continue to forgive us.

“But we are doing the best we can and we are hoping that this banditry issue will be addressed because security personnel are on ground to manage the situation.

“In Kaduna, we have vast land, if the security close one area they attack another area.”

The governor said it is the duty of his administration to “wipe out” the attackers.

“It is our duty to wipe them out, and until we send them to their maker, the security agencies are taking the war to the forest and we are eliminating them, ” he said.

“The security agencies are doing the best they can, but they find it difficult to get to remote areas in good time due to poor access roads while the natives also find it difficult to get to security personnel due to poor GSM network.

“But I am grateful to the air force, army, police and the DSS for being always prompt otherwise it would have been worse.”

El-Rufai urged the people to continue to be patient and vigilant and support the government and security agencies to win the war against the bandits.

On his part, Ibrahim Damu, district head of Karewa, appealed to the state government to intensify efforts in tackling security challenges in the area.

–TheCable

Edo 2020: Team Abia Will Sweep The Medals — Ikpeazu Vows

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ABN TV EDITOR

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March 2, 2020

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Abia state Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has formally received the torch of unity If the national sports festival, Edo 2020.

Receiving the torch from the Abia State commissioner for sports, Emeka Ikwuagwu at the Government House, Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu said the torch signifies the willingness and determination of the state to participate in the sports festival.

He said that Abia is not just going to Edo to participate but participating to win and assured that his government will do everything to support the athletes to excel in the championship.

He said he expects the Abia contingent to exhibit the spirit of resilience and industry that Abia state is known for and wished the team goodluck.

Dr Ikpeazu expressed the hope that the nation’s sporting family will further receive a boost through the Edo 2020 sports fiesta. The national sports festival Edo 2020 is scheduled to commence on March 22nd and end on 1st April 2020.

Ikpeazu warns against taking God’s blessings for granted

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ABN TV EDITOR

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March 2, 2020

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The Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has called on Abians and Nigerians in general to always show gratitude to God for his numerous blessings and privileges upon them.

He gave this advice during the 2020 opening ceremony, dedication and special Thanksgiving service of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Umuahia Presbytery in honour of Justice Onuoha Ogwe on his recent appointment as the Chief Judge of Abia State and Elder Ifeanyi Agbai on his meritorious retirement as a Permanent Secretary held at the St Peter’s Presbyterian church, 17 Abiriba street, Umuahia,

Represented by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, the governor thanked God for elevating Justice Onuoha Ogwe as the State’s Chief Judge and for granting Elder Ifeanyi Agbai the grace to reach the peak of his carrier and retired meritoriously without blemish and applauded them for not taking the blessings and privilege from God for granted by coming to acknowledge Him in Thanksgiving.

He congratulated the two celebrants praying that the wonderful works done in their lives would be permanent and warned people against taking the gift of life, blessings and saving grace from God for granted but to always reciprocate through thanks and praises to God to attract more blessings.

He also expressed the resolve of the present administration to partner and sustain the robust relationship existing between the Presbyterian Church and other Churches across the state.

The governor also used the forum to assure the leadership of the church that the issues hindering the commencement and completion of work at Hope Waddle University Ohafia will be resolved by government.

In his sermon titled,” Shine While You Are Here” the Moderator South Central Synod and Guest Preacher, The Rt Rev. Ikechukwu Nduka who maintained that for Christians to shine, they must surrender themselves to God as well as do away with sinful habits, stressed the need for all to make impact in the household of God by contributing financially and winning souls for God.

Presenting their address, the Moderator of Umuahia Presbyterian Church, the Very Rev. Chukwuma Kalu Okorie listed the achievements recorded by the Umuahia Presbyterian and challenges confronting them in actualizing their dreams and called on all to partner the church by supporting them financially to enable them address their ecclesiastical burden together.

Highlights of the service were Thanksgiving by the two celebrants, Justice Onuoha Ogwe and Elder Ifeanyi Agbai and prayers of dedication of political office holders, Civil Servants, Ministers, Elder, different arms of the Presbyterian, Students among others by the Prelate and Moderator General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Nzi Nsi Eke.

Prelate and Moderator General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Nzi Nsi Eke

The service attracted the presence of the immediate past commissioner for Boundary Matters and Conflict Resolution, Chief Mascot Obike Imo, top government officials, members of the judiciary, the clergy, traditional rulers and other notable personalities.

Ikpeazu warns against taking God's blessings for granted

BREAKING: Minister Tests Positive For Coronavirus

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ABN TV EDITOR

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March 2, 2020

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A regional minister in Lombardy, the Italian region most affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak, has tested positive for the virus.

The Lombardy region said in a statement on Monday that the contagion concerns Alessandro Mattinzoli, 60, who serves as Commissioner for Economic Development.

The region said the entire 17-member Lombardy regional government would undergo testing for the novel coronavirus.

Earlier, Lombardy President, Attilio Fontana, said he would self-quarantine after a member of his staff tested positive for the virus.

Source: (dpa/NAN)

Photos: 2020 Opening/Thanksgiving Service Of The Presbyterian Church Of Nigeria Umuahia Presbytery

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ABN TV EDITOR

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March 2, 2020

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The 2020 dedication service of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Umuahia Presbytery, which held on Sunday, 1st March 2020 at St. Peter’s parish, Umuahia Abia state.

See photos below….