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$150m Suit: Court Admits Bablink Witness’ Documents In Evidence
Justice Edward Okpe of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Nyanya, has admitted in evidence, several documents tendered by Bablink Resources Nig. Ltd against Brentex Petroleum Ltd and China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. Ltd.
At a resumed hearing on Thursday, Michael Aondoakaa SAN, who appeared for the claimants (Bablink), called his first witness in the matter.
The claimant’s witness, Mr. Ganni Isiaka, a Director in Bablink adopted his witness statement on oath as several documents were tendered and admitted through him.
However, Counsel for the Defendants, H. M Danjuma, sought leave that his right to object to all the documents tendered by the Claimant be reserved for final address and same application was granted.
Nevertheless, the tendered documents were admitted in evidence and marked as exhibits BRN 1 to BRN 19 respectively.
Thereafter, Defendants Counsel sought for an adjournment on the grounds that they are not ready for cross examination.
Earlier, effort by
Aondoakaa to call the claimant’s first witness was vehemently opposed by lawyer to the defendants.
Danjuma told the court that the defendants had applied to the vacation Judge for the matter to be re-assigned and that the said application was granted by the vacation Judge.
However, the presiding Judge, Edward Okpe informed the Defendant Counsel that the case file before him which is marked CV/589/2023, had not at anytime been transmitted to the Chief Judge for re-assignment.
The judge stated that it was rather the case file in motions marked M/2083/23 and M/2084/23 that were transmitted to the Chief Judge for re-assignment.
In view of the foregoing, Counsel to the Defendants, then said they were not ready to proceed as they needed time to put their house in order.
Reacting, Aondoakaa dismissed the Defendants’ reason for an adjournment, and urged the court to discountenance the application for adjournment and proceed with the hearing of the matter.
But Danjuma replied that his application for adjournment was on the ground of fair hearing.
However, in a bench ruling on the application for adjournment, the court held that the application by the defendants counsel for adjournment has no leg upon which it can stand, saying that fair hearing is for all the parties as well as the Court.
Justice Okpe added that the Defendants have not in any way been deprived of their right to fair hearing but same have been accorded to them as they were served with the Writ of Summons since December 18, 2023, but have failed to file a Defence even when they were in Court on the last adjourned date when the matter was adjourned to today for hearing.
It was the court’s opinion that fair hearing is also for the Claimant, and for the Defendant to not be ready and then seeking adjournment to the detriment of the Claimant who is ready to proceed is also an encroachment on the Claimant’s right to fair hearing.
Consequently, the Defendants application for adjournment was refused by the Court and the Claimant was granted leave to call it’s first witness.
The matter has been adjourned with the consent of parties to the February 13, 2024 for continuation of hearing.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.
“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.
He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.
Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.
“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.
While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.
He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.
The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.
Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.
However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.
“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.
He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.
Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.
PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism
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