Group says Atiku collaborating with Aso-Villa cabals to scuttle election

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Joint Front of Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria (JFCSON) has alleged that the presidential candidate of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is collaborating with some elements in the presidential villa to derail the nation’s democracy and scuttle election, for opposing the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s currency swap extension deadline by 10 days.

In a statement by Barnabas Bala Yock, the National President of JFCSON, said Atiku’s recent remarks opposing the extension of the deadline for the swap, and PDP’s challenge to the All progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s patriotic intervention have confirmed that he and his party are part of the dangerous collaboration to tamper with due democratic processes. According to Yock, JFCSON has followed Naira redesign developments since October when the Central Bank of Nigeria under its Governor, Godwin Emefiele announced a controversial policy of Naira notes redesign.

The Governor of Abia, Mr Okezie Ikpeazu, has endorsed the call for violence-free campaign across the six geopolitical zones of the country by JACCO Charity International (JCI), a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO).

Jodie Frank, the founder of the NGO said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

She said the group visited the governor to seek his endorsement since the campaign would be kick starting in Abia.

The governor, however, said that the vote of every Nigerian should count during elections, adding that no vote is worth the blood of any Nigerian.

He commended the NGO for taking the initiative and choosing his state as the first point of call, adding that he would be ready to support the group to ensure a successful violence-free campaign.

The group, however, presented a T-shirt with the inscription “Your Vote Counts” to the governor.

On her part, Frank said the the reason for the campaign was to ensure that the youth who constitute the bulk of voters do not engage in violence before, during and after the election.

According to her, “we want to ensure that Nigerian votes count, we want a better Nigeria and our vote will be the bedrock for a better country.”

She urged political parties, their candidates and supporters to play by the rule and embrace the spirit of sportsmanship after the election.

She called on Nigerians not to toe the path of violence whatever the outcome of the election is, adding that Nigerians should embrace peace for the sake of unity. She urged political parties, their candidates and supporters to play by the rule and embrace the spirit of sportsmanship after the election.

She called on Nigerians not to toe the path of violence whatever the outcome of the election is, adding that Nigerians should embrace. (NAN)

AFederal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, discharged former Governor of Imo, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, of N2.9 billion fraud charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, struck out the EFCC’s suit for being in contravention with Section 105 (3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which gives the Honourable Attorney-General (HAGF) of the Federation the power to recall a case.

Justice Ekwo said that the directive of the AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in a letter dated Sept. 12, 2022, to the anti-graft agency to forward the case file as well as the EFCC’s comments on the issues for consideration and review was binding on the commission.

“All that the law required of the respondent (EFCC) was for the respondent when directed by the HAGF, pursuant to any enactment, is to comply and not act as if it is not under the law or is exempted thereby.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the office of the HAGF is founded on the provisions of the constitution and is thereby preserved.

“The controversies and drama surrounding this trial proceeding is needless and it is time to stop it,” he