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Court inflicts fresh wound on ADC

Published

3 months ago

June 16, 2026

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, N1 million over applications seeking the recusal of Justice Peter Lifu from an ongoing leadership dispute involving the party.

Justice Lifu, in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, dismissed separate motions filed by the ADC and Aregbesola requesting that he withdraw from hearing the suit instituted by aggrieved party member, Nafiu-Bala Gombe. The applicants had alleged bias on the part of the judge.

The court, however, held that the applications lacked merit and were unsupported by credible evidence.

According to Justice Lifu, the motions appeared to be an attempt to frustrate the Supreme Court’s directive for the accelerated hearing of the matter.

“The court has painstakingly considered all three processes by parties and by affidavit evidence; there is no iota of bias found,” the judge said.

“There is no element of bias being painted by the applicants as alleged.”

He noted that the applications for recusal were filed even before the court had assumed jurisdiction over the substantive suit.

“Where then is the element of bias in the motions for recusal?” he queried.

Describing the applications as an abuse of court process, Justice Lifu said allegations of bias were serious claims that must be supported by clear and convincing evidence.

“The law is settled that allegations of bias are grave allegations which are not made lightly. Whoever alleges bias must provide clear evidence,” he stated.

“It becomes apparent that the applicants have failed completely to prove the allegations. It is a cheap attempt to blackmail and intimidate the court. As I said, nobody can intimidate the court.”

The judge cautioned against allowing litigants to influence the assignment of cases to judges through unsubstantiated allegations.

He described the applications as a form of “forum shopping,” alleging that the applicants sought to have the matter reassigned to a judge they considered more favourable.

“Parties cannot choose which court they should be heard. Matters are assigned to judges by the administrative head of the court and no applicant can choose who will hear and determine their matters,” Justice Lifu said.

“A judge must be firm in doing justice and not dance to the whims and caprices of counsel. No court worth its salt should allow this.”

He further warned that granting such applications without evidence could establish a dangerous precedent that lawyers might exploit whenever they perceived that a case might not be decided in their favour.

“On the whole, I found no merit in the application and it is hereby dismissed with N500,000 cost each against the applicants and in favour of the plaintiff,” the judge ruled.

Earlier in the proceedings, counsel to ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, urged the court not to deliver the ruling, citing Justice Lifu’s judgment delivered on Monday directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements.

The lawyer, Kalu-Kalu Agu, argued that the party had effectively ceased to exist in the eyes of the law following the judgment.

“In your judgment, this court ordered INEC to deregister the 1st defendant. So in the eye of the law, the 1st defendant is not existing,” Agu submitted.

Justice Lifu questioned Agu’s standing in the matter, asking whether he had formally become a party to the suit.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, opposed Agu’s submission, maintaining that Ukandu had not yet been joined as a party in the case and that the earlier judgment had no bearing on the proceedings before the court.

Other lawyers in the matter, including Realwan Okpanachi, representing Aregbesola; Suleiman Usman, SAN, counsel to former Senate President David Mark; and Peter Oyewole, representing former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, also addressed the court.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the case before him was separate and distinct from the matter in which judgment had been delivered against the ADC on Monday.

The case was subsequently adjourned until June 23 for the hearing of all pending applications.

Gombe, the plaintiff, is seeking an order restraining former Senate President David Mark, Aregbesola and members of the party’s interim National Working Committee from presenting themselves as leaders of the ADC.

He contends that the emergence of Mark, Aregbesola and other members of the interim leadership violated the provisions of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, lists the ADC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, INEC and former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu as first to fifth defendants, respectively. Nwosu had stepped down from his position to pave the way for Mark’s emergence as the party’s leader.

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NACTAL’s president-elect pledges inclusive leadership, stronger anti-trafficking action

Published

6 hours ago

September 11, 2026

News Diggers

Comrade Osita Osemene, President-elect of the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) Nigeria, has pledged to unite members and strengthen the organisation’s capacity to combat human trafficking, child abuse and labour across Nigeria and the West African region.

Osemene made the commitment in his acceptance speech after emerging as president-elect of NACTAL, where he expressed gratitude to delegates for the confidence reposed in him and commended the organisation’s leadership for providing an enabling environment for a credible and transparent election.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing president, describing the leadership and work of the former administration as important to the continued development of the network.

Addressing members, Osemene declared that the election had ended and urged members to put divisions behind them.

“There are no camps or divisions. There is only one NACTAL Nigeria, and I am President for all,” he said.The president-elect also appreciated government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society networks, development organisations and international partners for their support and collaboration with NACTAL.

Among those acknowledged were the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), International Labour Organization (ILO), European Union, GIZ, ActionAid, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), National Senior Citizens Centre (NSDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, ECOWAS Commission and the Nigeria Police Force.

Osemene said his administration would pursue five major priorities aimed at repositioning NACTAL and expanding its impact. These, according to him, include capacity building and economic empowerment; inclusion and transparency; institutional sustainability; stronger counter-trafficking and policy implementation; and regional leadership within ECOWAS.

He stressed that the mandate given to the new administration would not remain a mere electoral victory but would be translated into an action plan.

“The mandate we have received is now an action plan,” he said, promising to build an administration focused on practical results and stronger institutional structures.

Osemene further disclosed that work had already commenced towards one of the administration’s key priorities, noting that the organisational capacity assessment of survivor-led organisations which he began before the election would form part of the foundation for NACTAL’s planned capacity-building programme.

He called on NACTAL members, veterans, zonal and state coordinators, young professionals and partners to support the incoming administration in delivering on its mandate.

“The election is over. The mandate has been given. The work begins now,” Osemene declared.

He expressed confidence that through collective effort, NACTAL Nigeria could progress from its existing achievements to greater regional influence.

“Together, let us move from proven leadership to West African leadership,” he said.

Osemene concluded by seeking the continued support of members and partners and prayed for the progress of NACTAL Nigeria and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

News

Osita Osememe gets 95.65% votes, emerges NACTAL president

Published

6 hours ago

September 11, 2026

News Diggers

Osita Samuel Osemene has emerged President of the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) for the 2026–2030 tenure, securing an overwhelming 95.65 per cent of the votes cast in the organisation’s national executive elections.

Osemene, who was nominated by Patriotic Citizen Initiatives, polled 44 of the 46 valid votes cast to defeat his opponent, Nosakhare Agbonavbare Erhunmwunsee of NAME Foundation, who secured two votes, representing 4.35 per cent.

The election was conducted electronically on September 5, 2026, with all 46 accredited voters casting their ballots. The NACTAL Electoral Committee recorded 46 valid votes and no invalid ballot.

In its official declaration, the Electoral Committee said it had conducted the electronic voting and thoroughly verified all cast ballots and verification tokens before declaring the results.

The committee subsequently declared Osemene duly elected as National President of NACTAL for the 2026–2030 tenure.

Osemene’s emergence was part of the election of a new National Executive Council to steer the affairs of NACTAL during the four-year tenure.

Other officers elected include Sarah David Ibi of Women of Valour Initiatives for Development and Empowerment, who emerged National Vice President unopposed with 46 votes.

Enwelum Ogechukwu Uzoamaka of Divine Era Development and Social Rights Initiative was elected National Secretary with 30 votes, representing 65.22 per cent, while Lorrieth Nwafor of Initiative for Social Change in Africa polled 16 votes.

Kalejaiye Olasunkanmi of Global Promoters for Community Initiatives was elected National Assistant Secretary unopposed with all 46 votes.

Eunice Oghale Odeghe of Female Drivers Association won the National Financial Secretary position with 32 votes, while Eunice Favour Eboatu of Reachout Initiative for Vulnerable Africa Women received 14 votes.

Ahmad Hashim of Millennium Development Center, Gusau, emerged National Internal Auditor unopposed with 46 votes, while Andrew Azubuike Duru of Rarduja Development Organisation was elected National Public Relations Officer, also with 46 votes.

Adedeji John Oludare of Betterliving Foundation & Capacity Development emerged National Treasurer unopposed, while Aremu Samuel Adeniyi of CSO for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria was elected National Legal Adviser, both securing all 46 votes.

At the zonal level, Eucheria Onyemaobi of Zaram Life Foundation was elected South-East Coordinator with eight out of eight votes, while Ejalonibu Ezekiel Agboola of Livingspring Human Development Initiatives won in the South-West with seven out of seven votes.

Kabiru Musa of Kebbi Sickle Cell Association emerged North-West Coordinator with seven out of seven votes, while Vera Roli Igbinadolor was elected North-Central Coordinator with three out of three votes.

The NACTAL Electoral Committee certified the results as a true, full and accurate account of the electronic votes validly cast in the National and Zonal Executive Elections held on September 5, 2026.

News

Peter Obi alleges thugs blocked visit to Yelwata massacre victims in Benue

Published

3 days ago

September 8, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has alleged that suspected hired thugs obstructed his visit to Yelwata community in Benue State, where more than 270 people were reportedly killed in a deadly attack.

Obi made the allegation in a statement following his arrival in Benue on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, saying he had travelled to the state on a humanitarian mission to commiserate with families affected by the killings.

According to him, he arrived in Benue at about 9:00 a.m. but his convoy was prevented from proceeding to the affected community by individuals chanting, “Peter Obi, go back.”

Obi described the incident as distressing, stressing that his visit was not politically motivated but intended to mourn with the bereaved, listen to affected families and offer solidarity following the tragedy.

He said the obstruction was particularly troubling at a time when Nigerians should be united in grief and focused on preventing further loss of lives.

The former governor recalled that he had consistently promoted political civility, citing his attendance the previous day at the opening of the national campaign office of opposition presidential candidate and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in Abuja.

He said his presence at the event was meant to demonstrate that political differences should not prevent mutual respect and civility.

Obi also recalled that while serving as governor of Anambra State, he personally welcomed visiting opposition members during election campaigns, provided their activities remained within the law.

He condemned what he described as efforts to deepen political divisions, insisting that Nigerians should be able to live, travel and farm without fear.

“At a time when our nation should be united in grief and resolute in preventing further bloodshed, we must reject any action capable of deepening our divisions,” Obi said.

He maintained that the primary responsibility of government was to protect human life, arguing that political considerations should never take precedence over the safety and security of citizens.

Although he could not reach Yelwata as planned, Obi said his thoughts and prayers remained with the victims, their families and the entire community.

He pledged to continue advocating for the protection of Nigerian lives, concluding with his familiar declaration: “A New Nigeria is POssible.”