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Tag: Imo State

Labour Party in Crisis: Abure Rejects Appeal Court Judgment as “Fake News”
Julius Abure, the embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has strongly contested his reported removal by an Appeal Court session held in Owerri, the capital of Imo State. According to reports, the Court of Appeal, which convened in Abuja due to security concerns, nullified all unscheduled gubernatorial primary elections conducted by Julius Abure, the party’s National Chairman.
The court further instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly acknowledge and publish the names of governorship candidates from Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states as endorsed by the National Working Committee led by Lamidi Apapa.
Lamidi Apapa, addressing journalists, emphasized that the court’s decision confirmed that Abure was not the legitimate party chairman during the primary elections. Apapa clarified, “The issue in Edo State primarily revolves around civil matters. The Edo Excos had suspended him, leading to a court case. However, their authority to suspend him is questionable, as I am referring to matters at the ward level.”
Apapa continued, “On the other hand, the restraining order from the FCT (court) pertains to criminal matters, involving the state and Abure. In this scenario, no one is exempt from legal proceedings. This disparity delineates civil matters from criminal ones. The FCT’s restraining order remains in effect; thus, the Appeal Court confirmed that Abure conducted the primaries while the restraining order persisted, underscoring its continued validity.”
In contrast, Abure dismissed the news of his removal by the Appeal Court as false. In an interview with The PUNCH, he asserted, “It is unequivocally false news. I am providing you with our official response to the matter. Senator Athan Achonu is our designated candidate. The lower court initially declared its lack of jurisdiction over the case and maintained the status quo.”
Abure continued, “Our decision to appeal was motivated by the judge’s extraneous remarks following the jurisdiction denial, aimed at precluding potential challenges. The current court ruling negated the necessity of the appeal by reiterating its lack of jurisdiction.”
Abure expressed skepticism, stating, “Both the Federal High Court and the Appeal Court have ruled against them. However, they seem accustomed to propagating misinformation and similar tactics.”
Umar Farouk, the LP National Secretary, further refuted the accuracy of the reports, asserting that Abure’s name was absent from the appellate court’s verdict. Farouk clarified, “The information provided was inaccurate. The judgment did not mention Abure at any point. The verdict did not include such details. Someone has deliberately distorted the judgment, and this is incorrect.”
August 25, 2023
Court Restrains NLC, TUC From Embarking On Strike In Imo
A National industrial court sitting in Owerri has issued an interim order restraining the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) or any of its agents or affiliates from embarking or continuing to embark on any strike action in Imo State pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed in the suit.
In the interim injunction signed by Justice Nelson Ogbuanya, the court also restrained the NLC and TUC or any of its affiliates from stopping, hindering, disrupting, or interfering in any manner whatsoever with the provision of services and other work by their members in the civil and public service in Imo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed in the suit.
Justice Ogbuanya ordered the applicant which is the Imo State Government to serve the originating summons, motions on notice, and other processes in the suit on the defendants which are NLC and the TUC along with the interim order granted by publication in any national newspaper circulating in Nigeria in the event that prompt service of court processes and the interim order cannot be effected on the trade unions as prescribed under order 7 rule 1 (1)(h)(ii) of the rules of court before the return date of further proceedings.
The judge however set the return date for the court proceedings and hearing of the matter till May 11, 2023.
May 5, 2023
Police seal Labour Party secretariat in Imo State
The National leadership of the Labour Party, LP, on Monday alleged that its party Secretariat in Owerri, Imo state has been invaded and occupied by the agents loyal to Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma.
The National Secretary of the Labour Party, Mallam Umar Farouk, in a statement made available to newsmen in Owerri.
The party said it was part of Uzodimma’s plot to install a governorship candidate in the labour party and control the LP leadership in Imo.
According to them, “The national leadership of the Labour Party is shocked over the Invasion and Occupation, the action of its Secretariat in Owerri, today, Monday, April 3, 2023, by the agents of Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma, including thugs and unauthorized policemen drafted fa from the government house.
“Such illegal occupation was akin to a similar invasion on the same Secretariat on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Unlike the March invasion, where no reason was given by the state government on why it took such unlawful action against our political party, this time, they said that the action was due to a Court Order.
“But as at the moment, no such Order to our knowledge was given. No Order has been presented to us by the court or its agents. The Policemen presently occupying our Secretariat have not even shown us the Order. At the moment, all our officials and staff have been barred from accessing the Secretariat.
“We have contacted the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the ongoing development in the state, and it has been confirmed that the Force is not aware of any security breach whatsoever in the state to warrant the occupation of our Secretariat.
“The Police have also informed us that it has not detailed any of their officers and men to the Labour Party Secretariat in Imo state; and that the officers may have been drafted from the State House in the state.”
“The Labour Party however is not unmindful of the efforts of the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma to hijack the leadership of the Party in Imo state.
“These actions have confirmed the information available to us of plots by the governor to plant some surrogates wearing the garments of aspirants in the party. This game plan, as archaic as it seems, has been detected and punctured, the consequences being the aggression unleashed on the party by the state government,” he said.
April 3, 2023
Ex-Gov Ihedioha Pulls Out From Imo PDP Guber Primaries
Emeka Ihedioha, former Governor of Imo State, has announced his withdrawal from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship Primaries.
The development was contained in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the party.
Ihedioha, who served as governor of the state for seven months before the Supreme Court announced Hope Uzodimma as winner of the 2019 governorship election, cited interest of the party as his reason for the shocking withdrawal.
According to him, “In the interest of harmony and unity of the Party, I have decided to make the personal sacrifice of withdrawing from further participation in the processes leading to the emergence of the gubernatorial candidate.”
He appealed to supporters to understand and accept his decision, lamenting that those who had started mobilizing for him may be disappointed.
And I am sure many of those who have, on their own, already started mobilizing for me in Imo State will be disappointed.
“I sincerely seek their understanding and that of associates, admirers and particularly the electorates who have over the years aligned themselves and identified with my political aspirations, he added”.
March 28, 2023
LP Guber Aspirant in Imo State Found Dead in Lagos His Home
A Labour Party governorship aspirant in the forthcoming governorship primary holding in Imo State, Humphrey Anumudu, has been found dead in his house.
Anumudu was reported dead in his Lagos home after returning from a meeting at the LP secretariat in Abuja.
The deceased was a native of Mbieri Ancient Kingdom in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
A family friend who spoke to The PUNCH on the condition of anonymity confirmed the death saying the auto merchant died on Friday evening in Lagos.
He added that his death came as a shock.
March 25, 2023
Gunmen Set Imo High Court Ablaze, Destroy Important Documents
Gunmen on Saturday set ablaze the building of Imo State high court in Orlu, reportedly burning part of the structure housing sensitive documents.
The development is coming few days after some gunmen attacked the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Owerri, which the police said was carried out by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
It was gathered that the complex is housing both the high court and a magistrates’ court.
A staff member of the judiciary, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said all the files in the building were burnt.
The Orlu high court is close to a security check point as well as the police divisional headquarter
In 2018, the high court was razed. On December 1, the Orlu office of INEC was set ablaze in the same manner.
Orlu Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barnabas Munonye, who confirmed the incident, described it as unfortunate.
He said that his attention was drawn to the incident by the administrative secretary of the association early Saturday morning.
Spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, CSP Mike Abattam, who also confirmed the incident, said that police had launched investigation into the incident.
December 17, 2022
Four Killed As Gunmen Attack INEC Office In Imo
Four persons including one policeman have been killed in an attack that was repelled by the police on the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) along Port Harcourt Road in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The Spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Mike Abattam, said the gunmen numbering over 10 came around 3am with petrol bombs and dynamite.
He, however, said the hoodlums were confronted by security operatives who repelled the attack and killed three of the attackers.
Abattam also said one of the attackers was arrested by the police and three vehicles used by hoodlums recovered.
December 12, 2022
Gunmen Kill Traditional Ruler, Chiefs in Imo State
Gunmen invaded Obudi Agwa community in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State on Monday, Nov. 14.
The attack left five persons dead, including the traditional ruler of the community, Ignitus Asor.
Armed youths stormed the king’s palace where a community matter was being discussed and opened fire indiscriminately.
The traditional ruler, two palace chiefs, and two other members of the community died on the spot.
Many others sustained injuries, including the traditional prime minister, Chief Stephen Ajoku.
The criminals also stormed neighbouring Mgbala community and shot a pregnant woman and a local security officer.
The hoodlums fled in their motorbikes and vehicles after the attack.
Also confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relation Officer, Michael Abattam said the police are already on the trail of the hoodlums with the clues in their possession.
“Yes, it’s true but the police is already investigating the matter, we have clues already and we are on their trail,” Abattam said.
November 15, 2022
Buhari visits Imo to Commission Projects amid IPOB sit-at-home order
President Buhari is currently on a state visit to Imo state. The President was received by the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, and other members of his cabinet at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport.
The President is in the state to commission some projects. His visit is coming amid a sit-at-home order in the south-east issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
September 13, 2022
Tragedy as Explosion Rocks Illegal Refinery In Imo
No fewer than 100 people were killed on Friday night after an illegal refinery went up in flames at Abaezi community in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
Witnesses said the incident happened around 11pm on Friday but residents of the area woke up to see the huge flames on Saturday morning.
It remains unclear how many people were on the site when it ignited but figures from witnesses range from 50 to over 100.
A source said people were unable to go close to the bush at first because of raging fire and had to wait for the flames to die down before venturing close.
When they got to the scene, they found out over hundred persons have been burnt and many others sustained serious burns.
Videos of the scene of the illegal refinery, hours after the flames went out, depict the extent of the deadly blaze’s impact-charred equipment, vehicles, and human remains littered the scene.
Meanwhile the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has commiserated with the families of affected victims.
He, however, explained that running an illegal refinery in the area amounted to economic sabotage to the state and the nation and a criminal act which all should desist from.
The governor warned those still in the business of running illegal refinery in the state to stop forthwith or face the wrath of the law.
Illegal refineries have remained a menace, posing environmental and economic threat to the nation and resulting in condemnation and crackdowns by the government – especially in the South-South.
Earlier this month, amid reports of widespread crude oil theft and the environmental impact of illegal refineries – evident in the soot problem in Rivers State, the Nigerian Navy launched an operation to combat the threat.
Last week, the Navy said the operation – Operation Dakatar Da Barawo or ‘Stop the Thief – had recorded successes with about N200m worth of crude oil products seized from thieves in oil producing states in two weeks.
“These arrests and seizures from the ongoing OPDDB have denied oil thieves and criminals of about N200 million and $700,000 worth of products within roughly two weeks,” a statement from the spokesman of the Navy, Comodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, read in part.
“It is indicative of the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to ensure zero tolerance for COT, illegal bunkering and related economic crimes in the Nation’s maritime area and the South-South geopolitical zone in particular.”
The operation follows raids and crackdowns on illegal refineries in Rivers and other places in the South-South.
Speaking to reporters, Governor Uzodimma said the incident was a form of economic sabotage.
“I’ve dispatched my Commissioner of Petroleum to visit the scene,” he said. “This is what we have been crying for in the state.
“It is an economic sabotage to our country, where people steal our crude oil, refine illegally and – even without the guarantee of the quality of such products – sell to the people. And some people suffer engine failure and all sort of problems with their vehicles as a result of these illegal activities.
“So people must be law-abiding, must refrain from taking into any activity that will amount to economic sabotage, criminality and all that.
“That does not mean I’m not empathetic to the loss of lives associated with the incident. It’s unfortunate. And through that, I want to advise those who are still in that practice to desist from such acts.”
April 24, 2022