Justice Daniel Okungbowa of Edo State High Court, Benin City has fined the state government for a motion to allow for extension of time to file a written address in the ongoing Otaru of Auchi chieftaincy dispute.
When the case came up on Wednesday, counsel to the state’s government, Mrs. B.A. Adeleye had notified the court of a motion which she filed demanding an extension of time to prepare her written address, an action which attracted a fine of N10,000 from the trial judge.
Besides, she also filed another motion as to whether the court has jurisdiction over the case which, among others, is seeking a declaration that the selection, presentation and appointment and/or production of Otaru of Auchi is rotational, and each sub-ruling house of Ikelebe Ruling House must take its turn in accordance with the custom and tradition of Auchi as enshrined in Section 3(2) and 14 (1) (c) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law 1979.
In suit No: B/329/2018 between the claimants, Mamudu Ikharo, Yahaya Ikharo against the Attorney-General of Edo State, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, , the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji H.A. Momoh, the plaintiffs are also seeking a declaration that the Odjiugo Commission of Inquiry into the Otaru of Auchi Chieftaincy title as regards the number and identity of the Ruling House and the order of rotation represents the true traditional, correct and customary position of Ikelebe title under Auchi Native Law and Customs.
What was supposed to be a final adoption of address by the different counsels was stalled when two of the counsels to the defendants, Mr. Daud Momodu and Salman Dako drew the court’s attention to a motion seeking amendments of parts of the processes which they had earlier filed.
Justice Okungbowa thereby adjourned the case till November 9 for hearing.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
- Atiku Challenges Tinubu To Grant Hour-Long TV Interview
- Tenant Flees After Allegedly Killing Landlord Over Rent In Abuja
The PDP spokesman recalled how the opposition party had on various occasions alerted that the APC government had ceded sovereignty over a large portion of our country to terrorists, “many of whom were imported into our country by the APC.”
He further stated: “From the video, in a brazen manner, terrorists as non-state actors boldly showed their faces, boasting, admitting and confirming their participation in the Kuje Prison break, some of whom were former prison inmates who were either jailed or awaiting trial for their previous terrorism act against our country.
“Nigerians can equally recall the confession by the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai that the APC government knows the plans and whereabouts of the terrorists but failed to act.
According to Ologunagba, about 18,000 Nigerians have been killed by terrorists between 2020 and 2022 “as the criminals continue to be emboldened by the failures and obvious complicity of the APC and to which the PDP had always drawn attention.”
“This is not politics; this is about humanity and leadership, which leadership sadly and unfortunately is missing in our country at this time,” he said.
The PDP added that it is appalled by “the lame response by the apparently helpless, clueless and deflated Buhari Presidency, wherein it told an agonizing nation that President Buhari “has done all and even more than what was expected of him as Commander in Chief by way of morale, material and equipment support to the military…”
“This is a direct admission of incapacity and failure by the Buhari Presidency and the APC. At such a time, in other climes, the President directly leads the charge and takes drastic measures to rescue and protect his citizens.
“In time of adversity, the President transmutes into Consoler-in-Chief to give hope and succour to the citizens. Painfully, Nigeria does not have a President who cares and can stand as Consoler-in-Chief to the citizens.
“It has now become very imperative for Nigerians to take note and realize that the only solution to this unfortunate situation is to hold the APC government accountable. We must come together as a people, irrespective of our political, ethnic and religious affiliations to resist the fascist-leaning tendencies of the APC administration.
Ologunagba called for an urgent meeting of the National Council of State to advise on the way to go over the nation’s worsening insecurity.
“Our nation must not fall. The resilient Nigerian spirit and ‘can-do- attitude’ must be rekindled by all to prevail on the President to immediately and without further delay, accede to the demand by the PDP and other well-meaning Nigerians to convene a special session of the National Council of State to find a lasting solution since the President has, in his own admission, come to his wit’s end,” the PDP spokesman declared.
Osun Husband Killer Commits Suicide
Latest terrorist video: Presidency has admitted Buhari’s failure ― PDP
Essential Documents You Need When Applying To Study Abroad On Scholarship
Latest terrorist video: Presidency has admitted Buhari’s failure ― PDP
Latest terrorist video: Presidency has admitted Buhari’s failure ― PDP
and then