The Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has officially admitted into evidence several extra-judicial statements attributed to former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Justice Rahman Oshodi overruled objections from Emefiele’s legal team and ruled that a trial-within-trial was not required because the statements were not confessional in nature.

• The judge clarified that a statement only qualifies as confessional if it contains an “unequivocal admission” of the alleged crimes, which he found absent in these documents.

• Consequently, statements dated October 27, October 30, and November 11–13, 2023, were marked as exhibits.

• The trial is scheduled to resume on October 6–8 and November 11–13, 2026.

Case Background

• Godwin Emefiele is being tried alongside Henry Omoile on a 19-count charge related to corruption, abuse of office, and fraudulent property transactions involving approximately $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.

• Henry Omoile faces an additional three-count charge for allegedly receiving unlawful gifts related to CBN transactions.

• Both defendants have entered a plea of not guilty.

• Emefiele’s defense counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had requested the rejection of the statements, claiming they were extracted through torture and oppression during the defendant’s time in DSS custody.

• In response, the prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), maintained that the statements were not confessional and that the defense lacked a legal basis for requesting a trial-within-trial.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Chairman, Danladi Umar, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Justice Peter Kekemeke issued this order on Thursday following Umar’s arraignment by the federal government on four corruption-related counts.

• Prosecutors allege that Umar abused his official position to obtain undue advantages, including receiving ₦5.5 million from a painting contractor in 2021 and ₦6 million from a digitalization contractor in 2024 through his wife’s bank account.

• Additionally, he is accused of compelling a contractor to pay ₦2.43 million toward his daughter’s tuition at Baze University.

• Umar entered a plea of not guilty, and the court has adjourned the hearing for his bail application until July 15.

Background on Senate Removal

• In 2024, the Senate voted to remove Danladi Umar from his position as CCT Chairman, with over 84 lawmakers supporting the decision.

• The removal was executed under section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the Senate to remove heads of statutory bodies for gross misconduct and misdemeanour upon a two-thirds majority vote.

• The motion for his removal, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, followed numerous petitions and corruption allegations, with lawmakers concluding that Umar failed to meet the standards required of a public official.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has stated that the decision regarding the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate for 2027 belongs entirely to the party’s gubernatorial nominee, Mustapha Gubio.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Governor Zulum announced this during a visit to the Emir of Biu’s palace in the Biu Local Government Area.

• Gubio is expected to make his choice for a running mate public next week.

• While 27 individuals have expressed interest in the position, the Governor emphasized that he and other party leaders will only provide guidance during the selection, leaving the final authority to Gubio.

Selection Criteria and Background

• Zulum urged that the selection should prioritize competence, fairness, and the collective well-being of Borno State, rather than sectional interests.

• The Governor asked the public to pray for a peaceful outcome in selecting a suitable candidate.

• Reflecting on his own experience, Zulum noted that when he chose his deputy, he was advised by former Governor Kashim Shettima but was not pressured to accept an imposed candidate, making the final decision himself.

• This development occurs amid reports of various candidate changes occurring within the ruling party nationwide.