Ibom Focus

Category: Uncategorized

  • JUST IN: Appeal Court Sacks Another Labour Party Lawmaker –

    JUST IN: Appeal Court Sacks Another Labour Party Lawmaker –

    JUST IN: Appeal Court Sacks Another Labour Party Lawmaker

    The Court of Appeal has sacked Chijioke Okereke of the Labour Party as the member representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River Federal Constituency.

    The Court dismissed Okereke’s appeal against an earlier sack by the Enugu State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal.

    In a judgement delivered on Monday, the Court ruled that the appeal against the tribunal ruling that Anayo Onwuegbu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is the rightful winner of the election, lacks merit.

    Naija News House recalls that the tribunal had sacked Okereke, affirming Onwuegbu as the duly elected candidate of the February 25 poll.

    Onwuegbu had approached the tribunal challenging the declaration of Okereke on the grounds that he was a stranger to the election as his name was not on the result sheet as the candidate of the Labour Party.

  • Ekene Umenwa’s Husband Finally Breaks Silence On Video Of Wife Kneeling Before Bliss At Their Wedding

    Ekene Umenwa’s Husband Finally Breaks Silence On Video Of Wife Kneeling Before Bliss At Their Wedding

    Ekene Umenwa’s Husband Finally Breaks Silence On Video Of Wife Kneeling Before Bliss At Their Wedding

    Popular Nollywood movie producer, Ifeanyi Ogbodo Alex, has finally reacted to the controversies trailing the viral video of his wife, Ekene Umenwa hugging gospel singer, Moses Bliss at their wedding reception.

    Ibom Focus  reports that actress Umenwa got married to Alex on Saturday.

    The actress, however, came under fire after a viral clip on social media, captured her leaving Alex and kneeling before the gospel singer who unexpectedly turned up to perform at their wedding reception.

    Reacting to the controversies, the MC of the event, Deacon Famous took to the internet to explain that Umenwa was not kneeling for Moses “but for the anointing he came with.”

    “I was the one who invited Moses Bliss to the wedding to surprise because she wanted a worship session for her wedding.

    “She wasn’t kneeling down for Moses Bliss, she was kneeling for the anointing that Moses came with.”

    Responding to the development in the comments section, Alex said: “Deacon you get time to explain. I’m not complaining. God bless you real good my brother.”

  • Mohbad: Court Grants Naira Marley, Sam Larry Bail –

    Mohbad: Court Grants Naira Marley, Sam Larry Bail –

    Mohbad: Court Grants Naira Marley, Sam Larry Bail

    On Monday, a Magistrate’s Court in Yaba, Lagos State, granted N20 million in bail to Azeez Fashola, better known by his stage name Naira Marley, and Lagos socialite Balogun Eletu, better known by his stage name Sam Larry, subject to three responsible responsibilities.

    On October 6, Naira Marley, Sam Larry, and two other people were arraigned and remanded for their alleged participation in the death of artist Ilerioluwa Aloba, commonly known as Mohbad.

    Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun ordered the defendants to surrender their passports and report once a week to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti.

    Sam Larry Bail
    Mohbad, Sam Larry and Naira Marley

    “As part of the bail conditions, the defendants are to surrender their passports and make weekly appearances at the State Criminal Investigation Department,” Olatunbosun ruled.

    More details to follow…

  • BREAKING: Court Reserves Judgment In Abba Yusuf’s Appeal –

    BREAKING: Court Reserves Judgment In Abba Yusuf’s Appeal –

    BREAKING: Court Reserves Judgment In Abba Yusuf’s Appeal

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved decision in Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf’s challenge against his removal by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

    On September 20, the tribunal declared Yusuf’s election illegitimate, ruling that 165,663 of his votes were invalid.

    Abba Yusuf’s Appeal

    The panel ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission did not sign or stamp the ballot papers. As a result, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, was proclaimed the winner of the governorship race.

    Dissatisfied with the judgment, Yusuf appealed against the tribunal verdict and urged the court to set aside the judgment.

    More details to follow…

  • Suspended Adamawa REC Yunusa-Ari In The Run, Fails To Appear In Court –

    Suspended Adamawa REC Yunusa-Ari In The Run, Fails To Appear In Court –

    Suspended Adamawa REC Yunusa-Ari In The Run, Fails To Appear In Court

    The suspended Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State Hudi Yunusa-Ari has failed to show up at the State High Court in Yola where he was to be arraigned today (Monday).

    Justice Benjamin Manji of the State High Court in Yola has thus ordered INEC to produce him in court during its next sitting on November 23, 2023.

    This follows the failure of the police to serve the hearing notice to Yunusa-Ari.

    According to the prosecution counsel to INEC Justice Rotimi Jacobs, the police made several attempts to serve him the hearing notice by visiting his home. The defendant’s surety also could not be traced.

    The presiding judge Benjamin Manji, however, wondered why the police who granted him bail through a surety could neither get the defendant nor the surety.

    He, therefore, granted the prosecution counsel’s request of two weeks for the defendant to appear before the court

    Speaking to journalists shortly after the sitting, counsel to INEC Rotimi Jacobs assured that all will be done to ensure the appearance of the defendant on the adjourned date.

    The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had given the nod for INEC to prosecute Yunusa-Ari who is facing a six-count charge over the role he played in the 2023 governorship election in the state.

    Following the conclusion of the supplementary governorship on April 15th, the suspended REC announced the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Aishatu Ahmed Binani as the winner midway into the collation of results.

    His action attracted widespread condemnation with INEC voiding the declaration and placing him on an indefinite suspension.

  • BREAKING: Appeal Court Sacks Kwankwaso, Affirms Datti’s Election –

    BREAKING: Appeal Court Sacks Kwankwaso, Affirms Datti’s Election –

    BREAKING: Appeal Court Sacks Kwankwaso, Affirms Datti’s Election

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has sacked Musa Ilyasu Kwankwaso of the All Progressives Congress and reinstated Yusuf Umar Datti of the New Nigeria People’s Party in the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency Election.

    The three-panel led by Justice Tunde Oyebamiji Awotoye allowed an Appeal by Yusuf Datti and averred that the tribunal was wrong to have counted the date of the Appellant’s resignation on the date of his party’s primary election and that Section 77 of the Electoral Act was misapplied, saying no court has jurisdiction on the issue of membership of the party.

    More details to follow…

  • Crisis Rocks Akwa Ibom Over ‘Akpabio’s Ex-Chief Of Staff Appointed As REC –

    Crisis Rocks Akwa Ibom Over ‘Akpabio’s Ex-Chief Of Staff Appointed As REC –

    Crisis Rocks Akwa Ibom Over ‘Akpabio’s Ex-Chief Of Staff Appointed As REC

    Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State have debunked the claims that Etekarnba Umoren, who was appointed as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, is a member of the party.

    Umoren served as Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, when the latter was governor of Akwa Ibom State and was among those whose nominations were confirmed by the Senate last week.

    Ex-Chief Of Staff
    Etekamba

    His appointment, however, generated public criticism, with those who faulted his nomination alleging that he is a member of the ruling APC and demanding the withdrawal of his nomination.

    But APC leaders in Akwa Ibom State, dismissed the allegation, saying Umoren was appointed as the Chief of Staff and then Secretary to the State Government not to serve a political party but to serve a government as a bureaucrat and career civil servant.

    Eseme Eyiboh, who leads the Forum of the 2023 APC candidates in Akwa Ibom State, at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, challenged those alleging Umoren’s partisanship, to provide proof of his party membership.

  • Real Reason Ekene Umenwa Left Her Husband To Kneel Before Moses Bliss –

    Real Reason Ekene Umenwa Left Her Husband To Kneel Before Moses Bliss –

    Real Reason Ekene Umenwa Left Her Husband To Kneel Before Moses Bliss

    Mixed reactions as Actress Ekene Umenwa goes on knees, hugs Singer Moses Bliss on wedding day

    Social media users have continued to react differently to a video of Nollywood actress, Ekene Umenwa, where she excused her husband, Ifeanyi Ogbodo, to kneel down for popular gospel singer, Moses Bliss after he surprisingly turned up to perform at their wedding.

    In the video, which has now become the topic of discussion on social media, the actress seems unable to contain her joy upon sighting Moses Bliss, whom she did not expect to see at her wedding reception.

    Upon spotting the gospel singer, the actress rushed to him and knelt down, while her husband and guests looked on. She also stood up to hug him while the gospel singer continued to thrill the audience with a lovely performance.

    However, the video has elicited different reactions from netizens. Some people describe her reactions to the gospel singer’s appearance at her wedding as an expression of happiness and being overjoyed, while others view it as an act of disrespect toward her husband.

    Reacting to the video @_RealKingsley wrote, “This was one of such interesting moments for her on such a great day. The kneeling and hugging was actually not about Moses Bliss. All I see is a woman that was overwhelmed. I don’t see any embarrassment here.”

    Ekene Umenwa
    Ekene Umenwa

    Another user, @UnlimitedEniola tweeted, “People should please stop saying NONSENSE about actress Ekene Umenwa. Don’t scatter the home she’s starting to build. She didn’t abandon her husband and follow Singer Moses Bliss. She’s surprised and happy.  Women don’t really know how to contain their emotions, so it’s understandable. Please, don’t nail her to the cross.”

    “All i see is an emotional Lady that loves God..🖤🤍🫶🕊️U guys are missing the point, she’s not kneeling to worship Moses Bliss , she’s kneeling because she feels the holy spirit and spiritually thanking God through the act of hugging.” @AlexUnusual11 wrote.

    In contrast, @UnkleAyo wrote, “The 7th time I’m watching this video, this morning. 😭😭Who is the husband? Oh, you better follow Moses Bliss home because I’m walking out. Zero control.”

    Another user, @Christindu tweeted, “No level of excitement warrants kneeling down for another man who’s not either your father or your father in law on your wedding day. It’s disrespectful. What happened to kneeling down for your husband if you were excited?”

    “This is one of the reasons why most marriages will crash. The respect most women give their pastors, gospel singers and many more is way too much than their husbands! The groom should have exchanged his suit with Moses Bliss and left them to continue the wedding. Rubbish!!! 😏.” @Bobosjeru opined.

  • How Yari Spent N7Billion In 7 Days On Quran Recitation –

    How Yari Spent N7Billion In 7 Days On Quran Recitation –

    How Yari Spent N7Billion In 7 Days On Quran Recitation Event

    The Zamfara State Government has lamented that the administration of former governor Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari in 2013 spent N7 billion within seven days on a Quran recitation event.

    The state commissioner for budget and planning, Abdulmalik Gajam, in an interview hosted on Saturday by the Chief Executive Officer of Arewa Twitter, Abdullahi Otaki, on X (formerly Twitter), also lamented the lack of fiscal responsibility in the administration.

    Yari was elected Zamfara governor on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and was reelected in 2015 for another four-year term, this time as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Quran Recitation
    Yari

    Gajam said, “In 2013; let me tell you something that is going to blow your mind away. In 2013 alone, there was a case; EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) invited most of the cabinet members in Zamfara State and the issue that happened, the government at that time spent N7 billion in seven days for Quranic memorisation programme. That is what we call musabaqah, where you bring in young people that have memorised the whole Quran and they would compete between each other.

    “So in seven days, N7 billion was spent; EFCC had to come in. So you see, there was recklessness in fiscal responsibility and there was no financial management or mechanism put in place to check this.”

    Regarding the genesis of banditry in the state, the commissioner said, “In 2011, unfortunately, Zamfara State had a leadership that did not value education. A leadership that had no respect for the rule of law”.

    “There was a lot of neglect on orientation, education even concern with the happenings in the state right from 2011.

    He said the problem of insecurity started with a handful of people “with the guns going around”.

    He said, “Unfortunately, Zamfara state did not have any policy framework on how to manage and gather data. When things happen, we know where to look at, we do not have account of people that dwell in the state, we do not have account of people that run businesses, we do not have account of what comes in and what goes out of our state which every civilised society, a reasonable government is supposed to have.

    “That insecurity was there, there was neglect, there was no respect for the constitution or even people that are put in power. That is how the situation started and then the people of Zamfara State in 2018, 2019 rebelled against that leadership because we realised it was becoming a problem rather than a solution.”

  • Flashback: How Jonathan Rejected Proposal To Buy Presidential Yacht –

    Flashback: How Jonathan Rejected Proposal To Buy Presidential Yacht –

    Flashback: How Jonathan Rejected Proposal To Buy Presidential Yacht

    If you have been surfing the internet over the past week to keep up with the latest trends in Nigeria, you would most likely have come across “presidential yacht” among the top search results.

    In the 2023 supplementary budget, the federal government had earmarked N5 billion for the acquisition of a presidential yacht, which was categorised under the capital expenditure of the navy’s budget.

    This allocation had sparked criticisms from Nigerians, particularly in light of the prevailing economic challenges and calls for a reduction in the cost of governance.

    Amid the backlash from Nigerians, the presidency said the yacht was a naval vessel and not for President Bola Tinubu.

    “What was named as Presidential Yacht in the budget is an Operational Naval boat with specialized security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President,” Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said in a statement.

    “It is called presidential yacht by way of nomenclature because of the high-level security features.”

    On Thursday, the senate and house of representatives passed the N2 trillion supplementary budget, but reallocated the appropriation for the yacht to the students’ loan programme.

    ‘IT WAS ORDERED BY BUHARI’S ADMINISTRATION’

    On Thursday, the presidency said the naval boat was ordered by the navy during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “President Tinubu has consistently said that government is a continuum as he inherited both assets and liabilities of past administrations,” the presidency said.

    On Saturday, Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the director of naval information, confirmed to TheCable that the yacht was “ordered” during Buhari’s government and that payment for the executive boat was to be made later.

    “The crux of the matter is that it was ordered under the previous administration and it was delivered. It was approved but there was no cash backing. The navy is not using it at all. It was just delivered. Decisions will have to be taken at all levels. We are just awaiting instructions,” he said.

    Furious with the development, Yusuf Gagdi, chairman of the house of representatives committee on navy, said the navy will be investigated over the procurement of the yacht without parliamentary approval.

    “My committee has expunged that (the appropriation) from the supplementary budget,” he said.

    “It is no more in the supplementary budget. Does navy procure a presidential yacht without payment and approval for it only for us to see it on the budget item? The house has asked the committee to investigate.”

    IN 2010, JONATHAN REJECTED NAVY’S PROPOSAL TO BUY YACHT

    This is not the first time that the navy would be seeking to acquire a presidential yacht.

    In 2010, a similar request was made by the navy during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, but it was hastily shot down.

    According to a 2010 report by DailyTrust, the navy proposed to procure a presidential yacht for N3.3 billion ahead of the Nigeria at 50 anniversary celebrations in October 2010.

    Jonathan, however, turned down the request.

    The newspaper quoted Ima Niboro, Jonathan’s spokesperson at the time, as saying that the former president directed the navy to liaise with the national assembly to seek the authority for a virement in order to use the funds for the repair of naval warships.

    Virement is the process of transferring an approved budgetary provision from one operating cost element or capital project to another, during a financial year.