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Court fines Udeze N1m for parading self as AA national chairman
Court fines Udeze N1m for parading self as AA national chairman
A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Tuesday, awarded a N1 million fine against Mr Kenneth Udeze for parading himself as national chairman of the Action Alliance (AA).
Justice Binta Nyako, in a ruling, ordered that Udeze and his lawyer, S.C. Uchendu, should jointly pay the fine for abuse of the court process.
It was learned that Udeze and Vernimbe James had, in a motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/1871/2022, prayed to be joined in a suit filed by AA against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In the motion dated and filed on Nov. 28, 2022, the duo, through their lawyer, sought an order joining them as co-respondents in the suit
While Udeze claimed to be the party’s national chairman, James said he was the national secretary.
They prayed the court for an order directing the applicant (AA) to serve on them all the processes in the suit.
They argued that they were necessary and interested parties to the matter.
According to them, these parties seeking to be joined are the subsisting and court-affirmed national chairman and national secretary of Action Alliance respectively.
In a 12-ground argument given, they argued that the suit cannot be completely and effectively determined without joining them, among others.
But counsel to the AA, Oba Maduabuchi, SAN, opposed the application for joinder.
He said the only reason a party could be joined in a matter was when the decision of the court would affect such a party.
“But where a matter will not affect him, it is not necessary.
“In this case, the applicant (Udeze) is claiming that he is a national chairman but three different courts have told them that he is not a chairman.
“Exhibit A is a judgment of the Court of Appeal which was decided on Jan. 7, 2022,” he said.
Citing the judgment, he said the court held that it remained “incontrovertible that the suspension of Udeze and his expulsion from membership of AA has not been lifted by appropriate authority or any order of the court.”
He stressed that his suspension and expulsion are extant.
Maduabuchi said Udeze’s expulsion was also confirmed by a Federal High Court’s judgment in Exhibit B.
Referring to paragraphs 15 and 16 of the exhibit, he said the lower court relied on EXhibit A in its decision.
He said the judge said, “by virtue of stare decisis, I found that this application is time-wasting and vexatious.”
The senior lawyer said when the judgement was also appealed, the Court of Appeal held that the case was already spent, having failed to controvert his suspension and subsequent expulsion.
Besides, he said Justice Zainab Abubakar of a Federal High Court, Abuja also gave a judgment, in a similar suit, that Udeze lacked a locus standi to file such an application, describing him as a meddlesome interloper.
“My lord, the Court of Appeal in another decision in Ibadan on Nov. 11 said that Udeze is not a national chairman,” he said.
Maduabuchi urged the court to dismiss Udeze’s request for a joinder.
In her ruling, Justice Nyako held that an Appeal Court and three other judges had said that Udeze was not a member of AA, having been suspended and eventually dismissed from the party.
The judge, who held that Udeze now engaged in forum shopping, described the act as “an abuse of court process.”
She, consequently, ordered Udeze and his lawyer, Uchendu, to pay the fine of N1 million naira and adjourned the matter until Jan. 16 for a hearing.
Court fines Udeze N1m for parading self as AA national chairman
Mr Joshua Ibitomi, the Area Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC),
Ibeju-Lekki, Epe Division, Lagos State, has warned truck drivers against speeding and reckless driving.
He gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibeju-Lekki on Tuesday.
The FRSC official, who blamed speeding on the ghastly vehicle accident that occurred at Aiyetoro market in Epe
which claimed several lives and left some injured, said that with careful driving, such accident could be avoided.
He added that “the accident was as a result of speeding, reckless driving and loading of truck beyond its capacity.
“All these are factors responsible for accident when drivers are not conscious of the driving rules.
“Vehicle can develop technical fault at any time, therefore, speed limit and caution need to be applied while driving.”
He said FRSC had been sensitising drivers on the need to install speed limit device and be road conscious while driving, in line with the mandate to instill decent use of road.
Ibitomi also advised passers-by and the public to be safety conscious while walking on roadsides to avoid falling victim of accidents.
He attributed major road crashes on roads to speed limit violation, urging drivers to respect the sanctity of human life by obeying traffic rules.
He added that the FRSC had evolved measures to ensure accident-free yuletide and new year festivities in 2024
Jubilant supporters celebrated Donald Trump’s apparent victory in Florida early Wednesday as he claimed a return to the White House, despite most major news networks holding off on officially calling the race.
At an event in Palm Beach, Trump supporters reveled in the win projected by Fox News, cheering as the former president declared a “political victory that our country has never seen before.”
“I feel extraordinary,” said 68-year-old supporter Ted Sarvanis, dancing with arms in the air. “This is the greatest American political story in the history of the country.”
Joined by running mate J.D. Vance, Trump took the stage, celebrating his projected win. The atmosphere at the convention center was electric, with supporters sporting “Make America Great Again” caps and mingling in formal attire and Trump-themed clothing.
“I feel relieved. I was a little bit scared because you never know how things are going to turn out,” said Stacy Kurtz, 45.
In contrast, a far different scene unfolded for Vice President Kamala Harris’s supporters at Howard University in Washington, where they were hoping for a Democratic win.
As the night wore on and Trump gained electoral votes in key battleground states, disappointment swept through the crowd.
“I am scared, I am anxious now,” said Charlyn Anderson earlier in the evening.
Democratic watch parties in places like Atlanta and Pennsylvania grew somber as results rolled in, with Lynn Johnson, 65, expressing concern, “It’s going to be dangerous if he wins. I don’t feel safe.”
While Trump’s supporters celebrated a comeback, the mood among Democrats was marked by worry and disbelief.
“He’s a terrible candidate, so it just doesn’t make sense,” said Harris supporter Ken Brown.
The contrasting scenes highlighted the nation’s deep political divide on election night.
President Bola Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States, expressing optimism for stronger ties between Nigeria and the U.S. in an era of global challenges.
The congratulatory message, issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasises the Nigerian leader’s hopes for a renewed partnership between the two nations.
Following his victory on Wednesday, Trump pledged to “heal” the country, marking a stunning political comeback as he edged past Kamala Harris in a closely contested election.
Tinubu, in his message, affirmed, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”
Tinubu highlighted that Trump’s return to the White House reflects the trust and confidence of the American people in his leadership, praising their commitment to democracy.
Given Trump’s experience from 2017 to 2021 as the 45th President, Tinubu foresees a new era of “earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.”
The Nigerian President also expressed confidence that Trump’s leadership will contribute to peace and prosperity worldwide, acknowledging America’s significant influence on global affairs.
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