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Oyo 2023: Court dismisses suit challenging Ajimobi’s candidature

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File photo of Idris Abiola-Ajimobi

Justice U.N. Agomoh of a Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo state on Tuesday struck out a suit challenging the candidature of Mr Idris Abolaji Abiola-Ajimobi, son of the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi after the same was withdrawn by the claimant who instituted the matter.

Recalled that on 26th May 2022, Idris Abiola-Ajimobi won the primary election to represent the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ibadan Southwest II State Constituency at the upcoming House of Assembly general election in 2023 after the duo of Mr Michael Famurewa and Mr Olawale Ayilara withdrew in his honour.

The primary election, monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was conducted within the premises of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, (NRC) Aleshinloye, Ibadan.

According to Mega Icon Magazine checks, the case with suit number FHC/IB/CS/96/2022  was instituted by Mr Habeeb Balogun against  the son of the late former governor of Oyo state and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 10th June 2022.

In a chat with an APC chieftain who confided in our reporter, he disclosed that the claimant, Balogun sought to move the court to declare that Idris Abiola-Ajimobi was not lawfully nominated as the House of Assembly candidate of Ibadan Southwest State Constituency II, thus by implication, that the court should set aside the said nomination.

But, the APC candidate, Idris Abiola-Ajimobi through his lawyers, Olamiji Martins and Adedayo Aborisade of Marvic Alpha LP had filed a defence, maintaining that out of the three aspirants who contested the same position, two withdrew voluntarily for him while the claimant, Balogun chose to boycott the election.

Ajimobi further contended that the election was witnessed by INEC, adding that the Returning Officer for the primary election, who represented the party duly wrote a report to that effect.

Ajimobi’s lawyers via a Notice of Preliminary Objection also challenged the suit on the ground that the matter was statute barred having been filed outside the fourteen days purview provided by the Electoral Act 2022. The same argument was also canvassed by APC’s Counsel, Kazeem Gbadamosi SAN whilst the electoral umpire which was represented by Mr Akerele maintained neutrality in the matter filing no process.

Justice Agomoh, after hearing the submission of the claimant’s counsel, R.T.A Raji Esq, who was represented by John Akinwole Esq, on his intention to withdraw the suit, which was confirmed by Marvic Alpha LP, solicitors to Idris Ajimobi, Kazeem Gbadamosi SAN of the APC and Akerele of INEC, however, dismissed the suit challenging the nomination of the late governor’s son.

This development has further validated the primary election that produced Idris Abiola-Ajimobi as the Ibadan Southwest II State Constituency candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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Oyo Rep, Oseni Pays APC Secretariat Staff Salaries, Donates N10m to Boost Party Operations

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File photo of Hon. Aderemi Oseni

House of Representatives member and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has fulfilled his pledge to support the welfare of the All Progressives Congress (APC) staff in Oyo State.

In a gesture highlighting his commitment, the lawmaker personally funded the salaries of staff at the APC’s Oke Ado Secretariat in Ibadan, reinforcing his dedication to the smooth operation of the party’s activities in the state.

Representing the Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Oseni recently visited the secretariat, where he expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their contributions.

As a further commitment to the smooth operation of the party’s activities, the lawmaker generously donated ten million naira (N10,000,000) as an allowance to enhance the secretariat’s functions.

In a statement released Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker extended appreciation to the secretariat staff, whom he described as the backbone of the party’s daily functions.

He lauded their dedication, noting their essential role in advancing the party’s goals.

“Leadership is about service, and service begins with supporting those who make the party function from within,” Oseni remarked.

“I am proud to honour this commitment to our staff, as they play a crucial role in making our political structures work effectively. This is my way of showing appreciation for their unwavering dedication”, he added.

 

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Oseni Salutes Senator Folarin’s Decades of Service at 61

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Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has paid tribute to former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, on his 61st birthday, celebrating his decades of dedicated service and contributions to Oyo State and Nigeria at large.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, Oseni, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), lauded Folarin’s unwavering commitment to leadership and the well-being of the people.

Highlighting the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial nominee in the 2023 elections for three terms in the Senate, the lawmaker noted that Folarin’s legacy of service continues to be a guiding light for emerging leaders and a source of inspiration for countless individuals across the state.

“Senator Folarin has built an admirable legacy through years of selfless public service, consistently advocating for progress and unity,” remarked Oseni.

Reflecting on Folarin’s role as the Ikolaba Olubadan of Ibadanland, the lawmaker commended his leadership approach, which has bridged divides, fostered coalitions, and promoted initiatives aimed at stabilising democracy.

“Senator Folarin’s career is an example of visionary leadership,” he added, “and his commitment to public service will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

As Senator Folarin marks this milestone, Oseni extended warm wishes for his continued health and success, expressing hope that his exemplary life of service will keep inspiring positive change across the nation.

 

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Ugandan Court Hands Ex-LRA Commander 40-Year Sentence

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In a historic ruling, a Ugandan court on Friday sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison.

This landmark decision, marking the first time a member of the notorious LRA has faced trial for war crimes in a Ugandan court, follows the group’s brutal two-decade insurgency against the Ugandan government.

Kwoyelo, who was convicted in August on 44 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, faced charges including murder, rape, torture, pillaging, abduction, and the destruction of settlements for internally displaced people.

(FILES) Thomas Kwoyelo a commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebellion blamed for brutal civilian murders during a 20-year war in the north of the country is brought into a courthouse in the northern Ugandan town of Gulu on July 25, 2011. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by MICHELE SIBOLINI / AFP)

Michael Elubu, lead judge of the case at the International Crimes Division (ICD) of Uganda’s High Court, delivered the sentence in the northern city of Gulu, underscoring a rare moment of accountability in the decades-long history of the LRA’s violence.

Judge Elubu stated that Kwoyelo retains the right to appeal both his conviction and sentence within 14 days.

Kwoyelo, who was abducted by the LRA at the age of 12 and later rose to a low-level command position within the organization, denied all charges brought against him.

(FILES) Suspected LRA (Lords Resistance Army) member Thomas Kwoyelo is pictured during a pre-trial session at the High Court in Kampala on Februay 1, 2017. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by GAEL GRILHOT / AFP)

The Lord’s Resistance Army, founded by Joseph Kony in the 1980s, sought to establish a regime based on the Ten Commandments. Under Kony’s leadership, the group unleashed widespread terror across Uganda and neighboring regions, resulting in over 100,000 deaths and the abduction of 60,000 children.

The violence eventually spread to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic.

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