ELECTORAL ACT: NASS SEEKS LEGAL ADVICE, MAY CHALLENGE COURT RULING – THE NATION PG.1 & 4
The National Assembly is shocked by Friday’s judgment from the Federal High Court, Umuahia, voiding Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act and ordering its deletion forthwith, The Nation gathered yesterday. Consequently, the legislative arm has started assembling a team of legal giants to study the judgment and advise it on the next line of action. No less shocked by the court’s pronouncement are several senior lawyers who, yesterday, questioned the premise on which the judgment was based and the circumstances that birthed it.
ELECTORAL ACT: PDP REJECTS JUDGMENT, MAY REPORT MALAMI, JUDGE TO NJC, NBA – PUNCH PG.7
The Peoples Democratic Party rejected the Federal High Court judgment deleting Section 84(10) of the Electoral Act. The PDP also said it was exploring the option of reporting the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; and Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court in Umuahia, to the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Judicial Council respectively. Section 84(10) of the Act makes it compulsory for all political appointees planning to run for office to resign at least 30 days before any primaries they plan to take part in. The section also states that political appointees would not be allowed to vote in any primaries.
FALANA, ADEGBORUWA FAULT COURT ON DELETION OF SECTION 84 (12) FROM ELECTORAL ACT – THISDAY PG.8
Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Mr. Femi Falana and Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, have faulted the decision of a Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, ordering the deletion of Section 84 (12) of the amended Electoral Act. In separate statements issued yesterday, the senior lawyers raised pertinent questions about the judgment, noting that the decision of the court was a great error. The presiding judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike had on Friday held that the section was unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever and cannot stand, as it is in violation of the clear provisions of the Constitution.
EFCC DENIES OBIANO BAIL, MAY GET COURT ORDER TO HOLD HIM – SUNDAY SUN PG.36
Immediate-past governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, who was arrested on Thursday night at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, en route United States of America, has been denied administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to EFCC sources, Obiano is being interrogated and detained over alleged embezzlement of funds during his eight-year tenure as governor. The source said that the anti-graft agency will keep Obiano in its Abuja office throughout the weekend, and may likely secure an order from a Magistrate Court to detain him for more days.
