News
Fraud trial: Metuh Appeals for Release of Int’l Passport to Seek Medical Treatment a Abroad
A former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, on Wednesday asked the Federal High Court, Abuja to order the release of his international passport to enable him travel overseas for medical treatment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is the third time Metuh is asking the court to release his international passport for him to seek medical attention abroad.
At the resumed hearing, the Judge, Justice Okon Abang, granted Metuh’s Counsel, Mr Emeka Etiaba (SAN) permission to move the application.
Etiaba noted that his client did not appeal against the two previous applications, which were refused by the court but added that this was a new and different application.
“It is instructive to note that the facts now are different from the facts relied on in the previous application.
“He (Metuh) has lost sensation in his lower leg, this never happened before so this reinforces the fact that the circumstances of this application are different.”
According to Etiaba, the exercise of discretion is always based on the material made available to the court and the ruling on the last two applications were based on material made available to the court at that time.
He said that his client, by the fresh application, was presenting a new case before the court in line with the new fact that had emerged and prayed the court to consider the application.
“It is not a case where the court will be viewed as being “functus officio” as the new application does not seek to re-open the previous applications, which were determined based on circumstances different from this one.”
On the issue that the court had said it would not entertain a medical report from any doctor in Nigeria with regards to Metuh’s case, Etiaba said that they were relying on a letter from a neurosurgeon in the UK.
“We rely on exhibit three, which is a letter from a world renowned neurosurgeon by name Adrian Cassy and the prosecution can bring its team of medical experts to examine the first defendant.”
In the opposing argument, the Prosecutor, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, prayed the court to dismiss the application on grounds that it lacked merit and was an abuse of court process.
“The latest application, being the third in the series, is an abuse of court process as the court has refused similar applications twice.”
According to Tahir, the only thing different about the latest application is the timing because the circumstance, which is the release of international passport on the grounds of ill health remains the same.
The prosecutor noted that there was also no medical report from a foreign doctor attached to the application.
Abang adjourned the matter until March 15 for continuation of arguments.
Abang had earlier refused another application seeking permission for Metuh, who appeared in court on a wheelchair, to be absent from the proceedings based on his health.
The judge had also earlier raised the question as to whether the court as constituted had the power to hear the application seeking the release of Metuh’s international passport.
“The issues cited in the two previous rulings were the same and one of the reasons raised in that application was that Metuh is suffering from spinal cord ailment.” (NAN)
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka
The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.
The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.
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