News

Plateau Assembly Speakership: Group Knocks Abok says Court of Appeal never rejected Sanda’s Appeal

Published

3 years ago

May 22, 2023

vicky

The APC Plateau State has vehemently refuted the circulation of fake news on social media platforms regarding the Court of Appeal’s alleged dismissal of the appeal filed by Hon. Yakubu Sanda, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, and 12 others. These claims are in relation to the controversial judgment of the Plateau State High Court on May 3, 2023, which purportedly restored former Speaker Hon. Nuhu Abok to office despite his non-membership in the House since March 22, 2022.

In a press statement read by Ambassador Haggai Choji Usseni, the APC Vanguard for Good Governance clarified the matter, emphasizing that the Court of Appeal sitting in Jos on May 19, 2023, did not dismiss Hon. Yakubu Sanda’s appeal. Instead, the court postponed the hearing of the Appellants’ Motion Ex-parte due to the presence of the Respondents in court. The court opted to hear the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction, scheduling the hearing for May 25, 2023. Meanwhile, all parties have been directed to maintain the status quo.

Contrary to the misinformation being spread, Hon. Yakubu Sanda remains the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly. Immediately after the High Court’s judgment on May 3, 2023, he filed a Notice of Appeal and a Motion for stay of Execution and Injunction to prevent the enforcement of the judgment by the Judgment Creditors.

The controversy stems from the former Speaker, Hon. Abok Nuhu, who is no longer a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly after defecting to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It is important to note that the speakership position is contingent upon membership. Thus, Hon. Abok Nuhu cannot reclaim the position of Speaker unless he is re-elected as a member of the House. The House declared Hon. Abok Nuhu’s seat vacant on March 22, 2022, following the reading of his resignation letter on the House floor, in compliance with the provisions of Section 109(1)g and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The APC Plateau State further refuted the claim made by the PDP that the judgment of the High Court is declaratory rather than executory. The judgment, which includes an award of exemplary damages in the sum of N20 million against the defendants, a mandatory injunction against the Clerk and the Plateau State Government to recognize Abok as Speaker and restore his privileges, as well as a perpetual injunction against the defendants/judgment debtors, cannot be considered executory.

In light of the ongoing legal proceedings, the status quo, as ordered by the Court of Appeal, maintains Hon. Yakubu Sanda as the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly. His appeal and the filing of a motion for stay and injunction against Abok and his allies seek to prevent the enforcement of the judgment.

The APC Plateau State also expressed concerns about the illiterate language and tone used in the fake news story currently circulating. They suspect that the desperate Abok Nuhu personally wrote and planted the story. Furthermore, it was revealed that Abok Nuhu has been exploiting past questionable financial dealings to blackmail the House of Assembly’s Clerk, who serves as the signatory to the House’s accounts. Hundreds of millions of naira have been illicitly paid to Abok Nuhu as satisfaction for the controversial judgment debt, despite its enforcement is currently suspended pending the appeal and motion for stay and injunction.

Related Topics:Abok Group Knocks Abok says Court of Appeal never rejected Sanda's Appeal

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News

Nigerian Newspaper Sports Headlines Today – Thursday, June 25, 2026

Published

18 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

Preport

Stay up to date with the biggest sports stories making the front pages of Nigeria’s leading newspapers today.

Sporting Life

N1bn Prize Money: Baribote blasts NSC, says Dikko not sincere over NFF, NPFL reforms.

Wike expresses disappointment over Super Eagles’ absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Galatasaray reject reported ₦195bn bid for Victor Osimhen.

AFN invites 29 athletes for final Commonwealth Games preparations.

Prime Atlantic Squash Tournament has improved players’ quality, says ex-NSF boss.

Vanguard

Sadiq Umar to undergo surgery after injury setback.

LMC calls for calm over purported licence withdrawal.

Anthony Okpotu completes move to Egyptian side Al Masry.

Antonio Rudiger sends goodwill message to Sadiq Umar.

The Guardian

Nwabali wrong to leave Chippa United without securing a new club – Troost-Ekong.

Queiroz berates VAR for denying Ghana a “clear penalty” against England.

LBHF’s Ibile Divisional Boxing Championships begin in Ikeja.

2026 World Cup and the beautiful chaos.

The Nation

Messi leads the Golden Boot race.

FIFA hands Madibo a five-game ban for breaking Kone’s leg.

16 clubs battle for four NNL playoff tickets.

MILO Basketball: Davidhall and Ado Grammar claim Western Conference titles.

ThisDay

Wike expresses outrage over the Super Eagles’ absence from the World Cup.

Galatasaray insist no deal has been reached for Victor Osimhen.

Morocco fight back to beat Haiti and qualify for the Round of 32.

Switzerland finish top of Group B after beating Canada.

Daily Sun

Celtic legend urges Kelechi Iheanacho to seek a fresh start.

NFF pledges wider access to CAF coaching courses across Nigeria.

Nigeria intensifies preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

IOC unveils new athlete grant to support Olympic development.

NFF yet to appear on FIFA membership list.

Leadership

FCT FA chairman applauds proposed ₦1bn NPFL prize boost.

Sadiq Umar targets a stronger comeback after injury.

Nasarawa United begin preparations for the new NPFL season.

Daily Telegraph

FIFA considers introducing a new penalty shootout format.

Côte d’Ivoire close in on Round of 32 qualification.

Former NPFL chairman questions proposed ₦1bn prize money.

Transfer Watch

Victor Osimhen remains linked with Galatasaray.

Anthony Okpotu completes move to Al Masry.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s future remains uncertain.

Sadiq Umar begins rehabilitation after surgery.

Sports247 Take

Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to dominate the sports pages, while Victor Osimhen’s transfer future, NPFL reforms, Commonwealth Games preparations and the race for the FIFA World Cup knockout stage are among the biggest talking points across today’s newspapers.

Business

Nigeria’s petrol price climbs to ₦1,596 per litre in May — NBS

Published

1 hour ago

June 25, 2026

Preport

The average retail price paid by Nigerians for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, rose to ₦1,596.25 per litre in May 2026, reflecting the continued pressure of high fuel costs on households and businesses across the country.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed this in its Petrol Price Watch report released on Wednesday, showing that the average pump price increased by 55.31 per cent when compared with ₦1,027.76 recorded in May 2025.

The latest figure also represents a 4.13 per cent increase from the average price of ₦1,532.93 per litre recorded in April 2026.

The data indicate that fuel prices have continued their upward trajectory despite fluctuations recorded in some months over the past year.

A review of the monthly trend showed that the national average stood at ₦1,037.66 per litre in June 2025, then declined to ₦1,024.99 in July and ₦988.25 in August. The average price fell further to ₦970.59 in September 2025, then rose to ₦1,052.31 in October and ₦1,061.35 in November.

In December 2025, the average price eased slightly to ₦1,048.63 per litre and stood at ₦1,034.76 in January 2026. It increased marginally to ₦1,051.47 in February, then surged to ₦1,288.54 in March and ₦1,532.93 in April. The upward trend continued in May, reaching ₦1,596.25 per litre.

Edo records highest price

Across the states, Edo recorded the highest average retail price of petrol at ₦1,722.91 per litre in May.

Bauchi followed, with an average price of ₦1,715.47 per litre, while Benue residents paid ₦1,698.57 per litre.

On the other hand, Adamawa recorded the lowest average price at ₦1,469.83 per litre. Katsina followed closely with ₦1,470.63 per litre, while Sokoto posted an average of ₦1,489.33 per litre.

The figures underscore the wide variations in petrol prices across the country, reflecting differences in transportation costs, supply logistics and market conditions.

South-south leads geopolitical zones

At the zonal level, the South-South recorded the highest average petrol price at ₦1,623.84 per litre.

The North-east followed with ₦1,622.76, while the South-East posted an average of ₦1,593.91.

ALSO READ: Dangote Refinery explains N100 petrol price increase amid crude price surge

The North-central zone recorded ₦1,589.92, marginally higher than the South-West’s ₦1,588.96. The North-West had the lowest zonal average at ₦1,564.11 per litre.

The latest report highlights the persistent rise in fuel prices since the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector, with petrol now selling at levels significantly higher than those recorded a year ago.

For many households and businesses, the increase continues to translate into higher transportation and operating costs, adding to broader concerns over the cost of living in Africa’s largest economy.