News

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

Published

3 years ago

May 22, 2023

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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

IASC Above45: ‘I Took After Rashidi Yekini’ – Jokesman Reveals

Published

1 hour ago

August 17, 2026

Preport

WhatsApp Image 2026 08 17 at 2.03.09 PM.jpeg

Barrister Chijioke Iziolu Jokesman has attributed his impressive goalscoring instincts to confidence, discipline, and the influence of late Nigerian striker Rashidi Yekini, following another standout performance in the Island All Stars Above 45 Football Tournament.

Jokesman was on target again for his team, producing another quality finish despite carrying a groin injury that had already affected him in the opening game of the tournament.

Reflecting on the encounter, the veteran attacker described it as an interesting contest, while admitting that his team was missing several key players.

“It was a very interesting game even though most of our players were not around. Our midfield wasn’t together, but we give God the glory for the result,” he told SPORTS247.

Jokesman also stressed the importance of sportsmanship, insisting that football should always be played in the right spirit.

“Most of my goals are classy goals, but it is just a game. Fair play is what we preach in every game,” he added.

The experienced forward revealed that his groin problem from the first match had not completely healed before he featured again.

“In the first game, I had a groin after scoring. I tried to manage it but was substituted. Today, the groin wasn’t fully healed, but I wanted and needed to play,” he explained.

The injury returned after he scored, forcing another substitution. Jokesman believes his absence subsequently affected his team’s attacking threat but remains optimistic about returning fully fit for future competitions.

“I pray that by the next tournament, my leg will be perfectly okay, and you will see what we can do,” he said.

‘I Took After Rashidi Yekini’

Asked about the thinking behind what has been described as one of the best goals of the tournament, Jokesman revealed his confidence in his positioning and finishing ability.

“I knew once my positioning was right, the ball would enter the back of the net. I’m a good striker and confident with my abilities if there are people to feed me with the ball,” he said.

Drawing comparisons with Nigeria’s legendary goalscorer, Jokesman added: “I think I took after Rashidi Yekini. I believe strongly that an attacker must be able to shoot.”

He explained that his ability to strike with both feet remains one of his major strengths.

“My strength is in my shot, and I make use of both feet — left and right. Once the ball is right, I can strike from any angle,” he stated.

At almost 54, Jokesman believes his longevity is a product of discipline and urged younger footballers to maintain healthy lifestyles, train properly, and avoid habits that could undermine their careers.

He advised aspiring strikers to embrace discipline, self-restraint, proper training, and adequate rest, insisting that with the right attitude, “the sky is your limit.”

Business

NGX Trading Volume Surges 127% as Investors Exchange ₦176.06bn in One Week

Published

2 hours ago

August 17, 2026

Preport

Trading activity on the nations bourse recorded a sharp increase in the week ended August 14, 2026, as investors exchanged 12.153 billion shares valued at ₦176.058 billion across 224,146 deals.

The performance represents a 126.8 percent increase in traded volume compared with the 5.359 billion shares worth ₦139.053 billion exchanged in 261,869 deals in the previous week. Turnover value also increased by 26.6 percent, while the number of deals declined by about 14.4 percent.

The increase in activity was also reflected in other trading indicators. Market depth improved to 27.76 percent from 21.67 percent in the previous week, while average daily value traded rose to ₦35.21 billion from ₦27.81 billion.

The Financial Services Industry dominated market activity, accounting for 11.212 billion shares valued at ₦88.991 billion across 102,246 deals. The sector contributed 92.25 percent of total equity turnover by volume and 50.55 percent by value.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry followed with 246.127 million shares worth ₦51.605 billion traded in 27,169 deals, while the Services Industry ranked third with 198.195 million shares valued at ₦1.995 billion across 13,747 deals.

Activity was particularly concentrated in three equities; Fortis Global Insurance Plc, Cornerstone Insurance Plc and Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc. The trio accounted for 9.488 billion shares worth ₦36.219 billion in 1,781 deals, representing 78.07 percent of total equity turnover volume and 20.57 percent of turnover value for the week.

The fixed-income segment also recorded increased activity, with investors trading 232,979 units valued at ₦226.258 million in 35 deals, compared with 117,372 units worth ₦121.249 million in the previous week.

In the Exchange Traded Products segment, 2.346 million units valued at ₦501.051 million were traded across 5,291 deals.

Despite the surge in trading activity, the broader equities market closed lower as investors took profits following recent gains. The NGX All-Share Index declined by 1.20 percent to 242,619.20 points, while market capitalisation fell by 1.19 percent to ₦156.624 trillion.

Market breadth, however, showed some improvement. 26 equities appreciated during the week, unchanged from the previous week, while the number of declining equities eased to 59 from 63. 62 equities closed unchanged, compared with 58 in the preceding week.

The market breadth ratio consequently improved to 0.69x from 0.62x in the previous week, indicating a narrower gap between gainers and decliners despite the decline in the benchmark index.

Trans-Nationwide Express Plc led the gainers’ chart with a 32.09 percent increase, followed by International Energy Insurance Plc, which advanced 31.68 percent, and Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, which gained 13.77 percent. On the other side, AVA Capital Plc topped the losers’ chart with a 34.55 percent decline, followed by Unilever Nigeria Plc, down 18.94 percent, and Zichis Agro Allied Industries Plc, which shed 15.08 percent.

Meanwhile, Lasaco Assurance Plc expanded its share capital following the listing of 9.236 billion additional ordinary shares on the NGX Daily Official List on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of five new ordinary shares for every six existing shares held as of February 20, 2026. Following the listing, Lasaco Assurance’s issued and fully paid-up share capital increased from 11.084 billion shares to 20.320 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

Despite the week’s moderation, the broader market remains firmly positive for the year, with the NGX All-Share Index recording a year-to-date return of 55.91 percent as of August 14.

Sectoral performance has been even stronger in parts of the market, with the NGX Oil and Gas Index up 94.81 percent year-to-date, followed by the NGX Premium Index at 85.14 percent and the NGX Industrial Goods Index at 82.84 percent, underscoring the strength of the market’s gains despite the week’s profit-taking.

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