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Jubilation In Kaduna As Tribunal Upholds Ekene Adam Winner Of Reps Election

Published

2 years ago

August 22, 2023

The Gleamer

…. As Court awards 500,000 damage against the petitioner

…Ekene dedicates win to constituents

By: Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna

Supporters of the Labour Party, (LP) have stormed the streets in Kaduna state to celebrate the victory of Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams, following the judgement that upheld his election as the duly elected Member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, in the February 25th general election.

The Jubilation follows the dismissal of the suit filed by Hon. Yakubu Barde of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) demanding Ekene’s sack over an alleged certificate forgery.

The National Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday dismissed the petition brought by Barde on the ground that it lacks merit.

Justice F.A. Fiberesima while delivering judgment on the case on Tuesday, leading a three-man panel that heard the petition, dismissed the case and awarded N500,000 damages to Ekene for defamation of character by the petitioner.

According to her, forgery from the point of law is a criminal act, a very weighty allegation that must be proved beyond every reasonable doubt.

She noted that the tribunal was already in doubt because the petitioner could not prove the allegation on the ground that his claims lack merit and therefore discountenance.

The judge further stressed that despite the fact the petitioner tendered documents to support his claims, the respondent, Ekene Abubakar Adams also tendered his own document from the same schools and therefore the best way to have given the petitioner’s claim an edge was to present an eye witness.

Speaking with Journalists shortly after the event, Ekene said “I feel normal. I was never agitated because I know the court will do the right thing. The victory is for the people and that is why you see celebration ongoing everywhere.

“We have been up and doing and so we will continue to serve the people as we have promised. I, therefore, called on the aggrieved members to come and join hands with me so we can build our dear constituency together.”

Reacting to the judgement, Counsel to the respondent, Muhammed M. Sani said the judgement was highly educative, adding that justice has prevailed at last.

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IMO @50: Remembering Chief John Anyaehie (Toyota Crown), the Multibillionaire Who Co-Founded Nigeria’s First Airline and Built Men Across Generations

Published

1 day ago

February 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, PhD

Before Imo reached the milestone of the golden jubilee anniversary of its creation, there had been men who did not just hit gold, but also gave numerous men the tool for mining their own gold. Chief John Richard Anyaehie, of the Toyota Crown West Africa fame, was a man of notable personal wealth, but, if it were just about wealth, he might have as well passed on like every other mortal, but he was a man of means who gave many men the means to make their own wealth.

Renowned for his massive wealth as well as his philanthropy, Chief Richard Anyaehie was conferred with the title of the Lord Mayor of Nkwere ancient kingdom. Notable for his trailblazing exploits in business and as well as availing the younger ones and his numerous mentees of notable business opportunities and support, which earned him the title of Omhereuzo of Orlu, which literally means; the one who opens the road for others to pass through.

Chief John Anyaehie’s deliberate investments in human capital development from the early 70s when he was among West Africa’s wealthiest businessmen, is partly responsible for Imo State’s high per capita when compared to other States. For over four decades, the Lord Mayor of Nkwere invested in the education of numerous people and assisted many others to attain enviable successes in business, creating many millionaires along the way.

Chief John Anyaehie was renowned for his interests in wide ranging businesses, including, in the automobile industry, which earned him the alias of “Toyota Crown”, because of his sole agency or distributorship right with the foremost Japanese automobile manufacturing company. He also played pioneering roles in the establishment of some of Nigeria’s earliest commercial banks, and held majority shares in these banks which include ; the defunct African Continental Bank (ACB), Hallmark Bank, and also Diamond Bank. He was a key player in the Real Estate industry and the manufacturing sector, where he established and owned Richards Paints, a paint manufacturing company and Richards foams, for the production of mattresses, etc.
Chief Anyaehie was driven more by the thirst to create more opportunities for people than for his own personal economic advancement, hence, his venture into various industries, where he created thousands of direct and indirect jobs and multiple business and wealth opportunities for people, especially, Ndigbo and especially, people of present day Imo State.
The history of Nigeria’s aviation industry will not be complete without a good mention of his name. According to the First Republic Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi;
“One significant thing I will say that many people did not know is that the first indigenous airline that was to run in Nigeria was known as Standard Airways. This Airline was formed in 1966 by a company formed by Igwe Peter Ezenwa, from Oba and had on the board; Joe Nwankwu, from Abagana, Edward Evo from Ezinihite, all from Anambra State; John Anyaehie from Nkwere, in Imo State; and my humble self, Mbazulike Amaechi,…”
Although the Nigeria-Biafra civil war of 1967-70 scuppered the takeoff of the airline, the foresight of the individuals involved in the conceptualisation of the airline cannot be forgotten and should not be erased from the history books. They merit the credit for showing that it was possible to open an indigenous airline, and it is to the credit of their vision that we have many indigenous airlines in Nigeria today.
As we mark the golden jubilee of Imo’s creation, there is no doubt that Chief John Richard Anyaehie, the Lord Mayor of Nkwere, deserves a central place in the Imo Hall of Fame, which is set to be unveiled by the governor of Imo State, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON.
IMO IS GREAT!

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