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Two SANs, INEC Lawyer Struggle to Save French Professor at Tribunal
Ugar Ukandi Odey, Jos
It was a clash of the substance of law and the technicalities of court procedure at the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos as two Senior Advocates of Nigeria and one NEC Lawyer deploy technicalities and procedural traditions of practice to save Professor Nora Ladi Daduut, who ‘won’ election to represent Plateau South in the Senate last December. Sitting at the West of Mines High Court premises in Jos, once the Tribunal clerk called Suit No: EPT/PL/PH/01/2020, Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice D.H. Khobo announced that the business of the day was continuation of hearing of the Petitioners case.
Upon the conduct of the senatorial bye-election in the Plateau South Senatorial District to fill the vacuum created as a result of the sudden death of Senator Ignatius Longjan, the People’s Democratic Party candidate in the same election, Honourable George Edwards Daika, explored the opportunity of the Election Petition Tribunal to lodge a petition in which he challenged the election of the APC candidate, Professor Nora Ladi Daduut, noting that apart from not winning the election, the APC candidate was not validly nominated and that some of the information she supplied to the INEC was either false or contradictory in some cases.
Rising to address the tribunal, counsel to the petitioner, Barrister Sunday Oyewale, who announced appearance with Joshua Emmanuel and two others, told the lord justices of the petitioner’s readiness to tender more documents for the Tribunal to admit and mark in evidence, and urged the Tribunal to accept same and mark them accordingly for consideration during the final determination of the petition. Granted, on behalf of the petitioner, Barrister Sunday Oyewale tendered, among others, the INEC Election Manual, INEC regulations for conduct of elections, Form EC8e of the 2020 Plateau State Senatorial bye-election, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, party constitution.
Oyewale also tendered the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as Amended, an APC letter dated September 11, 2020 to the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in which several other documents were attached such as certificates and affidavits of Professor Nora Daduut, the nomination form of the candidate otherwise branded as INEC Form EC13c, and certified true copies of the APC elected National Executive Committeen, among others.
Noting however that the procedure in law is that response to pleaded documents is reserved till final address, counsel to the first respondent, INEC, Ibrahim K. Bawa, added that if a document is unpleaded, objection can be entertained instantly.
Accordingly, he raised objection to the additional documents brought forth by the petitioner, insisting that they were neither pleaded nor listed in the earlier documents called forth by the petitioner. He cited an earlier attempt by the petitioner to amend documents tendered which was rejected by the Tribunal, and maintained that to turn around to accept the documents will amount to mockery of the Tribunal.
In their responses, counsel to the second respondent, Pius Akubo (SAN), and that of the APC as third respondent, Garba Pwul (SAN), simply leaned on the frame of objection already established by the counsel to INEC, Ibrahim K. Bawa, saying in effect, documents EC9c and the attachments thereto were objected to as having not been pleaded earlier.
Pius Akubo said what was not contemplated during pre-hearing session, and is tendered in the course of hearing, will tantamount to “trial by ambush by the petitioners”. Garba Pwul concurred, saying that “any document that is not listed and pleaded in the first instance is expressly and automatically excluded”.
Dismissing their objections as an attempt to pull a wool across the face of the Tribunal, Oyewale urged the justices to grant the position of the Petitioner and entertain the documents.
Tribunal chairman, Justice D. H. Khobo has however reserved ruling on the matter.
March 19, 2021
Development: We are ready, willing to give Gov. Sule all the necessary support, says Nasarawa Assembly
By Abel Leonard/ Lafia
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly says that the House is ready and willing to give Gov. Abdullahi Sule all the necessary support to succeed in the interest of development of the state.
Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Speaker of the House gave the assurance while speaking at a Training Workshop organised for Honourable members, management staff and committee Secretaries of the state assembly in Jos Plateau State.
The workshop had its theme: International Public Sector Accounting Standards ( IPSAS): A Tool for Effective Legislative Oversight Function.
The speaker has assured the people of the state of the assembly continued determination to pass resolutions and bills that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.
Balarabe Abdullahi commanded Gov.Abdullahi Sule for approving the workshop, noting that it would go a long way in ensuring legislative effectiveness.
” It is the genuine desire of Gov. Abdullahi Sule to provide quality legislation for the overall development of the state, hence the need for his approval of this workshop without any delay.
” I cannot thank His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule enough because since his assumption into office, no any of our requests he ever turn down. We appreciate him for that.
” We will continue to speak with one voice, the voice of our people and the voice of development of Nasarawa State.
” This government is our government and we will do everything humanly possible to ensure that the governor succeed and when he succeeded, it will be better for all of us and for Nasarawa people.
” We are ready and always willing to give Gov.Abdullahi A.Sule all the necessary support to succeed,” he said.
“We shall continue to work in peace,work in unity and work in partnership with His Excellency Governor Abdullahi Sule,we shall continue to give him all the necessary support to enable him succeed” He added.
March 19, 2021
Using $1.5bn to renovate Port Harcourt refinery is a huge waste – Peter Obi blasts FG
A former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has slammed the Federal Government of Nigeria for approving $1.5 billion to renovate the Port Harcourt refinery.
Obi, in a tweet via his Twitter handle on Friday, said it was a ‘huge waste,’ for the present administration to renovate the Port Harcourt refinery with such an amount of money.
According to him, the Federal Government, which is supposed to manage the affairs of the country, is worsening the situation by their financial rascality.
He tweeted, “The news of the planned expenditure of a whopping $1.5 billion for Port Harcourt refinery repairs is worrisome to well-meaning Nigerians. In light of our precarious economic situation, it is a huge waste.
“Our country is on life support, but sadly, the managers of our affairs are worsening the situation by their financial rascality.”
Recall that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved 1.5 billion dollars for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, made the disclosure while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
March 19, 2021
Correspondent Chapel Discontinue Boycott Of Sokoto Government
By Ibrahim Goronyo, Sokoto
This is to bring to the notice of the general public that the Corespondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Sokoto State chapter have resolved to discontinue it’s boycott of the State government as earlier announced.
This was contained in a release signed by the Secretary of the Chapel, Mr. Ankeli Emmanuel.
The decision was reached sequel to series of meetings and consultations involving delegated members as well as executives of the Chapel with the leadership of the State NUJ and managers of information of the State Government where complaints of the Chapel were frontally addressed.
These meetings, which were chaired by the State Commissioner of Information, Alhaji Isah Bajini Galadanci, reviewed the sad incident that occurred between the members of the Correspondents’ Chapel and security operatives at the gate of the Sokoto State Government House and reached understandings leading to resolutions to address the issues involved.
Resulting from the meetings, members of the Correspondents’ Chapel as fourth estate of the rhealm as well as the representatives of the State government have agreed to work towards a more harmonious relationship in the service of the public, who are the target of their mandates.
The Chapel however wish to emphatically state once again that, its position on not taking press release from individuals, groups, politicians or institutions who did not deem it for to invite them to their functions still stands.
Recall that members of the Correspondents’Chapel had on the .13/2/2021 took the decision to boycott all activities of the State government following harrasment, intimidation and molestation of their members by security personnel attached to the Sokoto Government House on 12/2/2021.
The Correspondents Chapel however wish to reiterate its call on Heads of Security Agencies in the State to sensitize their personnel on Media/Security relationship.
March 19, 2021
Court remands 80-year-old Oyo PDP leader over Aborode’s Death
An 80-year-old chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Igangan, simply identified as Pa Olawuwo, has been arraigned in court over the killing of Dr Fatai Aborode.
Our correspondent gathered on Thursday that Olawuwo was arrested and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department Iyaganku in Ibadan.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi, told our correspondent on Friday that the suspect had been arraigned and the court remanded him in police custody.
He said this in terse reply to an inquiry sent to him by our correspondent.
The PPRO said, “Yes, he has been charged to court and remanded in Police custody.”
Sources told our correspondent that the octogenarian politician and Aborode were from the same constituency and some of his followers who went to where he was detained were not allowed to see him.
March 19, 2021
Insecurity: IGP accuses states of non-cooperation
Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu on Thursday accused states of not fully cooperating with the Federal Government in the battle against insecurity.
He canvassed “community participation” through the involvement of traditional rulers to secure the country from all forms of criminality.
According to him, security should not be left entirely in the hands of security agents.

Adamu spoke during the third Quarterly Meeting of Secretaries to State Governments (SSGs) in Abuja, coordinated by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha.
The IG said: “We are not getting the maximum cooperation we are supposed to get at the state level. And we believe that the SSGs should be conscious of security in their states.
“When they are able to galvanise all the stakeholders and different structures that can enhance the security of their states, we would have relative peace in terms of insecurity.
“If SSGs are not coordinating activities within the states in these areas I don’t think there is anybody that can do it.”
Niger State SSG Ahmed Ibrahim Matane said the state is under policed. According to him, there are only 86 policemen posted to Rafi Local Government, where banditry is prevalent.
Mustapha and National Security Adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno expressed the same position that traditional rulers should be involved in the security architecture.
Mustapha said: “Governments at all levels have been doing their utmost best to address these challenges. However, its persistence calls for approaches that are more than the conventional and normal.
“We need to involve all arms of government, all apparatus of government and most importantly, those that have relationship directly with the rural communities and the citizenry.
“It is, therefore, in line with the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari, with support from all governors, that this forum should bring to bear its coordinating and monitoring role at all levels for a holistic approach to a resolution of these problems.
“To enable us learn from a practical experience of dealing with the issue of banditry, we have requested one of our members to share with us so that others with similar experiences can also exchange notes and by the end of the day, we leave with practical steps and strategies to curtail this menace.
“We all know that these criminal elements have turned our hitherto pristine forest reserves into an operational base and hide-out from which most of their activities are launched and sustained.
“Of course, we will still need our forests and other protected areas for the services they provide, especially as foreign exchange earners, sources of job creation, guaranteeing availability of soil nutrients and water for food security.
“They also serve as carbon sinks for addressing climate change and providing clement environment for a healthy living,” he explained.”
Mustapha added: “Nigeria has been confronted with an inexplicable escalation of violence resulting in insecurity across the nation.
Monguno said: “If you disengage community leaders, you will not have the type of intelligence you need.
“Right now, security agencies do not work together as closely as expected. We have been trying to ensure unity of purpose, unity of operation”.
“Whether we like it or not, in Nigeria, we fundamentally rely on traditional institutions. They are essential to security and if they do not carry the kind of authority they ought to, we cannot recalibrate the entire political structure.
“Leave out our traditional rulers, you will begin to see all kinds of leaders of various sects filling the vacuum because their traditional rulers have been taken away from what they are supposed to do and coordinate.
“It is not to give people traditional titles alone. Traditional rulers must be fully engaged to support our efforts.”
Monguno explained that the meeting, which wasvirtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, took short presentations from Niger, Taraba, Oyo, Plateau, Imo and Akwa-Ibom SSGs, who shared experiences from their states.
March 19, 2021
DPR Seals Filling Stations Selling Petrol Above Approved Price In Imo
The Department of Petroleum Resources has sealed some petrol stations in Imo State, south-east Nigeria.
On Friday, the Zonal Controller of DPR in Imo, Roseline Wilki, led a team of officials on a routine monitoring exercise in Owerri, the state capital.
During the operation, some filling stations were sealed for selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, above the authorised pump price.
“We are here to ensure that there is quality, to ensure availability of the product, and to ensure that you don’t have adulterated product and that there is no hoarding,” Wilki told reporters at one of the filling stations sealed.
She added, “We are here to ensure that the operators are selling within the government approved pump price.
“We will definitely sanction those that are not selling within the (government approved) pump price and for the adulteration; we will make sure that they (consumers) get the right product.”
Wilki explained that the need to monitor some petrol stations became necessary because of the outcry over the increase in the price of petrol.
She stated that the action of the erring independent marketers was against the directive of the Federal Government on the sale of the product.
The DPR zonal controller urged the residents in the state to disregard any rumour of an increase in the pump price of petrol.
She also advised them to report any independent marketer who sells above the normal pump price to the department and warned operators against hoarding and quality delivery.
Wilki said, “Right from the depot, we are going to do carriages inspection and ensure that products that are being loaded are within the correct spec.
“They (residents) should not rely on black market products because wherever they find that there are issues, they should not hesitate to report to the department, and we have offices in almost every state of the Federation.”
March 19, 2021
NSCIA Will Not Force Anyone To Take AstraZeneca Vaccine, Says Sultan
The Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) says it will not force anyone in the country to take the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Council, His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar, stated this at a meeting on Friday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He spoke at a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; and the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib.
According to the Sultan, the NSCIA has endorsed the vaccine but it will not decide for anyone whether or not to take the jab.
As controversies over the effectiveness of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines continue, the Nigerian authorities decided to meet with Muslim scholars and imams led by the Sultan to seek their support.
In his remarks, Mustapha who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, announced that the task force was working to begin vaccination of religious and traditional leaders.
He explained that this was aimed at boosting the confidence of the public and commended the Muslim scholars and imams for their support to the government in the management of the virus.
Ehanire, on his part, reiterated that the AstraZeneca vaccine was safe and those who have already been vaccinated, including himself, have yet to report any side effect.
According to him, the involvement of religious leaders is to speed up the administration of the vaccines, considering the impact of the disease on the Nigerian population.
For the NPHCDA chief, the government decided to convene the meeting in order to clear the air on the lingering controversy and commence mass vaccination.
He noted that the European Union Medicines Council had also reversed its initial decision to stop the use of the vaccine and said that it was safe for use.
March 19, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine: Ogun sets up vaccination centre for journalists
As frontline workers, journalists in Ogun State will start receiving the Astrazeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the NUJ Secretariat, Iwe-Iroyin, Abeokuta.
A statement by the Chief of Staff to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kunle Somorin, said the vaccination for journalists will start on Friday, March 19.
Somorin noted that Gov Abiodun had decided to treat journalists specially because their profession exposes them so much to the deadly virus.
He likened pressmen to health workers and security agents, who he said were always on the road when other people stay at home, especially during lockdown.
However, it was disclosed that only journalists who have registered for the vaccine online would be attended to by health workers, from 10am to 5pm on Friday at Iwe-Iroyin.
Somorin added that a print out of the online registration details would be required for record purposes.
March 19, 2021
Gov Masari gives reason Nigeria is attractive to bandits, kidnappers
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has said Nigeria is economically attractive to kidnappers and bandtry in the Sahel region of Africa.
Masari explained that kidnappers find Nigeria attractive because the country is the richest country in the Sahel region of Africa.
He spoke during his appearance on Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today.
The governor stressed that banditry and kidnapping pays more in Nigeria than other countries of the Sahel region.
Masari said: “There are kidnappers, there are bandits around but look at the whole world and look at the position of Nigeria in the Sahelian region. Are we not the richest? So, the attraction even for kidnappers to come to Nigeria is there.
“If you kidnap somebody in Mali, where are you going to get thousands? If I kidnap you in Nigeria, I get millions. So, all of us will have to rise to the occasion.
“In my state, the bandits kidnapped four relatives of very senior government officials. When they cannot get anything to sustain themselves, they resort to high-profile kidnappings for money in cities and towns. That is something we must work hard to stop.”
Banditry and kidnapping have worsened in the North, with students and residents being their target.
Zamfara, Niger, Kebbi and Kaduna States have been the most affected by banditry, while other regions of Nigeria have also experienced kidnapping.
March 19, 2021