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Kogi Gov’ship: Tribunal to deliver judgment on SDP, Ajaka’s petition against Gov Ododo May 27

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The Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has fixed May 27 to deliver judgment in the petition filed by Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, against the declaration of Usman Ododo of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as governor of the state.

The three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, announced the date on Thursday in Abuja in a message communicated to counsel to the parties through its secretary, David Mike, and made available to newsmen.

Kogi had, on Nov. 11, 2023 held its off-cycle election in which Ododo of the All Progressive Congress (APC) emerged winner beating his closest rival, Ajaka of the SDP with a wide margin.

Ajaka and the SDP, dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, had filed a petition before the tribunal, challenging Ododo’s victory.

The case, which commenced in December 2023, came to its highest point on May 13 when SDP, Ajaka, APC, Ododo and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adopted their final written addresses, after which the tribunal reserved judgement in the petition.

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INEC, Ododo and his party, APC, had prayed the tribunal to dismiss Ajaka and SDP’s petition in its entirety for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

The respondents had through their lawyers; Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN; Joseph Daudu, SAN and Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, respectively, had told the tribunal so while adopting their final written addresses and presenting their arguments against the petition.

However, Ajaka’s lawyers, Pius Akubo, SAN and Jibrin S. Okutepa, SAN, had urged the tribunal to discountenance the respondents’ submissions and uphold their petition.

In his argument, INEC’s lawyer, Chief Agabi had told the panel that the petition lacked merit and incompetent, urging the court to strike it out or dismiss it.

“It is our humble submission that your work in the determination of this petition is simplified in recent judgments by Court of Appeal and Supreme Court,” he said.

He argued that Appeal Court had decided that if the grounds of a petition are inconsistent with one another and are not consistent with the reliefs, it should be struck out.

He also argued that the evidence of the petitioners were grossly insufficient, citing a Supreme Court decision in a case by Tonye Cole against INEC.

The senior lawyer, who described the case as frivolous, prayed the tribunal to strike out or dismiss the petition for being incompetent.

Ododo, through his Counsel, Daudu, also urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition in its entirety.

Adumbrating, he had argued that the petition was statute barred (filed out of time).

He also urged the tribunal to dismiss the allegations of forgery against his client, saying it bordered on pre-election matter, which the apex court had decided in Gbagi’s case against INEC.

Daudu also argued that Section 137 of the Electoral Act cited by the petitioners on allegations of over-voting did not apply in the instant petition.

Also backing Daudu’s submission, Ukala, who represented APC, urged the court to dismiss the petition for lacking in merit.

The petitioners’ lawyer, Akubo, disagreed with Daudu that their petition was filed out of time.

He argued that the respondents themselves confirmed that the petition was filed on Dec. 2, 2023, even by their own witness.

“I urge your lordship to hold that we filed this petition within time under our law,” he said.

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Senator Umeh commiserates with family of boy swept away by flood

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The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Dr. Victor Umeh, on Friday paid a condolence visit to the family of Engr. Christian Ezenwafor in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area, following the tragic death of their six-year-old son, Master Success Ezenwafor.

The incident occurred earlier in the week when floodwaters swept away a vehicle conveying pupils of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, Awka. Among the victims was young Success, whose life was cut short in heartbreaking circumstances.

Senator Umeh, who was in Awka on an on-the-spot assessment of the growing menace of flooding and erosion in the area, made a stop at Nibo to personally console the bereaved family.

The victim, Master Success Ezenwafor

Expressing deep sadness over the loss, Senator Umeh offered words of solace to the grieving parents and family members during the visit.

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“It is heartbreaking that such a young and promising life was cut short in such tragic circumstances,” Senator Umeh said. “Words are insufficient to heal this kind of pain, but we pray that God Almighty grants your family the fortitude and strength to bear this irreparable loss.”

Senator Dr Umeh with the bereaved family

The senator also reiterated his commitment to working with relevant authorities to tackle the recurring flooding and erosion challenges in Anambra Central, stressing that urgent intervention is needed to prevent further loss of lives and property.

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Enugu Council Election: Residents comply with movement restriction directive, as roads, markets, shops closed

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Residents of Enugu metropolis on Saturday complied to the restriction of human and vehicular movement in the ongoing Local Government Election in the state.

It was observed that most roads remained empty of vehicular movement, while markets and shops were closed.

It was also observed that security men on election duties were seen in strategic locations within the metropolis.

Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu State, SP Daniel Ndukwe, noted that security agencies had maintained that the restriction of movement must work to ensure a smooth and hitch-free election.

Ndukwe said that security agencies had begun strict enforcement of the restriction order and would “definite close all shops and penalize motorist found wanting”.

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“So, far, the security situation has been generally peaceful and the election process is ongoing smoothly as anticipated.

“We are hopeful it will remain peaceful till 4p.m. when the process will be over.

“From our observation, the restriction of movement has been generally complied with and we will definitely deal with those that act in the contrary today.

“We call on all in the state to be calm, cast their votes peacefully and maintain decorum throughout the process,” he said.

It would be recalled that the police, on behalf of other security agencies, ordered the restriction of human and vehicular movements across the state from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on election day, except for persons on essential duties and duly accredited election officials.

The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission,(ENSIEC) is conducting election into the 17 Chairmanship and 260 Ward Councillorship positions in the state.

Seven political parties, who signed the Peace Pact for the election on Monday, are currently participating at the election.

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Police officer who said Obi, Igbo man can never be president arrested, in trouble

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Anti-Obi and anti-Igbo Police Inspector
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The Police Command in Lagos State has identified the police inspector seen in a viral video making inappropriate remarks while travelling in public transport.

The command also said it had begun disciplinary proceedings against the officer in line with the established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

Adebisi said the command was committed to transparency and accountability and would not condone conduct capable of bringing the NPF into disrepute.

She said the statements made by the inspector were made in his personal capacity and did not represent the position, views or official disposition of the command or the NPF.

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The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Mr Fatai Tijani, reiterated the need for professionalism, civility and discipline among personnel.

“CP Tijani reiterates that all personnel are expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public at all times.

“He said wearing the police uniform came with the responsibility to uphold the integrity and reputation of the NPF.

“The CP warned that the command would not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the police.

“He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to accountability and maintaining professional standards among its personnel,” Adebisi said.

The spokesperson said the command remained committed to transparency, accountability and policing with humility and integrity.

In a viral video circulating on social media, the inspector was seen and heard making political and ethnic remarks about former Anambra governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while aboard a public transport.

The Inspector was also heard making claims about Obi’s suitability for the presidency and alleging that he was a criminal and a “Yahoo” person.

He further suggested that President Bola Tinubu would use his financial resources to defeat Obi in an election, while claiming that an Igbo man could not become president of Nigeria. (NAN)

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