IGP Bans Phones, Laptops Search By SARS Officers

By Ogochukwu Isioma, Abuja

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has banned operatives of the Force's Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) from searching the mobile phones, laptops and other electronic gadgets of citizens, Igbere TV reports. The enforcement of this ban, the IGP said, is with immediate effect.

Adamu gave the directive in a letter made available to Igbere TV dated October 5, 2020, titled, ‘Order and directives: Restrictions on the operations of F-SARS, SARS, IRT, STS, state anti-kidnapping units and other special units under any nomenclature that operates in mufti across all formation, zones and state commands.’

He said, "henceforth the indiscriminate, unauthorised, and degrading search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart electronic devices of citizens by the Special Units and all Police operatives of different Formations, Zones, Commands and Units is hereby banned.

"The only exception is if such an act is in furtherance to a specific case that has been reported and is a subject of criminal investigation in specific Formation, Command, Police Station or Unit. In which case, due process must be followed by the investigating team", Adamu added.

The IGP directed that all recent cases of abuses of power and violation of rights of citizens by FSARS, SARS, IRT, STS and other police teams should be compiled by the Heads of all Police Formations, Commands and Units and forwarded to his Office not later than Friday 9th October, 2020.

"The returns to include the Dates of the Incident, Venues of the Incidents, the Special Team Involved, Details of the Officers Involved, Details of the Incident, Fatalities/Injuries/ Damages (If Any), Actions Initiated by the Head of the Concerned Command, and the Current Status of the Matter."

Adamu directed the CP X-Squad, Force Provost Marshall (FPM) and IGP Monitoring Unit to immediately coordinate and deploy joint teams across all the 36 States Commands and the FCT with a view to enforce the Order.

"Any personnel of the Special Units found violating the Order must be arrested and escorted to the Force Headquarters for appropriate actions", he warned. "Weekly update on this operation must be forwarded to the Office of the Inspector General of Police for review and appropriate directives."

He said "all Heads of Departments, Zonal Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers or Sectional Heads are to strengthen their supervisory control procedures and frameworks towards enforcing discipline among all ranks in their jurisdiction as they stand the risk of being held vicariously liable for supervisory ineptitude should any component of this Order be violated by operatives of the Special Units in their Formations/Commands."

"In this regard, they are to also set up a Monitoring and Enforcement Teams to give effect to this Order and Directives as a complement to the Team being dispatched from the Force Headquarters", he said, urging the Force Police Public Relations Officer to ensure that the members of the public are widely informed of this development.

"In addition, the Force Police Public Relations Officer should coordinate with the Heads of all Commands to compile dedicated phone numbers and other real-time social media platforms through which citizens can furnish complains on any violation of this Order and avail the public", Adamu added.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has banned operatives of the Force's Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) from searching the mobile phones, laptops and other electronic gadgets of citizens, Igbere TV reports. The enforcement of this ban, the IGP said, is with immediate effect.

Adamu gave the directive in a letter made available to Igbere TV dated October 5, 2020, titled, ‘Order and directives: Restrictions on the operations of F-SARS, SARS, IRT, STS, state anti-kidnapping units and other special units under any nomenclature that operates in mufti across all formation, zones and state commands.’

He said, "henceforth the indiscriminate, unauthorised, and degrading search of mobile phones, laptops and other smart electronic devices of citizens by the Special Units and all Police operatives of different Formations, Zones, Commands and Units is hereby banned.

"The only exception is if such an act is in furtherance to a specific case that has been reported and is a subject of criminal investigation in specific Formation, Command, Police Station or Unit. In which case, due process must be followed by the investigating team", Adamu added.

The IGP directed that all recent cases of abuses of power and violation of rights of citizens by FSARS, SARS, IRT, STS and other police teams should be compiled by the Heads of all Police Formations, Commands and Units and forwarded to his Office not later than Friday 9th October, 2020.

"The returns to include the Dates of the Incident, Venues of the Incidents, the Special Team Involved, Details of the Officers Involved, Details of the Incident, Fatalities/Injuries/ Damages (If Any), Actions Initiated by the Head of the Concerned Command, and the Current Status of the Matter."

Adamu directed the CP X-Squad, Force Provost Marshall (FPM) and IGP Monitoring Unit to immediately coordinate and deploy joint teams across all the 36 States Commands and the FCT with a view to enforce the Order.

"Any personnel of the Special Units found violating the Order must be arrested and escorted to the Force Headquarters for appropriate actions", he warned. "Weekly update on this operation must be forwarded to the Office of the Inspector General of Police for review and appropriate directives."

He said "all Heads of Departments, Zonal Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers or Sectional Heads are to strengthen their supervisory control procedures and frameworks towards enforcing discipline among all ranks in their jurisdiction as they stand the risk of being held vicariously liable for supervisory ineptitude should any component of this Order be violated by operatives of the Special Units in their Formations/Commands."

"In this regard, they are to also set up a Monitoring and Enforcement Teams to give effect to this Order and Directives as a complement to the Team being dispatched from the Force Headquarters", he said, urging the Force Police Public Relations Officer to ensure that the members of the public are widely informed of this development.

"In addition, the Force Police Public Relations Officer should coordinate with the Heads of all Commands to compile dedicated phone numbers and other real-time social media platforms through which citizens can furnish complains on any violation of this Order and avail the public", Adamu added.

A Nigerian lady has taken to Facebook to call out another user, a man who offered her N150,000 so she could do some very weird fetishes with him on a daily basis.

In the post sighted by Igbere TV, the lady Britney Sophia Mark narrated how the man identified as Samson Obiaze chatted her up, made her an offer of 150k to eat her faeces, an offer she outrightly rejected.

From the screenshots of their conversation, he also offered her an extra N50,000 naira to make it N200k so that he can drink her menses, which really disgusted her.

The guy went further to reveal that he wishes to suck her anus for one month and even after she visits the toilet.

She however warned him never to send such disgusting messages to her, and he replied by mocking her that she just wants to throw away N150k.

Sophia shared screenshots of their chat and wrote;

“For the very first time… I’m dragging an idiot. A Ritualist! Samson Obiaze Because I warned him, nobody should preach to me o, why I should have just blocked him. I will Drag him here , then block him. Because this boy here wants to be Mad!

“This person is not even on my list. He came to my post & asked me to check my inbox. His profile wasn’t familiar but yet I checked my inbox, no message, then, I went to message request & this idiot is insulting his Head!"

https://igberetvnews.com/1367521/nigerian-lady-narrates-man-offered-n150k-eat-faeces/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Heavy protest against the continuous and unending harassment of unarmed citizens by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force, has hit Benin City metropolis, the Edo State capital.

Igbere TV reports that the protest on Tuesday, came a day after the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, placed a ban on the FSARS and other Tactical Squads operating across the country, from carrying out routine patrols and other conventional low-risk duties.

Our correspondent reports that the peaceful protest grounded commercial activities around Benin-Sapele road, Upper Sokponba road, Saint Saviour area to First East and Second East Circular and Airport roads in Benin City.

Commercial activities in some parts of Benin Metropolis including the king Square(front of Oba Palace), were equally grounded during the protests by youths who chanted anti-SARS songs.

The youths called on police authorities to go beyond the rhetoric of banning SARS and other affiliate units of the Force by ending pervasive human right abuse, extra-judicial killings, harassment and intimidation of unarmed civilians under the guise of looking for internet fraudsters in the State.

Some police operatives who accompanied the protesters, prevented hoodlums from hijacking the rally and descending into chaos or violent clashes with other road users.

The protesters called on relevant authorities to prevail on corrupt security personnel to respect the privacy of Nigerians.

The protesters brandished placards bearing various inscriptions such as, “My house is my privacy”, “Save us from the onslaught of SARS. Nigeria is my Country” among others.

The protesters who finally converged at the front of the palace of the Oba of Benin, were later addressed by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, who vowed to see that the Obaseki led government see an end to harassment of youths in the state by security officers.

https://igberetvnews.com/1367414/breaking-heavy-protest-benin-sars-harassment-photos/

Amotolongbo:
Ok

Juliusmomoh:
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tamdun:

LawLab247:
Hmmm

BUHARImyDOG:
EDO NO BE IMO

...Seeks Disqualification Of Obaseki, PDP

By Ogochukwu Isioma, Abuja

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its candidate in the Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election, Iboi Lucky Emmanuel, on Monday, dragged Governor Godwin Obaseki to court over his re-election victory, Igbere TV reports.

This came exactly same day the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the gubernatorial poll, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, formally announced that he had decided not to challenge Obaseki’s victory at the Tribunal.

Igbere TV reports that the petition of the ADP and its candidate against Governor Obaseki’s re-election was filed at the State Election Petitions Tribunal in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Monday, October 5, 2020.

Joined in the petition sighted by Igbere TV are: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 1st Respondent; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), 2nd Respondent; Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, 3rd Respondent; All Progressives Congress (APC), 4th Respondent; Andrew Osagie Ize-Iyamu, 5th Respondent.

Citing a number of grounds upon which Obaseki should be disqualified from the just concluded guber poll, the ADP and its candidate called on the Tribunal to nullify the poll and order a fresh election between the remaining candidates.

The petitioners alleged that the University degree certificate submitted by the 3rd respondent(Godwin Obaseki) to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), issued by the University of Ibadan was defective.

"In an affidavit deposed to and presented to INEC in his Form CF001 in 2016, Obaseki submitted a certificate purported to have been signed by the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of the University," it said.

"In the Form EC9 submitted to INEC in 2020, Obaseki attached an undated certificate with only one signatory purporting to be the signature of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan."

The party and its candidate, however, alleged that the signature of the Vice Chancellor, who signed the Degree Certificate being presented by Obaseki, died in 2015 after retirement for a long time and couldn't have signed a re-issued certificate in 2020.

"The petitioners will rely on oral and documentary evidence to show that Professor Tekena Tamuno who was Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan from December 1975 to November 1979 had not only died in 2015, but could not also have signed a document purporting to be a document of the University of Ibadan after his retirement and death."

The ADP and its candidate also argued that the 3rd respondent(Godwin Obaseki) was not qualified to contest the governorship election held in September 19 and the votes credited to him were null and void and of no effect and value.

They also sought a declaration that Obaseki’s participation in the election is null and void having sought and participated in the primary election process for two different political parties (namely PDP and APC) in respect of the same governorship election in Edo State.

Emmanuel and ADP also sought a "A DECLARATION that the 3rd Respondent presented a forged and/or false certificate to INEC in violation of Section 182 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

"And that the 3rd Respondent(Obaseki) was at the time of the election which held on 19/9/2020, not qualified to contest the election for having submitted a false forged document or certificate to INEC along with his Farm EC9."

Others were; "A DECLARATION that the 3rd Respondent(Obaseki) having by his own showing admitted in Form EC8 that he never attended any primary school, is a person who has not been educated up to School Certificate level or its equivalent as prescribed by Section 177 (of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended) and is therefore not qualified to contest the governorship election which held on 19/9/2020 in Edo State.

"AN ORDER disqualifying the 3rd Respondent(Godwin Obaseki) as contestant in the said Edo State Governorship Election which held on 19/9/2020.

"AN ORDER nullifying the Governorship election which held on 19/9/2020 in view of the fact that the 1st Respondent(INEC) returned the 3rd Respondent(Obaseki) who was not qualified to contest the election as the winner of the election.

"AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent(INEC) to conduct a fresh election between all the qualified contestants in that election apart from the 2nd and 3rd Respondents(PDP and Obaseki) who are constitutionally disqualified from contesting the 2020 Governorship election in Edo State.

"And an ORDER nullifying the certificate of return issued by the 1st Respondent(INEC) to the 3rd Respondent(Obaseki)."

Alternatively, the ADP and its candidate prayed for;

"A DECLARATION that the 3rd Respondent's participation in the Edo State Governorship election held on 19/9/2020 is null and void having sought and participated in the primary election process for two different political parties (namely PDP and APC in respect of the same governorship election in Edo State.

"AN ORDER disqualifying the 3rd Respondent(Obaseki) and nullifying the votes cast for him in the said Governorship election held in Edo State on 19/9/2020 and ordering the 1st Respondent(INEC) to conduct a fresh election between all other qualified candidates excluding the 2nd and 3rd Respondents(PDP and Obaseki)."

The Abia State House of Assembly has recommended the immediate suspension of the State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe, Igbere TV reports.

The suspension was recommended on Monday by the House Ad-Hoc Committee on the "Indiscriminate Erection of Stalls at Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Aba, A Genocide Waiting to Happen".

This followed the investigation of a petition against the commissioner bothering on the construction of stalls at the said Shopping Centre, addressed to the House. The Committee was set up August 26, 2020.

Our Abia Assembly correspondent reports that Ndukwe was asked to be suspended following his failure to appear before the Committee investigating the petition against him.

The commissioner was also fingered in the attack against members of the investigating committee who had gone to the Shopping Centre to carry out an on-the-spot assessment.

Presenting the report of its investigation at plenary, on Monday, the Chairman of the Committee and member representing Ugwunagbo State Constituency, Hon. Munachin Alozie, said Ndukwe failed to show evidence of approvals for construction of the said stalls.

The Committee, therefore, recommended the suspension of Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe as Commissioner for Trade and Investment pending the completion of the committee's work.


The report laid today at the House is reproduced below in part;

"To properly carry out its assignment, the committee notified both the petitioners and respondents of the date and venue of its Sitting being the 31st of August, 2020, at the Abia State House of Assembly Committee Room.

At the first Sitting, parties were given opportunity to present their cases. The Petitioners presented their case through their lawyer while the Respondents namely: Hon. Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon Cosmos Ndukwe and the Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Center Traders Association, Mr Friday Dimiri requested to be granted an adjournment to enable them reply to the petition by their counsel which was granted.

However, the Committee ordered the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe to submit to the committee copies of all approvals for construction of stalls in the said market granted during his tenure as Commissioner for Trade and Investment.

At its second Sitting being the 3rd of September, 2020, the said Commissioner for Trade and Investment did not appear but sent his lawyer, Bertram Faitu Esq while the Chairman of Ekeoha Traders Association, Mr Friday Dimiri, appeared with his Lawyer.

It is Important to note that on the said second Sitting, Cosmos Ndukwe did not obey the earlier order of the Committee ordering him to submit to the Committee copies of all approvals for construction of stalls in the said Market made by him.

It is Important to note that the Committee had three Sittings at the Committee Room of the Abia State House of Assembly on 31/8/2020,14/9/2020 and with agreement of all concerned including Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe who appeared before the Committee on 14/9/2020, the Committee adjourned its Sitting to 10am on 22nd of September, 2020 at Ekeoha Shopping Center Aba for an on the spot investigation and verification of the contents of the petition.

All parties were ordered by the Committee to appear before them and the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon Cosmos Ndukwe was also ordered, once again, to present copies of all approvals of shops construction authorized by him.

SITTING AT EKEOHA SHOPPING CENTRE ON 22 SEPTEMBER, 2020.

On the said adjourned date of 22/9/2020, the Committee members namely: Hon Munachim Alozie, Hon Paul Tharibo,, Hon Obinna Ichita and Hon Sir Abraham Oba arrived at the Sitting venue of the Committee being Ekeoha Shopping Center with the Committee's staff and aides of the Committee members including security men officially assigned to the Committee, where they met the petitioners and one of the Respondents, Mr Friday Dimiri, the Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Center Traders Association. Note however that Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe was absent and he did not present copies of the said approvals as ordered by the House.

The Committee observed preliminary protocols and proceeded to carry out its investigation to ascertain the truthfulness or otherwise of the contents of the petition when suddenly one of the aides to the Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Center Traders Association snatched handset of one of the aides of a Committee member under the pretence that the said committee Member's aide took snapshots of the said Friday Dimiri, a ploy to disrupt the investigation by the committee by causing an uproar. While the Committee members were asking the said aide to the said Friday Dimiri to surrender the said handset, he took off and disappeared into the market. It took the Chairman of the Committee who commanded the said Friday Dimiri to order his aide to return the said handset before the handset resurfaced and was handed over to the Committee Chairman.

Shortly after the above incident, the Committee proceeded to move round the market. However, the Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Center Traders Association, Mr Friday Dimiri introduced another gimmick to frustrate the committee by insisting that the Committee would only move to the the areas of the Market pointed out by him and not as alleged in the petition. However, the Committee insisted that they should be allowed to direct their movement in the Market. Suddenly, some thugs, believed to have been sent by the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon Cosmos Ndukwe, and the Chairman of the Traders Association, Mr Friday Dimiri, started hauling packs of sachet water at the Committee Members with the chairman of the Traders Association nodding and giving thumbs up to the thugs.

In the melee that ensued, one of the thugs attempted to snatch a gun from one of the security men in the entourage of the Committee members but for his gallantry.

The Chief Security Officer of the said Ekeoha Shopping Center who was present and on duty during the period of the Attack, made no attempt to protect the Committee members, didn't attempt to stop the Attack, pretended not to have known any of the thugs, didn't attempt by himself or his security boys, to arrest the thugs, but kept smiling to himself all through.

Given the circumstances above, the Committee was forced to stop further movement in the market to complete their assignment being to carry out on-the-spot verification of the contents of the said Petition.

COMMITEE FINDINGS ON THEIR ATTACK ON 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2020.

(1) That the thugs numbering about 7 attacker the Committee Members

(2) That the said thugs hauled packs of sachet water on the committee Members to frustrate them from carrying out on the spot verification of the contents of the petition giving rise to their being set up.

(3) one of the aides of the Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Center Traders Association snatched the handset of one of the aides of a Committee member to stoke agitation against the Committee

(4) Throughout the attack on the Committee Members, the Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Center Traders Association kept thumbing the thugs up and encouraged them to do more

(5) The said Chairman of the Ekeoha Shopping Center Traders Association, Mr Friday Dimiri, insisted that he would be the person to lead which direction the Committee would go in the Market, an obvious position to frustrate the Committee

(6) The Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe and his counsel stayed away from the said Proceedings of the 22nd of September, 2020 despite the Committee's Order that all parties be present at the said Ekeoha Shopping Center in an obvious foreknowledge of the attack on the Committee Members

(7) The Thugs made attempt to snatch a gun from one of the Security Officers on the entourage of the Committee.

( The Chief Security Officer of the said Ekeoha Shopping Center did nothing to protect the Committee members during the attack on them nor did he attempt to quell the situation or to arrest the thugs.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

(I) That the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe, be Suspended forthwith from exercising the functions of that Office pending the completion of the Committee's works

(Ii) That the Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Center Traders Association, Mr Friday Dimiri, be suspended forthwith from exercising the functions of that Office to enable the Committee complete its assignment.

(III) That the Chief Security Officer of Ekeoha Shopping Center, Aba, be suspended forthwith to ensure a better secured environment for the Committee to revisit the Market.

(IV) All security agencies in the State to carry out a thorough investigation of the attack on the Committee Members including the attempt to snatch a gun from one of the security men on the entourage of the Committee in view of the recent security challenges in the State".

https://igberetvnews.com/1367266/breaking-abia-assembly-committee-recommends-suspension-cosmos-ndukwe/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Press Statement by Pastor Dr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu

My dear people of Edo State. I send you warm felicitations as always.

You will all recall that the election process to determine who occupies the office of Governor of Edo State for the next 4 years began officially in June this year, with the unveiling of the Election Timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

To the glory of God Almighty, the election held on 19th September, 2020 with the outcome later announced by INEC. We thank God Almighty for the relatively peaceful nature of the voting process in most parts of the state.

Contrary to orchestrated media reports, the election was neither free nor fair. There were several episodes of violence, voter intimidation and falsification of results. In particular, there were unlawful cancellations of results particularly from Urhonigbe South and North in Orhiomwon, while results were falsified from many polling units in Ofunama in Ovia South West, and in parts of Ovia North East, Owan West, Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Esan North East, Esan West, Esan South East, and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas.

Sadly, two persons were killed during the election, while gun-wielding thugs took over collation centres in many locations without the intervention of law-enforcement agents. There were also several cases of malfunctioning card readers, which disenfranchised duly registered voters, in addition to many cases of unregistered voters voting with pre-purchased voters' cards not collected by their actual owners.

These malpractices could easily form the basis to challenge the election results. We have however decided not to commence an election petition. This is to avoid further tension in the state. We are also mindful that the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and many well-placed individuals have made pronouncements endorsing the process, which we have chosen to respect.

Nonetheless, we must emphasize that elections are far more than actual voting, just as democracy includes more than just elections. It is in this light that we draw attention to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its flagbearers have continued to pursue several pre-election suits in various courts against us, all totalling 13. One of such cases came up in the High Court, Benin on 2nd October, 2020, days after the election.

On our part, we had filed two pre-election cases against the PDP and its flagbearer challenging their eligibility to contest the election. These are all lawful and integral parts of the electoral process in any democracy, which we must all respect and acknowledge as genuine democrats.

The outcome of these pending cases have direct effect on the election. Consequently, we have decided to continue with our pre-election cases in full exercise of our legal rights, just as our opponents have considered it their prerogative to also continue with their pre-election cases against us.

Let me once again wholeheartedly thank the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Mohammadu Buhari GCFR, for his statesmanship and support throughout the election campaign. We thank the National leadership of our party led by HE Mai Mala Buni, Governor of Yobe state, our National Campaign Council led by HE Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Governor of Kano State, APC Governors, leaders and members of the National Assembly and other leaders of our party at both national and state levels for their immense contributions.

We also sincerely thank His Royal Majesty, Omo N' Oba N' Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III, and all our other Royal Fathers, for their unceasing prayers for the peace of the state before, during and after the elections.

We thank our religious leaders for their prayers and intercessions throughout the campaign and even thereafter.

We commend the good people of Edo State for their peaceful conduct despite the hostile and provocative actions of state officials, which have remained unabated. We urge everyone to remain law-abiding, as responsible citizens.

We specially thank our innumerable supporters for their steadfast support and tremendous show of love, and likewise urge them to remain calm while keeping faith alive for a better Edo State which we shall all be proud of.

Let me conclude by noting that our cause to uplift our state using the democratic system is a noble mission from which we SHALL NEVER waiver. As law-abiding citizens, we must all continue to believe in the electoral process as an important part of the democratic system, as it remains the best method of choosing who leads the people, devoid of violence and avoidable acrimony.

Long live Edo State.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Pastor Dr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu

Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recently conducted September 19 Edo Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, says he will not be challenging the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki in court.

Ize-Iyamu stated this in a personally signed statement forwarded to Igbere TV on Monday. He, however, said he would pursue pending pre-election cases against Obaseki, saying the governor has refused to discontinue similar cases against himself(Ize-Iyamu) and his deputy, Gani Audu.

Foremost lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Wole Olanipekun, is leading four other SANs in cases of certificate forgery and perjury instituted against Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, at a Federal High Court in Benin City. The APC and a member of the party, Mr. Edobor Williams, instituted the cases.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to disqualify the governor and his deputy from participating in the September 19 governorship election in the state as well as prevent their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from fielding any candidates in the election.

In two separate suits sighted by Igbere TV, the plaintiffs accused the duo of Obaseki and Shaibu of lying on oath and submitting false documents to INEC to aid their qualifications in the election. According to them, the alleged offences of the defendants run contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, and the punishment is automatic disqualification.

The plaintiffs are also asking the court to bar the PDP from participating or representing itself in the September 19 governorship election for sponsoring ineligible candidates.

The plaintiffs also want the court to declare that Obaseki’s claim that he worked with Afrinvest Limited from 1994 to 2014, when he retired, was false.

Aside the alleged falsification of documents and lying on oath, the plaintiffs want the PDP standard bearers disqualified on the grounds that the waiver granted them by the PDP last month contravened section 177 of the 1999 Constitution.

In the other suit marked FHC/B/CS/75/2020, which has Shaibu, PDP and INEC as first, second and third respondents, respectively, the plaintiffs, apart from accusing Shaibu of also parading false academic documents, want him disqualified for presenting forged tax clearance certificate to INEC in 2006 in aid of his qualification for the 2007 House of Assembly election in Edo State in 2007.

On Shaibu’s academic record, the plaintiffs claimed discrepancies and alleged forgery in his WAEC result, adding that Shaibu’s claim that he obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Benin in 2012 was false.

The Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Monday, August 17, 2020, granted the application of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to serve court processes on Governor Obaseki, and his deputy, Shaibu through the office of the Attorney General of the state.

The Federal High Court 1, Benin City, presided over by Justice M.G. Umar in Suit No. FHC/B/CS/74/202: All Progressive Congress & Anor v. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and Ors, and Suit No. FHC/B/CS/75/2020: All Progressives Congress & Anor. v. Phillip Shaibu & Ors, after hearing Counsel for the APC, Victor Ohiosuma Esq., leading P.E. Uwadiae Esq., ordered substituted service of the Originating Processes in the matter, on the governor and his deputy.

This was sequel to the facts deposed to in affidavits in support of the application filed seeking for an Order of Substituted Service, the evasiveness of both Obaseki and Shaibu to receive the Originating Processes in respect of the said matters that question the academic qualifications of both the governor and his deputy in standing in as candidates of the PDP in the election.

Igbere TV reports that Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party had defeated Ize-Iyamu in a keenly contested election which was deemed free and fair by many observers including President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress - both have equally congratulated the governor.

But in the statement forwarded to Igbere TV on Monday, Pastor Ize-Iyamu insisted that the election was marred by violence, irregularities while alleging cancelling of votes in areas he had won and massive falsification of results.

The APC candidate however said as a democrat, he won't be going to the Edo Election Petitions Tribunal out of respect for President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress national body (who had earlier congratulated Obaseki) and to avoid tension in the state but would continue with the pending pre-election cases in court.

https://igberetvnews.com/1367185/edo-election-wont-challenge-obasekis-victory-says-ize-iyamu/

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The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Festus Keyamo, has said that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) were not responsible for the shooting of a young man in Ughelli, Delta State.

Keyamo made the revelation in a statement forwarded to Igbere TV on Sunday, while adding his voice in condemning the recurring brutality and extra-judicial killing by SARS operatives against defenceless citizens.

The minister said those responsible for Saturday's shooting are known as "Operation Delta Safe" and not SARS. This was as he also revealed that the victim was alive and currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

Keyamo said he already spoke with the victim's brother, the Commissioner of Police in Delta and the Area Commander in Ughelli, where he said he was born, bred and raised.

While condemning the extra-judicial killings by SARS and other Police outfits against defenseless citizens, Keyamo called for comprehensive reforms and overhaul of the system.

On the incident that occurred in Ughelli, the minister said "the victim was not shot as confirmed by his brother, but fell out of the Police vehicle when being taken to the station after arrest."

"The brother said he was pushed; the Police said he jumped," Keyamo added.

"The Police stopped to pick him up after the fall, but an angry mob had already gathered and the Police fled and left the victim."

He added that "a good Samaritan picked him and took him to hospital."

Keyamo, however, appealed to the youths in Ughelli not to resort to violence and/or destruction of lives and properties.

"I am on top of this matter and though the victim is alive, I will be urging the authorities to still investigate the conduct of the Police in this matter," he assured.

https://igberetvnews.com/1367097/keyamo-exonerates-sars-delta-shooting-says-victim-alive/

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