₦airaland Forum

untildotcom:
Oga Pastor, I see that you are threatened by the new wave of ideology currently flowing and you know what that will be when people come to the realization that waiting on the divine intervention for physical things to come into place will never happen but rather but a concerted effort to change the status quo will.

Why do people want to travel abroad if I may ask you? How many people from other countries want to leave their countries with speed the way we do? You talk about failed government, yes that's why I said that rather than we insisting on building a nation when we got independence, we ran to our various religious centers to seek for divine intervention. Countries that stood their grounds and fought for their future are better off now, Brazil, India, Singapore. Today Nigeria flock to India to seek medical care meanwhile in Ngeria we have more religious centers than manufacturing companies and hospitals put together.

Is it the duty of the religious centers to do all the listed items above? So you have agreed with me that there's so much emphasis on religion such that, they have now taken the place of education in the society, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship training etc.

Is that what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about? Religious centers are there to rip people off while making them feel good about thier hopeless state.

Like I said that's why schools, hospitals are in shambles and only the religious centers and their schools look good.

Let me also ask, these so called schools built by religious centers, do you guys engage in examination malpractice and other malpractices? The answer is yes, so who is fooling who?

Please do these schools set up by religious centers indulge in Examination malpractice and cheating?

You are talking like someone pained.

I put it to you to give me the evidence of your crooked claims.

Have you ever been to the schools before making this unfounded claims of yours.

Mr. Get your facts right

untildotcom:
Why do Nigerians keep flooding embassies and high commissions of other countries to get visa and leave even when they have more than enough religious centers.

It's simple! Lack of productivity - jobs because there are no factories to aid production

Mr. you dont even understand you OP yourself.

So for going to embassy seeking for Foreign Visa means lack of productivity.

You want to separate Government from current problem all because you are trying to link up the current Nigeria Problems to religious centres.

You are Wrong. Mr.

So if I decide to further my knowledge in my choose field, or seek to further my career progress, how is that a crime or mean lack of productivity.

Is it the Church that will force the Government.

The Church is doing its best in
1. Counselling parents to give their children the best education and training.
2. Counsell members on productive spending and savings.
3. Training on entrepreneurship and home management.
4. Training members on their civil responsibilities to the society and the nation.
5. Training members on how to be responsible citizens


so once again Mr. get your facts right.

untildotcom:
1. We may have to deal with this issue of tithing in another thread.

2. What's the correlation between a business that is managed well and tithe payment? So according to your analogy, businesses that crashed didn't pay tithes. A flawed thinking which justifies earlier assertion that instead of investing in man power development for more productivity the focus is more on paying tithes and also are you saying that businesses owned by non Christians who do not pay tithes would not flourish?

Let me also let you know that there's a natural law for giving, irrespective of your religion that's why any one who helps people is always blessed by God.

3. That assertion is very wrong! Government has business doing business and their business is to generate electricity, build roads, rails and airports to fast track movement of goods and services, build hospitals to sustain the well being of business men and women, provide loans to business, build and equip schools to provide the man power to keep growing the economy. They make their own profit called taxes at the end so government needs to be in business.

Religious centers do not awake the productiveness in any society because it's not their duty to do so. The government, schools are supposed to do it. The religious centers should attend to my spiritual well being, how to live a righteous life.

I'm am a Christian that doesn't believe in the prosperity gospel preached by most churches in a corrupt country like ours

It is those that don't want to be productive that will not heed the various available productive training for its members in some religious centres, that i know. So you cant generalize a church to be all church, such assumption is counter productive and its DOA

untildotcom:
What's your point? They are not policy makers so most of these summits are speech making occasions which doesn't change anything even the leaders go to world conferences which doesn't also translate to something tangible.

A serious country that wants to grow will focus more on productive ventures, they plan and strategize for the future rather than try to wish away the inevitable through prayers.

Mr. its not speech making summit as. Maybe thats to you, but those that attend such programms have a change of live today in whatever industries they find themselves or business ventures they go into.

so a summit making the youth more creatives and training them on how to be Job giver rather than job seekers is just noise summit.

it seem you don't even understand what you are driving at with the OP.

1. Is it the church that will make the environmental favourable condition for industry to grow,
2. Is it the church that will tell a man not to build industry.
3. I've once asked you,
(a) what is the name of your manufacturing industry,
(b) what business are you doing
(c) what is your staff strength.
(d) what is the contribution of your said business to Nigeria Economy

untildotcom:
1. A place where the morals and values of the people are shaped with the hope of eternal destination but in our own case, the religious centres are not actually preaching this as the focus is more on material blessings and this can only be achieved by giving at the religious centres only, and also the religious centres too seem not to care about how these money came about, there's so much stealing going on and the religious centres are mute since they will be the beneficiary at the end, the country is very corrupt, so the religious centre has achieved 5% in that regards.

2. & 3. Like the previous answer to address our spiritual need to reverence our creator to also ensure that virtues of honesty, integrity, truthfulness, justice and righteousness are upheld in the society. "Righteousness exalts a nation...". Why are religious centres quite on the righteousness of the country where sin reigns supreme.

4. & 5. A manufacturing centre is where the productiveness of any society is hinged on. It is from this productiveness lies the answer to the economic growth of any society. So any society that relegates it's productive centres will always rely on religious centres for divine intervention which can never come.

Have you been to deeper life Campus congress before.
Have you ever attended deepee life youth success cam before/youth success camp.
Have ever been to RCCG youth summit

untildotcom:
You have to get your facts right too my friend, if a private individual owns a school, the person pays tax but the church that owns a school or a hospital doesn't so who contributes more in terms of economic growth and so what if I want to evade tax and then I open a church first and then open a school? The churches are making profit without tax from these ventures.

That's not the point, a societal that focuses so much on religion as a panacea for growth and development wallows in poverty because their heads have refused to think and their hands have refused to work. The phones and other advancement in technology, space travel can never be achieved in a society like ours.

Our society is like a student who has an exam and thinks that if he or she goes to the religious center to pray and fast success will be theirs which can never happen, but another chap spends time in the library and laboratory without visiting any religious center will be very successful because all we are looking at is physical growth.

Here you get it wrong again.

Church established school pat taxes.

Church pay taxes on their press because people bring in book for them to published.

This show you have no current information on this.

I have evidences on this so i know what am saying.

Once again get your facts right.

On the bolded, get me the 1st class best Student and i will tell you which religious centre they belong and their commitment to the churches.

You keep comparing personal opinions and lifestyle to general church activities.

The Federal Government has said it cannot prosecute the 23 officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, accused of receiving N360m bribe from Governor Nyesom Wike, in any court in Rivers State.

It cited security reasons for choosing to charge the defendants before the Federal High Court in Abuja and not any court in Rivers State.

The prosecution stated this in an affidavit it filed along with the charges which it instituted before the Federal High Court in Abuja against the 23 INEC officials on March 7, 2017.

The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation had, on March 7, filed seven counts against the 23 defendants for allegedly receiving N360m bribe from Wike in connection with the December 10, 2016 rerun elections in Rivers State.

The prosecution had alleged that the N360m bribe, which the 23 defendants allegedly received from Wike, represented proceeds of the governor’s criminal conduct as well as economic and financial crimes.

The accused persons are Shittu Mohammed Lamido (Shettima), Henry Owokure, Peter Ewetade, Mrs. Mary Jummai Tunkoyo Pennap, Gwatana Jibril, Ivase Stephen and Abdullahi Ogabo.

Also named as part of the defendants are Gayus Hassan, Hussaini Yahaya, James Ogwuche, Karimu Aminu, Adedokun Najeem Ayotunde, Balogun Funmilayo and Adams Kadiri, Akinwande Adesoji, Lukeman Olabimpe and Tiamiyu Arowolo.

The rest are Akinwoye Amodu, Nwoha Yusuf, Patrick Anuke, Iro Abali, Nwosu Oluchi and Arukwe Chinelo.

All the 23 INEC officers had, through their lawyers, objected to being tried in Abuja, indicating their preference to be prosecuted in Rivers State, where the alleged offences were said to have been committed.

But citing an intelligence report by the police, the Federal Government, through the AGF office, alleged that thugs, loyal to the Wike-led administration, had threatened to “rise violently” against the trial of the perceived allies of their benefactor if the case was conducted in Rivers State.

The prosecution added that if the trial was conducted in the state, “the safety of witnesses, prosecutors, court officials and other civilians cannot be guaranteed.”

The document added, “That lives of security agents and civilians are usually in serious danger each time perceived allies of the present state government are being investigated.

That defendants in this case are being charged in respect of the gratification they received from the present Governor of Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike.

“That intelligence report reaching the Police Force Headquarters is that prosecuting the said defendants in the same Rivers State will constitute security risks to prosecutors, the court and witnesses and even innocent civilians as political thugs, loyal to the incumbent administration in the state, have vowed to rise violently in opposition to the prosecution of perceived allies of their benefactor.

“That the safety of witnesses, prosecutors, court officials and other civilians cannot be guaranteed in Rivers State if this case is prosecuted there.

“That it is in consideration of security of lives of prosecutors, witnesses, court officials and innocent civilians that this matter be heard before this division of the Federal High Court.”

The defendants were scheduled for arraignment before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on March 14, 2017, exactly one week after the charges were filed before the court.

But the arraignment could not proceed after defence lawyers said they were objecting to the trial of their clients in Abuja not being where the alleged offences were committed.

The lawyer representing 20 of the accused persons, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), said he had, on March 13, filed on behalf of his client, a motion challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the court in Abuja.

He insisted that by statute, a defendant must be charged where the alleged offence was committed.

He urged the court to suspend the arraignment until when the motion, challenging the court’s territorial jurisdiction, was determined.

Leading the prosecution at the March 14 proceedings, Mr. Kayode Alilu asked for time to respond to the motion.

But in the affidavit, which had been filed along with the charges, the prosecution recalled how a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mohammed Alkali, and Sergeant Peter Uchi of the 48 Police Mobile Force were “gruesomely murdered and beheaded by thugs and cult gangs” on the day of the rerun elections in Rivers State despite the deployment of law enforcement agencies ahead of the exercise.

The affidavit also stated that before the elections, three other policemen and four operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had been “gruesomely murdered at Omoku and Ido Camp of Agip Oil Company, Obiafo community.”

The document stated, “That the late DSP Mohammed Alkali and Sergeant Peter Uchi were ambushed, gruesomely murdered and beheaded by political thugs and cult gangs in Rivers State.

“That shortly before the election three personnel of the Police Mobile Force, Squadron 19 and four personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were gruesomely murdered at Omoku and Ido Camp of Agip Oil Company, Obiafo community respectively.

“That all arrested cultists and political thugs during the elections confessed to have been sponsored by some politicians in the state.”

It stated that during investigation into the crimes committed during the rerun elections, many eyewitnesses and victims refused to give information to the police out of fear of being killed by cult groups.

“That the few individuals, who braved the odds to meet the team of investigators, expressed their concern that informants could alert cultists to go after them.”

Justice Tsoho had, on March 14, fixed April 7 for the hearing of the defendant’s objection to their trial in Abuja.


http://punchng.com/alleged-wikes-bribe-23-inec-officials-trial-in-rivers-unsafe

untildotcom:
you can only have pragmatic leaders in a society where the leaders themselves do not depend solely on divine intervention in nation building. It's all about the mindset, there's so much poverty and hunger in Africa while the real solution lies in agricultural productivity, the religious centers will invite members to their centers in the morning to pray rather than go to the farm to produce more food.

For my friend that is saying that building religious centers doesn't stop building of factories, you need to understand one thing that the essence of going to religious centers is for the people to get solutions to their problems, so if someone is unemployed the person will seek divine intervention in the unemployment, but consider this same person in a society where there is productivity and more jobs, the person will attend church for a different purpose like I earlier mentioned; morals, salvation and eternal destination.

If you think religion is not our undoing in this country then you are yet to visit other countries and see that the mindset is completely different.

You are very wrong on these.

Take a look at USA

www.churchfinder.com/christian-churches-united-states

Now tell me if Nigeria have close to thr number of churches they have.

Better find something productive to do than blaming thr church for your woes

Eddygourdo:
how can people invest in sme growth when we feel sowing of seeds, tithing and all other rubbish people do aare a panacea for poverty. As long as people still view a divine solution to every of life's ills then we can never develop infrastructually.


The bane of capitalist growth is the private sector, how can that area grow when a majority of people are throwing money voluntarily into non productive religious centres. Very much akin to waiting for manna from heaven in terms of infrastrutural and industrial growth.

What you dony seem to get is that

1. Those you claim pay tithe did so as what they read from their bible and they believe it which is working for them.

2. Have you ever been to the business discussion with this people you said where paying tithes, they testified that God bless their business the more. And when does doing this becomes a crime (because according to you its a crime)

3. Government said (Goverment have no business doing business, but just to make a enabling environment for business to grow)
So a religious centre created to awake the productive consciousness of people to work with their hands is now a wrong place.

Mr. Get your facts right.

Beside are you a Christian/muslim/traditionalists

untildotcom:
you can only have pragmatic leaders in a society where the leaders themselves do not depend solely on divine intervention in nation building. It's all about the mindset, there's so much poverty and hunger in Africa while the real solution lies in agricultural productivity, the religious centers will invite members to their centers in the morning to pray rather than go to the farm to produce more food.

For my friend that is saying that building religious centers doesn't stop building of factories, you need to understand one thing that the essence of going to religious centers is for the people to get solutions to their problems, so if someone is unemployed the person will seek divine intervention in the unemployment, but consider this same person in a society where there is productivity and more jobs, the person will attend church for a different purpose like I earlier mentioned; morals, salvation and eternal destination.

If you think religion is not our undoing in this country then you are yet to visit other countries and see that the mindset is completely different.

This is your own definition on how people go to church.

If i may ask are you a christian or a muslim or a traditionalist.

This will define going forward

untildotcom:
the schools and hospitals you mentioned are for profit making built from people's contribution. Was this how the early missionaries did it.

I still insist, if we have 5000 religious centers and 20 manufacturing companies then there's a problem.

Can you answer this simple question.
1. What is a church or religious centre
2. What purpose did they serve.
3. What are the duty of the religious centres.
4. What is manufacturing centre
5. Who built manufacturing centre

Eddygourdo:
that is the problem, you expect government to do everything. Yes the govt is non existent, but the role of private people in nation building isn't being utilized. The churches are worth more than all multinationals in nigeria. Imagine tax free unaccounted revenue accruing to be a few people who claim to have the account number of the most high where they remit these monies.

The op is simply saying, if all these monies being concentrated in the hands of a non-producttive sector like religion was put as private contribution to nation building, most of the problems which we have today that makes a lot to run to these churches will be eraadicated.

Have you been to the school and hospitals of thess churches.

Have you tried to consult how many members they've empowered.

Hope you know community services tjis churches have done to their environment.

Get your facts right Mr

wolexy2020:
Nobody said religion is EVil and nobody is stopping you from worshipping God. The problem is Religion has been taken to the extreme by Nigerians and Africa in general. This is the bondage that the white man has instilled in us to keep us in check.

A Canadian once told me that if Nigerians build companies and manufacturing plants the way we build churches and mosques, Nigeria will be the leading country in the world. Majority of Nigerians are gullible.

Imagine a Nigerian having headache, just go to the hospital or get Aspirin, but the won't. They will drink anointing oil and wash their head with holy water and starting praying. Like it was said , God only help those who help themselves.
Nigerians have been brainwashed and it will take a very long time before we can be free from this bondage.

Churches build Universities for profit when their average member can't even afford the fees. I have had the privilege of going to church in other countries and I must tell you, Nigerian churches are scams. All they talk about is money money money.
If we continue talking about this cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabric of our beloved Nigeria , it will take a long time .

This is my own opinion and I am entitled to it so don't quote me. If you have your own opinion about this issue, please say it.

When has it become a crime to pray to your God fot healing.

Is it your headache on this.

Your mindset on this issue is just not it all.

May i ask you, how many business have you put up talkless of Manufacturing industries.

Its very dishaertneing how yhe OP come up with his list,

But OP get this that your intent is very clear, that is convert all churches to manufacturing industries.

On this you are 100% completely wrong.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: I greet my people at home, Thank You.



#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: I want to appreciate Ekiti people, I want to appreciate Ekiti women for coming out to be celebrated on this year's occasion of the 2017 World Women's Day Celebration.

On the nursing mother, Mrs Toyin Adeyeye that was assaulted by Policemen from New Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti on Friday, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose met with the woman and the Commissioner of Police a few minutes ago.

The governor upon being told of the assault, invited the woman and her husband to the govt house.

Governor Fayose, who frown at the assault directed that full investigation must be carried out and whoever that is found culpable must be punished accordingly.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: May that of the 2017 never be the last, I thank the Kabiyesis, I thank all and sundry. We had 25000 cloths but those who paid for the ankara was well over 100,000 and I have directed that monies be refunded to those who couldn't get the cloth. God willing, I will fulfil all the promises made.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: I thank you all for my support, there is no way I can thank you enough.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: Concerning the woman that was assaulted, I have directed the commissioner of police to commence full investigation of the matter, everyone involved in that act must have their day in court, our law does not give room for assault on women. I won't allow that, never!

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: A school in Ekiti came first in an exam conducted in Abuja, I will shed more light on that later.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: To th police, don't use your position to oppress Ekiti people, I will not accept that.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: The Local Government is an administration on its own, it's in charge of the primary school and local government workers, they have a reasonable level of autonomy.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: During Xmas, I paid 2 salaries, LG allocation has dwindled such that one allocation can't meet up with a month's salary. In January, the LG and its steering committee approved payment for basic, they now had to look for a way to pay for deductions they couldn't pay before.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: #1.65b was what accrued to Ekiti as allocation. I called the Chairmen to see what we can do about the money, NULGE wants to be paid, the council chairmen wants to be paid too. I compelled the Chairmen to make sacrifice, they agreed. Then the NULGE Vice Chairman came and said compulsorily, NULGE must get two deductions.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: The NULGE Vice Chairman become so rude and I told him to leave, I told him being a NULGE VC doesn't mean he should be that rude. The following morning, another member of NULGE said my action will boomerang. They went ahead to send texts to female NULGE members not to attend the women's day celebration.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: He went to the press to say I was going to divert #1.2b and I ask, to where?

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: He went further to the court and they brought me a court summon.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: On Paris Club refund, last time we got # 8.8b, LG government got #3.4b while the state got #5.4b. We are transparent and we won't have anything to hide when the next Paris Club refund comes.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: On my actions on filling stations, I was elected to protect the lives of my people, the number of these people constituting filling stations indiscriminately is nothing compared to the number of Ekiti residents. We have to choose between the security of people's life and those trying to make money.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: I will never allow anyone burn us to ashes in Ekiti, most of these filling stations had no insurance. A good leader looks after the welfare of his people and not the next election. Ekiti must stand behind me to fight this people who want to burn Ekiti. They said they want to go on strike, they are on their own. Siting filling stations indiscriminately is unacceptable and it stands like that.

#EkitiMeetYourGovernorMarch2017: The law is applicable to both petrol and gas stations, there will be no approval without my signature
.

deomello:
There is something in the Nigerian constitution that says separation of power.


The president appoints and the senate approves, but the senate can not discipline of fire the people the executive appoints because they serve under the executive and not the legislature.

Asking the senate to bite or frustrate the presidency based on their flawed understanding of the Nigerian constitution and your own lack of understanding too means you obviously know nothing about Nigeria and the Nigerian constitution and also the meaning and responsibilities of the 3 arms of government.

Where do you put your check and balances.

Senate have oversight functions hope you know.

Ali is to appear before the senate to answer salient question affecting the Nigerians (whom the senates are representing)

So they want ali to appear in the uniform of the custorm he leading.

Period

deomello:
He is a political appointee and the constitution doesn't say he must, he serves the presidency and not the senate.

The senate and the average Nigerian like you must respect the laws and the Nigerian constitution and separation of powers.

All the senate requested from Ali is that Ali must appear in custom uniform to address them.
He can remove it outside the Red chambee later chikenna

The court of appeal sitting in Benin has reserved judgment sine dine in the appeal before it, filed by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and its candidate in the Sept. 28 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The appeal is over the Edo election petition tribunal’s stoppage last month of the recounting of ballot papers used in the said governorship election in the on-going trial.

The appellants in their petitions before the Election tribunal, are challenging the declaration by Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) of Mr Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election and listed INEC, Obaseki and the APC as first, second and third respondents respectively in the petition.

The appellants in their pleadings before the tribunal said they would request a recounting in the open court of ballot papers used in four local government areas namely Egor, Akoko-Edo, Estako West and Estako East to prove their case of electoral irregularity.

However, the Justice Ahmed Badamasi-led three man tribunal ordered the stoppage of the recounting , when only three of the four LGAs had been counted.

The tribunal claimed that it made the order becuase the petitioners’ statutory 14-day period to prove their case had lapsed.

The report signed by the Assistant Secretary to the tribunal, Buhari Sani, showed that the recounting was only concluded in Wards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Etsako West Local Government Area, Wards 1 and 2 in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area and Ward 1 of Egor Local Government Area.

But the petitioners, who claimed that the stoppage of the recounting would be fatal to their case, approached the court of appeal, seeking for an order for the conclusion of te recounting.

INEC, Obaseki and APC opposed the appellants’ application and urged the court to dismiss it.

Meanwhile, APC filed a cross appeal to the appellants’ application and argued that the tribunal ought not to have granted the request for a recount albinio.

Mr Yusuf Ali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN), in adopting his address to substantiate his case, argued that several decided supreme court cases supported his claim that thhe tribunal erred in stopping the recounting.

Ali submitted that “we are not asking for an extension of time, but merely asking that the result of an already commenced process be completed’’ saying that stopping the process amounted to the tribunal rendering its own order futile.

But Onyinye Anumoye, INEC counsel, Mr Wole Olanipeku, SAN, representing Obaseki and Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for APC, in their adopted addresses, opposed the appellants’ application and asked the appeal court to dismiss it.

They argued that since the apellants knew they had 14 days to prove their case but decided to wait till te last minute to ask for a recounting, they could not try to arm twist the tribunal for an extension of time.

In the cross appeal, Fagbami urged the court of appeal to hold that the tribunal ougt not to have granted the appellants’ request for recounting since they never brought a formal application before the tribunal in that regard.

But Ali, who said APC’s application was lacking in merit, laced his argument with decided supreme court cases to justify that parties could also orally apply before the tribunal to make such request.

The Chairman of the appeal court, Justice Olukayode Bada, reserved judgment in both cases indefintely.

www.businessdayonline.com/edo-guber-appeal-court-reserves-judgment-pdp-apc-appeals-indefinitely/

hysteriabox:
Abi
Worse Senate ever. Rogues naim dem be

The Senate on Thursday walked out the Customs Comptroller General, Col Hammed Ali from its chambers for not wearing uniform as directed.

He was asked to return next Wednesday, March 22 in uniform.

According to the Senators, Ali should lead by example.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekeremadu had earlier queried the Comptroller General for not wearing his official uniform.

Responding to the question Ali claimed that the letter inviting him did not request that he should appear in uniform.

regal4luv:
which of the appeal. who is d defendant and the plaintiff.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City on Tuesday struck out the application by counsel to the third respondent, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for the consolidation of the appeals by the petitioners and respondents describing it as a mere academic exercise.

Ruling on the application, Justice Olukayode Bada presiding, said, “by consent of all counsel, hearing of the two appeals will now come up for hearing on Thursday, 16 March, 2017. The present application has become academic and is hereby struck out”.

This came as the court adjourned till Thursday, 16 March, 2017 the hearing of the appeal filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Pastor OsagIe Ize-Iyamu over the tribunal’s stoppage last month, of the recounting of ballot papers used in the 2016 governorship election.

The three respondents namely Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Obaseki and the APC had also filed a cross appeal to the petitioners appeal insisting that the three man tribunal headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi ought not to have given an order to the petitioners at all for the recounting of the ballot papers used for the election.

Recall that the tribunal dismissed the application for the continuation of the recounting of the ballot papers for 3 out of 4 requested local government areas in the state by the petitioners counsel when the Chairman of the three member panel Justice Ahmed Badamasi said the tribunal lacked the powers for its continuation, saying that the time allocated to the petitioners to prove their case had expired.

The Tribunal had earlier ordered for the recount of the ballot papers used for the election in Egor, Akoko – Edo, Etsako West and Etsako East local governments following an oral application made by the Counsel for the petitioners, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN).

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, are challenging the declaration by INEC of Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election at the tribunal and have listed INEC, Obaseki and the APC as first, second and third respondents respectively.

The report signed by the Assistant Secretary to the tribunal, Buhari Sani, for the tribunal secretary showed that the recounting exercise was concluded in Wards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Etsako West Local Government Area, Wards 1 and 2 in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area and Ward 1 of Egor Local Government Area.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City has fixed Thursday, March 16 for hearing of the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and counter-appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The suits filed by both parties bother on the issue of the recounting of the ballot papers used in four local government areas for the Edo State governorship election.

The PDP had filed an appeal against the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal terminating the counting process after the 14 days granted by the tribunal elapsed.

At the commencement of sitting on Tuesday, the APC filed a counter-appeal, stating that the tribunal erred in permitting the counting since the ballot papers were not tendered as exhibits before the court.

The court processes followed the emergence of Mr Godwin Obaseki as the winner of the Edo State governorship election in September 2016.

Following the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC faithful celebrated the victory and described the polls as free, fair and credible.

However, the PDP and its candidate, Mr Ize-Iyamu, rejected the results declared by the electoral umpire.

They alleged that voters were induced and that the then Edo State Government collaborated with INEC to doctor the results in favour of the APC.


www.channelstv.com/2017/03/14/edo-polls-appeal-tribunal-hear-pdp-apc-suits-thursday/

Finally the chairman of the tribunal Hon. Justice Ahmed Badamosi adjourned sitting till Monday, April 3rd 2017

Afterwards, the judge announced the closure of APC's defence and went straight into the next stage which was the submission of written addresses and added that 4 days be allotted to the respondent each, 5 days to the petitioner and another 4 days for the respondents to respond and directed all parties to commence work tomorrow 16th March 2017 ,this amounted to 17 days in all.

The judge discharged the witness while L. O Fagbemi (SAN) officially closed their case.

The 2nd witness, Mr Anselm Ojezua a lawyer and politician was lives at 2, Etete road, GRA, Benin City. To be cross examined using exhibit PO 391,2RO64, 1R022 and 3RO1-18.

Ken Mozia (SAN) - You attended the stakeholders meeting on how the election with be conducted?

Witness - Yes.


Mozia - Show him PO 391 (INEC manual) you are aware that the document only used to train INEC officials only.

Witness - Yes.

Shoe him exhibit PO 2RO64 and 1RO22(1), this is the INEC manual and it prescribes how the election is to be conducted?

Witness - Yes my Lord.

Mozia - In exhibit PO 1RO32(1), by that document you are aware that the guidelines for conducting election was amended?

Witness - Yes.

So in that document there are no reference to tickings?

Witness - Yes Sir.

Mozia - Look at exhibit PO 2RO64, the only portion where ticking is preserved is to denote issuance of ballot papers after accreditation in page 7&8 , paragraph 18(C)of the guidelines.

Witness - Yes.

Cross examination by counsel to the petitioner.

E. Okala (SAN) - Take a close look at exhibit PO 1RO22, is that the supplement to 2015 guidelines?

Witness - Yes.

Okala - Does PO 391 relates to the 2016 election?

Witness - No sir

Okala - Now is your case based on the statement, that the guidelines for accreditation and voting were accurately done?

Witness - Yes my Lord.

Do you still stand by paragraph 26 of your deposition, that the election was free and fair using the electoral act, manual and guidelines?

Witness - Yes.

Okala - Now in the voters register used in your polling unit, your name was only ticked to the left not to the right.

Witness - Yes Sir.

Okala - In the entire statement you never made reference to the number of accredited voters to the number of voters.

Witness - Please can I take a look at my deposition.

Okala - Give him the exhibit.

Witness - In paragraph 34, the numbers of accredited voters and total Votes cast are the same without stating the figures, he said.

In a short ruling the judge gave the petitioner's 6 minutes and 5 minutes to the 2nd respondent respectively to cross examine Mr. Anselm Ojezua.

In the course of leading the witness into evidence, E.C Okala raised an application that the petitioner's should be allotted 10minutes to cross examine the witness since his deposition carries 83 pages.

This was objected by both counsel to the 1st and 2nd respondents.

Returning from the brief break to enable the
judge rule on whether or not Edo APC
chairman, Mr. Anselm Ojezua be allowed to
stand as a witness, the judge in a brief ruling
upheld the prays of the 3rd respondent (APC)
to allow the witness testify on the grounds of
fair hearing.

The 2nd deponent was ushered into the
witness box, the Party chairman of Edo APC
Mr. Anslem Ojezua.

This was objected by E. C Okala (SAN).
counsel to the petitioner on the grounds that
his name wasn't found on the list of witnesses standing for APC, 'Please my lord
I would like the counsel to APC to guide us in
this regards.

Responding counsel L. O Fagbemi (SAN) "
My lord he is the party chairman of the APC
and it beholds on the party to present
whoever they wish to as witnesses"

Chairman of the panel Justice Ahmed
Badamosi asked if his name is on the
witness list and L. O Fagbemi (SAN) replied
no, but he likes to know the bases for their
objection.

Replying L. O Fagbemi, Emmanuel . C Okala
(SAN) said "Now that it has been confirmed
that the witness isn't listed, my lord I submit
that this witness not having been listed
cannot be used as a deponent in this tribunal
proceedings.

He is neither a certified witness
or subpoenaed. My Lord election petitions
are peculiar and they are governed by strict
provision of statues, my lord we will refer
your lordship to the electoral act 2010 as
amended particularly paragraph 12(3) which imposes responsibility on the respondent to
provide the list of the witness written
statement on oath and copies of
documentary evidence that he intends to rely
on.

My Lord we were able to set a well
renowned procedure to list witnesses, they
Would have at least copied from us, to the
extent that we list petitioner (Pastor Osagie
lze-lyamu) as a witness. He went further to
quote authorities in that case of Yesuf Vs
Obasanjo (2004 5SC, Part 1), we also refer to
the case of Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere Vs
Oshiomhole (2012, LPELR-19787(CA).

It stated that it was necessary to submit list of witnesses before proceedings commences, so in this circumstance we urge your lordships not to allow this witness testify
infill he has been properly brought before the
court, please allow this witness to leave for
us to movee on" he added.

INEC's counsel Onyinye Anuwonye cited
paragraph (123) of the 1st schedule of the
electoral act he said there was already the
list and there was no where it was stated
that those whose names was ever listed
can't testify. Even subpoenaed witnesses are
not listed also. But that the respondent
already stated in their reply because the
witness's statement on oath are already
there.

So therefore, this witness shouldn't be
denied from giving evidence just because his
name isn't on the witness list. Also this
witness is the chairman of the 3rd
respondent represents, so he should be
allowed to speak in order not to be shut out
which will amount to denil of fair hearing, so
I pray the court not to be persuaded by the
seductive nature of the petitioner's counsel.

Wole Olanipekun (SAN) counsel to the 2nd
respondent said "Am taken aback by the
objections of my learned brother E. C Okala
and with respect to this issue the cases cites
by him are all inapplicable to this matter, the
witness didn't even disguise, he is who he is,
so I pray the court rejects the submission of
my learned friend and grant the witness the
opportunity to give evidence. This was
wholeheartedly adopted by L. O Fagbemi
(SAN).

After the rigorous argumment from all counsel to parties the tribunal judge adjourned sitting to resume for judgement over this matter.

The 1st witness Mr. Evans Omolaye Alaye
(3RW14), a businessman from Makeke in
Akoko-Edo LGA, he s to be cross examined
using exhibit PO 9(1-16), PO 200 (1-16).

During cross examination by counsel to INEC Onyinye Anuwonye, the witness told the
court that there weren't no complains from
anybody not even from the PDP ward
collation agent concerning over voting and
improper accreditation, he added that he was
never in possession of any INEC voter
register on the election day.

Also A. Owonikoko (SAN), asked the witness
if he signed the form ECBB because it's
computations were adequately carried out?,
he answered Yes. So other Party agents
signed the result too? He also answered Yes.

Petitioner Counsel to the
E. C Okala (SAN) - Are you aware that the
INEC manual 2016 was used to train PU
agents and conduct the election?
Witness - Yes , am aware but we weren't
trained with it.

Okala - Did the INEC PO discuss the
procedure for the election on that day?

Witness - Yes he did, he told us that after
accreditation there must be ticking same
with Voting.

Okala Was that done in your PU?
Witness - Yes, I saw him do it.

Okala e - I put it to you that in your own Polling unit there was no ticking on the voters
register.

Witness S- Yes, there is.

Okala - You are wrong, there wasn't.

That will be all my Lord.

Froceedings commenced with the usual introduction of counsel to all
parties.

Thereafter it was the turn of counsel to the
3rd respondent to commence deliberations,
L.O Fagbemi (SAN) said "My Lord the case is
in continuation of the 3rd respondent's
defence, May I start by tendering from the
bar list of all party agents for APC in the 18
LGAs which we submitted to INEC before the
election"

There was no objections from
counsel to the 1st respondent Onyinye
Anuwonye Esq. But Yusuf Ali (SAN) asked
the court to give them time to go through the
document properly so as to ascertain its
authenticity afterwards Yusuf Ali (SAN), said
"Our very serious objections , we have very
fundamental objections to the admissibility
of this doocument".

The judge conclusively admitted the
document as evidence and labelled the exhibit 3R018

Good Morning Nairalanders.

We are back again after last week adjournment plea by the 3rd Respondent (APC) at the edo state governorship election tribunal sitting at Benin City.

Stay tuned for more updates