Abia discharges one geriatric COVID-19 patient, second patient in stable condition - Ikpeazu

See full details here
http://www.nigeriantelegraph.com/2020/05/abia-discharges-one-geriatric-covid-19.html?m=1

BREAKING: Corona Virus: Nigeria records 204 cases, 58 Deaths (See affected State here)


See affected states here
http://www.nigeriantelegraph.com/2020/05/breaking-corona-virus-nigeria-records.html?m=1

CoronaVirus: NCDC reports 196. New cases today, 51 Deaths

See full details here
http://www.nigeriantelegraph.com/2020/04/coronavirus-ncdc-reports-new-cases.html

Alex Otti might well be the most odious liar known to humanity

My attention has been drawn to a statement credited to one Mr Alex Otti who claims to be “a citizen of Abia State” wherein he stated, among other things that, “This letter was masterminded by three people, the former CPEneh Okon, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Anthony Agbazuere and the Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu. They subsequently sold the evil plot to Okezie Ikpeazu who had no problems lending his name and signature to it. I will reveal more information on this if any of them denies.”

Let me state without equivocation that Mr Otti lied against my person and possibly lied with other statements made in that publication titled “RE: PROTEST AGAINST THE TRANSFER OF THE ABIA STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, CP ENEH OKON”. The same way he lied about his local government of origin in 2015 and also lied to the people of Aba same year that he (as a private citizen) obtained International Finance Corporation (IFC) facility of USD 100bn (or USD 100m) to develop the city even when he knew that to be false and, of course, investigations at IFC proved him to be an audacious liar.

While I am well aware of the options available to me to seek legal redress for the above defamation from Mr Alex Otti, I am also aware of the judgement of Almighty God and, hence, will plead my case before Him in the public.

If what Mr Otti stated, concerning my “masterminding” or writing any fake or real letter, as cited by him, is true, may the Almighty God unleash very harsh judgement on me and my generations but bless him. But if Mr Otti lied against me, as he is used to regularly lie about matters concerning Abia, may God judge him harshly along with his generations and bless me.

His only saving grace will be a public apology to me within 24 hours of this publication as after that I will leave everything to God the Just Judge.

For the benefit of those who may wish to know what I know or do not know about the said letter referred to by Otti, let me state that I only saw the online copy forwarded to me by a concerned citizen of Abia State, after the document was published by Otti’s media aide. The person who forwarded it to me wanted to know if it was real or fake. I responded to the fellow that my focus was on carrying out the assignment given to me as a member of the state inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19 which entails, most importantly, saving our people from the rampaging coronavirus, and that I did not have time for political distractions in these trying times.

For the avoidance of doubt, I never discussed the writing of any letter, fake or real, as published by Otti, with Dr ACB Agbazuere or the former CP Ene Okon, at any time in my life and only saw the material document as posted by one of Otti’s minions. Mr Otti is free to publish any evidence linking me with the writing of the said letter, real or fake, or face God’s judgement as I have no time for litigations or “he said, she said" back and forth.

To those who do not know Mr Otti and his negative political interventions in Abia State, I urge you to always scrutinize every comment or statement from him including his greetings. If the man can confidently lie against me on a matter I knew nothing about you can imagine how many lies he must have fabricated against Governor Okezie Ikpeazu whom he sees as the reason for his serial failure to desperately Govern Abia State. If a man of his supposed pedigree can lie so freely and dangerously without any iota of verification, then such a person cannot be said to harbor any ambition founded on the required virtues or need to serve the people of our dear state. Otti lied against me in this matter and I am convinced he has serially and dangerously lied against Governor Ikpeazu in private and public utterances.

It is only unmitigated bitterness of the soul that will make a man who was roundly defeated for the same office in 2 polls, losing by even a wider margin in the second one, as well as at the Supreme Court, to continue to hold the public view that he won same election. Even elementary school pupils know that elections have rules and to win you must be so declared based on the rules of the game. Twice, Otti litigated his usually warped claims of victory up to the Supreme Court of Nigeria and on both occasions the court decided that he had no basis. It is both preposterous of him and contemptuous of the highest court in our land and the people of Abia State to claim he won an election after going through all the legal processes involved in validating a victory and still lost. That this false claim of non existent electoral victory is the basis for all the distractions, disruption and sabotage Mr Otti has unleashed on Abians is sad and unfortunate.

For the records, I stand by my previous statement that Barr. Emperor Gabriel works for Mr Otti as I am aware of a previous social media post made by him to the effect that he was hired by Otti to join his legal team at the tribunal. In fact, it was from his social media post that I first saw the particulars of Otti’s legal position at the tribunal. I challenge Otti and his minions to deny that Emperor made that unchallenged claim via the social media.

Regarding the ongoing legal issues of Emperor, while I understand his pain, I must once more state that I have no hand in the petition against him or his arrest and detention beyond knowing after the fact that the Governor was pained by one of his false, mischievous and malicious publications against his person to the effect that he swore an oath in India to steal the money of the people of the state. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is a husband and father to his children. He has always been a highly responsible family man who has committed all his life to promoting Christian values both in his family and the society at large. He is regarded as a highly revered Christian in his community of worship and before reasonable persons in general. It is therefore understandable why he was clearly pained by the malicious publication which sought to malign him and destroy all that he has built as a Christian over the years. As a peaceful man who does not see himself as being above the law no matter his exalted position, his only reasonable recourse was to seek peaceful redress through legal means, and no one can or should begrudge him for that.

His position, which he informed me of later is simply to give the said Barrister Emperor and other purveyors of the falsehood the opportunity to disgrace him in court by cogently and copiously defending their publications with proofs. He has publicly stated that he has never traveled to India since he was born and details of his international travels are available with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). All anyone has to do to contradict his position is simply to subpoena his travel details from NIS and nail him in court. On the other hand, if Emperor and whoever sold him that fake news do not have evidence of his ever traveling to India or swearing any oath, let them simply apologize to him publicly and desist from manufacturing and sharing falsehood concerning him. That is not too much to ask by any genuinely aggrieved citizen. I know that if a public apology is issued, the Governor will most likely forgive and forget, as the good Christian that he is.

Come to think of it, is it not the same Governor Ikpeazu that provided funds for the treatment of Emperor Ogbonna when he was shot by suspected kidnappers some time ago? Can such a kind hearted man be said to be wicked and malicious? How many critics of his administration has Governor Ikpeazu arrested, caused to be beaten or threatened for criticizing his government? Yet, Abia is reputed to have the most acerbic and vitriolic purveyors of falsehood disguised as political opposition as led by Otti. Or does Mr Alex Otti not know that there is a red line between criticism and peddling of malicious falsehood? Will Alex Otti accept such lies against his person without recourse to legal redress? Was Emperor not detained by a law court following due process?

For more than four years this malicious rumor against the Governor was peddled by sundry opposition characters whose sponsors are now obviously showing up one after the other. The Governor restrained himself with patience thinking that Emperor and others involved would refrain and restrain themselves from such ignoble acts. Alas, they didn't! They couldn't!

Let me then ask: shouldn’t the Governor clear the records even if it’s for the sake of his grand children? Even first year law students know that when you publish or share falsehood over the internet against someone, you are risking jail term on the basis of our existing cybercrime law 2015. It beats me when those who should know allow themselves to be manipulated by desperate politicians who actually see and use them as mere pawns.

God sees the hearts of men and no amount of cosmetics can hide our thoughts from God. Let Him judge me and also judge my accuser, Alex Chioma Otti. But let me state that these 2023 election induced malice and lies are puerile and infantile as power belongs to God and God alone.

Lastly, I make bold to say that it is unconscionable to seek to distract the state with 2023 politics at a time the Government and our people are battling to save themselves from the rampaging COVID-19. And if anyone previously expected me to respond to political nonsense related to a fake or real letter when we have people battling for their lives as a result of COVID-19 infection, that person does not know me at all.

Please, let’s join hands to fight this virus in our state and nation. When it is time for politics, let those who are interested play politics, and lose or win.

(It is very important to state that this piece is strictly my personal opinion and has nothing to do with the Government of Abia State).

Thank you.

John Okiyi Kalu
28/04/2020



https://www.facebook.com/1071837852/posts/10218807185665341/?d=n

BREAKING: Corona Virus: Kano records 38 Cases as NCDC reports 195 new cases, 44 deaths

See full details here
http://www.nigeriantelegraph.com/2020/04/breaking-corona-virus-kano-records-38.html

Covid 19: Bende T.C Chairman distributes palliatives, hails constitution of Mobile Courts


The Transition Committee Chairman, Bende Local Government Area, Dr. Haglar Okorie has distributed palliatives including bags of rice, beans, garri, salt cartons noodles, face masks, hand-sanitizers among others.
Distributing the paliatives at the Council headquarters through the Traditional Rulers and President Generals of development unions, the
Transition Chairman, Dr. Haglar Okorie said the palliative materials were for the vulnerable individuals in Bende Local Government Area. Dr. Okorie disclosed that he called on some illustrous sons of the Council to contribute to ensure the palliatives were purchased and commended them and members of the committee for a work well-done.

He explained that the essence of using the Traditional Rulers and President Generals in sharing the palliatives was to ensure that the paliatives reach to the vulnerable people and disclosed that the distribution cuts accross political linings. He maintained that the relief materials were necessary to alleviate sufferings of the people occasioned by the current lockdown order in the State and assured that more would be distributed as the Council would be collecting its share from the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. He equally disclosed that he had earlier distributed personal relief materials to his immediate Ward before the general one.

The Council boss lauded the constitution of the Abia State Covid 19 Mobile Court, describing it as the greatest thing the State has done, stressing that it would assist the legal framework to take its course
According to the Chairman, some offenders of the covid 19 guidelines and policies have already been arrested and sentenced by the mobile court.
He used the opportunity to state that the Federal Government has not been too fair to Abia State, saying that even the rice it sent came late. He expressed worry that some palliatives such as cash given to people in the North is yet to be sent to Abia State.
The T. C Chairman, who revealed that Bende LGA has about four prominent borders with neighbouring States informed that his two Taskforces are very committed about the enforcement "we are making sure that all directives given by the Governor on this lockdown are carried out."
Contributing, a former Deputy Chairman, Bende LGA, Chief (Hon) Kingsley Chidiebere Asonye
commended Dr. Haglar Okorie for constituting a 6 man Committee which extended the call for some illustrous sons of Bende to contribute to what was being shared to the people.

He advised people to ensure they follow the preventive measures outlined by goverment so as not to spread the virus and expressed hope that the pandemic must come to an end soon.

BREAKING: CoronaVirus: Nigeria Records 64 News cases today, 40 deaths

See NCDC data for full details here
http://www.nigeriantelegraph.com/2020/04/breaking-coronavirus-nigeria-records-64.html

COVID-19: Why Abia imposed curfew despite subsisting lockdown

1. In addition to the ongoing statewide lockdown, the Abia State Government imposed a dusk to dawn curfew from 6pm to 6am starting from Sunday, April 26, 2020 to Saturday, May 2, 2020. Kindly note that while people are free to go out, with face masks, to buy food and drugs from 6am to 6pm daily, everyone must stay at home with zero movement from 6pm to 6am. This applies to all LGAs in the state without exception.
ONLY HEALTH WORKERS AND THOSE ON ESSENTIAL DUTIES ARE PERMITTED TO MOVE TO AND FRO THEIR WORK PLACE DURING THE PERIOD OF CURFEW.

2. As at Saturday, April 25, 2020, we have 2 confirmed COVID-19 patients who are above 70 years old and with underlying medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. They are being cared for at the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Unuahia, where they were initially admitted as regular geriatric patients with illnesses that are usually associated with people of their age. As at the time of writing this piece, they remain in stable medical condition.

3. With the later diagnosis of COVID-19 in those two home bound elderly persons, the challenge for the government was to control the spread of the virus, deliver care to the patients and prevent new infections in the state.

4. The state rapid response team of the medical protocol team of the inter-ministerial committee on COViID-19 has traced 236 contacts of the index cases; they are all currently in isolation and under surveillance. But a total of 132 of the line listed contacts of the index cases are yet to be seen.

5. There is need to conclude the contact tracing process quickly to guarantee that the infection does not spread within our communities. Already, we have received results for 11 contacts of the index cases from NCDC and we are happy to inform that they all are negative.

6. We have also received reports of people streaming into our state from neighboring states to buy things at night and leave at dawn. This presents a major infection risk to our people and must be stopped fortwith, hence the curfew.

7. While we expect near zero movement during curfew hours, those wishing to buy food and drugs are free to wear face masks and do so. Any individual seen outside without face mask will be arrested and tried immediately by the mobile courts already set up.

8. Based on information available to us, we STRONGLY advise our people to remain at home for the next 7 days while we trace the contacts, test them and analyze the results in order to be sure you can safely go out with minimal risk of infection. Vehicles seen outside during this period will certainly be impounded and the occupants quarantined at a medical facility in the state for a minimum period of 14 days.

9. The ongoing lockdown, border closure and imposition of curfew do not make your government happy because we know what it means to keep otherwise hardworking people at home, yet, we must take necessary measures to protect our people from coronavirus that is on rampage. Only the living and healthy can go out to do business and do other things.

10. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed the state ministry of finance to ensure that civil servants in the state are paid on Monday, April 27, 2020, while subventions and pensions are to be paid the following day, Tuesday, April 28, 2020. Please, note that no pensioner is expected to leave his/her house for any form of verification exercise, and rumors to that effect should be ignored.

11. Distribution of food palliatives continued on Friday, April 24, 2020, with 21 churches receiving food items and hand sanitizers. The distribution continues this week with more churches, town unions and traditional rulers expected to receive palliatives on behalf of their needy alongside ongoing distribution by the state geriatric services agency. Kindly note that the palliatives are not for all members of benefitting churches or their leaders, traditional rulers and presidents general, but strictly for vulnerable widows, persons with disabilities and those who are most impacted by the ongoing lockdown.

We continue to appeal to well to do persons in all our communities to lend helping hands in the true spirit of “Onuru ube nwanne agbala oso”.

12. Lastly, we encourage all those who had contacts with the index cases or with medical practitioners that managed them to, please, call 0700 2242 362 immediately while also ensuring they are in self isolation. We shall henceforth consider it a crime for those who are supposed to be in isolation to be moving about within the expected period of lockdown.

God bless Abia State of Nigeria.

Chief John Okiyi Kalu
Honorable Commissioner For Information, Abia State.
26/04/2020


https://www.facebook.com/119961132055926/posts/554494255269276/?d=n

COVID-19: State Rapid Response Team Storm Ukwa West

The rapid response team of the medical protocol sub committee of the inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19 today stormed Okeikpe in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State to trace contacts of one of the confirmed COVID-19 patients currently being managed at Federal Medical Center Umuahia.

The team led by the state epidemiologist, Lady Peace Nwaogwugwu, was received by the Chairman of the LGA, Chief Sylvanus Nwaji and the member representing Ukwa West State Constituency, Hon Goddy Adiele.

The team also visited the palace of HRH Eze Innocent Nkwocha where the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sir Don Ubani, Barr Henry Chilaka, Chief Dennis Akoma (Community Secretary), Light Enwereuzo (CDC Chairman), Mrs Glory Okwara (HAS), Mr Chidi (DSNO), the DPO and the NCDSC Commander at Ukwa West, among others received them.

Members of the community welcomed the team and relevant samples from contacts of the COVID-19 patient have been collected for testing.

IMO DEMOCRATIC WATCHDOG

Friday, Feb 28 2020.

Governor Hope Uzodinma Fraudulent Schemes: Imo Concorde Hotel and Marriot: A Case Study

We are constrained to alert the people of Imo State and Nigerians on general that Imo State is on the verge of being entrapped into the cocoon of political jobbers whose stock in trade include fraudulent schemes to siphon the Commonwealth of the State.

This is why it is worrisome that Imo State, if the staquo remains, will become a den of fraudsters who wear the garment of officialdom to pepertrate fraudulent activities.

The Imo Democratic Watchdog which has beamed its searchlight on the activities of Governor Hope Uzodinma since his surprise emergence as Imo State Governor by the Supreme Court pronouncenent on January 14, 2020,  has resorted to his usual antics which has remained his trademark.

A leopard they say cannot change its spots.This is why barely 44 days as Governor of the State, Uzodinma has used Imo Concorde hotel as his first case of his fraudulent activities which he intends to unleash on the Commonwealth of the people of the  State.

Recently, in a viral video and photographs personally posted by Governor Uzodinma,  he claimed that he has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with Marriot Hotel international to take over the Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri.

In the words of Gov. Uzodinma: " Today also, I sighed a memorandum of understanding with Marriot International Incorporated (MII) for the renovation and management of Imo Concorde hotel to meet international standards and hospitality".

But a visit to the website of the Marriot International, shows that the company do have 30 hotel brands in Africa and the Middle East. Imo Concorde hotel, Owerri is not listed  among its brands despite signing an "MOU" with Imo State Government.

From our findings, Marriot International is a World  leader in hotel management.We wonder how such a well respected international  hotel management company could send a "ragtag" delegation to Imo State to seal a deal of such economic importance without documentation, due diligence as seen in the photos released by Uzodinma's media team.

Furthermore, deals of this kind usually take about 6 months to seal. This is because the necessary due diligence will take some time to be completed and an MOU entered after consultation. 

But in the photos released, there were no documents, no pen, no paper to sign an "MOU" as the Governor in his usual scheme, never allowed the so called Representatives of Marriot International to give details of the "MOU" or speak to journalists on the gains of the deal.

We have made further  independent inquiry to Marriot International and we can reveal to the good people of Imo State, that Marriot International has denied visiting the Governor talk more of entering any deal with Governor Hope Uzodinma to take over the management of Imo Concorde hotel, Owerri.

This is a tip of the iceberg of the monumental fraud and deceit Governor Uzodinma intends to unleash on viable economic ventures in Imo State such as ADAPALM, Imo Transport Company, Oguta Lake Resort, Avutu Poultry and others.

We have also uncovered a grand design by Uzodinma and his agents to lure banks in the State to fund these imaginary schemes including the MOU with Marriot International on Imo Concorde hotel

Imo State and it's citizens should recall that Hope Uzodinma, prior to his emergence as Governor of Imo State was on the travel ban list of the Federal Government for fraud and was also on the  radar of anti corruption agencies in the country for defrauding the Federal Government $12 million dollars earmarked for the dredging of Calabar seaport.


Mrs. Doris Anyanwu
Executive Director,  Imo Democratic Watchdog.

Breaking: Imo Supreme Court Review, International Observers Storm Abuja to Monitor review


There are strong indications that Atty Bruce Fein, the foremost US attorney and one time Associate Deputy US Attorney General and Constitutional Expert will be arriving the country this weekend to lead the Team of International Community that have indicated interest to attend the Supreme Court Review proceedings of the controversial Imo State Governorship Election Appeal.

Notable representatives of other International Organizations that have confirmed attendance to the Review includes Amnesty International, Centre for Democracy and Development, European Union Delegation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria & ECOWAS and Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) among others.

The Supreme Court Judgement on the Imo Governorship tussle has generated so much controversy and contention in the polity that almost on a weekly basis, protest within and outside the country has dominated the political landscape ever since that Supreme Court judgement of Jan 14th 2020.

22 Reasons Why Emeka Ihedioha Should Be Returned As Imo Governor By Supreme Court


*PDP submission to Supreme Court on Review for Imo State*



FINAL WRITTEN ADDRESS......



"CONCLUSION"



~ KANU AGABI, SAN



(1) There is no denying that this is a time of crises in our country. At this, of all times, our Supreme Court has been afforded this unique opportunity of allaying the fears of those who cast aspersions on the credibility of our courts. Those who mean well for the nation will agree that we have here an opportunity for the Supreme Court to mitigate the rising unpopularity of our courts and to rehabilitate her damaged reputation and restore the good name of the judiciary by setting aside this judgment which seems to us to be a nullity.



We may be quite wrong. In that case, please, forgive us. Your verdict in this matter should match the solemn oath you have taken. Remember that every decision of this honourable court involves the good name of the judiciary. Prove to the world that this court is sacred. Let your verdict help to retain the good graces of our people.



(2) It is owed to the work of this Supreme Court that the nation continues to survive. It is that work that give us the confidence to present this application. That you are willing to reconsider your decision gives you honour and glory. We come before you firmly convinced that you will act in aid of the cause of justice. In this application we appeal to you, we urge you, we beg you to preserve the glorious reputation of this court. We appeal to you to prove wrong all those who have an evil opinion of our judiciary.



Here is a great opportunity for your Lordships to act. Free the judiciary from suspicion. Give no one cause to despise our courts. Prove to the world that you are the equals of the courts of other nations.



(3) Remember always that as you sit in judgment over us, so the nation sits in judgment over you. And you should worry, not just over the judgment of this generation, but also the judgment of generations to come when none of us will be alive to defend our actions.



(4) There is no doubting the fact that your Lordships, being human, will from time to time fall into error. Prove to the world that when that happens you will not lack the courage to correct yourselves. That is the unique opportunity that this case offers you.



(5)

The nation thinks well of your lordships. Prove to the nation that our good thoughts of you are justified and are well deserved. There is not upon this bench a single judge who has been disloyal to his oath or who has a bad reputation. Stand up for the judiciary and for yourselves. Stand up for truth. Stand up for justice. Stand up for strict and honest interpretation of the laws. Take that stand for which the nation can praise you and commend you.



(6)

The position that you hold demands that you do so. It is the great precedents that your Lordships have established that we appeal to you to follow. The nation expects you to deliver an honest verdict, a correct verdict. Prove to the nation that here in this Supreme Court a man or woman who has lost his rights will be given the opportunity to bewail it.



(6)

What is at stake in this case is not only the right that the Applicants have lost but the good name of the judiciary as well. What we call upon you to do is nothing new. It is something that you have done times without number in the past. Those occasions that you reversed yourselves in the past were not more urgent than it is now. Never in the history of this court have your Lordships delivered a judgment which evoked the protest of the public. This one has. Therefore, we urge you, we appeal to you to take a second look at it.



(7)

Those who in their wisdom established this court made it supreme thus expressing their determination that litigation should come to an end. And so this court is supreme, as you have yourselves said, not because you are infallible but because your decisions are final. Whatever you say the law is that is what it shall be. And that is why your Lordships are ever so careful to ensure that your decisions stand the test of time and are not open to any justifiable condemnation or suspicion.



(The just decisions of this Supreme Court immortalize your Lordships who deliver them. It is important therefore that you commit nothing to writing that generations to come, long after we are all dead and gone, will examine and criticize and condemn as unjust and unjustifiable. That has been the lot of the Athenian jury which condemned Socrates.



(9)That has been the lot of Pontius Pilate who, having found no guilt in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, nevertheless ordered that he be crucified. It is precisely to save judges from that kind of predicament that the law allows them in appropriate cases to correct their own mistakes or set aside altogether decisions that are a nullity.



It is that opportunity that we urge your lordships to take in this case and re-examine the judgment which we urge you to set aside on the ground that if you re-examine it dispassionately you will find reason to set it aside and thereby demonstrate to the world that you have courage to correct yourselves when you find that you have erred.



(10) In this case a man who himself branded the election in which he participated as invalid has been adjudged by your Lordships as the winner of the same election. That is in the face of past and innumerable decisions by your Lordships that if such a ground succeeded it should lead to the nullification of the election. In this case, the man you declared as winner of the election specifically prayed that your Lordships should nullify the result of elections in the entire State and that your Lordships order that a fresh election be conducted.



(11) Your Lordships also declared as winner a man who prayed your Lordships to order a re-run election in all the 388 polling units where elections and results were cancelled or not declared.



(12) Your Lordships ordered victory for a man who admitted under cross examination that in polling unit after polling unit, he awarded to himself more votes than the total number of registered voters in those polling units.



(13) Your Lordships accepted votes from 388 polling units presented by the 1st Respondent which had the consequence of swelling-up the total number of votes scored in the election way beyond the total number of accredited voters. The excess votes between the total votes scored and the total accredited voters are 129,340 votes – a clearly impossible situation and brazen illegality under our electoral law. (Underlining supplied)



(14) Your Lordships declared the 1st Respondent as winner of the election when your Lordships did not satisfy yourselves that the 1st Respondent scored enough votes across the various local government areas of Imo State to satisfy the geographical spread as decreed by the Constitution.



(15) Based on the foregoing, we submit that the judgment delivered by this Honourable Court on 14th January 2020 in Appeal No. SC.1462/2019 and Cross Appeal No. SC.1470/2019 is a nullity because –



(16) The judgment was delivered without jurisdiction in that the court declared the 1st Respondent as the winner of the election contrary to section 140 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act (as amended)



(18)The judgment is unconstitutional in that it declared the 1st Respondent the winner of the election without proof that the votes accredited to him met the geographical spread stipulated in section 179 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)



(19)The judgment was obtained by fraud in that the votes upon which the 1st Respondent was declared as the winner of the election were in excess of the number of voters accredited for the election.



(20) The judgment was given per incuriam as your lordships by this judgment unwittingly sanctioned that total votes cast at an election can be in excess of the total number of accredited voters, as in this case, the total votes exceeded the total accredited voters by 129,340 votes.



(21) Furthermore, the judgment was given per incuriam in view of the 1st Respondent’s contention that the election was invalid by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) whereupon he prayed that a supplementary election should be held in the 388 disputed polling units where he claimed his votes were cancelled.



(22) We respectfully urge your Lordships therefore to set aside the judgment in Appeal No. SC.1462/2019 and Cross Appeal No. SC.1470/2019 as prayed in our motion paper because as this Honourable Court rightly noted in ADEGOKE MOTORS v. ADESANYA (supra) “it is far better to admit an error than to preserve an error”. May it so please your Lordships.



____________________

Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON

Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN

J. T. U. Nnodum, SAN

K.C.O Njemanze, SAN

S. I AMEH, SAN.

Emeka Etiaba, SAN

Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN

Emeka Okpoko, SAN

L. M. Alozie, SAN

Essien H. Andrew, SAN

S. A. Anyalewechi, Esq.

A. S. Ogujiofor, Esq.

Charles Ndukwe,Esq.

Uchenna Njoku, Esq.



(Applicants’ Counsel)

Kanu G. Agabi & Associates.

27th February, 2020.

Imo day of prayer happening now at Kanu Nwankwo Sports Centre.

Imolites converge to pray ahead of Imo Supreme Court Review matter coming up on the 2nd of March.

Imolites are saying that the Supreme Court should not overlook clear issues of injustice in the matter.

Imo wants Justice

#ImoWantsIhedioha.

By Anayo Ugwoegbu


Fraud was one of the invariable factors established by Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, through his legal team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi SAN, CON in their application for the Supreme Court to set aside its January 14, 2020 misjudgement on the 2019 Imo State governorship election, that the apex court erroneously awarded to Senator Hope Uzodimma.

And according to pundits, fraud is indeed apt and succinct summary of the whole mumbo-jumbo pertaining to the highly controversial and contentious 388 polling units and the ridiculous votes and result sheets emanating therefrom, which were submitted by Uzodimma, and on which the Supreme Court based its misjudgement.

Without any further preambles, the following is the exact and precise, unedited statement by Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, through his legal team to prove that the declaration of Senator Uzodimma as winner of the election and consequently governor of Imo State was based on fraud.

Enjoy the treasure of facts:

"THE JUDGMENT SOUGHT TO BE SET ASIDE IS A NULLITY IN THAT WAS OBTAINED BY FRAUD"

"The Appellants/Respondents misled this court into holding that a total of 213,495 votes were unlawfully excluded from the votes scored by the 1st Appellant/Respondent in the gubernatorial election of 9th March 2019 in Imo State.

"The 1st Appellant/Respondent admitted under cross-examination that it was him and not the 3rd Respondent [INEC] or any of its officials, who computed the result that allotted to him the 213,495 votes alleged to have been excluded from his total votes in the election.

"The total votes cast as shown in the 1st Appellant’s computation was more than the total number of voters accredited for the election and in some polling units more than the total number of registered voters.

"The result computed by the 1st Appellant showed only the votes of the 1st Applicant and the 1st Appellant without specifying the votes scored by the other 68 candidates who participated in the election.

"Exhibits 63RD1 to 63RD19 (INEC Forms EC40G) show that there were no valid elections in the 388 polling units where the additional 213,495 votes claimed by the 1st Appellant were allegedly generated.

"We submit that the judgment sought to be set aside was obtained by fraud because the 1st Appellant/Respondent fraudulently misrepresented to this honourable court that he had an additional 213,495 votes which were unlawfully excluded from the final result by the 3rd Respondent. To this end the 1st Appellant/Respondent pleaded a table of excluded votes (Exhibit KGA3) which are at pages 9-27, Volume 1 of the Records. In that table the 1st Appellant/Respondent failed to plead the votes scored by the 70 candidates who participated in the election. He only pleaded his own votes and the votes alleged to have been scored by the 1st Applicant. In ADAMS v UMAR (2010) All FWLR (Pt 513) 1289 at 1386 - 1387 paras H-B it was held that –
‘While there is no obligation on the petitioner to join any candidate who lost the election as a party, the petitioner has a duty to comply with the provisions of paragraph 4(i) (c) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2006 by stating among other particulars, the names and scores of ALL the candidates that participated in the election … The raison d’etre for this is that, where in an election petition a petitioner fails to plead the scores of all the candidates at the election, it will be impossible to grant any prayer that the petitioner was the duly elected candidate or that the 1st respondent was not the duly elected candidate.’

"Apart from the fatal error of failing to plead the result of all the candidates in his table of excluded votes, the 1st Appellant/Respondent also admitted in his evidence during cross-examination at page 2601-2603 in Volume 4 of the Record that the number of votes he allocated to himself in the table are in excess of the registered voters in the polling units where he claimed he obtained those votes. He further admitted under cross-examination at page 2603 of the Record that instead of INEC he was the person who computed the disputed votes tabulated in the petition.

"In his private and personal tabulation of the votes (shown at pages 9-27 of Volume 1 of the Records) the 1st Appellant/Respondent stated in column 69 that in Polling Unit 08 in Eziama/Okpalla Ward he scored 819 votes whereas the total number of registered voters was 462. In column 285 he stated that in Polling Unit 12 in Odudiaro Ward he scored 780 votes whereas the total number of registered voters were 449. In column 377 he stated that in Polling Unit 6 in Umuozu Ward he scored 367 votes and the 1st Applicant scored 4 votes making a total of 371 votes whereas the total number of registered voters was 367. In column 384 he stated that in Polling Unit 6 in Umunkwo ward he scored 526 votes and the 1st Applicant scored 2 votes making a total of 528 votes whereas the total number of registered voters was 526. These are just a few examples of the fraudulent results the 1st Appellant/Respondent induced this court into accepting as a part of his votes.

"In the tabulation of the votes at pages 9-27 in Volume 1 of the Record, the 1st Appellant/Respondent did not state the number of accredited voters in each of the listed 388 polling units. He stated only the total number of registered voters. We submit that without a record of accredited voters, the votes alleged to have been scored in those polling units were invalid and void because there can be no valid votes without accreditation – FAYEMI v ONI (2009) All FWLR (Pt 493) 1254 at 1309 paras F-H. So evidently the scores in those 388 polling units were allocated arbitrarily. They were not the product of a valid election, and this was corroborated by the evidence of DW5 who tendered INEC Form EC40G as Exhibits 63RD1 to 63RD19 to show that in those polling units, the election was cancelled due to electoral violence as reported by the presiding officers in those units.

"Unfortunately this court was misled into accepting the fraudulent result tabulated by the 1st Appellant/Respondent and consequently 213,695 votes were added for the 1st Appellant/Respondent and 1,903 votes were added for the 1st Applicant. This brought the total number of votes cast in the election to 953,038, while the total number of voters accredited for the election as shown in Exhibit A1 was 823,743. This is a clear case of fraud and corrupt practice for which the nullification of the election is the only proper order this court can make by virtue of section 40(2) of the Electoral Act (as amended). In effect, the judgment and orders returning the 1st Appellant/Respondent as elected are contrary to law and evidence and is to that extent a nullity.

"Where a judgment is obtained fraudulently as in the instant case, we submit that the court which gave the judgment is entitled to set it aside upon an application such as this. In OGBU v URUM (1981) LPELR 2290SC at 20 paras C-E, this court held that –

‘.....a court would also have inherent jurisdiction to set aside its judgment if it could be shown that it was obtained by fraud.

"Also in EDE v MBA (2011) LPELR 8234SC at 26-28 paras E-A this court held that –
‘....this court under section 22 of the Supreme Court Act and Order 6 has the power to set aside in certain circumstances its decision like any other court where the circumstances demand, such as (i) where any of the parties obtained judgment by fraud or deceit (ii) where such a decision is a nullity or (iii) where it is obvious that the court was misled into giving the decision’."

There's nothing to add or subtract. No addition no subtraction. It a quod erat demonstradum QED!

On Hon. Emeka Ihedioha's legal team include the following legal luminaries:

*Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON

*Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN

*J. T. U. Nnodum, SAN

*K.C.O Njemanze, SAN

*S. I Ameh, SAN

*Emeka Etiaba, SAN

*Umeh Kalu, SAN

*Emeka Okpoko, SAN

*L. M. Alozie, SAN

*Essien H. Andrew, SAN

*S. A. Anyalewechi, Esq.

*A. S. Ogujiofor, Esq.

*Charles Ndukwe,Esq.

*Uchenna Njoku, Esq.

*Others.

S/Court: PDP Uncovers APC’s Plot To Frustrate Reversal of Imo Judgment

S/Court: PDP Uncovers APC’s Plot To Frustrate Reversal of Imo Judgment





The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alerts that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently mounting pressure on the Supreme Court to restrain itself from reversing the flawed judgment on the Imo State Governorship election despite obvious mistakes in that judgement, which is now threatening the stability of our nation.



The party, which hailed Wednesday's verdict of the Supreme Court on Bayelsa state governorship election, however noted that the elements and grounds for the demands by the PDP and majority of Nigerians for the reversal of Imo state governorship election judgment are completely different from those of Bayelsa.



The PDP explained that its demand on Imo is not in any way in contestation of the authority and finality of the Supreme Court but a patriotic effort to assist the Supreme Court affirm its infallibility by correcting the inherent mistakes in the judgment which came as a result of misleading presentation to it by the APC.



It is therefore instructive to note that the various election matters before the Supreme Court were brought on clearly distinctive grounds and each should be treated on its merit before the law.



The party said the only reason APC was pushing for a review of the Supreme Court’s valid and flawless judgment on the Bayelsa and Zamfara governorship elections was to cause confusion and blackmail the Supreme Court from treating the Imo case on merit.



The PDP maintained that the grounds for the reversal of Imo judgment are unambiguously constitutional and completely distinct from APC’s attempt to blackmail the Supreme Court with their demands on the Bayelsa and Zamfara states governorship election.



The party therefore urged the Supreme Court not to succumb to the threats and blackmail by APC to push it restrain itself from looking at the merit of the Imo case; correcting the mistakes and reversing the flawed judgment.



Signed:



Kola Ologbondiyan

Nation

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BAYELSA AND IMO SUPREME COURT REVIEW.

In Bayelsa case,
1. The APC applications at the Supreme Court lacked merit and failed to point out errors on the judgement.

2. The case of forgery against David Lyon's deputy was re-established by the court's ruling an indication that the forgery was actually committed by the deputy.

3. The Supreme Court as the apex court has decided to take the bull by the horn by living to it's constitutional role as the last hope of the masses with such a landmark final Judgement.

In Imo's review case,
1. There's an obvious error in the judgement against Rt Hon Ihedioha in the 388 polling units submitted by Sen Uzodinma.

2. On the 2nd of March, 2020 when the review of the Supreme Court will come up, the Court will definitely jettison the errors in the 14th January, 2020 Judgement by reversing the constitutional and fundamental error.

3. Rt Hon Emeka IHEDIOHA's mandate is likely going to be returned to him on 2nd March, 2020. The Supreme Court has waken up by realising the importance of putting itself on the annals of history. The Supreme Court from all indication is set to reverse itself on the matter.

Supreme Court Rules For PDP in Bayelsa, Fines David Lyon, APC ₦10 Million

See full details here
http://www.nigeriantelegraph.com/2020/02/supreme-court-rules-for-pdp-in-bayelsa.html

SUPREME COURT STILL DELIBERATING ON THE MATTER

Rt.Hon. Emeka Ihedioha's oration before the Supreme Court.

1. Uzodinma was not APC candidate & was not a candidate of any party in the 9th March Governorship election in Imo State based on the judgement of the same Supreme Court on 20th December 2019.

2. Uche Nwosu was declared as the rightful candidate of APC & AA and was disqualified for double candidature.

3. APC couldn’t have produced 2 candidates in one election.

4. Supreme Court have no powers to allocate votes to any candidate.

5. Supreme Court have no power to increase the number of people accredited by INEC.

6. Somebody that was not a candidate cannot be winner of an election he was not a candidate.

7. Nigerian Police have no powers to
organize elections in Nigeria.

8. Results tendered by a police officer cannot be admitted in any court as exhibit as he was not INEC officer.

Based on the above facts that are still subsisting Ihedioha & PDP have applied for review & he might return to his office as the elected Governor of Imo State.

#Istand4justice
#Bringbackimomandate

Heaven will not let loose if truth is told. Can anyone ask himself/herself why Hope Uzodinma has decided to relocate to Abuja in the recent past?

The embattled, controversial and 388 polling unit governor has devised another means through his partner in crime, Mr. Bichi ( Director, DSS) through whom Uzodinma managed to sale his wicked and unfounded 388 pooling unit result.

They have come again with another strategy of arresting the two sons of the Chief Justice of Nigeria for allegedly forcing the CJN to toe their part and agreement.

A source in the presidency told our correspondents that the CJN has stubbornly resisted the recent offer made by Hope Uzodinma through his ally to avert justice for the second time. But Tanko Mohammed has said that, this time around Justice must take it cause nomather whose ox is gored.

Following, the CJN resistance of their offer, they however decided to arrest his sons on a charge yet to be disclose as a way of putting pressure on the CJN to succumb, our source reveals.

To keep the record straight, no amount of intimidation and harrasment to the judiciary this time that will stand.

Both parties should follow the normal process and allow the judiciary do their job. Initially, some people argued that review will not stand, today even APC have filed for review. For me, there is nothing wrong with that. The judiciary must stand as the last hope of the common man. Those who are in authority should not use instruments of the state to frustrate the peaceful conduct and processes of delivering generally accepted judgement.

Mallam Bichi should stay away from Imo state electoral review. He should allow the judiciary to do their assignment.

History cannot be cowed. Also remember that, no amount of pressure from you and your allies that will stop the judiciary from doing what is right.

Nigerians and the world are watching you and Uzodinma as both of you have sworn to disrupt peace in Imo state.

Jan 14, 2020 Vs Justice: An Open Letter to the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Imo



As Winston S. Churchill said: “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” So, to the Justices of the Supreme Court, who are the representatives of the Almighty God on the bench and having the constitutional and judicial mandate of the people to dispense justice without fear or favour, we write.



We write to you to be guided at all times by three things: the fear of God that you represent, posterity and the supreme natural law of sowing and reaping.



Although our letter is fired by the fallibility of the bench in delivering the Imo judgement of January 14, 2020 and without accusing your lordships of guilt, but justice remains the need of the common man, everyone and not just the unassailable grounds and demand for redress and restoration of Imo people’s mandate.



Only God is infallible, yet He was gracious enough to give His representative on earth, the Biblical Moses, a second chance to do justice to the people of Israel.



Moses had out of anger destroyed the Tablet of Justice, the Ten Commandments because the people of Israel erred. But because Justice and Law are central to human existence, God called Moses to prepare another Tablet of Justice and he did and Justice was entrenched. Justice must never be denied.



Although, the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court in the Imo governorship election petition appeal on January 14, 2020, has no doubt continued to generate national and global outrage



and condemnation as a miscarriage of justice, but like the Biblical Moses, the late Jurist and sage, Oputa JSC had in the case of Adegoke Motors Ltd v. Adesanya (1986) 2 NWLR (pt. 109) 250 at 270, and ahead of time, assuaged our concerns that only God is infallible and Justices are capable of erring:



“Justices of this court are human beings capable of erring. It will certainly be short-sighted arrogance not to accept this obvious truth. It is also true that this Court can do inestimable good through its wise decisions. Similarly, the Court can do incalculable harm through its mistakes.



When therefore it appears to learned Counsel that any decision of this Court has been given per incuriam, such Counsel should have the boldness and courage to ask that such decision shall be overruled.



This Court has the power to overrule itself (and has done so in the past) for it gladly accepts that it is far better to admit an error than to preserve an error.”



The doctrine of justice therefore entails that the Imo matter is not only entertained by the Supreme Court as it has now done, but that the Apex Court should rise above its own mistakes and courageously ensure that the “grave error” of January 14, 2020 is not historically preserved.



Our common man letter to the Supreme Court is therefore premised on one ground and three concerns:



The Ground: That Order 8 Rule 16 of the Supreme Court Rules 2014, is not inconsistent with the application to seek a judicial review of the Imo judgement which was delivered per incuriam with accidental slip and clerical mistakes.



That the Supreme Court was misled into awarding judgement that admitted 388 forged results while only 366 forged results were tendered on oath by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (PW 54).



This appears to Nigerians that the decision of the Supreme Court was given through lack of care and without judicial diligence.



The Concerns: Firstly, that the Supreme Court can be misled into willfully manufacturing, allocating or dashing out scores or results that were not pleaded on oath and supported with facts.



How did the Supreme Court come-by the missing results sheets in about 22 units? Secondly, except there is a review and reversal, the Supreme Court has now empowered the Police as an alternate INEC in declaring election results.



What this means is that a top Police officer with vested interest can always collude with politicians to circumvent real INEC. Thirdly, that the results of an election can be higher than the number of accredited voters in an election.



Lastly, the Supreme Court must not dismiss this expected review with the intention to redress or correct the mistakes in a future case.



This will amount to judicial criminality and it will put an avoidable irredeemable tag of guilt around the necks of the Justices and impair the Supreme Court for ever.



Therefore, we are challenging our Justices, to like the courageous soldiers of Sparta, rise to defend their honour, integrity and future. Defend the bench and let history speak glowingly about justice.



It is our candid submission that the Supreme Court is left with no other option than to review and reverse this anomaly and rescue Apex Court from infamy, even if it means applying Judicial Doctrine of Necessity (borrowing from the intervention of the National Assembly when Nigeria was in a big fix).



To the Supreme Court, we say apply what you said in: Federal Republic of Nigeria V. MKO Abiola (1995) 7 NWLR : “Justice must be rooted in confidence and confidence is destroyed when right-minded people go away thinking: The judge is biased.”



However, Justice can only be rooted in confidence if a different panel other than the one that erred, is allowed to adjudicate on the review. We therefore align ourselves with every organization and persons demanding for a separate panel to attend to the review.







Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution



Convener: Ariyo-Dare Atoye

Why Supreme Court Must Return Ihedioha Back to Government House

To ensure that what happened before does not happen again, the current supreme court panel handling the review should recuse themselves. Let them do this to prove that the court can still be credible.

It's time for the supreme court to correct the "mistake" it made by declaring Sen. Hope Uzodinma the winner of the March 9th election under the platform of APC. Same apex court that nullified Uche Nwosu's candidacy for holding the ticket of AA and APC. Can a particular political party have more than one gubernatorial candidate? Indeed, our democracy is in danger.

To ensure that the supreme court will not for the second time sacrifice our democracy for an individual who is not even a member of a political party, the current panel should recuse themselves.

Has it become the duty of the Nigerian Police Force to present the result to the court? Is the police now an electoral body? The EC40G form presented by INEC showed that elections in the 388 units were canceled as such, there shouldn't be any result from any of the units. I ask again, is the Nigerian Police Force now the INEC?

Dear supreme court, Ihedioha's mandate should be returned. Do not put our democracy in danger for the second time. Prove that the court is still the last hope of the common man.

#SayNoToForgery

#BringBackOurIhedioha

Hope Uzodinma has been Imo Supreme Court Governor for 1 month and 10 days.

Within this period, He has spent only 9 days in Imo State.


He spent 5 days after his inauguration in Imo, travelled to Abuja, came back, spent 3 days, travelled again, came back for Uwajumogu’s burial and spent 1 day.

He spent 4 days in Ethiopia where He travelled with Mr President.

The question there is? What has Hope done within this 1 month, 10 days He has spent in Office?

No Cabnet appointment, not even special advisers who should take charge before commisioner settle in.

MDAs have started collecting cash. TSA is gone. Local government has been handed over to house members. Autonomy at the LGA level is gone.

Development has been sacrificed at the altar of politics. House members are given millions of Naira just to defect while Imo masses suffer.

Hope flies Private Jet to everywhere. He spends Imo State resources on living lavished life while Imolites suffer.

Is Hope going to Governor Imo from Abuja?

What are Imolites saying about this ugly trend?

What is Hope Uzodinma afraid of?

In the words of Rochas Okorocha, “Hope is Hopeless”.

BREAKING: Abia Government Shuts down 51 Schools. See full list here

See full list here
http://www.nigeriantelegraph.com/2020/02/breaking-abia-government-shuts-down-51.html

Imo State : The Magic of 388 Polling Units of Uzodinma and why it should not stand the 2nd check by Supreme Court

See full details here
http://www.nigeriantelegraph.com/2020/02/imo-state-magic-of-388-polling-units-of.html?m=1

PHOTOS: Imo Governorship, How Hope Uzodinma faked 388 polling units results

See source for full details
http://www.nigeriantelegraph.com/2020/02/photos-imo-governorship-how-hope.html

How Imo Governorship Election Verdict Generates Judicial Crisis

See source for full details
http://www.nigeriantelegraph.com/2020/02/how-imo-governorship-election-verdict.html?m=1

EXTRA: Festus Keyamo Drags WAEC To Court Over Senator Hope Uzodinma's Alleged Certificate Forgery

See source for full details
http://www.nigeriantelegraph.com/2020/02/extra-festus-keyamo-drags-waec-to-court.html?m=1

BREAKING: Two Imo State House Of Representatives Members Defects to APC


See full details here
http://www.nigeriantelegraph.com/2020/02/breaking-two-imo-state-house-of.html?m=1

Reasons Supreme Court May Set Aside It's Judgment in Imo Gubernatorial Ruling

Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc v L. G. C. Ltd (2020) 2 NWLR (Pt. 1707) 1 @ 17* , the Supreme Court per Abba Aji,JSC held inter alia that the Supreme Court has the power to set aside its Judgement,and rehear same under the following circumstances:

1. Where there is a clerical mistake in the Judgement or Order;

2. Where there is an error arising from an accidental slip or omission;

3. Where there arises the necessity for carrying out its own meaning and to make its intention plain;

4. Where any of the parties obtained judgement by fraud or deceit;

5. Where such a decision is a nullity;

6. Where it is obvious that the Court was misled into giving the decision under a wrong belief that the parties consented to it;

7. When the judgement was given without jurisdiction;

8. Where the procedure adopted was such as to deprive the decision or judgement of the character of a legitimate adjudication;

9. Where the writ or application was not served on the other party, or there is denial of fair hearing;

10. Where the decision/judgement is contrary to public policy and will perpetuate injustice.

Imo State Judicial Coup: US comes hard on Nigeria, says Ruling must not stand (See Video)

Listen as the Keynote Speakers lay out consequences. They are Atty Bruce Fein, Esq, Constitutional Lawyer and Former Assoc. Deputy U.S. Attorney General

AND

W. Bruce DelValle, Esquire, Constitutional Litigator and Nigerian Legal Expert.

See video here


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae_YFMpWSEA