₦airaland Forum

Supreme Court Removes Govs’ Rights To Sack LGA Chairmen, Councillors
independent.ng Jun 22, 2019 4:24 PM

The Supreme Court on Friday voided laws enacted by the states’ Houses of Assembly which allow governors to sack elected chairmen of local governments and councillors and replace them with appointed administrators, according to Therepublicannews.net reports.

It has become a tradition among governors to dissolve the Executive Councils of the states’ LGs and replace them with their appointees, who they call caretaker committees.

In a unanimous judgement of five Justices of the Supreme Court described the practice as “executive recklessness”, which must not be allowed to persist.

The judgment by the five-man panel, led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour was on the appeal in relation to the dissolution of the 16 Local Government Executives in Ekiti State, during Kayode Fayemi’s tenure.

The appeal marked: SC/120/2013 was filed by the Ekiti State Government.

It had Prince Sanmi Olubunmi (Chairman of Ido Osi LG and Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria – ALGON, Ekiti Chapter and 13 others as respondents.

Fayemi, (then) Minister of Mineral Resources reportedly announced the dissolution of the councils in a radio announcement on October 29, 2010, when the elected council officials still had up till December 19, 2011, to end their three-year tenure.

The Supreme Court, in faulting the law purportedly relied on by Fayemi, held that Section 23(b) of the Ekiti State Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2001, which empowered the governor to dissolve local government councils, whose tenure was yet to expire, violated section 7(1) of the Constitution from which the state House of Assembly derived the power to enact the local government law.

Justice Centus Nweze, in the lead judgment, said: “There can be no doubt, as argued by the appellants’ counsel, that the Ekiti State House of Assembly is empowered to make laws of Ekiti State.

“However, the snag here is that, in enacting section 23(b) of the Ekiti State Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2001, which empowered the first appellant to bridge the tenure of office of the respondents, it overreached itself.

“In other words, section 23(b) (supra) is violative of, and in conflict with section 7(1) of the Constitution (supra). “Hence, it is bound to suffer the fate of ll laws which are in conflict with the Constitution, section 1(3) thereof.”

The judge said Section 7(1) of the Constitution seeks to guarantee “the system of local government by democratically elected local government councils and conferred “sacrosanctity on the elections of such officials whose electoral mandates derived from the will of the people freely exercised through the democratic process”.

“The implication, therefore, is that section 23(b) of the Ekiti State Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2001, which was not intended to ‘ensure the existence of’ such democratically-elected councils, but to snap their continued existence by their substitution with caretaker councils, was enacted in clear breach of the supreme provisions of section 7(1) of the Constitution.

“To that extent, it (section 23(b) supra) cannot co-habit with section 7(1) of the Constitution (supra) and must, in consequence, be invalidated.

“The reason is simple. By his oath of office, the governor swore to protect and not to supplant the Constitution.

“Hence, any action of his which has the capacity of undermining the same Constitution (as in the instant case where the first appellant, ‘Governor of Ekiti State and others’ dissolved the tenure of the respondents and replaced them with caretaker committees) is tantamount to executive recklessness which would not be condoned,” the judge said.

Justice Nweze said the tenure of the local government councils could not be abridged without violating the supreme constitutional provisions.

“Simply put, therefore, the election of such officials into their offices and their tenure are clothed with constitutional force.

They cannot, therefore, be abridged without breaching the Constitution from which they derive their force.

“The only permissible exception, where a state governor could truncate the lifespan of a local government council which evolved through the democratic process of elections, is ‘for overriding public interest’ in a period of emergency.”

He upheld the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal on the issue and adopted the orders made by the Court of Appeal on the case in its judgment delivered on January 23, 2013.

The Appeal Court had among others, ordered the Ekiti State Government to compute and pay all the allowances and salaries accruable to members of the dissolved councils between October 29, 2010 and December 19, 2011, both dates inclusive.

Justice Nweze directed the Attorney- General of Ekiti State to ensure that the orders of the lower court (Appeal Court) affirmed in his judgment, are complied with.

Source:

https://www.independent.ng/supreme-court-removes-govs-rights-to-sack-lga-chairmen-councillors/amp/

There’s no excuse for ‘crazy’ bills — FCCPC
vanguardngr.com Jun 21, 2019 10:39 PM
By Ediri Ejoh

THE Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, yesterday called on the Distribution Companies, DISCOs, to comply with the statutory estimated billing methodology enshrined in the Nigeria power sector reform act, saying there was no excuse for ‘crazy’ bills.

Energy
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Director General/Chief Executive Officer, FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, made this call at the FCCPC/Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC, town hall meeting held yesterday.

He stated that “We have made it abundantly clear that there is no combination of facts that can excuse billing people for the power they do not consume. Estimated itself has been redefined, abused and mischaracterized. We used to have estimated billings in the past and it wasn’t such a contentious issue.

“The problem is that estimated billing is becoming arbitrarily increasing and that is why metering becomes the only option. There are two things principles to addressing these issues, which is to follow the estimated billing methodology in the law which makes it more rational and reasonable. At the same time, the DISCOs have got to aggressively ramp up metering, after which the estimated billings will become more rational and reasonable.”

He also explained that the current tariff structure in the power sector was due for review.





Source:

TRAGEDY! Plane Crash In Hawaii Kills All Nine People On Board
gqbuzz.com Jun 22, 2019 12:28 PM
A light aircraft has crashed in Hawaii, killing at least nine people on board, officials say.

The twin-engine aircraft went down close to Dillingham Airfield near Mokuleia in Honolulu County. There were no survivors from the King Air flight, the Hawaii Department of Transportation tweeted.

Photos showed smoke billowing from miles away. It is not yet clear if the plane was taking off or landing. “Right now, the initial report is that there were nine souls on board,” an official told Hawaii News Now. “There’s no survivors.”

The Honolulu Fire Department said that they received reports of a downed plane at around 6:30 pm on Friday. According to its website, Dillingham Airfield is a joint-use site with the US army having first priority for air-land operations and helicopter night-vision training.

Source:
https://www.nairaland.com/5258619/photos-femi-kuti-opening-ceremony

Oyo NYSC member's suicide note to parents: I’m tired of life, forgive me
vanguardngr.com Jun 20, 2019 6:54 AM
By Ola Ajayi

Ibadan—A serving member of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Mr. Johnson Onyilo, who committed suicide in Ibadan, left a suicide note stating he was fed up with life and pleaded with his parents to forgive him for all the troubles they went through to see him through school.


Suicide
Kidnap of expatriates : Wike gives Andoni chiefs 3-day ultimatum(Opens in a new browser tab)

Onyilo, a 2018 Batch B Stream 1 NYSC member, was reportedly serving in Ibadan North-West Local Government Area of the state, when the incident happened.

It was further gathered that the deceased, who graduated from the Department of Accounting at the University of Jos, Plateau State, lived with his sister during his service.

Speaking with Vanguard in a telephone interview, the Public Relations Officer of NYSC in the state, Mrs Christy Olatoye, confirmed the incident, praying that “God protects our youths from the rampant cases of suicide.”

The remains of the young man are to be taken to Benue State later this week for burial.

He was said to have been posted to Oyo State with the number OY/18B/2337. JOS/2018/055264.

Olatoye said: “Yes, you are correct. He was living with his sister in Ibadan.

“He was serving in Ibadan North-West Local Government Area. But he has not been buried, he will be buried in Benue State next week.”

When Vanguard called the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gbenga Fadeyi, he said he was yet to be updated on the incident.

Source:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/06/oyo-nysc-members-suicide-note-to-parents-im-tired-of-life-forgive-me/?amp

Sacked Imo councillors sue Ihedioha, others
guardian.ng Jun 20, 2019 4:18 AM

Imo State governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha
• Group urges gov to give women adequate opportunity
• Okorocha chides Imo chief of staff

Suspended councillors of the 27 councils in Imo State have taken the governor, Emeka Ihedioha, to the Federal High Court, Owerri, to challenge their sack.

Also joined in the suit were the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Imo Commissioner for Justice and the House of Assembly speaker.

In the suit, FHC/CS/75/2019, the 604 former councillors sought an order restraining the defendants from terminating or abridging their tenure as elected legislators of the 27 councils in Imo or replacing them with transition committee members.

They also sought declaration of their suspension on June 3, 2019 by the House of Assembly as unlawful, null and void, considering that they were elected by their constituents and certificated by Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC).

Briefing newsmen in Owerri, yesterday, their leader, Godwin Nwankwo, said they were determined to resist the “recent illegality” by the Ihedioha administration.

Nwankwo said, “It is now unconstitutional in Nigeria for any governor or House of Assembly to dissolve or suspend duly-elected council executives. We are going to seriously oppose this illegality at any level.”

Ihedioha had said that his action was in conformity with the relevant laws and a means to sanitise the council administration in the state.

Meanwhile, Imo Gender Forum (IGF) has urged the governor to give women adequate opportunity to contribute to development and governance of the state.

The non-political women organisation made the point at a press conference in Owerri yesterday.

In another development, Okorocha has urged Ihedioha to sack his Chief of Staff (CoS), Chris Okewulonu, for asking him to shut up his mouth.

Okorocha, in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser (Media), Sam Onwuemeodo, insisted that Okewulonu “lacked composure and discipline” to shut him up.

He added that such statement to a person of his calibre paints the CoS as one that was not properly brought up.

Source:
https://guardian.ng/news/sacked-imo-councillors-sue-ihedioha-others/amp

721 persons secured FG employment with fake certificates in six agencies – Report
punchng.com Jun 20, 2019 4:25 AM

ICPC spokesperson, Mrs. Rasheedat Okoduwa
Olufemi Atoyebi, Abuja

Not less than 721 members of staff of Federal Government agencies secured employment using forged academic certificates between 2015 and 2018, The PUNCH learnt on Wednesday.

A document obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, indicated that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission detected the figure after it carried out certificate verification of six government agencies.

The six agencies are Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Prisons Service, Pension Transition Arrangement Department, Federal Fire Service and National Identity Management Commission.

At the end of the exercise, the commission was able to verify academic certificates of 40,808 staff of the six Federal Government agencies.

According to the figure obtained by our correspondent, 11,996 certificates had been verified by the commission, while 721 certificates were found to have been forged.

An ICPC source, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said that investigation was still ongoing to determine the authenticity of the other certificates submitted by staff of the concerned agencies.

He said the task was being carried out in conjunction with academic institutions that appeared on the certificates, adding that about 5000 certificates had been cleared by some of the institutions as at April 2019.

The figure obtained by our correspondent, which was verified by the ICPC source, said that between 2015 and 2018, assets worth N2.62bn were recovered by the agency from those who were found guilty of misusing their position as public officers. They included 158 government vehicles, buildings, plots of land and farmlands.

The source said, “ICPC was contacted to verify the authenticity of academic and professional certificates of staff at the six FG agencies. Some of the certificates have been returned but we have 721 certificates verified to have been forged. Those who submitted the said certificates are still in court while we have secured varying degrees of court judgment for some of them. It is still an on-going exercise.”

Another figure obtained by our correspondent from the spokesperson for the ICPC, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, revealed that between 2015 and 2019, cash worth N29bn was recovered by the commission from individuals and organisations, while 66 convictions were so far recorded. She added that within the period, 273 cases were filed by the commission in various courts across the country.

Source:
https://punchng.com/721-persons-secured-fg-employment-with-fake-certificates-in-six-agencies-report/amp/

Ihedioha suspends 27 council chairmen, 604 councillors, others
guardian.ng Jun 18, 2019 3:36 AM

Imo State governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha
Dissolves ISIEC, statutory boards, agencies

Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha has approved suspension of chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors and political appointees of the 27 councils of the state.He directed the suspended elected officials to hand over government property in their possession to the Directors of Administration and General Services (DAGS) of their various councils.

In a statement yesterday signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Chibuike Onyeukwu, the governor also approved the constitution of interim management committees for the initial period of six months.

The council bosses and the 604 councillors, largely members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), were elected last year for a three-year tenure during the administration of the immediate past governor, Rochas Okorocha.

Also, the governor directed the dissolution and removal of the members of Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC).The exited 8th House of Assembly had resolved and communicated to the governor to take the action at the twilight of their tenure.

The statement read: “Governor Emeka Ihedioha has approved the suspension of chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors and political appointees of the local governments of Imo State and constitution of interim management committees for six months.”According to the statement, the action of the governor was derived from the relevant sections of the local government administration law.

“The suspension is contained in the instrument signed by the governor, pursuant to the recommendation made to him by the Imo State House of Assembly.“This is pursuant also to the provisions of Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2019 and S.73(3) of Imo State Local Government Administration Law No 15 of 2000 (as amended) and all other laws enabling him.

“The governor has set up interim management committees to manage the affairs of each local government.“Consequently, the Directors of Administration and General Services (DAGS) of each local government have been directed to take over management, pending the confirmation of interim management committees by the state assembly.”

Source:

https://guardian.ng/politics/ihedioha-suspends-27-council-chairmen-604-councillors-others/amp

Buhari mourns victims of bomb blasts in Konduga
thenationonlineng.net Jun 17, 2019 6:58 PM

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with families of victims of bomb blasts at a viewing centre in Mandarari, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, on Sunday.

The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, has sent condolences to the government and people of the state over attacks by suicide bombers.

He decried the heinous acts, stressing that perpetrators of evil acts have judgment awaiting them, not only from man, via the long arms of the law, but also from God Almighty.

He urged security agents to sustain surveillance in all theatres of security challenges in the country, taking into consideration the unconventional methods deployed by terrorists to harm innocent and unsuspecting victims.

The President commended the efforts of emergency response workers and humanitarian organizations.

He prayed that God will grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and comfort their families.

Source:

https://thenationonlineng.net/buhari-mourns-victims-of-bomb-blasts-in-konduga/amp/

AA members suspend Chairman, Secretary, ask EFCC to recover over N100m party money
newtelegraphng.com Jun 17, 2019 6:35 PM
The National Think Tank Committee (NTTC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the Action Alliance (AA) have suspended the party’s National Chairman, Mr. Kenneth Udeze and the National Secretary, Mr. James Vernimbe.

Action Alliance is the party, Chief Uche Nwosu, son-in-law of the former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha contested for the governorship of Imo State.

The party members also asked the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to put their searchlight into the party by investigating the suspended party leaders over the over N100 million that accrued to the party during elections.

According to the members, the suspended executive had acted unilaterally in violation of the party’s constitution.

The Acting National Chairman of the party, Alh. Mohammed Abubakar, who briefed the press in Abuja after the meeting of the executive committee said the party was still behind it’s governorship candidate in Imo State, Chief Uche Nwosu in the last election on his petition against the result of the governorship election in the state won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Emeka Ihedioha.

According to Abubakar, the statement of the suspended AA National Chairman that the party was not in support of Nwosu going to the election tribunal to challenge the outcome of Imo State governorship election was not true.

Speaking, he said, “We as members of the NiTC and NEC of Action Alliance wish to unequivocally state as follows:
That our support for the party’s gubernatorial candidate in lmo State Chief Uche Nwosu is total and absolute;
that we are aware and in full support of his legitimate actions before the Election Tribunal to reclaim his mandate;
that we totally dissociate ourselves from the unwholesome acts of Barr Kenneth Udeze and James Vernimbe which is self – serving and unpatriotic.

“We invite the EFCC, ICPC and INEC to as a matter of urgency investigate the financial transactions of the party from 2017 to date with a view to unearthing any infractions. Let the corruption fight be extended to administration of our party funds.”

Suspending the two national officers, Abubakar said, “That both Barr. Kenneth Udeze and Mr. James Vernimbe are suspended indefinitely from the paty henceforth for various forms of anti-party activities; that the public is hereby notified that the duo of Bar. Kenneth Udeze and James Vemimbe no longer represent the party as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively. Whoever accords then such prefix does so at his or her peril.

“That in line with our Party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman in the person of Alh. Mohammed Abubakar takes over as Acting National Chairman while the Deputy National Secretary Mr. Raphael Onakorere assumes the office of National Secretary in an acting capacity.”

Source:
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/06/aa-members-suspend-chairman-secretary-ask-efcc-to-recover-over-n100m-party-money/

StartUp Nigeria 2019 Application Guidelines (How to Get Fund)
searchngr.com Jun 14, 2019 6:42 PM
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Onitsha Catholic Diocese Sanctions Two Priests for Disobedience

The Catholic Diocese of Onitsha has sanctioned two priests from the diocese for acts of insubordination.
The priests; Reverend Fathers Michael Chigbata and Joseph Onuorah were sanctioned for celebrating masses in parts of the diocese, using what they called Traditional Catholic Mass.

A press release by the Chancellor of the diocese, Very Rev Fr Prudentius Emeka Aroh which was made available to THISDAY in Awka described them as disobedient priests and called for prayers for them to change their ways.

The release said the priests abandoned their legitimately assigned pastoral duties, claiming that they had now joined a group known as Society of St Pius X(SSPX).


Aroh said, “They currently operate their illegal activities from Anaku in Ayamelum LGA and they also move about deceiving innocent Catholics that they now celebrate the Traditional Catholic Mass.

“They have neither the approval nor the permission of the Archbishop of Onitsha to celebrate any such mass or other sacrament within the Diocese of Onitsha. These two priests are living in disobedience and their faculties as priests of Onitsha Archdiocese have been withdrawn.”

The diocese advised the general public, especially all Catholics and other men and women of goodwill not to have anything to do with these two disobedient priests or others like them, saying that those who associate with them do so at their own risk, because they were working against the unity of the church.

“We request that all pray for these two disobedient priests so that the light of the holy spirit will shine on them and bring them back to the church”, the chancellor wrote.

Source:
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/06/15/onitsha-catholic-diocese-sanctions-two-priests-for-disobedience/?amp

MOD pls take action about these unsolicited advert......

Minimum wage: Labour rejects FG’s proposal

The negotiation committee set up by the Federal Government to negotiate the consequential adjustment arising from the N30,000 new minimum wage has rejected what the government is offering.

The committee, which was inaugurated on May 14, has also failed to meet the four-week deadline to submit its report.

However, members met twice last week with the enlarged membership collapsed into one technical committee of six members each from both sides.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, who was appointed as chairman of the panel, stepped down for the chairman of the National Wages, Salaries and Income Commission to head the technical committee.

A principal officer of a labour union, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said government’s position on the consequential adjustment had been rejected by labour representatives in the committee.

He said labour decided to be careful in reaching an agreement based on what happened when minimum wage was last increased and also to avoid being blackmailed by the FG.

He said, “We are monitoring the negotiations between our representatives and government. There is likely to be some challenges which is normal. The government negotiating team is looking at what the government can pay conveniently, but labour is also looking at what will be good for workers to avoid a situation where workers found themselves when the minimum wage was last increased.

“What happened then was that government came up with a block figure and out of poor negotiations because of insufficient time, a paltry sum was spread on workers’ salaries, translating into about N900 increase monthly.”

The source said the Nigeria Labour Congress was not involved in the ongoing negotiations.

Source:
https://punchng.com/minimum-wage-labour-rejects-fgs-proposal/amp/

Breaking: Abaribe is Minority Senate leader
thenationonlineng.net Jun 13, 2019 7:51 PM
Senate Minority Leader
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe(Abia South) is the Minority Leader of the Ninth Senate.

He emerged at an ongoing meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) at the Maitama residence of the National Chairman, Uche Secondus.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha from Taraba South was returned as Deputy Minority Leader while Senator Philips Aduda(FCT) was retained as the Minority Whip.

Details shortly…

Daily Post Nigeria


BREAKING: Airforce jet crashes in Katsina

Nsikak Nseyen Nsikak Nseyen
1 min ago


A Nigerian Air Force jet, on Wednesday crash landed at Katsina State.

This was confirmed by the force in a statement on Wednesday.


According to the statement signed by NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the incident happened as the aircraft was returning from an operation against bandits in Katsina.

Daramola, said that details of the cause of the incident, which occurred at the Katsina Airport at about 3.30pm, were still scanty.

“However, there was no loss of life, either of persons on board the helicopter or on the ground,” he said.


Daramola said that the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, immediately directed the constitution of a Board of Inquiry to determine the exact cause of the incident.

“NAF continues to solicit the understanding and support of the general public as it daily strives to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.

Source:
https://dailypost.ng/2019/06/12/breaking-airforce-jet-crashes-katsina/amp/

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will appeal the Judgement of lower court compelling the commission to release certificate of return to Chief Rochas Okorocha.

Does the Idea of seeking appeal necessary or should Inec consider the option of ammending the electoral law by pushing for a bill for act to stop or prevent occurence of Imo west senate election controversy to have a various reflections in the future elections,in view of the fact that where no known electoral laws that back up this allegation.
Let us know your thought.

Imo North: Court fixes date for ruling on Uwajumogu’s case as senator-elect

The Federal High Court Abuja yesterday fixed Thursday, 20th June for judgement on the issuance of certificate of return to Senator-elect for Imo North senatorial district.

Following adoption of written addresses by the four respondents, Justice Taiwo Taiwo fixed the date for judgement.


Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen Benjamin Uwajumogu, had approached the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue certificate of return to him as senator-elect.

The respondents are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Action Alliance (AA).

The senatorial election in Imo North was declared inconclusive as a result of alleged violence and irregularities.


Sequel to this, INEC had announced the setting up of a committee to look into the situation of Imo North senatorial election.

However, Uwajumogu approached the court to stop the committee’s sitting and for an order compelling INEC to issue him certificate of return as he claimed that his election was not declared under duress by the returning officer.

Following report of the committee, INEC announced that it has suspended all further proceedings and actions in the Imo North senatorial election.

Source:
https://dailypost.ng/2019/06/12/imo-north-court-fixes-date-ruling-uwajumogus-case-senator-elect/amp/

Tribunal hears Atiku, PDP’s motion seeking access to INEC’s server Thursday
punchng.com Jun 11, 2019 3:55 AM

Atiku Abubakar
Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal on Tuesday fixed Thursday for hearing of the Peoples Democratic Party and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s application for access to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s electronic server.

The PDP’s presidential candidate in the February 23, 2019 election and his party are challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress at the poll.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, Buhari and the APC are the respondents to the petition.

The Justice Mohammed Garba-led five-man tribunal also, on Tuesday, reserved its rulings on nine applications it heard in respect of the petition on Tuesday.

Leading Justices Abdul Aboki, Joseph Ikyegh, Samuel Oseji, and Peter Ige on the panel of the tribunal, Justice Garba said the date for the rulings would be communicated to the lawyers representing the parties in the case.

INEC had declared that Buhari and APC the winner of the February 23 election polling 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest rival, Atiku, who polled 11,262,978 votes.

But Atiku and the PDP, in their petition filed on March 18 to challenge the outcome of the poll, contended that “from the data” obtained from INEC’s server, “the true, actual and correct results” showed that they polled a total of 18,356,732 votes to defeat Buhari whom they said scored 16,741,430 votes.

By calculation, Atiku and PDP claimed to have defeated Buhari by 1,615,302 votes.

However, in its reply filed on April 10 to counter the petition, INEC urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition, insisting that the petitioners’ claims were false.

It said, through its lead counsel, Yunus Usman (SAN), that it collated the results of the election manually and never transmitted them electronically.

It added that it kept no server where results could have been transmitted electronically and stored as alleged by the petitioners.

However, the petitioners, in their application filed on May 8, maintained that INEC kept “central servers” in which “information was recorded and stored in database packets relating to accreditation of voters and transmission of results from the presidential election”.

They sought to be permitted to inspect the said servers and the card readers used for the conduct of the poll, examine and analyse the information obtained from them.

They also prayed for the tribunal’s permission to be allowed to file a report of their inspection, examination and analysis of the content of the facilities.

The applicants filed 13 grounds to back their application and their claims in it.

Part of the grounds of the application acknowledged that INEC was constitutionally and statutorily vested with the responsibility to conduct and manage the presidential election and set up electronic data central servers.

They stated, “The 1st respondent, as the body constitutionally and statutorily vested with the responsibility to conduct and manage the presidential election, set up electronic data central servers for the purposes of storage of transmitted accreditation data and results from smart card readers deployed for the election in an apparent bid to ensure relative transparency of the process.”

They added that “the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) itself acknowledges network data by recognition given to the website of the Independent National Electoral Commission in section 71 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended). We also submit that section 84 of the Evidence Act, 2011 recognises computer data, and evidence generated therefrom.

“Thus, the general framework of the law accommodates such data retrievable from computers, of which a server is a storage component.”

Maintaining that INEC deployed the servers for the conduct of the February 23 poll, they said as part of the grounds of their application, “the results of the election were electronically transmitted to the 1st respondent’s Central Server”.

They added that notice had given INEC “notice that reliance will be placed on the extract of the electronic data from the said Central Server as of February 25, 2019”.

They added, “It will work tremendous hardship and grave injustice to refuse access to the contents of the central server that will assist the honourable court in the just consideration and determination of the issues involved in this matter or to allow a Party suppress or withhold access thereto.”

The application along with another one filed on May 5 would be heard by the tribunal on June 13.

Source:

https://punchng.com/tribunal-hears-atiku-pdps-motion-seeking-access-to-inecs-server-thursday/amp/

We’ll no longer recognise results obtained under duress – INEC
JUNE 11, 2019
Moses Oyediran, Enugu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it will no longer recognise election results obtained under duress.
INEC’s Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, said this on Monday during a one-day workshop for “INEC review of the 2019 general elections in Enugu State’’.
According to him, the danger of rewarding intimidation with certificate of return is that it will take a very dangerous foundation to future elections.
He noted that any person or group of persons that endangers the lives of electorate and INEC staff through violence, threat and intimidation should not be allowed to benefit from their illegality.
“If we allow this, it will endanger our democracy and the entire democratic processes and tenets since there is an organic link between free, fair and credible election and good governance.
“As a commission, we are prepared to ensure that our staff are given the maximum protection as they carry out their election duties henceforth.
Another fall-out of this is also the high violence witnessed in some states, Enugu State not included, but we as the commission staff feel the impact of these violence especially those directed to us, INEC staff and electorate as well,’’ he said.
Ononamadu said that not abiding by electoral rules had led to lack of internal democracy in political parties, “which its resultant effect is the current high pre-election litigation, over 800, in various courts across the country’’.
On the workshop, Ononamadu said that the post-election review would strengthen the role of electoral officers, improve the electoral process and broaden the capacity of electoral officers to deliver on their mandate.
“The commission will soon start rewarding staff that worked effectively and efficiently for it to achieve its election mandate; while reprimanding staff that failed the commission in the course of discharging their election duties,’’ he said.
The workshop, attended by over 120 INEC staff and ad-hoc staff in the state, was meant for collation officers, presiding officers and returning officers during the just-concluded 2019 General Elections.

Source:
https://dailytimes.ng/well-no-longer-recognise-results-obtained-under-duress-inec/

INEC has not issued me certificate of return as senator-elect yet- Okorocha
punchng.com Jun 10, 2019 6:34 AM
Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri

Immediate past Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, on Monday said that the Independent National Electoral Commission had yet to issue him with a Certificate of Return as the Imo West senator-elect despite a federal High Court’s judgment ordering the electoral umpire to do so.

Okorocha in a statement issued in Owerri, the state capital, by his media aide, Sam Onwuemedo, said that the picture circulating online where Okorocha was holding a Certificate of return was “fake”.

He said that Nigerians would be duly informed when INEC issues him(Okorocha) his certificate of return.

The statement read partly, “The attention of the former governor of lmo State, His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha has been drawn to fake photo news showing where he is holding what appears like a certificate purportedly issued to him by INEC.

“The photograph in question expectedly has been trending on social media. And we have been receiving calls from well-meaning Nigerians to that effect, either congratulating the former governor or to confirm the authenticity of the photo news.

“The truth is that the photograph is fake and didn’t emanate from us. On our side, we don’t engage in awkward actions.

“When the former governor and the senator-elect for lmo West senatorial District receives his certificate of Return, we will duly inform the general public.


Source:
https://punchng.com/inec-has-not-issued-me-certificate-of-return-as-senator-elect-yet-okorocha/amp/

June 12: FG declares Wednesday public holiday
tribuneonlineng.com Jun 10, 2019 2:37 PM
Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari
THE Federal Government has declared Wednesday 12th June 2019 as public holiday to commemorate the maiden National Democracy Day.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Barr. Georgina Ekeoma Ehuriah, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government on Monday said this was in line with the enactment into law of June 12 annually as Democracy Day in Nigeria.

The government had earlier announced that the Presidential inauguration for the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari held on May 29, 2019, would be low-key while the June 12 Democracy Day would be more elaborate and attracting foreign dignitaries.

Ehuriah in the statement made available to newsmen by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr Mohammed Manga, congratulated all Nigerians at home and abroad for the entrenchment of democratic rule in the country.

She called on Nigerians to continue to cherish the sacrifice made by heroes of democracy, particularly those who lost their lives in the struggle for the actualisation of democratic governance in Nigeria in order to make the country a better place for all.

Ehuriah further called for the collaboration and cooperation of all Nigerians with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari towards achieving the collective aspiration for the unity, peace and socio-economic development of Nigeria.

She wished all Nigerians at home and abroad a happy Democracy Day Celebration.

Source:
https://tribuneonlineng.com/217595/?amp_markup=1

What does the black line on a woman's stomach signify?





I think you mean what are called “stretch marks”. This is caused by the skin stretching as your abdomen grows. The fibers that hold skin together stretch and sometimes cause scar tissue. One solution to this, both during and after pregnancy is to rub your abdomen with some kind of cream, such as Vitamin E cream. There are also products the reduce the scars as well.

BREAKING: Generator fume kills 10 wedding guests in Imo
thewatchngr.com Jun 10, 2019 1:24 PM
BREAKING: Generator fume kills 10 wedding guests in Imo
There was a tragedy in Imo State on Monday as no fewer than ten traditional wedding guests died of fume from a generator and twenty others hospitalised.

The incident happened at Umuomumu Mbieri in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.
A community source told our correspondent that the wedding guests from Anambra State decided to pass the night at their in-law’s house after the ceremony.

It was the fume from the generator which ran through the night until morning that killed them, our correspondent was told.

The State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Ladodo, who confirmed the development to our correspondent said, “the generator was on in the kitchen while the doors and widows of the rooms the guests slept were locked.”

“It is a case of sudden and natural death but we have commenced an investigation. Assistance is being rendered to the survivors.”

The victims and survivors were taken to Ikeduru General Hospital.

Our correspondent was not allowed to speak to the hospital management.

Source:
https://www.thewatchngr.com/2019/06/breaking-generator-fume-kills-10.html

Imo PDP condemns ruling in favour of Okorocha
punchng.com Jun 9, 2019 1:57 AM

Rochas Okorocha
Chidiebube Okeoma

The Peoples Democratic Party candidate in Imo West, Jones Onyereri, has described as ‘slaughtering of justice’ the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue Rochas Okorocha certificate of return.

But the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance in the state, Uche Nwosu, described the ruling as a defender of constitution and democracy.

Speaking with journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Nwosu said the judiciary had continued to ‘preserve our democracy.”

He said, “The judiciary has shown that it is the last hope of the common man. The landmark judgement has shown that no matter how hard you try to suppress the truth, justice will always prevail.”

A statement in Owerri, the state capital, by the Director General, Jones Onyereri Campaign Organisation, Eze Ugochukwu, shortly after the judgment was delivered, accused Abang of bias in the matter.

Describing the judgement as a ‘nauseating decision’, the PDP candidate said he would appeal the judgment.

He accused Justice Abang of intimidating and harassing defence lawyers while allowing the plaintiff to have “a field day in court.”

The statement read in part, “We are not surprised by the decision of the Abuja High Court 7, presided over by Justice Okon Abang.

“Right from the commencement of the ex-parte application by Owelle Rochas Okorocha against INEC, the inevitability of the judgement was obvious.

“The handling of the case from the start, left much to be desired, as issues of obvious bias were not hidden, including suspension and abridgement of rules of court, overt intimidation of defence lawyers, and harassment of same; whereas the plaintiff lawyer was allowed a field day in court.

“The reality is that the decision came from a court of first instance. “Therefore, the decision stands to be tested at the appellate courts while the trial at the tribunal goes on.”

Source:
https://punchng.com/imo-pdp-condemns-ruling-in-favour-of-okorocha/amp/

Release our Certificate of Return, Bauchi National Assembly aspirants urge INEC - The Nation Newspaper
thenationonlineng.net Jun 9, 2019 1:58 AM
Bauchi National Assembly aspirants Certificate of Return
FIVE aspirants at the concluded 2019 National Assembly election in Bauchi State have asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release their Certificate of Return sequel to an Abuja High Court judgement delivered by Hon. Justice Bello Kawu on the 16th of May 2019, which nullified votes scored by All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates who won in five constituencies.

Consequently, Justice Bello Kawu had ordered INEC to issue certificate of returns to the candidates that came second in five constituencies at the National Assembly election in the state.

The second runner ups are; Garba Danlami, Bauchi South Senatorial District, a member of the People’s Democratic Party, Awwal Jatau, Zaki Federal Constituency (PDP,) and Alh. Abdulkadir Ibrahim Alkaleri Federal Constituency.

Others are, Hon. Dayyabu Chiroma, Darazo/ Ganjuwa Federal Constituency of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Isa Mohammed Wabu of Gamawa Federal Constituency of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Garba Danlami who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved aspirants said INEC as 2nd defendant in the suit No. FCT/ HC/CV/988/2019 ought to comply with the judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and release their Certificate of Return before June 11, the inauguration of the Ninth National Assembly

Source:
https://thenationonlineng.net/release-our-certificate-of-return-bauchi-national-assembly-aspirants-urge-inec/amp/

FG to employ all qualified, licenced teachers
Posted on June 8, 2019
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Sunny Echono and Registrar, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, with other officials monitoring the Teachers Professional Qualifying Examination at the FCT Centre
Mr Sonny Echono, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, says every qualified and licenced teacher would be employed as part of efforts to rid the system of unqualified teachers.
Echono said this while monitoring the May Diet of the Teachers Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) organised by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) in Abuja on Saturday.
“We are dead serious about implementing the policy and we are also working very hard to ensure that we also are ready.
“The first thing that is going to happen is that TRCN and NTI are compiling a database of qualified teachers, those that have been certified, those who have taken this examination who are unemployed.
“And we are going to do it and even segregate them state by state and make them available to each state.
“That is going to be the first starting point, that anybody who has been certified as a teacher should be employed because we have no excuse for that.
“We have a huge debt of qualified teachers, so all those that we have should be engaged to work, and all those who are not qualified we are sorry, we have to move them out of the system.
“Yes there may be some issues relating to the number, that is why we want to ramp up the production process, we are taking so many measure.
“And enforcement is very key; we have taken two steps towards ensuring enforcement. We have upgraded what we call quality assurance department. It used to be called inspectorate, we now have state offices in all the states of the federation.

Source:https://www.thenewsnigeria.com.ng/amp/2019/06/fg-to-employ-all-qualified-licenced-teachers/

Okorocha sets Nigeria’s oldest prisoner free
kemifilani.com Jun 7, 2019 6:40 PM


Freedom has come at last after 19 years for Pa Celestine Egbohuche, who has been at Enugu Maximum Prison.

He was dubbed Nigeria’s oldest prisoner and has regained freedom.

The centenarian from Amachara-Owerre, Imo State, had been sentenced to death after a court found him and his son, Paul, now 88, guilty of plotting murder.

However, just before leaving office, former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, granted him state pardon, following pleas from an NGO, Global Society for Anti-corruption (GSAC).


Egbohuche was released on Thursday and immediately taken to St. Daniel’s Hospital in Enugu, for thorough medical attention.

Source:
https://www.kemifilani.com/2019/06/okorocha-sets-nigerias-oldest-prisoner-free.html

INEC reacts to court order on Okorocha's certificate of return
guardian.ng Jun 7, 2019 8:14 PM
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Friday reacted to the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja which ruled that Rochas Okorocha be awarded his certificate of return as a senator.

“In view of the import and directives of the said judgement, the Commission will meet as soon as practicable to do the needful,” INEC national commissioner on information and voter education Festus Okoye said in a statement.

INEC refused to acknowledge Okorocha’s victory in February because the returning officer was made to announce the result under duress.

Also, Imo State High Court upheld INEC’s decision not to issue Okorocha a certificate of return to acknowledge his victory as the Senator for Imo West Senatorial District.

But Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court ruled that INEC has no reason not to issue Okorocha certificate of return.

However, INEC reminded the court that while it ruled that Okorocha’s certificate of return be issued to him, the hearing of the case is still on and adjourned till June 26 at the state high court.

Okoye said the commission is currently undertaking “State-level reviews of the 2019 general elections and all the National Commissioners are either in or heading to their States of Supervision to coordinate activities relating” to the review of the election.

On the returning officer that announced the election result under ‘duress’, Okoye said, “the Commission… is worried that if electoral impunity is allowed to flourish, any individual can harass, intimidate and put the Commission’s officers under duress, procure a favourable declaration and be rewarded with a Certificate of Return.”

The INEC national commissioner commended the Abuja High Court and assured Nigerians that “the Commission will continue to obey judgements of all courts of competent jurisdiction.”


Source:

https://guardian.ng/news/inec-reacts-to-court-order-on-okorochas-certificate-of-return/amp

Zamfara APC expels Sen Kabiru Marafa, others
guardian.ng Jun 3, 2019 4:55 PM

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara state has expelled Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa for alleged anti-party activities.

Senator Marafa represents Zamfara Central in the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly.

Others expelled along with the Federal lawmaker for the same alleged offence are Hon Aminu Sani Jaji, and Mal Ibrahim Wakkala Liman.

According to a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Shehu Isah, and made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the decision followed the activation of the provisions of Article 21 (A) ii and (D) V which spells out the punishment for members who violate the APC constitutional provisions and engaged in acts inimical to the interest of the party.

The statement said, “for the avoidance of doubt, the said Article 21 (A) (ii) and (D) (V) of the APC Constitution (2014 as amended) provides as follow:”

A (ii) “Anti-Party activities or any conduct, which is likely to embarrass or have adverse effect on the party or bring the party into hatred, contempt, ridicule or disrepute”

D (V) “Any member who files an action in Court of law against the party or any of its Officers on any matter or matters relating to the discharge of the duties of the party without first exhausting the avenues for redress provided for in this Constitution shall automatically stand expelled from the party on filling such action and no appeal against expulsion as stipulated in this Clause shall be entertained until the withdrawal of the action from from Court by the members.”

We are therefore by this notice informing the general public that from the date of the said resolution, the aforementioned members cease to be members of the All Progressives Congress and consequently are disentitled from enjoying right, privileges and benefits from the party, the statement added.

Source:
https://guardian.ng/news/zamfara-apc-expels-sen-kabiru-marafa-others/amp

Breaking: Buhari hasn’t approved State Police – Presidency
vanguardngr.com Jun 3, 2019 7:12 PM
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA – THE Presidency has denied that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the establishment of State, Local Government Police.

The Presidency said that President Buhari had requested that the report would be studied and white paper produced within three months.


President Muhammadu Buhari signing of the 2019 Appropriation Bill to law at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 27/05/2019
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said, “President Muhammadu Buhari Monday received a report on the reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

” The President requested that the report be studied and a white paper produced within three months.

“President Buhari’s specific directive is that a three-man panel be set up to produce the white paper.

” The report of the white paper committee will form the basis of the decisions of the government on the many recommendations, including the setting up of state and local government police made by the Ojukwu panel.

“Until a white paper is produced, it will be premature and pre-emptive to suggest that the recommendations contained in the report have been approved by the President in part or whole.”

Source:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/06/breaking-buhari-hasnt-approved-state-police-presidency/?amp

BREAKING: Adeleke qualified to contest Osun Gov polls, Appeal Court rules
punchng.com May 30, 2019 1:44 PM

Senator Ademola Adeleke
Awards N3m against plaintiffs
Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday ruled that Senator Ademola Adeleke was qualified to contest the September 2018 governorship election.

A three-man panel of the court made the pronouncement in a unanimous judgment which upheld the appeals by Adeleke and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

Justice Emmnuel Agim, who read the lead judgment of the Court of Appeal, awarded the cost of N3m against the plaintiffs who instituted the suit before the FCT High Court — Wahab Raheem and Adam Habeeb — who were respondents to the appeals filed by Adeleke and the PDP.

Adeleke’s and PDP’s appeals had challenged the April 2, 2019 judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which had declared Adeleke ineligible to contest the election on the grounds that he forged his secondary school credentials submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission in 2018.

Justice Othman Musa of the FCT High Court had also declared Adeleke a dropout of the Ede Muslim Grammar School in Ede, Osun State, and thus was not qualified under Section 177(d) of the Constitution to contest last year’s governorship election in Osun State.

But, upturning the judgment on Thursday, Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the lead judgment of the Court of Appeal, held that the suit, having not been filed within 14 days after Adeleke’s Form CF001 was submitted to INEC or 14 days after his name was published as a candidate in the September 2018 election, the suit filed before the FCT High Court, by virtue of Section 285 of the Constitution, had become statute-barred.

Justice Agim also held that the failure of the FCT High Court to deliver its verdict within 60 days of the filing of the suit had rendered the lower court’s judgment a nullity.

But the Court of Appeal also held the affidavit evidence of the West African Examination Council and result ledger attached to it showing that Adeleke was not a dropout but actually sat the May 1981 examination of the body at Muslim Grammar School, Ede.

Justice Agim held that by virtue of Section 177 of the Constitution, by merely writing the examination and without passing any paper, Adeleke was qualified to contest the governorship election.

BREAKING: New speaker for Imo state House of Assembly emerges
informationng.com May 28, 2019 7:17 PM
Not long after Acho Ihim resigned as the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, a new speaker has been announced in the person of Lawman Duruj.
The new speaker who represents Ehime Mbano, was announced winner after he emerged top during an election conducted between him and the acting Speaker, Chinedu Offor.

Reports have it that Duruji snagged 14 votes,while Offor got 11 votes.

In his acceptance speech, the new Speaker promised to ensure that the legislature is ruled with respect and due process within the nine remaining days of the current Assembly.

Source:
https://www.informationng.com/2019/05/breaking-new-speaker-for-imo-state-house-of-assembly-emerges.html/amp/