₦airaland Forum

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

Bruce Fein, former Associate Deputy Attorney General of the United States and renowned international lawyer, issued the following statement today on behalf of US Council on Nigeria, addressing the forthcoming Nigerian Supreme Court hearing on the Imo State gubernatorial election:

"Nigeria's democracy is on life support. The Nigerian Supreme Court is the last best hope to save it on Tuesday from death and international alienation.

The United States has banned Nigerian immigrants. It has rebuked Nigeria for persecuting Christians, and a conference is scheduled in spring in Washington DC to address the issue of religious persecution in Nigeria. Nigeria's leadership is under investigation by the International Criminal Court for genocide and crimes against humanity. The Imo State gubernatorial election allegedly stolen by APC leadership with more votes cast than registered voters may be the last straw. The United States and the International community will have their eyes in the Nigerian Supreme Court on Tuesday to learn whether it will stand up for an independent judiciary steadfast against political manipulation”

Who is Jeff Uzor dinma?

Imo has left the 419 days and on the pedestal of good governance...

kahal29:
Since you don't know let me tell you according to

By Jeff Uzor

Apparently a lot of people don't know how courts work including some lawyers. Let me break it down once more.

When you file a motion in court, the trial don't happen right away. There are procedures the motion goes through before it can be heard. It is the same with the apex court. Before the motion for review filed by Ihedioha counsel can move forward, it will first be evaluated on its merits (that means looked over to determine if the apex court can move forward with it or not).

Assuming after the evaluation on Tuesday, it is determined that the motion for review should go on, then the Supreme Court will conduct a review based on prayers been sought.

With all the above being said, I can tell you with a degree of certainty that the motion for review as filed by his counsel shall be dismissed on Tuesday for lack of merit. Whats the reason?

Well, the motion has a lot of flaws. The first flaw , it is almost impossible to get a unanimous judgement reviewed. The only way is if the prayer being sought is clerical in nature. Second litigation ends at the supreme court therefore when asking for a review, certain threshold must be met. The law is made that way so there can be an end to litigation. The motion as filed by Ihedioha counsel if adopted shall create a judicial disaster. Third one of the prayers being sought in the motion as filed is the same INEC ignored when they declared him the duly elected candidate, that is the two third spread. Asking the court to nullify a judgement on a fact you first benefitted creates estoppel in law.

In summary, the chances of his review moving forward after Tuesday is ZERO. Ultimately INEC and his COUNSEL cost him the election.

PRESS STATEMENT

Sunday, 16th February, 2020


Ihedioha vs Uzodinma: Third Force rallies Eminent Leaders of thoughts, Civil Society Leaders for Supreme Court epochal Review on Tuesday


...Commend Supreme Court's decision to review its earlier Ruling.

...Hails the Concern and  Vigilance of the International Community on the matter.

...Admonish Imo people to remain calm.


A group of Eminent Leaders of thoughts and Frontline Leaders in the organised Civil Society as well as the Third Force Movement in Nigeria have commended  the Nigerian Supreme Court for its decision to review its controversial ruling on the Imo State Governorship Elections, which has raised serious questions about the present state of the Nigerian Judiciary


Following intensive Consultations, the group of eminent Persons, in a joint statement issued on Sunday in Abuja and signed by their Spokesperson, Dr. Olusegun Awe Obe said the latest decision of the Apex Court to review its earlier ruling is a sign of maturity and openness by the Judiciary that will go a long way to calm frayed nerves and douse the heightening political tension in south east and the country at large


The group also hailed the International Community and concerned Eminent Nigerians for their diplomatic vigilance and Interventions respectively on the worrisome Supreme Court Judgement on the 2019 Governorship Elections in Imo state, a rulling, which has since foisted strong ripples among Nigerians  over the survival of democracy and peace in South East and Nigeria at large


According to the statement, The group said they plan to further mobilise and rally National leaders of conscience like, Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, Prof Ben Nwabueze, SAN, Former Head of State, Gen Abdusalami Abubarkar, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Bishop Mathew Kukah, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, Solomon Asemota, SAN, Prof Pat Utomi, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, Comrade Shehu Sanni, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Dr Obby Ezekwesili, the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA and the International Community, among others, to help monitor the Judicial review on Imo Governorship Elections coming up on Tuesday at the Supreme Court


It will be recalled that the body, had previously avered that apart from the fact that the total valid votes, which the Supreme Court based its ruling on erroneously exceeded the Total Accredited Voters by INEC in the elections, Senator Hope Uzodinma may also not have fulfilled the Constitutional requirements for a validly elected Governor of having to score at least one-quarter of all the votes cast in each of at least two-thirds of all the Local Government Areas in the State.


The group also raised the question of double standard in the supreme Court judgement “If their Lordships have already declared Uche Nwosu as the validly elected  candidate, of APC, it’s then illogical to again declare Hope Uzodinma as the validly elected governor on the platform of same APC, since there’s no provision for independent candidate in the Nigerian constitution, "Since, it’s not possible to build something on nothing, it may amount to approbation and reprobation on the part of the Apex Court to declare Uzodinma whose candidature of the APC has been initially rendered a nullity.” The Leaders opined


The Leaders also asserted that the judgment completely overthrows all known judicial precedence and electoral jurisprudence in Nigeria and that It would appear to be based on extra legal considerations and therefore requires a desired reversal by the supreme Court to prevent the precipitation of a major uprising and anarchy in Imo capable of overwhelming security and stability in the entire South East


The group while making a case about the Supreme Court powers to review or reverse its earlier decision had also stated that, "While delivering the lead judgment in Adegoke Motors Ltd. v. Adesanya (1989] 13 NWLR (Pt.109) 250 at page 275A, Justice Chukwudifo Oputa, also known as the ‘Socrates’ of  the Supreme Court considered the powers of the Supreme Court (as the final Court in the land) to review its earlier decisions and said inter alia:

"We are final not because we are infallible; rather we are infallible because we are final. 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 a decision be over-ruled"

“This Court has the power to over-rule itself (and has done so in the past) for it gladly accepts that it is far better to admit an error than to persevere in error”, the Eminent Leaders quoted


The group in conclusion charged the people of Imo and the entire South East to remain calm and be hopeful as they are quite optimistic that the Supreme Court will do justice to the matter during its epochal review on Tuesday


Signed:

Dr Olusegun Awe Obe, FCAI

Spokesperson, Eminent Leaders'Group initiated by the 'Third Force' Movement, Nigeria

Imo state came into existence in 1976. A state which has 3tiers of administrative structure. Which was actively celebrated in its practice during the Sam Mbakwe tenure.

Imo State is a state blessed with 27 dynamic LGAs yet, just yet, in all of these in all true sense of reveiw, over the years was a lack of consistent, enduring, unbiased sense of responsibility by it's leaders.

Imolites has been on the fulcrum of these until 2019 when Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha was voted into power.

The mark of true leadership is responsibility for every action, a vison that accommodates the people first.

In 7 months he took on a charge to rekindle the faith, love in leadership and trust for the administrative processes. There was a new sense of faith, a rebirth of can do spirit and a call for collective effort for all and sundry.

'Imo bu nke anyi nile' a charge that has become our mantra for a new Imo under Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha as Governor. He is a leader of thought and one remarkably passionate about his people first.

Ronald Regan said, "The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest thing but he that gets people to do the greatest things.

Adaora Onyechere

The famously celebrated Valentine's day, one which has been tagged a day to share love didn't end without a humanitarian reaching out to those that matter most - the vulnerable in our society. Ms Adaora Onyechere paid a visit to Durumi Area 1 IDP Camp In Abuja to mark and spend time with the internally displaced persons.

The IDP camp has no fewer than 3,000 persons who live in the shanties with little or no access to basic amenities.

The IDPs from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe have also been living in the camps since 2013 when insurgents ravaged their communities.

Ms Adaora called on the FCT administration to register all pregnant IDPs in government-owned hospitals to enable them attend antenatal clinics toward protecting the unborn child and the mother.

On lack of toilets and water, she said it was also saddening to note that the unavailability of these basics was causing an increase in preventable illnesses and high rate of open defecation in the camps.

She went ahead to share freebies to the IDPs amidst dancing and moments of reflection on the essences of Valentine's day.

The famously celebrated Valentine's day, one which has been tagged a day to share love didn't end without a humanitarian reaching out to those that matter most - the vulnerable in our society. Ms Adaora Onyechere paid a visit to Durumi Area 1 IDP Camp In Abuja to mark and spend time with the internally displaced persons.

The IDP camp has no fewer than 3,000 persons who live in the shanties with little or no access to basic amenities.

The IDPs from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe have also been living in the camps since 2013 when insurgents ravaged their communities.

Ms Adaora called on the FCT administration to register all pregnant IDPs in government-owned hospitals to enable them attend antenatal clinics toward protecting the unborn child and the mother.

On lack of toilets and water, she said it was also saddening to note that the unavailability of these basics was causing an increase in preventable illnesses and high rate of open defecation in the camps.

She went ahead to share freebies to the IDPs amidst dancing and moments of reflection on the essences of Valentine's day.

Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo is asking a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to compel the West African Examination Council (WAEC), to produce a copy of the certificate it purportedly issued to Senator Hope Uzodinma in 1982.

Keyamo said that his move became necessary following the refusal of WAEC to respond to his letter dated May 14, 2013 where he requested for a Certified True Copy of the senator, who represents Imo West Senatorial District in the senate.

The suit, dated July 2, 2013, was filed as an ex parte application on the strength of the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. It bore the tag, FHC/L/CS/921/2013.

The lawyer alleged that Uzodinma did not graduate from Mgbidi Boys High School in Imo State, where he claimed to have sat for and passed WAEC’s examinations in 1982.

Keyamo stated in an affidavit accompanying the suit, “The said Hope Uzodinma claimed to have graduated from the Mgbidi Boys High School, Imo State in 1982.

“That inquiry and investigation into the names and persons that graduated in that year has revealed that Senator Hope Uzodinma was not a graduate of the school in 1982.”

1. In Ihedioha’s era, IGR was raised from N250M to N1Billion in 6 months.

2. Ihedioha’s Government paid and verified all pensioners in 4 months.

3. Ihedioha’s Government resumed payment of 100% salaries in 4 months.

4. Imo State became the LEAST CORRUPT state within 5 months of Ihedioha’s Government.

6.The Agricultural Sector was revived in 5 months and Rice production commenced in the state.

7. Electricity was restored to the State Secretariat which had no power for 8 years in 5 months.

8. Ihedioha saw that the multiplicity of state bank accounts was reduced from 250 to 1 under a Single Treasury Accounts Stystem in 3 months.

9. The Technical & Vocational Educational system was revived in 5 months.

10. Imo State scored FIRST POSITION in ICT Development in 4 months.

11.Ihedioha’s Government signed up to Open Government Initiative.

12.Steps were taken to improve ease of doing business in the State.

13.Ihedioha’s Government hosted the first ever subnational Diaspora summit.

14.Imo State became attractive to development partners such as DFID, World Bank, Ford Foundation, etc;

15.Ihedioha and his team unlocked over N25bn in world Bank funded projects such as NewMap and Ramp by paying counterpart funds.

16.In Ihedioha’s era sports was revived Imo State.

17.Ihedioha’s government instituted a State Health Insurance Scheme within 5 months.

18.Ihedioha’s government embarked on a massive Road Reconstruction program within Owerri metropolis and also fixed all potholes within the State Capital.

19.Ihedioha trained over 600 Imo youths in Agricultural Entrepreneurship Schemes in Nasarawa State.

20. Ihedioha started the construction of 27 brand new Ultramodern local Government Secretariat across the State many of which are nearing completion.

21. Ihedioha started the construction of 27 brand new stadia across the State, in a bid to curb crime and seeing Sports as a means of empowering the youths.

22.Ihedioha received high powered international delegations from the government of United Kingdom, the High Commissioner, the government of United States, the Deputy Ambassador and other dignitaries to the State.

Posterity they say is the best judge. Ihedioha truly was ready to serve. Well done sir.

National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kastina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masarii reportedly had a close door meeting on Monday in Abuja with the Chief Justice of Nigeria , Justice Tanko Mohammed over the Supreme Court controversial judgment on Imo governorship election

It was authoritatively gathered the meeting was held to enable them strike veritable options on how to resolve the debacle that has arisen from the Supreme Court judgement

The apex court had on Tuesday January 14 awarded Senator Hope Uzodinma unverified 213,000 votes from 388 cancelled polling units and consequently declared him winner of the election even though he was placed fourth by the Independent National Electoral Commission without a House of Assembly seat to his party's credit
The apex court"s additional votes resulted in the recorded total number of votes exceeding the total number of registered voters in the state

The evident subversion of justice inherent in the judgement has touched off country-wide and global protests and condemnations and thus escalating tension across Nigeria

A reliable source at APC headquarters in Abuja who confirmed the Monday's meeting involcing Tinubu, Masari and the CJN disclosed that some leaders of the party are neither comfortable with the injustice that pervaded the judgement nor the ripples it is generating in the polity and therefore pushing for a redress

Although the source could not provide the details of the meeting he however revealed that the Monday meeting was connected to the Supreme Court judgement on Imo and how to forge a way forward

The source further disclosed that the leaders of the ruling party including President Muhammadu Buhari and the members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC) are jolted by the large-scale demonstrations that have attended the judgement.

According to the source, the ruling party leaders are further confounded by the level of clerical errors that underlined the judgement that saw the removal of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON as governor of Imo State and are accordingly interested in seeing the judgement revised

In Nigeria legal system, clerical errors are said ro be human mistakes, usually in note taking or errors of calculation of numbers and figures made in the delivery of the Supreme Court judgement in any given matter, which appeal is brought to the apex court for review

Only on Friday, 31st January, 2020, the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Uzodimma were reportedly invited to a meeting with President Buhari over the same matters arising from the Supreme Court judgement. According to a source at Presidential Villa the Nigerian leader was not pleased with the dusts the judgement has been generating and he berated both Oshiomhole and Uzodimma for the bad image the judgement has created for the Supreme Court, the Nigerian judiciary and the Federal Government.

The source added that the president asked them to return to the Supreme Court to ensure that the right thing is done by redressing the controversial and contentious judgement.

The meeting with the president on Friday, which was followed by Monday meeting that involved Tinubu, Masari and the CJN provided a plausible link to authenticate the Federal Government's inclination towards revisiting the judgement.

There are fresh troubles for embattled Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma, whose declaration as governor of Imo State by the Supreme  Court has continued to generate outrage across Nigeria and overseas.

This time, a source in the Office of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, (names withheld) has confided that Senator Uzodimma has stepped on big toes of the President, following the increasing knocks on the controversial judgement by the Supreme Court on January 14, 2020.

According to the insider, the recent visit by the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Hope Uzodinma was at the instance of the president. He had sent for them to explain the anger that have trailed the Supreme Court judgement.

According to the source, President Buhari expressed dismay at the way the judgement has brought the Supreme Court and the country to ridicule. 

He revealed that the President's insistence that the right thing be done, was instrumental to the acceptance of the Supreme Court to honour the request by Nigerians for a review of the judgement.

The source hinted that President Buhari has ordered that the right thing be done and the rightful winner of the election be declared, no matter the beneficiary. 

According to him, the President lambasted Senator Uzodimma for being the cause of the bad image Nigeria is contending with at the moment, the most prominent consequence of which is the listing of Nigeria among countries that will enjoy very limited travel privileges to the United States of America, henceforth. He said President Buhari is quite unhappy that Nigeria is being scandalized by the hugely flawed Supreme Court judgement.

Meanwhile, from another source, who is a member of Senator Uzodimma's inncer circle, said before invitation to see the president, the new Imo governor had been making frantic efforts to find willing top notchers of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to create passage for him to meet with the president.

The source said Senator Uzodimma approached the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but was rebuffed, saying he did not want to get involved with the Supreme Court saga. Senator Uzodimma, according to the source, even sought to see the President with Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, but they were denied access, citing security reasons.

The source, a legal practitioner,  further said that Senator Uzodimma, after parting with huge amount of money, in hard currency, found support from Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who accompanied the him to President Buhari on Friday, January 31, 2020.

According to the source, on coming out of the close door meeting with the president, it was very clear it was not a successful meeting. Thus much was  confirmed, when Senator Uzodimma, speaking in Igbo language, intoned that, "Mr. President is still angry."

According to this source, who occupies one of the topmost offices in Imo State chapter of the APC, Senator Uzodimma is very desparate to retain his declaration as governor by the Supreme Court. This, the source said, can be confirmed with the type of promises Senator Uzodimma has been making here and there to whoever he feels could make it possible for him to remain as governor.

He gave instance with Senator Uzodimma's promise to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole that he will wholly fund the 2023 APC presidential election if he is retained as Imo governor, while making offers of contracts and monetary gains to the APC National Chairman.

According to this source, Senator Uzodimma was heard pleading with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to assist him get APC Governor's Forum to rally support for him. As if the afore-mentioned desparate efforts by Senator Uzodimma were not enough, he promised Oshiomhole to organize a massive rally in the next days in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, to prove to President Buhari that he has the support of the people of Imo State.

On the whole, it appears that amidst all the strategies and efforts being made by the parties involved in the appeal before the Supreme Court, it is the expected review of the judgement and the circumstances surrounding it, that will determine the actual winner of the 2019 governorship election in Imo State and put the matter to a final conclusive end.

The issue here is not whether the Supreme Court can over rule itself or not...The allegation here is that of "fraud" because what was allegedly delivered (read out of judgment) is not now on the hardcopy of the judgment subsequently given to the parties.

This sad development may not be totally unexpected given the public outcry and uproar, as well as, analysis on the incongruity of the gap between accredited voters and actual scores now allocated by the judgment.

In this view, yes there is a possibility of the review of the judgement.

So we challenge the record of the SC. That is the record of 14th from hardcopy judgment. By law, a person challenging the record (hardcopy judgment) must swear to an affidavit. Obviously to be attached as Exhibits to the affidavit is/are what the applicant says is the correct record (audio or whatever of pronouncement of 14th Jan)

See Horst Sommer v. FHA (1992) LPELR-3103 (SC); Gonzee Nig Ltd v. NERDC (2005) LPELR-1332(SC); Chief of Army Staff v. Isah (2017) LPELR-41979(CA)

The record of the judgment (hardcopy) is different from reality of 14th and with this the subsequent record of the Supreme Court is a product of fraud and manipulation and should be nullified and set aside.

The Supreme Court based its judgment in the above case, solely on the evidence of PW54 DCP Rabiu Hussain.
From the C.TC. of the proceedings of the Tribunal on 31July, 2019 DCP RABIU HUSSAIN testified in the Tribunal as follows:
“In Exhibit NNN1 to NNN18, (subpoena) I was asked to produce 388 Forms EC8As retrieved by the Police Officers. I have some of the FORMS. I don’t have 388 FORMS. The total number I brought is 368 and I cannot lay my hands on 20 FORMS”.
OUR COMMENT:
The record of Court only showed that 366 FORMS EC8As (not 368 and definitely not 388) were admitted in evidence and marked as Exhibits PPP1 to PPP366. These conflicting figures of 366, 368, or 388 Forms make his evidence completely unreliable.
DCP RABIU HUSSAINI CONTINUED:
“I didn’t tabulate the scores in Exhibit PPP1 to PPP166(366?).
I didn’t observe the entries in any of them.
I didn’t go through Exhibits PPP1 to PPP166(366) because Police are not interested in the scores of the parties”.
“I am surprised that the number of forms I tendered are not up to the number I told the Hon. Tribunal”.
“I cannot know whether there are mutilations or tampering in Exhibit PPP1 to PPP366.”
OUR ANALYSIS

The above evidence of PW54, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, did not say what each candidate scored or the figures.

PW54 did not give evidence with regards to 388 polling units. PW54 did not tender results from 388 polling units.

PW54 stated in his testimony that he did not know the contents of Exhibits PPP1 to PPP366, or PPP1 to PPP388 or any of the forms whatever the number.

PW54 did not testify that results from 366, or 368 or 388 polling units were excluded.

QUESTION?

If, from the Certified True Copy of the evidence/testimony of PW54 which the Supreme Court relied upon to give its final judgment, there is no evidence of the votes scored in Exhibits PPP1 to PPP366, or PPP1 to 368 or 388 where did the Supreme Court get the 213,695 votes it added to the scores of Hope Uzodinma?. And from where did the Supreme Court get the evidence that results from 388 polling units were excluded when PW54 testified that he brought only 366 or 368 FORMS EC8As. Since 366 and not 388 FORMS were eventually found to be tendered by DCP Rabiu Hussaini, where did the Supreme Court get the 213,695 votes it added to Hope Uzodinma?. Or did Supreme Court merely copy tge pleadings of Hope Uzodinma and regarded it as evidence? It is trite Law that averment in pleadings or Address of Counsel cannot take the place of evidence?

From the 20 or 22 EC8As forms PW54 admitted that he omitted to tender at the Tribunal from the 388 he was subpoenered to produce, how many votes did it contain for each candidate? What is the spread? These are questions the Supreme Court must answer, since their judgment did not cover these issues and contain unbelievable gaps.

It is obvious that the Supreme Court relied only on the submission of Hope Uzodinma without any reference to the records of proceedings of the Tribunal/Court of Appeal or otherwise, it would have realised that even though Hope Uzodinma claimed 388 polling units, he only dumped 366 discredited polling units results through the Police, yet the Supreme Court unilaterally credited him with figures from the 388 units which figures did not remove the 20 or even 22 polling units that were in fact not tendered before the tribunal .

The Supreme Court judgement was erroneously premised on 388 polling units results when indeed only 366 polling units’ results were admitted in the Tribunal before being expunged on very solid grounds by both the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal. We may never know the impact the exclusion of the results from the 20 or 22 units by the Supreme Court based on its own perverse findings could have had on the scores of each candidate.

Our Submission

It is our candid submission that the Supreme Court is left with no other option than to review and reverse this anomaly, even if it means applying a Judicial Doctrine of Necessity (borrowing from the intervention of the National Assembly, when Nigeria was in a big fix). The confidence of Nigerians in the Judiciary is at the lowest and we believe that the Supreme Court can help to restore it and save the future of the future of elections. This is the time to apply what the Supreme Court in Federal Republic of Nigeria V. MKO Abiola (1995) 7 NWLR, said:

“Justice must be rooted in confidence and confidence is destroyed when right-minded people go away thinking: The Judge is biased.”

By
Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution (CDNDC)
Convener, Ariyo-Dare Atoye
aristotle001us@yahoo.com

Does the Supreme Court posses the powers to review its earlier decision on the judgement earlier given against Imo on January 14th 2020.

Adaora Onyechere says let's review this question from the case below;

Delivering the lead judgment in Adegoke Motors Ltd. v. Adesanya [1989] 13 NWLR (Pt.109) 250 at page 275A *Justice Oputa* also known as the *Socrates* of the Supreme Court considered the powers of the Supreme Court (as the final Court in the land) to review its earlier decisions and said:

*We are final not because we are infallible; rather we are infallible because we are final. 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 a decision be over-ruled. This Court has the power to over-rule itself (and has done so in the past) for it gladly accepts that it is far better to admit an error than to persevere in error*

Chukwudifu Oputa JSC in Adegoke Motors Vs. Adesanya.

The Judiciary as stated above by Chukwudifu Oputa JSC clearly states that and I quote "Justices of thus court are human-beings, capable of erring".
End of quote.

On Jan 14th 2020 The Supreme Court erred in its judgement against His Excellency Rt.Hon Emeka Ihedioha CON KSC and the rights of Imolites.

The counsel should have the boldness and courage to accept that it's far better to admit an error than to preserve in error!!!!!

Does the Supreme Court posses the powers to review its earlier decision on the judgement earlier given against Imo on January 14th 2020.

Adaora Onyechere says let's review this question from the case below;

Delivering the lead judgment in Adegoke Motors Ltd. v. Adesanya [1989] 13 NWLR (Pt.109) 250 at page 275A *Justice Oputa* also known as the *Socrates* of the Supreme Court considered the powers of the Supreme Court (as the final Court in the land) to review its earlier decisions and said:

*We are final not because we are infallible; rather we are infallible because we are final. 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 a decision be over-ruled. This Court has the power to over-rule itself (and has done so in the past) for it gladly accepts that it is far better to admit an error than to persevere in error*

Chukwudifu Oputa JSC in Adegoke Motors Vs. Adesanya.

The Judiciary as stated above by Chukwudifu Oputa JSC clearly states that and I quote "Justices of thus court are human-beings, capable of erring".
End of quote.

On Jan 14th 2020 The Supreme Court erred in its judgement against His Excellency Rt.Hon Emeka Ihedioha CON KSC and the rights of Imolites.

The counsel should have the boldness and courage to accept that it's far better to admit an error than to preserve in error!!!!!

Despite an attack from alleged fraudsters, Lekoil’s shares have clawed back value writes,
On 13, January 2020, shares of Lekoil, an indigenous oil and gas company headquartered in Lagos, but listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange (LSE), were suspended from trading for reasons linked to an announcement the company made on 2, January.

Before the close of business that day however, the shares were cleared to resume trading: A testament to AIM’s satisfaction with steps taken by Lekoil to handle the situation that led to its shares suspension.

As expected, the shares took a beating the next day (14, January) but successfully clawed back some value in the early on 15, January (closing the day with 21.60% price appreciation).

Back to the events of 2, January. At exactly 7.00am on that day (2, January), Lekoil announced, through its website, that it had secured $184million in funding for the appraisal drilling and initial development activities on the Ogo field within OPL 310 based on a facility agreement signed with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar.

The statement indicated that, the facility agreement was arranged by Seawave Invest Limited, an independent consultancy firm which specializes in cross-border transactions based in Accra Ghana.

But 10 days later (12, January) facts emerged that questioned the validity of the deal. As a matter of fact, the QIA approached Lekoil’s legal advisers to draw attention to the lack of merit in the funding arrangement announced by the company.

The Beginning

Lekoil’s journey to the 2, January announcement was a long one. And from the facts available, Lekoil acted like any other company seeking to raise funds for a major project, without diluting its shares.

Lekoil was introduced to a broker, Seawave Invest Limited and seemed to engage in good faith with individuals who presented their credentials as QIA representatives.

During the engagement the Company's Non-Executive Directors, commissioned a third party was to conduct due diligence on Seawave-Invest Limited which seemed to find no proverbial “red flags”.

It also appears that Lekoil sought advice in relation to the transaction from its counsels and advisers.

However, these steps were unable to detect any falsehoods in the true nature of the facility being put together by Seawave Invest Limited. When however, the truth came to light, Lekoil was quick to follow best practice and report finding to relevant authorities.

A commendable response
Lekoil took a number of strategic steps which earned its shares a place on the trading deck the next day. Firstly, it notified AIM of the true state of things given the new revelations.

“The "Facility Agreement" or the "Transaction" seems to have been entered into by the company [Lekoil] with individuals who have constructed a complex facade in order to masquerade as representatives of the QIA,” the company said in a detailed press statement posted on its website and sent to the management of AIM.

Secondly, the statement indicated that there will be a spirited attempt to get to the root of the matter so as to bring the culprits to book. “The Company [Lekoil] will be contacting the relevant authorities across a number of jurisdictions without delay, with regard to what appears to be an attempt to defraud Lekoil,” the published statement added.

Thirdly, the board of Lekoil appointed Mark Simmonds and Tony Hawkins, who are Independent Non-Executive Directors of the Company, to investigate the origination and execution of the botched Facility Agreement, what steps can be taken to retrieve any monies already paid in association with the Transaction and the Company's wider corporate governance practices.

Mr. Simmonds and Mr. Hawkins were appointed to the Board after the signature of the failed botched Facility Agreement and did not have any connection with the origination or execution of the Transaction, making them suitable, in the wider Board's opinion, to lead a fully independent review. They will be assisted by third party forensic investigators and legal counsel, as appropriate.

What degree of exposure?
The failed deal is a reminder of how musky the capital acquisition waters and business in the 21 Century are. In August 20019, Toyota Boshoku Corporation, a major supplier of Toyota auto parts reported that it was fleeced of over $37million by fraudsters. In November of the same year, business email compromise (BEC) attacks costs American media giant, Nikkei $29million. The list of companies hit in similar manner in 2019 is much longer.

“Clever fraudsters have invaded the business space too & it is not only cybercrime. Individuals & Corporates need to be constantly alert & on their toes; the fraudsters are getting smarter. Lekoil has become the latest victim. Lekoil must chin up & bounce back,” Mr. Atedo Peterside the Founder, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc said in a tweet, in response to news about Lekoil and the development that have come to the fore.

But the failure of the Lekoil deal naturally came with costs. There was the loss of $600,000 committed to the firm that brokered the failed deal and those associated with the deal (outside Lekoil). Apart from this, no capital commitment was made based on the anticipated loan drawdowns.

The facility was not secured against any other assets or interest of Lekoil, including in particular, its interest in the producing Otakikpo marginal field. It is also important to note that none of the security documents, as part of the facility have come into effect.

The Future

The events notwithstanding, Lekoil has an attractive portfolio. Its management has vowed to secure the requisite funding to develop its assets. Production from Lekoil’s Otakikpo marginal field remains steady with a gross production of cira 5,700 bopd (2,300 bopd net to LEKOIL) with the potential to increase towards 20,000 bopd (8,000 bopd net to LEKOIL) following the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) which was announced on the 1st of July 2019.

The MOU was executed between the Otakikpo Joint Venture partners, Schlumberger and a Nigerian subsidiary of a major international oil company ("IOC" which has been operating in Nigeria for more than 50 years to cover a project to provide comprehensive infrastructure sharing and a drilling programme around a group of marginal field assets, including Otakikpo, in OML 11.

The development is expected to include drilling of up to five new wells with a total project costs of $170m ($68m net to LEKOIL). The funding for this programme is expected to be provided to the Otakikpo Joint Venture by a consortium made up of the IOC subsidiary and some financial institutions.

The Company remains fully focused to generate value on this asset for all shareholders through organic growth initiative.

Within its portfolio, LEKOIL acquired a 45% interest in the Production Sharing Contract (“PSC”) on OPL 276. The asset has four wells drilled in the licence area which resulted in four discoveries (two oil and two gas) with preliminary resource estimates, based on data from the four wells, of gross recoverable volumes of 29 million barrels of oil and 333 Bcf of gas, with upside of 33 million barrels of oil and 476 Bcf of gas (recoverable).

Consideration for the acquisition of US$5m is to be paid in tranches which are linked to receipt of license extension and Ministerial Consent.

There are indications that Lekoil will overcome the setbacks associated with the failed QIA facilities bid. The size of the company’s assets suggests that it has done a great job of raising and deploying capital in the past. Indeed, there will be many more capital; rasing and deployment efforts in the future.

At exactly 5.24pm on 25, January, Mr. Peterside tweeted “I was on the Board of Lekoil until a few years ago. Focused & honest team led by Lekan Akinyanmi, Founder. Lekoil still have a producing oil field and successfully raised large financing in the past. I look forward to seeing them bounce back. They can,”

‘ There are indications that Lekoil will overcome the setbacks associated with the failed QIA facilities bid. The size of the company’s assets suggests that it has done a great job of raising and deploying capital in the past.

Today, His Excellency Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha receives and reaches out to persons living with disabilities through the office of the SSA on information and advocacy at Ihube in Okigwe LGA. The evenr which was themed “Touching the untouched”, was a reflection of the rebuild Imo project of His Excellencies promises of inclusive and accessible governance.

The event which held at the Ihube, Okigwe LGA, Imo state. The obvious elated persons living with disabilities (PWDs) were undeterred by their seeming peculiarities and warmly welcomed the entourage from the state house led by Adaora Onyechere, the SSA on Advocacy and information.

In her address to the people she reassured them of the governor's intention to carry every class of persons along, emphasizing that advocating and reaching out through welfare, empowerment of these persons are keying into the rebuild imo agenda of His Excellency.

She stated that His Excellency was intentional in creating the commission for women affairs and vulnerable persons to address this plight which is under the able watch of The Honorable commissioner for women affairs and vulnerable persons Hon. Nkeiru Ibekwe.

While Speaking at the event Ms Adaora emphasized on the significance of the event, 'touching the untouched' initiative which is keen on touching lives and putting a smile on the faces of the pwds and vulnerable persons.

She expressed His Excellency's willingness stating, ‘‘We connect and try to bridge the gap between the rich and poor in the society so, a time like this is a period to celebrate these special citizens because it takes a human faced administration to help fellow Imolites. That’s why we have taken it upon ourselves coming to Okigwe and make these citizens feel loved and appreciated in the society.’’

Further highlighting on the mood, She said , ‘‘We are here to celebrate with these special citizens and also give them a sense of belonging because we strongly believe in the adding value to humanity and they shouldn’t be deprived of this because of their situation.”

She further added, ‘‘ It is imperative that these special ones don’t feel left out because of their disabilities and our society shouldn’t relegate them to the background because of their condition.”

She says, His Excellency is encouraged by the faith of imolites in the rebuild imo agenda and can only intensify interventions across board to make Imo state a leading example on the world stage for Nigeria and for the South East.

Amongst these special people were children living autism, cerebral palsy, the elderly kene and women, the visually impaired and others.

Current estimates put the Christian and Muslim population in Nigeria at almost par, though some estimates give a slight edge to Muslims in the country. While the north is predominantly Muslim, the south is predominantly Christian. Yet, these broad categories ignore significant populations of both faiths across both sections of the country. For instance, the Middle Belt and parts of the North East have significant Christian populations, while the Southwest has significant Muslim population. The balance of the faiths has encouraged a balancing act in the choice of political leaders but there are fears that if current projections are right Christians will have a hard time leading this country in future. According to the Pew Research Center, Nigeria’s delicate population balance between Christians and Muslims will tip significantly over the coming years. It predicts that by 2060, some 40 years away, 60.5 percent of the country’s projected population of 283.2 million people will be Muslims, while Christians will make up just about 37 percent. Four years ago in 2015, Muslims made up 50 percent as against 48.1 percent for Christians.

The implication of the large shift in the population is significant in political terms, especially for Nigeria where political leadership at the national level and in several states have been coloured by partisan interests such as religion and ethnicity. In the country’s history there have only been four heads of state/presidents who were Christians and seven Muslim heads of state/presidents. The Christian heads of state and presidents were General Aguiyi Ironsi, General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Jonathan. The Muslim leaders have been General Murtala Muhammed, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Sani Abacha, General Abdusalam Abubakar, President Umar Musa Yar’Adua and President Muhammadu Buhari. While all of the military heads of state came through coup d’états facilitated by their positions in the military, the political leaders have emerged through an unwritten understanding that power should rotate between the north and south and between Muslim and Christian to breed inclusiveness and cohesion. So far that principle has held at the national level. Given the ethnic and religious mix at the national level and in many states, there has been a deliberate attempt to balance the leadership between the two faiths such that there is a Christian deputy when a Muslim is president and vice versa. This assures most people that at the highest level of decision-making they are represented. This has been the practice over the years but at no time is it more necessary than now when the country is buffeted on all sides by conflicts and cries of partisanship. Yet, the signal from certain quarters raise fears and call us to vigilance.

 In the last general election the Kaduna State Governor Nasir el Rufai went against the grain of this basic understanding to present a Muslim-Muslim ticket, which eventually won the election in a state with a significant Christian population. While the governor called his decision an informed one based on competence, many people saw it as pushing the envelope too much. In the words of Femi Fani-Kayode when governor’s decision was made November last year: “It is wrong, divisive, dangerous, provocative and insulting for Nasir el Rufai to field a Muslim/Muslim ticket in the governorship election in a state like Kaduna in which 50 percent of the people are Christians and in which thousands of Christians were butchered over the last three years.”

Indeed, we have had cases in the past, like the famous ticket of the Social Democratic Party in 1993 which had both Muslims – Chief MKO Abiola and Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe – on the ballot, and which is generally believed to have won the annulled election. But Nigeria has drifted terribly in recent years because of nepotism in government and the reality that political leaders have exploited their leadership positions to apportion favours on partisan parameters, including religion. A clear case in point is in the distribution of the local governments across the country, which has seen less populated dominant Muslim states with more local governments than states in the south with significant Christian population. These were largely enabled by the military governments but they have come to stay as immutable facts of the Nigerian reality, perpetuating a culture of discrimination against Christians.

A second reality of the adverse effect of sectional dominance is the nepotism that has attended the federal administration such that the key security agencies are all headed by Muslims. This has led to cries of sectionalism and, in some cases, pogroms, from minorities and Christians. Over the last few years, criminals working in tandem with herdsmen have terrorized communities across the Christian states, especially in the north, burning churches, razing villages and something akin to religious cleansing. These security challenges have raised fears of exclusion across sections not in power.

President Buhari has already kicked off his second term in office, which will run till 2023, by which time the presidency should go to the south and to the Christian faith. Already, permutations are afoot in both the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition Peoples Democratic Party on the succession. Christians must insist on their due right, despite the obvious undercurrent to raise the ‘competence’ argument as a smokescreen to continue the tradition of nepotism and sectional dominance. Balancing the presidency and political offices are central to guaranteeing inclusion in Nigeria. The country is too fragile, with widespread insecurity, reports of ethnic and religious cleansing and partisanship to disregard the zoning principle and religious sensibilities. The recently released 2019 Fragile States Index ranks Nigeria as the 14th most fragile state in the world, with a score of 98.5 out of a maximum 120 points, even much worse than Mali. Insecurity and marginalization of ethnic and religious groups have not helped. There are fears that more crises will come if equity takes a flight in the sharing of political offices. Already, the signs are ominous. The National Assembly has just been inaugurated and for the first time since the return to democracy, the heads of the two arms – Senate and House of Representatives – are Muslims.  Fears have rightly been  raised by different political and pressure groups because it  means that for the first time Muslims now occupy three of the four leading political offices at the federal level, with the vice president being the only non-Muslim. Added to the fact that the Chief Justice of Nigeria is also a Muslim and key military and intelligence agencies are led by Muslims, the possibility of further tension and cries of marginalization are not farfetched. This permissiveness must not set the tone for the presidency in 2023. Christians must insist on a shift not just in the geopolitical origin of the next president but on a Christian president.

Zikeyi is the pastor of the Ultimate Power Ministry based in Abraka, Delta State.  He can be reached through zikeyijohn@yahoo.com.

Do you still have cocoa seeds to sell in tonnes?

Azeola:
good day evry1,
i'm seeking for anyone dat has knowledge or can render assistance on securing good markets for plantain sales (large quantity) in lagos nd environs.Also need buyers for cocoa in large quantities too.
For any (important) info. Jst drop ur number or post any other ''important'' comments here.

Do you still have cocoa seeds in large quantities, I have clients who need over 500tonnes.ready for business, chat me up on 09052005079
Thank you.

Diamondcrown97:
There's Cocoa beans in large quantity for sales....
The location of the stocks is EDO state
You can reach me via email address :Tundekayode97@yahoo.com
Hotline 08178040544
WhatsApp :07069354749

Light and main crop in large quantity of lowest moist cocoa seeds is available for sale.

Bagged and graded(Pick up or Delivery)

Only Serious interested buyers should call or whatsapp 08034125002 for more details. We don't manufacture PRICES but we do a fair deal. Continuity is Business.

Ndi igbo can now tell those that are ready to fight her case in the saner clime.

Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is a patriotic igbo ambassador.

Long over due. Well done sir. Political gymnastics can only be sustained by those who have widely consulted.

Right move and timing.

I hope many will learn from the Ubahism effect.

Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah bụ onye enyi na-atụkwasị obi, ọ gaghị ahapụkwa gị ka ị kwụsị na mmiri ozuzo, ọ metụrụ ndụ aka ma hụ na anyị na-ewu ọha mmadụ nke nwere ike ịmepụta ihe ọ na-ere. nke a bụ enigma.

IkUmeh:
. It seems you are mad. Tell me what crime ifeanyi ubah has committed? Don't expose your foolishness on this platform.

Pure unadulterated madness in full display. This is why media toned perception will get this type cheap

francisbiz:
Abegi, what has Uba done for us?

He saved your ugly ass from the ugly oil cabals that would have crippled the APC govt.

Salient questions must rise at this point.

What's DSS in this civil issue to be purchasing injunctions?

Why has doing business in Nigeria resulted to intimidation?

Why has the FG government played mute in this case?

Same Ifeanyi Ubah saved Nigerians from the CABALS now we are paying him with illegal detention. The very reason FDI is an issue because we play politics with everything.

It's obvious the NNPC owes Capitol Oil and has failed/breached the contract.

Why not employ dialogue than illegal detention making it seem like Ifeanyi Ubah commuted due to criminal act.

We are only destroying good people to make political gains.

Nigerians must rise against tyranny. Impunity has become a norm. We will not stand and watch.

We stand with Ifeanyi Ubah and over 2000 staffs of Capitol Oil.

naijaguy123456:
UBAH is a thief and involved in organised crime.

What exactly did your father steal from this generation?

Whatever that will make Ifeanyi Ubah remain under DSS custody signals a presidency vindictiveness and shows FG is not ready for any practical development of Nigeria.

A civil case converted to criminal case is a sure indicator of the times we have retrogressed.

I'm a recycler who is set to empower youths by engaging them and also reward them through our social venture scheme.

Very simple

Gather various sizes of CORD in large quantity and you're on your way to financial independence.

Call 08034125002 or mail: ikokwuchidozie@gmail.com or whatsapp 09052005079

Don't wait on recession to frustrate you.

Check the picture to know what CORDs are.

I'm a recycler who is set to empower youths by engaging them and also reward them through our social venture scheme.

Very simple

Gather various sizes of CORD in large quantity and you're on your way to financial independence.

Call 08034125002 or mail: ikokwuchidozie@gmail.com or whatsapp 09052005079

Don't wait on recession to frustrate you.

Check the picture to know what CORDs are.

I know and trust one thing the management of FCIU has a proactive team that will not allow incompetence to stand.

Thank you for doing the sane thing

Good luck to disaster kenichi