Politics

Tribunal Removes LP Rep

By Web News 402

The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Lagos has nullified the return of the Labour Party’s (LP’s) candidate, Seyi Sowunmi, as the House of Representatives member for Ojo Federal Constituency in Lagos State.

Instead, the three-man panel led by Justice Abdullahi Ozegya declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lanre Ogunyemi, as the duly elected candidate of the election conducted on February 25, 2023.

The other members of the panel are Justice Ashu Ewah and Justice Muhammad Sambo.

Ogunyemi, a two-term State lawmaker and former secretary of the APC in Lagos, had challenged the declaration of Sowunmi by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the election on the grounds that the respondent was not duly sponsored and qualified to contest the election under the candidacy of Labour Party for Ojo Federal Constituency.

It, therefore, declared his votes wasted and held that the second runner up, APC’s Ogunyemi, ought to have been declared winner of Ojo Federal Constituency.

The Nation/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Religion

PFN Bares Mind on Forthcoming Election Tribunal Ruling, ECOWAS

By Web News 532

By Dayo Adu

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, has called on politicians and the entire citizens to accept the verdict of the Presidential Election Tribunal when declared to enhance the healing and development of Nigeria.

The body of Christian clerics gave the advice at a press conference marking the end of its three days Executive Retreat in Ibadan.

The PFN National President, Bishop Wale Oke, explained that the keenly contested 2023 general election almost split the nation from top to bottom, hence the need for political gladiators to bury their hatchets to allow the pronouncement of the tribunal put a rest to their grievances.

Bishop Oke, who lamented the economic hardship of Nigerians, called on President Bola Tinubu to relieve the citizens of their pains.

The PFN President while expressing optimism over the current situation in the country, urged President Tinubu not to witch hunt any citizen but to focus on making Nigeria a more virile and prosperous nation.

He enjoined the newly appointed ministers, when inaugurated, to support the president in order to provide solution to the economic hardship currently being faced in the country.

Commenting on ECOWAS’ decision on coup by the Junta in Niger Republic, the PFN through its Director of Diaspora Operations, Bishop Goddy Okafor, advised the heads of states and top diplomats of west African countries to utilize strong economic as well as diplomatic pressure rather than military force.

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Judiciary

NBA Asks Tribunal to Name Lawyers Seeking to Bribe Judges

By Web News 526

Disturbed by the bribery allegations rocking the ongoing Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association in Kano, Sagir Gezawa, on Wednesday, formally wrote a letter to the Secretary of the EPT, demanding the identities of the lawyers attempting to bribe the judges.

The Kano NBA Chairman said, “We will want My Lord to disclose all details and particulars of the lawyer in question or those lawyers that are making attempts to bribe My Lords.”

Gezawa said copies of the letter were forwarded to the National Judicial Council, the President of the Court of Appeal and the President of the Nigeria Bar Association.

He said the Kano NBA was also seeking to have a meeting with the tribunal Justices, saying the Bar was committed to the fight against corruption.

“We are willing to do our own part of the fight, so, we are awaiting My Lord’s response,” he said.

The tribunal, led by Justice Azinge, had on Tuesday, raised the alarm that some lawyers were attempting to bribe judges in order to influence their verdict.

Justice  Azinge said it was the second time a judge would complain about how some lawyers prosecuting election matters before them would attempt to offer them bribes.

She stated in the open court on Tuesday that “money is flying”, adding that “it’s being rumoured that a staff collected N10m.”

“In recent years, allegations of lawyers bribing judges have cast shadows over Nigeria’s judicial system, a complex issue that is threatening to erode the public trust in the pursuit of justice.

“While it is important to acknowledge that not all lawyers engage in unethical practices, the spectre of judicial corruption remains a concerning challenge that the Nigerian legal community must confront head-on,” the judge said.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Crime

Thugs Invade Ogun Election Tribunal, Unleash Mayhem

By Web News 708

By Wale Oluokun

Political thugs have invaded the premises of the Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal at Isabo, Abeokuta unleashing mayhem on political opponents within the vicinity.

The invasion on tribunal venue was on the day the court commenced the hearing of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Ladi Adebutu, against governor Dapo Abiodun of All Progressives Congress (APC).

The political thugs armed with canes were were allegedly beating the  Peoples Democratic Party members in the presence of security operatives within the area.

Some of the victims of the mayhem told newsmen that they lost properties including phone and cash during the incident.

The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police is yet to react to the incident.

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Politics

Ondo Election Tribunal Receives Petitions from PDP Candidates

By Web News 464

The Election Petition Tribunal in Ondo State says it has received two petitions on the March 18 house of assembly election in the state.

The Secretary of the tribunal, Mr Musa Adam, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Akure on Friday that the two petitions came from the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party against the candidates of the All Progressives Congress.

Adam explained that the candidate of PDP of Idanre Constituency, Aderemi Oyewole and the PDP, filed a petition against the APC’s candidate in the constituency, Mrs Tosin Ogunlowo, and the Independent National Electoral Commission and the APC.

He added that Babatunde Fadare, a candidate of PDP in the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo constituency, and PDP, filed a petition against the candidate of APC in the constituency, Mr Nelson Akinsuroju, INEC and APC.

The secretary said that by the provisions of the Electoral Act, any dissatisfied candidate had a period of 21 days from the date of election to file a petition to challenge the outcome.

Adam explained that once a petition had been filed, the law provided for 180 days or six months for it to be concluded and determined.

NAN reports that the tribunal had earlier received nine petitions on the national assembly elections in the state out of which two petitions had been withdrawn by the petitioners, remaining seven.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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