Tribunal Affirms Fintiri As Adamawa Governor
*It’s A Victory For Democracy, Rule Of Law, Says Fintiri The Adamawa Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Saturday affirmedthe election Gov Ahmadu Fintiri in the March 18 poll, dismissing the petition by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Aishatu Binani.Delivering the judgement, Justice Theodora Uloho, the Chairman of the tribunal said the petition failed to established the allegation of non adherence with the Electoral Act during the election. “The petitioner failed to establish the allegation of non- compliance with the electoral act and prove the case with cogent, credible and satisfactory evidence. “All documents tendered by the petitioner were dumped on the tribunal and that the star witness did not demonstrate any of the documents to link it with any of their material allegation in the petition,” she said.The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Fintiri as the winner after he scored430,861 votes to defeat Binani who scored 398,788 votes.However, Binani filed a petition challenging the declaration, alleging that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with the electoral act.Reacting, Mr Sani Garba, the Counsel to Binani said he would study the judgment and intimate the petitioners on the next line of action. Meanwhile, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has described his victory at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as “victory to democracy and the rule of law”. Fintiri stated this shortly after the tribunal dismissed APC’s Aishatu Binani petition against his re-election for the second term in Yola on Saturday. Reacting, Fintiri assured the people of good governance. According to him, this victory is also a victory for doing more to ensure massive development in the state. He called on the litigants to step aside in order to move ahead for the development of the state and county at large. He appreciated the tribunal judges for the role played in ensuring fairness and justice. Fintiri also commended his legal team, journalists and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for their roles from the time of the election up to the tribunal judgment.
Supreme Court Victory: Senate President Congratulates Tinubu
President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the reaffirmation of his victory by the Supreme Court describing the decision as reflective of the will of the people. Akpabio in a congratulatory message to Tinubu by Eseme Eyiboh, his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, said the decision of the apex court was a welcome relief. He said the victory finally unfastens the last bolts to the path for social-political engineering that President Tinubu promised the nation. “Mr President, I am personally elated that the jurists of the Supreme Court saw through the arguments and even without much technicalities easily confirmed your victory in the poll. “There is no doubt that victory came at a cost, but Mr President, that makes it even sweeter. “I know you have in your years of public service yielded your personal and other comforts for the collective good and what it cost to confirm the victory in the courts should be seen with a similar vista,” he said. Akpabio also urged the president not to relent in being a father figure to his former rivals, saying that it is superfluous to remind the president of his well-known big heart. He also called on the major rivals of the president to sheath their swords of political combat and join hands with his administration in the collective goal of making the nation great again. “The elections have been announced by the electoral authorities and confirmed by the courts, and I call on all former political rivals of the president to show good faith by joining hands with the Bola Tinubu’s administration in its ongoing efforts to take the nation to a higher level,” he said. He said that the National Assembly would continue to support the Tinubu Administration by leveraging its legislative tentacles to raise the level of governance to a higher pedestal.
Nigeria Wins $11bn P&ID Case In UK Court
Nigeria has successfully put a stop to the enforcement of the $11 billion arbitration award in favour of P&ID after an arduous legal battle lasting over five years. The ruling, delivered via email by Robin Knowles, the judge of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales, hinged on Nigeria’s claim that the award was procured through fraudulent means. With this ruling, Judge Knowles faces the task of deciding on one of three options: returning the award to the tribunal for reconsideration, setting the award aside, in whole or in part, or declaring the award to be of no effect, in whole or in part. The concerned parties will have the opportunity to present their arguments regarding the next course of action on a date to be arranged. The roots of this legal dispute can be traced back to a private arbitration tribunal’s decision on January 31, 2017, ordering Nigeria to pay $6.6 billion to P&ID, with interest accruing from March 20, 2013, fixed at seven percent, leading to a substantial accumulation that pushed the potential payment to over $11 billion prior to the final verdict. Judge Knowles, in his ruling, emphasized that the awards were obtained through fraudulent means and were contrary to public policy. He stressed the seriousness of the case and the importance of upholding the rule of law in such matters. Nigeria had appealed against the enforcement of the arbitration award, and the UK commercial court granted relief in September 2020, redirecting the case to the high court for a full trial. The legal proceedings, spanning two months from January to March 2023, saw the Nigerian legal team argue that substantial evidence pointed to the contract and arbitration award being the result of “an audacious fraud on Nigeria.” They sought to set aside the award, citing convictions related to corruption and money laundering as evidence of extensive misconduct.
Appeal Court Sacks Senate Minority Leader, Mwadkwon, Orders Rerun
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, Sunday, nullified the election of the Senate Minority Leader, Simon Mwadkwon, in the February 25 senatorial election in the Plateau North Senatorial District. A three-member appeal panel ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, within 90 days, conduct a fresh election in the senatorial district. This is a ruling on the appeal filed by Mr Chris Giwa of the All Progressives Congress and Mr Gyang Zi of the Labour Party. Giwa and Zi had appealed against the judgment of the election petitions tribunal in Jos, Plateau State which, affirmed Mwadkwon of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner of the senatorial poll. The appellants had contended that Mwadkwon was not qualified to stand for an election as his party, the PDP, which nominated him during the election, had no structure to do so, having not complied with an earlier high court order for the party to conduct a proper state congress. Justice E. Daudu, who read the lead judgment of the appellate court, held that the high court order was not fully complied with by the PDP as 12 LGAs didn’t participate in the said congress. “The court made total findings with regard to the issue in focus. “To avoid anarchy, I agree with the appellants that the court must protect an order of another court. “I agree with the appellant that the third respondent had no valid structure and could not have claimed to have validly nominated the second respondent (Mwadkwon) for the election. “Given the findings of this court, the appeal, therefore, succeeds as the court order was not complied with. “The first respondent is hereby ordered to conduct another senatorial election in Plateau North within 90 days,” the judge ruled.
Terrorism Charges: Nnamdi Kanu Knows Fate Dec 15
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has officially set December 15, 2023, as the date for delivering its judgment in the highly anticipated case involving the federal government of Nigeria and the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. This announcement was made by the apex court on Thursday, following the completion of final submissions by the legal teams representing both the federal government and Nnamdi Kanu. Recall that the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on October 13, 2022, ordered the release of Kanu from detention, while also dismissing a 15-count terrorism charge brought against him by the FG. The three-member panel unanimously reached this decision, stating that the Nigerian government had violated established laws by forcibly bringing Kanu from Kenya for trial, thus stripping the trial court of jurisdiction. Following this verdict, the FG, dissatisfied with the ruling, appealed to the Supreme Court and obtained a suspension of the judgement’s execution pending the appeal’s determination.
I’ll Appeal Tribunal Judgement Sacking Me, Says Gov Sule
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state says he will appeal the judgement of the Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal that invalidated his victory in the March 18 election on Monday. He acknowledged the tribunal’s decision as a temporary setback and expressed a commitment to learn from it and come back stronger. Governor Sule maintained that he remains in office until the Supreme Court decides otherwise, citing his legal right to appeal. He urged his supporters to remain calm and discouraged them from engaging in street protests or responding to opposition, especially on social media. The tribunal’s split judgment annulled Governor Sule’s election as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the rightful winner. Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, the tribunal’s chairman, read the majority judgment in favor of David Ombugadu. Justice Chiemelie Onaga, another panel member, supported the lead judgment. Justice Ibrahim Mashi delivered the dissenting judgment, dismissing the petition filed by the PDP candidate and upholding Governor Sule’s declaration by the INEC.
Court Halts Ondo Assembly Impeachment Move Against Dep Gov Aiyedatiwa
A Federal High Court Abuja on Tuesday, halted the impeachment process against the Ondo State House of Assembly Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over alleged gross misconduct, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit before it. Justice Emeka Nwite also restrained Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from nominating a new deputy governor and forwarding same to the lawmakers for approval. The ruling was following an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to Aiyedatiwa, Kayode Adewusi. Justice Nwite held that after listening to Adewusi, he was of the view that the interest of justice would be met by granting the application. “Therefore, the application of the applicant succeeds,” he said. The embattled deputy governor had, in a motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023, sued the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services. Others are Akeredoku, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Ondo State, and the House of Assembly as 1st to 6th respondents respectively. In the application dated and filed by Mr Adelanke Akinrata on September 21, Aiyedatiwa sought four reliefs. The judge further made an order of interim injunction restraining Akeredolu, his servants, or privies from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing, and preventing Aiyedatiwa from carrying out the functions of his office as deputy governor of Ondo state. Justice Nwite, who granted all the reliefs adjourned the matter until October 9 for a hearing. Aiyedatiwa had, also in another suit marked: AK/348/2023 asked the High Court in Akure to stop the state’s house of assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in the court on Monday.
APC’s petition challenging Obi’s LP membership incompetent- Tribunal
The Presidential Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Wednesday in its final ruling, declared APC suit challenging Peter Obi as a bona fide member of the Labour Party as incompetent. Justice Abba declared that Obi emerging as the flagbearer of the Labour Party was an internal affair and lacks competence in the suit. The Tribunal also touched on the issue of non-joinder of Atiku Abubakar who came second and wondered how Obi & LP’s petition could be effectively determined without joining the candidate who placed second in the polls.
No court sacked Gov Oborevwori -Delta Govt
Delta State Government, Thursday, said the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja did not overturn the election of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as speculated by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Ken Pela and his supporters. This is following a rumour making the rounds that the Appeal Court had declared Mr Ken Pela as Governor of the state. Reacting to the rumor, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, said the Appeal Court only ordered that the tribunal to hear the case. Ahon in the statement said: “We have been inundated by reports from a section of the media that the Appeal Court had declared Mr Ken Pela of the Labour Party as winner of the 2023 Governorship election in Delta State. “The report is nothing but fake news as the Appellate Court only ordered the tribunal to hear the case. “From the results declared by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it was obvious that the Labour Party did not win the election therefore couldn’t have won in court. “Our people came out in large numbers to elect Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and they are happy with him. We therefore urge Party faithfuls and Deltans to disregard the said reports as it was a concoction from the Labour Party and their followers. “We also urge Deltans to remain calm. As at the time of the fake news, Governor Oborevwori was busy inspecting various ongoing projects within Asaba and its environs. He is focused on delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state and would not be distracted by the rumour mills. “Our lawyers are studying the Appeal Court judgment with a view to taking necessary action,” he said.
LP primary appeal dismissed for lack of locus standi
The Court of Appeal situated in Abuja has ruled to dismiss the appeal lodged by Sir Basil Maduka, the Labour Party’s candidate for the Imo governorship election. The dismissal was based on the grounds of lack of locus standi. Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, in his judgment, determined that Maduka did not possess the legal right to challenge the primary election, given that he was not an aspirant in the said election. Consequently, the court not only rejected the appeal but also levied a cost of N250,000 against the appellant. Maduka had emerged as the candidate of the Labour Party within the Julius Abure-led faction, whereas the Lamidi Apapa faction’s candidate was recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Following the high court’s dismissal of his suit challenging INEC’s decision, Maduka pursued his case at the court of appeal. However, the 1st and 3rd respondents, namely the Labour Party and Ikechukwu Joseph, contested his action by filing processes that disputed the appellant’s contentions. They pointed out that the primary election of the 1st respondent occurred on April 16, 2023, as rescheduled by the national leadership of the party. Additionally, they emphasized that the appellant was not a participant in this primary election, which was won by the 3rd respondent. Justice Oyewole, while considering the arguments from both sides’ legal representatives, underlined the concept of locus standi as a prerequisite for maintaining an action in court. He stressed that the absence of such standing undermines the court’s jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter. The judge further explained that the appellant failed to establish his participation in the primary election organized by the 1st respondent, rendering him unable to contest the election’s outcome. Consequently, he upheld the lower court’s decision that the appellant lacked the necessary locus standi to maintain the action. In conclusion, the appeal was deemed meritless and dismissed. A cost of N250,000 was ordered to be paid to the 1st and 3rd respondents by the appellant.