Kogi: Supreme Court sets aside Appeal court’s ruling on inspection order

The Supreme Court has dismissed the Court of Appeal ruling which set aside the inspection Order granted the Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) by the Governorship election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja. The Governorship election petition Tribunal had, on November 25, 2023, granted an Exparte Order, allowing the SDP and its candidate in the 11th November, 2023 Governorship election to carry out forensic examination of all the Bimordal Voters Accreditation system (BVAS) used in the Governorship election, among other sundry reliefs. A three-man panel of justices of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice J.O.K. Oyewole, sets aside the inspection order, on the grounds that it has gone outside the province of the Electoral Act. The Court of Appeal ordered that, while inspection is allowed under the Electoral Act, it must be jointly carried out with the respondent and the scope of the inspection should be within the strict limit allowed under the Electoral Act. However, the Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, on Thursday, allowed the appeal of the Appellants, saying that the order of inspection made by the trial tribunal were within its power. The Court also held that the Respondents were duly served.

Customs Intercepts Arms and Military Uniforms at Lagos Port

The Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a cache of arms and ammunition allegedly being smuggled into the country by a criminal gang. Among the items intercepted are military camouflage and illicit drugs such as Colorado. The recovered arms include automatic single-barrel rifles and pump-action guns. Though details of the interception are still sketchy, sources report that the arms were discovered during an inspection of imported consignments. It remains unclear if any arrests have been made at this time. This interception follows previous seizures, including 31 arms of various types at Tin-Can and Multi-Purpose Terminals (PTML) ports in Lagos eight months ago. During that seizure, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that two suspects were arrested. But not much has been made public regarding the prosecution of those arrested.

Bayelsa guber: Gov Diri, PDP close defence, fixes April 22 for adoption

The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on Thursday, fixed April 22 for parties to adopt their final briefs of argument in the petition the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, filed to challenge the outcome of the governorship poll that held in the state on November 11, 2023. The Justice Adekunle Adeleye-led three-member tribunal okayed the matter for adoption of addresses, after Governor Douye Diri, his deputy, Lawrence Awhrujakpo and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who were cited as respondents in the matter, closed their defence. Each of the respondents produced a witness that testified before the tribunal, even as they tendered several electoral documents in evidence. Governor Diri’s witness, Mr. Gesiye Isowo, identified himself as the Secretary of thw PDP in Bayelsa State. Among exhibits he tendered before the tribunal included his his party membership card and his Permanent Voters Card. Governor Diri, through the witness, also tendered in evidence, the official result of the election as well as the final declaration of the result, which were contained in INEC’s forms EC8D and EC8E. The governor equally tendered INEC’s forms EC8B and EC8C. While being cross examined by counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Sylvester Elema, SAN, the witness told the tribunal that he registered and voted at Unit 9, Ward 10 in Kolokuma/Okpokuma LGA. “There was restriction of movement on the day of the election. I did not go to Nembe, Ogbia and Southern Ijaw because of the restriction, but I had agents in all the polling units. I was in constant touch with my agents in all the LGAs,” he stated. Asked if it was true that the National and State Assembly elections held in the state in February and March 2023, the witness said he was in court only with respect to the governorship election. “I am not INEC. If you ask about my party’s primary, then I should know,” he added. The petitioners had contended that voters registers that were tendered in evidence and marked as Exhibit R1- R19 by the tribunal, which was generated on January 25, 2023, were only used for the National Assembly election and not governorship poll. However, in his evidence, the witness insisted that the registers were used for the governorship poll. He identified his name as No. 179 in the voters register that was used at his polling unit. The petitioners opposed the tendering and admissibility of the register which they said was not furnished to them before hand as directed by the tribunal. On their part, the respondents urged the tribunal to disregard the objection and admit the exhibit as relevant to the case, saying it would help to confirm if the witness actually voted during the election or not. Continuing his testimony under cross examination, the witness, told the tribunal that some of the voters register were not ticked because election did not hold in those areas. Asked if he knew one Commissioner of Police named Tolani Alausa, the witness, said: “My lord, he was a very notorious police commissioner in Bayelsa State.” The witness insisted that INEC discharged its function creditably by conducting the election in compliance with provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Electoral Act 2022, adding however that there was wilful resistance of the use of BVAS by the APC and its agents. He told the tribunal that in various Wards in Nembe LGA, no vote was recorded, indicating that election did not hold there. The witness said results of the election that were tendered by the petitioners, were manufactured by the APC. “In fact, looking at the results that were tendered, the writing looked similar, as if it was written by one person. And looking at it closely, it looks like that was the writing of my brother, Dr. Dennis Otiotio.” The statement of the witness irked Mr. Otiotio who not only testified before the tribunal earlier, but also the Chairman of the APC in Bayelsa State and a member of the party’s legal team. According to the witness, contrary to what the petitioners produced before the tribunal, pink copies of results of the election were not given to agents of political parties or security agencies. “Pink copies are only for INEC,” he insisted. He further told the court that voters register for areas where the APC produced election results from, were not ticked and no vote was recorded there. In his own defence, the deputy governor produced a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Bayelsa State, Mr. Gowon Toruyouyei as his witness. The witness said he retired in January and was subpoenaed to appear before this tribunal. While being cross examined, the witness confirmed that the deputy governor is a legal practitioner whose Call to Bar certificate was listed in INEC’s form. Asked if in all his interactions with the 3rd respondent, he could be described as an illiterate, the witness, said: “He could not have been an illiterate. He is very educated. “I will describe him as someone that has the requisite experience and qualification to be elected into any office in the country.” In its own defence, the PDP, brought a former Attorney General of Bayelsa State, Rt. Hon. Talford Ongolo, as its witness. He maintained that Sylva could not have been validly sponsored for the election by the APC, having already been elected as governor twice. “I worked as the DG of his campaign at one time, so all these facts are within my knowledge,” he added The witness said he was not physically present at Ogbia and Nembe LGAs on the election day, “but virtually, I was there.” Said he served as the State Collation Agent of the PDP during the election and also voted at his polling unit at Southern Ijaw. The witness identified his picture on the voters register. He told the tribunal that those whose names were not ticked on the register, did not vote on the election day. “It is

Top APC chieftain dies

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Alhaji Raufu Salami aka Olowo Adekile is dead. He died on Thursday. The deceased is one of the leaders of APC in Ibadan North East local government area in Oyo South Senatorial District. The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, expressed shock over Salami’s death. Alli said that Salami contributed significantly to the party. He added that his demise has left a void in the political landscape. The chairman, Senate committee on Electoral Matters, further commended late Salami’s leadership, dedication and service to the community and the local government area. The lawmaker prayed that Almighty Allah grant him Al-Jannat Firdaus and his family, the fortitude to bear the loss.

Budget padding: I can’t be Controlled or Silenced – Ningi

After being suspended for three months by the Senate over his allegation that the sum of N3.7 trillion was not tied to any project in the 2024 budget, Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, has insisted that no one can control or silence him from revealing the ‘can of worms’ in the Senate.  The suspended senator also alleged that the Senate is trying to silence or get him arrested for exposing the alleged padding of the 2024 appropriation budget.  Speaking on Arise Tv on Wednesday, Ningi said no one could control the can of worms he had opened. He said: “That is why I said I know this parliament very well, I have come a long way. And that is why we are speaking. Let’s speak. “Have they ever asked me since the beginning of this so-called crisis, where are your findings? Where are the documents? I’m not using my head to come up with figures. “Nobody has talked to me about evidence. Nobody has suggested even listening to me. All they are trying to do is to ensure that ‘how do we make sure that Ningi is silenced or arrested so that he doesn’t do anything?’ “I have opened this can of worms. Neither they nor I will be able to control it.”

Budget Padding Allegation: Senators Finally Reveal Amount They Received 

In the ongoing debate over alleged misallocation of funds for constituency projects, senators have come forward to clarify the amounts they received from the 2024 budget.  Contrary to earlier claims of receiving N500 million each, a Labour Party lawmaker, Senator Tony Nwoye and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe disclosed receiving lower sums. Senator Nwoye, representing Anambra North, stated that he was allocated N250 million for intervention projects, while Senator Abaribe, representing Abia South, confirmed receiving N266 million. These revelations contradict previous assertions made during a heated Senate session, where Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe alleged that some senior senators had been allocated N500 million each. The controversy comes amidst accusations of budget padding, initially raised by suspended Senator Abdul Ningi.  Despite the uproar, Senator Abaribe emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, urging constituents to hold their representatives responsible for the allocated funds.

Senate and House of Representatives to Return to Main Chambers Following Renovation Completion

After a year and a half of conducting plenary sessions in temporary chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives are preparing to relocate to their main Hallowed Chambers next month as renovation work nears completion. Recent progress indicates that the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers are nearing the final stages of completion. Visible Construction Company Nigeria Limited, the firm responsible for the renovation, has already installed state-of-the-art chairs for federal lawmakers and extended sitting terraces. Tajudeen Olanipekun, the Project Engineer at Visible Construction, assured journalists covering the Senate last week that the remaining work is being carried out swiftly with expertise and precision. The goal is to transform the entire ambiance of the Hallowed Chambers and its surroundings, aiming for project delivery next month. This development aligns with a directive from the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal, emphasizing the urgency of the Senate and the House of Representatives returning to their main chambers. During an interactive session with journalists covering the Senate, Akpabio stressed the need for expeditious completion of the renovation works. He noted that the temporary chambers, used since 2022, are not suitable for hosting visitors from outside the country. Journalists covering the Senate conducted on-site assessments of the renovation progress, visiting both Chambers under renovation last Friday. They observed fully transformed, upgraded, and reconfigured hallowed chambers that meet global standards. The renovation project, awarded to Visible Construction Limited by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in March 2021 at a cost of N30 billion, includes critical segments of the National Assembly complex. These segments involve office buildings housing accommodation for Senators and Honourable Members, roof watertightness improvements, enhancements to the cooling system, and the replacement of inoperable lifts throughout the complex.

Bauchi Governor Reacts To Ningi’s Suspension

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has declared that the state government is behind Senator Abdul Ningi, the lawmaker who was handed a three-month suspension after his comment on N3.7 trillion not being traceable in the 2024 budget. Ningi, representing Bauchi Central senatorial district at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, was suspended by the Senate, on Tuesday. The Senator had subsequently resigned as Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF). On the floor of the Senate, Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), had said the Red Chamber had inaugurated a template for the speedy consideration and passage of the 2024 Money Bill as he initiated the motion on breach of privilege by the Bauchi senator. Senator Adeola had come under orders 9, 10, 41, and 51 to move a motion of privilege and issue of national importance against Ningi over his interview with the BBC Hausa. Following Adeola’s motion on breach of privilege, a member of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, Jimoh Ibrahim, first moved the motion for Ningi’s suspension for 12 months over allegations of criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly. But, some of the senators moved for the amendment of the suspension for three months for the embattled federal lawmaker, which the senate ratified. Speaking during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Bauchi, on Wednesday, Mohammed said, “yesterday I was very sad the Senate suspended one of our best from Bauchi for saying the truth, for standing up to be the beacon of the truth.” Mohammed, who is also the chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, said, “Equally I don’t know what we will do but we will discuss privately to see what we can do to support him because I support whatever he is doing and that is our best position especially if what he saying is the truth”.

FG Postpones Launch of Students Loan

Barely 48 hours before its official launch, the Federal Government has postponed the launch of the Nigerian Students Loan Scheme indefinitely. The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Akintunde Sawyer, disclosed this known during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday.  According to Sawyer, the loan scheme was postponed due to some corrections that were being made around the launch. “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to commit to a specific date. We are sort of waiting to ensure that all the stakeholders are aligned to make sure that nobody is blindsided, then we can actually roll this out in a meaningful, comprehensive, wholesome and sustainable way,” he said. The proposed bill sponsored by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, was supposed to start between September and October 2023, after President Bola Tinubu, signed it into law in June 2023. The Students Loan Fund would give interest-free loans to Nigerians for higher education. Tinubu, had said the programme would begin in January 2024, after missing the October deadline. In January, Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, said at a meeting that preparations for the program were finished. This included making the Student Loan Scheme website and planning how to start the programme. Also, Tinubu told leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students that the programme would start once they added more features, like vocational studies.

The Fleecing of Nigeria by a profligate Corrupt Legislature… our senate has become the den of thieves

While we might have all been distracted by the drama and hoopla generated by Senator from the north, we all might have missed the bombshell revelations the scandals revealed yesterday. Earlier, a ranking senator from the south made an allegation that some senior senators each received 500 million Naira padding in the 2024 budget. Padding is the code name for the legislative fleecing of our commonwealth with illegal budget allocation in the name of constituent projects. It is a blackmail tactic that Sister Ngozi Eweala made a lot of noise about as the Minister of Finance and the de facto prime minister in which she alleged that senators and House of Rep members routinely blackmail the executive to include these graft as the conditions to pass the annual budget and to fund the budgetary proposals of the executive arm. Well, we just watched the confession video in the speech of Senator Bamidele on the floor of the senate. We might be tempted to gloss over the big news he made during that speech. He confirmed the allegation that some senators actually received 500 million Naira, an allegation by a ranking senator, which the other senators tried to shout down earlier today. Our senate is the den of thieves, who are totally disconnected from the daily struggle and anguish of the citizens. Not only did these leeches allocate hundreds of millions of Naira to order plush SUV for meeting the majesty of their highly exulted offices while their citizen starve to death, but the rut goes even deeper. This Senator Opeyemi Bamidele just confirmed on the floor of the senate the allegations that they each received 500 million Naira. He asked their constituencies to hold them accountable if they didn’t implement more than 500 million Naira investments in Constituent projects like boreholes and solar panels. For goodness sake, in 2024, our senators are celebrating borehole and solar panels, both signs of retrogression and underdevelopment. These people have no respect for us, and it’s our fault because we have abandoned politics to the worst of us and to the degenerates. When did they change the constitution to grant the legislature the executive power to fund and implement projects using their personal bank accounts with no accountability? We need to disband the house of thieves called the Nigerian legislature, where many are double dipping, drawing their pensions as former governors while fleecing our commonwealth through obscene renumeration plus the weekly deposits of illicit fund in their bank accounts. We all heard it on life TV when Senator Akpabio announced hefty Christmas payments into his colleagues’ accounts. It used to be Ghana-must-go bags and mobile phone airtime and wifi credits. Today, it is direct deposits or using the budget of MDAs to launder the fund, which is then clandestinely diverted to their personal account. We learned recently that ministers in the executive branch routinely use their personal bank account to transact official government expenditure. Sister Ngozi Eweala made a lot of noise about the corruption ridden constituency projects, which our legislators routinely used to blackmail the executive branch to pad our annual budget or risk the budget not being passed. No wonder the Senate has become the retirement gig for corrupt ex-governors. They are also bankrupting the country with one of the highest legislative remuneration in the world in a country with one of highest concentration of the poorest of the poor living on less than $2 a day. What an outrage. We need to thrash the plagiarized American presidential constitution and replace it with a homegrown, institutionally, culturally, and financially compatible one. We can’t no longer afford to support these super leeches who are bleeding us to death. They very quickly shot down today with alacrity, a member of cult of thieves who went rogue by spilling the beans about the sleece in the Nigerian Senate. We must break open the code of silence.