Tag Archives: Tribunal

All parties must be represented at examination of ballot materials – Tribunal tells PDP/Iyamu

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Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City has ordered the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the September 28 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to comply with an earlier order that all parties to the case must be represented in the scanning of the ballot materials.

 

At the hearing on Thursday, no less than 100 lawyers including Senior Advocates of Nigeria stormed the tribunal for the commencement of legal fireworks in the petition filed by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) against the outcome of the September 28 governorship election.

 

However, the tribunal failed to begin pre-hearing session of the petition filed by the PDP and Pastor Ize-Iyamu. Lead Counsels to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Godwin Obaseki, Adeniyi Akintola and Ken Mozia had informed the tribunal that the PDP and its candidate were carrying out scanning of ballot papers without the representatives of APC and Obaseki.

 

He said continuous scanning of the ballot papers without respondents representatives was a breach of the tribunal earlier order that all parties must be present. Chief Akintola supported Mozia saying they were not notified but lead Counsel to Ize-Iyamu and the PDP, Adebayo Adeladun told the tribunal that the respondents want to frustrate his clients effort at scanning the ballot papers.

 

The tribunal chairman said that its earlier orders were in order adding that no party should be excluded. Pastor Ize-Iyamu, who trailed behind Obaseki in the election with 253,173 votes, is asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the election. Adebayo Adeladun, had earlier informed the tribunal that he was prepared for the pre-hearing session but lead Counsels to the APC and Obaseki, Adeniyi Akintola and Ken Mozia said they were not informed about the pre-hearing session.

 

Both Mozia and Akintola said they have applications that must be heard before the pre-hearing session. Akintola said there was need for the tribunal to hear all applications before the pre-hearing session commenced while Mozia said his application is to summarily terminate the petition. In his applications, Mozia requested for orders of the tribunal to dismiss the entire petition as well as strike out some paragraphs in the main petition.

 

Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mr. Onyebuchi Ikpeazu, told the tribunal that INEC was not aware that pre-hearing session was scheduled for Thursday sitting. He said they were not in the court for pre-hearing because the commission did not receive any information to that effect.

Tribunal to commence trial of ex- Akwa Ibom officials

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The Code of Conduct Tribunal is to commence the trial of about 50 senior public officials in Akwa Ibom accused of breaching the code of conduct and ethics of their offices.

 

The itinerary of the tribunal approved by the Chairman, Danladi Umar, a copy of which was obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, showed that the sittings are scheduled for between December 6 and 9 at the State High Court, Uyo.

 

The spokesperson of the tribunal, Ibrahim Al-hassan, said during the assignment in Akwa Ibom, that about 50 public officers, comprising ex-special advisers, local government counsellors that served between 2008 to 2009 and two administrative clerks from Esit Eket and Etim Ekpo local government areas would be tried.

 

“The tribunal’s itinerant session would help to clear up backlogs of cases in the zone within the period of the session,” Mr. Al-Hassan said.

 

“It will also make legal services available at the door steps of defaulters, particularly the low-ranking public officers, as well as serve as a means of publicizing the activities of the Tribunal within the zone.”

 

He said such sessions would equally strengthen the relationships between the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the host state, whose infrastructure and other logistics would be used for the session.

Tribunal to commence pre-trial hearing of Edo election Thursday

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The Election Petition Tribunal will commence pre-trial hearing in the case filed by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, against Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and two others in Benin on Thursday.

 

The PDP and Mr. Ize-Iyamu are challenging the declaration of Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner in the September 28 Edo governorship election by INEC.

 

The petitioners are asking the tribunal to nullify the result and instead declare Mr. Ize-Iyamu as the winner of the said election.

 

Photo credit: Punch Newspapers

 

But APC and Mr. Obaseki have urged the tribunal to discountenance PDP’s petition and uphold their application which challenged the areas where PDP claimed victory.

 

The tribunal had on October 11, ordered INEC to allow PDP have unhindered access to all electoral materials in the September 28 governorship election in Edo.

 

The order followed an ex-parte motion filed by PDP’s counsel, Kingsley Obamogie.

 

Mr. Obamogie had argued that the motion was in compliance with section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended which he relied on. He prayed the court to grant them the order to inspect the INEC materials.

 

The three-member tribunal led by Justice A. Badamasi, on Tuesday, fixed Thursday, December 1 for the commencement of the pre-trial hearing in the petition.

 

The other two members of the tribunal are Justices E. A. Ade Sodun and Adamu Usman.

Edo Election: Tribunal restrains PDP from scanning ballots papers.

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The Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin, on Wednesday, granted an order to the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Mr Godwin Obaseki, restraining the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the September 28 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, from utilizing any equipment to examine, scan, or howsoever interact with the ballot papers used in the election unless the integrity of such equipment has been demonstrated and cleared by the Election Petition Tribunal.

 

After hearing the four paragraph motion and the sworn affidavit of the APC, the Hon. Justice A. Badamasi-led Tribunal granted the application and ordered that the PDP and Pastor Ize-Iyamu be made to supply the name, model and serial number of the equipment they want to use in scanning the ballot papers at least two days before the scanning exercise can take place.

 

Significantly, the Election Petition Tribunal also ordered that the equipment should be demonstrated at the Independent Electoral Commission’s offices in the presence of all the parties or their representatives with not more than five representatives each.

 

It would be recalled that Governor Godwin Obaseki, the candidate of the APC decisively won the September 28th Gubernatorial election with over 319,483 votes to defeat his PDP opponent, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu who polled a total of over 250,000 votes and was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on September 29, 2016.

Edo tribunal gives PDP permission to inspect poll materials.

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The Edo State election petition tribunal yesterday granted a motion ex parte to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to inspect all materials used during the September 28 governorship election in the state.

 

Justice A.T Badamasi heads the three-man panel of judges.Though, the tribunal was yet to be officially inaugurated, an official of the court said it could only be inaugurated when aggrieved parties and their candidates who participated in the governorship election have filed petitions. They have 21 days to file their petitions.

Counsel to the PDP, Kingsley Obamogie, said the application was in line with Section 151 of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.He said that the section empowered the petitioners to institute a motion ex parte to pray the tribunal to inspect all the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s materials used for the election.

 

The tribunal judges after studying the motion ordered INEC to make all the electoral materials used for the conduct of the election available to the petitioners.

Tribunal Grants Ize-Iyamu Order To Inspect Election Materials

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Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City has granted an order for the People’s Democratic Party and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to inspect all the electoral materials used by the Independence National Electoral Commission for the conduct of the September 28 Edo State governorship election.

Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressive Congress was declared winner of the election after he polled over 319, 483 votes to defeat Pastor Ize-Iyamu who polled 253,173 votes.

The order by the tribunal followed an ex-parte motion filed by Counsel to the PDP and Pastor Ize-Iyamu, Barr. Kingsley Obamogie

Barr. Obamogie said the motion was in compliance with section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended which he relied on to pray the court to grant them the order to inspect the INEC materials.

Chairman of the tribunal, Hon. Justice .A. Badamasi granted the order after listening the argument of Obamogie.

Other members of the tribunal are Justices E.A. Ade Sodun, and Hon. Khadi Adamu Usman who are to serve as members.

Obamogie said, “In compliance with the section 151 of the Electoral Act of 2010 as amended, we have approached and pray the court to grant us the permission to inspect all the Electoral, materials used by INEC in the just concluded Edo State Governorship Election”.

An official of the tribunal would only be inaugurated only when petitions have been filed by aggrieved parties and their candidates that participated in the governorship election.

He noted that aggrieved parties have 21 days within which to file petitions.

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Tribunal grants Ize-Iyamu order to inspect election materials

Code of Conduct: Ex-Minister Orubebe to appeal tribunal judgement

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Former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe, has said he is not guilty as pronounced by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), chairman, Danladi Umar, adding that he will appeal the judgement to secure the ‘ordinary empty land which he had since sold to the man who bought it.’

 

Orubebe who maintained that he did not declare the said empty land in Asokoro District, because it was no longer in his possession when he left office said, “It won’t be fair to the innocent man who bought the ordinary empty land from me when I was in distress.’

 

Orubebe, who believes he is being prosecuted over his outburst at the 2015 Presidential Election collation centre in Abuja, in an attempt to protest the outcome of the election, said his lawyer, Mr Selekowei Larry (SAN), will appeal against the judgment which he described as “travesty of Justice”.

 

According to him, the verdict was a clear example of “convict him at all cost” syndrome. He explained that the said empty plot in the Asokoro district was allocated to him by the government in 2007 as part of his ministerial entitlements Abuja.

CCT: Tribunal dismisses Saraki’s motion for disqualifying tribunal chairman

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The Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday dismissed the motion filed by Senate President Bukola Saraki’s asking the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, to disqualify himself from further presiding over his (Saraki) on charges relating to asset declaration breaches.

Saraki, had in his motion filed on June 13, 2016 sought the tribunal’s order compelling its chairman to disqualify himself over allegation of a bias statement credited to him during the proceedings of June 7.

The defence had quoted the tribunal chairman to have warned the defence against causing delay of the case with a threat that the delay tactics would not reduce the consequence awaiting the accused.

But ruling on the application, the tribunal, held that the comment credited to him was unverified and that the defence failed to meet the legal standard of proving allegation of bias against a judge.

Umar, who read the ruling of the tribunal said the affidavit of “concerned citizens” filed by Saraki to prove the allegation of bias against him was unknown to law.

He said, “It is our holding that the defendant/applicant’s allegation of bias is merely founded on conjecture.

“The allegation of bias is a serious issue and it is capable of destroying public confidence in the institution.

“The affidavit by the concerned citizens does not constitute a standard for proving such serious allegation.

“The tribunal upholds that the application of the applicant is not legally founded and it is hereby refused.”

Reading the ruling of the two-man panel, Umar noted that even if he had wished to withdraw from the trial, the Constitution constraints of removing the tribunal chairman as captured under Paragraph 17(3) and (4) of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution, would not permit him to do so.

He also noted that the practice of asking a judge to recuse or disqualify himself from the trial before the CCT was only application to the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court, as well as the High Court of the various states of the federation but not to the tribunal.

Noting that no court apart from the CCT has the jurisdiction to try the cases relating to asset declaration -related breaches, Umar added that asking the chairman to recuse himself was tantamount to closing down the tribunal as “without the chairman, there is no tribunal”.

Tribunal Upholds David Mark’s Election

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The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal, sitting in Makurdi, yesterday dismissed the petition by the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the Benue South senatorial election, Daniel Onjeh challenging the victory of Senator David Mark, on the grounds that it was filed out of time.

Onjeh had challenged the victory of Senator Mark in the February 20, 2016 rerun election citing electoral malpractices and irregularities in the conduct of the poll.

However, Senator Mark, through his counsel, Mr. Ken Ikonne had through a motion challenged the jurisdiction of the Tribunal to entertain the matter on the grounds that it was incompetent and statute barred.

Mark had contended that, having been declared winner of the election on February 21, 2016 the petitioner had 21 days from the day of the declaration of the result to file his petition which he failed to do.

He argued that the petition was filed on March 13,, 2016 outside the 21 days allowed by law for such matters to be generated before a tribunal and in total variance with the provisions of Section 285(5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

On his part, Daniel Onjeh through his counsel, Adetunji Oso had asked the Tribunal to hear the suit on its merits insisting that the matter was properly brought before the Tribunal.

Credit: Vanguard

Saraki Loses Again As Code Of Conduct Tribunal Refuses To Quash Corruption Charges

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The Code of Conduct Tribunal has dismissed an application by the senate president, Bukola Saraki, for false asset declaration charges against him to be dropped.

Mr. Saraki’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, had argued that the 13-count charge was invalid procedurally because the Code of Conduct Bureau which filed the charges, failed to allow Mr. Saraki explain discrepancies in his assets declaration forms as required by law.

But in his ruling Thursday, the chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar, said there was no breach of law as the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 1989, still allows the senate president raise his clarifications at the level of the tribunal.

Mr. Danladi said by law, the CCB could receive complaints of breach of the Act and refer such complaints to the Tribunal, provided that it will allow the person involved to give a statement affirming or denying the said misconduct.

Also, upholding the argument made by the prosecution, Mr. Umar said Section 3 (e) of the 3rd schedule of the 1999 Constitution gives the bureau the right to receive complaints of such nature and where necessary refer such matter to the tribunal.

According to Mr. Danladi, Section 174 of the Constitution also gives the Attorney General of the Federation the prerogative to file criminal proceedings and does not owe any explanations to any one on how to go about it.

He therefore ordered the continuation of the trial.

Mr. Saraki had earlier lost his bid to stop the trial after the Supreme Court dismissed his initial objections.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Faleke Urges Tribunal To Declare Him Winner Of Kogi Gubernatorial

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The running mate to the Abubakar Audu, James Faleke, has called on the state Election Petition Tribunal to declare him the validly elected governor of Kogi State.
Mr. Faleke made the call on Monday while being led in evidence at the tribunal in Abuja by his counsel, Wole Olanipekun.
“I confirm to all the documents that were tendered this morning to be the ones I refer to in my petition.
“I will like to adopt the documents in my witness statement on oath and as my evidence in the petition.
“I want the tribunal to accept my petition and grant my reliefs as stated in paragraph 27 of my witness statement on oath and declare me as the winner,” Mr. Faleke said.
When asked during cross-examination by the counsel to the 1st respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission, if he was still a member of the All Progressive Congress, he said ‘yes’.
According to Mr. Faleke, “I am not aware that the 2nd respondent, Gov. Yahaya Bello, is a member of the APC. All I know is that the 2nd respondent campaigned and worked for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Credit: NAN

Kogi Election: Faleke Files Petition At Tribunal

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The running-mate to Abubakar Audu, the late candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in November 21 governorship poll in Kogi, James Faleke, has filed a petition at the Kogi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

Mr. Faleke, accompanied by Mohammed Audu, the son of late Audu, and lawyers, submitted the petition to the clerk of the tribunal at about 12.20pm in Lokoja on Monday.

Hundreds of party members and supporters converged on the state High Court premises, venue of the tribunal, to witness the event.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Secretary of the tribunal, Akanji Akinlabi, who received the petition, said the contents were yet to become public.

Mr. Faleke is challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s decision which declared the election inconclusive.

He argues that the election had already been won and lost before the supplementary poll, saying he should be declared winner.

Mr. Faleke told journalists that he was confident justice would be done in the matter, pointing out that he did not join his party, the APC as a respondent in the suit.

Credit: PremiumTimes

INEC Faults Tribunal’s Judgment On Rivers Guber Election, Asks Appeal Court To Set It Aside

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has filed an appeal  against the judgment of the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal nullifying  the election of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
The electoral body filed her appeal dated November 4, 2015 at the Court of  Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division on  November 5, 2015.

In a 12-grounds appeal filed on behalf of INEC  by her counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, the  electoral  body challenged the  entirety of  the tribunal’s judgment.

The  reliefs sought by INEC  in her appeal include: “an order allowing  the  appeal, an order setting aside the decision of the tribunal and an order dismissing the petition as lacking in merit.”

According to INEC, the learned justices of the tribunal erred in law when it failed to evaluate the evidence of each of the witness called by the petitioners before reaching  its decision.

INEC stated: “The tribunal was obligated to making findings as to where elections were said to have held on the one part and where they were alleged not to have held on the other part.”

The electoral body further stated that the tribunal  erred when it resorted to generic declaration like “many instances,” when the justices were obligated to specify where the  evidence  elicited under cross examination enhanced the case of the first and  second  respondents.

The INEC further stated that the tribunal erred  when it used the testimonies of witnesses  who were not at polling  stations  to nullify  the Rivers  governorship election.

Credit: ThisDay

Wike Asks Appeal Court To Set Aside Tribunal’s Judgment Nullifying His Election

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike,  has filed an appeal at the Abuja   Division of the Court of Appeal,  asking the court to set aside the  judgment  of  the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal  which nullified  his election  on October 24, 2015.

In a notice of appeal dated November  3, 2015 and filed same day by his lawyer,  Mr. Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), the governor raised 26 grounds of appeal upon which he sought to set aside the tribunal judgment.

The governor is challenging the entire judgment.

He joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as respondents.

He asked the court to allow the appeal and to make an order setting aside the judgment/decision of the  Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal.

He further urged the Court of Appeal to make an “order striking  out or dismissing the petition filed on May 3, 2015 by Peterside and the APC.”

Credit: ThisDay

‘I’ve Not Been Sacked From Office’ – Rivers Assembly Speaker Says

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Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani whose election into the Rivers State House of Assembly was nullified by the state Election Tribunal on Monday October 26th, says he remains the speaker of the state assembly.

Speaking with newsmen at the state house of assembly complex yesterday, Ibani said his election was only nullified and that he was not sacked from office as speaker. He and the other 20 PDP lawmakers whose elections were nullified, have asked their lawyers to appeal the election tribunal ruling.

“I heard in the news that the Speaker and 20 others have been sacked by the election tribunal. But this is not true. No member of the Assembly, not even the Speaker, has been sacked. The lower tribunal gave judgment… In their judgment, they argued that there should be a rerun within 90 days. The judicial process in Nigeria is that when a lower court gives its judgment, you can proceed to a higher court. That is why we have asked our lawyers to appeal the matter immediately.”he said.

Rivers State House of Assembly: Tribunal Did Not Sack Me, Members- Speaker

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Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, has stated that neither him nor any member of the Assembly was sacked by the Elections Petitions Tribunal on Monday.

Ibani’s statement yesterday was on the heels of the judgement of the tribunal which nullified the elections of the Speaker and 20 other lawmakers of the State Assembly.

Addressing journalists at the Assembly complex, the speaker, representing Andoni Constituency, said the Tribunal gave judgement and ordered a re-run within 90 days.

He said: “I heard over the news that the Speaker and 20 others have been sacked by the Election Tribunal. No member, not even the Speaker has been sacked. The lower Tribunal gave judgement in their opinion. In their judgement they argued that there should be a rerun within 90days.

“The Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani was not sacked by any election petition tribunal, and none of the members were sacked by the election petition Tribunal. I am still the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and the members still remain members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“The whole world knows that the election was conducted in the State on April 11. The whole world knows as well that INEC prepared for the election for a long period. Because we have faith in the judiciary system, we have faith in the judges and justices we have in Nigeria, we believe that our case will not be different.”

Igbani disclosed that the lawmakers had directed their counsels to appeal the matter, expressing optimism in the credibility of the judiciary to deliver unbiased verdicts.

Credit: SunOnline

Tribunal Orders Re-Run In Akwa Ibom Gov. Election

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The Akwa Ibom State  governorship tribunal has ordered for a rerun of the governorship election in the state.

The Tribunal ordered Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct re-run election in 18 local government areas of the state. There are 31 LGs in Akwa Ibom.

Giving its verdict on Wednesday, the Tribunal said it was satisfied that there were discrepancies during the governorship election held on April 11.

The Tribunal further asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct the re-run elections.

Credit: Vanguard

Code Of Conduct Tribunal Adjourns Saraki’s Case

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Senate President Bukola Saraki arrived at the court, accompanied by a retinue of senators.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, Dino Melaye, confirmed to journalists that 84 senators accompanied the senate president, Bukola Saraki, to Code of Conduct Tribunal today.

At the commencement of the trial, the lead prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, traced the history of the case at the court of appeal.

He lamented how the appellate court fixed October 19 for the judgment, but when they arrived on the day for the judgement, they were told it was not ready.

After the two sides presented their arguments, the tribunal let both sides pick date for resumption of the hearing.

Both sides agreed that hearing should be between November 5 and 6 in order to await the outcome of the decision of the Court of Appeal.

Credit: PremiumTimes

81 Senators Accompany Saraki To Code Of Conduct Tribunal

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Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has arrived at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in company of 81 senators, including the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

The Assistant Chief Registrar of the Court, Mr Bintu Garba has barred cameras from taking shots of the proceeding or broadcasting it live.

Mr Garba said the instruction is from the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar.

The Tribunal had adjourned till October 21 to commence Dr Saraki’s trial for the 13 charges preferred against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau, which alleged that the Senate President made false asset declaration as Kwara State Governor between 2003 and 2011.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Tribunal Sacks Lawmaker, Bans Him From Politics For Life

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The National and State House of Assembly Election Tribunal for Plateau State has nullified the election of a member of the state House of Assembly representing Langtang South, Mr Vincent Bulus.

The tribunal also banned the lawmaker from contesting for any election for life.

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11 House of Assembly Election. Mr. Jackson Danladi, had filed a petition before the Tribunal challenging the victory of Bulus in the election, alleging that the lawmaker was an ex-convict.

Delivering judgment, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice O O Akeredolu, said the respondent was not qualified to contest the election having been convicted of an offence in line with Section 107(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Justice Akeredolu said: “The respondent, having been convicted of an offence involving fraud and dishonesty by a court of law, was not qualified to contest the election into the Plateau State House of Assembly to represent Langtang South constituency.

“That the election and return of the first respondent as member of Plateau State House of Assembly to represent Langtang South is a nullify.”

Credit: Tribune

Tribunal Upholds El-Rufai’s Victory As Kaduna State Governor

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The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kaduna State has upheld the election of Nasir El-Rufai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the elected Governor of the state.

The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate in the April 11 Governorship election, Polycarp Gankon, had on May 28, 2015 approached the tribunal, asking it to set aside the election because of non-compliance of the Electoral Act, exclusion of his party from form EC8 in several polling units and wards in seven Local Government Councils of the state.

The petitioner also alleged that there was massive ballot box stuffing and exaggerated results by the APC during the election, thereby asking the three-man tribunal to nullify the election in the affected local councils.

But in an unanimous judgement that lasted for six hours, Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Adebayo Adebara, held that the petitioner had not mustered enough evidence to prove his allegations of electoral malpractice and irregularity.

Read More: channelstv

Tribunal Upholds Adeyemi’s Victory, Dismisses Labour Party’s Petition

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The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Ibadan on Wednesday upheld the election of Rep. Akeem Adeyemi representing Oyo East, Oyo West, Atiba and Afijio Federal Constituency.

Kamil Akinlabi of Labour Party had challenged the declaration of Adeyemi of APC as the winner of the March 28 election.
Also joined in the petition were the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The petitioner had informed the tribunal through his counsel, Mr R. Akinloye, that Adeyemi was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast, adding that the election was marred by irregularities and malpractices.

Akinloye also said that Adeyemi did not have National Youth Service Corps certificate and prayed the court to declare his client as the winner of the election or order re-run in the affected local governments.

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Tribunal Upholds Akpabio’s Victory

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The Akwa Ibom State senatorial election tribunal has upheld the election of Senator Godswill Akpabio as the duly elected senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District in the March 28 senatorial election in Akwa Ibom State.

Justice Goddy Anuichi held that the petitioner, Mr Inibehe Okorie, failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt, the allegations of malpractices at the polls.

According to the judge, the allegation of noncompliance during the elections ought to be proved substantially in all the over 1,300 polling units in the senatorial district but the petitioner only called 17 witnesses.

He said that the petitioner’s witnesses testified based on hearsay, which in law cannot be relied upon to decide a case.

Read More: channelstv

Delta State Governorship Tribunal Adjourns Judgment

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The Delta State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba on Wednesday adjourned judgement of the petitions filed by the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) O’terga Emerho and Great Ogboru respectively, to a date that would be communicated before August 28.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Nasir Gummi, announced that the tribunal would  communicate to counsels, the date for the judgement shortly after submissions from the 1st, 2nd and  3rd respondents’ counsels against the suit filed by the petitioners to invalidate and nullify the result of the April 11 governorship elections in the state.

At the sitting, Alex Iziyon (SAN), the lead counsel to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions which he said varied with the petitioners’ evidences before the tribunal.

Read More: channelstv

Tribunal Nullifies Senator’s Election

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Supporters of former governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, yesterday took to the streets of Enugu, the state capital after the National Assembly tribunal nullified the election of Senator Gilbert Nnaji, representing Enugu East Senatorial District.

Nnamani’s supporters, who thronged the major streets of Enugu chanted songs of jubilation in praise of the erstwhile governor also displayed various posters of Nnamani even as they disrupted vehicular movement in the state capital

The result of the March 28 result which was in favour of Senator Nnaji had sparked off series of protests across the state based on speculations that the former governor was the actual winner of the election.

Nnamani, who contested on the platform of  People for Democratic Change (PDC). subsequently called his supporters to order and approached the election tribunal for redress.

In the judgment, the panel held that the conduct of the election did not comply with the 2010 Electoral Act.
Meanwhile, Senator Nnaji has said he would appeal the tribunal’s ruling.

Credit: sunnewsonline

Tribunal Upholds Dino Melaye’s Election

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The National Assembly and Legislative Houses Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State has upheld the election of Senator Dino Melaye as the winner of the 2015 Kogi West Senatorial Election against the petition by his rival, Senator Smart Adeyemi.

Melaye had been declared winner of the election conducted March 28 pulling an upset that shocked many who had come to know Senator Adeyemi for his populist views in the Senate and even his populist exposure at home.

The legal exchange between the two contending parties reached a dramatic point last Tuesday after the lawyers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC were compelled to tender a certified true copy of the APC report on the Kogi West Senatorial primaries in which it was adduced that Melaye did not partake in that primary.

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Tribunal upholds Gbajabiamila’s election

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The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ikeja on Friday upheld the victory of the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila.

 

The tribunal held that Gbajabiamila of the All Progressives Congress (APC) validly won the March 28 election for Surulere Federal Constituency I in Lagos State.

 

The three-man tribunal led by Justice C.U. Anwuka resolved all issues raised in favour of the respondent.

 

The tribunal consequently dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Mr Tony Ashikodi, for failing to prove the allegations of electoral fraud.

 

Ashikodi had petitioned the tribunal challenging the outcome of the election.

 

Ashikodi had alleged that he observed some irregularities during the election which contravened the provisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s approved guidelines.

 

He urged the court to void the election and order a fresh election to be conducted by INEC.

 

The petitioner had alleged that “the final figures in Form EC 8 C (i) were cancelled and altered with a view to declaring Gbajabiamila the winner of the election.”

 

He claimed that the 14,351 received by the APC candidate was “whimsically changed’’ to 21,715 while 16,079 earlier recorded for petitioner was changed to 14,550.

 

However in the judgment, the tribunal said Ashikodi failed to substantiate his allegations that ballot boxes were snatched and result sheets falsified by INEC.

 

The judges noted that the petitioner failed to call a single witness to substantiate his claims.

 

They said Ashikodi, in his evidence-in-chief, admitted that he was not present at the collation centre and did not tender any document to back his allegations of multiple irregularities.

 

The tribunal also faulted the claim of the petitioner’s counsel, Mr Kalu Onuah, that the election did not comply with Section 139 of the Electoral Act and therefore dismissed the petition.

 

 

 

(NAN)

News Alert!! Kashamu, 6 Others Sacked By Ogun State Election Tribunal

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The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ogun state has sacked Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial district, Senator Buruji Kashamu a member of House of Representatives from Ijebu East /Ijebu North /Ogun waterside, Adekoya Adesegun and five members of the state assembly over non-compliance of electoral law.

The tribunal has therefore ordered a fresh election in the areas affected.

More details later……

Tribunal Sacks Rep For Lack Of School Qualification

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The Yobe Legislative Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja has nullified the election of a member representing Nangere/Potiskum Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Sabo Garba, for lack of educational qualification.

Mr. Garba was elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The three-member tribunal, presided by Frances Ikponmwen, gave the nullification order while delivering judgment in a petition filed by Ali Yakubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Mr. Yakubu and his party had asked the tribunal to nullify Mr. Garba’s election on the ground that he did not possess the requisite qualification to contest the election.

Delivering judgment, the tribunal ordered Mr. Garba to vacate his seat in the House of Representatives.

It also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to declare the petitioner as the winner of the election and issue Certificate of Return to him.

The tribunal held that Mr. Garba failed to defend the allegation that he did not possess the relevant qualification to contest the election.

Out of the four issues raised by the petitioners – malpractice, noncompliance with electoral guidelines, forgery and lack of educational qualification – the tribunal based its judgment on the fourth issue of educational qualification.

Read More: premiumtimesng

Akwa Ibom Election Tribunal Resumes Sitting Thursday

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After two weeks of adjournment, the Akwa Ibom governorship tribunal sitting in Abuja resumes Thursday to adopt written addresses by parties in the matter.

Candidate for the All Progressives Congress in the election, Umana Umana, had approached the tribunal challenging the conduct of the poll and the declaration of Udom Emmanuel as winner.

At the last sitting, the Justice Sadiq Umar-led panel directed that the respondents should file and serve their final written addresses on the petitioners within seven days beginning from Monday, September 21, 2015, while the petitioners should file and serve their final written addresses on the respondents within four days.

In the sitting which lasted for about three months, the prosecution called over 60 witnesses.

Read More: thisdaylive

David Mark’s Position Upheld By Tribunal

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Immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, on Tuesday, had his election upheld by the Benue State National and State Assemblies Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Makurdi, the state capital.

Mark was declared winner of the Benue South Senatorial election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Justice Mosumola Dipeolu-led tribunal in a unanimous judgment that lasted for two and a half hours on Tuesday, dismissed the petition brought by the defeated All Progressives Congress candidate, Daniel Onjeh, challenging the election of Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party.

In the judgment, the tribunal held that the petitioner failed to establish any case of alleged irregularities against Mark’s election.

Justice Dipelou said Onjeh and the APC failed woefully to prove allegations of rigging, multiple thumb-printing, over stuffing of ballots, allocation of votes, intimidation, harassment and inducement of voters among others.

The tribunal also held that the petitioner failed to substantiate any of his claims which she said was fatal to Onjeh’s case.

Read More: dailytimes

Tribunal Nullifies Reps’ Election, Orders Fresh Polls

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The Elections Petitions Tribunal siting in Akure, Ondo State, has nullified the election of Victor Akinjo as member representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State.

The tribunal nullified the election and ordered fresh polls on the grounds that Mr. Akinjo was not a bona fide member of the Peoples Democratic Party at the time the election was held.

Credit: premiumtimesng

Tribunal Sacks PDP Senator

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National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jalingo, Taraba State capital, yesterday sacked Senator Bashir Marafa Abba of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The senator represents Taraba Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

He was dragged to the tribunal by the All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial candidate, Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf.

The three-man panel of Justices, in a two and a half hours ruling held that the 1st respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, 2nd respondent, PDP, and 3rd respondent, Senator Abba, failed to prove the case against them beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice I.A. Yusuf, who read the judgement, held that the tribunal was convinced by the evidence that there was swapping of votes of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, by Bali Local Government collation officer in favour of the PDP candidate.

He also held that the cancelation of the results of 16 out of 17 polling units in Kaigama ward within the same local government by the 1st respondent after the results were announced at the polling units by presiding officers was an afterthought and against provisions of the Electoral Act.

The tribunal faulted the cancelation of the entire result of Kaigama ward and ordered the deduction of 2, 999 votes of SDP, which were swapped with the 512 votes for PDP, giving APC candidate 66,097 against the PDP candidate’s 64,356 and SDP’s 33,489.

Read More: nationalmirroronline

Tribunal grants Saraki bail on self recognition; adjourns case till October 21

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The tribunal has adjourned hearing on Saraki’s case till October 21, 2015. The Senate president was granted bail on self recognition.

Senate President Bukola Saraki arrived at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja, in company with his deputy, Ike Ekeweremadu, former governor of Sokoto State, Wamako, and several senators.

Premium Times reports that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, pleaded “not guilty” on Tuesday to multiple charges of fraud brought against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau.

He was thereafter granted bail on self recognition.

He faces a 13-count charge bordering on corruption and alleged false declaration of assets.

Mr. Saraki arrived the tribunal Tuesday morning after failing to appear on Friday and Monday.

As the case opened, Mr. Saraki’s lawyers argued that the matter was not a criminal case, and challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

The prosecution opposed the argument. The tribunal ruled that the matter was criminal and directed Mr. Saraki to go ahead with his plea.

“I hold that the trial before the tribunal is purely criminal,” said the chairman of the tribunal.

On jurisdiction, the prosecution counsel argued that according to section 2 of the Administration of Justice Act, 2015, the matter could be heard alongside any preliminary objection regarding the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

The new law was signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in March 2015, as part of a major reform of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

The Act is expected to speed up corruption cases before the courts, by dealing with issues of preliminary objections, adjournments, and jurisdiction.

The law says such objections must be addressed by the courts concurrently with the corruption charge, unlike the past when interlocutory injunctions could go to the Supreme Court and return, before the main trial begins.

Asked to take his plea, Mr. Saraki said, “I believe that I am here as the Senate president to indicate my respect for the tribunal. I am puzzled why I am being compelled”.

He pleaded not guilty.

On the various assets he acquired, which the Code of Conduct Bureau said his earnings did not qualify him to acquire, Mr. Saraki said he got them through his investment in rice farming.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge concerning his failure to declare his assets when he was Kwara State governor.

He also denied making false declaration of assets.

He pleaded not guilty on the charge regarding his alleged use of foreign bank accounts while serving as a public officer in Nigeria.

Mr. Saraki arrived the tribunal premises at 9:32 a.m., accompanied by “about 50 senators and some members of the House of Representatives”, his spokesperson, Yusuph Olaniyonu, told PREMIUM TIMES.

Some of the senators in court, according to a PREMIUM TIMES reporter at the trial, are Theodore Orji, Sam Egwu, Ike Ekweremadu, Shaba Lafiaji, Aliyu Wamakko, Rafiu Ibrahim, Tayo Alasoadura, Hamma Misau, Samuel Anyanwu, Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, among others.

This newspaper learnt that the Senate President and his supporters first converged on the National Assembly early on Tuesday morning from where they took off in a convoy of buses for the tribunal.

One of the senators, who asked not to be named, said he and his colleagues decided to provide cover for the senate president to prevent him from being arrested or humiliated by the police.

A supporter of the Senate President, now also inside the courtroom, told PREMIUM TIMES, “We are already seated. No shaking. The plan is to humiliate the man, not minding if they break the law or violate the procedure.

“We have nothing to fear. After Saraki has exercised his fundamental human rights in relevant courts, we are here to to show the lies contained in the charges.”

Mr. Saraki had on Monday released a statement, saying he was now ready to attend his trial, days after he battled frantically to use the courts to halt the trial.

The matter was adjourned to 21st, 22nd and 23rd October for hearing.

 

Source : Premium Times

 

Code of Conduct Tribunal Orders Saraki’s Arrest

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The Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja has ordered the arrest of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for failing to appear on Friday as the tribunal commenced hearing of a 13-count charge of alleged corruption against him. The chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar, issued a bench warrant against Mr. Saraki, brushing aside a Federal High Court order seeking to stop Mr. Saraki’s arraignment.

Mr. Saraki had on Thursday obtained a Federal High Court order directing that the case against him be halted. On Friday, the prosecution counsel, Muslim Hassan, asked the tribunal to order his arrest for failing to appear before it, arguing that the high court had parallel jurisdiction with the tribunal and as such, had no powers to halt a trial of the tribunal.

Mr. Saraki’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, however, prayed the tribunal to adjourn the case until after the Federal High Court sitting on Monday. But the tribunal chairman granted the prayer of the prosecutor. The Code of Conduct Bureau had slammed a 13-count charge of corruption on Mr. Saraki.

Read More: premiumtimesng

Akwa Ibom: As PDP Closes Case, Tribunal Orders INEC To Open Defence

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As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Emmanuel Udom closed their case yesterday, the Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to open its defence against the allegations of aiding election malpractices in the April 11 polls.

The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Sadiq Umar, gave the order after counsel to the PDP, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), announced that the party would not present additional witnesses originally listed to testify at the tribunal.

As a result, Justice Umar ordered INEC as the third respondent in the petition, to present its defence today (Tuesday) when the proceedings will commence.

Read More: thisdaylive

A’Ibom Tribunal: PDP Agent Admits Signing Multiple Results

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Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party who served as the party’s agents during the April 11, 2015 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State admitted signing multiple result sheets while testifying before the state Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday.

One of the agents, Nicholas Andy, who served as the PDP agent in Ibiono-Ibom Local Government Area, admitted that no agent of any political party, including that of the PDP signed the result sheets in three of the 11 wards of the local government.

The agents were testifying for Governor Udom Emmanuel of the PDP whose election as governor is being challenged before the tribunal by the All Progressives Congress and its candidate in the poll, Mr. Umana Umana.

Andy, while testifying on Monday denied the petitioners’ allegation that election only took place in two out of the 161 polling units in Ibiono-Ibom Local Government Area.

He admitted serving as the PDP agent for the local government and for Ikot Ikpo Ward 6 during the election.

When the petitioners’ lawyer, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja (SAN), asked him what the distance between the local government and ward collation agents was, he said he could not tell the distance in kilometres “but it is not far.”

He said the PDP had agents in all the wards in the local government.

But when the petitioners’ lawyer confronted him with the list of the agents for the wards in the local government, he admitted them as being the list of approved agents but his name was not on the list.

He also confirmed, when confronted with the result sheets, that no political agent including that of the PDP signed the result sheets of three out of the 11 wards in the local government.

Also, one of the PDP’s agents, Emmanuel Mbong, admitted signing the result sheet on behalf of the PDP at Eket Urban Ward 1 and Eket Urban Ward 3 as well for Eket Local Government Area.

Mbong said though he was the agent approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the PDP in Eket Local Government Area and Eket Urban Ward 1, he had to sign for the PDP in Eket Urban Ward 3, because the agent approved for that ward needed to rush his wife to the hospital.

“The agent for Ward 3, Chief Ekpe Ubong Udoh, called me on the phone when I was at the local government collation centre that he was indisposed because his wife was stooling and vomiting, so he had to rush her to the hospital,” Mbong said.

Also testifying, Obong Titus, who said the collation of results took place in all the polling units and wards of Etinan Local Government, confirmed that the PDP had agents in all the 11 wards in the local government.

But he confirmed that the result sheets of wards 1, 5 and 8 of Etinan LGA marked as Exhibit DDD 1, 5 and 8 were signed by, Mr. Ibanga Udofia, when the petitioners’ counsel, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) confronted him with documents.

Governor Emmanuel, represented by Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), has so far called 19 witnesses.

The proceedings continue Tuesday.

A/Ibom Governorship Election Was Free And Fair, PDP Witnesses Tell Tribunal

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More witnesses presented by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the disputed Akwa Ibom governorship election have testified that the election in the state was free, fair and complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010.

At the resumed hearing of the Akwa Ibom Election Tribunal on Thursday, a defence witness, Samuel Iyang, told the Justice Sadiq Umar-led panel that it was false that elections did not take place, as alleged by the petitioner.

The witness told the tribunal that not only was the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but that it was peaceful and recorded a large turnout of voters.

Read More: channelstv

PDP Asks Tribunal To Dismiss Petition Against Akpabio

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The Peoples Democratic Party has asked the Akwa Ibom State Elections Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja to nullify its earlier proceedings on the petition challenging the election of former Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, as the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District in the 8th Senate.
Akpabio has since been appointed the Minority Leader in the Senate. But the petition challenging his election was filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the March 28, 2015 National Assembly elections, Chief Inibehe Okori.
The motion by the PDP asking for the nullification of  the tribunal’s proceedings and the dismissal of the petition was filed after the petitioners had called many witnesses in proving their case.
PDP, which is the third respondent to the petition, predicated its fresh motion on the grounds that the petitioners failed to properly apply for the commencement of the pre-hearing session as required by law, before going into the hearing of the petition.
Read More: punchng

Three of David Mark’s witnesses quit at tribunal

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Three of eight witnesses called by David Mark in defence of the petition against him by Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress at the National Assembly Elections Tribunal, did not testify as they were not seen when called.

The Counsel to David Mark, Kenneth Ikonne, on Monday told the tribunal that he had eight witnesses to call for the day to strengthen his defence against the petition.

The five witnesses that testified- all Ward Collation Agents for the Peoples Democratic Party, said the conduct of the Benue South Senatorial election was free and fair.

However, under cross-examination by petitioner’s counsel, Tunji Oso, one of the witnesses, who claimed that all accredited voters had their names ticked on the voters register, admitted that no name was ticked on the register.

Another witness also admitted under cross examination that there were mutilation and alteration of exhibits, especially form EC 8A which was the result sheet.

Following the disappearance of the remaining witnesses for the day, Mr. Ikonne, prayed the court to grant him more time to persuade the witnesses to appear.

He said one of the absentee witnesses actually told him that he had defected to the APC.

Daniel Onjeh of the APC had filed a petition seeking declaration that the former President of Senate was wrongly declared winner of the Benue South Senatorial election.

Mr. Onjeh alleged electoral malpractices and substantial infringement on the Electoral Act, praying the tribunal to nullify the election and order for fresh poll.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Mosumola Dipeolu, adjourned the matter to August 13 for continuation of defence.

Source: (NAN)

Tribunal Throws Out Four Petitions Against Wike’s Election

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The Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has struck out four out of the five petitions filed to challenge the election of Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the governor of the state.

The only surviving petition challenging the declaration of Wike as the winner of the April 11 election is the one filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside.

Three of the petitions, which were filed by the Social Democratic Party, Labour Party and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) were dismissed on technical grounds.

The fourth petition was voluntarily withdrawn by the petitioner, Kemka Elenwo, who was KOWA Party’s governorship candidate in the election.

Read More: Punch

Pwajok Wins Round One Against Lalong At Tribunal

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The Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, on Wednesday dismissed attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to block the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from tendering vital documents to defend its case.

The petition is that of the PDP governorship candidate, Senator Gyang Pwajok, who is challenging the victory of Mr Simon Bako Lalong of the APC at the polls because he alleged foul plays in the election.

In one of the tribunal’s sittings, counsel to the petitioner had pleaded with the tribunal to tender documents for inspection by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to buttress the case. But this was vehemently objected to by the respondent’s (APC) counsel who sensed that allowing the documents to be tendered would jeopardise their case.

The two parties argued their cases citing many legal authorities to drive home their points.
Having listened to all the arguments, the tribunal chairman, Justice Johnson Candide, ruled in favour of the PDP, saying that the tribunal was not convinced by the submissions and argument of the respondent (APC) and accordingly dismissed the objection in favour of the petitioner (PDP).

Read More: thisdaylive

Certificate Forgery: Tribunal Rules on APC Suit August 15

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The National and House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has fixed August 15 to deliver judgement on the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress against the Peoples Democratic Party.

Mr. Eddy Julius, the senatorial candidate for the APC in the last National Assembly election conducted in Bayelsa West Senatorial District dragged his PDP rival, Senator Foster Ogola, to the tribunal alleging certificate forgery.

Julius, who is challenging the victory of Ogola in the election, is praying the court to disqualify Ogola for allegedly presenting a false certificate and to declare him the authentic winner of the poll.

When the tribunal resumed on Monday for adoption, counsel for Julius, Mr. Somina Johnbull adopted a written address he filed on July 14.

Johnbull appealed to the tribunal to grant prayers sought by his client to the effect that Ogola was not qualified to stand for the election.

He said,  “Our thrust is on non-qualification of the second respondent (Ogola). If our reliefs are granted, the petitioner (Julius), who came second, will now become the winner of the election by virtue of the doctrine of wasted votes.”

Read More: punchng

Tribunal Dimisses Wike’s Bid To Relocate Election Tribunal To Rivers

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The Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, has dismissed an application by Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, seeking an order relocating its venue to Rivers.

In a ruling, the three-man panel led by Justice Muazu Pindiga, dismissed the application on the ground that the tribunal had power to sit in Abuja, following security challenges in the state.

The tribunal also held that the composition of the tribunal was not in any way defective and that the President of the Court of Appeal had the power to fix the venue of the tribunal.

Mr. Pindiga added that ?the issue of accessibility and proximity of the venue for the tribunal cannot be decided without considering the security situation, earlier argued by the governor’s counsel, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN.

The governor had prayed the tribunal to relocate the venue to Rivers, adding that the election was duly conducted in line with Section 285 of the Nigerian constitution.

A governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, and his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) had in April dragged Mr. Wike to court over his victory at the recent governorship election in Rivers.

Joined in the suit, filed by the APC, are the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Peoples Democratic Party.

Credit: premiumtimesng

Stop Insulting Me, Face Tribunal- Okorocha Tells Ihedioha

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Imo state governor,Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has urged the former speaker of the House of Representatives and former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Emeka Ihedioha, to respect his office and stop insulting him on the pages of newspapers.

Okorocha who was reacting to a media report credited to Ihedioha alleging that he has stolen funds of the state since he assumed office in 2011, asked the former lawmaker to rather face his case at the election tribunal and stop what he described as “unnecessary distraction”.

The governor, who reacted through a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, also said that Ihedioha, in the said report, accused the governor of acquiring a multi billion properties since he assumed office.

Read More: leadership

Tribunal Sacks Edo APC Lawmaker

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The Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin on Friday upturned the election of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Yakubu Gowon, as the lawmaker representing Etsako West II Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly.

Gowon had been declared the winner of the April 11 state assembly poll and returned elected to represent the constituency, where Governor Adams Oshiomhole hails from, by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

But in the judgement, Justice E. Abuua held that the APC candidate was not duly nominated by his party. The tribunal explained that the APC’s notice of intention to hold party primaries, which he sent to INEC, was less than the mandatory 21 days.

It said the notice was given on November 13, 2014, while the primaries was conducted  on December 1, 2014.  The tribunal, therefore, held that all the votes cast for the APC candidate were wasted and that the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Sylvanus Eriagha, who was the first runner up with 4,001 votes was the rightful person to be declared winner of the poll.

Read More: punchng

Tribunal Rules On Ambode’s Objection Today

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The Lagos State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Ikeja has slated today to decide whether or not to hear the preliminary objection filed by the state Governor,  Akinwunmi Ambode against the petition filed by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate, Jimi Agbaje in the April 28 election.

The PDP candidate, is praying the tribunal to declare him the winner of the April poll, while challenging the declaration of Akinwunmi Ambode by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as the winner of the election.

When the matter came up yesterday, the tribunal stated it would take all preliminary objections alongside with the petitions. The tribunal presided by  Justice Mohammed Ibrahim Sirajo however subjected the issues to argument asking parties in the matter to make their submissions.

Credit: vanguardngr

Tribunal Orders INEC To Move A’Ibom Guber Election Materials To Abuja For Inspection

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The Akwa Ibom State Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja yesterday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to move all the materials used in the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state to its headquarters in Abuja for inspection.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Sadiq Umar made the order sequel to an application by the petitioners, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its gubernatorial candidate, Umana Okon Umana to that effect.

The petitioners made the request for the material to be moved to Abuja to enable them inspect same. At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the petitioners asked the tribunal for extension of time to enable them inspect the election materials, as they claimed they were not made available to them by the electoral body to enable them challenge Udom Emmanuel’s victory.

Following the tribunal’s directive on the movement of the election materials to Abuja, it also directed that security agencies should ensure adequate security of the materials during movement and inspection by the petitioners.

The petition filed before the tribunal by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) on behalf of the petitioners is challenging the election victory of Udom Gabriel Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 11, 2015 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State.

The tribunal declined the oral application for the striking out of the name of the governor from the petition and ordered the governor, who is the first respondent to file and serve his process yesterday and adjourned further hearing of the matter till today.

Governor Udom Emmanuel, who had challenged the relocation of the tribunal from Uyo to Abuja through his lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) told the tribunal that it had no jurisdiction to determine the outcome of the 2015 governorship elections in Akwa Ibom State.

Following the April 11, 2015 elections, the APC had rejected the result declared by INEC, which proclaimed the PDP candidate, Udom Emmanuel, winner.

In its petition, the APC had alleged, among other things, that the election was marred by widespread electoral malpractice, disenfranchisement of its supporters and a declaration of votes for the PDP in virtual violation of INEC provisions that required that all votes cast be duly accredited.

Since the tribunal commenced sitting on the petition, the APC has continued to cry foul that both the INEC and PDP in the state have consistently frustrated their attempt to pursue justice.

Preliminary hearing had commenced in Uyo before the parties were informed that the tribunal had been relocated to Abuja, a move the respondents are challenging. Justice Sadiq Umar had earlier affirmed the tribunal’s commitment to ensuring that all the parties were treated fairly and for justice to be done.

APC Vows To Unseat Wike At Tribunal

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The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that despite the assumption of office of Governor Nyesom Wike, it was confident that he would be removed by the Election Petition Tribunal.

The party noted that Wike was unjustly declared the winner of the April 11 gubernatorial election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party’s state Chairman Davies Ikanya in a statement, said Wike does not have the mandate of the people of Rivers to serve as their governor. He stated that the party is confident that the tribunal will do the needful and sack him accordingly in view of the materials submitted to it.

Read More: DailyIndependent

Ihedioha Challenges Okorocha’s Victory At Tribunal

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The Imo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s governorship candidate in the April 11 poll, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has filed a petition before the state elections petitions tribunal in Owerri.

Ihedioha, who is also the out-going Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, is challenging the re-election of Governor Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for a second term. He is praying the tribunal to declare him winner of the election or alternatively cancel the entire exercise and conduct a fresh election.

Ihedioha through his lead counsel, Mike Ahamba, said the  election was flawed by violence, intimidation, widespread malpractices and partisanship.

Read More: NationalMirror

Tribunal Recieves Five Petitions Challenging Wike’s Election In Rivers

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The Election Petitions Tribunal in Rivers sitting in Abuja on Friday said it received five additional petitions challenging the emergence of Mr Nyesom Wike as governor-elect of the state.

The tribunal Secretary, Mrs Deborah Musa, said that the petitioners challenged the April 11 governorship election in Rivers.

The petitioners were Mr Kemka Elenwo, KOWA party; Mr Dakuku Peterside, All Progressives Congress; Mr Charles Harry, All Progressive Grand Alliance; Minaibim Harry, Social Democratic Party; and Labour Party.

Musa said the tribunal received another 27 petitions for the House of Assembly, in addition to the earlier 17 petitions for the March 28 National Assembly polls.

It is reported that the tribunal had so far received 49 petitions in the March 28 and April 11 general elections in the country.

It is also reported that the tribunal Chairman, Justice V. U. Okorie, had on Tuesday, May 5, granted an order of substituted service on all the 16 motion ex-parte brought before the tribunal.

Okorie granted the motion after listening to arguments by the counsel to the applicants, Mr Henry Bello and Mr Emenike Ebete.

He explained that the motions were granted to facilitate speedy hearing of all the petitions before the tribunal.

All the motions ex-parte were seeking for an order of substituted services of the petitions on the 16 respondents in the National Assembly polls.

Credit: NAN

Tribunal Orders Inspection Of Ballot Papers From Akpabio’s Senatorial Win

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The National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal for Akwa Ibom on Friday ordered the inspection of 450,000 ballot papers used in declaring Governor Godswill Akpabio as Senator-elect.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Akpabio the winner of the March 28 Senatorial Election for Akwa Ibom North-West District.

This declaration prompted the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Senatorial District, Chief Inibehe Okorie, to petition the Tribunal asking that Akpabio’s election be nullified for alleged irregularities.

Ruling on the prayers of the petitioner, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji, directed that the polling documents used in the election be inspected.

Oyebanji explained that the order was derived from the provisions of Section 151 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010.
The section allows for inspection of polling documents if the Tribunal is satisfied that it could help maintain or defend an election petition.

The chairman further directed that the inspection should be conducted within 10 days from May 8, in the presence of the respondent or his agents and the security agents.

Earlier, the counsel for the petitioner, Chief Assam Assam (SAN), had prayed the Tribunal to grant leave for inspection of the polling documents to verify 450,000 votes scored by Akpabio.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 35 petitions had been received by the Tribunal in the state as of May 8.

Credit – Punch Newspaper

Tribunal Grants Agbaje Leave To Inspect Governorship Election Materials

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The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday granted Mr Jimi Agbaje leave to inspect all polling materials and documents used in the April 11 governorship election in the state.

Agbaje was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the election in which the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) declared Mr Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress as the winner.

The three-man tribunal, led by Justice Muhammad Sirajo, gave the order while ruling on a motion ex-parte filed by Agbaje’s counsel, Mr Clement Onwuenmunor.

The tribunal also ordered INEC to provide certified true copies of all polling documents, including printed data from the card reader machine, in each polling unit.

However, the tribunal rejected Agbaje’s request to inspect the polling documents and devices used in the conduct of the March 28 Presidential Election in Lagos State.

Sirajo noted that the tribunal was set up solely to hear and determine the petitions relating to the governorship election.

“The tribunal does not have the power to make an order for the inspection of the documents and devices used for the presidential election. It is hereby refused,” he added.

The tribunal also rejected Agbaje’s application, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, seeking an order to compel INEC to produce all polling documents, and card reader machines used for the governorship election.

According to the panel, the petitioner can request for materials and documents it deemed necessary to his case by way of subpoena when the tribunal has fully commenced proceedings.

The judge noted that the respondents should be given the statutory time to file their replies to the petitioner’s originating summons, adding that notices would be sent to parties for the pre-hearing conference.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Agbaje had petitioned the tribunal over the election which he lost to Ambode of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Agbaje had alleged some irregularities during the election which he said contravened the provisions of INEC approved guidelines for the election.

The respondents in the suit are : INEC, Ambode, APC and the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State.

 Credit: vanguardngr

No Case Against Buhari’s Victory, Tribunal Concludes

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The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal is in the process of winding down its operations as no single case has been lodged against the victory of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari. The 21 days grace given to political parties and aspirants to file their petitions expired on April 22 .

Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution provides for petitions to be entered before the tribunal 21 days from the day the final result was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The results of the presidential election was announced on March 31.

Read More: Vanguard

Mama Taraba To Challenge Governorship Result At Tribunal

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The All Progressives Congress candidate in the just-concluded governorship election in Taraba, Aisha Alhassan, has rejected the results of the poll as announced by INEC on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference in Jalingo shortly after the announcement of the results, Mrs. Alhassan described the entire elections process as “daylight robbery.”

She said the party would challenge the results in the elections petitions tribunal. “The combined governorship elections in Taraba were characterised by violence, massive rigging, ballot snatching and abuse of the card readers in substantial parts of the state by the PDP and their allies,” she said.

She said the results of Wukari, Donga, Takum, Sardauna, Zing, Yorro, Kurmi and some parts of Ussa, Karim-Lamido, Bali, Ardo-Kola and Lau local government areas were not acceptable as they did not reflect the true results of the election in Taraba. Mrs. Alhassan said all the complaints on the irregularities and abuse of the election guidelines were promptly reported to INEC, but no action was taken.

The INEC Returning Officer for Taraba, Kyari Mohammed, who declared the results on Sunday in Jalingo, said Darius Ishaku scored 369,318 votes to emerge victorious. He said Mr. Alhassan came second with 275,984 votes, while David Kente of the Social Democratic Party polled 29, 966 votes. If Mrs. Alhassan had been elected, she would have been the first elected female state governor in Nigeria.

Credit: NAN

32 Year Old Female Rep Aspirant Drags APC To Tribunal, Says ‘I Was Cheated’

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Ms Tolu Ebun, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Shomolu Federal Constituency, has announced her decision to approach the National Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lagos to challenge the outcome of the election in her constituency.

The 32-year-old said she is confident that with the overwhelming evidence of electoral malpractice and irregularities, ‘the tribunal will restore the mandate freely given to her by the people’.

She contested against Mr. Oyewole Olufemi Diya of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a press statement by her media team, Ebun noted that, “I was very confident of victory not only because of the nature of the grassroots campaigns we had conducted, but because of the widespread rejection of the APC candidate by residents of the constituency.

“However, the elections were fraught with irregularities, alteration of results and non-compliance with provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and Operational Handbook issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In addition, there were several instances of connivance between agents of Mr. Diya/APC and INEC officials/security agents deployed for the conduct of the elections”.

Read More: vanguardngr

APGA To Challenge Wike’s Victory At Election Tribunal

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The number of political parties that are challenging the 2015 elections in Rivers State continues to increase with the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, declaring its intention to head for the election tribunal

the governorship candidate of APGA, Charles Harry, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

Harry maintained that the election in Rivers State, which was marred by violence, intimidation of voters and other heinous electoral offences, can not be allowed to stand.

Read More: dailypost

BREAKING: Tribunal Declares Aregbesola Winner of Osun Guber Election

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The Osun State Election Tribunal headed by Justice Elizabeth Ipejime, Friday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, declared Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the winner of the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the state.

Governor Aregbesola had defeated his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP rival, Senator Iyiola Omisore in the keenly contested election scoring 392, 284 votes to the 292, 742 ballots that Omisore got.

Read More: dailypost.ng