Connect with us

News

Osun Guber: Tribunal To Receive Petitioners’ Documentary Evidence Tomorrow 

Published

on

Osun State Map
Share
Osun State Election Petition Tribunal hearing the suit filed by Governor Adegboyega  Oyetola against the declaration of Ademola Adeleke as Governor-elect  will on Tuesday, receive a dossier of documentary evidence against the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
At the sitting of the tribunal on Monday, the Chairman Justice Tertsea Kume adjourned the case till tomorrow for the respondents to cross-check the list of documents to be tendered, with a view to making the tendering seamless for the petitioners.
Earlier at the hearing, counsel to Oyetola and APC, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) had informed the court of his intention to tender some documentary evidence to prove the alleged non compliance with the Electoral Act by INEC.
Counsel to the PDP, Alex Izinyon (SAN) objected to the tendering of the documents on the ground that it ran foul of Paragraph 3 of the pre-hearing report which indicated that list of witnesses should be filed 24 hours to the hearing.
He argued that since the petitioners have allegedly disobeyed the tribunal order, the petition should be dismissed as the consequences of the action.
Counsel to INEC, Professor Paul Ananaba (SAN) also argued along the same line and said that the attempt to tender the documents violates the tribunal order and the petition should be dismissed.
Counsel to Adeleke, Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN) however toe a different line and argued that, since the petitioners were ready to tender the documents, they ought to have allowed the respondents to have access to it earlier and cross check, so that the tendering would be seamless.
The petitioners’ Counsel, Fagbemi while responding argued that the paragraph 3 of the pre-hearing report being relied on by the PDP counsel was not in any way referring to documentary evidence, but calling of witnesses.
He said: “My Lord, there can only be consequences if we have violated the order of the court, but in this case, we have not breached any order. The Paragraph 3 refers only to calling of witnesses, not documentary evidence.
“There is different between the witnesses and documentary evidence, but I’m used to my learned friend (referring to Iziyon), he is like that. The issue is, ‘you have to sing before you dance’. So, the issue of consequences does not arise at all because we have not violated anything.
“It is when we start calling witnesses without following your Lordships order that they can raise issue. But I’m sure we are not going to breach the court order. Therefore, my Lord, we want to start by tendering of documents”, Fagbemi stressed.
Subsequently, tribunal Chairman asked the parties to discuss and agree on how the documents would be tendered that will make it seamless, to which the parties agreed.
Reporting back to the tribunal after a discussion among counsel for both parties, Fagbemi said they had agreed that the tribunal should rise and return on Tuesday to receive the documents from the bar after all parties must have looked at it.
Tribunal subsequently adjourned till Tuesday for the continuation of hearing.
Responding to question from journalists after the sitting, Fagbemi said: “As you have observed, the tribunal didn’t find anything wrong as to what we have done. However, it was agreed among Counsels that we should streamline the documents we want to tender so that it will ease the procedure.
“We have prepared our own documents that is what we have given to them, they want to cross-check whether those documents tally and if they have any objection, it doesn’t stop court admitting those documents with liberty from whoever is not happy with it to do it by showing it at the end of the day with a separate written address which will chronicle or articulate his objection” .

News

#EndSARS Movement Was Funded From US To Ambush Tinubu From Becoming President – Bisi Akande 

Published

on

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Share

The former interim National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has claimed that the #EndSARS movement was designed and funded from the United States of America against President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the #EndSARS movement was heavily funded from the US with support from America and only brought to Nigeria to ambush Tinubu from becoming President.

Speaking in an interview with Edmund Obilo, as seen in a video which has now gone viral on social media, he mentioned that the .obedient movement were the ones behind the #EndSARS movement and protest.

He added that it was after the protest they attempted to transform into a political party and when it became impossible, they all migrated into another political party.

“EndSARS was designed to be the end of Tinubu. Those behind the EndSARS knew that’s what they were doing,” Akande declared during the interview.

Asked by the interviewer to identify those behind the EndSARS movement, Akande replied, “The obidients.”

“The Obidients were behind EndSARS; it was manufactured in America and brought in just to stop him (Tinubu).

“Obideints came from America to do the EndSARS and later became a movement to form a party, and they couldn’t form a party and joined whichever party,” the APC chieftain said.

Pushing further, the interviewer noted that Obidients are tied to Peter Obi and Akande, in response said: “Well, maybe Obi’s party, I don’t know, maybe Obi’s movement, I don’t know, but the obidients were behind the EndSARS.

“It was well planned with a lot of money from America.”

He added that it was an ambush that President Tinubu wasn’t aware of.

Continue Reading

News

Court Grants Sowore ₦10m Bail

Published

on

Omoyele Sowore
Share

The judge gave him 24 hours to perfect the bail conditions or be remanded by the police until the bail is perfected.

The convener of #Revolutionnow movement, Omoyele Sowore, has been granted bail to the tune of ₦10 million and one surety in like sum.

The surety must be a responsible individual with landed property valued in like sum.

The surety is expected to deposit the original documents of landed property and a passport photograph to the registrar of the court.

While ruling on the bail application, the trial judge, Justice Musa Liman, ordered Sowore to deposit his international passport with the registrar of the court.

The judge, however, gave him 24 hours to perfect the bail conditions or be remanded by the police until the bail is perfected.

Sowore had honoured the invitation of the police on Monday, January 27, 2025, when he was questioned at the Force Criminal Investigation Department.

He was subsequently granted administrative bail but rejected the conditions of bail and remained in custody.

The police later filed a 16-count charge of cybercrime against him.

In count three, the police said Sowore on December 20, 2024, through his X handle, called the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, “the illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force”.

Sowore is being accused by the police of posting the picture Egbetokun on his X handle with the caption: “Mediocrity, incompetence, corruption, a country run by characterless people can not make progress”.

The police also alleged that Sowore, through his X handle, said, “IGP Kayode Egbetokun will destroy the Nigeria police if we don’t act now”.

He pleaded not guilty to 16 count charge of alleged cybercrime.

 

Continue Reading

News

Nigeria Was On Life Support When Tinubu Assumed Office – Akpabio

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio
President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio
Share

The Senate President and Chairman of the 10th National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said the country was on a “life support” as at the time President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

Speaking at his 2024 Constituency Briefing and Empowerment Programme held at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District, he called on Nigerians, particularly the people of Akwa Ibom State, to continue supporting President Tinubu as he works to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

“Nigeria Was on Life Support,” he said.

His stance comes following ongoing major reforms such as the introduction of the tax bills, removal of fuel subsidies, floating of the naira, and others introduced by Tinubu.

Akpabio recounted a conversation with President Tinubu about the state of the economy inherited from the previous administration.

“Nigeria was on life support when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu took over. I once asked him, ‘Are you excited about being president after seeing the economy left behind by Emefiele?’ He replied, ‘I must tell you, I didn’t know it was this bad.’”

The Senate President expressed optimism about ongoing economic reforms, noting that while they may be painful, they are necessary for sustainable growth.

“You did it in Lagos, and you will do it again for Nigeria. It’s just a matter of time. We are praying for you, and God will grant you the wisdom to lead us to El Dorado.”

He advised beneficiaries not to sell their empowerment tools but to use them to uplift their families economically.

“We have enough foodstuff to distribute; there should be no stampede. These items are being extended beyond Ikot Ekpene to other senatorial districts in the state.”

“Your support has not only enhanced our educational experience but also inspired us to strive for excellence. Thank you for your unwavering support.”

Akpabio commended Governor Umo Eno for promoting peace and inclusivity in Akwa Ibom.

“Without peace, there cannot be development. The governor has embraced all Akwa Ibom people, regardless of political affiliations.”

He also acknowledged the governor’s Christmas gesture of distributing 1,000 bags of rice to the APC family in the state and announced an additional 1,500 bags of rice for the PDP State Chairman.

Akpabio praised Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, for fostering unity in the Senate.

“Everyone in the Senate has an equal voice, regardless of party affiliation. Opposition is good, but it should be constructive.”

Senator Abba Moro described Akpabio as a leader committed to empowering his people.

“It takes wisdom to know what to give people for lasting benefits rather than instant gratification.”

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, called the empowerment programme “mega, marvellous, and magnificent.”

The event was attended by key political and community leaders, including,

Obongemem Ekperikpo Ekpo (Minister of Petroleum Resources, Gas) Senator Ita Enang (APC Chieftain), Senator Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South), Paramount Rulers of Ikot Ekpene and Essien Udim

In closing, Akpabio emphasised the importance of collective effort in building a better Nigeria and assured constituents of continued representation and development-focused initiatives.

 

 

Continue Reading