The Court of Appeal criticizes INEC, accusing it of being partisan

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja berated the Independent National Electoral Commissioner, INEC, while accusing it of being partisan.

The appellate court on Friday, Nov. 24, slammed  the Commission for appearing before it to act in favor of a party in an election dispute, by disowning documents that it not only issued, but also duly certified.

The court lamented that the electoral body has continued to “dance naked in the market,” even though it was meant to assume a neutral stand in election litigations.

“The INEC as an institution should be reminded of its role in an election; to be an unbiased umpire between parties.

“It should stop behaving irresponsibly, having in mind that its duty to conduct election has a direct bearing on peace and well-being of the country.

“The role of INEC in election dispute should be limited to the tendering of all the documents used in an election and explaining what they were used for and how they were obtained.

“INEC should stop dancing naked in the market, pretending that no one is seeing its nakedness and its dancing steps,” the court stated while delivering judgement in a Bauchi State House of Assembly election appeal.

The lead judgement of a three-member panel of the court  was delivered by Justice K. I. Amadi.

The panel, in its unanimous decision, nullified the election of the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, who was earlier declared the winner of Ningi Central Constituency in the state, by INEC.

The court held that evidence before it established that the election was inconclusive.

Aside from voiding the Certificate of Return that was issued to Suleiman who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the appellate court directed INEC to conduct a supplementary poll in 10 polling units in the state, within 90 days.

The court further awarded a cost of N500, 000 against INEC.

The judgement followed an appeal that was brought before the court by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Khalid Abdulmalik-Ningi.

INEC had declared that Suleiman of the PDP polled a total of 16, 866 votes to defeat his closest rival, Abdulmalik-Ningi of the APC, who scored 15, 065 votes in the election that held on March 18.

However, dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, the APC candidate lodged a petition before the State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.

The petitioner, among other things, alleged that results of the election were cancelled due to over-voting or corrupt practices.

INEC, a Respondent in the matter, denied the claim that there was over-voting, but failed to produce any witness before the tribunal. Yet, the tribunal dismissed the petition.

The Appeal Court faulted the decision of tribunal and noted that the Appellant brought nine witnesses that testified in respect of the various polling units and also tendered certified copies of INEC documents to support his case.

It held that going by Section 137 of the Electoral Act 2022, the certified INEC documents were enough to sustain the allegation that the election was not conducted in compliance with provisions of the law.

The court wondered why INEC denied that results of the election were cancelled in some polling units, when its officials established the same fact in Forms EC 40G that they signed and submitted to it.

Nigerian Petroleum Company, NNPCL Says Oil Importation To Stop By December 2024 As Local Refineries Resume

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has declared that it would end the importation of refined petroleum products by December 2024, while noting that Nigerian refineries would be operational by then.

The NNPCL on Thursday added that it projected the national oil firm would grow its revenue to N4.5trillion at the end of 2023 and the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company would be completed by December this year.

The Group Chief Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, disclosed this when he led officials of the company to a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, where the lawmaker called for the privatization of Nigeria’s refineries.

Also, oil marketers, on Thursday, confirmed the readiness of the Port Harcourt refinery, as they stated that its operations, which could begin in January 2024, would lead to a considerable drop in the prices of refined petroleum products.

At the meeting in Abuja, Kyari declared that Nigeria was on track to stop the importation of refined petroleum products in 2024 and would emerge as a net exporter of the commodities in the same year.

He also provided explanations on the commencement of operations of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries

The company’s helmsman said all refineries would become fully operational, adding that the country would become a net exporter of petroleum products by the end of 2024.

He blamed the petroleum subsidy for inactive refineries in Nigeria over the years, stressing that the removal of the subsidy was already attracting a lot of private-sector investments.

Kyari stated, “I can confirm to you that by the end of December this year, we will start the Port Harcourt refinery; early in the first quarter of 2024, we will start the Warri refinery and by the end of 2024, Kaduna refinery will come into operation.

“This is the commitment we are giving today and you can hold us accountable for this. In 2024, many of the initiatives including the rehabilitation of our refineries and also the efforts of small-scale refineries, and the upcoming Dangote refinery, will make Nigeria a net exporter of petroleum products in 2024.
“We will no longer be talking about fuel importation by the end of 2024. I am very optimistic that this will crystallize,” he said.

Kyari pledged that by the end of 2023, the expected government revenue from the company would hit N4.5tn, as NNPCL now returns value to shareholders in compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act.

Man arraigned over attempt to behead his brother with cutlass in Ondo

The Ondo State Police have arraigned a 33-year-old man, Olulayo Moroloye, before an Akure Magistrate Court, over an alleged attempt to kill his brother, Daniel Moroloye, with a cutlass.

The defendant, whose address was not provided, is being tried for attempted murder and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Olulayo was alleged to have carried out the act on October 10, 2023, at about 9:pm at Kidimo Camp, Ode-Irele. 

According to the police prosecutor, Folashade Adeyemi, the defendant attempted to kill Daniel, with a cutlass on the farm.

Adeyemi said Olulayo attacked his brother on his left hand, and thereby inflicted deep injury on him.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 320 and 332(1) of the Criminal Laws of Ondo State.

However, the defendant’s plea was not taken by the court.

The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant to Olokuta Correctional Centre pending advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Lawyer to the defendant, Israel Tiwo, prayed for an adjournment to enable him file a counter affidavit to the application.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Asabi, who paraded Moroloye along with other suspects last month, said he claimed that his brother accused him of stealing his palm fruit.

“Olulayo Moyoloye of Kidimo camp, via Irele, attempted to behead his brother, Daniel Moyoloye with a sharpened cutlass. The suspect chopped off the left arm of his brother used to defend the cutlass,” the CP stated. 

“The suspect who absconded from the farm was arrested a few days after the incident. The suspect claimed his brother accused him of stealing his palm fruit, and this led to a heated argument between them, and out of anger, he brought out a cutlass and macheted his left arm and immediately fled into the bush."

Mohbad: Police detain Naira Marley

The Lagos State Police Command has detained singer, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley. 

The singer was arrested by the police on Tuesday night October 3  shortly after arriving in Nigeria. 

He was taken into custody for interrogation over the death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Aloba aka MohBad. Naira Marley slept in police custody where his interrogation will continue today October 4.

Last night, the singer announced on X that he had arrived Nigeria to support the police in its investigation into the death of Mohbad. The Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command Benjamin Hundeyin, also confirmed via his X handle that the singer is now in police custody. 

Gabon Coup: China Calls For Safety Of President Bongo, Says It's Monitoring Developments

The Chinese foreign minister, however, appealed to all parties to "guarantee the personal safety of President Bongo, and uphold national peace and stability."

The Peoples Republic of China has called on the relevant parties in Gabon to resolve their differences through dialogue, restore normal order as soon as possible, and ensure the personal safety of Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the appeal during a press conference on Wednesday, according to Indian outlet, Wion News.

"China is closely following the developing situation in Gabon," Wenbin said, adding that, "We call on all sides in Gabon to proceed from the basic interests of the country and the people, resolve differences through dialogue, (and) restore normal order as soon as possible."

The Chinese foreign minister, however, appealed to all parties to "guarantee the personal safety of President Bongo, and uphold national peace and stability."

Wion reports that Bongo, who visited Beijing in the month of April this year, was greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping as an "old friend".

Xi also hailed Bongo's "significant achievements" in development.

Bongo, in turn, thanked China for its "valuable assistance in promoting Gabon's economic diversification and industrialisation," a readout from state news agency Xinhua said.

Five Nigerian Stowaways Trying To Flee Country Over Hardship Arrested In Lagos

The Nigerian Navy has arrested five persons who hid on a vessel, while trying to flee from what they described as “the hash economic reality” in Nigeria.

The stowaways who were arrested onboard the vessel, MRC NARTHA, were identified as

Efiong Okon (44), Ayewuni Daniel (27), Ajagboma Asiko (29), Adebanjo Ayewumi (23) and Christian Joseph (25).

They were arrested by naval officers from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT at the Lagos anchorage on August 26, 2023.

According to Daily Trust, the Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga, who confirmed the arrest, said the five stowaways were evacuated from the vessel by a naval patrol team deployed to provide security at the Lagos anchorage.

Commodore Oguntuga said the operation was carried out at about 11.50 pm on August 26, 2023, following a tip-off.

“Their arrest took place within the vicinity of the Lagos anchorage, while they were attempting to clandestinely exit the country via the vessel.

“Found in their possession are three mobile phones, personal effects and cash sum of N7,900. These confiscated items are now under official custody as evidence in the ongoing investigation.

“The NNS BEECROFT patrol team’s swift and efficient response underscore the Navy’s dedication under the watch of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, towards maintaining the security and integrity of the country’s maritime borders,” he added.

Commodore Oguntuga said the apprehended stowaways were under the custody of the navy, insisting that the Nigerian Navy was cooperating with relevant authorities to prosecute the suspects. 

No fuel, you want go fight war. How do you want to reach the battle field - Burna Boy shades Nigerian government

Superstar singer, Burna Boy has taken a swipe at the Nigerian government following a proposed military intervention in Niger Republic after a military junta took over the country's affairs. 

Appearing on a live feed on Instagram, Burna Boy said “Fuel no dey, you wan go fight war. How you wan take reach battlefield". This led to laughter among his friends. 

Watch the video below…

We may be pushed to invade Niger — US tells coup plotters

The United States of America has warned the Niger junta that they may be pushed to be involved militarily if the country’s military rulers do not return to constitutional order.

The US acting Deputy Secretary, Victoria Nuland, in a special briefing on Niger disclosed this via a teleconference on Tuesday, August 8.

She said: “…There is still a lot of motion here on many sides with regard to where the governance situation will go.

“So we will be watching that closely and there are a number of regional meetings coming up and consultations with allies and partners that we need to make.

“So we’ll be watching the situation, but we understand our legal responsibilities and I explained those very clearly to the guys (Niger junta) who were responsible for this and that it is not our desire to go there, but they may push us to that point, and we asked them to be prudent in that regard and to hear our offer to try to work with them to solve this diplomatically and return to constitutional order.”

Nuland noted that US President Joe Biden has been in constant touch with President Tinubu, the ECOWAS Chairman as well as many other European allies.

“He’s also been in regular touch with President Tinubu of Nigeria, who is currently head of ECOWAS, with AU Chairperson Faki, and with a number of European allies with whom we work in Niger, particularly on counterterrorism.

 

“And all of this has been rooted in our shared values, including the sense of democracy, which was why it was so difficult, and remains difficult, to see the current challenge to the democratic order which began on July 26,” she stressed.

Emefiele to be arraigned on Tuesday over 'illegal possession of firearms

Suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele will on Tuesday, July 25, be arraigned by the Department of State Services before a federal high court sitting in Lagos. 

Hearing notices have been sent out by the court to counsels involved in the matter and it's been gathered that Joseph Daudu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) will be leading the defendant’s case while Nicholas Oweibo will serve as the presiding judge.

Emefiele has been slammed with a two-count charge bordering on alleged possession of firearms.

TheCable reported that in the first count, Emefiele is accused of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a license, which is contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act. 

In the second count, the suspended CBN governor is accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without a licence, which is contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.

We will survive all challenges confronting us - Shettima promises Nigerians

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu's administration is working tirelessly to tackle all challenges bedeviling the country. 

The Vice President who visited the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi, noted that the Monarch told him about “poignant issues facing the society, especially with regards to the infrastructural deficit”.

Shettima went on to promise Nigerians that “all the challenges confronting us, we will survive it as a people”.

He said; 

“We went with His Excellency, the Governor, to pay homage to the Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno. He raised some very poignant issues facing the society, especially with regards to the infrastructural deficit. 

“We conveyed to him the best wishes from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Shehu talked about issues concerning the roads that should be immediately addressed, especially the Gamboru Ngala and Dikwa roads. Certainly, it would be addressed. That of Damboa will also be addressed.

“I am here to assure the Shehu of the maximum support of President Tinubu.”