BVAS, IReV need stronger legal backing for poll credibility — Ubani, SAN - Newstrends
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BVAS, IReV need stronger legal backing for poll credibility — Ubani, SAN

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Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Electoral Reform Committee, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN

BVAS, IReV need stronger legal backing for poll credibility — Ubani, SAN

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Electoral Reform Committee, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN, has called for urgent amendments to the Electoral Act to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system and restore public confidence in democratic processes.

Ubani, who is also a former 2nd Vice President of the NBA, said vague provisions in the Act — particularly those dealing with electronic transmission of results — have led to contradictory tribunal judgments and weakened electoral credibility.

Speaking in an interview, Ubani identified Sections 60 and 62 of the Electoral Act as especially problematic, noting that they fail to clearly define the relationship between manual collation and electronic transmission of results. He stressed that the law should be redrafted to establish electronic transmission as the primary source of authentication, with manual collation serving only as backup in cases of proven technological failure.

On the high evidentiary burden placed on petitioners under Section 135(1), Ubani argued that the law currently shields malpractice rather than ensuring fairness. He recommended a recalibration that would shift the burden to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) once non-compliance is established, forcing the Commission to prove that irregularities did not affect the outcome.

Ubani also called for core aspects of INEC’s election guidelines — such as accreditation, transmission, and collation — to be elevated into the principal Act. According to him, this would ensure consistency in tribunal rulings and remove doubts over the legal weight of INEC regulations.

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On the role of technology, the senior lawyer urged lawmakers to give conclusive legal weight to data generated from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV). He said such data should be treated as prima facie evidence of the will of the people, with the burden of proof shifting to those challenging its accuracy.

He further criticized the doctrine of “substantial compliance,” warning that it has become a shield for flawed elections. Ubani suggested narrowing its definition so that irregularities in accreditation, collation, or transmission are automatically deemed material.

The SAN also addressed the rising number of nomination disputes clogging Nigeria’s courts. While recommending stricter timelines and preconditions, he cautioned against removing judicial oversight entirely, given the history of flawed party primaries.

Ubani dismissed existing penalties for electoral offences as “laughably weak,” noting that fines capped at ₦500,000 are insignificant to political actors. He proposed stiffer sanctions, including higher fines, disqualification of candidates, and even criminal liability for serious breaches.

On petition adjudication, Ubani criticized the courts’ reliance on technicalities such as the “dumping of documents” rule. He urged reforms to simplify evidentiary rules, encourage acceptance of certified electronic evidence, and train judges to prioritize substance over technical form.

The NBA reform chair emphasized that credible elections depend not only on legal reforms but also on institutional sincerity and political actors’ willingness to abandon a “do-or-die” mentality.

He concluded that Nigeria must embrace technology-driven reforms backed by strong legal frameworks if its democracy is to survive and gain public trust.

BVAS, IReV need stronger legal backing for poll credibility — Ubani, SAN

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Arise News Yet to Confirm Reported Suspension of Rufai Oseni

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Rufai Oseni
Rufai Oseni

Arise News Yet to Confirm Reported Suspension of Rufai Oseni

Reports circulating online suggest that Rufai Oseni, a prominent anchor with Arise News, has been suspended by the station, but the development remains unverified as of press time.

The claim, which began trending on social media platforms and was later amplified by various online posts, has not been officially confirmed by Arise News management or by Oseni himself.

As of now, there is no statement from Arise News, no internal memo made public, and no confirmation from credible mainstream media outlets regarding the alleged suspension.

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The lack of official confirmation means the story remains at the level of a developing report, with details still unclear, including the reason for the alleged suspension, its duration, or whether any disciplinary action has indeed been taken.

Rufai Oseni is one of Arise News’ most recognisable broadcasters, known for his hard-hitting interviews and political analysis programmes, which has contributed to the wide attention the report is currently generating online.

Media observers note that in situations like this, verification from official sources is necessary before the claim can be treated as confirmed news.

For now, the alleged suspension remains unconfirmed, and further updates are expected once Arise News or the broadcaster issues an official statement.

Arise News Yet to Confirm Reported Suspension of Rufai Oseni

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Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai

Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case

The Federal High Court has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is facing multiple corruption-related charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The ruling marks a major development in the high-profile trial, although full details of the bail conditions were not immediately disclosed at the time of filing this report. The court’s decision comes amid intensified legal proceedings involving several corruption allegations linked to his time in office.

El-Rufai’s bail was granted shortly after he appeared before a Kaduna State High Court under heavy security for a related proceeding concerning a separate bail application in another ICPC-linked case. The back-to-back court appearances reflect the complexity and multi-layered nature of the cases against the former governor.

Court proceedings were reportedly conducted under tight security, with journalists initially restricted from accessing the courtroom, further heightening public interest in the matter.

During earlier sittings, the prosecution was said to have amended the charge sheet, restructuring the case from an initial joint trial involving El-Rufai and a co-defendant, Amadu Sule, to a sole-defendant arrangement after Sule was dropped from the case.

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The defence counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ubong Akpan, reportedly expressed surprise over the amended charges, stating that the new documents were served in court without prior notice, which contributed to delays in the proceedings.

The case was subsequently adjourned to April 14, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, which has now resulted in the Federal High Court granting bail.

The ICPC alleges that the former governor was involved in several financial infractions during his tenure, including the alleged release of about ₦11 billion to an unregistered entity for a light rail project that was never executed.

He is also accused of approving and receiving approximately ₦289.8 million as severance allowance beyond legally permitted limits, alongside allegations of financial misconduct involving a World Bank-linked loan reportedly valued at over $1.08 million.

Other allegations include the controversial award of a ₦4.6 billion CCTV surveillance contract in Kaduna State allegedly in violation of procurement laws, as well as claims of conspiracy to obstruct or influence federal investigators.

In a separate case before the Federal High Court, El-Rufai is also facing additional charges bordering on money laundering, conversion, and alleged unlawful possession of public assets.

He has consistently denied all allegations, insisting that his administration followed due process in all financial and contractual decisions.

The ICPC has not yet issued an updated statement following the bail ruling, while further proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks as the court determines the substantive issues in the case.

The development adds to growing national attention on anti-corruption enforcement and the prosecution of high-profile political figures in Nigeria, particularly amid renewed debates over governance accountability and public financial management.

Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case

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Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

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Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

Governor Bala Mohammed has presented more than 114 official vehicles to newly appointed emirs and district heads across Bauchi State, in a move aimed at strengthening traditional institutions in Nigeria and improving grassroots governance.

The presentation took place on Monday, April 13, 2026, and was officially announced by the governor via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle. He described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to deepen community engagement, enhance local administration, and promote closer collaboration between government and traditional rulers.

According to the governor, the distribution of vehicles is designed to support traditional leaders in performing their duties more effectively, particularly in areas of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and community mobilisation.

He stated that his administration remains committed to ensuring that both existing and newly created emirates, chiefdoms, and districts are adequately supported to make governance more inclusive and responsive at the grassroots level.

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

The governor also emphasized the importance of peace and stability in Bauchi State, urging traditional rulers to remain non-partisan and uphold the highest standards of integrity in the discharge of their responsibilities.

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He noted that traditional institutions remain critical partners in maintaining security and promoting development across communities, adding that their role in mobilising citizens cannot be overstated.

The Bauchi State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, led by Commissioner Isa Babayo Tilde, also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with traditional rulers, describing them as essential stakeholders in maintaining order and ensuring effective governance.

The Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Adamu, who spoke on behalf of other traditional leaders, expressed appreciation to the state government and assured that the vehicles would be used responsibly for official duties and the benefit of the people.

The fleet of vehicles reportedly includes 14 GMC saloon cars, Toyota buses, Toyota Hilux vans, and over 100 Toyota Camry cars allocated to district heads across the state.

Governor Mohammed, who was first elected in 2019 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and re-elected in 2023, has continued to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening local governance structures. His tenure is expected to end in 2027.

This is not the first time the administration has supported traditional institutions. In April 2022, the Bauchi State Government also distributed vehicles to district heads and local government chairpersons as part of similar empowerment initiatives.

While supporters describe the latest gesture as a boost to governance efficiency, critics often raise concerns about public spending priorities amid economic challenges in the country.

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

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