Alleged forgery: Why we can’t disqualify Obaseki by INEC - Newstrends
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Alleged forgery: Why we can’t disqualify Obaseki by INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it does not have the power to investigate or disqualify candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo during the September 19 election of Governor Godwin Obaseki, over alleged forgery of the University of Ibadan’s (UI) certificate.

It noted only a court order could disqualify a governorship candidate from participating in an election.

INEC stated that it could not investigate the originality, authenticity, or otherwise of the disputed UI’s first-degree certificate presented to the commission by Edo Governor because it was beyond its responsibility.

The electoral commission, as the first respondent in the petition filed by Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its governorship candidate, Iboi Emmanuel, at the Edo governorship election petitions tribunal in Benin, made the submissions in its reply, with a copy obtained on Sunday.

The reply was signed by INEC’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The electoral commission said: “The information given by the third respondent (Obaseki) in the affidavit and documents submitted by him as a candidate at the election in INEC’s nomination form (Form C.F. 001) are presumed manifestly true or prima facie correct until and only if the contrary is proved and/or pronounced false by an order of the court.”

PDP, last week, admitted there were noticeable errors in Obaseki’s UI’s certificate, which it claimed occurred while filling the forms for the election in 2016.

It claimed the governorship candidate “mistakenly” wrote 1976 as his year of graduation, which ought to be his year of admission.

The PDP said: “At the time Obaseki was completing his Form CF001 in 2016, he deposed to an affidavit, stating that he had misplaced the originals of all of his certificates, while changing offices, with the intention to apply for a re-issuance if his certificates.

“The original certificate was issued in A5 size. In order for the photocopy of the certificate to be attached to Form CF001, the size was reduced to A4 and in the process, leaving out some information on the certificate.”

Five petitions were filed at the tribunal chaired by Justice Abdulrazak Abdulkareem against INEC; PDP; Obaseki and his deputy/running mate, Philip Shaibu; the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its standard-bearer, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Besides ADP and its governorship candidate, there were four other petitions from Action Peoples Party (APP) without joining its governorship candidate, Amos Areloegbe; Action Alliance (AA) and its governorship candidate, Ukonga Onaivi; Allied Peoples Movement (APM), excluding its governorship candidate, Igbineweka Osamuede, and Tracy Agol, without joining her political party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The petitioners prayed the tribunal to nullify the September 19 election over forgery, perjury, and massive rigging as well as ordering a fresh election with the exclusion of PDP and Obaseki.

-The Nation

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Just in: I can name companies employing foreign prisoners as expatriates – Oshiomhole

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Just in: I can name companies employing foreign prisoners as expatriates – Oshiomhole

 

Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, says some prisoners from foreign countries are working in Nigeria as construction workers or expatriates.

Oshiomhole, now chairman of the senate committee on interior, said he was prepared to name the companies involved in such irregular and illegal appointment.

He spoke on Thursday when Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was defending the budget proposal of his ministry before the committee.

The senator representing Edo North said the interior ministry needed to regulate the issuance of expatriate quotas (EQs).

The EQs are granted by the ministry of interior to foreign-owned or indigenous companies to enable them to recruit foreign employees to legitimately work in the country.

Oshiomhole, who is also a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, said, “Your ministry needs to regulate issuance of the quotas very well as I have on good authority that prisoners from foreign land are working in Nigeria as construction workers.

“This is even different from the age long fraud the oil companies have been carrying out in the country through the policy of expatriate quotas by making our own qualified engineers to work under foreign technicians.

“Many non-Nigerians are in the country, some of them live inside containers. I even believe and dare say it that there are foreign prisoners who are working in Nigeria. They were shipped to our country to serve their prison terms.

“They were being paid according to their country’s minimum wage by the construction industry that brought them. I don’t want to mention the company’s name but if I am provoked, I will mention them.

“Honourable minister, this is a serious issue. Prisoners are not expected to work in their countries if the product or whatever they engage in is meant to be exported.”

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Akeredolu’s health: Court orders Ondo Assembly to appoint medical panel

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Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

Akeredolu’s health: Court orders Ondo Assembly to appoint medical panel

Ondo State High Court in Akure granted leave to applicants in a suit seeking an Order of Mandamus compelling the House of Assembly and the Speaker to form a medical panel to assess Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s health state on Wednesday.

The suit, filed in court by Olufemi Lawson, Isijola Kike, Ologun Ayodeji, and Arogbo Olaniyi, emphasizes the critical role of elected officials maintaining public trust and ensuring openness.

The request for a medical panel attempts to shed light on Governor Akeredolu’s health after he has been absent from the state for nearly six months.

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On October 25, 2023, the petitioners filed an ex parte motion with the court.

The motion was brought pursuant to section 6(6b) of the 1999 constitution as amended as well as order 22 rule 1 of the Ondo State High Court rules.

The applicants prayed for an order of mandamus against the first and second respondents to compel them to carry out statutory and constitutional duties on the third respondent as stipulated under section 189(4) of the 1999 constitution.

The grounds were predicated on 11 grounds and in line with the rules of court, the applicant’s statement of claim and a 30-paragraph affidavit.

Upon the submission of the legal team of the applicant led by Dotun Ajulo, Fadeshola Ojamomi, A.V Ajayi and K.A Mogbojuri, the court ruled thereof.

Akeredolu’s health: Court orders Ondo Assembly to appoint medical panel

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Court freezes 24 bank accounts belonging to Kano Government

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Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf

Court freezes 24 banks account belonging to Kano Government

A Federal High Court has ordered the freezing of 24 accounts of the Kano State Government.

The order is consequent upon the State government refusal to comply with a court order to pay N30 billion in compensation to victims of the Filling Idi Demolition exercise.

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The frozen order affects 24 Kano State bank accounts, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account of the state.

The presiding judge, Justice E.A Ekwo, has also directed the Kano State Government to appear before the court on January 18 to provide an explanation regarding the freezing of N30 billion in the affected bank accounts.

The funds are intended to be granted to the Incorporated Trustees of Masallacin Eid Shop Owners.

Court freezes 24 bank account belonging to Kano Government

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