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Returning officer allegedly disappears from collation center during LG polls
Returning officer allegedly disappears from collation center during LG polls
A mild drama reportedly ensued during collation of results in the ongoing local government elections at Tuomo Ward 5 in Burutu local government area of Delta State, as the returning officer for the ward, Mr Duke Tamaraukuro Daniel, purportedly absconded from the scene.
Though, nobody could explain what prompted his disappearance at press time, the councillorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Caulmah Ebikonbowei David, who spoke to reporters at Ogbobagbene, venue of the exercise, on Sunday, alleged that the returning officer fled the scene through the influence of some People’s Democratic Party, PDP, chieftains.
He also alleged that the dramatic twist of events was sequel to the APC’s leading margin over the PDP, the ruling party in the state.
Narrating the scenario, Mr David said: “Yesterday, being July 13, we all went to Burutu town, the local government headquarters, to secure our voting materials to the ward. The Electoral Officer assigned the materials to Tuomo Ward 5 through the Supervision Presiding Officer, SPO, Mr Tornado Abraham Benafa, and we conveyed them safely to the ward.
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“The election was duly conducted by the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC and it was free, fair, peaceful and transparent.
“After the voting exercise, collation began, being presided over by the ward returning officer, Mr Duke Tamaraukuro Daniel. The APC was apparently leading in the councillorship results, polling 3, 321 while the PDP was polling less than a thousand votes during the process.
“Suddenly, there was a dramatic turn of events as the returning officer absconded from the centre through the influence of some PDP chieftains while the process was ongoing. The SPO was still there while this drama was ongoing and until this moment, he has not returned leaving the materials here. There was peace everywhere and his action was purely orchestrated.
“I’m using this medium to call on the APC at the national to intervene and compel the returning officer to return and finish his job. He should come back and declare the results because the APC is apparently winning the councillorship election”.
However, efforts made to speak with the returning officer, Mr Daniel, were fruitless as his mobile number restricted incoming calls at the time of filing this report.
Returning officer allegedly disappears from collation center during LG polls
News
Tinubu swears in Kekere-Ekun as acting CJN
Tinubu swears in Kekere-Ekun as acting CJN
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
This came in Abuja on Friday after the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the CJN.
Ariwoola retired from office after attaining the mandatory age of 70 years.
Kekere-Ekun will be the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The new acting Chief Justice took the oath of office and signed the oath register at the Council Chamber of the State House, at 11.40am.
News
Tinubu back in Nigeria after France trip
Tinubu back in Nigeria after France trip
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after a brief work stay in France.
President Tinubu arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja around 2:25am on Friday.
He is expected to swear the new Chief Justice Nigeria (CJN) later today at the Council Chambers of the State House, following the statutory retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola from the office.
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The National Judicial Council (NJC), on August 15, after its 106th meeting, recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to Tinubu to replace the outgoing CJN, Ariwoola.
A statement on Thursday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, informed Tinubu will be swearing a new CJN in on Friday.
Tinubu back in Nigeria after France trip
News
HURIWA labels Justice Ariwoola as worst CJN ever
HURIWA labels Justice Ariwoola as worst CJN ever
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has said the tenure of the retiring Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, left a lot to be desired.
The association said Ariwoola tenure as CJN was a perfect example of how a nation’s judiciary shouldn’t be run.
Within Nigeria had reported that Ariwoola has retired as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, having reached the age of retirement.
Speaking on Ariwoola’s retirement, HURIWA stated that there was nothing to celebrate about his tenure as CJN.
According to the association, his time as the nation’s number one judicial officer was dogged scandals and controversies that bordered on corruption and nepotism.
HURIWA stated that Ariwoola’s tenure was characterised by brazen disregard for the principles of fairness and justice as the defining hallmarks of his leadership and left the judiciary in turmoil, significantly weakening its authority and eroding its credibility.
“One of the most troubling aspects of his time in office was the introduction of nepotistic practices in the appointment of judges,” HURIWA said in a statement signed by Emmanuel Onwubiko, its National Coordinator.
The association highlighted the appointment of Justice Ariwoola’s brother, Adebayo Lateef Ariwoola, as the head of the audit department at the National Judicial Council (NJC), a role that directly answers to the Chief Justice, who is also the Chairman of the NJC.
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This situation, the group argued, presents a clear conflict of interest and raises serious questions about the integrity of the NJC’s financial operations.
Beyond this, the association condemned Justice Ariwoola’s involvement in securing a judicial appointment for his son, Olukayode Ariwoola Jr., as a Judge of the Federal High Court.
“This move, which was met with widespread public outcry, exemplifies the deeply entrenched culture of nepotism that has taken root under Justice Ariwoola’s leadership,” it added.
“Justice Ariwoola’s actions have set a dangerous precedent, encouraging similar behavior among other judicial leaders.
“For instance, the Chief Judge of Abuja, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, following in Justice Ariwoola’s footsteps, appointed his daughter, Maryam Baba-Yusuf on the bench as a judge of the Abuja High Court and allegedly included the daughters of influential politicians, former governors, and ministers among the newly appointed judges.
“The implications of these actions are dire for the Nigerian judiciary. A federal court judge recently remarked that in Nigeria, it is nearly impossible to become a Federal High Court judge without connections to powerful individuals.
“This underscored the extent to which corruption has polluted the judicial appointment process,” HURIWA further alleged
HURIWA labels Justice Ariwoola as worst CJN ever
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