news
Oyetola, APC, INEC urge Appeal Court to uphold Osun election
….Court reserves judgments on four appeals
The Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have asked the Court of Appeal in Abuja to uphold the victory of Oyetola and APC in the governorship election held in the state on September 22 and 27, 2018.
Their request is contained in three separate appeals they filed against the majority judgment given by the Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal on March 22, 2019.
The tribunal had, in the majority judgment, given by two of its three members upheld the petition by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the election, Senator Ademola Adeleke and voided Oyetola and APC’s victory.
In their appeals, argued on Wednesday, Oyetola, the APC and INEC prayed the five-man panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Jummai Sankey, to set aside the majority decision of the tribunal, uphold their appeals and dismiss the October 16, 2018 petition by Adeleke and the PDP.
They equally urged the court to dismiss the cross-appeal filed by Adeleke, on the grounds that it is unmeritorious.
In the appeal by Oyetola, his lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) faulted the reasons given by the tribunal in reaching the judgment appealed against, arguing that the decision was not supported by the evidence led by the petitioners.
He urged the court to void the judgment because the judge, Justice Peter Obiorah who wrote and delivered it, did not participate in all the proceedings of the tribunal.
Olanipekun noted that “the judge, who did not sit, came to write the leading judgment and reviewed the evidence of the February 6, 2019 proceedings where he was absent.
“Adjudication is like video watching. It cannot be done by proxy. The judge cannot analyse the evidence of a witness, whose demeanor he did not observe. The judgement should be declared a nullity on this ground alone”
Olanipekun, who said he and some named senior lawyers were at the tribunal on February 6, 2019, faulted the argument by lawyer to Adeleke and the PDP that it was not clear from the record of proceedings, whether or not Justice Obiorah was absent on the particular day.
He argued that the judge’s failure to sigh at the end of the proceedings on February 6, 2019 was enough evidence to justify the appellant’s claim that Justice Obiorah was absent on the day in question.
Olanipekun also faulted the tribunal’s cancellation of results in 17 polling units in the state, and noted that the petitioners did not tender any result of the election before the tribunal.
“If there was no result before the tribunal, the tribunal could not have cancelled what was not before it. Since no single result was submitted and could not have been cancelled,” he said.
He argued that the tribunal went beyond its powers by annulling results in the 17 polling units in order to justify its the judgement it gave in favour of the petitioners.
Read Also: Easter: Oyetola okays free train transport for Osun citizens
Lawyer to the APC, Akin Olujinmi (SAN), while arguing the party’s appeal, contended that the tribunal was wrong to have allowed the petition, which was incurably incompetent.
“The 1st and 2nd respondents sought to be declared winner of the election, held on September 22, 2018, which was declared inconclusive. They also asked the tribunal to void the rerun election held on September 27, 2018, because they believed it was unlawful.
“You cannot say you should be declared a winner on the election that you said was unlawful and void,” he said.
Olujinmi accused the tribunal of exceeding its jurisdiction when it engaged in amending the petitioners’ reliefs to make them grantable.
“No tribunal has the jurisdiction to reframe, amend or formulate reliefs for the petitioners.
“On realising that the reliefs could not be granted, they (members of the tribunal) amended the reliefs and granted it by themselves.
“We are saying the tribunal has no power to amend a petitioner’s reliefs. The much they ought to do, on realising that the reliefs could not be granted, was to have dismissed the petition.”
He further faulted the tribunal for holding that the petitioners proved its case of non-compliance in respect of the polling units where it voided results.
Olujinmi added: “The tribunal was wrong. They cannot use the allegation of non-compliance directed at the election of September 27 against the election of September 22.
“The tribunal relied on certified true copy of Form EC8A, which they said were dumped on the tribunal. This was what they still relied on to nullify results in the polling units in which they said malpractices were proved. The so called non-complaince did not affect the result of the election,” Olujinmi said.
He argued that the tribunal went outside its powers and contravened Section 140(2) of the Electoral Act when it engaged in the deduction of votes from the outcome of the election to arrive at the decision it gave.
Lawyer to INEC, Yusuf Ali (SAN) who argued in similar manner, contended that the tribunal erred in its majority judgment, particularly as regards the issue of non-compliance.
He noted that the tribunal, having found that accreditation was properly done and that all witnesses agreed that the votes scored were not affected by the omissions noted in some result sheets, ought not to have voided any results.
Citing Section 134 (b) of the Electoral Act, Ali argued that non-compliance means not compliance with the provision of the Act, not an act of omission on the part of INEC officials, which are not contrary to the provision of the Act.
Ali also argued that since the tribunal held that the petitioners did not prove over-voting and non-compliance, it ought not to have turned around to void votes in some polling units.
On the question of why INEC did not call it witnesses at the tribunal, Ali said it was unnecessary because the petitioners did not discharge the burden of prove placed on them by the law to warrant INEC to call fresh witnesses.
Ali added: “There is no law that said INEC most call witnesses, since the petitioners could not discharge the responsibility of proving their declarative reliefs, there was no need for INEC to have called its own witnesses.”
Lawyer to Adeleke and the PDP, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) faulted the three appeals and the arguments proffered by Olanipekun, Olujinmi and Ali.
Ikpeazu argued that the tribunal was right in its decision to have declared Adeleke and his party as the winner of the election.
He faulted the argument that Justice Obiorah did not participate in all the proceedings of the tribunal, arguing that there was no sufficient evidence to that effect.
Ikpeazu urged the court to dismiss the three appeals and uphold the judgment of the tribunal.
Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), who argued Adeleke’s cross-appeal, urged the court to allow his client’s appeal and reverse the portion of the judgment, where the tribunal rejected the evidence the petitioners lead in relation to six polling units.
Ogunwumiju argued that the tribunal wrongly excluded some of its evidence, because while it called 23 witnesses to prove it’s allegation of non-compliance in 23 polling units, the tribunal only upheld 17 where it voided elections.
Olanipekun, Olujinmi and Ali argued that the cross appeal was incompetent on several grounds and urged the tribunal to reject it.
At the conclusion of proceedings that lasted over eight hours, the presiding judge, Justice Sankey said judgments would be reserved till a later date.
She told parties that the date of the judgment would be communicated to them by the court’s Registry.
Other members of the court’s five-man panel are: Justices Abubakar Datti Yahaya, Ita George Mbaba, Isaiah Olufemi Akeju and Bitrus Sanga.
… Lagos Green Line, Kano, Kaduna rail schemes to boost connectivity
… Tinubu to chair power sector task force as reforms gather pace
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Thursday approved a $2.99 billion package of rail infrastructure projects and the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Power Sector Reform, in a move signalling a renewed push by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deepen infrastructure development and unlock economic growth.
Briefing State House correspondents after the Council meeting, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the rail projects span key urban corridors and are designed to enhance mobility, reduce congestion, and stimulate regional commerce.
He listed the projects as the Lagos Green Line Rail, the Kano State Metro Rail, and the Kaduna State Rail project, noting that they have already been captured in the extended 2025 budget.
“The Federal Executive Council approved three transformative rail projects – Lagos Green Line, Kano State Metro Rail, and Kaduna State Rail project. These projects are to be sponsored by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated,” Oyedele said.
He explained that the approvals align with the administration’s broader infrastructure strategy, which prioritises rail transport as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to road networks.
The Lagos Green Line is expected to complement existing mass transit systems in the commercial hub, while the Kano and Kaduna rail schemes are projected to boost passenger and freight movement across northern Nigeria, improving trade and economic activity.
In a related development, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the creation of a Presidential Task Force on Power Sector Reform, alongside key appointments aimed at strengthening governance in the electricity industry.
Idris said the Council approved the appointment of former Minister of Power, Lanre Babalola, as Special Adviser on Power to the President, to enhance coordination and policy oversight.
He disclosed that the President would chair the task force, with Babalola playing a central role in driving its activities.
‘Why FEC approved revised national urban development policy’
Easter: FEC urges Christians to embrace peace, love
“The task force is part of renewed efforts by the administration to reposition the power sector as a critical driver of industrialisation and economic growth,” Idris said.
According to him, the decision followed the submission of a report by a presidential committee set up on March 4 to review the commercial and institutional framework for the proposed Grid Asset Management Company (GAMCO).
He noted that the task force brings together key stakeholders, including the Ministers of Finance, Power, Industry, Trade and Investment, Information, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, alongside regulators and representatives of electricity generation and distribution companies.
Idris said the body would focus on implementing far-reaching reforms to address structural bottlenecks in the sector, stressing that stable electricity supply remains central to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
He added that the government is committed to a comprehensive overhaul of the power sector to unlock industrial productivity and improve living standards.
The minister further disclosed that the FEC meeting was preceded by the swearing-in of a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and four Permanent Secretaries.
He said President Tinubu administered the oath of office on retired Rear Admiral K. M. Marafa as INEC National Commissioner following her confirmation by the National Assembly.
Idris added that the Council deliberated on a 32-point agenda, reflecting what he described as the administration’s broad reform focus across critical sectors of the economy.
…directs action against sponsors of violence, backs Plateau peace committee
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday night declared that attempts by his political opponents to exploit insecurity to force him out of office would fail, insisting that he would not only remain in office but also seek a second term.
Speaking at the State House, Abuja, while receiving stakeholders from Plateau State, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the President described himself as resolute in the face of political pressure.
“You are playing to the hand of agents, including my own enemies, who want to use insecurity to get rid of me. But I’m a very stubborn politician. I just refuse to go. And I will campaign for my second term,” Tinubu said.
The President warned that the Federal Government would move decisively against individuals found to be instigating or financing violence across the country, stressing that credible intelligence would be acted upon without delay.
“If you identify and you know the name of troublemakers, agents provocateur, who want to continue killing or instigate killing, let us know. We will use the instrument of office to deal with them,” he said.
Tinubu emphasised that security agencies stand ready to confront such threats once actionable information is provided, noting that the recurring cycle of violence must end.
In a move to strengthen peace efforts in Plateau State, the President also endorsed a newly constituted peace committee comprising former governors of the state, charging them to work collectively toward lasting solutions.
He directed the committee to review existing white papers on past conflicts and harmonise recommendations for implementation.
“Call one another. Ignore the Governor’s Committee if you have to, or incorporate them. Take that white paper, go through it among yourselves and agree to implement it.
“If the ones you have chosen before now are not working, you have to mix and amend membership. Forget those committees you mentioned to me, if it’s not working, it’s not working. Consider this group as the committee until we find a lasting solution,” the President said.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to secure a $516.33m loan from Deutsche Bank to finance Section I of the ambitious Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway project, a key infrastructure initiative under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The approval followed the consideration of the President’s request by the Committee of Supply during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
In a letter read on the floor of the Green Chamber, Tinubu described the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway as a transformative national project aimed at connecting Nigeria’s far northwest to its southwestern coastline through an approximately 1,000-kilometre dual carriageway stretching from Illela in Sokoto State to Badagry in Lagos State.
The corridor is expected to pass through Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, opening up major agricultural, commercial and industrial hubs across the country.
According to the President, the project was designed to stimulate economic growth by significantly improving the movement of goods and people across Nigeria’s northern and southern regions.
He said the highway will “improve north-south connectivity, safety and network performance on the corridor; reduce logistics costs and travel times by providing a continuous high-capacity expressway standard link to downstream markets and strengthen trade facilitation, food security and national cohesion through improved access between production zones, markets and ports.”
Tinubu further noted that the road project would “safeguard long-term intermodal flexibility by reserving the central median for future rail integration and accommodating utility corridors.”
The President explained that the funding arrangement involves a $516.33m facility from Deutsche Bank, backed by partial guarantee cover from the insurance arm of the Islamic Development Bank, while the Federal Government will provide counterpart funding of N265.54bn.
The counterpart contribution, he said, would cover land acquisition, compensation payments, and complementary infrastructure requirements.
Tinubu urged lawmakers to expedite legislative approval of the borrowing request in view of the strategic importance of the project to national development.
The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway was conceived as one of Nigeria’s most expansive road infrastructure projects, intended to serve as an economic backbone linking the resource-rich northern corridor with major export gateways in the south.
Beyond easing transportation challenges, the superhighway is expected to boost agricultural supply chains, enhance regional trade, improve access to seaports, and attract investments in manufacturing, logistics and real estate along its route.
The project also aligns with broader government plans to modernise transport infrastructure and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
Presenting the report of the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, Abdullahi El-Rasheed, who represented the committee chairman, Abubakar Nalaraba, urged lawmakers to support the loan request, citing the project’s strategic economic value.
He said the highway would serve as a critical driver of development and improve long-term economic productivity.
Following deliberations, the House approved the borrowing request at plenary, paving the way for the commencement of the project’s first section.
-
news6 years agoUPDATE: #ENDSARS: CCTV footage of Lekki shootings intact – Says Sanwo – Olu
-
lifestyle6 years agoFormer Miss World: Mixed reactions trail Agbani Darego’s looks
-
health5 years agoChairman Agege LG, Ganiyu Egunjobi Receives Covid-19 Vaccines
-
lifestyle5 years agoObateru: Celebrating a Quintessential PR Man at 60
-
health6 years agoUPDATE : Nigeria Records 790 new cases of COVID-19
-
health6 years agoBREAKING: Nigeria confirms 663 new cases of COVID-19
-
entertainment1 year agoAshny Set for Valentine Special and new Album ‘ Femme Fatale’
-
news11 months agoBREAKING: Tinubu swears in new NNPCL Board