NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Executed project: Court stops NSCDC CG, others from harassing contractor
Judiciary

Executed project: Court stops NSCDC CG, others from harassing contractor

148 total views today

By Taiye Agbaje

A Federal Capital Territory High Court, Nyanya, on Thursday, restrained the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), its Commander-General (C-G), Mr Ahmed Audi, and others from further harassing a contractor, Mr Christian Igbo, over a completed contract.

Justice Edward Okpe, in a judgment also ordered the security agency to pay Igbo over N29 million balance of the contract sum legitimately awarded and executed by him.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the applicant had, in an originating motion on notice marked: CV/2115/2023 and filed by Pascal Obioha, sued the NSCDC, the C-G, ACG Fabian Ejezie (Finance) and Mpamugo Ifeanyi Bartholomew as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

Igbo also joined Victor Olarenwaju, Pastor Kukuyi (Accountant General Staff in Charge of CPO), Nd Chukwuemeka Okeke as 5th to 7th defendants in the suit dated and filed Jan. 24.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Okpe held that where an application was not controverted by a party, averments therein would be deemed to have been admitted by the party.

“The respondents ganged up to deprive and frustrate the applicant from getting the balance of the contract sum which he has excellently and dully executed unless the said part-payment is withdrawn and shared amongst them,” he added.

The judge consequently granted reliefs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the applicant.

The applicant, a businessman and managing director of Davenchris Ventures LTD, IB-Technicals LTD and Chrisreubben Enterprises, sought seven reliefs which include an order to enforce his fundamental human rights of freedom, personal liberty, fair hearing and human dignity as guaranteed by Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.

He sought for a declaration that the continuous threat to life, attempt to arrest and detain him
under the instructions of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th respondents who are staff, officials and/or agent of the 1st and 2nd respondents on a purely civil transaction of award and execution of contract, is illegal, unconstitutional.

He also said that it was against the provisions of Chapter IV, 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act. Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and is therefore Illegal, ultra-vires and unconstitutional.

He sought for an order directing the respondents to pay him the balance of the contract sum legitimately awarded and executed by the applicant for the 1st and 2md respondents totaling N29. 3million without any unlawful interference and the use of undue influence to frustrate the payment of the said money to the applicant by the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and the 7tj respondents.

“An order of perpetual injunction, restraining all the respondents from further threat to life; attempt to arrest, detain, intimidate the applicant and/or his family members either by themselves or by any enforcement agent and/or intruding on the applicant’s privacy or business premises.”

He also sought a damages of N200 million severally and jointly paid by the respondents for the unlawful threat to his life, among others.

Giving the grounds why his reliefs should be granted, Igbo averred that he executed the said contracts and the respondents paid part-payment of the contract sum into his companies accounts amounting to over N23 million (N23,887,154.89), remaining the balance of N29,360,697.00.

“At the receipt of the said part-payment of the contract sum, the applicant started receiving threating calls from the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th respondents who are the officials of the 1st and 2nd respondents that the money that was paid into his accounts should be withdrawn and be brought to the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th respondents for sharing on no justifiable and/or cogent reasons.

“The applicant, amidst entreaties, threats, attempts to arrest, detain him stood his ground for explanations why part-payment that entered into his companies account owed him for the executed contracts in favour of his companies should be withdrawn and be given to them for sharing,” he said.

Igbo said the officers insisted on their unlawful and unwarranted demands from him.

Although the respondents were represented in court by Evelyn Charles-Fyanya, they did not file any counter affidavit.

“It is my candid views to grant the reliefs, more especially where there is no counter affidavit filed,” he said, saying such was the law. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Court fines L.M. Ericsson N800m over breach of contract
Judiciary

Court fines L.M. Ericsson N800m over breach of contract

185 total views today

By Taiye Agbaje

An FCT High Court has awarded a cumulative fine of N800 million against L.M. Ericsson Nigeria Ltd, a foreign international company, for breaching a contract it entered with a Nigerian firm, Aqua Oli Nigeria Ltd, in 2006.

Justice Chizoba Orji, in her judgment, held that though the initial contract sum was N171 million, she cannot but agreed with the claimant on a 21 per cent per annum interest sum on the initial amount from February 2006 when the job was executed.

Justice Orji also ordered a 10 per cent per annum interest thereafter on the said amount until the judgment sum is fully liquidated.

She held that the court took judicial notice that naira had drastically lost its value from 2006 to 2023, 17 years after the contract was executed.

“In the instant case, the claimant has been deprived of his money for services rendered to the 1st defendant (Ericsson) since 2006 which has paralysed the business of the claimant ,” she said.

The judge, who ordered an award of N10 million as general damages against the company, declared that “by failing to pay for the three clearing contract jobs which culminated in this suit, the 1st defendant is in breach of contract.”

“Therefore, I enter judgment in favour of the claimant against the 1st defendant only,” she said.

Although claimant’s counsel, Chief Duro Adeyele, SAN, asked for N500, 000 cost of filing the case against Ericsson, the company’s lawyer, Adeleke Adepoju, urged the court to dismiss the application.

Adeyele, who applied for N500, 000 cost, said: “We have spent 17 years on this matter and since 2007, we have been in court. We have spent money bringing our witnesses to court.”

But Adepoju argued that the delay in the matter was most contributed by Nigeria Telecommunications Ltd (the 2nd defendant) being liquidated, among others.

The judge, however, awarded the sum of N200, 000 against Ericsson as cost of instituting the suit.

“A successful litigant is entitled to costs. The suit lasted 16 years in court. This is a very long time.

“However, this matter unfortunately suffered some serious hiccups before its determination today,” the judge said in the judgment delivered on April 17 but its certified true copy (CTC) made available on Thursday.

Justice Orji, who agreed with the claimant that the 2nd defendant did not breach any contract with it, dismissed all the reliefs sought against the Nigeria Telecommunications Ltd.

“I have carefully read Exhibits P2 & D2 and I am unable to agree with the 1st defendant that the 2nd defendant engaged the claimant to clear and deliver three consignments (at the Apapa Port and Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos State) that resulted in this suit.

“It was therefore the 1st defendant that engaged the claimant to clear and deliver the three consignments of equipment.

“If the 2nd defendant had engaged the claimant, it would not be talking about ‘reimbursement’ of clearing expenses but payment as it would be paying the claimant directly,” she held.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the claimant called two witnesses, the 1st defendant called a witness in the matter that lasted for no fewer than 16 years, while the 2nd defendant did not call any witness.

Aqua Oli Nigeria Ltd had, in the suit number: FCT/HC/CV/1244/08 filed by Chief Duro Adeyele, SAN, sued L.M. Ericsson Nigeria Ltd and Nigeria Telecommunications Ltd as 1st and 2nd defendants.

In the amended statement of claim filed on March 29, 2019, the claimant sought four claims against Ericsson.

These include “a declaration that by failing to pay for the three clearing contract jobs which culminated to this suit, the 2nd defendant is in breach of contract.

“The sum of N171, 409, 606.71 being agreed liquidated sum owing, due and payable by either or both 1st and 2nd defendants to the claimant for services rendered by the claimant at the Apapa Port and Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos and cost of haulage of the consignments to the 2nd defendant’s warehouses at the request of the 1st defendant on three different occasions for three clearing jobs in the year 2006.

“Interest on the said sum of N171,409, 606.71 at the rate of 21 per cent per annum from February, 2006 to the date of judgment and thereafter at the rate of 10 per cent per annum until the Judgment debt is finally liquidated.

“General damages in the sum of N10 million for breach of contracy.”(NAN)(www.nannewd.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Don sues Ivorian airline for alleged missing luggage
Judiciary

Don sues Ivorian airline for alleged missing luggage

173 total views today

By Taiye Agbaje

A lecturer at University of Abuja, Prof. Oseremen Aisuodionoe-Shadrach has sued Air Cote D’ Ivoire Plc for allegations bordering on neglect and misplacement of his luggage.

Aisuodionoe-Shadrach, who filed the suit before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of a Federal High Court, Abuja, also joined Pcharles Travels and Investment Co. Ltd as 2nd defendant in the matter.

The aggrieved passenger alleged that the defendants failed in their duty of care owed to him by misplacing his luggage (Leavesking Trolley) which left him stranded at Somone, Senegal from Sept. 18, 2022 to Sept. 21, 2022, and that his luggage was still missing till the institution of the suit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Prof. Aisuodionoe-Shadrach had travelled to Senegal for a three-day international conference.

In the writ of summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1973/2022 filed on Oct. 27, 2022, the lecturer prayed the court for an order directing the defendants to pay him N3.1 million as special, general and exemplary damages which arose from the embarrassment, mental agony, trauma, inconvenience and stress suffered by the claimant as a result of the actions of the defendants.”

He also prayed the court to direct the defendants to tender an unreserved apology to him in two national dailies for the unwarranted psychological and mental trauma he suffered and a certificate of compliance filed in that regard.

The professor of Surgery and Consultant Urological Surgeon at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital further asked the court for an award of N500, 000 as cost of instituting the case, among other claims sought.

In his witness statement on oath, Aisuodionoe-Shadrach averred that on Sept. 5, 2022, he purchased an electronic travel ticket via the platform of the 2nd defendant, being one of the accredited and authorised travel agents of the 1st defendant with booking reference no: N72HJ3 in the sum of N428, 816.

He said the Air Cote D’ Ivoire was scheduled to airlift him and other passengers on Sept. 18, 2022, and was billed to return on Sept. 21, 2022.

“I prepared: adequately to be airlifted by the 1st defendant on the 18/09/2022 from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Blaise Diagne International Airport, Diass, Senegal en-route Abidjan.

“On arrival at my destination on Sunday, the 18/09/2022, I was shocked to learn that the luggage with which my tag was placed was not mine. i.e my luggage (Leavegking: Trolley).

“I was mislabeled by the Ist defendant.

“Sequel to the above, I promptly returned the mislabeled luggage to the 1st defendant’s airline in Blaise Diagne International Airport, Diass, Senegal via one of the customer service attendants at the Hotel Baobab where I was lodged for the duration of the conference,” he said.

He said all efforts to recover his luggage had been unsuccessful.

Upon resumed hearing in the matter on Tuesday, Aisuodionoe-Shadrach’s counsel, John Nnamdi, informed the court that the matter was slated for further mention.

Obinna Omeh, who appeared for Air Cote D’ Ivoire Plc, acknowledged the receipt of the application filed by the plaintiff, but said they were yet to file any response.

However, no lawyer represented Pcharles Travels and Investment Co. Ltd in court.

Nnamdi, who prayed the court that the matter be heard in the next adjourned date, said despite the service of their process on the 2nd defendant, they were not in court.

Justice Olajuwon adjourned the matter until Oct. 23 for hearing.

She also ordered that hearing notice be served on the 2nd defendant by courier service as earlier directed. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===========
Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Rural electricity agency MD, others sued over Money Laundering Act
Judiciary

Rural electricity agency MD, others sued over Money Laundering Act

201 total views today

By Taiye Agbaje

Donnington Nigeria Ltd has dragged Mr Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and others to a Federal High Court, Abuja on criminal charges bordering on breach of the Money Laundering Act.

Ahmad (2nd defendant) was sued alongside a company, Velocity Logistics & Marine Limited (1st defendant), where he was alleged to be a director and shareholder on 12-count charge before Justice James Omotosho.

The charge is marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/175/2023.

The company alleged that Ahmad aided Velocity Logistics, a designated non-financial institution, between Jan. 2014 and Jan. 2018 in failing to report in writing to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) any lodgement or outflow transaction from the company’s Zenith Bank account number: 016639377 of the sums above N5 million.

This, it said, as required under Section 10(1)b of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) and thereby committed an offence under Section 18(a) of the said Act and punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.

Donnington Nigeria Ltd, the complainant, also filed three different charges against three other companies and their directors.

In charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/183/2023, the complainant, suing on Federal Government’s behalf, preferred 20 counts against Winslow Logistics Ltd and Mr Alkali Habib, a director and shareholder.

In charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/176/2023, Sahams Crystal Investment Ltd and Abdulmumini Haruna are being sued on 14 counts also bordering on money laundering infractions.

Donnington also filed 10-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/183/2023 against Equip Logistics Services Limited and Edwin Iyk Anyadigibe, its director and a shareholder for failure to comply with the requirements of submitting to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, a declaration of the activities of the company contrary to the money laundering act, among others.

Upon resumed hearing in the matter on Monday, Counsel to the complainant, Ugbede Idachaba, informed that the matter was scheduled for the arraignment of the defendants.

However, the REA’s MD, Mr Ahmad, and others were not in court.

Lawyers to all the defendants, including Mohammed Ndarami, SAN, who represented Ahmad and Velocity Logistics, and Victor Opera, SAN, who appeared for Equip Logistics, urged the court to dismiss the suits for being incompetent.

They said the charges filed against their clients were incompetent and that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the suits.

Ndaram, who said a preliminary objection was filed on June 16, informed that the defendants were not in court because they went on Hajj.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the four suits until June 26 for arraignment and for hearing of the preliminary objections filed by the defendants.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the proceedings, Opara said a preliminary objection to challenge the jurisdiction of the cour had already been filed.

According to him, our conception is that the whole charge is incompetent and we have challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge as constituted, instituted and prosecuted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Donnington Ltd, in its arguments, said though there had been a long-held rule that a private citizen cannot institute and prosecute crime in Nigeria except with the consent and authorisation of the Attorney-General of the Federation, it said that “the rule has been overruled by the 2022 decision of the Supreme Court in the case of RAPHAEL OBIJIAKU Vs CHIEF JOE OBIJIAKU & 2 ORS (2022) 17 NWLR (PT. 1857) 377 at 405 Paras E- F.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

CJN urges new National Industrial Court judges to flee from temptation
Judiciary

CJN urges new National Industrial Court judges to flee from temptation

169 total views today

By Ebere Agozie

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has urged the newly sworn-in Judges of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) to flee from temptations as their reputation and integrity mattered most.

Ariwoola made the call on Monday in Abuja while administering oath on them.

“I am making it clear to you to keep your heads high above the murky waters of corruption and favouritism.

“You must also redouble your efforts and dialogue with your conscience because you have a divine mandate to justify your appointments,” he said.

He also urged them to give good accounts of themselves as none would be allowed to drag the name of the judiciary in the mud.

“Industrial disputes and litigations are in steady rise, you should be consciously on your toes knowing that Nigeria ranks among the most litigious country,’’ he reminded them.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the six newly sworn-in Judges are Justices Subilim Emmanuel Danjuma, Muhammad Adamu Hamza, Damachi-Onugba Joyce Agede, Hassan Muhammed Yakubu, Buhari Sanni and Sanda Audu Yelwa. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

D6dited by Sadiya Hamza

Butcher jailed 1 year for stabbing colleague
Judiciary

Butcher jailed 1 year for stabbing colleague

168 total views today
By Zainab Oyekan
An Area Court sitting in Jos on Monday sentenced a 24-year-old butcher, Mathew Danjuma, to one year imprisonment for stabbing his colleague.
The judge, Mr hawomi Bokkos, who jailed Danjuma after he confessed to the crime, however, gave him an option of N50,000 fine.
He also ordered him to pay N35,000 as compensation to the complainant.
Bokkos said the judgment would serve as a deterrent to those who would want to indulge in such acts.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Ibrahim Gokwat told the court that the case was reported on May 21 at the C’ Division by Umar Muhammed, the complainant.
Gokwat said the convict got angry with Muhammed during an altercation and stabbed him with a knife.
He said the offence contravened the provisions of the Section 241 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
Call for suspension of CCT chairman out of ignorance – Official 
Judiciary

Call for suspension of CCT chairman out of ignorance – Official 

159 total views today

 

By Oloniruha Emmanuel

 

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has described the recent call for the immediate suspension of its Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, from office over alleged incompetence as a reflection of ignorance.

 

The Media Aide to the CCT Chairman, Mr Atekojo Usman, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

 

A group under the umbrella of the Progressive Foundational Movement (PFM) had, on Thursday called for Umar’s sack through some social media plartdorms.

 

Usman said the call would have been ordinarily considered as the work of an idle mind and be ignored, but records must be put in proper perspective to guard against misguiding the public.

 

He said “the CCT is a specilonial court with coordinate jurisdiction with the Federal and State High Courts in Nigeria, saddled with the responsibility of adjudicating assets declaration related cases of public servants which emanated from the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB.

 

“This means, the CCT under the chairmanship of Justice Danladi Umar does not generate administrative cases to be adjudicated.

 

“This is with the exception those cases passed to it by the Code of Conduct Bureau, an agency saddled with the mandate to document, verify and assess assets of public servants in Nigeria.

 

“One is therefore, appalled at how a group which is led by an acclaimed lawyer who should know is displaying a crass ignorance of the workings of the CCT and CCB.”

 

The media aide explained further that “of particular interest, is the fact that every public servant is obliged to declare asset at the beginning of his or her office and also declare asset after the tenure of office.

 

“This means that public servants by the end of President Muhammadu Buhari administration on May 29, 2023 were expected to declare their assets which is statutorily the responsibility of the CCB.

 

“It is an administrative process which the CCB would have to carry out through its internal organ before forwarding to the CCT depending on the report of CCB’s Asset and Verification Committee report.

 

“One wonders if the CCT that has adjudicatory powers should witch hunt anyone as one, Mr Aganaba Johnson, a lawyer and leader of the group would want the public to believe,” he said.

 

Usman added that the CCT is a court and does not get involved in politics hence should be excused from political mudslinging of any sort.

 

He added that the court would not allow politicians to use it as means of political vendetta.

 

He also condemned the claim by the group that the two agencies had failed woefully in the fight against corruption in the past four years, especially the CCB, by not able to send at least one person to be prosecuted in the tribunal.

 

“If his words were anything to go by, should Danladi Umar-led CCT be going to the market square in search of who to prosecute?

 

“Surprisingly, the CCT chairman has championed a far- reaching reform on the Act that established the court which was signed into law at the twilight of the former President Buhari’s administration, that will yield results in no distant time.

 

“Justice Danladi Umar-led CCT is an open court where lawyers, private citizens, individuals are free to observe proceedings and it remains to be comprehended if the group leader has ever bothered to visit the CCT during trial of public officers to keep himself abreast of the many cases tried so far.

 

“This would have helped him in not dissipating energy for nothingness, particularly as a lawyer, he should be interested in the CCT cases.

 

“It is advised that the group leaders, individuals or interested individuals should explore the Freedom of Information Act to obtain information on activities of government agencies before rushing to the media,” he said.

 

According to him, this will help them to speak from the point of authorities as records will always be made available following the due processes.

 

He said the CCT had tried failed asset declaration cases of public officers across board with judgements delivered within the ambit of the law.

 

He said from the aforementioned, it was easier to deduce those sponsoring the group to issue spurious and misguided statements against the person of the Honourable Justice.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

INEC boss to appear before election petition court
Judiciary

INEC boss to appear before election petition court

184 total views today

By Edith Nwapi

Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on Thursday appear before the Presidential Election Petition Court Thursday.

This was stated on Tuesday by Chris Uche, SAN lead counsel to Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party in their ongoing petition.

In a petition marked CA/PEPC/05/2023, Abubakar Atiku and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are challenging the outcome of the Feb.25 presidential election which declared President Bola Tinubu as the winner.

The respondents are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC president Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Uche said the INEC chairman will during his appearance testify on the conduct of the disputed presidential election.

Uche told the court that he does not want the respondents especially Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be caught unawares.

Earlier, the petitioners called their 19th witness (PW19), Alex Ter, their first star witness to testify.

Ter is a lawyer and a politician, National coordinator of PDP ‘s National situation room.

Abubakar Mahmoud , SAN counsel for INEC however, objected when the witness was about to adopt his statement which were more than one.

Mahmoud told the Court that they objected on May 20 to the petitioners’s ‘ reply on the additional statements.

He stated that it was not pleaded in line with the provisions of the law and therefore, urged the court to dissmiss it and uphold the objection.

He however, told the court that he would reserve their reasons for the objections for be communicated at the final addresses

Uche for the petitioners told the court that the objections INEC raised has been argued and ruling reserved by the court.

“Whatever objection that INEC has should be kept aside, “  Uche said.

He therefore, urged the court to overrule the objection and allow the process go on.

He told the court that they are tendering Manual for the conduct of the 2023 election.

He said he will be tendering video clips of broadcast, by the chairman of INEC on the preparation for the election and that of Festus Okoye National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC on the election.

The also said that he will be tendering European Union (EU) election observers mission broadcast alongside the transcripts and the certificates of authenticity of the three videos.

He said this was pursuant to Section 84 of the Evidence Act.

He also tendered INEC I-reV screen shots of the portal as of March 18 and March 19.

Also tendered was I-reV results portal at the pulling units of March 1and the transcripts and certificates of authenticity.

INEC did not object but Tinubu and APC objected, but all the respondents reserved their responses until their final written addresses.
Under cross examination by INEC’s lawyer, Mahmoud, the witness admitted that he was not at the National Collation Center but was at the PDP situation room in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He also admitted not being an ICT experts but that he based his report from information obtained from agents of the PDP at the collation centers.

The witness faulted INEC for not transmitting presidential election results electronically, adding that calculation errors led the electoral body into grave errors .

Also cross examined by Akin Olujimi SAN, counsel for Tinubu, the witness said that he came to the conclusion that the presidential election was invalid by reason of corrupt electoral practices as related to him by PDP agents.

Testifying as the petitioners ‘ 20th witness (PW20) was Olutunji Shelle.

He alleged during cross examination by INEC counsel that there were some secret pulling units set up by APC in Lagos.

He however said he did not visit any.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the petitioners have called 20 witnesses so far out of 100 the told the court their would call.

Meanwhile, the five-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned until tomorrow for further hearing of the petition. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

PEPC views Obi first video evidence
Judiciary

PEPC views Obi first video evidence

192 total views today

By Edith Nwapi

The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) on Saturday viewed the first video evidence presented before it by Mr Peter Obi and his party, Labour party.

Obi and his party are petitioners in the petition marked CA/PEPC/03/2023 challenging the election which brought President Bola Tinubu into power.

Respondents are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the resumed hearing of the petition on Saturday, the two videos were played before the court.

The court had earlier admitted the flash drive of the videos in evidence.

The two videos were produced through two subpoenas dated May 30 and June 6 which was served on the Channels TV station..

The videos were interviews with the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on the preparation for the election.

The second one was that of Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC.

The videos were tendered through a subpoenaed witness from Channels TV, Mr Lucky Obowo-Isawode.

All respondents in the petition objected to the videos but reserved their responses to their final written addresses.

The petitioners through their Counsel, Jubrin Okitepa tendered in evidence form EC40GEU from six local government areas of Benue.

They further tendered form EC40OG (1) from one local area of Benue and also, copy of INEC certified true copy of the form in respect of Benue.

The court marked and admitted all in evidence.

All the respondents‘ counsel objected to it but reserved their responses to their final written addresses.

Meanwhile, the five-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned until Tuesday for further hearing of the petition. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

International Human Rights Commission lauds Nigeria’s peaceful transition
Judiciary

International Human Rights Commission lauds Nigeria’s peaceful transition

219 total views today

By Justina Auta

Dr Malami Ma’aji, Ambassador At Large of African Region, International Human Rights Commission, has commended the peaceful democratic transition of power to the newly elected governments in Nigeria.

Ma’aji, while congratulating President Bola Tinubu and the newly sworn in governors in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, applauded Nigerians, security institutions and all stakeholders, particularly former President Muhammadu Buhari, for ensuring the peaceful transition.

According to him, the process significantly elevated Nigeria’s status in the community of nations.

He, therefore, urged Tinubu to continue to respect the rules of law and human rights and assured him of the IHRC support for the development of the country.

He assured that the commission would continue to stand for the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people, particularly women, children and less privileged in the society.

“The main objectives of International Human Rights Commission are to serve humanity irrespective of their differences in religion, region and tribe, as well as struggle against violation of human rights, bloodshed and terrorism in Africa and the world.

“We provide awareness and educate the governments, legislatures and diplomats, among others, to ensure people’s rights are been respected and also protected,” said the envoy.

He therefore urged Nigerians to embrace peace, unity and love as no nation developed without peaceful coexistence. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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