News
“Agabi Urges Tribunal to Examine Certified Court Documents Revealing Discrepancies in Form EC8A and EC8B”
The petitioner, represented by Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi (SAN), presented their case on September 8, 2023, and filed it on September 9, 2023 has urged the court to focus on the certified documents before it showing descripancies between form EC8A and form EC8B.
Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi on Thursday during the adoption of final adresses argued that the precedent set by higher courts should guide the tribunal’s decision and emphasized that subpoenaed witnesses should not be allowed to testify under oath. He also stressed the importance of polling unit results (Form EC8As), considering them as the original results from reliable sources. He called on the tribunal to focus on certified documents, pointing out discrepancies between Form EC8As and EC8Bs and asserted that the petitioner, the PDP, should be declared the winner.
Agabi also questioned the absence of a cross-petition from the respondents, suggesting they had no substantial case. Tensions escalated during arguments, but the judges’ records ultimately favored the petitioner, as the respondents’ sincerity came into question.
The first respondent, INEC, represented by Issiaka Mohammed Dikko (SAN), challenged the petitioner’s claims, labeling their alleged victory as unrealistic and lacking substantial evidence.
Chief Wale Olanipekun (SAN), representing the second respondent, Engr. A.A. Sule, pointed out various objections raised during the petitioner’s case and requested the tribunal to dismiss the petition due to insufficient legal backing for the petitioner’s claims. He noted the absence of proper witness testimonies and inadmissible evidence, including the BVAS, and emphasized that the petitioner failed to mention any polling units where they received 25% of the votes.
Dr. Hassan Mohammed Liman, representing the third respondent, APC, supported the objections to witnesses and urged the tribunal to dismiss the entire petition. He adopted the second respondent’s appeal and highlighted the margin of lead declared in favor of A.A. Sule by Form EC8B and EC8D. Liman argued that the petitioner relied on allegations rather than facts, effectively undermining their own case.
The Nasarawa State Election Tribunal now faces the challenging task of weighing these arguments and evidence to make a fair and just decision regarding the election results. The legal battle continues as all parties await the tribunal’s final ruling.
News
TCN Acknowledges 7th Grid Collapse in 2024
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
News
Jigawa Tanker Tragedy: Shettima, First Lady Mourn Victims, Pledge Federal Support
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
News
Nigeria Customs Intercepts Arms, Ammunition Worth N9.5bn Over Six Years
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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