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Tag: Adamawa

  • INEC files six count charge against suspended Adamawa REC, Hudu Ari

    INEC files six count charge against suspended Adamawa REC, Hudu Ari

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dragged the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) deployed to Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, to the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola, the State capital over electoral offenses.

    He’s faced with a six-count charge filed against him by INEC.

    Recall that Ari was involved in a controversy during the April 15 supplementary governorship election in Adamawa State, where he unilaterally declared Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the poll while collation of results was still ongoing.

    INEC said it has filed a six count charge against Ari Court having reviewed a case file from the Police which established a prima facie case against the suspended REC.

    The electoral body made this known via a statement signed by its National Commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Thursday, in Abuja.

    Okoye said that the Court has fixed Wednesday, July 12, 2023 for commencement of trial.

    The Commission said it has also taken decisive action against electoral offenders, adding that the Commission was working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the diligent prosecution of other cases.

    The statement reads  partly: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday 6th July 2023, and discussed, among other issues, the progress with the prosecution of electoral offenders.

    “It would be recalled that at the meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) two days ago on Tuesday 4th July 2023, the Commission confirmed the receipt of case files from the Nigeria Police following the conclusion of investigation into alleged electoral offences during the 2023 General Election, including the one involving the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) deployed to Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.

    “The Commission also assured Nigerians of immediate action on the matter.”

    INEC reiterated that as provided by Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, an offence committed under the Act shall be triable in a Magistrate Court or a High Court of a State in which the offence is committed, or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    Furthermore, it said Section 145(2) of the Act provides that a prosecution under the Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission, or any legal practitioner appointed by it.

    “Having reviewed the case file from the Police which established a prima facie case against Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the Commission has filed a six-count charge against him at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola. Consequently, the Court has fixed Wednesday 12th July 2023 for commencement of trial,” the statement added.

  • Adamawa gov, Fintiri appoints SSG, Head of Service

    Adamawa gov, Fintiri appoints SSG, Head of Service

    Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has approved the appointment of Alhaji Awwal Tukur as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

    Mr Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to the governor stated on Wednesday in Yola that the governor also appointed Dr Edgar Amos as Chief of Staff, Government House.

    “Following the appointment of Dr Amos who before now was the Head of the Civil Service, Malam Shehu Ardo takes over as Head of the Civil Service.

    “The appointments take immediate effect,’’ Wonosikou stated.

    Tukur, the new SSG was a member of the House of Representatives and served as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Director-General, Adamawa Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaign Council at the 2023 elections.

  • Five men sentenced to jail for kidnapping female journalist

    Five men sentenced to jail for kidnapping female journalist

    Adamawa high court sitting in the state capital, Yola, has imprisoned five men who were responsible for the kidnap of a female journalist.

    The court convicted and sentenced five men for kidnapping Mrs Amra Ahmad Diska back in 2021 and collecting ransom before releasing her.

    Justice Danladi Mohammed, handed a life sentence to three of the men, Muhammad Habib Maki, Barde Usman, and Umar Mammanjoda, for their leading role in the kidnapping of the female journalist, who is a staff member of the state-owned radio house, Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Yola.

    Justice Danladi also sentenced one of the culprits, Umar Abubakar to 10 years in Prison or a fine of one million naira. Similarly, Husseini Hamman was also sentenced to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine.

    The court explained that Husseini got only five years behind bars because, on the day of his arraignment with the other four, he pleaded guilty to the offences and made his trial easier for the court.

    Umar Abubakar, on the other hand, was handed a 10-year sentence for abatement as he was the one who furnished other convicts with information about the victim.

    According to the facts of the case, the five convicts and Dogo Chongel Pullori and two others still at large conspired and, armed with guns, invaded the house of Ahmad Isa Mbamba at Mbamba in Yola South Local Government Area on May 4, 2021, and abducted his wife, Amra Ahmad Diska.

    The convicts did not release her until after seven days when the family was able to raise the four million naira ransom they demanded.

    Five out of the eight suspected kidnappers were later arrested and arraigned before the court on October 7, 2021.

  • Runaway Adamawa REC, Yunusa breaks silence on election saga

    Runaway Adamawa REC, Yunusa breaks silence on election saga

    The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa Ari has revealed the reason he declared Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as Binani of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner of the Adamawa governorship election.

    Yunusa said he declared Binani a winner due to security pressure.

    Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, suspended Yunusa Ari after the illegal declaration of Binani winner, contrary to the Electoral Act.

    But, INEC waded into the controversy and declared Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party the authentic winner of the Adamawa State election after due process was followed.

    Fintiri polled 430,861 votes to defeat Binani of APC.

    INEC asked the Inspector-General of Police and necessary security agencies to probe and prosecute Yunusa Ari.

    After the whole saga, Yunusa Ari has not been heard and seen since then, only when his recent letter to the Inspector General of Police surfaced.

    He explained that he acted within the ambit of the law.

    According to him, the results to be announced by the INEC Collation Officer differed from the copies he signed and uploaded on the Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

    He stated that attempts were made to replace him with his secretary, alleging that the two national commissioners were at the Government House, Yola, at 8:31 pm on April 15, 2023.

    He stated, “It was based on this that I compiled all the polling unit results and declared the election winner based on the highest number of valid votes scored by the candidate of the APC.

    “I had the breakdown of the valid votes scored by the two leading candidates in the supplementary election, using the results from the polling units as collated into all relevant forms EC8B, C, D and E respectively by properly and legally appointed and recognised collation officers and my humble self as the Adamawa State Chief Collation Officer and Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

    “Before the declaration, an intelligence report was made available to me that the two national commissioners were at the Government House, Yola, at 8:31 pm on April 15, 2023, and held a meeting with Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.”

    Meanwhile, INEC had denied claims of its officials meeting with Fintiri during the supplementary election.

  • BREAKING: Binani withdraws suit against INEC over Adamawa governorship poll

    BREAKING: Binani withdraws suit against INEC over Adamawa governorship poll

    The All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidate in the Adamawa governorship election, Sen. Aisha Dahiru-Ahmed, popularly called “Binani,” on Wednesday withdrew the suit filed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The APC candidate had prayed the court for a judicial review of the decision by INEC to reverse her earlier announcement as winner of the poll by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari.

    Binani’s counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, upon resumed hearing in the matter, told Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja that a notice of discontinuance had been filed to that effect and urged the court to strike out the case.

    Justice Ekwo reminded Sheriff that an order was given in the last adjourned date directing him to address the court on whether the court had the jurisdiction to entertain the case or not.

    The lawyer, who informed the court that a lot of issues had came up between the last date of adjournment and today, begged for an order striking out the suit.

    The judge, however, held that since Sheriff had failed to go by the order of the court, the appropriate thing to do was to dismiss the matter.

    “I hereby make an order dismissing this suit,” Justice Ekwo declared.

    The judge had, on April 18, refused to hear an ex-parte motion filed by Binani.

    Ekwo, instead, ordered the APC candidate’s counsel to address the court on issue of jurisdiction before hearing the substantive motion.

    The judge said though he was ready to hear Sheriff, the lawyer must address the court on issue of jurisdiction before he proceeded.

    He held that the application would be taken together with the issue of jurisdiction on the next adjourned date and adjourned until April 26 for hearing.

    But the electoral umpire had, on April 19, declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate and Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri the winner of the governorship election held in the state

    Binani and APC, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/510/2023, had sued INEC, PDP and its candidate, Gov. Fintiri as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively.

    Binani, through her lawyer, Hussaini Zakariyau, SAN, had sought a judicial review of the administrative decision of INEC on April 16 in respect of her declaration as the winner of the governorship elections held on March 18 and the supplementary poll of April 15.

    She is also seeking an order of prohibition and certiorari preventing INEC and its agents from taking any further steps towards the declaration of the winner of the elections pending the determination of her application for judicial review.

    The application was brought pursuant to Order 34 Rules 1a, Order 3(1) & 3(2) a, b, c, Order 6 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure Rules), 2019 and Section 251 (1)q & r of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Section 149 & 152 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    Giving grounds why the motion should be granted, Binani stated that after the collation of results, INEC declared her as the winner of the elections but the PDP and its candidate, Governor Fintiri, resorted to fighting and causing a public disturbance which led to the beating and manhandling of an INEC staff.

    This crisis, she said, led INEC to cancel the initial declaration which it had no power to do as only the election petition tribunal is vested with such powers.

    By cancelling her declaration, Binani contended that INEC usurped the powers of the election petition tribunal which is the only court vested with powers on a declaration from the conduct of an election.

    In the application, she averred that a judicial review exists to enable the superior court to checkmate the actions and decisions of inferior courts as well as the legislative and administrative arm of government including agencies and public officers.

    The applicant further submits that the INEC, being an agency of the government, can have its actions, records, and decisions checked by the court and only a court can nullify the actions of an INEC official and not the INEC itself.

  • Tinubu congratulates PDP’s Fintiri, calls for probe in Adamawa re-run election

    Tinubu congratulates PDP’s Fintiri, calls for probe in Adamawa re-run election

    Nigeria’s  President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has congratulated the governors-elect of Adamawa and Kebbi states, Ahmadu Fintiri and Nasiru Idris, respectively for emerging the winner of April 15th, 2023 supplementary governorship elections.

    The former Lagos governor, has also called on the security agents to investigate the drama that ensued the collation of votes in Adamawa State.

    Recall that Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Ari arrogated some powers to himself to announce the candidate of the All Progressives Congress Aishatu Dahiru, better known as Binani, as the winner of the poll as at when collation was still ongoing.

    However, INEC quickly swung into action by suspending the process and summoning Adamawa REC to Abuja for questioning,

    Two days after, the incumbent Governor Fintiri was declared winner after meeting all requirements and polling most votes in the elections.

    Ari has since been suspended after the commission nullified his declaration.

    Reacting to the drama, which sparked an outrage among Nigerians, Tinubu urged police authorities to ensure they leave no stone unturned as they investigate the case.

    He said, “I note the matter of Adamawa supplementary governorship election and I urge police authorities to fully investigate all that transpired in the election, given the attendant controversy. In every democratic contest there has to be one winner. I call on those aggrieved to pursue legitimate means of addressing their grievances.

    “I congratulate the winners of the supplementary governorship elections held in Kebbi and Adamawa states on Saturday, April 15, 2023. I also rejoice with those elected into the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly during the last round of elections in states where such took place. These victorious men and women have earned the trust of their people and I call on them to rededicate themselves to the service of their respective constituents.”

    Tinubu said with the elections over, it was time for the elected “to brace up to serve our people with diligence and dedication and to join hands with me as your President-elect in the pursuit of our agenda to renew the hopes of our people in a better, stronger, more secure, economically vibrant and prosperous Nigeria.”

    Meanwhile, the  Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives also congratulated Fintiri, on his “widely celebrated victory.”

    Minority Leader of the House, Ndudi Elumelu, in a statement on Wednesday,  saluted the people of Adamawa for their resilience in standing with Fintiri “and resisting desperate anti-democratic forces that sought to manipulate the electoral process, suppress the will of the people and impose an illegitimate government on the state.”

    “From the results of the main election and the supplementary poll, it was clear that Governor Fintiri remains the clear choice of the people. His ultimate victory further proves that no matter how much falsehood, tyranny and manipulations appear to thrive, the truth will always prevail at the end of the day.

    “The Minority Caucus again congratulates Governor Fintiri and urges him to remain focused and continue in his excellent delivery of service, particularly his massive legacy infrastructural development projects and empowerment of citizens for which the people of Adamawa State overwhelmingly re-elected him as governor,” the statement said.

     

  • Fintiri speaks on his re-election after controversial gov election

    Fintiri speaks on his re-election after controversial gov election

    Adamawa’s Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri on Tuesday in Yola expressed appreciation of voters for their overwhelming support at Saturday’s supplementary governorship election which ended in his re-election.

    The governor, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also commended INEC for conducting free, fair and credible elections.

    Fintiri scored 430,788 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Sen. Aishatu Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who secured 398,788 votes at the election.

    In his acceptance speech, Fintiri promised to deliver more democracy dividends for the development of the state.

    “You voted for continuity in functional public school system and payment of West African Examination Council’s and National Education Council’s examination fees for our children.

    “You voted for continuity in the provision of healthcare and health insurance that make it easier for the vulnerable to access quality health service with ease.

    “You voted for continuity in the provision of urban and rural infrastructure, policies that empower our women and youths and continuity of justice and fair play,’’ he said.

    Fintiri particularly commended the institutional capacity of INEC at the election, especially its use of new technology in the conduct of the exercise.

    “Technological innovation introduced in the conduct of the election and the untiring commitment of the management and staff of INEC added tremendous value to the credibility of the election,’’ the governor said.

    Fintiri thanked and appreciated national and international election observers, the media, security agencies and all other stakeholders for the role they played in ensuring free, fair and credible election.

  • Adamawa: PDP governors’ forum congratulates Fintiri on re-election

    Adamawa: PDP governors’ forum congratulates Fintiri on re-election

    The PDP Governors’ Forum has congratulated one of its members, Adamawa’s Gov. Umaru Fintiri on his re-election.

    In a statement issued by the forum’s Director-General, Mr CID Maduabum in Abuja on Tuesday, it described Fintiri’s victory as victory for democracy.

    “It was a hard-fought and hard-won victory, not just for Gov. Fintiri, but also for Adamawa; for democracy and for due process in Nigeria

    “Indeed, Nigeria has just been rescued from descent into the abyss,’’ it stated.

    The forum also commended INEC for the way it handled the election.

    “It is in this regard that the Commission is requested to promptly re-visit all other elections where infractions had been identified.

    “Where matters have been taken to the tribunal, INEC should assume a garb and toga of neutrality and inform the tribunals of the actual events that transpired in elections,’’ it added.

    The PDP governors called on Fintiri to continue to justify the huge mandate and trust of the people of Adamawa.

    INEC declared Fintiri winner of the supplementary governorship election in Adamawa having polled 430,788 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Sen. Aishatu Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 398,788 votes.

  • BREAKING: Finally, INEC releases authentic Adamawa results, declare Fintiri winner

    BREAKING: Finally, INEC releases authentic Adamawa results, declare Fintiri winner

    Finally, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has won his second term.

    Collation of Officer of the State, Mele Lamido announced Fintiri winner after he defeated Aishatu Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    Aishatu, popularly known as Binani, was earlier illegally announced winner by the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC.

    Breakdown of the final figures below:

    AA = 643
    ADC = 3024
    ADP = 2174
    APC = 396,788
    APGA = 892
    APM = 606
    APP = 286
    LP=2732
    NNPP= 4852
    NRM =1272
    PDP =430,861
    PRP= 1188
    SDP= 6870
    YPP =1431
    ZLP =200

  • Adamawa Guber: Binani heads to court, sues INEC for voiding her declaration

    Adamawa Guber: Binani heads to court, sues INEC for voiding her declaration

    Following the declaration of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Aisha Binani Dahiru as the winner of the Adamawa guber  re-run election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commission (REC) Habu Ari, as of when collation was still ongoing, Binani has dragged the electoral body to Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking a judicial review to void her declaration as the winner of the governorship elections held on March 18 and the supplementary poll of April 15, 2023.

    According to Senator Dahiru,  INEC has no power to cancel the declaration of a candidate as winner of an election, adding that the power resides in the election tribunal, not INEC.

    In an exparte application, Senator Dahiru is also seeking a court order to stop INEC and its agents from taking any further steps towards the declaration of the winner of the elections pending the determination of her application for judicial review.

    In her grounds of argument, the Senator stated that after the collation of results, INEC (the first respondent) declared her the winner of the elections but that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (2nd & 3rd respondents) resorted to fighting and causing a public disturbance which led to the beating and manhandling of an INEC officer.

    This crisis, she said, led INEC to cancel the initial declaration which it had no power to do, as only the election petition tribunal is vested with such powers.

    Senator Binani contends that by cancelling her declaration, INEC had usurped the powers of the election petition tribunal which is the only court vested with powers to reverse a declaration in the conduct of an election.

    In documents put before the court, Senator Dahiru, through her lawyers led by, Hussaini Zakariyau, SAN, said a judicial review exists to enable the superior court to check the actions and decisions of inferior courts as well as the legislative and administrative arms of government, including agencies and public officers.

    She further submitted that INEC, being an agency of the government, can have its actions, records, and decisions checked by the court, even as she asserted that only a court can nullify the actions of an INEC official, not INEC itself.