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Tag: bayelsa

  • Bayelsa: Heavy ‘wahala’ for Sylva as Court grants application in process to halt his guber ambition

    Bayelsa: Heavy ‘wahala’ for Sylva as Court grants application in process to halt his guber ambition

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the application for substitute service by Chief Demesuoyefa Kolomo, a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC on his motion to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delete the name of Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum, from list of candidates contesting the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa.

    Kolomo told Justice Donatus Okorowo of a Federal High Court, Abuja in a suit filed by his lawyer, Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kannike, SAN.

    In the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023 dated and filed June 13, Kolomo had sued Mr Sylva, APC and INEC as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

    He sought two questions for determination.

    These include whether having regard to the indisputable facts that Sylva was elected to the office of governor of Bayeisa on two previous occasions; April 14, 2007, and May 24, 2008, he was qualified to contest the Nov. 11 election in view of Section 82 (1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “Whether having regard to the indisputable fact that Sylva occupied the office of governor of Bayelsa May 29, 2007 to April 15, 2008 and May 27, 2008 to Jan. 27, 2012, he is qualified to contest and be elected to the office of governor of Bayelsa for another four years term in view of Section 180(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    Kolomo, therefore, sought a declaration that by virtue of Section 182(1)\(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sylva was not qualified to contest the election to the office of the governor of Bayelsa on APC’s platform or on any other political party’s platform in the election scheduled for sometime in November or any other time for that matter.

    He also sought an order directing INEC to remove Sylva’s name from the list of the contestants into the office of the governor of Bayelsa on APC’s platform or any other political party’s platform in the Nov. 11 poll or any other time for that matter as he was not qualified to contest the said poll.

    In the affidavit attached, Kolomo deposed that besides being an APC member, he was also a registered voter in the state.

    He averred that the ex-minister was first elected to the office of governor, Bayelsa on April 14, 2007 and assumed the said office on May 29, 2007, and was in the said office until April 15, 2008 when his election on April 14, 2007, was set aside by the Court of Appeal and he was consequently removed from office.

    He said Sylva was reelected on May 24, 2008, and assumed office as governor on May 27, 2008 until January 27, 2012.

    He said INEC recently published the names of governorship candidates for the state, including Sylva’s name.

    The plaintiff said he was motivated by the need to vindicate Sections 180 (2)(a) and 182(1)b) of the1999 Constitution, the rule of law and to know the applicability of same as it relates to Sylva based on the above facts.

    Kolomo also averred that the question raised by the instant suit was a constitutional one and of grave importance to him as a voter and other voters in the sate so that they would not vote for someone who was not qualified to contest in the poll and had their votes wasted at the end of the day.

    When the matter came up for mention, Amuda-Kannike informed the court that APC and INEC had been served while the bailif was unable to serve Sylva.

    “We therefore filed a motion for substituted service,” the lawyer said.

    He said the motion, dated June 19 and filed same date, was brought pursuant to Order 6, Rule 5 of the court.

    Justice Okorowo, who granted the application, adjourned the matter until June 26 for hearing.

    Sylva served as Bayelsa governor on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s platform.

    The former minister had, in 2006, joined the PDP governorship primaries challenging ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who at that time, was vying for same position.

    However, after Sylva emerged the PDP candidate, he went on to win the election in 2007 and succeeded Jonathan, who had also become the Vice President to late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

    But Sylva’s opponent in the 2007 election, Ebitimi Amgbare of the defunct Action Congress (AC), challenged his victory.

    While the Bayelsa State Election Petitions Tribunal upheld Sylva’s election, Amgbare took the matter to the Appeal Court, Port Harcourt in Rivers which upturned the tribunal’s decision and nullified Sylva’s election on April 15, 2008.

    The five justices of the Court of Appeal were unanimous in their decision and ordered that Speaker Werinipre Seibarugo be sworn in to replace Sylva as acting governor, with a new election to be held within 90 days as stated in the Electoral Act.

    When a new election was held on May 24, 2008, Sylva was again overwhelmingly elected with 588,204 out of about 598,000 votes and was sworn in.

    However, Sylva’s stint as governor of Bayelsa was on January 27, 2012, terminated by the Supreme Court, with an acting governor appointed to oversee the state until the election of February 2012, won by Seriake Dickson.

  • NDLEA intercepts illicit drugs in wedding gown, nabs 400-level undergraduate

    NDLEA intercepts illicit drugs in wedding gown, nabs 400-level undergraduate

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted two drug consignments consisting of ecstasy and skunk going to United Arab Emirate.

    NDLEA spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that NDLEA officers attached to courier companies made the interception.

    Babafemi said that the pills of ecstasy were concealed in a gold colour wedding gown, adding that the skunk was hidden in a micro controller.

    This is even as a 400-level Marine Engineering student at the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa state, Kelvin Ogenedoro, has been arrested for dealing in 600grams of skunk.

    Babafemi said that the suspect was nabbed at the university’s gate in a follow up operation following the interception of the consignment in a commercial bus along Tombia-Amassoma road.

    In another development, in Adamawa State, a notorious drug dealer, Ishaku Emzor (aka Lalas) who was convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in 2010 for drug offences, was on Thursday 20th April arrested for drug dealing.

    Babafemi said that he was arrested at Hayin Gada, Imburu Numan LGA where he went to supply 1.650kg cannabis to an undercover operative.

    “His Yellow Press Cub motorcycle used for supplying illicit drugs was recovered from him at the point of arrest.

    “Also, a cash of N78,120 suspected to be proceed of the illegal business were also seized from him.

    “On the same day in Kaduna, operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a truck conveying 110 bags and 200 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa in Zaria.

    “The drugs were weighing 1,223kg while the truck driver, Adekunle Olanrewaju, 32, and his assistant, Tunde Jamiu, 20, were arrested, ” he said.

  • Bayelsa Guber: Lawyer Binalayefa Osuluku emerges SDP flagbearer

    Bayelsa Guber: Lawyer Binalayefa Osuluku emerges SDP flagbearer

    Binalayefa Joshua Osuluku a lawyer has emerged as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) for the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

    The legal luminary polled 151 votes to defeat his only opponent, Mrs Ebinabo Rebecca Doibo, who scored 111 votes at the primary election held in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Tuesday.

    Announcing the results, the chairman of the electoral committee, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the primary election was keenly contested and a winner emerged with an outcome that is acceptable to all.

    Commenting on the outcome of the primary election, the chairman of the electoral committee, Mohammed Ibrahim, said that it  was keenly contested and a winner emerged with an outcome that is acceptable to all.

    It’s a family affair, the winner elected to carry our flag will be supported by all.”

    In his acceptance speech, Osuluku said he was humbled by the support of the people and promised to work for the victory of the party by unseating the PDP in the governorship election.

  • Bayelsa guber primary: Gov Diri emerges PDP flag bearer

    Bayelsa guber primary: Gov Diri emerges PDP flag bearer

    Ahead of the November 11, governorship election in Bayelsa State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has conducted it’s primaries at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa.

    The party delegates drawn from the eight local government areas of the state cast their votes to affirm the candidature of the incumbent governor Senator Douye Diri as PDP flag bearer.

    The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Election Primary Committee and Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, declared declared Senator Diri as winner of the PDP governorship primary in Bayelsa to contest the November 11 governorship election.

    Governor Adeleke urged the people of the state to rally round the party during the forthcoming governorship poll.

    He expressed happiness that the committee was able to conduct free and fair primary in the state and urged members to unite to ensure the victory of the party during the poll.

    Diri, who was the sole aspirant polled a total of 305 yes votes from the delegates to emerge as the party candidate.

  • Alleged N3bn loan diversion: Bayelsa Govt refiles suit against whistleblower

    Alleged N3bn loan diversion: Bayelsa Govt refiles suit against whistleblower

    The Bayelsa Government on Tuesday refiled a suit against John Idumange, who raised an alarm over alleged diversion of N3 billion Agriculture loan by government officials.

    Justice Iniekenimi Uzakah of the State High Court in Yenogoa had struck out the suit which he inherited from Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of the State High Court.

    When the case came up before Justice Iniekade Eradiri, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr John Prosper apologised for absence of the defendant.

    Prosper told the court that he learnt that following the striking out of the case by Uzakah,  Idumange travelled out of the country for a short course.

    ”He not aware that the case had been re-filed and I heard he will be returning to the country by end of June. I appeal to the court to give reasonable time.

    “The adjournment will allow prosecution to put its house in order and produce the defendant for arraignment to take his plea,” Prosper said.

    The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa, Biriyai Sambo, SAN, filed a suit against Idumange for misdemeanour and seditious publications against government officials.

    A Magistrates’ Court had on March 11, 2021 in Yenagoa, ordered Idumange’s detention for 30 days, pending police investigation.

    Idumange, who alleged that officials of Bayelsa government had diverted a N3 billion Agric loan and subsequently submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was arrested on March 10, 2021.

    Some officials of the state government, reported to the police that Idumange, made seditious publications that maligned their persons in his claims.

    However, the State High Court, Sagbama Division, granted bail to Idumange, who was also an aide on Research and Documentation and later Social Media to former Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson.

    The case, earlier assigned to Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, was reassigned to Justice Uzakah following a written request by the state Attorney-General to the Chief Judge of Bayelsa, Justice Kate Abiri.

    NAN

  • Bayelsa: Upset as APGA candidates defeat two PDP incumbents

    Bayelsa: Upset as APGA candidates defeat two PDP incumbents

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Oteigbanyo George-Braah of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the winner of the Nembe Constituency 1 seat in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

    Declaring the results at the King Koko Square collation centre in Ognolomabiri, the INEC Returning Officer, Mr Okechukwu Okeke, said that George-Braah polled 2928 votes to defeat his opponent, the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Ebi Ben-Ololo.

    Giving a further rundown of the figures of the result, Okeke announced that Hon. Ben-Ololo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who is running for a third term in office polled 2356 votes, while Kenneth Standfast of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 485 votes.

    Also, in Yenagoa Constituency 2, an area which is considered to be a stronghold of the PDP, Waikumo Amakoromo of the APGA polled 4971 votes to defeat his opponent, Hon. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai of the PDP, an incumbent lawmaker who has served two tenures already.

  • Bayelsa Gov, Diri loses father, Pa Abraham at 88

    Bayelsa Gov, Diri loses father, Pa Abraham at 88

    Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has lost his father, Pa Abraham Diri, on Sunday, February 12 at the age of 88 years.

    The Diri family said in a statement signed on their behalf by Jothan Diri that their patriarch died on Sunday aged 88.

    The statement titled “Passage of Pa Abraham Diri” reads, “With a deep feeling of loss, the Diri Family of Kalama-Owei Wari in Sampou Community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State announces the sudden passage of our patriarch, Lay Reader Pa Abraham Michael Joseph Diri.

    “Pa Abraham Diri departed on Sunday, February 12 at the age of 88 years.

    “Pa Diri, a retired Headmaster, a devout Christian and a man of exemplary humility, is father of the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

    “The Diri family and indeed the entire Sampou community are consoled that our dear brother and father lived a fulfilled life. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.”

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the incident occurred days after Governor Diri kicked off activities marking the third anniversary of his administration with the inauguration of two projects.

    The projects commissioned were the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme (BHIS) Complex and the Bayelsa State Transport Terminal at Igbogene.

    The Diri administration will be three years in office on February 14.

  • Governorship: PDP reschedules screening date for Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi aspirants

    Governorship: PDP reschedules screening date for Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi aspirants

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rescheduled the date for the screening of its aspirants for Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi governorship election from Feb. 13 to  March 1.

    The party announced the decision in a statement by its National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, in Abuja on Friday.

    According to him,  that the party National Working Committee (NWC) has scheduled the screening appeals for March 13.

    “In the same vein, sales of expression of interest and nomination forms for Kogi State only has been extended till Monday Feb. 13,” he said.

    He said that the slight adjustment in date was necessitated by the on-going electioneering campaigns for the 2023 general elections.

    Bature added that all other dates for other activities related to the primary elections in the respective states remained unchanged.

    “All our governorships aspirants, state chapters, critical stakeholders in the respective states and the general public should please note the change of dates as stated above,” he said.

  • Bayelsa man narrates how violent Christmas cow killed his brother

    Bayelsa man narrates how violent Christmas cow killed his brother

    Eniye Igodo, the elder brother of a 43-year-old electrician in Bayelsa State, Sobokime Igodo, who was attacked two days to Christmas by a cow intended to be slaughtered for Yuletide celebration, has narrated how the sad incident happened.

    In an interview, Eniye said: “Actually, you know we are in the festive season and he and his group of friends decided to contribute money to buy a cow so that they could slaughter it and share among themselves and make merriment with their families.

    “So, on December 23, they brought the cow to his residence as the secretary of the group. But where the cow was kept was not the actual spot they wanted to slaughter and butcher it. They tried to move the cow to the spot where they wanted to slaughter it, but the cow refused to move. It stayed put to the ground. Somebody was holding the rope with which they tied it.

    “Suddenly, the cow got up and rushed towards Sobokime and attacked him, hitting him, and he fell to the ground immediately. The person holding the rope could not restrain the cow as it got loose from the rope. The cow left him and ran in another direction after nobody in particular.

    “We were expecting him to stand up from the ground but he could not. He lost consciousness briefly, but regained it almost immediately. We asked him how he was feeling and he said it felt like he was floating; we tried to raise his hand but it fell down. We also tried to raise his legs, no way.

    “Instantly, he said he could not feel any sensation in any part of his body. There was complete paralysis. We rushed him to the Yenagoa Federal Medical Centre. The doctor who attended to him said he had sustained a spinal cord injury and that the hospital had no specialist to handle his case.

    “The doctor then recommended that we should take him to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital or University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital or Enugu. So, we chose to take him to UPTH since it is closest to us.”
    ll the driver to drive more carefully. We got to Yenagoa in the evening and took his corpse home, but we later decided to take it to the mortuary.”

  • SAD! Former Senator, Spiff is dead

    SAD! Former Senator, Spiff is dead

    A former senator who represented Bayelsa East in the National Assembly, is dead.

    This development was contained in a statement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The powerful politician who hailed from Twon-Brass in Brass local government of Bayelsa state died on Saturday, December 24, in an Abuja hospital after a brief illness.

    The PDP spokesman in Bayelsa state, Ebiye Egoli, announced the death of the former Secretary to State Government SSG) in the Old Rivers state on Monday, December 26.

    “It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we received the wrenching news of the sudden passing of our leader, father, friend, brother, and one of the solid pillars of the PDP in Bayelsa State, Distinguished Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff who took ill and was rushed to the hospital in Abuja.

    But unfortunately according to family sources, he could not pull through but passed on to eternal glory,” the statement read.

    The PDP in Bayelsa state said Senator Spiff’s death has thrown the party into utter grief and mourning. It added that the deceased had thrown his full weight behind the presidential aspiration of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    “Our heart goes out to the immediate families of the deceased and we pray that God almighty would give them the strength and fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss caused by his sudden demise,” the party stated.