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Tag: Kogi State

  • Kogi: Ododo appoints 12 new permanent secretaries

    Kogi: Ododo appoints 12 new permanent secretaries

    Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi has approved the appointment of 12 new Permanent Secretaries with a charge for them to be prudent and live up to expectation.

    This is contained in a statement by Mr Elijah Evinemi, the state’s Head of Service, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Lokoja.

    He said that the new permanent secretaries were carefully selected based on merit, fairness and justice from their respective constituencies to fill in the available vacancies.

    The statement quoted the governor as urging the new appointees to live up to expectation in the discharge of their schedules with utmost loyalty, dedication and uprightness.

    The new permanent secretaries included Momoh Aziz Steven from Ajaokuta Local Government Area (LGA), Negedu Muhammed Bala, Ankpa I Constituency and Haruna Jibo Muhammed, Bassa LGA.

    Others are Ejigbo Akoji, Dekina-Biraidu Constituency, Enimola Enimola, Kabba- Bunu LGA, Fashoba Ayo- Sunday, Mopa- Amuro LGA, Adurodija Ebenezer, Ogori-Magongo LGA and Enehe Dorcas Omeneke; Okehi LGA.

    Also appointed are Sanni Haruna Muhammed, Okene I Constituency, Ochu Philips Omeiza, Okene II Constituency, Shaibu Danjuma Fabian, Olamaboro LGA and Baiyegunsi Taiwo, Yagba – East LGA.

  • APC, SDP trade blames over Supreme Court debacle

    APC, SDP trade blames over Supreme Court debacle

    The Kogi chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has claimed that its supporters were attacked and their vehicles damaged at the Supreme Court premises on Friday. Mr Kingsley Fanwo, Director of Media and Publicity for the Kogi APC Campaign Council, made the allegation in a statement in Lokoja.

    He alleged that the attacks began when supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) started hurling stones, bottles, and plastic containers at APC supporters and leaders. He said this happened immediately after the Supreme Court delivered its judgment affirming Gov.  Usman Ododo as the duly elected governor of Kogi.

    Fanwo claimed that the SDP candidate, Murtala Ajaka, ignored the court’s advice to remain seated until all matters were fully addressed and left the courtroom with his supporters as soon as the judgment was pronounced against him.

    “Upon noticing jubilant APC members within the court premises, Ajaka’s supporters unleashed violence, attacking the celebrating APC members and causing significant disruption,” he claimed.

    The APC described the attitude as “undemocratic” and “uncivilised”.

    However, the party thanked God for preserving the mandate of the Kogi people at the Supreme Court and promised to continue delivering the dividends of democracy to all residents in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Responding, Isaiah Ijele, Spokesperson for the Muri/Sam Campaign Council of the SDP in Kogi, described the APC’s claim as false and pretentious. Ijele said it was the SDP’s governorship candidate, Ajaka, and his supporters who were attacked, not APC supporters, while at the Supreme Court premises.

    “We should be the ones complaining and condemning the actions of APC supporters on our supporters, not the other way round,” he said.

  • Supreme Court reserves verdict on Kogi governorship election appeal

    Supreme Court reserves verdict on Kogi governorship election appeal

    The Supreme Court on Monday, reserved judgment in the appeal filed against the tribunal and Appeal Court judgements by Murtala Ajaka, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Kogi governorship election.

    Earlier, the apex court declined a request by Ajaka’s counsel for the constitution of a full panel to hear and determine his appeal.

    At the hearing on Monday, Pius Akubo, SAN, told the court that he had applied to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to allow a full panel of the Supreme Court to hear the appeal in view of Paragraphs 4.28 and 4.29 of the appellant’s brief of argument.

    Akubo had argued that the five-member panel presently constituted should be increased to seven justices.

    He said they had not received a response from the CJN.

    But lawyers to the respondents kicked against the application and urged the court to proceed with hearing.

    Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), the 3rd respondent, argued that there was a decision of the Supreme Court that a five-man panel could take an application for departure from a previous decision.

    Ukala’s submission was supported by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, who appeared for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the 1st respondent, and Joseph Daudu, SAN, who represented Gov. Usman Ododo of APC, the 2nd resoobdent in the appeal.

    In a short ruling, Justice Garba Lawal, who led the five-man panel, held that election appeals are time-bound, and that the court constituted as a five-member panel had the jurisdiction to determine the appeal as presented.

    The five-member justices of the apex court therefore proceeded with the hearing of the appeal.

    Daudu, who represented the 2nd respondent, moved his application to strike out certain grounds of appeal contained in the appellant’s notice of appeal.

    He also presented a notice of preliminary objection challenging the competence of the appeal itself.

    Akubo, while adopting his processes, urged the court to allow the appeal, set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal and return Ajaka as the duly elected governor of Kogi.

    Agabi, in his adoption of the INEC’s brief of argument, urged the court to dismiss the appeal since the appellant had himself contended that the election was invalid.

    Daudu also adopted his brief for the 2nd respondent and urged the court to dismiss the appeal and refuse all the prayers sought by the appellants.

    He urged the court to dismiss the appeal, including the application to depart from previous decisions.

    Justice Lawal, in a ruling, reserved judgment to a date that will be communicated to the parties.

  • 60 directors jostle for 12 perm sec positions in Kogi

    60 directors jostle for 12 perm sec positions in Kogi

    No fewer than 60 senior Directors have been shortlisted to jostle for 12 Permanent Secretary positions in the Kogi State civil service.

    The directors are to write an examination with the best expected to take the seats.

    The Kogi State Head of Civil Service, Mr Elijah Evinemi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the examination centre on Wednesday in Lokoja.

    Evinemi assured the directors that the examination would be a fair, transparent and credible.

    He said that the initiative was part of the efforts by Governor Usman Ododo to promote quality service delivery and ensure credible Civil Service reform for optima productivity.

    He said the directors were from the 12 Local Government Areas with vacancies the positions.

    Evinemi disclosed that the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), had been engaged to handle the exercise that would be preceded by two days of  lectures and training.

    He commended the PSIN management for a well-structured training process handled by highly experienced resource persons.

  • 8 children cheat death as truck falls on 2 cars in Kogi

    8 children cheat death as truck falls on 2 cars in Kogi

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in Kogi  says eight school children were rescued unhurt after an 40-feet articulated container fell on two vehicles on Thursday in Lokoja.

    Mr Samuel Oyedeji, the FRSC Sector Commander in the State, who disclosed this in Lokoja on Thursday, said that the incident happened at Lokongoma market in the Lokoja metropolis around 5.30 p.m.

    The two smashed vehicles were: Toyota Corolla car with registration number Kogi LMA 190 AA with no occupant, and a Nissan car with registration number Abuja RSH – 241FH with eight school children.

    He said that the accident occured when the fully loaded container, which was not properly latched on the trailer, fell off and landed on the two parked cars along the road.

    “The truck lost brake when it couldn’t climb the Lokongoma small hill began to roll backward.

    “As it rolled back, it hit one of the parked cars, which made the container which wasn’t properly latched  fell on the two vehicles and trapped the eight children inside one of the vehicles.

    “Thank God, we were able to mobilise rescue team with the help of the people, who rescued the eight children; four males and four females.

    “We have rushed the eight children to Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja for proper medical check-up. .

    He said that their parents had gone to buy something for them in a shop, when the incident happened.

    “We have been campaigning that a container must be properly latched on your trailer at any point in time yet the truck drivers don’t comply.

    “We are going to prosecute the driver of this trailer to serve as a deterrent to other drivers.

    “Though the driver of this trailer ran away, we go after him and get him arrested and prosecuted,” Oyedeji said.

    The sector commander stressed the need to relocate the market and others away from the road to avoid casualties.

    An eyewitness, who owned one of the smashed vehicles, Mr John Adama, told NAN that it was a miracle that the trapped eight children were all rescued alive.

    “I am the owner of the Toyota Corolla car, which was one of the two vehicles that were smashed by the container.

    “The whole thing happened in my presence at about 3:30pm.

    “I parked the car in front of my shop with nobody inside the car, but all of a sudden, I heard a big sound.

    “The trailer had a failed break, and started coming backward, then dragged my car and the other car along, before its container now fell on the two cars.

    “There were eight school children inside the other car, but thank God they were all rescued alive.

    “It was my own car that held the container from compressing the children in the other car; it was indeed a great miracle.

    “I thank God for using my car to save the lives of the children.

    “I am appealing to the Government to come to my aid by replacing the car for me because I don’t have any other means of survival,” Adama said.

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Folashade Ayoade, while speaking at the scene, expressed her gratitude to God for miraculously saving the lives of all the eight children unhurt.

    Ayoade commended the people who helped to rescue the children, assuring that the errant driver of the truck would be prosecuted for violating the law.

    “I want to thank God most sincerely for sparing the lives of the children.

    “These are children coming from their graduation ceremony and looking forward to starting their long holiday.

    “I also want to on behalf of the State Government to thank everyone who were involved in the rescue operation.

    “It shows that Kogi residents are kind people,and the state government really appreciate every one for this,” she said.

    Other government officials at the scene included: Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo; State Security Adviser, Cdr. Jerry Omadara rtd; Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Atimah Muktar.

    Also present at the scene was the Special Adviser to the Governor on Emergency Management, Ahmed Shuaibu, among others.

    The FRSC with other rescue team of SEMA had been able to move the trailer away, while the container was still resting on the two cars, causing gridlock as at the time of filing this report.

  • Kogi announces date for LG election

    Kogi announces date for LG election

    The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has announced Oct. 19 for the local government election to occupy chairmanship and councillorship seats in the state.

    Announcing the date at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja on Tuesday, the Chairman, KOSIEC, Mamman Nda-Eri, also released the timetable for the electoral process.

    Nda-Eri said the announcement was made in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

    “KOSIEC is established under Section 197 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “It is also empowered by the Kogi State Government, via the Local Government Elections Law 2004, and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

    “I, hereby, formally present the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government (LG) election in Kogi State.

    “The LG election has been scheduled for 19th of October 2024 by the grace of God,” Nda-Eri said.

    According to him, the collection of forms by political parties will be from Aug. 5 to 12, while the conduct of primaries including dispute resolutions is scheduled from Aug. 13 to 23.

    He added that Aug. 26 will be the last day for the submission of forms, while verification of documents will be held between Sept. 4 and 12.

    “Campaigns by political parties will commence on Sept. 13 and end on Oct. 17, while the election will be held on Oct. 19.

    “We, diligently, prepared this comprehensive timetable and schedule of activities to ensure a transparent, fair, and credible electoral process.

    “We assure you that these activities have been designed with utmost consideration for inclusivity, transparency, and adherence to electoral laws.

    “As such, we present the detailed timetable and schedule of activities to you all as critical stakeholders for your review and approval.

    “We appreciate your continued support and collaboration to the successful organisation and completion of the 2024 local government election in Kogi State by the grace of God,” he said.

    In separate interviews, leaders of various political parties and other stakeholders at the meeting commended the commission for the presentation.

    The stakeholders unanimously hailed the Supreme Court judgment granting full autonomy to the local government as the third tier of government, adding it would engender grassroots development.

    Amb. Idris Muraina, Chairperson, Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), and Miliki Idris, Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), called for full compliance with the guidelines as stated.

    They urged the citizens to take ownership and monitor the process from beginning to end to ensure a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

    Mr Bala Bodinga, Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kogi Command, promised the corps’ readiness to provide security support at all stages of the electoral process.

    According to him, NSCDC Commandant, Kogi State Command, CC Paul Igwebuike, is committed to making good the promise.

  • How I received over N1bn from Ali Bello for renovation of his houses – Witness

    How I received over N1bn from Ali Bello for renovation of his houses – Witness

    The trial of Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman before Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, continued on Monday, July 15, 2024, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presenting its seventh Prosecution Witness, PW7.

    The EFCC is prosecuting Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering.

    The PW7, Aminu Rabiu, a businessman with Falala Construction and Interior Decoration Company, Abuja, who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that he received money for the renovation of Ali Bello’s houses from various people in cash instalments totaling more than N1,000,000,000.00( One Billion Naira)

    He stated that the money was for the renovation of the former Kogi State governor’s houses located in various parts of Abuja and Kogi state.

    Narrating how he met the former governor, the PW7 informed the court that he met Yahya Bello through his wife Amina Yahya Bello, since 2009. “Yes, I know the immediate past governor of Kogi state, his name is Alhaji Yahya Bello. I knew him through his wife, Amina Yahya Bello sometime in 2009.”

    He told the court that he knew Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman.

    When asked by Oyedepo who the properties in question belong to, the PW7 stated that the properties belong to the former governor, Yahya Bello.   Oyedepo asked: “The properties in Jabi, No 9 Benghazi, No 9 Sabi street Zone Four, No 1 Ikogosi Maitama and the house in GRA OKENE, who owns the properties?” The witness said “Yahya Bello.”

    He said the house he renovated in Life Camp belongs to Yahya Bello. “You mentioned Life camp,  whose house are you referring to?”

    His response, “Yahya Bello,”

    “Your reference to Benghazi,  whose house are you referring to,”

    “It belongs to Yahaya Bello.”

    The PW7 told the court that the money was paid in cash installments and the least he received was Eight Million Naira from various people who made the payment for Yahya Bello at No 9 Benghazi street and sometimes in life Camp in Ali Bello’s house.

    Narrating the circumstances for the work and payment for the properties, the witness stated that he renovated the house at No 9 Benghazi Street, Abuja.

    “No 9 Benghazi, I renovated the house, furnishing and furniture. I was paid about Three Hundred and something Million Naira, they paid me by cash, instalment.”

    “At Jabi, I did renovations, finishing and polishing, I was paid around Two Hundred Million Naira, by cash installments.”

    “Life camp, yes, I did furnishing and polishing. I can’t remember but it is around Two Hundred Million Naira by cash.”

    The witness informed the court that he is operating a bank account by which he receives money through his company’s name:  Falala Construction, “I have a bank account with Zenith bank through which I receive money in my company’s name: Falala, he said.

    While in Kogi state, the witness told the court that it was his company who demolished and rebuilt the Presidential Lodge in the state and was paid more than Six Hundred Million Naira.

    “I did one job for the state government. I demolished and rebuilt the Presidential Lodge, I was paid around Six Hundred and something Million Naira and there is a variation of above One Hundred Million. The state government paid into my account”, he said.

    “I also worked in Kogi state, Okene. I did renovation, I remodeled the house and the finishing. It was around Five Hundred Million Naira, (N500,000,000.00). They paid me in cash. They were made in Abuja.”

    Thereafter, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to July 16, 2024 for continuation of trial.

  • Gov Ododo extends olive branch to opposition in Kogi

    Gov Ododo extends olive branch to opposition in Kogi

    Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi on Friday called on the opposition parties to join him in the quest to develop and take the state to an enviable height.

    Ododo made the call in a statement by his Media Aide, Ismaila Isah in Lokoja, in reaction to Thursday’s Court of Appeal judgment that affirmed him as the duly elected Governor in the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship election.

    The Appeal Court had on Thursday upheld the May 27 decision of the Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the election of Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the duly elected Governor of Kogi.

    Ododo scored 446,237 votes, which  represented the majority of lawful votes cast in the Nov. 11, 2023 polls.

    The Appeal Court in a unanimous decision dismissed all grounds of appeals filed by candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Action Alliance (AA) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for being incompetent and for lacking in merit.

    “I hereby call on all opposition politicians in the state to join me in advancing the development of the state to an amiable height for the good of all citizens.

    “This is because the judgement of the Appeal Court reaffirms the fact that the Nov.11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi was free, fair, peaceful and credible.

    “By the grace of God, our administration has become the symbol of peace and unity in our state and we are committed to serving our people on the basis of equity and inclusion.

    “I thank the judiciary for staying true to its independence with this judgement of the Appellate Court that has reaffirmed the earlier decision of the Tribunal. This  is a clear testament that the mandate freely given to us by the people of Kogi was done in the best interest of our state, ” he said.

    Ododo also thanked God for seeing him through the phases of the court processes and equally thanked the people of Kogi for their support.

    He also appreciated the judiciary for the swift and expeditious handling of the appeal.

    According to him, the court has again demonstrated that the mandate freely given to him by the people of the state cannot be upturned by persons, who may not agree with the will of God and the majority of the people of Kogi.

    The Governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for ensuring that the judiciary remained truly independent and transparent as the last hope of the common man in the country.

  • Ododo’s Appeal Court victory excites Kogi Govt

    Ododo’s Appeal Court victory excites Kogi Govt

    The Kogi Government has described Gov. Usman Ododo’s electoral victory at the Court of Appeal as a huge leap forward.

    Information commissioner Kingsley Fanwo told newsmen on Thursday in Lokoja that the victory had affirmed Ododo as the people’s choice.

    The SDP and Murtala Ajaka, its candidate in the Kogi Governorship contest, had sued INEC, Ododo and the APC to challenge Ododo’s victory.

    The State Election Petition Tribunal, after hearing all sides, dismissed the petition.

    Not satisfied, SDP and Ajaka appealed the judgement of the tribunal before the appellate court.

    The three-member panel of Justices, in a judgment, agreed with the state election tribunal that the SDP and its governorship candidate, Ajaka, failed to prove all the allegations in their petition beyond reasonable doubt.

    An excited Fanwo, while reacting to the judgment, said it represented “echoes of the indisputable victory of our governor at the poll”.

    “Ododo will remain unwavering in his faith in the judiciary.

    “Today’s judgement represents echoes of our victory on Nov. 11, 2023. We campaigned and worked hard to reassure the people that our party is the most reliable to take the state forward.

    “Nov. 11 will continue to be remembered in Kogi as the day that the citizens resolved to speak with one voice, birthing a resounding victory for the incumbent Governor.

    “Today’s verdict has offered another great opportunity for those who lost at the poll and in the courts to join the Governor in moving the state forward,” he said .

    He said that the court case did not slow down governance as the Governor had continued to “roll up his sleeves and deliver democracy dividends to the people”.

    According to him, the jubilation that greeted the verdict affirming the victory is a demonstration of the triumph of the people’s will.

    The Commissioner urged the people to continue to support Ododo’s bid to make Kogi a “confluence of excellence”.

    UPDATED- Appeal Court affirms Ododo’s election victory, dismisses SDP, AA, PRP’s appeals

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja on Thursday, affirmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the validly elected governor of Kogi.

    A three-member panel of the court, in a unanimous judgement delivered by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, held that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, failed to prove the allegations contained in their appeal beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

    The Appeal Court equally dismissed the appeals filed by Action Alliance (AA) and its governorship candidate, Olayinka Braimoh; and that of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and its governorship candidate, Dr Abdullahi Bayawo, challenging Ododo’s victory.

    Justice Otisi, while delivering judgment on SDP and Ajaka”s appeal, agreed with the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which sat in Abuja.

    The judge said the tribunal was right to have expunged the evidence of the 1st prosecution witness (PW-1) called by the petitioners on the ground that the evidence tendered by the witness was a documentary hearsay.

    She said witnesses, whether subpoenaed or normal, are supposed to front-load their witness statements on oath as required by law.

    “The order of the tribunal expunging the evidence of the PW-1 cannot be voided.

    “The law grants the lower court power to expunge inadmissible evidence brought before it,” she said.

    The judge held that the petitioners’ witnesses were incompetent because their statements did not accompany the petition in line with the electoral laws

    She agreed with the tribunal that there were inconsistencies in the case of the appellants.

    According to her, the allegation of forgery of document that Ododo submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a pre-election matter which is handled by the Federal High Court and not the tribunal.

    The said action, Justice Otisi held, happened before the conduct of the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship election in the state and as such, cannot be legislated upon by the lower tribunal.

    The judge also held that allegation of forgery of document ought to be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

    “This, the appellants failed to do as required by law.

    “Affidavit of lost attached to Form EC8 by the 2nd defendant (Ododo) is by no means a certificate.

    “I see no reason to disturb the decision of the lower tribunal on the petition as the appellants have failed to prove their allegations contained in their petition”, the appellate court held.

    Justice Otisi subsequently resolved all the issues raised in the appeal against the appellants.

    “This appeal failed and it is hereby dismissed for lacking in merit.

    “There is no order as to cost, parties are to bear their respective cost”, Justice Otisi held.

    The tribunal had, on May 27, affirmed the victory of Gov. Ododo of APC in the Nov. 11, 2023 Kogi governorship poll.

    The three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, held that the petition was bereft of substance and accordingly dismissed it.

    The tribunal held that SDP and Ajaka failed to prove the allegations of over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022 in the petition.

    The panel, in a unanimous, decision held that all the witness evidence filed before it were incompetent and full of inconsistencies.

    It also agreed with the submissions of the respondents that the allegations of forgery raised in the petition were pre-election matter, which ought to have been raised 14 days after the documents were submitted to INEC.

    Kogi had, on Nov. 11, 2023, held its off-cycle election in which Ododo of the APC emerged winner, beating his closest rival, Ajaka of the SDP with a wide margin.

  • Obi commissions borehole in Kogi

    Obi commissions borehole in Kogi

    The presidential candidate of the Labour party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has commissioned a new borehole project in Onaogaji Community, Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State.

    This is part of his nationwide water provision for needy communities.

    Obi inaugurated the project to the delight and applause of Onaogaji citizens on Tuesday.

    Writing about the event, Obi said on X: “Yesterday, I had the honor of commissioning a new borehole project in Onaogaji Community, Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State.

    “This initiative is a testament to our commitment to the sustainable development goals, particularly ensuring access to clean and potable water, which is crucial for the health and well-being of our people.

    “Learning that Onaogaji Community lacked access to clean water motivated me to take action and donate this borehole.

    “Clean water is a basic necessity that many communities in Nigeria still lack. According to the World Bank, about 70 million Nigerians do not have access to safe drinking water, and diarrheal diseases cause the deaths of at least 70,000 children under five each year.”