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Tag: Tribunal

  • Election Tribunal constituted for 2025 Kaduna bye-elections

    Election Tribunal constituted for 2025 Kaduna bye-elections

    The Court of Appeal has constituted the National, State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for the 2025 bye-elections in Kaduna State.

    This was made known in a statement issued on Thursday by the Election Petitions Tribunal.

    According to the statement, the constitution of the tribunal was in line with the powers vested in the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice M.B. Dongban-Mensem, under Section 285 (2) & (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 130 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    It added that the Chief Judge of Kaduna State has approved the use of the High Court premises located at Ali Akilu Road, by NDA Junction, Kawo, Kaduna, as the sitting venue for the tribunal.

    The tribunal is expected to handle petitions arising from the conduct of the 2025 National and State Assembly by-elections in the state. The bye-elections are scheduled for Saturday.

  • Court of Appeal sets up petitions tribunal for Anambra by-elections

    Court of Appeal sets up petitions tribunal for Anambra by-elections

    The Court of Appeal has constituted an Election Petitions Tribunal for the National and State House of Assembly by-elections in Anambra.

    Mr Ibrahim Usman, the Secretary of the election tribunal  in Anambra announced this in a Statement in Awka on Wednesday.

    Usman said the tribunal would hear and determine petitions which may arise from the conduct of Senatorial and House of Assembly by-elections.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is conducting by-elections for Anambra South Senatorial District and Onitsha 1 State Constituency on Aug.16.

    The respective seats became vacant following the deaths of Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah in July 2024 and Mr Justice Azuka who was kidnapped and later found dead in February.

    Usman said the tribunal would hear and determine petitions which may arise from the conduct of Senatorial and House of Assembly by-elections.

    He said the Tribunal Court Hall was located at the High Court of Justice, Judiciary Headquarters Awka.

    “This is to notify the general public that Justice M. B. Dongben-Mensen. has constituted the National and State Houses of Assembly EPT to hear and determine petitions that may arise from the conduct of Senatorial and State Assembly Bye-Election on Aug.16.

    “This is pursuant to the powers conferred on the President, Court of Appeal by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022.

    “Sequel to the above, the Hon. Chief Judge of Anambra State, Hon. Justice Onochie M Anyachebelu has granted the use of the Tribunal Court Hall located at High Court of Justice, Judiciary Headquarters Awka, Anambra State for the use of the Tribunal,” he said.

    Usman said members of the public who wish to make enquiry were advised to contact the Registry/Secretariat of the Tribunal at the above mentioned address.

  • Ondo governorship: Gov Aiyedatiwa reacts over tribunal victory

    Ondo governorship: Gov Aiyedatiwa reacts over tribunal victory

    The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday in Akure upheld the victory of Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the Nov.16, 2024 election and declared petitions against him as speculative.

    In a unanimous judgment, the three-member panel headed by Justice Benson Ogbu, said that the petitioners were not able to prove the allegations of over voting, non compliance with Electoral Act 2022 “beyond reasonable doubt.”

    Justice Benson Ogbu, Justice Imelda Etiape, and Justice Daurabu Sikkam, affirmed Aiyedatiwa’s victory and dismissed all petitions filed against him.

    The tribunal, which began sitting on Jan. 31, received five petitions challenging the outcome of the election.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC), winner of the election.

    The five petitioners were seeking the nullification of the election on grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act.

    The petitioners are: Action Alliance( AA) and its candidate, Mr Abdullahi Olowokere; and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Chief Bamidele Akingboye.

    Others are: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Mr Agboola Ajayi; the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and its candidate, Kolawole Ogunfeyimi; and African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its candidate, Mr Adeyemi Nejo.

    The respondents are: APC, Aiyedatiwa and his running mate, Mr Olayide Adelami; and INEC.

    Mr Ishaka Dikko and Bankole Akomolafe, the PDP’s counsel, argued that the election was marred by substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act and asked the tribunal to void Aiyedatiwa’s certificate of return.

    On the other hand, Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, Adelami and the INEC enjoined the tribunal to dismiss the petitions.

    The tribunal, however, said that the allegation of vote buying could not be substantiated and supported with facts.

    It added that the petitions lacked merit that could stand as a fact to nullify the election’s outcome as being asked by the petitioners.

    The AA, through its National Chairman, Mr Adekunle Omoaje, also petitioned the tribunal, asserting that Aiyedatiwa’s declaration as the winner was illegal and void due to non-compliance with the provision of Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

    Omoaje claimed that the party was not permitted to nominate its legitimate governorship candidate, alleging that INEC imposed Akinnuli Omolere as the party’s candidate.

    On AA alleged exclusion of its candidate from the ballot paper on the election day, the panel held that the party lacked locus standi to initiate the petition because the party had no candidate in the said election.

    According to the panel, AA should have instituted a case at a high court to mandate INEC to submit its alleged rightful candidate for the election instead of bringing the matter to the tribunal which has no jurisdiction on pre-election matter.

    Also on APM’s allegation of evidence corrupt practices during the election, the panel struck out the petition, saying it was inconsequential because there were no material facts to support the claim.

    The tribunal also said that SDP failed to prove its allegations of over voting and corrupt practices by INEC in favour of APC.

    It added that there was nothing shown by SDP and its candidate to prove that there was over voting nor was able to tender evidence that there was falsification of the election’s result as claimed in its petition.

    The tribunal stated that elections are not determined by public opinion or propaganda, and described the petitions as a waste of the tribunal’s time and taxpayers’ money, noting that SDP and its candidate failed to provide evidence for any of the relief sought.

    The tribunal further stated that the petitions instituted by ADC and its candidate were still still-born and dead on arrival because the petitioners could not link a single polling unit to the alleged electoral malpractices.

    It also unanimously delivered its judgment on the petitions filed by PDP and its governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi.

    PDP submitted its petition on three grounds of allegation of fake academic qualifications of deputy governor, Olayide Adelami, non compliance with electoral laws by INEC and that Aiyedatiwa did not score the lawful counts of votes during the election.

    The tribunal said that PDP presented 22 witnesses during the proceedings of the tribunal’s sittings.

    It, therefore, dismissed allegation of non academic qualification levelled against the deputy governor since it was a pre-election matter which had been decided by apex court, stating that “the petition should not have been filed at all.”

    The tribunal noted that the statistics and forensic expert’s evidence brought by PDP was faulty because the said expert could not give any identification and evidence to substantiate his expertise, subsequently, allegation of non compliance with the Electoral Act was dismissed.

    It said that the petitioners’ documents presented as their evidence could not be verified by the tribunal and that the petitioners could not also tender evidence of allegation of over voting during the election.

    The three-member panel, therefore, dismissed all the petitions for lack of merit.

    Tribunal’s verdict: You can’t steal mandate through back door – Aiyedatiwa

    Meanwhile, Governor Aiyedatiwa has reacted to the judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal that upheld his victory in the Nov. 16, 2024 governorship election.

    Aiyedatiwa, who spoke to journalists after the judgment, said that some political parties thought they could steal his mandate through the back door.

    “Some political parties thought that they can steal the mandate through the back door, but today, the judiciary has confirmed the decision of the majority of indigenes and residents of Ondo State.

    “So, I am delighted and happy; I, myself, my deputy and the chairman of our happy, we are grateful to God,” he said.

    The governor, therefore, extended the hand of fellowship to oppositions in the state, stating that their ideas would contribute to the development of the state.

  • Tribunal upholds Benue councils Chairmen, Councillors election

    Tribunal upholds Benue councils Chairmen, Councillors election

    The Benue Election Appeals Tribunal sitting in Abuja has upheld the elections of all the Council Chairmen and Councillors of the state under the umbrella of the All Progressives Party (APC).

    The petitioners were largely aspirants from the same APC, who claimed they were rightly nominated but unjustly excluded from the election.

    At the elections, split decisions left the incumbents winning in 14 and the petitioners winning in 9 out of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, a development that led to the appeals from both ends.

    Delivering the judgment for Zone A, Justice Michael Ugar, held that the petitioners were duty bound to prove they were first validly nominated before talking of exclusion.

    He also held that “the petitioners having failed to prove nomination cannot lay claim to exclusion. Their case is bound to fail and hereby fails and same is dismissed.”

    In Zone B, Justice I. Mohammed, held that the provisions of the Benue State Law, 2007 put the issue of nomination of candidates out of the jurisdiction of the trial tribunal.

    “The issue of nomination of a candidate is within the domestic affairs of a political party and cannot be litigated at the trial tribunal or this appeal tribunal.

    “They do not see a wood in the tree canvassed vigorously by the petitioners. We sit to do justice and not to supervise academic issues.

    “We affirm the judgment of the trial tribunal and dismiss the appeal of the petitioners/appellants,” Mohammed said.

    Delivering judgment for Zone C, the Appeals Tribunal Chairman, Justice Dennis Igyuse, said the grievances of the petitioners before the lower tribunal could not and cannot be litigated at the tribunal nor the appeal tribunal.

    “The petitions of the petitioners are but a reckless display of academic prowess without of course, a destination.

    “The consolidated petitions of the petitioners in all of Zone C are dismissed and the local government elections of Oct. 5, 2024 and the return of its winners is hereby upheld.’’

    Also, the three petitions filed by the People’s Democratic Party and an earlier petition filed by the Labour Party were all thrown out.

    Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mohammed Ndarani, lead counsel of the state government representing the State Electoral umpire BSIEC, described the judgment as infallible.

    Ndarani said the judgement was a reflection of the law, adding that the Justices were the heroes of the process for standing firmly for the cause of right.

    He congratulated the council chairmen and councillors on their deserved victories and urged them to remain people-oriented.

    He also commended the government of Benue as well as all the lawyers whose industry, commitment and selfless efforts made the process a huge success.

  • FG proposes establishment of exams malpractice tribunal

    FG proposes establishment of exams malpractice tribunal

    The Federal Government has proposed the establishment of National Examination Malpractice Court/Tribunal for prompt prosecution of examination infractions to serve as deterrent to others.

    The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa said this in Abuja while receiving a committee report on improvement of quality examinations.

    Affirming the recommendations of the 17-man committee, headed by Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar, Joint Administrations and Matriculation Board (JAMB),  the minister said it would improve the quality of examinations in the country.

    Alausa assured the committee members that all the 12-point recommendations would be implemented, noting that the government would deploy all its machineries to fight the menace of examination malpractice.

    “Let me assure all the committee members that you have done so much work here, and all the recommendations you have given us as a government, we will implement every single one of them.

    “All the 12 recommendations that you reeled out, everyone will agree with me today that none of them will be impossible to implement.

    “They are all practicable things. Those that will be implemented now, we will do that right away,” he said.

    Recall the Minister inaugurated the committee in January and it submitted its interim report after five months of extensive work.

    In one of the recommendations, the committee urged the Federal Ministry of Education to interface with the National Assembly to enact law establishing a National Examination Malpractice Court/Tribunal for prompt prosecution of examination malpractices.

    The committee also recommended that documents, including certificates, registration and result slips, should contain National Identification Number (NIN), photograph and date of birth of candidates, to guard against identity theft and impersonation.

    “All Invigilators and Supervisors must register through NIN and subscribe to the examination body’s Short Code, using the same pattern of 55019/66019 of JAMB in order so track and have full information about the examination officials, including examiners, supervisors and invigilators.

    “Swapping of Invigilators and Supervisors, should commence with effect from the 2025 private SSCE due to the strong views against student swapping expressed by the four concerned examination bodies (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and NBAIS).

    “Except where absolutely impossible, Invigilators and Supervisors should always be public officials, teachers on pensionable appointments

    “The standard requirements of examination halls/centres should not be waived for any school, while the recommended seating arrangement should be 1.5m by 1.2m. or 1.8 sqm per candidate,”  the committee stated.

    The committee also recommended that all examination halls and centres should be equipped with stationary CCTV cameras for surveillance and monitoring purposes.

    ”In addition, every examination centre shall have a mini control room where the CCTV camera is monitored for urgent and immediate alert.”

    The committee also recommended that examination bodies shall jointly own central control facilities for their use during examinations to save cost; and
    body camcorders should be deployed to examination halls and centres for effective monitoring.

    Also recommended by the committee was that, at the point of entry into basic school, every pupil must generate a unique code which is linked to his/her NIN which must be identified with the pupil throughout his/her educational journey in Nigeria.

    The committee noted that the non-implementation of the 1999 Examination Malpractice Act suggested either a lack of political will or non implementable.

    It, therefore, recommended a review of the Act in such a manner that it could be immediately implemented to curb examination malpractice.

    “Rather than wait till 2027 as initially suggested, the Computer Based Examination (CBE) should be implemented for objective questions in 2025 private examinations and in full for school candidates in 2026.

    “The 30 per cent Continuous Assessment component in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations has become a veritable source of corruption in the examination system due to the fraudulent process of inputting the scores in arrears.

    The committee, therefore, recommended the immediate review of the Continuous Assessment System by the relevant agencies.

  • PDP to appeal Edo Election Petitions Tribunal judgment

    PDP to appeal Edo Election Petitions Tribunal judgment

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it will appeal the Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal judgment affirming the election of Gov. Monday Okpebholo of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba on Thursday in Abuja, described the tribunal’s judgment as a miscarriage of justice.

    Ologunagba said that the PDP national leadership, after a thorough review of the judgment, concluded that the verdict was a betrayal of the trust which Nigerians, particularly the people of Edo, had invested in the tribunal.

    He said that with the avalanche of evidence presented to the tribunal, it was clear that PDP’s candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, won the Sept. 21, 2024 governorship election, having scored the highest number of valid votes cast in the election.

    The PDP spokesman said it was disturbing that in spite of the overwhelming evidence and findings by the tribunal, it contradicted itself by coming to a conclusion that was at variance with its own findings.

    He further stated that democracy could only thrive in an atmosphere of adherence to the rule of law and adjudication of issues.

    This, Ologunagba said, could only be accepted by people when a tribunal of such nature impartially applied the law, the facts and the body of evidence made available to it during proceedings

    “However, consistent with PDP’s avowed belief in the capacity of the judiciary to, in appropriate cases, ensure that justice is done, our party and candidate, Ighodalo, are proceeding to the Court of Appeal.

    “We believe that there will be a conscientious judicial review of the matter to give justice to the people of Edo State,” he said.

    Ologunagba called on the people of the state to remain resolute and not allow the tribunal’s verdict to dampen their confidence in the judiciary and democracy in Nigeria, as they await the restoration of Ighodalo’s mandate.

  • Edo Guber: Ighodalo gives reasons why he’s challenging Tribunal’s verdict

    Edo Guber: Ighodalo gives reasons why he’s challenging Tribunal’s verdict

    The flag bearer of the Edo Guber election, Asue Ighodalo has given reasons why he is challenging the verdict of the Edo Petition Tribunal judgement.

    Hear him: “I have instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision which we consider a huge travesty of justice.

    “This is not about me or any single individual; it is about the very essence of democracy, the preservation of our collective right to freely determine our future, and the legacy we leave for generations unborn,” Asue Ighodalo, Edo Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship candidate in September 21, 2024 election.

    He spoke in response to the Wednesday verdict by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal that upheld the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the election.

    Read Asue Ighodalo’s reaction published in extenso hereunder:

    STATEMENT ON THE EDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL

    My good people of Edo State,

    “Today, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has delivered its judgment in our petition challenging the outcome of the September 21st, 2024 Governorship election in our dear State.

    “While we all may not agree with the verdict, we however remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must remain the bedrock of our democracy. Our pursuit of justice in this regard is an affirmation of our firm belief that the right of the good people of Edo State to freely choose their leaders through a credible, free and fair electoral process must never be compromised.

    “As an avowed democrat, I respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, and I urge all of you, our dear good people of Edo State, to remain peaceful, calm and law-abiding in the aftermath of this Judgement. However, let it be clear: this is not the end of our journey, but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate freely conferred on my running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie and I on the platform of our great Party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

    “From the very beginning, your massive show of support, sincere love and belief in our shared vision for a prosperous Edo State have been the driving force behind this journey. For us, it has never been about the realisation of a personal ambition but about our conviction to create a clear Pathway to Prosperity for all Edo People while upholding the foundational values of democracy, justice, and the will of the people.

    “I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision which we consider a huge travesty of justice. This is not about me or any single individual; it is about the very essence of democracy, the preservation of our collective right to freely determine our future, and the legacy we leave for generations unborn.

    We remain resolute. We remain committed. And we shall not waver in our pursuit of truth and justice.

  • Shock, reactions trail Edo tribunal judgement

    Shock, reactions trail Edo tribunal judgement

    Mixed reactions have continued to trail the tribunal’s judgment affirming the election of Gov. Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the Sept. 19 governorship election in Edo.

    The Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Okpebholo’s victory.

    It dismissed the petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

    Reacting to the judgment, the Edo chapter of the PDP expressed disappointment with the ruling delivered by the three-man election petition tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi.

    Chris Nehikhare, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, said the party was waiting to receive the Certified True Copy of the judgment before making further decisions.

    “PDP is disappointed with the judgment of the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led panel.

    “As a party, we are waiting for the Certified True Copy. We will study it and decide on our next course of action,” Nehikhare said.

    Mr Aslem Ojezua, a former PDP chieftain who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he was unsurprised by the tribunal’s decision, as the petition lacked merit.

    “What I expect now is for Ighodalo to congratulate Okpebholo and join hands in solving the problems confronting our people and communities,” Ojezua said.

    He added that the verdict was clear, highlighting the distinction between legal and sensational issues.

    Chief Dan Orbih, PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South), said the tribunal had spoken, and they could not question its ruling.

    Orbih stated that PDP would now focus on bringing back members who left during the primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate.

    He emphasised that efforts would commence to rebuild the party in Edo State following the election setback.

    Orbih blamed the PDP’s struggles on former Gov. Godwin Obaseki, accusing him of driving members away from the party.

    “Unfortunately, the former governor brought distress, division, and disaster to the PDP.

    “Today, I did not see his face among those at the tribunal, waiting for the judgment outcome.

    “As it stands, lawyers will study the verdict and make a decision after a careful review of the well-established ruling,” he said.

    NAN

  • PDP’s Ighodalo to appeal Edo tribunal’s verdict

    PDP’s Ighodalo to appeal Edo tribunal’s verdict

    Mr Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 19 September governorship election in Edo, has said he will challenge the tribunal’s judgment at the Court of Appeal.

    The Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s victory and dismissed the petitions from the PDP and Ighodalo.

    Ighodalo, in a statement in Benin, said his decision to challenge the judgment aimed to protect Edo people’s collective rights and ensure they freely determine their future.

    “Today, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the outcome of the Sept. 21, 2024 election in our dear state.

    “While we may not all agree with the verdict, we remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must continue as democracy’s foundational bedrock.

    “Our pursuit of justice affirms our firm belief that Edo people’s right to freely choose their leaders through credible, free, and fair elections must always prevail.

    “As a committed democrat, I respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and urge all Edo people to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding,” he stated.

    Ighodalo said this was not the end of their journey but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.

    He commended the people for their massive support, sincere love, and belief in their shared vision for a prosperous Edo, which had fuelled their journey.

    “For us, this has never been about personal ambition but about our conviction to create a clear ‘Pathway to Prosperity’ for Edo while upholding democracy’s core values.

    “I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision, which we consider a serious miscarriage of justice.

    “This is not about me or any single individual; it is about democracy’s essence, our collective right to determine our future, and our legacy for generations unborn.

    “We remain resolute. We remain committed. We shall not waver in our pursuit of truth and justice,” Ighodalo said.

  • Tribunal dismisses Accord Party’s petition against Gov. Okpebholo, APC

    Tribunal dismisses Accord Party’s petition against Gov. Okpebholo, APC

    The Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by Accord Party against the declaration of Gov. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the Sept. 21, 2024 governorship election.

    Delivering judgment, the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal held that Accord Party and its governorship candidate, Mr Bright Enabulele made weighty allegations but failed to defend them.

    The tribunal said that the petitioners failed to name a single perpetrator to substantiate their allegations of thuggery, stuffing of ballots, harassing and molesting voters.

    According to the tribunal, the two petitioners were so inconsistent in their claims with allegations of non compliance with the Electoral Act 2002 and calling for nullification of the election on one hand while seeking to be declared winners on the other hand.

    “On the other hand, they are seeking to be declared winners of the election they claimed to have been conducted without compliance with the Electoral Act.”

    The tribunal held that there was no meaningful evidence for it to act upon to nullify the election of Okpebholo and APC and subsequently dismissed the petition in its entirety.

    The tribunal thereafter affirmed the election of Okpebholo as being valid and conducted in compliance with the law.

    NAN reports that the tribunal had earlier dismissed the petition filed by Action Alliance (AA)also challenging the declaration of Okpebholo and the APC as winners of the Edo governorship election.

    The petition of AA was dismissed for being frivolous and lacking in merit.

    The tribunal is currently delivering judgment in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate Mr Asue Ighodalo also challenging the declaration of the APC and Okpebholo in the Edo governorship election of Sept. 21, 2024.