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Tag: Tribunal

  • Tribunal affirms election of Edo LP Rep

    Tribunal affirms election of Edo LP Rep

    The National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin on Thursday affirmed the election of Mr Omoruyi Osaro of the Labour Party (LP) for the Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency of Edo.

    In a unanimous Judgement by the three-member panel, led by Justice O. A. Chijioke, the tribunal dismissed the petitions of the candidates of the PDP, Mr Okhuarobo Henry and that of APC Mr Crosby Eribo for lack of merits

    The tribunal held that the two petitioners could not prove a case of non-compliance with the electoral act, corrupt practices and non-qualification allegations against the LP candidate in the election.

    Delivering the judgement, Justice O.A. Chijioke held that the petitioners failed to prove their cases, and thereby dismissed the petitions for lack of merit.

    “We hold that the petitioners failed to prove any of the grounds raised in the petitions and the petitions are hereby dismissed for lack of merits, ‘’ he said.

    The petitioners, Henry and Eribo had approached the tribunal to challenge the election of Osaro on the grounds that he was not qualified to contest for the election.

    They claimed non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022 in the conduct of the election, as well as Osaro’s dual nationality adding that the LP could not have had a candidate in the said election.

    However, the Justice Chijioke led election panel resolved all the grounds and averred that the petitioners merely dumped documents on the tribunal without any probative value.

    Eribo had alleged that the LP candidate was a citizen of the U.S and his standing for election negated Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2022 as well as Section 66 of the Constitution of Nigeria.

    He also contended that Osaro was not validly nominated by the LP for the election, which by inference meant that the LP had no candidate in the election.

  • Edo: Tribunal dismisses Okhuarobo, PDP’s petition against LP lawmaker

    Edo: Tribunal dismisses Okhuarobo, PDP’s petition against LP lawmaker

    The Election Petition Tribunal in Benin on Thursday dismissed the petition by Mr Okhuarobo Henry of the PDP against the INEC’s declaration of Mr Omoruyi Murphy Osaro of LP as winner of the Feb. 25 Egor/Ikpoba Federal Constituency election of Edo.

    Delivering the unanimous judgment in Suit NO: EPT/ED/HR/06/ 2023, Justice O.A. Chijioke, who read the judgment, held that the petitioners failed to prove their case, and therefore, dismissed the petition for lack of merit.

    The Petitioners, Henry, and PDP had approached the tribunal to challenge the election of the first respondent, on the ground that he Osaro was not qualified to contest the election.

    The petitioners also claimed that there was non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, as amended, in the conduct of the election and that the Labour Party had no candidate in the election.

    However, the Justice Chijioke led petition panel, resolved all the grounds against Okhuarobo, and averred that the petitioner merely dumped the documents on the tribunal without any probative value.

  • LP Reps member heads to appeal court over tribunal judgement

    LP Reps member heads to appeal court over tribunal judgement

    Rep. Amobi Ogah (LP-Abia) has rejected the judgement of election petition tribunal which nullified his election, saying he plans to appeal the judgement at the Appeal Court.

    Ogah who represented Isiukwato, Umunneochi Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    “I want to state categorically and for the records that, I will appeal the judgment by the tribunal as soon as I conclude with my legal team.

    “I call on my constituents who voted for me, knowing my capacity to deliver dividends of democracy to them, to be calm law and abiding as I appeal the judgment of the tribunal.

    “For the records, I scored a total of 11,769 votes against my opponent whom INEC said scored a total of 8,752 votes.

    “Let me be clear that I am rejecting the tribunal’s ruling and will appeal the obvious miscarriage of justice, fairness and objectivity, ” he said.

    Ogah said he was fully on ground to cater for the people, saying that the will of the people that came out en-mass to vote for him was not in doubt, hence his decision to challenge the judgement.

    The tribunal sitting in Umuahia had on Wednesday nullified Ogah’s election and declared Mrs Nkiruka Onyejeocha of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election.

  • PEPC judgment: We owe our victory to Nigerians, says Shettima

    PEPC judgment: We owe our victory to Nigerians, says Shettima

    The Vice-President, Mr Kashim Shettima, has said that judgment delivered by the Presidential Election Petition Court is a testimony to the fate Nigerians have in President Bola Tinubu and his administration.

    Shettima made the assertion while speaking to newsmen shortly after the 5-member panel of justices of the court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani delivered judgment affirming Tinubu’s election as president.

    ”My principal, President Bola Tinubu is eternally indebted to the Nigerian people and to the leadership of the party who have been here since 9 a.m.

    “Our energetic chairman and national secretary of the party, members of the national assembly, ministers they have all been here.

    ”One cannot adequately convey our debt of gratitude to the Nigerian people, my principal will issue a formal statement but we felt compelled to talk to you having spent nearly 14 to 15 hours in this chambers.

    ”There is dignity of every person that we need to honour and cherish. We want to thank you; the journey is just beginning and we want to call on Nigerians, let us unite,” he said.

    The vice-president declared that: ““What binds us together supersedes whatever divides us, let us unite as a people and face our common challenges.

    “As I have always said, the trajectory of global growth is facing Africa and Nigeria the greatest black nation on earth will make or mar that trajectory.’’

    Shettima said that even though it was a long day, it was a good day.

    “Today is a great day for Nigeria. The Nigerian judiciary has proved itself to be the guardians of justice and fairness against the sirens of deception.

    ”It is a battle between the will of the people and the forces of misinformation and disinformation, but democracy has finally triumphed like the bird phoenix, it rises from the ashes resolute and unhindered and in this age of information discernment is our greatest armor and unity is our strongest hold.

    “Remember, in this battle for the survival of the nation, in this grand symphony of democracy, your voice, your vote is the note that cannot be silenced but even in this our moment of triumph, we are not going to be tampered, we will work for the unity of this nation.

    ”Democracy as you all know is not a destination but a journey and it takes our resolve, our intent, our commitment to be the custodians of the will of the people,’’ he said.

    On whether he would fulfill his campaign promise and “retire political tourists to Dubai, the vice-president said that campaigns were over and it was now time for governance.

    ”Atiku Abubakar is an elder statesman that I hold in very high esteem and anybody who knows the social cultural interaction between the Fulanis and the Kanuris in the North will know that I have the liberty to haul all insults at him and he will bear.

    ”We are not going to retire him to Dubai or Morroco, I will retire him to Fombina, I will buy him goats, broilers and layers so that he can spend his days rearing goats and broilers, but on a joking side.

    ”On a more serious note, he is an elder statesman, the nation needs him, experience is not something that you can buy in the market place. We will tap into his wealth of experience and exposure to catapult the nation to a higher level,” he stated.

    Shettima along with Governors Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Hope Uzodinma of Imo, amongst other governors and top government functionaries, were in court to witness the judgment.

    They sat from the beginning until about 10 p.m when the court delivered the final judgment in the three petitions challenging the outcome of the Feb. 25 presidential election.

  • All eyes off the judiciary: Atiku, Obi’s ‘renewed hope’ of getting close to Aso Rock dashed

    All eyes off the judiciary: Atiku, Obi’s ‘renewed hope’ of getting close to Aso Rock dashed

    …as PEPT knocks out all opposition parties in round one

    …APM, PDP, LP fined for disturbing the peace of the judiciary

    …APC bigwigs slumbered satisfactorily at the panel’s ruling

    It’s no longer all eyes on the judiciary as the eyes must be switched off until second round of legal tussles enters base two.

    Expectedly, the verdict as it’s common and almost a tradition in Africa that the judiciary must rule in favour of the ruling party in this clime.

    In this special report, TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) Africa’s most authoritative news platform will take a brief look at the pillars that knocked off over 75 percent of the petitions that a five-man panel weighed and balanced in the legal battle.

    The general impression created by the tribunal on Wednesday clearly connotes that the legal luminaries who represented the opposition parties had no business dragging the ruling party to court in the first place as all their submissions were adequately and exhaustively punctured with upper cuts.

    Little wonder all the opposition parties had to cough out fines for disturbing the serenity and comfort zone of the court.

    For wasting the ever precious time of the court on frivolous election petitions, the parties have to bear the cost.

    This aptly captured the fact that the PDP, LP and APM had no right to have even made an attempt to query the emergence of the ruling APC in the last presidential election.

    The ever precious time of the judiciary was grossly abused by the opposition parties lawyers who took the pains to look for documents to defend their clients at the tribunal.

    CONVICTION:

    On Tinubu’s conviction in the US, the panel rubbished documents presented declaring that the records before the panel cannot be proven and on this ground it’s expunged from the court’s records.

    25% Wahala:

    The FCT 25percent debacle that made Nigerians to insult learned men and women of not being properly schooled was thrown into the archival dustbin as the territory does not have any privileged status.

    Hear this also:

    Justice Tsamanni had this to say” INEC did not provide a system for electronic transmission of results because it is susceptible to hacking.

    He said that there’s nothing in the electoral Act or INEC guidelines to show that INEC prescribed to electronically collate results.

    That the only only collation system is the PHYSICAL collation at the collation centers.

    INEC was clothed in the garment of a saint as the number one umpire on electoral matters in Nigeria had no blemishes at all in the conduct of the last presidential election.

    CERTIFICATE FORGERY:

    On the issue of certificate forgery, the president had the last smile as there were no concrete proof to nail him and his Chicago varsity certificate only had typographical errors.

    Apparently, some APC bigwigs must have gotten hint of the outcome before joining the crowd at the court as the party chairman led others in a sleeping contest yesterday.

    The PDP, LP and APM may have to think twice before embarking on another mission impossible as it’s difficult to unseat an African leader. The APC had from day one advised opposition to go court to contest outcome of the election.

    Yes! indeed they went to Court and the verdict is before them. All eyes are definitely no longer on the judiciary for now as there’s nothing to look on until further notice.

  • BREAKING: PEPT declares Tinubu as authentic winner of 2023 presidential election

    BREAKING: PEPT declares Tinubu as authentic winner of 2023 presidential election

    The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) has ruled Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the authentic winner of the 2023 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports a 5-member panel of justices of the PEPT chaired by Justice Haruna Tsammani delivered the ruling on Wednesday.

    The court said the petitions of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; as well as those of the Labour Party (LP) and its flag bearer, Peter Obi; challenging Tinubu’s victory lacked merit.

    According to Tsammani in the lead judgment, the petitioner failed to prove their allegations beyond reasonable doubts.

    “This petition accordingly lacks merit. I affirm the return of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the duly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The parties are to bear their cost,” Tsammani said while passing the final judgement.

     

    Details later…

  • BREAKING: Tinubu reacts to presidential tribunal judgement

    BREAKING: Tinubu reacts to presidential tribunal judgement

    President Bola Tinubu has reacted to the judgement by the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Tinubu’s reaction is contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

    President Tinubu in the statement welcomed the judgement of the tribunal with an intense sense of solemn responsibility and preparedness to serve all Nigerians, according to Ngelale.

    The statement reads in full: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, has assured Nigerians of his renewed and energised focus on delivering his vision of a unified, peaceful and prosperous nation, following the judgement by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.

    “President Tinubu welcomes the judgement of the tribunal with an intense sense of solemn responsibility and preparedness to serve all Nigerians, irrespective of all diverse political persuasions, faiths, and tribal identities.

    “The President recognizes the diligence, undaunted thoroughness, and professionalism of the five-member bench, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani in interpreting the law.

    “The President affirms that his commitment to the rule of law, and the unhindered discharge of duties by the Tribunal, as witnessed in the panel’s exclusive respect for the merits of the petitions brought forward, further reflects the continuing maturation of Nigeria’s legal system, and the advancement of Africa’s largest democracy at a time when our democratic system of government is under test in other parts of the continent.

    “The President believes the Presidential Candidates and Political Parties that have lawfully exercised their rights by participating in the 2023 general elections and the judicial process, which followed, have affirmed Nigeria’s democratic credentials.

    “The President urges his valiant challengers to inspire their supporters in the trust that the spirit of patriotism will now and forever be elevated above partisan considerations, manifesting into support for our Government to improve the livelihood of all Nigerians.

    “Once more, President Tinubu thanks Nigerians for the mandate given to him to serve our country while promising to meet and exceed their expectations, by the grace of God Almighty, and through very diligent hard work with the team that has been put in place for that sole purpose”.

  • BREAKING: Labour Party rejects Tribunal judgement

    BREAKING: Labour Party rejects Tribunal judgement

    The Labour Party has rejected the judgement of the Presidential Election Petitions Court in the party’s petition challenging the electoral victory of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25, 2023 poll.

    In a statement after the verdict of the Tribunal on Wednesday, Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said justice was not served in the petitions of the party against the APC and Tinubu.

    He also said the Labour Party will make its next move known upon consultation with its lawyers after receiving the Certified True Copy of the judgement.

    The party said the judgment of the court “did not reflect the law and the desire of the people”.

    The statement reads: “The Labour Party watched with dismay and trepidation the dismissal of petitions by the five-man panel of the Presidential Election Petition Court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani today and we reject the outcome of the judgment in its entirety because justice was not served and it did not reflect the law and the desire of the people.

    “Nigerians were witnesses to the electoral robbery that took place on February 25, 2023, which was globally condemned but the Tribunal in its wisdom refused to accept the obvious. What is at stake is democracy and we will not relent until the people will prevail.

    “We salute the doggedness of our team of lawyers who fearlessly exposed the wrath in our system. We can only weep for democracy in Nigeria but we refuse to give up on Nigeria.

    “Details of the party’s position will be presented after consultation with our lawyers after the Certified True Copy of the  judgement is made available to us.

    “We urge all lovers of democracy to remain focused and hopeful because a new Nigeria is possible”.

  • BREAKING: PEPT throws out Labour Party, Peter Obi’s petition

    BREAKING: PEPT throws out Labour Party, Peter Obi’s petition

    The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) has struck out the petition of the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Labour Party and Peter Obi challenged the 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The tribunal ruled that the petition of the Labour Party and its presidential candidate was greatly incompetent and defective beyond repairs.

    In delivering the judgement read by Justice Haruna Tsammani, the tribunal struck out the testimonies of 10 out the 13 witnesses called by Mr Obi and the Labour Party.

    The tribunal held that the arguments of the petitioners “that the votes of the voters in the FCT have more weight than others in other parts of the country to the extent that their votes purportedly have a greater effect on other votes” is futile and hollow.

    With the FCT controversy settled, the petition of Peter Obi and the Labour Party is out of the way; Atiku Abubakar’s petition is now under consideration.

     

    Details later…

  • PEPC: Why we are out in support of Tinubu – Asari Dokubo

    PEPC: Why we are out in support of Tinubu – Asari Dokubo

    A Niger Delta Leader, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, on Wednesday, said his group came out to show solidarity with President Bola Tinubu because the petitions against him were frivolous and lacked substance.

    Dokubo spoke outside the premises of the Appeal Court  Headquarters, Abuja, venue of the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC).

    The ex-militant, who gathered with his group, the Ijaw Youths for BAT in collaboration with National APC Supporters Centre and Northern Youths Network for Asiwaju, along the Shehu Shagari Way directly opposite the Head of Service Building, said he was hopeful that the case would be decided in their favour.

    “We are here to show our presence in the court. We know that the case will be decided in our favour. The case is frivolous; they don’t have any substance in their case.

    “But if you don’t come, they will come here and start to misbehave. And that is why we came. You have seen the overwhelming majority (pointing to members of his group); you can’t find them anywhere,” he said.

    According to Asari Dokubo, President Tinubu has been with him in his most trying period, and this is the time for him to pay back.

    When asked what he would do if the outcome.of the judgement did not favour his candidate, Dokubo simply said: “We know our case and we know that it will go in our favour.”

    He said whichever way the pendulum of the judgement swings, “All Nigerians should come together and work for the good of the country.”

    Some of the placards carried by members of the groups had inscriptions like: “On Tinubu’s Mandate, We the Citizens Stand,” “Thank You President Tinubu for Restoring the Niger Delta Ministry,” “President Tinubu Loves the Niger Delta,” “The Office of the Citizens is Supreme, the Citizens Have Spoken, On Tinubu’s Mandate, We the Citizens Stand!!!,” among others.

    The Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) are challenging the election victory of Tinubu in the Feb. 25 presidential poll conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).